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City of Centerville <br />City Council Meeting Minutes <br />September 11, 2024 <br />Prior to Senator Gustafson being introduced and addressing the Council, Mayor Love read a letter that he <br />had been copied on which was addressed to the Senator. He read the letter which stated: ÐOn behalf of <br />839-member cities, I want to thank you for your efforts this past legislative session to recognize you as a <br />League of Minnesota Cities, 2024 Legislator of Distinction. League staff and member city officials <br />appreciate your accessibility and your consultation with us on legislation impacting cities. Specifically, <br />the League appreciates your regularly checking in to identify and understand city perspectives throughout <br />the session. You made yourself readily available to discuss these concerns and supported efforts to craft <br />workable legislative solutions. The League appreciates your awareness of city needs and looks forward <br />to working with you in the future on issues impacting local units of government. Our members know that <br />in order to be successful in servicing our constituents; state and local city officials must work together as <br />partners to reach solutions that meet the unique needs of rural, suburban and urban communities all across <br />Minnesota. City leaders also understand without the support of legislative leaders like you, the State and <br />local partnership would not be possible. To acknowledge your contribution this last session, the Mayor <br />in each city in your legislative district will receive notification of your recognition. A press release will <br />also be issued to meeting in your area. City officials and League staff look forward to continue to work <br />with you in the future.Ñ He stated that it was signed by the current League of MN Cities, President/City <br />Administrator of Lakeville, Justin Miller. <br /> <br />Mayor Love welcomed Senator Gustafson to speak from the podium to address the city. <br /> <br />1. State Senator Heather Gustafson <br /> <br />Senator Gustafson stated thank you as it was very sweet of the Mayor to read the letter as she was unaware <br />as to whether she had received it and that she was unaware of what was forwarded to cities. Again, she <br />thanked the Mayor and stated that she really does think of cities while serving. She stated that it was a <br />privilege to service on many different committees and state government. She spoke of several issues (e.g. <br />school funding equalization, public safety funding, bonding needs, etc.). She stated that she is always <br />available to discuss issues in depth, so feel free to contact her with any questions. <br /> <br />Junior Council Member Sauber thanked Senator Gustafson for here attendance and asked if there was any <br />additional information regarding the recent cellphone legislation and Ms. Gustafson stated cellphone rules <br />and her own daughter was a senior and this is not her favorite ruling, this is not her bill; but monitoring <br />students and what they have access to during classroom hours. She stated they she herself was a teacher <br />at Centennial High School and took cellphones away from kids. She stated that she knows that this is not <br />a popular bill. Junior Council Member Sauber stated that it is a large discussion with her group of young <br />teens to place laws on them but to also have them learn technology and adultism/proper use in the real <br />world. Junior Council Member Sauber stated that she had an opportunity to speak with Senator Gustafson <br />at the League of MN Cities Conference about affordability for young people, especially college expenses <br />and cost of living expenses and she was wondering there were any updates regarding those issues. Senator <br />Gustafson stated that many rental things have gone into place especially in Minneapolis and she would be <br />happy to go in depth with Ms. Sauber at a later time. She stated that there is a freeze on tuitions within <br />the State and has been for the last two years. She stated that some schools are offering if the household <br />income is $80,000/year or less there are schools that are offering free school. She stated that the University <br />of Minnesota is different as they were founded prior to the Constitution of Minnesota so they have <br />different sets of rules. <br /> <br />Council Member Taylor stated that legislation regarding local control of zoning was an issue and asked if <br />she had any anticipations of that coming back around. Senator Gustafson stated that she did not support <br />Page 3 of 11 <br /> <br />