01-08-2025 Workshop Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MA-15 FUNDING REGIONAL PARKS & OPEN SPACE MA-16 LIVABLE COMMUNITIES Metro Cities supports current SAC policy that enhances flexibility in the SAC credit structure for redevelopment purposes and supports continued evaluation of SAC fees to determine if they hinder redevelopment. Metro Cities supports the Metropolitan Council providing details on how any proposed changes to the SAC rate are determined. Metro Cities supports a periodic review of MCES’ customer service policies, to ensure that its processes are responsive and transparent to cities, businesses, and residents. Metro Cities supports continued outreach by MCES to users of the SAC program to promote knowledge and understanding of SAC charges and policies. Any modifications to the SAC program or structure should be considered only with the participation and input of local officials in the metropolitan region. Metro Cities supports a “growth pays for growth” approach to SAC. If state statutes are modified to establish a “growth pays for growth” method for SAC, the Metropolitan Council should convene a group of local officials to identify any technical changes necessary for implementing the new structure. Metro Cities supports allowing the Council to utilize a SAC ‘transfer’ mechanism when the SAC reserve fund is inadequate to meet debt service obligations. Any use of the transfer mechanism must be done so within parameters prescribed by state law and with appropriate notification and processes to allow local official input and should include a timely ‘shift back’ of any funds that were transferred from the wastewater fund to the SAC reserve fund. Efforts should be made to avoid increasing the municipal wastewater charge in use of the transfer mechanism. In the seven-county metropolitan area, regional parks essentially serve as state parks, and the state should continue to provide capital funding for the acquisition, development, and improvement of these parks in a manner that is equitable with funding for state parks. State funding apart from Legacy funds should equal 40 percent of the operating budget for regional parks. Legacy funds for parks and trails should be balanced between the metropolitan region and greater Minnesota. Metro Cities supports state funding for regional parks and trails that is fair, creates a balance of investment across the state, and meets the needs of the region. The Livable Communities Act (LCA) under Minn. Stat. 473.25 is administered by the Metropolitan Council and provides a voluntary, incentive-based approach to affordable housing development, tax base revitalization, job growth and preservation, brownfield clean up, mixed-use, transit-friendly development, and redevelopment. Metro Cities supports this approach that is widely accepted and utilized by cities. Since its inception in 1995 the LCA program has generated billions of dollars of private and public investment, created thousands of jobs and added thousands of affordable housing units in the region. 71