CITY LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR 2022 APPEARS TO REFLECT CITIZEN CONCERNS

by Joseph Back

Mayor Myron Bailey is a lifelong Cottage Grove resident. Now well into a new year as to civil matters, Bailey gave the State of the City address February 2 from City Hall, at 6 p.m. and prior to the Council meeting which followed. While press deadline did not allow for inclusion of the address in this week’s issue, Mayor Bailey gave a preview when reached last week via email.

“I will be highlighting some of the results and messages we received from the recent community wide survey from 2021,” Mayor Bailey shared last week of what to expect with regards to the annual State of the City address February 2 at City Hall. “Over 90 percent of all respondents are very happy with the direction we are heading in Cottage Grove!” He went on. “So that is something to celebrate!”

As to concerns on the part of residents, Bailey said that, “Some of the concerns referenced were around growth, possible higher taxes, wanting more park amenities, water quality, more retail and restaurants, and creating some sort of a downtown gathering place.

In terms of specifics to be addressed in the State of the City address, meanwhile, Bailey shared that, “I will speak about what we are doing to either support some of the requests or reduce concerns of growth, taxes, and water quality. We have a lot to celebrate as we head into 2022! More park amenities, more restaurants and retail options, beginning construction of the first of two permanent water treatment facilities, and better understanding of the continued housing growth.”

Shifting to the Council meeting and a delayed Mississippi Dunes EAW that was in the February 2 agenda after originally failing to appear as expected on January 19, Mayor Bailey explained the issue as one of answering questions and comments from the comment period.

“The EAW is on the City Council consent agenda on February 2nd City Council Meeting for approval,” he said. “It was delayed a few days/weeks as the agency was compiling all the questions/ comments and providing answers to those questions/ comments,” he said. “The EAW is clean and there are no issues with a project moving forward. The plat for the Mississippi Dunes Site will be on the Planning Commission Agenda for February and it is currently planned to before the City Council in March,” further stipulated by Bailey as being more than likely the second meeting in March.

Shifting from the ‘State of the City’ address this upcoming February 2 to a deeper look into the City’s 2022 Legislative Agenda, the order of priorities, appears to mirror citizen concerns as stated. First up is the 100th Avenue extension.

Covered in last weeks’ Journal, the road extension would see a rail bridge and outlet to Highway 61 at Keats Avenue, along with a roundabout. The extension is considered crucial to expansion of the 100th Street business park, with the NorthPoint Development to break ground this year as an example.

Up next is the 103rd Street rail bridge.

Located at the bottom of a steep hill, the rail bridge with just 10’ 4” clearance would see a temporary rail bridge and road as the area is dug out, the road to become part of a future Southwest Washington County Arterial out to Grey Cloud Island.

Third in the list of priorities contained in the 2022 legislative agenda packet is ‘Housing and Economic Development,’ with the current construction contributing to a growing tax base that spreads the overall tax burden over more households, resulting in a lower individual tax burden for residents.

With growth continuing, Cottage Grove stands in need of legislative action at the state level with regard to business expansion, job growth, redevelopment, and housing.

Next on the list and related to growth, is transportation.

Included in areas the city is focused on for 2022 are the Red Rock Corridor, Lights on Highway 61, Shoppes at Cottage View site off Keats Avenue, Street Improvement Districts, and municipal state aid funding.

Not to be left out from the city’s legislative priorities this session, is that of ‘Public Safety.’ Included in the 2022 legislative agenda packet are needs related to sharing of mental health data with law enforcement, the Mental Health Response Act, Officer wellness, law enforcement training funding, funding for mutual aid reimbursement, K12 threat assessments, permit to purchase fees, and Catalytic converter theft legislation.

As to what is termed “K12 threat assessments,” the more detailed info shows that the City has as a priority to “support mandated K12 threat assessment teams,” being defined further as requiring school districts “to establish a team of trained subject matter experts to examine and address school safety issues based on the national best practice known as behavioral threat assessment.”

Contained under relevant information is the 411 that such legislations would move Minnesota as a whole beyond physical safety school measures like infrastructure improvement grants as passed in 2018. Threat assessment, moreover, is defined as “an evidence- based way to identify, assess, and manage threatening situations away from violence.”

As to the details on catalytic converter legislation, the precious metals that such devices make them a target for theft, such that the City wants state legislation making it illegal to possess a used one unless able to prove ownership.

