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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,January 24,2011 Page 9 b. Legislative Update Mayor Roe welcomed Minnesota State Representatives Mindy Greiling (District 54A) and Bev Scalze (District 54B), and Minnesota Senator John Marty (District 54) to tonight's meeting to provide a legislative update. Rep. Bev. Scalze thanked the City Council for the invitation to attend and provide an update at tonight's meeting. Rep. Scalze highlighted the recently-proposed va- riance bill based on a case in Minnetonka; and advised that she had co-authored a bill (House File 52) currently coming before her Government Operations and Elections Committee for review, following a slight delay by the Automobile Dealer's Association who sought clarification on including "environmental" items included in the bill. Rep. Scalze opined that the bill appeared to have good bipar- tisan support, and the bill was written by the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) and was quite unique and respected by most MN cites. Rep. Scalze highlighted another part of last year's Jobs Bill for use of leftover Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds for projects that used more jobs; and ex- pressed hope that a hearing would be forthcoming; extending the original bill from it's current sunset of July of 2011 to July of 2013, with support of the LMC on that bill as well. Rep. Scalze announced the Open Houses planned by the legislative delegation this Saturday: Senator Marty and Rep. Greiling at the Roseville Library from 9:00 — 10:15 a.m.; and Senator Marty and Rep. Scalze at the Vadnais Heights City Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Rep. Greiling congratulated new Councilmembers; and thanked the City Council for their invitation to the recent reception for former Mayor Craig Klausing. Rep. Greiling recognized the many comments she heard during her recent door- knocking related to the variance bill, and the desire for more flexibility. Rep. Greiling expressed appreciation when constituents shared their concerns and opi- nions on local and state issues, making their jobs easier. Rep. Greiling congratu- lated the City for their ability to resolve the asphalt plant situation. Rep. Greiling noted the change in majorities at the legislature this year and the sixty (60) new legislators; and her service on the Education Policy and Finance and Ways and Means Committees; with the major topic of discussion being the $7.2 billion deficit (including inflation) and redistricting once the consensus num- bers were brought forward by March 30, 2011. Rep. Greiling briefly reviewed Local Government Aid (LGA) issues, recognizing that Roseville was not a reci- pient of LGA; and imbalances evidenced among those 10% of cities in the state not receiving LGA representing 49% of the state's population; and LGA impacts to Ramsey County and their operational funds. Rep. Greiling noted the changes made to the original bill coming forward from the Tax Committee once individual legislators realized the potential impacts to their own cities and counties. Rep.