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1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION SESSION FEBRUARY 6, 1993 <br />Lino Lakes on the map is one of the goals of the Economic <br />Development Committee. Signs are being designed and the next <br />meeting is planned for Wednesday. Mr. Wessel noted that there is <br />tremendous competition for quality business development. All <br />communities are working hard to attract quality businesses to <br />their communities. <br />Mrs. Nordine asked about the status of the annexation petition on <br />the east side of Lino Lakes. Mayor Reinert explained that this <br />matter is still unresolved and Lino Lakes is still in a position <br />of fighting to keep its boundaries intact. Lino Lakes is <br />prepared to protect this property. However, this will be <br />expensive. <br />Mr. Schumacher explained that Centerville has land for <br />commercial/industrial development so the need for additional land <br />is hard to prove. In addition, Lino Lakes can provide utility <br />services to these lands, so this will not be an issue. Mayor <br />Reinert noted that this action by the City of Centerville was a <br />cause for concern by the Common Ground Committee. Mr. Wessel <br />said he felt that the I35E intersection was extremely important <br />to protect. <br />Mr. Mesich commented that the proposal for street light and storm <br />water utility was a "sneaky" way of raising taxes. Council <br />Member Kuether explained that the City Council has discussed this <br />proposal in detail. The bottom line is, would the citizen rather <br />spread the cost of maintenance/replacement of these utilities <br />over a longer period of time, or would he rather pay one large <br />fee? This is not a tax but a user fee. It is not an unusual <br />fee. Mr. Volk noted that in the future the City Council will <br />also have to address the need to replace worn out City streets. <br />Should costs be assessed to the benefitted landowners or spread <br />over the City and paid through the tax levy? <br />Mr. Bohjanen noted that the federal government is proposing to <br />maintain the current level of federal taxes but is proposing to <br />initiate an utility tax. Mayor Reinert explained that this is <br />just another instance of shifting the tax burden. He explained <br />that this City must educate its citizens regarding how much of <br />their tax dollar stays in the City and what that tax dollar buys. <br />He noted that 22 cents of each property tax dollar stays in the <br />City and does purchase many services. Mr. Wessel said he felt <br />that the answer to the property tax problem in Lino Lakes lies in <br />the economic development that will relieve the residential tax <br />payer. He noted the need to get the message "we are open for <br />business" out into the business community. Mr. Wessel explained <br />that the Economic Development Committee will be meeting with the <br />Charter Commission to work out a way to be sure that the City <br />PAGE 11 <br />17 <br />