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A. 2011 Legislative Priorities.0 CITY OF CHMNSEN 7700 Market Boulevard PO Box 147 Chanhassen, MN 55317 Administration Phone: 952.2271100 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 Phone: 952.227.1120 Fax: 952.227.1110 Recreation Center 2310 Coulter Boulevard Phone: 952.227.1400 Fax: 952.227.1404 Planning & Natural Resources Phone: 952.227.1130 Fax: 952.227.1110 Public Works 1591 Park Road Phone: 952.227.1300 Fax: 952.227.1310 Senior Center Phone: 952.227.1125 Fax: 952.227.1110 Web Site www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor & City Council FROM: Todd Gerhardt, City Manager DATE: January 24, 2011 dk� SUBJ: 2011 Legislative Priorities Attached you will find staff's proposed 2011 Legislative Priorities. My expectation for Monday's meeting is for the City Council to review the priorities and add any priorities you feel are important. Attachment 1. 2011 Legislative Priorities G:\Admin \TG \Key Financial Strategies\2010\2011 Legislative Priorities memo 1 -24 -1 Ldoc Chanhassen is a Community for Life - Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow 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 Corridor Scoping Study, Analysis, Preliminary Design and Environmental Screening in 2007. • Received funding through the Metropolitan Council's Surface Transportation Program (STP) for segment between Lyman Boulevard and Pioneer Trail. Construction is scheduled for 2013. • The city needs this corridor improved to expand economic growth, create new jobs, and expand our tax base. • Staff is working with other agencies on next steps. Problem: No funding source for construction south of Pioneer Trail 2. TH 5 Project Improvements (West of TH 41): This is a joint project with MnDOT; Carver County; and the Cities of Victoria, Waconia, Norwood /Young America, and Chanhassen. • The city entered into a joint powers agreement for the completion of Corridor Scoping, Analysis, Preliminary Design and Environmental Screening in 2009. • MnDOT has also received STP funding for the bridge repairs in Victoria and partial overlay on TH 5 ($1,250,000). • City has received HSIP and TE Federal funds for pedestrian underpass and trunk highway safety improvements at Minnewashta parkway. Construction is scheduled for 2012. • MnDOT has received $1,342,000 in federal funds for the TH 5 Signal Retiming and Coordination. Construction is scheduled for 2012. Problem: No funding or schedule to make the corridor four lanes. 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 — Secured. g: \admin \lh \city council\201 1 legislative priorities.doc 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 current and future statutory changes that create mandated tasks that require new or added local costs without a corresponding 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. 6. Local Controls: The city strongly supports participation in cooperative arrangements, but strongly opposes any effort to weaken the ability of local governments 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 current 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 supports 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. Voting Regulations: Chanhassen strongly supports our democratically elected representative -form of government, 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 ID as proof of identity at the polls, and would eliminate the voucher for same day voter registration. GAAdmin \LH \City Council\2011 Legislative Priorities.doc