03/26/1990 Council Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 COUNCIL MEETING OLD BUSINESS MARCH 26, 1990 League of Minnesota Cities Legislative Update, Randy Schumacher - Mr. Schumacher and Council Member Reinert attended the League Legislative Update last week. Mr. Schumacher noted that the most significant issue is that state aid for 1990 will be reduced. This creates a problem in that the original amount of state aid has been calculated into the 1990 Budget. If the state aid is cut by $20,000 to $50,000 as anticipated, there will have to be a similar cut in the 1990 Budget or an equal amount taken from surplus. This means that the Council will have to take a long hard look at present services. Comparable Worth is also before the legislature again this session. This is a mandated and costly issue. Mr. Schumacher said he was not arguing why it should be in place, but how, since there was no money appropriated to fund the original Plan and no money is apparently being funded for any changes in the Plan. This issue may be decided in court. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is another issue before the legislature. Mr. Schumacher noted it will probably be a week to ten (10) days before its impact is known. He noted the action earlier this evening should safeguard Lino Lakes current projects. Coordination of elections all on one day is another matter before the legislature. There is one bill in the senate and another bill in the legislature and they are widely different. Council Member Reinert said he has followed this issue and cannot imagine how this would work. He noted that some of the large municipalities are pushing this issue. Council Member Reinert told the Council that he talked to a number of other council people and interacted with speakers and audience during this Update session. It is the opinion of the people he spoke with that the legislature is treating municipalities like a "bunch of kids" who are not responsible for managing the cities affairs. He noted a widening breach between the legislature and local officials and school districts. Mayor Bisel said it was his opinion that the legislature was setting themselves up as a high authority. Council Member Reinert noted that there is a IR candidate for State Senate from Lino Lakes, Jane Brown. Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Randy Schumacher - Mr. Schumacher explained that a Comprehensive Plan Amendment was prepared by staff, a public hearing was held and the staff has been working with Metropolitan Council and the Community Development Committee on the matter. The Amendment has now been approved by Metropolitan Council. The MUSA area has been expanded and generally it is a good document.