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weekly notes jan 18th 2019
,�. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS— EKLY TE f • January 18th,2019 TO: City Cou(sThrough embers Staff FROM: Erie Johity Ad inistr LISTING OF UPCOMING meetin 3126119 Zoning and Development Items: 1. No new applications have been received. 2. At the request of the BCWD/Freshwater group,staff comments were supplied back to the BCWD consultant(Freshwater)who supplied a DRAFT summary of the Dec 12th Stakeholder community meeting.These are attached.The DRAFT document from the Freshwater group can be found in 1111119 weekly notes. It remains yet to be seen what will happen as a result of this meeting. On a related note the BCWD will be holding a special meeting on 1123119 to(among a few other items)set up a date to review the comments received. i Other Items • The City Council received a kind Thank You from the local Stillwater — Lions Club for the provision of a method to install community signage. I have enclosed the handouts from Washington County OPEN House for the Manning and STH 36 Project Update. The last page of such packet does show an apparent deviation away from seeking $5,000,000 in local costs—which appears positive at this stage. The METRO CITIES group will not be seeking a rate increase for 2019,the City's contribution shall remain$2,170.00 Ma or McComberprovided: 1. METRO Cities news for 1111119. 2. NLC Weekly for 1112119&Federal Adv for 1115119 3. Invitation to MLK Holiday Breakfast—This is posted. 4. A picture of the Mayor's grandson Brandon Rothmeyer—he also did work far the City's Ice Rink 1 Parks Dept. He is being inducted into the US Army and leaves for Ft.Benning in late February CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL & COMMISSIONS MEETINGS & WORKSHOPS JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 Monday, January 21 7:00 a.m.—9:30 a.m. MLK Holiday Breakfast (St. Peter's Church, Stillwater) Tuesday,January 22 6:00 p.m. City Council Meeting (Council Chambers) Monday, January 28 6:00 p.m. Parks Commission Meeting (Council Chambers) Thursday, February 14 6:00 p.m. Planning Commission Meeting (Council Chambers) Monday, February 25 6:00 p.m. Parks Commission Meeting (Council Chambers) Tuesday, February 26 6:00 p.m. City Council Meeting (Council Chambers) Wednesday,March 6 5:00 p.m. Council Teambuilding Session (Conference Room) Thursday,March 14 6:00 p.m. Planning Commission Meeting (Council Chambers) Monday, March 18 6:00 p.m. Parks Commission Meeting (Council Chambers) Tuesday, March 26 6:00 p.m. City Council Meeting (Council Meeting) POLICY NOTE. Items in are expected to be SOCIAL EVENTS in nature and not an official City Council meeting. No official action or discussion may be undertaken by City Council Members who may attend such events. The City is listing such events so as the public is generally aware that there may be occasions when City Council members may desire to attend functions that are purely social-events. City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N•Oak Park Heights,MN 55082•Phone 651 4394439•Fax 651 439-0574 1115119 Jen Kader, Senior Program Manager Freshwater 2424 Territorial Road Suite B St. Paul, MN 55114 VIA EMAIL ONLY: jkader@freshwater.om RE: Comments of the 12/12/18 Workshop Dear Ms. Kader As your office has requested—as follows is my feedback of your DRAFT REPORT, , have the following key points: 1. I would offer that this DRAFT REPORT does not fairly nor adequately represent the meeting regarding the BCWD rules and methods. Instead, this summary suggests that problems the general public and other non- BCWD entities are experiencing is largely due to a lack of INFORMATION or UNDERSTANDING of what the BCWD rules are and/or why the rules exist. No, this is a deep mischaracterization of the meeting and why people were there. People understand their rules just fine,it is just that such rules are immensely burdensome and no party has a rational recourse around such rules to move a project forward. Further, the BCWD methodology for review is also overly burdensome. It was made quite clear by many at the meeting that the BCWD staff 1 consultants is not cognizant of how development andlor redevelopment actually works in the built environment and appear to blindly burden others for a downstream benefit.There is quite a difference between applying rules in an undeveloped area versus a redevelopment scenario and when there is no recourse the BCWD consultants and staff are unfettered in their approaches to demand unrealistic improvements or changes. Moreover, what was also clearly expressed at the meeting was that the BCWD Consulting Staff is patently inflexible and unwilling to come to this realization nor change path to give the BCWD Board rational guidance—such as a reasonable transition to MIDS. The BCWD Board might desire to evaluate its relationship with EOR and see if it remains in philosophical agreement With their strategies and also evaluate how the general public may view EOR's approaches. Further,what I heard at the meeting is that the BCWD seeks to isolate its apparent beneficiaries of its policies (of Long Lake)at the unrealistic expense of others as there is not an electoral recourse.The continued defense of an across the board application of Pre-settlement conditions dating back to pre - European settlement demonstrates this disconnection and is significantly flawed;how was this not Heard loud-and-clear? 