Next in the short summary of city priorities, meanwhile, is ‘Parks and Recreation,’ including for the Mississippi Dunes Park to accompany a 499-unit development at the former Dunes golf course, along with a Highway 61 Trailway.

Regarding the Highway 61 Trailway, the City “would like support for planning, design, and future funding of a Highway 61 Trailway connection between Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park and Point Douglas Regional Trail/Park,” per the legislative agenda binder.

Speaking of funding, there’s ‘Revenue and Taxation’ to cover as well.

Regarding the Truth in Taxation process, the City would like to prioritize maximizing citizen engagement in the budget process. As such, it includes the legislative direction which, “supports a legislative review of current and new requirements, with local official input, prior to the law taking effect,” following the passage of additional statutory requirements in 2022.

As to restrictions on local government budgets, the City of Cottage Grove looks to “maintain City autonomy in deciding the appropriate level of local taxation and services.” Following this with legislative direction to the legislature, the City of Cottage Grove “strongly opposes levy limits, reverse referenda, super majority requirements for levy, and valuation freezes, or other restrictions on budgeting and taxing processes.” Levy limits are limits that the state can impose on taxing authority, often to create a ceiling on what local governments can do in setting taxes.

Classed under relevant information for a supporting argument then, is the further stipulation from the City that “these types of restrictions undermine local budgeting and taxing processes, planned growth, and the relationship between locally elected officials and their residents.”

Finally for taxing City priorities, are sales tax on local government purchases along with special assessments.

As to sales tax, the stated priority of the City is support for the 2013 reinstatement of the sales tax exemption for goods and services made by cities, and more specifically granting an extension of the motor vehicle sales tax exemption currently limited to certain vehicles purchased for city use, including fire, police, and road maintenance vehicles. As to the special assessment details, Cottage Grove “supports modification to state laws governing special assessments for construction projects or other improvements arising from legislative authority to clarify the definition of “benefits received.” But if you’re sick of hearing about taxes until at least April 15, you’re not alone. Also included on the list of City priorities for the present legislative year, are those related to ‘Water Quality and Sustainability.’ Contained on a page with a picture of a double rainbow over Lower Grey Cloud Island, the stated priority of the City to “support continued metropolitan development while protecting all water resources.”

As such, the City states that is “supports and values initiatives aimed at protecting water resources at the municipal, county, state and federal level, which includes the Clean Water Act.”

Along with this, the City likewise “opposes entity- specific exemption from fees because every type of property is required to pay stormwater fees.”

Also supporting additional funding for Perflourochemicals (PFC) Biomonitoring in the area under a priority of ‘Groundwater and Well Monitoring,’ the City supports working with the MDH (Minnesota Department of Health) on the continuous monitoring of city groundwater and wells” for PFAS, after having completed part one fo the wellhead protection program in August 2015 and part two in March of 2017.

Continuing on with ‘Water Conservation,’ the City states as a priority “contributing to a statewide effort to promote water conservation while providing municipal autonomy relative to individual communities, directing the State Legislature that the City “supports legislation promoting aquifer recharge, change in water use practices, development of minimum irrigation standards, applying technology for smart water use, addition scientific data collection and exploring water reuse options at contaminated sites that rely on water extraction or pollution containment.”

Included under relevant information” is the City’s belief that “a single ‘catchall’ option should; not be applied to a region or sub-region,” and that the City “opposes funding of any implementation cost with the DNR North and East Metro Groundwater Management Area if it does not directly result in supplying water to the City of Cottage Grove and its residents.”

Moving next to ‘Stormwater and Wastewater,’ the City states its priority to “ensure that attempts to address water supply sustainability takes all water users (and variables) into account,” furthering defining these as including municipalities, industry, private wells, agriculture, and contamination containment.”

A support for “the removal of barriers to wastewater and stormwater re-use” is also stated in legislative direction from the city, along with advocacy for “improved interagency cooperation at all levels, including on the state level.”

Last but not least, are a request that the State of Minnesota repeal the newspaper notice requirement and also one requesting the implementation of a statewide licensing system for massage therapists, “ensuring minimum competency requirements are met,” it is related.

Contained in the legislative agenda packet is this stunning photo of a double rainbow over Grey Cloud Island. Water Quality and Sustainability are among the City’s legislative priorities for 2022.