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MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 1982 PAGE 5 another level of government and the unit will not be responsible to or in any way be a part of the Metropolitan Council. Clerk Administrator Barnes informed that he had checked the state statutes and such an organi- zation would be permitted to levy taxes. Council again expressed object- ion to the establishing of a rail authority. Councilmember Eggert moved, seconded by Councilmember Larson, that the Clerk Administrator again write Commissioner Orth and inform him that the Council is still in opposition and refer to the statute permitting taxation.'Motion carried unanimously. ,G ~ci RAIL AUTHORIT (cont.) Mayor Warkentien announced that the Annual Conference on Natural Disaster- ANNUAL CON- will be held on March, 5, 1982 and inquired as to whether any Council- FERENCE ON members would like to attend. Since the conference relates primarily to NATURAL flooding from snow run off Council did not feel it necessary to attend. DISASTER Councilmember Cieraia reported on the hearing on the proposed State Fair Bill which is being considered by the legislature. The bill, if approved would affect Falcon Heights in two ways (1) by repealing the statute requiring that the State Fair negotiate with Falcon Heights on costs incurred by the Fair and (2) detaching the Fairgrounds from any political subdivision. Councilmember Ciernia thought the group generally was of the opinion that there are no grounds for the City to recieve compensation and that dealing through the Legislature was not a proper way to solve the problem. The House Committee had no objection to the bill as written, however, Councilmember-Ciernia was of the opinion that the Legislators were not aware that there are people residing on the Fairgrounds, that the children must attend schools and that they would have no place to vote. Councilmember Ciernia gave the following possible alternatives to solving the problem: (1) attempt to change the content of the legislation, (2) forget the matter, (3) attempt to lobby for support to continue the present legislation, (4) or, as suggested by the State Fair people, sit down and discuss any damage caused by the Fair. Council concurred that negotiating would not be successful. Mayor Warkentien informed that he and Councilmember Ciernia will meet with Mike Heffron on February 25, 1982 to discuss the matter. Councilmember Larson expressed concern regarding the detachment and felt the City should pursue the matter. Following the discussion it was decided that Mayor Warkentien and Councilmember Ciernia should meet with Mike Heffron and report back to Council, and that Clerk Administrator Barnes and any Councilmembers who know legislators, contact legislators and make them aware of the ramifications of the detachment, such as schools, voting, sewer, water, etc. Mayor Warkentien informed Council that he had written a letter to the chairperson of the School Board regarding the reasons the City had not taken a stand on the proposed closing of Falcon Heights School. Both Councilmembers Eggert, _Chestovich and Ciernia stated they had written to Superintendent Neilsen to attempt to stop rumors that the City was interested in purchasing the school property for a City Hall. Both stressed the fact that the residents in the school area are concerned about possible future use of the building if it is closed. STATE FAIR BILL UPDATE SCHOOL CLOSI? DISCUSSION Councilmember Chestovich inquired as to whether there is any possibility