Agenda Packets - 2001/03/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council March 12, 2001 Regular Meeting Page 3 Senator Chaudhary commented that the state is wrestling with what type and how well to fund education. He then stated his top issue is to cut class sizes. He explained there is another proposal to cut class sizes before the legislature that takes a little bit more money but in comparison to the budget surplus he feels it is well worth it. Senator Chaudhary also reported DWI issues and internet pornography are at the top of his list of concerns. He then explained an internet pornography bill will be introduced to the legislature and he is hoping it will make it easier for law enforcement to catch those that possess and/or disseminate child pornography. Senator Chaudhary sent a message to parents indicating he felt that letting kids surf the internet alone is the equivalent of sending kids to the park alone and that great care should be exercised by parents to protect children from viewing things that are inappropriate. He then stated he wants parents to know government is attempting to do its part to catch them with this bill but noted parents need to be ever vigilant at the same time. Senator Chaudhary then spoke to issues concerning Mounds View noting there appears to be some feelings from MNDOT that there is flexibility with the agreement between Mounds View and the County for the use of turn back funds. He noted he entered Mounds View into a program to allow the City to use funds from the Scattered Site Housing TIF Program to take care of dilapidated housing which includes up to 50 homes over the course of 10 years. He noted he will draft a bill for bonding to help fund the renovation or rebuilding of three park shelters in Mounds View noting he was not sure if there will be bonding this year or if it will be worked into next year. Senator Chaudhary noted he and Representative Evans would meet to discuss the sound barrier issue to see what can be done. He then explained he feels there are a couple of approaches. One is to look into why it was not built in the first place and the other is a proposal to fund sound barriers through a leveraging program where locals split the cost with the state with the state paying two thirds of the cost and the locals paying one third of the cost. It may also be possible to fund the sound barrier on an assessment basis. Mayor Sonterre welcomed Senator Chaudhary and invited him back at the end of this legislative session to let Council know what actually happens this session. He then made a point of clarification that the interpretation on turn back funds was the interpretation of Ramsey County to the City of Mounds View noting if Senator Chaudhary felt there may be some flexibility there is a need to schedule a meeting to discuss it. Council Member Stigney thanked Senator Chaudhary for coming to the meeting. Council Member Marty thanked Senator Chaudhary for coming to the meeting and for the town hall meeting noting he liked the way that Senator Chaudhary was staying on track and was tuned into the concerns of residents. Mayor Sonterre pointed out a former mayor was is in the audience who would be a good resource for sound wall information and he asked Senator Chaudhary to speak to him before he left.