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Cities Bulletin ONLINE EDITION IS-Minute Advocate: Transportation bill needs support Issue 11 March 19, 2003 1. Get informed Bills that would allow cities to impose fees for street maintenance, upgrades, and reconstruction projects were introduced in the Minnesota Senate and the House last week. HF 96S, and its Senate companion SF 82S, would allow city councils to charge a transportation utility fee for: . Reconstruction, including paving, grading, curbs and gutters, bridge repair, overlays, drainage, base work, sub grade corrections, and boulevard maintenance; . Facility upgrades including of traffic signals, turn lanes, medians, street approaches, alleys, rights-of-way, sidewalks, retaining walls, fence installation and additional traffic lanes; . Maintenance work including center-line striping, seal coating, crack sealing, sidewalk maintenance, signal maintenance, street light maintenance, and signage. The proposals would allow a fee to be assessed by a two-thirds vote of the city council. It also would require a public hearing on any resolution related to a transportation fee. No fees could be charged unless a city also has prepared and adopted a master plan that, among other things, includes the proposed funding sources for all projects in the plan. Any fees charged and collected under this proposal would be dedicated to the specific projects listed in the master plan. Cities would not be allowed to gather any fees that exceed the estimated costs for projects. The proposals, both of which have been referred to committees, also include guidelines for the manner in which fees can be calculated and an appeals process for property owners. 2. Take action Please call your legislators to voice your support for this legislation, and explain the positive impact it could have on your community. Legislative directories and contact information are can be found on the Legislature's web site at: ~.Ieg~st;l.Je~mn.u~. Questions and comments can be directed to Ann_e Finn, LMC, at(6SI) 281-1263. 3. Stay involved This piece oflegislation is based upon a recommendation from the Funding Street Construction and Maintenance in Minnesota's Cities Report, sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities in conjunction with the City Engineers Association and the Public Works Association. To download and read the report, please visit the Legislative section ofthe LMC web site at: www.lmnc.org. Follow this piece oflegislation by visiting the Minnesota Legislature web site at: www.leg.state.mn.us. The IS-Minute Advocate, through information and action by member cities and League staff, is designed to increase understanding among legislators, media, and residents about the impacts of public policy on Minnesota's residents and the cities in which they live.