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COUNCIL MINUTES September 12, 2011 APPROVED 91 Mike Trehus, Lino Lakes Charter Commission member, addressed the council. He confirmed that he 92 would offer an explanation of the amendments and then reserve the opportunity to rebut what he 93 understands he will be hearing from the city as far as a critique of the amendments. 94 95 Mr. Trehus first explained that a charter commission is a group of volunteer city residents that work 96 with a small budget. The charge of the group is to frame and amend the city charter, based on their 97 view of city operations. The commission doesn't have power to directly amend the charter and can 98 only propose amendments to the city council or the voters. The Lino Lakes Charter Commission is 99 proposing amendments to the council now mainly because this year's Minnesota Legislature did not 100 include in their budget actions any tax cap for cities. That being the case, the commission decided it 101 would be a good time to suggest that a tax cap be added to the city charter. He noted that taxes are 102 high in Lino Lakes and he showed a chart comparing the City's taxes to other cities. The other 103 amendment proposed clarifies and speaks to the duties of the Commission. 104 105 Mayor Reinert read the proposed amendment to Section 1.04. Mr. Trehus explained that while some 106 of the added language may be duplicative to what's currently in state law, the commission feels it 107 should be in place within the Charter in case there are law changes in the future. It is meant to be 108 reaffirming. He will be demonstrating the need as he moves further into his presentation. 109 110 Mayor Reinert read the proposed amendment to Section 1.05. Mr. Trehus explained that the courts 111 have decided that any public money spent on a referendum issue belongs to both sides of the issue. 112 That has not been the case in Lino Lakes. This would be a no cost option that doesn't change any 113 power for the Commission. He noted the history of the city council trying to get the word out on an 114 amendment on the ballot and that the city advocated but didn't allow the Commission to get the word 115 out on the other side of the matter. 116 117 Mayor Reinert read the proposed amendment to Chapter 7.13. Mr. Trehus presented a chart 118 indicating tax levy increases in Lino Lakes over the past ten years and comparing the levy amounts to 119 population growth and he explained that the primary purpose of the tax cap is to prevent this type of 120 tax growth. He noted that the current city council has worked to reduce the city's levy and that is 121 appropriate, but it's important not to return to the past ways of rampant growth of taxes. He noted 122 several cities that have tax caps in place. A council member noted that the information being 123 presented ends at 2009 however that is when democracy took its course and the council make up 124 changed, trends reversed and taxes were reduced; the presentation ignores that more recent relevant 125 information that may indicate that a tax cap isn't needed. Mr. Trehus acknowledged that the 126 amendment goal is trying to limit taxes from rampant growth; the statement regarding the election 127 would be an opinion; he added that the current council in perpetuity wouldn't be a problem but there 128 could be change in the future. Mr. Trehus noted that the tax cap proposed is good one that is tried and 129 true and working in other cities. A council member asked for a comparison of population for the tax 130 levy comparisons and when a chart was shown he noted that many are not in the range of Lino Lakes; 131 another council member added that the comparative figures are not from the current decade. Mr. 132 Trehus noted that he has compared current information, focusing on cities that are growing like Lino 133 Lakes, and he continues to have a goal of reducing the cost of government and he added thateven if 134 the council doesn't intend to allow taxes to run rampant again, they have nothing to lose by enacting 135 this tax cap. A council member noted that the finance director has opined that there could be an 3