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Resolution 82-3020- Support to Constitutional Amendment #2RESOLUTION NO 82 3020 RESOLUTION SUPPORTING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT #2 AN AMENDMENT TO THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION ON HIGHWAY BONDING, TO REMOVE RESTRICTIONS ON THE INTEREST RATES FOR AND THE AMOUNT OF TRUNK HIGHWAY BONDS. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Hopkins reviewed the facts concerning the need for a Minnesota Constitutional Amendment removing Highway Bonding Restrictions in the Minnesota Constitution and WHEREAS, finds that a 5% interest rate and $150 million maximurn borrowing amount are obsolete in current economic times, and has WHEREAS, recognizes the urgent need to provide flexibility to the state legislature and administration to be able to adequately fund necessary Truck Highway and Bridge repairs and replacements, and WHEREAS, believes that additional capability to support good highways will also aid i n improving the economic vitality of Minnesota and the City of Hopkins by providing more jobs and transportation facilities for the moverm ent of goods and materials in the state. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Hopkins County of Hennepin State of Minnesota, that Constitutional Amendment #2, an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution to remove restrictions on the interest rates for and the amount of Trunk Highway Bonds, be supported, and PASSED THIS ATTEST: CITY CLERK BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Hopkins urges all residents of the city voting at the November 2, 1982 election, to cast a 'ryes' vote for Constitutional Amendment #2. DAY OF 1982. MAYOR OR COUNCIL PRESIDENT FACT SHEET CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON HIGHWAY BONDS-AMENDMENT %2 The amendment does two things: removes obsolete 5% interest limit (established in 1920) removes $150 million cap (established in 1956) 2. Passage of the amendment will: immediately remove an impediment to the sale of $19 million of previously authorized bridge replacement bonds provide an additional highway funding option to future legis- latures and administrations 3. The urgent need for transportation funding continues. road use is increasing the dedicated highway fund is not sensitive to inflation and continually falls behind the level of need the current funding level, called "patch and repair level" is really sub marginal in meeting road user needs based on current funding roads are reconstructed once every 370 years almost 500 bridges on the Trunk Highway system are deficient Passage of the amendment is a small step towards improving eco- nomic vitality of Minnesota. will enable improvement bridge replacements will provide jobs (53 jobs are created either directly or in- directly from every one million dollars spent on highway con- struction) 5. The groups that have voiced support for passage are a good indi cation of the importance this change has for Minnesota. Labor Business AgrirsulturQ 1 Highway Users: Cars Trucks Highway Action Groups State Executives Legislators and Candidates There are no known organizations in opposition. Question to appear on November Ballot "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to remove restric- tions on the interest rates for and the amount of Trunk Highway Bonds Yes No 0 association of metropolitan municipalities September 3, 1982 TO: Chief Adrainistrater Officials, AMM Member Ci ties BULLETIN FROM: vein Petersd f, Executive Director. There are three items I would like to bring to your attention: 1. CONSTITUTIONAL 2 t1E.NDANT #2, HIGHWAY BONDING The AMM Transportation Committee and Board of Directors have considered the proposed Highwa' Bonding Constitutional Amendment and adopted a position of active support. The constitutional limitations on both interest rate and dollar amounts for highway bonding are obsolete and totally out of step with current economic conditions and highway needs The AMM Board would urge member cities and officials to take an active .role in support of ame�do number two. We are providing a fact sheet and model resolution for your consideration. It is hoped that because of the magnitude and impact of highway needs in the Metropolitan Area, your city will support the issue, attempt to gain ublicit and support g_ your local news media, P y pport throe h and attempt an an individual basis to influence positive support from your constituency. This amendment was before the voters in 1980 and did receive a substantial majority vote from those voting on the issue. However, to pass a constitutional amendment needs a najoritu vote of all persons voting. Thus, those not voting- yes or no are counted as no It is our hope that you, as local officials, will take the initiative on this extremely important issue. 2. AMM MEMBERSHIP MEETING TO ADOPT LEGISLATIVE POLICY NOVEMBER 18, 1982 For your advance planning, there will be a general membership meeting on Thursday evening, November 18, 1982. The purpose of the meeting is to adopt Legislative Policy for the next Legislative Session beginning in January of 1983. A meeting- notice with the complete meeting details and copies of the proposed policies wi11 be mailed in early October, but please reserve the date now 3. REGIONAL MEETING LMC AND AMM CO- SPONSORED SEPTEMBER 16, 1982 IN MAPLEWOOD REMINDER Recently you should have received a notice and invitation for the Regional Meeting of the League of Minnesota Cities, co- sponsored by the :association of Metropolitan Municipalities The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 16th. at the 183 university avenue east, st. paul, minnesota 55101 (612) 227 -5600 WE REQUEST THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIAL RECEIVING THIS BULLETIN COPY OR DISTRIBUTE THIS INFORMATION TO THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS IN YOUR CITY. Holiday Inn in Maplewood with both afternoon and evening sessions. To better meet the needs and interests of city officials in the Metropolitan Area, some changes are being made to the evening meeting agenda. Clyde Allen, State Commissioner of Revenue, will be present to update you on the overall state financial picture and any bearing it may have on municipalities and future state aid, levy limits, etc. We are hoping that Gordon Voss, State Represent- ative from Blaine and Chairman of the House Committee on Local and Urban Affairs, and. Chairman of the Local Policy Task Force, will also be present to brief you on what is happening with the Local Policy Task Force. As you may know, the Local Policy Task Force was created by an executive order of the Governor to get a better handle on the interrelationship between the State and Local units of government including the financial relationship. Both of these briefings should be of interest! Reservations should be made with the City of Maplewood which is hosting this meetirg.Otner portions of the evening program will be shortened to accommodate those presentations so as not to add to overall time allocated to t evening session.