01-23-2023 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council January 9, 2023 Regular Meeting Page 3 1 1. Resolution 9687, Approving Contract with Libby Law Office, 2 Governmental Relations for Bonding for Mounds View Community 3 Center Expansion. 5 City Administrator Zikmund requested the Council approve a contract with Libby Law Office in 6 order to assist with governmental relations and bonding for the Mounds View Community Center 7 expansion. He reported the fee for the law office would be paid up front. 9 Council Member Lindstrom explained Litchfield recently completed an expansion of their 10 community center. He stated he looked into how they funded the project which led him to reaching 11 out to the City's State Representative Kelly Moller. After speaking with Representative Moller he 12 understood she would be willing to carry a bill on behalf of the City. He recommended the City 13 not hire a lobbyist, but that the City work with its local representatives in order to move this project 14 forward. 15 16 MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Hull. To Direct Staff to work with Representative Kelly Moller 17 in order to have a Bill Drafted for Bonding Money from the State of Minnesota. 18 19 Mayor Hull explained Litchfield had a funding source for their community center renovations. He 20 reported Mounds View did not have a funding source, which was leading him to believe a lobbyist 21 would be of great assistance through the State bonding process. 22 23 Council Member Lindstrom questioned how the City was going to pay for the proposed lobbyists. 24 He reported the City could consider a city-wide sales tax in order to assist with funding the 25 community center expansion. 26 27 Council Member Meehlhause stated he had great respect for Representative Moller. He indicated 28 his only concern was that she had never carried a bonding bill through to completion. He explained 29 Libby Law has people that have done this for years and he preferred to see the City go this route. 30 31 Council Member Gunn thanked Council Member Lindstrom for his information. She stated she 32 appreciated the efforts of Representative Moller, but noted she would be more comfortable going 33 with Libby Law because they have more experience with State bonding. 34 35 Mayor Hull agreed the lobbyists have more experience and would be able to focus their efforts on 36 the needs of Mounds View. He thanked Council Member Lindstrom for providing the Council 37 with this information, but noted he would like the City moving forward with a lobbyist. 38 39 Council Member Cermak supported the City pursuing a lobbyist to assist with the State bonding. 40 41 Mayor Hull questioned if the City should consider a city-wide sales tax. City Administrator 42 Zikmund reported the City could follow up on this further and noted the deadline for such a change 43 was January 3 Pt. He commented on how the sales tax could only be considered if there was a 44 regional impact. 45 46 Aye — 2 Nays — 3 (Gunn, Meehlhause, Hull) Motion failed.