2. Page 5 of the DRAFT REPORT suggests it is not BCWD issues at hand that must be dealt with; Rather that OTHER entities must allow the BCWD staff to participate in a dialogue and/or other entities must come up with some regional plans that match BCWD goals; and then things would simply be OK. While this synopsis is inaccurate compared to the opinions expressed, be very clear--BCWD staff and consultants might be more welcome to various meetings(formal or informal)if they were viewed as°flexible",versus intractable and only an entity whose staff and consultants that gives lectures and rejects plans without meritorious assistance or guidance. They are viewed as adversaries from the start. This may stem in part from the BCWD staff and consultants themselves not fully understanding the impacts of these rules or how a MN 15.99 statutory review process must be implemented; but is something that might be explored. Further,if the BCWD Board desires to build regional systems to benefit Long Lake and the small cadre of other beneficiaries then BCWD appears to hold the authority to issue an ad-valorm tax and/or a special assessment to such Long Lake residents to do so and implement them independently.To suggest at the meeting that other entities are somehow obligated to implement massive regional public works projects to meet BCWD rules and at the behest of an unelected entity and based on unrealistic rules is frankly... unfathomable. 3. A final disconnection that is clearly demonstrated in this DRAFT REPORT that should be pointed out in its text is that,in rough calculation,many participants were either BCWD Board Members,BCWD Staff or BCWD paid consultants; totaling perhaps one-third of the participants — these people were deeply engaged in the conversation and thus obviously skew the feedback. Any comments submitted by the BCWD staff,consultants and Board Members need to be discounted as these appear to suggest that it is about rule justification or communication; NOT the impacts of these rules, the violations of the 15.99 law and/or how the BCWD must re-engage with the rest of the community.The obvious and significant input skews the results and thus the summary presented. Such a meeting should not have directly included BCWD entities,these parties should have only been there for administrative or political support and no other reason.Any summary must make note of this,discuss this meaningful impact and must"control" for it in some fashion. Recall again,that you requested feedback on this DRAFT REPORT and I have provided that as honestly as possible. We fully understand and appreciate that the BCWD Board Member;are largely acting in good-faith,that such a position is largely thankless and the fact that they are willing to listen to this feedback is meaningful as it is not a simple task. That said,we would ask that you take a pause and re-evaluate what you heard and took away from this meeting and re-review the written commentary you provided and entirely re-craft this summary as it is inaccurate, or at best incomplete in its current form. In this method,the BCWD Board can have more accurate feedback and will assist them to move forward as they will face some tough decisions. Thank you, 40 Dr. Eric A.Johnson,AICP City Administrator Cc: Weekly Notes Karen Kill, BCWD Eric Johnson From: Mary Mccomber <marymccomber@aol.com> Sent Friday,January 11, 2019 4:12 PM To: Eric Johnson Subject Fwd: Brown's Creek Watershed District- Public Notice:Special Meeting Janaury 23, 2017 at 5PM For weekly notes --Original Message--- From: Karen Kill <KKili@mnwcd.org> Sent: Fri, Jan 11, 2019 3:54 pm Subject: Brown's Creek Watershed District-Public Notice: Special Meeting Janaury 23, 2017 at 5PM Public Notice-The Brown's Creek Watershed District Board will be holding a special meeting on Wednesday. January 23, 2019 at 5:00-6:30nm at the Family Means (1875 Northwestern Ave N. Stillwater) for the purposes to: 1) consider scope for a clean water fund grant work plan development, 2) consider biennial requests for services proposals for auditors and engineers, and 3) set a date for a special Board workshop to discuss the December 12, 2018 stakeholder input meeting report. Best Regards, Karen Karen Kill Administrator Brown's Creek Watershed District 455 Hayward Ave N Oakdale, MN 55128 651-330-8220 x26 (office) 651-331-8316(cell) www.bcwd.orp 1 % Stillwater Lions Club PO Box 766 Stillwater, MN 55082 est 1928 January 18, 2019 Mr Eric A Johnson, City Manager City of Oak Park Heights Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 re: thank you's Dear Mr Johnson The Stillwater Lions Club would like to thank you and the OPH City Council for quickly passing an ordinance allowing Service Club ID signs within your city limits at approved entry points into the St Croix Valley. Next your Public Works people actually hung our first ID sign on E bound hwy 36 sometime during the third week in December. Your efforts will eventually allow all service clubs to spread the word of their presence in the Valley and their willingness to participate in community projects. Councilman Chuck Dougherty is a long time Lion and offered to make the initial contact, and to both of you, we say thank you. Dispite seeing service club signage at most gateway points of other cites, Stillwater, for some reason has recently passed an ordinance restricting such postings. The Lions also wish to recognize the fine picnic shelter at Autumn Hills Park, we have reserved the site the past several years for our first summer picnic, the facility with its kitchenette, restrooms and parking is central to our membership and always enjoyed, rain or shine. Sincerely, ,a Gary Bressler Stillwater Lions Club CM METRO CITIES Association of Metropolitan Municipalities January 11, 2019 Eric Johnson, City Administrator City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd N Oak Park Heights, MN 55082-6476 Dear Eric: Hello and Happy New Year to you. Enclosed please find an invoice for your city's 2019 Metro Cities' membership dues. The dues reflect a 0% increase as approved by the Metro Cities Board of Directors. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your membership in Metro Cities. Metro Cities represents the shared interests of metropolitan area cities before the Legislature, Executive Branch and Metropolitan Council. Your membership is critical to assuring strong representation on issues that affect metropolitan area cities. Metro Cities' 2019 legislative policies are available online at www.MetroCitiesMN.org. These policies will serve as the framework of our work at the Legislature and Metropolitan Council this year. If you would like a hard copy, please give us a call at 651-215-4000. We look forward to working with you in the coming year. Please be sure to contact me with any questions at 651-215-4002. Sincerely, r © 1 - +2-, 17 tricia auman Execu ' e Director Enc. 145 University Ave W 0 St.Paul,MN 55103-2044 0 Phone(651)2154000 •Fax(651)281-1299 0 www.MetroCitiesMN.org �1 LO .d• LU UJ y v k . , Si LU IV, LU e At Nt \J1 p as .a..