1f. Approval of 2009 Legislative Priorities
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen.lvlN 55317
Administration
Phone 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone 952.227.1180
Fax 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone 952.227.1160
Fax 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Pllolle 952.227.1120
Fax 952.227.111 0
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Pholle 952.227.1400
Fax 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Pholle 952.227.1130
Fax 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Pholle: 952.227.1300
Fax 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.challhassell.mll.us
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor & City Council
~i
FROM:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
DATE:
January 26,2009
SUBJ:
Legislative Priorities
PROPOSED MOTION
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The City Council adopts the 2009 Legislative Priorities.
Attached you will find the 2009 Legislati ve Priorities. This list was discussed
by the City Council at the January 26,3009 work session.
Staff is currently setting up meetings with State and Federal legislators.
A TT ACHMENTS
1.
2009 Legislative Priorities.
Chanhassen is a Community for Life. P'ovlding for Today alld Plalllling for Tomorrow
City of Chanhassen
2009 Legislative Priorities
1. TH 101 Corridor Project (Lyman Boulevard to Scott County Line): This is a
joint project with MnDOT, Carver County, Scott County, and the Cities of Shakopee
and Chanhassen
. Completed Conidor Scoping Study, Analysis, Preliminary Design and
Environmental Screening.
. Will be officially mapped when environmental reviews are completed (anticipated in
2010 at the earliest).
. Applied for funding through the Metropolitan Council's Surface Transportation
Program (STP), but placed 1ih, which put us out of running for funding this project
for 2010.
. MnDOT planning a mill and overlay of the corridor in 2009. City would prefer to see
funds programmed for reconstruction/widening of the corridor.
. The city needs this project to expand economic growth, create new jobs, and expand
our tax base.
Problem: No funding source - $8 million for Phase I
2. TH 5 Project Improvements (West of TH 41): This is a joint project with MnDOT;
Carver County; and the Cities of Victoria, Waconia, N orwood/Y oung America, and
Chanhassen.
· The city entered into a joint powers agreement for the completion of Corridor
Scoping, Analysis, Preliminary Design and Environmental Screening.
. Once this study is completed, the corridor can be officially mapped.
Problem: No fund source - Amount?
3. Highway 212: Continue Development of Highway 212.
. The development of Highway 212 from County Road 147 on the Chaska/Carver
border to the City of Cologne.
Problem: No funding source - Amount?
4. Environmental: The permitting processes are too time-consuming and streamlining the
processes would be a good start (NPDES, MS4, Non-degradation, Wetland Conservation
Act, and Clean Water Act requirements, etc.).
5. Unfunded Mandates: Chanhassen opposes both cunent and future statutory changes
that create mandated tasks that require new or added local costs without a conesponding
funding mechanism. Without a funding source, Chanhassen is potentially in the position
of having to increase property taxes and/or fees. These unfunded mandates add to the
responsibilities for cities and the ability to fund traditional service needs.
G:ladminltg\key financial strategiesl2009 priorities.doc
6. Local Controls: The city strongly supports participation in cooperative anangements,
but strongly opposes any effort to weaken the ability of local govemments to provide the
best services and benefits for their communities (levy limits, unfunded mandates,
cooperative purchasing). Local budgets are subject to intense public scrutiny. Inflation
alone forces cities to spend more money to maintain cunent service levels. The people
who know what is best for this city are the people who live here.
7. Keep "Opt-Out" Suburban Transit Agencies in Place: Chanhassen SUppOltS opt -out
cities and suburban transit agencies. Creation of these agencies provided residents and
businesses with a desired service that met their needs while maintaining financial and
management controls. The State should refrain from infringing on the ability of local
agencies to provide and control bus services for the benefit of area businesses and
residents.
8. Voting Regulations: Chanhassen strongly SUppOltS our democratically elected
representative-form of govcmment, and seeks to ensure voter confidence in election
results. To this end, Chanhassen supports legislation that would require verification of
citizenship of newly registered voters, would require registered voters to provide photo
ill as proof of identity at the polls, and would eliminate the voucher for same day voter
registration.