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