� � ,�>,� �✓; �. vary aA��„z�:k \� `/ ive Aw 00 x X11 M AA'4 4 j yr i .N �won 1r • O • EN ro q r 4¢ O i tn 0. N LU a V N a w oc z '�—' ' N a � N � Q) U E _ a N � a O C c c� tnU •• S C a) 0 w O o mu D _ z LU � a N p 0° LA Z z O 0 o 0m z r1 O +, Q) �� Q U w n U Q (n M NE o w Oa . .. O N N C N o2S N p LL 10 N O N Q •— -o LU M o i � O _ •� u o •� U o CDQ ui N n O • N = too ry �a M CL. Qi O X O d O N N � U a u a) a� 49 � s o 0) N C;) LQL } o to a� U LO � `� ca a� � � V V N N -,C:3 O -,C:3 O ca O Q LO O � O 0 N O } O � D } N ` C D 1 p � 0L.) I L y t~/1 r 4.1 M W r ° � ' • ai ai s 0) .__ .__ o w C •— 4-J c=o z s u � - o �, O N V CN } U O cB N a W D O z Q � W O W a O Z O • Z • • Z _ — •— E u 'Lo cm o O O o p y 4 z 0 � C) � • i■ W r W s a� z to Sit � } a 0 W a N V 2, 0% U LUol ry0 a a W .° y 0 zip H LU Z � w '«'1 2 C7 N`. r til Z r ^ '�A Q \ ' • LUF- LU W • Q L1J Oo U 5 � L z w Z LU C7 O - • LO �' Z Z 10 _:Cq LL 00 ._. c O Q O u ON O o N o > o 2 C v C 'gym L b H. N 7 o T III � �/ j N �/ _ _ � � '"1• H o Q � � iii oa • V d � VHI � N ^^ O x x x x x LL LL i W s O � o v � v W I.L a �a • V W tn aEll } D LU o v a — J v W m s a > z Z W r _ W Q N > U LU D Z LU C7 a *' Z CL V Z V 0 � a Z 0 as M LU e c E Q um E mE L t 'a s a_O FL- a a 5 wu > > � H* 1I m m m o N r a+� � O iii CONCEPTS FURTHER REFINED/STUDIED I; LOOP IN SE QUAD "n �W CITY OF CRANT -�4' �r. CITY OF STILLWATER 0 900 800 SCA 1 NW frontage road does not connect to Manning Ave Cul-de-sac t�inEso]A 5. ...tN 105IA • :1 ' 1 m x 36 1 � k Decelerate into sharp curve k -------------- TRANSMISSION LINES p • TRANSMISSION LINES ` s -------77- ___ ____ ---------- -------- CIT Y 0: W OAK PARK k M y � CITY OF LAKE ELMOI� STILLWATE WNSNIP 14' yA Y..2p .. . CONCEPT DISADVANTAGES: INTERCHANGE CONCEPT, • short merge areas on Hwy 36 CONCEPT ADVANTAGES: • EB Hwy 36 decelerates into sharp curve LOOPIN SE QUAD • Minimizes conflicting traffic movements • Precludes NW frontage road • "Might"avoid transmission towers . Poor location for future frontage road on south side STANDARD DIAMOND M • A �N y �' 1• AI CITY OF GRANT ':,1� LITY OF 0 00 B00 P SULE in reei _ I NW frontage road does not connect to Manning Ave Cul-de-sac ...- Heavytrafficconflicts y#r ---- - TRANSMISSION LINES • • 1; Y� • ��^k.0 - • TRANSM3S5]ON LIN FS • ! -� w (I r CITY OF • � OAK PARK HE[GHiS y iy STILLWATE WNSNIP •..L. C[TY OF LAKE ELMD - 1 future Revelopmeni,11f 0 e CONCEPT DISADVANTAGES: INTERCHANGE CONCEPT- • Short merge areas on Hwy 36 STANDARD DIAMOND • Heavy traffic conflicts • Precludes NW frontage road CONCEPT ADVANTAGES: • Poor location for future frontage road on • Easy to understand/navigate south side • "Might"avoid transmission towers • Interchange impacts to all 4 quadrants Washington JLjj\j HIGHWAY 36 & MANNING AVENUE (CSAH 15) INTERCHANGE STUDY CONCEPTS FURTHER REFINED/STUDIED DOUBLE ROUNDABOUTS Potential Future Frontage Road Connection Ramp Spacing=x,xxx' f 1• •11 CITY OF GRANT I '�'i L[ TY OF STILLRAT 0 900 800rt > � T a Z I I SCALE IN FEET Northwest Frontage Road ' rMINN[SOIR 11 1 1 TTH 36 TRANSMISSION LINES ff8� z _ • TRAN5Ml55l ON LINES r------ _ k clic OF a � OAK s � yP HE[GH7 .b. `y t rC�_ C[TYpp��OF LAKE ELMO_ - STILL/ATE NNSxIP - L.n' 4 ti n i 1 r i INTERCHANGE CONCEPT: CONCEPT ADVANTAGES: CONCEPT DISADVANTAGES: DOUBLEROUNDABOUTS • Roundabouts reduce crash severity • Short merge areas on Hwy 36 • Convientent future frontage road • Traffic volumes may exceed capacity of two- connections lane roundabouts • "Might"avoid transmission towers • Interchange impacts to all 4 quadrants y LOOP IN NW/SW QUAD I i, CITY OF GRANT CITY OF STILLWATER 0 900 800 SCALE LN NW frontage road does not connect to Manning Ave Heavy traffic conflicts Cul Decelerate into• sharp curve a fi I. ANSMISSION LINES ' -- ' ----- a �' TRANSMISSION LINES E OAK PARK STILLWATE OWNSHIP k.. P nq .tl a. ': Ee@F. ,�! `S •� ti :II CONCEPT DISADVANTAGES: INTERCHANGE CONCEPT. CONCEPT ADVANTAGES: • WB 36 decelerates into sharp curve LOOPIN N W/SW QUAD • Long merge areas on Hwy 36 • Precludes NW frontage road • Convenient future frontage road • Impacts transmission towers connections • Heavy traffic conflicts • Interchange only impacts 2 quads Washington County Rjjj HIGHWAY 36 & MANNING AVENUE (CSAH 15) INTERCHANGE STUDY • s + 2O N LU o + N N Q N N O X +�' nl' N O O O N O M N ry ¢+D N ria N -0 -o b m � � � o • b o m b � ao m o _ W IT z - Im . s m m aury o N a m o I o LU - O O m O N N I 7 7 foo b m m b b A u ' b � m O L - $ W ° O o Z <n m m Z ° W W 0 Q W s V E N 2 u ml • d N O O j Q O d 2 N N N m 0 O O N N > m } •� � O� A � o � v � • i F- LU w Q m 0 W z z slu l Q Q U o N m O N m m N N vA w r • b O • O G m t, • O d • N • N b • O W rZ N Ii • v' m m LJJ o _� z ° z m m z a LO _ W � oC tn z - m ° U a p m ,\ • m N N �JJ ol LU •� � d o • • o • b • b o 9 z • z m z LU o V - N s " ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Z `o_ T o o Z m m o m � >, Q o a o a o 'o >. 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C w Ln LUo z N z z 0 � z Q U � M 10 M O � 2 LU D VoN � CLr � 3 3 O 3 a ry 3 )U))) n ll( 3 Metro Cities News 1/11/19 Pagel of 5 METRO CI T I E S Member Login Sea,ch our Site... ®4 Home Metro Cities News About Us Meetings&Events Membership Advocacy Policies B Resources MAMA Return to the bldg Upcoming Events Metro Cities News 1/11/19 W.Kimberly Ciiirrocchi IThtiFeb28,209 category: MAMA Lunchea.. Cateponr MU1Mn Jan The"121,211.1.._A d+ MA"m-peon 77 In This Issue: e�"7MAMAL View Full Calendar betravornan arouuncll Nominating Committee 019 Legislative Session Begins Transigolgition Announcements ° Economic Development Metro Cnles'2019 Leglslative Housing Policies were approved by the full Inflow-infiltration ssistance to Citiea membership at the Policy Adoption Meeting on November j1jjetrODOlitan Council Ggvemance 24th,2016 at Brookview Golden TAB to Select Regional Valley.Click to view the 2019 Apply for Redevelglipment Grants. 