Review Legislative Agenda for 2011

The purpose of this topic report is to discuss the legislative agenda for the 2011 session.  Staff has invited Senator Jungbauer and Representative Abeler to the meeting to provide their perspective on the coming session and to discuss some of the City's legislative initiatives. 

The following items are proposed for consideration in the City's 2011 legislative agenda:

1.  COR Tax increment financing district modifications.  Several modifications of the COR TIF district are desirable for the successful implementation of the district.  These modifications include a technical modification of the boundary description, an expansion of the eligible activities to be more consistent with an economic development district (as opposed to redevelopment), inclusion of recently constructed projects as increment, and possible modifications to fiscal disparities as it applies to this district.

2.  Revisions to the state open meeting law to allow Cities that are acting as developers to close a meeting to discuss the development and management of real estate projects.

3.  Ramsey Rail station funding of $3.08 million in state bonding and/or transit appropriations.

4.  Armstrong interchange funding of $5+ million in state bonding.

5.  Street improvement districts (see page 36 of attached Metro Cities document) would be a key component of the City's efforts to reconstruct and maintain its streets infrastructure.

6.  Possible other: Sales tax on local government (p.5 attached), administrative fines (p.10), selection of Metropolitan Council member (p.26),  and others as discussed.

Consider legislative priorities based upon discussion.