10/06/2008 Council Packet (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Three Perspectives on Governing Lino 6 Economic Development Rests on Strong Infrastructure The Lino Lakes Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), a group of residents and business owners who lend their expertise to strengthen the business climate within the city, unanimously agreed at their October 2008 meeting to support the charter amendment. As proposed, the charter changes are consistent with the goals and objectives that citizens have expressed when developing the city's 20/30 Vision Plan, members concluded. These goals include: • Planning for and achieving required street improvements and connectivity throughout the city • Ensuring that streets and roads are as safe as possible • Ensuring that local streets are maintained (or reconstructed) to an acceptable level Members of the committee are concerned about the city governing without the authority, resources and tools to properly maintain its streets. Their belief is that current city charter requirements lengthen the reconstruction process, stagnate repairs, and ultimately cost taxpayers more in the end. EDAC members agreed that this citizen - initiated charter amendment also meets economic development goals and objectives to stabilize the city's tax base. Costs are minimized through a structured and phased plan to reconstruct roads. They are concerned that putting off these improvements will have a greater tax impact on citizens in the long run. Original Drafter Speaks on Intent of City Charter What does one of the originators of the Charter say about the proposal to amend the Charter? Former Mayor and city leader, Vern Reinert, explains why the Charter was created, and how it's holding up today: "[In 1982] Lino Lakes was 'way out of the Cities. There was little or no tax base. There was no planning in place...Lino Lakes didn't have the staff or the experts we have today. There was no zoning. [Add to this] the sewer and water 32 years ago was only in the SW corner and that there was a plan to run it up Lake Drive with no means to pay for it. This concern is what led to the creation of the charter... There was no intent to jeopardize the ability of a city council to run and manage a city. It was put in place to protect and manage development. It was not meant to halt development...The charter needs to be tweaked and looked at based on how the city is today and not how the city was at the time it was created" —Vern Reinert, Former Mayor of Lino Lakes Fast Facts Every time a referendum fails, Lino Lakes taxpayers absorb as much as S50,000 in referendum costs. Did You Know? There are two basic ways to fix streets: routine, scheduled, ongoing maintenance or reconstruction after a street has outlived its useful life. Ongoing maintenance can be paid for out of the city's general fund. Reconstruction usually is more expensive and involves an assess- ment to the benefiting property owners as well as a special assessment to all other taxpayers. Amending the Charter: The Voice of the People In 2006, a Quality of Life Survey found that 60% of Lino Lakes citizens favored changing the Lino Lakes City Charter to enable city managers to plan and fund the maintenance of streets in a responsible, cost effective manner. In 2007, a report to the city by a Citizens' Task Force recommended " that chapter 8 [of the City Charter] be amended to remove the citywide referenda!' • In 2008, a citizen - initiated petition to amend the Charter by adopting MN Statute, Chapter 429 is now on the ballot for a vote by all citizens.