7 Legislative Policies. MnDOT Accenting Local Road Improvement Program Appli atigns VENT:Affordable HomeoWaershio Models for Suburban Cities our Tweets Clean Water Council Opening Tweets by @MetmCitiesMN ML Metro CIO" Metropolitan Council Nominatlng Committee r-Metr CitiesMN Mat Council Ern Services holds A nominating committee for the Metropolitan Council has been named,and interviews with applicants pubes hfg on acquiring Rows will be conducted starting in late January.The nominating committee consists of 72 members,five of wastewater tro mm unt facility. whom are.ex-officio.State laws specify a seven-member committee.Metro Cities has supported legislation for an expanded nominating committee with a majority of local officials. Interviews with selected applicants will take place starting later this month.Dates and locations of the Interviews are Included below.Governor Walz has also asked that the committee make its finalists public on the Metropolitan Council's website.The nomina#Ing committee consists of the following individuals,four of whom are city officials: Janet Williams,Mayor of Savage,Chair of the Nominating Committee • Dave Bartholomay,Mayor of Circle Pines, Jan 14,2019 Randy Maluchnik,Carver County Commissioner `lr { Metro ,;i George Tourville,Mayor of Enver Grove Heights @Ma • trx;idenesrN Andrea Jenkins,Minneapolis City Council Vice President John Choi,County Attorney,Ramsey County embed View an Twitter Lisa Welk,Washington County Commissioner Nora Slawik,incoming Metropolitan Council Chair,ex officio member Nikki Villavicencio,Disability Rights Advocate,ex officio member Pahoua Hoffman,Executive Director of the Citizens League,ex officio member Joe Hobot,President and CEO of American Indian OIC,ex officio member Ruby Azurdia-Lee,President of Comunidades Latinas Unitas En Servico(CLUES),ex officio member https://www.metrocitiesmn.orglindex.php?option=com_dailyplanetblog&view--entry&yea... 1/18/2019 Metro Cities News 1/11/19 Page 2 of 5 Applicants selected to be interviewed will testify at one of four public meetings. Date E34,15.16 n ' i n Jan.299,10 laine City Hall :00 pm Jan.30 2,13,14 akdale City Hall :00 pm Feb.12 avage City Hall :00 pmFeb.137,B inneapolis(TBD) :00 pm 2019 Legislative Session Begins On Monday,new Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan were sworn into office, and on Tuesday at noon the 2019 legislative session began.Governor Walz has appointed all cabinet heads except for the State MNIT office: Department of Administration,Alice Roberts-Davis Department of Agriculture,Thom Petersen Department of Commerce,Steve Kelley Department of Corrections,Paul Schnell Department of Education,Mary Cathryn Ricker Department of Employment and Economic Development,Steve Grove Department of Health,Jan Malcolm Office of Higher Education,Dennis Olson Housing Finance Agency,Jennifer Leimaile Ho Department of Human Rights,Rebecca Luceio • Department of Human Services,Tony Lourey Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation,Mark Phillips Department of Labor and Industry,Nancy Leppink Minnesota Management and Budget,Myron Frans Bureau of Mediation Services,Janet Johnson Metropolitan Council,Nora Slawik Department of Natural Resources,Sarah Strommen Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,Laura Bishop Department of Public Safety,John Harrington Department of Revenue,Cyr thla Bauerly Department of Transportation,Margaret Anderson Kelliher Department of Veterans Affairs,Larry Harks Governor Walz has also hired key staff positions,linked In the House,the Democratic-Farmer--Labor Party(DFL)holds a 75-59 majority after winning 1a seats in November.The House has 39 new members.The Senate was not up for election,and Republicans continue to corrtrol the majority in the Senate by one vote.Senator Jeremy Miller was elected as Senate President on Tuesday.Representative Melissa Hortmen was elected as Speaker of the House and Representative Kurt Daudt was elected as the House's Minority Leader. Senator Tony Lourey was recently appointed by Governor Walz to head the Department of Health and Human Services and thus will resign his Senate seat.A special election will be held on February 5th to fill that vacancy. Please see for information on legislative chairs and committees as well as the makeup of the Governors administration. The Metro Cities Board of Directors,at its December meeting,adopted a slate of legislative priorities for the 2019 session that include support for transportation and transit funding,inflow and infiltration mitigation assistance for metropolitan cities,support for local control,support for modifications to the Metropolitan Council's governance structure,support for affordable housing funding and resources for economic development,redevelopment and community preservation,and support for streamlining the construction sales tax exemption. Transportation Transportation is expected to receive significant debate at the Capitol this session.Rep.Frank Hornstein-Minneapolis,is the new chair of the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee and Senator Scott Newman-Hutchinson,will continue as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. Chair Hornstein has expressed support for a multi-modal approach in a comprehensive transportation bill.Governor Walz has articulated support for new funding for roads and transit and is open to an https://www.metrocitiesmn.org/index.php?option=com dailyplanetblog&viev�—entry&yea... 1/18/2019 Metro Cities News 1/11/19 Page 4 of 5 Apply for Redevelopment:Grants,Demolition Loans by February 1 Cities seeking redevelopment and demolition loan funds will have a new opportunity to apply for state dollars this winter.Even though the Legislature did not appropriate funds to the program in 2017 or 2018,DEED used its statutory authority to transfer funds to the Redevelopment and Demolition Loan Program to fund approximately$2 million in the