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Transportation <br />5-H Airport Noise Mitigation <br />Acknowledging that the communities closest to MSP and reliever airports are <br />significantly impacted by noise, traffic and other numerous expansion -related issues: <br />Metro Cities supports the broad goal of providing MSP -impacted communities <br />greater representation on the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC). Metro <br />Cities wants to encourage continued communication between the MAC commissioners <br />and the cities they represent. Balancing the needs of MAC, the business community and <br />airport host cities and their residents requires open communication, planning and <br />coordination. Cities must be viewed as partners with the MAC in resolving the <br />differences that arise out of airport projects and the development of adjacent parcels. <br />Regular contact between the MAC and cities throughout the project proposal process will <br />enhance communication and problem solving. The MAC should provide full funding for <br />noise mitigation for all structures in communities impacted by flights in and out of MSP. <br />Metro Cities supports noise abatement programs and expenditures and the work of <br />the Noise Oversight Committee to minimize the impacts of MAC operated facilities <br />on neighboring communities. The MAC should determine the design and <br />geographic reach of these programs only after a thorough public input process that <br />considers the priorities and concerns of impacted cities and their residents. The <br />MAC should provide full funding for noise mitigation for all structures in <br />communities impacted by flights in and out of MSP. <br />5-1 Funding for Non -Municipal State Aid (MSA) City Streets <br />Cities under 5,000 in population do not directly receive any non -property tax funds for <br />collector and arterial streets. Cities over 5,000 residents have limited eligibility for <br />dedicated Highway User Tax Distribution Fund dollars, which are capped by the state <br />constitution as being available for up to twenty percent of streets. Current County State <br />Aid Highway (CSAH) distributions to metropolitan counties are inadequate to provide <br />for the needs of smaller cities in the metropolitan area. Possible funding sources include <br />the five -percent set-aside account in the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund, <br />modification to county municipal accounts, street improvement districts, and/or state <br />general funds. <br />The 2015 Legislature created a Small Cities Assistance Account and appropriated one- <br />time funds of $12.5 million that was distributed through a formula to cities with <br />populations under 5,000. While the account will remain in statute, future appropriations <br />beyond 2015 will have to be appropriated by future legislatures. <br />Cities need long-term, stable, dedicated funding for street improvements and <br />maintenance. Metro Cities supports additional resources and flexible policies to <br />meet local infrastructure needs and increased demands on city streets. Metro Cities <br />also supports dedicated and sustainable state funding sources for non -MSA city <br />streets, including funding for the Small Cities Assistance Account as well as support <br />2016 Legislative Policies 53 <br />