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5. Resolution 5671 - Legislative Prioritiesv City o Kalispell Post Office Box 1997• 990. To: Mayor Johnson and City Council From: Doug Russell, City Manager Re: Legislative priorities Meeting Date: April 21, 2014 BACKGROUND: In discussions related to state legislation impacting municipal activities, the City Council has discussed the potential of adopting a set of legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Though there are not any specific pieces of legislation that we are aware of that impact these legislative priorities, adopting these priorities provide a unified platform for members of council and municipal staff to use when addressing our representatives for and during the upcoming legislative session. The proposed set of legislative priorities include: 1) support of a local option sales tax, 2) support for maintaining tax increment financing as an economic development tool, 3) support for streamlining special district legislation, 4) support for legislation that provides consistency in the application of impact fee legislation, and 5) support for legislation that mitigates the economic impact for increasing regulatory standards for municipalities. ALTERNATIVES: The City Council can reject, amend and adopt, or table the proposed set of legislative priorities. FISCAL IMPACT: There is not a financial impact for adopting a set of legislative priorities. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council move to adopt the proposed set of legislative priorities. i�Y�T1i1Js�L1��f11 A RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH THE STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THE 2015 MONTANA STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHEREAS, the Montana State Legislature will convene in 2015 to consider proposed legislation that will affect the governance of the City of Kalispell and its residents; and WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Council finds that it is in the best interests of the City that it consider and set forth a list of priorities regarding the discussion of future state legislation as it affects local government so that a clear focus may be attained and utilized in communications with state legislators, state agencies, and other local governments as proposed legislation is drafted and discussed. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That the "City of Kalispell Montana Legislative Priorities April 2014", attached hereto as Exhibit "A" is hereby approved and adopted as the legislative priority issues of importance in the governance of the City of Kalispell for the Montana 2015 Legislative Session. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL THIS 21 ST DAY OF APRIL, 2014. Mark Johnson Mayor ATTEST: Theresa White City Clerk EXHIBIT 66A" City of Kalispell Montana Legislative Priorities April 2014 The City of Kalispell is supportive of efforts to improve financial options related to all areas of municipal operations where local control and decision making can be effectively applied. While this list of priorities does not single out any specific proposed bill, in general the City of Kalispell has identified these five areas of policy interest. - Local Option Sales Tax: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that would provide local communities the option of enacting a voter approved sales tax within municipal limits that would provide an opportunity to maintain infrastructure and services for our community that is impacted by a large number of people that do not reside within the City of Kalispell. - Tax Increment Financing: The City of Kalispell supports existing or more expansive legislation that provides municipalities the opportunity to use Tax Increment Districts as part of an Effective Economic Development Strategy, and opposes legislation that would limit the effectiveness of the options currently present in state statutes. - Special District Legislation: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that would streamline the ability to establish special districts. - Impact Fee legislation: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that will provide long term consistency for municipalities, developers, and builders within the impact fee regulations. - Environmental Quality: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that would mitigate the economic impacts of the unfunded liability caused by increased regulatory standards on municipal operations such as water production and wastewater treatment.