February grant round.The deadline for the submission of applications is 4:00 pm on Friday,February 1,2019.More information on the application process can be The Redevelopment Grant funds assist with the cost of demolition and abatement as well as other project-related improvements such as soil stabilization and site preparation-related infrastructure necessary for redeveloping blighted property.Demolition Loan funds help public entities demolish and abate blighted structures to eliminate a public safety threat and prepare sites for potential future development.Applications must be submitted by cities,counties,port authorities,housing and redevelopment authorities(HRAs)or economic development authorities(ECAs).A local match of 50 percent is required for each project site receiving a Redevelopment grant.There is no match required for Demolition Loans. Metro Cities is interested in hearing about your city's redevelopment opportunities to highlight the need at the legislature for state funding for this important program.Please contact Charlie Vander Aarde to share your city's plans:651-215-4001 or ehadle metrocltlesmn.arq For answers to questions regarding the application process,please contact Brownfields and Redevelopment Unit staff at 651-259-7451. MnDOT Accepting Local Road Improvement Program Applications MnDOT has announced a new solicitation for the Local Road Improvement Program(LRIP).MnDot has stated the goal of this solicitation is to generate a list of eligible projects for future grant funding,The last solicitation was conducted in 2017,and awards from a$35 million bonding allocation in 2018 were based on that solicitation. For more information and to access the application form,click herr.The completed application form must be submitted electronically to:seltirhelp.daMstate.mn.us by March 1.Cities that applied In 2017 do not need to resubmit,unless there have been project changes. Metro Cities policy supports state funding for the LRIP and encourages all members with eligible projects to apply. EVENT:Affordable Homeownership Models for Suburban Cities Registration Is open for a February event that will present models for cities to support affordable homeownership opportunities.Cities will be able to connect with similar communities and learn how to support or expand affordable homeownership opportunities.Community land trusts,manufactured home park preservation and cooperative models will be covered.The event Is sponsored by Grounded Solutions Network and the Metropolitan Council. Thursday,February 28,2019 8:00 am-1:00 pm New Brighton Community Center Clean Water Council Opening The Secretary of State has posted a city representative opening on the Clean Water Council(CWC).The CWC is responsible for advising on the administration and implementation of the Clean Water Legacy Act.The Clean Water Fund may only be spent to protect enhance,and restore water quality in lakes, rivers,and streams and to protect groundwater from degradation.At least five percent of the Clean Water Fund must be spent only to protect drinking water sources.Interested city officials are eligible to apply.To apply,click haps://www.metrocitiesmn.org/index.php?option=cont dailyplanetblog&view---entry&yea... 1/18/2019 Metro Cities News 1/11/19 Page 5 of 5 Bills of Note Throughout the session,Metro Cities will list in this section recently introduced bills that have interest and significance for metropolitan cities. $f_1_�,Newman:a bill for an act providing that state general sales tax revenue related to motor vehicle repair and replacement parts exclusively to fund roads.Appropriates$135 million for state road construction and$135 million to the Corridors of Commerce program from Trunk Highway bonds.The bill was referred to the Committee on Transportation Finance and Policy. SF s4 W€ger:Enacts Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote.Sill was referred to the Committee on State Government Finance and Policy and Elections. Bf U,Wiger:Bill relating to Metropolitan Council;providing for staggered terms;expanding the membership of the nomination committee;requiring additional information to be made publicly available as part of the selection process;clarifying council member qualifications. 1,Osmek:authorizing the city of Excelsior to impose a local sales and use tax. ry,Osmek:A bill for an act relating to transportation;establishing a construction prohibition related to colocation of light rail transit and freight rail. Osmek:A bill for an act relating to the Metropolitan Council;requiring local approval of gubernatorial appointees to the Metropolitan Council;providing a method for local governments to remove a member of the Metropolitan Councii. ,Dibble:A bill for an act relating to the Metropolitan Council;providing for staggered terms; expanding the membership of the nomination committee,requiring additional information to be made publicly available as part of the selection process;clarifying council member qualifications;requiring new advisory committee;establishing sewer availabillty charges stakeholder group. Dibble:providing for the election of Metropolitan Council members. Osmek:Bill extends the Metro Mobility service area. L€ttle:Bill requires the Metropolitan Council to conduct a feasibility study on expanding the Kenrick Avenue park-and-ride facility in Lakeville. ,Little:A bill for an act relating to transportation;requiring the Metropolitan Council to provide transportation service in Lakeville;appropriating money. ,L tke:A bili for an act relating to local government aid;aid reductions for sanctuary cities. Ecklund:A bill for an act relating to telecommunications;appropriating money to the broadband grant program. ,Nelson:A bill for an act relating to elections;transferring and appropriating money for purposes of the Help America Vote Act. ,O'Driscoll:A bill for an act relating to state government;appropriating money from the Help America Vote Act account for certain authorized purposes. Share this post: Metro Cities(Association of Moopoittan Murdcpa5ties) 145 University Ave W,Suite 125 St.Paul,MN 