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Roseville, MN - Official Website Page 10 of 22 <br /> Councilmember Johnson, in response to Commissioner Ristow, advised that he seriously <br /> considered a local sales tax option until he saw the survey results, opining that such an <br /> initiative would be a tough sell in the community. Councilmember Johnson expressed his <br /> regret in not being more aggressive with it in the past, even though it could have been a <br /> 3/2 City Council vote; however, if the measure would have failed it would have closed <br /> that door for any future consideration. <br /> Commissioner David Holt, considering himself well-informed, advised that he was <br /> unaware of what a sales tax meant in reality, and that similar misperceptions are still out <br /> there and needed to be addressed for the public to eliminate unknowns and correct those <br /> misperceptions. <br /> Councilmember Johnson concurred in the need for additional education on a local sales <br /> tax option, with that education also paying off immediately if and when a bond <br /> referendum was brought into reality; however, he noted that the question was asked in <br /> the survey with no application and not in any specific context. <br /> Councilmember Willmus echoed Councilmember Johnson's remarks; and suggested that <br /> the group continue to look at it as one possibility, recognizing that it may be a long-shot, <br /> but worth consideration from both a referendum and legislative point of view. <br /> Mayor Roe noted that the City of Medford, with a population of approximately 700, <br /> recently received legislative approval of a local sales tax based on the local outlet mall, <br /> and that it could possibly happen, even in a highly-competitive environment. <br /> Commissioner Ristow opined that shoppers had money, and that a local sales tax option <br /> would not take money from elderly residents or young families who may not have the <br /> money. <br /> Councilmember McGehee advised that she had lived in a community where a local sales <br /> tax option was used, and it proved very successful. However, hearing what could happen <br /> across Ramsey County from impacts of a potential Vikings stadium, she opined that the <br /> opportunity may have been missed. Councilmember McGehee further opined that, if the <br /> stadium should be located up north, it may present some new and unique development <br /> opportunities in Roseville that could prove beneficial. <br /> Chair Etten focused the discussion back to the Master Plan. <br /> Councilmember Johnson opined that, when pathways and bicycle paths were taken out of <br /> the equation, residents wanted what Public Works had to give them; and questioned if <br /> the Commission would be coming forward with a Pathway Master Plan. <br /> Chair Etten indicated that the Commission may be seeking some dollars to implement the <br /> existing Plan more quickly. <br /> Based on survey results, Councilmember Johnson questioned if implementation of the <br /> Pathway plan more quickly would be part of the Commission's implementation plan, with <br /> Chair Etten responding affirmatively. <br /> From a maintenance standpoint, Chair Etten advised that was currently under discussion; <br /> and recognized the City Council's apparent interest in the Commission presenting a <br /> package for immediate consideration, and advised that pathways were a part of the <br /> projected packages, but the request would be for funds to address maintenance for old <br /> and new pathways. <br /> Councilmember Johnson questioned the competitive situation between Parks and Public <br /> Works needs; with Chair Etten assuring the Council that it was a partnership, not an "us" <br /> and "them"' situation; with the Master Plan identifying many things, and consideration <br /> needed for implementation of the various components for the community as a whole, not <br /> http://www.cityofroseville.com/Archive.aspx?AMID—&Type—&ADID-1 125&PREVIEW—YES 7/25/2011 <br />