2022-10-12 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Exclusively Serving Small Cities with Populations of 5,000 or less! MN SMALL CITIES Thanks to the continued support of small cities from every corner of the state, MN Small Cities is able to continue the important advocacy work that helps to preserve and enhance the qualities that make our small cities great places to live, work and play. We invite you to JOIN US or renew your membership today. • MN Small Cities exclusively serves and focuses on cities with populations of 5,000 or less! • MN Small Cities is the 2nd largest city organization in the state! • With over 700 eligible cities we are always looking to grow. • MN Small Cities is the only city organization in the state that also directly advocates on the Federal level! We are proud of the work we were able to accomplish in 2021-2022 on behalf of communities like yours, and we look forward to the new year ahead. Our dedicated legislative team tracked 900+ pieces of legislation this session that would impact small cities one way or another, if passed and worked hard to ensure that small cities had a VOICE and a seat at the table via hearings, testimony, letters of support/opposition, and discussions on all key issues - including the vital areas of: • Transportation funding • Workforce Housing • Rural Broadband funding • LGA and LRIP • Disbursement of Federal dollars • .. And More. The legislature adjourned without passing any of the major spending bills. Even so, Minnesota's small cities can celebrate WINS in important two issue areas: • A $200+ million Broadband funding package DID make it to the Governor's desk! This is huge for Minnesota's rural communities which should all be connected very soon. • Along with other city groups, MN Small Cities was (again) able to thwart attempts to impose zoning and other restrictions that would have adversely impacted local authority in the area of new Housing. • Mn Small Cities alos coordinated to halt discussion about expanding the ability of townships to use detached annexation to remove parcels from small cities, thus reducing tax base and development opportunities.