55103 651-215-MOD Baca*tap I► powered by Q Ifemhffak is haps://www.metrocitiesmn.org/index.php?option=corn dailyplanetbIog&view=entry&yea... 1/18/2019 Metro Cities News 1/11/19 Page 3 of 5 increase in the gas tax.Leaders In the Senate have voiced opposition to an increase in the gas tax. Leaders in the House and Senate,and Governor Walz,have expressed the need for funding to address the transportation needs of the state. Metro Cities supports multi-modal,comprehensive transportation funding and increased funding to the Municipal State Aid(MSA)Street account.Metro Cities supports addressing funding for the regional transit system,both for operating and capital costs. Metro Cities will be advocating for ongoing funding for the Small Cities Assistance account for city streets and will also support the creation of a Large Cities Assistance account for cities over 5,Ooo in population. Economic Development Metro Cities will continue to support locally Initiated economic development tools and programs.The Minnesota Investment Fund and Job Creation Fund are two key job creation and job retention programs that require a strong local-state partnership.The funds received$25 million and$17 million appropriations.respectively in the 2018-19 biennium.The Redevelopment Grant Program and Demolition Loan Program were not funded by the Legislature the last budget cycle.Smaller grant rounds were made available via internal DEED transfers;however,Metro Cities will seek a state appropriation this session to help meet the growing number of redevelopment opportunities in the metro region.(See the current call for redevelopment applications elsewhere in this newsletter.) Housing Resources to support a range of housing options will be a focus of the Legislature this session.The state and metro region's focus on housing has'sharpened in recent years,with Governor Dayton's Housing Task Force and subsequent report,local comprehensive plan updates that include a housing element for addressing land use and local efforts to address affordable housing needs,and regional efforts to address housing preservation and community reinvestment. The Senate will continue to address housing policy and budget decisions through two committees while the House has a stand-alone Housing Finance&Policy Division committee. Metro Cities has identified several priority issues,including community reinvestment in rental and owner-occupied housing,attracting private investment in housing developments,a state match for local housing trust funds,and flexible funding for Minnesota Housing's programs to support a range of single family and multifamily housing options for Minnesotans.Metro Cities also recognizes cities establish fee structures for residential development to cover the costs of growth and corresponding needs for public infrastructure. lnf/ow4nAtrationAssistancoe to Cities Metro Cities will continue to advocate for capital funding to assist cities with inflow-infiltration mitigation on local public systems,and state sources to support local efforts to mitigate inflow and infiltration from private sources that affects public system capacity. Metropolitan Carnal/Govemance The topic of governance is expected to be debated in the 2019 session,and several governance bills were introduced this week(see Bills of Note in this newsletter).Legislation initiated by Metro Cities in 2018 has been introduced this year as Senate File36,authored by Senator Charles Wiger-North Saint Paul.Metro Cities policies support staggered terms,an expanded nominating committee with a majority of local officials,a comment period for nominees,and gubernatorial accountability to a nominating committee on nominees not recommended for appointment Metro Cities opposes local officials serving on the Metropolitan Council. TAB to Select Regional Solicitation Projects Next Week The Transportation Advisory Board(TAB)is scheduled to approve Regional Solicitation projects at their meeting on Wednesday.The Regional Solicitation is the method by which federal transportation dollars from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and Congestion Mitigation Air Quality program are allocated within the metro area.The funding is distributed among roadway,transit and travel demand management,and bicycle and pedestrian projects.Approximately$200 million is available to the region.The TAB is expected to evaluate two funding scenarios.To review the two funding scenarios,click ..For more information on the Regional Solicitation,click haps://www.metocitiesrnn.org/index.php?option=cont dailyplanetblog&viev�entry&yea .. 1/18/2019 Eric Johnson From: Mary Mccomber <marymccomber@aol.com> Sent: Saturday,January 12, 2019 7:18 AM To: Eric Johnson Subject: Fwd:Special Edition: Navigating the Government Shutdown For weekly notes --Original Message----- From: National League of Cities<news@nlc.org> To: marymccomber<marymccomber@aol.com> Sent: Sat, Jan 12, 2019 6:01 am Subject: Special Edition: Navigating the Government Shutdown View in browser The Weekly RAISE iiMA i■VOICE Do it at Congtermonal City Congressional City Y Conference March 10-13.2019 1 Washington,DC 1 How Tempe, Arizona is Navigating the Shutdown Crisis Tempe Councilmember Robin Arredondo-Savage shares the very real impact of the federal shutdown on her community, its residents and the cities' critical social programs. BREAKING NEWS: THE WEEKLYSPECIAL EDITION GOVERNMENT ,.r. M RESOURCE CENTER 17M 1, x .,, � 'pit Today officially marks the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history. While the course of the next few weeks remains unclear, one thing is certain: the shutdown has a direct impact on America's 19,000 cities, towns and villages. In addition to advocating for Congress and the White House to find a bipartisan solution to the shutdown, NLC has created a series of resources to help your 2 community navigate all things related to the federal government shutdown, including: -Shutdown Impacts on Federal Permitting, Licensing and Local Industries -Shutdown Impacts on Food Stamps -Shutdown Impacts on Water Infrastructure