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CITY COUNCIL <br />AGENDA ITEM 3B <br /> <br /> <br />STAFF ORIG INATOR: Jeff Karlson <br /> <br />MEETING DATE: April 8, 2013 <br /> <br />TOPIC: Resolution Supporting Street Improvement Legislation <br /> <br />VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 <br /> <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />The Council is bein g asked to consider the adoption of a R esolution No. 13 -42, supporting <br />legislation establishing municipal street improvement districts. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />There is currently state legislation being proposed that would allow cities to create street <br />improvement di stricts. This authority would allow cities to collect fees from property owners <br />within a district to fund municipal street maintenance, construction, and reconstruction. It is <br />modeled after Minn. Stat. 435.44, which allows cities to establish sidewalk im provement <br />districts. This authority would establish a clear relationship between who pays fees and where <br />projects occur. Fees would also be deductible just as property taxes are. <br /> <br />If enacted, this legislation would provide cities with an additional tool to build and maintain <br />city streets. Property owners would fund expensive projects by paying relatively small fees <br />over time. The proposal at the Legislature is enabling legislation, which means cities can <br />decide whether or not to use this type of funding mechanism. <br /> <br />Existing funding mechanisms for street maintenance and reconstruction are inadequate. <br />Special assessments can be onerous to property owners and are difficult to implement, which is <br />especially true in Lino Lakes. Timely maintenance is essen tial to preserving streets and <br />thereby protecting taxpayer investments. <br /> <br />If the Council elects to approve this resolution, staff would send a letter of support from the <br />M ayor to the League of Minnesota Cities, which would be presented to legislators during the <br />testimony for this proposed legislation. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br /> <br />Adopt Resolution No. 13 -42 , supporting legislation authorizing the establishment of municipal <br />street improvement districts. <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS <br /> <br />Resolution No. 13 -42