2016.02.08 CC Packet Goal Setting

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Transportation for the creation and funding of the Larger Cities Assistance Account as proposed in the 2015 legislative session. 5-J County State Aid Highway (CSAH) Distribution Formula Significant resource needs remain in the metro area CSAH system. Revenues provided by the Legislature for the CSAH system have resulted in a higher number of projects being completed, however, greater pressure is being placed on municipalities to participate in cost sharing activities, encumbering an already over -burdened local funding system. When the alternative is not building or maintaining roads, cities bear not only the costs of their local systems but also pay upward of fifty percent of county road projects. Metro Cities supports special or additional funding for cities that have burdens of additional cost participation in projects involving county roads. CSAH eligible roads were designated by county engineers in 1956 and although only 10 percent of the CSAH roads are in the metro area, they account for nearly 50 percent of the vehicle miles traveled. The CSAH formula passed by the Legislature in 2008 increased the amount of CSAH funding for the metropolitan area from 18 percent in 2007 to 21 percent in 2011. The formula helps to better account for needs in the metropolitan region, but is only the first step in addressing needs for additional resources for the region. Metro Cities supports a new CSAH formula more equitably designed to fund the needs of our metropolitan region. 5-K Municipal Input/Consent for Trunk Highways and County Roads State statutes direct the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to submit detailed plans, with city cost estimates, at a point one -and -a -half to two years prior to bid letting, at which time public hearings are held for community input. If MnDOT does not concur with requested changes, it may appeal. Currently, that process would take a maximum of three and a half months and the results of the appeals board are binding on both the city and MnDOT. Metro Cities supports the municipal consent process, and opposes changes to weaken municipal consent or adding another level of government to the consent process. Metro Cities opposes changes to current statutes that would allow MnDOT to disregard the appeals board ruling for state trunk highways. Such a change would significantly minimize MnDOT's need to negotiate in good faith with cities for appropriate project access and alignment, and would render the public hearing and appeals process meaningless. Metro Cities also opposes the elimination of the county road municipal consent and appeal process for these reasons. 54 2016 Legislative Policies