the Environment and Public Land -Shutdown Impacts on Federal Courts, the FCC and the IRS Help us call on the federal government to end the shutdown. Tell us how your residents are being impacted or how your municipal government is stepping in to help by tweeting us at @leagueofcities and using the hashtag #shutdownstories. You can also email your story to advocacy@nlc.org. �i How The Shutdown Will Affect Your Economy It is not clear what the final cost of a prolonged government shutdown will be, but based on previous shutdowns, there could be devastating impacts on local economies. ' � One Small City's Big Steps to Undo Systemic Racism One mayor's determination may have changed the trajectory of his village. Here's how a small city in Illinois found a way to prioritize racial equity. Help Your Residents Get the Tax Returns They Deserve Roughly 20 percent of eligible taxpayers don't claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit when they file their taxes. That's money they could use to stabilize their budgets and boost the local economy. 3 Eric Johnson From: Mary Mccomber <marymccomber@aol.com> Sent Tuesday,January 15, 2019 4:03 PM To: Eric Johnson Subject: fwd: Federal Advocacy Update:Week of January 15,2019 For weekly notes ----Original Message----- From: National League of Cities <advocacy@nlc.org> To: marymccomber<marymccomber@aol.com> Sent: Tue, Jan 15, 2019 4:01 pm Subject: Federal Advocacy Update:Week of January 15, 2019 If this message is not displaying properly,please view the online version Federal Advocacy Update In This issue - Unending Shutdown is Uncharted Territory for Cities, Towns, and Villages - Congress Passes Integrated Planning Legislation - NLC Urges SAMHSA to Verify if Opioid Funding Supports Local Programs - NLC Joins Legal Battle to Halt FCC Small Cell Order - NLC Comments on Opportunity Zone Proposed Regulations - 2019 National Municipal Policy Released Unending Shutdown is Uncharted Territory for Cities, Towns, and Villages Michael Wallace, 202.626.3025 The current partial federal government shutdown has lasted longer than any shutdown in U.S. history. There appears to be no middle ground or bipartisan way forward among congressional leaders or within the leadership of the F administration. And cities are starting to bear more of the consequences. On January 11, NLC President Karen Freeman-Wilson sent a letter to Senate leadership urging a vote on legislation to reopen shuttered federal agencies: "The shutdown is having real-life consequences in our communities and our economy. And each day those consequences appear to grow as it becomes harder to purchase a new home, take out a small business loan, and provide services for veterans, seniors, homeless, and other "vulnerable"groups." NLC's message was delivered following a week of votes in the House to approve spending bills that would reopen all federal agencies, both collectively and individually. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) remains steadfast in his opposition to permitting votes on any spending bills without President Trump's permission. The president is seeking more than $5 billion in additional Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 funding for construction of a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico. At the same time, the White House is considering diverting already appropriated funds from their original purpose to the wall, including funding intended for cities and states under the Army Corps of Engineers for infrastructure projects in areas that experienced natural disasters in 2017. NLC is helping city leaders anticipate potential disruptions resulting from the partial government shutdown with a series of blog posts on NLC's blog CidesSpeak. In addition, NLC created a resource center for local leaders on all things related to the partial federal government shutdown at www.nic.org/shutdown. Is your community seeing the effects of the shutdown? Share how the uncertainty in federal funding is impacting your city, town or village on social media using #shutdownstories and tagging @Ieagueofcities or emailing your story to advocacy@nlc.org, Congress Passes Integrated Planning Legislation Carolyn Berndt 202.626.3101 As the 115th Congress came to a close and in a show of bipartisanship, Congress passed the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (H.R. 7279) that would codify 2 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework (Integrated Planning Framework) as a useful tool for local governments to comprehensively deal with wastewater and stormwater investments, as well as unfunded mandates. The bill passed the House by a vote of 351-10 and passed the Senate under Unanimous Consent. It was signed by the president on January 14. Sponsored by Reps. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Bob Latta (R-OH), Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Steve Chabot (R-OH), the bill allows local governments to work with their state and EPA to prioritize investment in wet weather overflows and flooding collectively, rather than individually, and to sequence and schedule projects to best meet the needs of the community. In a statement of support, NLC and a broad coalition of local government organizations said, "The Water Infrastructure Improvement Act gives much- needed flexibility to local governments, who are currently facing huge unfunded mandates, in meeting the requirements of the CWA more affordably." The legislation allows local governments who undertake integrated planning to incorporate green infrastructure components into municipal stormwater, combined sewer overflow (CSO) and other water plans in a more cost-effective way. The legislation also establishes an EPA Office of Municipal Ombudsman to work directly with communities in complying with federal environment laws, particularly with regard to the opportunity to prepare integrated plans in the context of consent decrees or administrative orders. Together these provisions will help reduce costs for fixed- and low-income citizens who spend a significant portion of their income on water and wastewater bills. Codifying the Integrated Planning Framework and incentivizing green infrastructure techniques has been one of NLC's federal priorities for several years, including as a key component of NLC's Rebuild With Us campaign. 