In This Issue:
- Metro Cities Annual Meeting is April 24th -- Mark Your Calendar!
- Transportation Funding Bills Heard
- Conversion of Buildings and Local Housing Aid Bills Heard
- Bill Allowing Local Governments to Franchise Broadband Heard
- MN Shared Mobility Collaborative Convening Next Week
- Bills of Note
Metro Cities Annual Meeting is April 24th -- Mark Your Calendar!
Metro Cities will hold its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 24th at 5:00 pm, at the Roseville Oval Skating Center Banquet Room. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend! RSVP information is below.
The meeting will feature Guest Speaker Tom Hauser, Chief Political Reporter for KSTP- 5, and will begin with a social hour with appetizers and cash bar. The event will conclude with a brief membership meeting to elect members and officers to the Metro Cities Board. RSVP to Jennifer Dorn at [email protected].
Transportation Funding Bills Heard
HF 4872 (Brand) was heard in the House Transportation Committee on Thursday. The bill would appropriate $25 million from the general fund to the small cities assistance account. The funding would be allocated and distributed in one payment during July of 2024. In 2023, the Legislature established the Transportation Advancement Account (TAA) which distributes revenue from the retail delivery fee and the auto parts sales tax to counties, cities, townships, and a food delivery support account. This change in law provided cities under 5,000, which are not eligible for Municipal State Aid, with funding for street improvement and maintenance projects. However, the revenue sources for the TAA will take time to generate sufficient funding levels.
If passed, HF 4872 would provide cities under 5,000 with transportation funding while the retail delivery fee is implemented, and the auto parts sales tax revenue continues its phased dedication to the Transportation Advancement Account. The Senate companion, SF 4899 (Jasinski) was heard in the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday. Both bills were laid over for possible inclusion in a Transportation omnibus bill.
The Senate Transportation Committee also heard SF 3605 (Dibble), which would authorize $200 million in general obligation bonds for the local road improvement program (LRIP) and $200 million in general obligation bonds for the local bridge replacement and rehabilitation program (LBRP). This bill was also laid over. Metro Cities provided a letter of support for the bill.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Conversion of Buildings and Local Housing Aid Bills Heard
On Thursday, the Senate Taxes Committee heard SF 5194 – Klein, which would create a credit and/or grant program through the Department of Employment and Economic Development for the conversion of underutilized buildings. Metro Cities submitted a letter in support of the bill, supporting the ability for cities to redevelop vacant, functionally obsolete, and/or underutilized commercial space to new uses. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.
The Senate Taxes Committee also heard SF 4875 - Mitchell, a bill which would require that metropolitan cities receiving local affordable housing aid to maintain locally funded housing expenditures at a level not less than the average level of expenditures for the three preceding fiscal years. Metro Cities submitted a letter in opposition to the proposed requirement, as it would impede the ability of city officials to decide the appropriate level of local taxation and services and to account varying local conditions and circumstances. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus tax bill.
If you have any questions, please contact Ania McDonnell at [email protected].
Bill Allowing Local Governments to Franchise Broadband Heard
On Friday, the House State and Local Government Committee heard HF 4182 - Freiberg, a bill which would allow for local governments to require franchise fees from a provider furnishing broadband, and to receive compensation for the use of the public right-of-way. Roseville Mayor Dan Roe testified in support of the bill. Metro Cities submitted a letter of support. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus State and Local Government bill. The bill was also included in the Omnibus House Commerce Policy bill.
If you have any questions, please contact Ania McDonnell at [email protected].
MN Shared Mobility Collaborative Convening Next Week
This convening will focus on carbon reduction funding, projects, and strategies. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 from 2:30PM to 4:00PM. Elliott McFadden, Greater Minnesota Shared Mobility Program Coordinator, will kick off the convening with an overview of how to use public dollars to pay for shared mobility. A panel of speakers will then dive into specific carbon reduction strategies and programs.
Panelists include:
- Lexie Lyng, Electric Vehicle Program Administrator, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Anna Pierce, Carbon Reduction Program Planner, Minnesota Department of Transportation
- Peter Wilfahrt, Principal Researcher, Community Development Research, Metropolitan Council
- Aaron Westling, Shared Mobility Program Manager, Great Plains Institute
There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Please register by Tuesday, April 9. Click HERE to register. For more information, please contact Chelsea Arbury Prorok at [email protected].
Bills of Note
HF 5182, Lee, F./SF 5285, Dibble: Bill requires the Metropolitan Council to do an annual transportation financial review.
HF 5184, Engen: Bill proposes an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution to prohibit state spending in excess of inflation and population growth.
HF 5191, Lee, K./SF 5194, Klein: Bill creates a refundable credit and/or grant program for the conversion of underutilized buildings.
HF 5200, Keeler/SF 5307, Mohamed: Bill establishes a working group on simplifying supportive housing resources.
HF 5218, Sencer-Mura/SF 5273, Fateh: Bill modifies requirements for fees collected for city services, permits, or licenses.
HF 5223, Olson, B.: Bill modifies the audit requirements for cities related to local government aid.
HF 5231, Vang: Bill provides flexibility for transfers relating to broadband and provides for supplemental appropriations.
HF 5239, Petersburg/SF 5275, Jasinski: Bill modifies the distribution of the auto parts sales tax (outside of the phased dedication to the Transportation Advancement Account).
HF 5249, Kotyza-Witthuhn/SF 5195, Pha: Bill prohibits homeowners’ associations from limiting the right to display any flag.
HF 5262, Myers: Bill provides a refundable construction tax exemption for the construction of new residential housing under $460,000 for first-time homebuyers.
SF 5327, Dibble: Bill prohibits dog breed restrictions imposed by landlords.