11-13-2002 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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the city of Chanhassen in 1995 to experiment using this process for purchasing playground equipment. 4 Response: The Legislature should authorize an extension of the design -build 5 procedure to cities as a less expensive alternative to the standard bid procedure. 6 7 SD -5, Providing Information to Citizens (ABH) 8 9 Issue: To keep the public updated and informed, state law requires local units of 10 government to publish various notification documents in newspapers, and often dictates which 11 newspapers receive cities' publication business. The number and variety of documents required 12 to be published and the costs of publication are burdensome. Technological advancements have 13 expanded the ways government can provide information to citizens. In many cases, these new 14 technologies are more efficient and cost effective. 15 16 Response: Cities should be authorized to take advantage of new technologies to 17 increase the dissemination of information to citizens and potentially lower the associated 18 costs. Specifically, the Legislature should authorize local units of government to designate 19 an appropriate daily /weekly publication; elect alternative means of communication such as 20 city newsletters, cable television, and the Internet; and expand the use of summaries where 21 information is technical or lengthy. Additionally, the Legislature should eliminate outdated 22 or unnecessary publication requirements. SD -6. Construction Codes (RS) 25 26 Issue: Each year the Legislature addresses construction codes issues that have some 27 impact on local governments. In addition, the Construction Codes Advisory Council and 28 Builders' Association of Minnesota have indicated they may be recommending legislation to 29 require statewide enforcement of the building code. 30 31 While all cities must enforce certain codes- -such as the accessibility code, the electrical 32 code and the bleacher safety code - -the state's building code remains a local option for cities 33 outside the metropolitan area. Many greater Minnesota cities have adopted the state building 34 code and all cities within the seven - county metropolitan area are required to adhere to the state 35 building code. 36 37 Response: A building code provides many benefits, including uniformity of 38 construction standards in the building industry, consistency in code interpretation and 39 enforcement, and life - safety guidance. 40 41 A statewide - enforced building code may have benefits, but requiring it would result 42 in an unfunded mandate. The enforcement of a building code can be cost prohibitive for 43 many cities due to the expenses and overhead related to staffing vs. the limited building 4.1 activity occurring in some communities. -, r, The League supports adoption of a state building code so long as there is not 47 mandatory enforcement at the local level. The adoption of an enforced state building code 23