3 NLC Urges SAMHSA to Verify if Opioid Funding Supports Local Programs Stephanie Martinez-Ruckman 202.626.3098 On January 14, NLC sent a letter to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), regarding State Targeted Opioid Response Grants, which were created through the 21st Century Cures Act. Municipal leaders across the country have continued to voice their concern that the billions of dollars in funding that was approved through this program to combat the opioid epidemic is not making it to the local level where leaders are working hard each day to combat this growing challenge, particularly as opioids are now being coupled with an uptick in heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine usage. NLC's letter calls on HHS to require states to provide a detailed report on how the money is being used to support local programs. States must be held accountable on how they are using the money to address local concerns. We are concerned that if the federal government continues to appropriate money with no follow- through, audit or scrutiny, only a fraction of the money will continue to make it down to cities, towns and villages, limiting the good we can do together. NLC will continue to work hard with Congress as well to ensure that these funds are being used as they intended and that future appropriations include detailed language about how to ensure that the funds make their way beyond the state. If your city, town or village is encountering challenges with accessing these funds to provide support to your community, please reach out to Stephanie Martinez- Ruckman at martinez-ruckman@nlc.org or Yucel Ors at ors@nlc.org to share your story and challenges. It is critically important that your Members of Congress understand how these funds are being used at the local level — especially where you are encountering challenges. NLC Joins Legal Battle to Halt FCC Small Cell Order Angelina Panettied 202.626.3996 Despite an ongoing government shutdown that has shuttered the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and threatens to close federal courts, 4 litigation over the FCC's fall preemptive order on small cell deployment remains in full swing. On January 10, NLC joined dozens of cities and local advocacy groups as intervenors in an ongoing lawsuit to overturn the FCC's small cell order. That same day, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals denied a motion to stay the order, following a denial by the FCC of a similar stay motion made by NLC and a large number of cities. The 10th Circuit also chose to transfer the small cell cases to the 9th Circuit, which is hearing a related case on an FCC order preempting local wireless siting moratoria.. In the short term, the circuit shuffling means very little for cities' day-to-day activities. Because the court and the FCC both declined to stay implementation of the order, the order went into effect on January 14 as scheduled. In the FCC's denial of a motion to stay, the agency extended the deadline for cities to develop compliant aesthetic standards to April 15, 2019. Longer-term activity at the court will be more significant for cities. The litigation, in which NLC and many state municipal leagues and individual cities are involved in, aims to overturn the FCC order entirely. The timeline for this case is uncertain — the FCC may ask the court to give it some time to resolve the petition for reconsideration it received in December, and regardless of how the case is decided, it is likely to be appealed. NLC Comments on Opportunity Zone Proposed Regulations Michael Wallace, 202.626.3025 On December 21, NLC submitted comments to the IRS and the U.S. Treasury on their proposed regulations on the Opportunity Zone tax incentive. NLC's "Comments on Opportunity Zones (Investing in Opportunity Funds)" have been posted for the public on www.Regulations.gov and can be downloaded directly here. A total of 145 comments were submitted NLC made recommendations under five categories: 1. Performance Measures and Public Accountability 2. Coordination and Integration with Local Authorities 5 3. Allowing Opportunity Funds to Invest in Infrastructure 4. Asset and Revenue Requirements 5. Federal Interagency Coordination Together, NLC's recommendations urged the administration to prioritize communication and coordination between Opportunity Zone investment managers and city leaders; and to improve federal assistance to medium and small cities for the opportunity zone designations within their communities. An IRS hearing on investing in Opportunity Zones scheduled for January 10 was cancelled as a result of the partial government shutdown. 2019 National Municipal Policy Released Avery Peters. 202.626.3020 NLC's National Municipal Policy (NMP) is a compilation of federal policy positions adopted by the full NLC membership. These positions focus on federal actions, programs, and legislation that directly impact municipalities and guide all of NLC's federal advocacy efforts. The 2019 National Municipal Policy has been updated to include policy amendments and resolutions approved during NLC's Annual Business Meeting held at the conclusion of the recent City Summit in Los Angeles, CA. Click here for more information and to download the NMP. i HNXNAL LBOAM You may opt out of email communications from NLC at any time. Update your communication preferences. This message was intended for. marymccomber@aol.com 660 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 450 Washington, DC 20001 6 DOING F0.0 0 T Hr y .s iuuni e } A Call to Social Action 29TH ANNUAL Dr. Martis f 4Q� Luther Cion A Holiday F �:e Breakfast Monday,Jan. 21, 2019 7-9:30am ST. PETER'S , UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST ,, 111 Orleans St. E. 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