Agenda Packets - 1990/06/18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND POLICY ADOPTION PROCESS The Association currently follows a procedure whereby potential legislative policies are brought forth and considered for adoption in the five standing policy committees (revenues, metropolitan agencies, transportation, housing and economic development, general legislation). As indicated earlier, the Associ- ation currently has over 100 adopted legislative policies. The policies have been divided into categories as to level of effort in lobbying. The AMM now finds itself actively involved in issues that are not limited in interest to the metropolitan area, even where our positions are similar to those of cities in Greater Minnesota. The best recent example is pay equity, where the AMM position is almost identical to that of the League of Minnesota Cities. Yet because of the high visibility and strong feelings surrounding this issue, many member cities expected the AMM staff to be active in lobbying on this issue. There is also the dilemma of issues that are of interest to a single city, or a limited number of cities. The AMM Board and staff have attempted to be respon- sive to the needs of each member city, but a question is raised as to whether it is fair to take time and resources away from issues that are of more importance to the broader membership. The Task Force discussed at length what to do about issues that are divisive among our own members, forexample fiscal disparities or funding for combined sewer overflow abatement. A majority of the committee concluded that the AMM should not avoid taking definitive positions on these issues, as it would be left neutralized on issues of high importance to a large number of city offi- cials and thereby foster the growth of still more splinter groups. Finally, the Task Force examined the five standing policy committees, concluding that they are working well and that none should be eliminated. In fact, it was speculated that as new social and legislative problems appear (i.e. the drug crisis) there will likely be a need for additional standing or ad hoc committees. The Task Force further suggests that there may be utility in having a broad - based "futures" committee to simply help the organization anticipate and be prepared for pending issues. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. The Association needs to focus most of its resources and effort on the few issues of very highest priority to the entire membership. At the same time, the AMM should not narrow its agenda to the point that it loses the interest and support of its broad base of cities. 2. In order to accommodate the legitimate interests of all member cities, we recommend that AMM create an "endorsed" category of policies. These would be policies of interest to a limited number of cities, or those where the League of Minnesota Cities or some other group might reasonably be expected to adequately represent the interests of metropolitan cities. With the AMM "endorsement", the AMM would be officially on record as supporting these policies, but not actively involved in lobbying or initiating legislation. - 7 -