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Home My WebLink About08-11-20 City Commission Packet Materials - WS1. Draft 2021 Legislative Priorities Commission Memorandum REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission FROM: Mike Veselik, Economic Development Specialist Brit Fontenot, Director of Economic Development Anna Rosenberry, Assistant City Manager Chuck Winn, Assistant City Manager Jeff Mihelich, City Manager SUBJECT: City Commission discussion of the City of Bozeman 2021 Legislative Priorities MEETING DATE: August 11, 2020 AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Work Session RECOMMENDATION: Consider the draft 2021 Legislative Priorities presentation. Question, comment, and revise your 2021 Legislative Priorities as appropriate, receive public input and comment on the draft, and direct staff to return to the Commission on September 15, 2020 with the final version of the 2021 Legislative Priorities for discussion and formal adoption. STRATEGIC PLAN: 1.3 Public Agencies Collaboration - Foster successful collaboration with other public agencies and build on these successes. f) Develop and support a legislative agenda. BACKGROUND: Over the past several sessions of the Montana State Legislature, the City of Bozeman has developed a prioritized legislative agenda for commission consideration and adoption. City staff have formed a cross functional core legislative team that has created the framework for the 2021 Legislative Priorities discussion. Staff introduced a robust prioritization process—soliciting input from all city departments—for the 2021 session working across the organization to develop a thorough list of legislative items of interest. Once the list was compiled, items were associated with Strategic Plan initiatives. (Attachment 1) In the past, the City Commission has endorsed legislative agendas from partner organizations such as the Montana League of Cities and Towns. When those agendas are ready, staff will present them for possible addition to the Commission’s already identified priorities. Finally, staff are organizing a session with the local delegation in late August to deliver and discuss the proposed priorities. 124 For reference, information on the 2018 Legislative Priority packet material and meeting minutes is below. November 26, 2018 City Commission packet material (LINK) and November 26, 2018 City Commission meeting minutes. (LINK) UNRESOLVED ISSUES: None ALTERNATIVES: As proposed by the City Commission. FISCAL EFFECTS: There are no fiscal impacts caused by prioritizing and adopting a 2021 Legislative Agenda. Costs will likely be incurred for lobbying efforts during the session. Attachments: Draft 2021 Legislative Priorities Report compiled on: 08/04/2020 125 Issue Title Department Strategic Goals Description Special Election Date City Attorney An Engaged CommunityPropose legislation that would allow municipalities to conduct special district elections on the same date as their general election Planning and Zoning Board Consolidation Community Development An Engaged Community A Well‐Planned City A High Performance OrganizationHaving a consolidated planning and zoning board will also enable more consistent meeting times for citizens, simplify the public input process as there will be one point of contact for these issues, and will reduce staff time to train and manage two boards. Public Noticing Options City ClerkCommunity Development An Engaged Community High Performance OrganizationSupporting legislation that modernizes or improves public noticing requirements for bidding, procurement, and other city actions that require public notification Legislative Redistricting City ManagerEconomic DevelopmentAn Engaged CommunityA High Performance OrganizationMonitor the legislative redistricting process to ensure the City of Bozeman and our region are properly represented at both the State and Federal levels; work with legislators to encourage compact districts that include contiguous neighborhoods; defend against the City of Bozeman's political power being dilutedBroadband Economic Development Library An Innovative Economy A Creative, Learning CultureHigh speed internet connectivity is 21st century infrastructure necessary to stay connected to global commerce and compete in global markets. Plan and fund an expanded statewide broadband network and ensure that all residents have access to high speed internet connectionsChildcare Economic Development Library An Innovative Economy A Safe, Welcoming CommunityA Creative, Learning CultureModify state regulatory barriers to expanding the childcare industry in Montana like required square footage of outdoor spaces for licensing childcare operations and rule changes to allow a path for afterschool and drop in programs to be licensed with that state. Also, would like to examine the zoning and HOA rules for childcare in private homes. Gallatin College Facilities Economic Development An Innovative Economy A Creative, Learning CultureGallatin College celebrates its 10 year Anniversary in 2020. Gallatin College is a critical component of the regions workforce training efforts. Gallatin College supports over a dozen programs, including aviation, HVAC systems, photonics technician, industrial sewing, CNC machining, offering associates degrees and professional certificates that can be completed in as little as one to two years at a fraction of the cost of a four year education. Gallatin college is the fastest growing two year college in the State of Montana and they have outgrown their classroom, lab and work spaces. Support for expanding Gallatin College facilities on or around the Montana State University campus will ensure that one of the region’s most important workforce training partners can grow with the growing demand for education services. Local Options Sales Tax Economic Development Library Public Works An Innovative Economy High Performance Organization A Well‐Planned CityA local option sales tax would certainly be of benefit for the City taxpayers who bear a large property tax burden. Use portions of any new revenue to offset the tax burden on residents.Also, suggest continuing to support this effort as it will help fund infrastructure. We don’t have a good mechanism to capture the tourism and commuter impacts on our infrastructure to help pay for infrastructure upkeep and expansion. MEDA Next Gen Report Economic Development An Innovative EconomySupport legislation that advances the MEDA Next Gen Analysis including supporting daycare facilities, encouraging venture capital investments, recruiting talent to Montana, upgrade broadband and 5G infrastructure, support TIF and other economic development tools, and strengthen placemaking initiatives such as the Montana Main Street program. Tax Increment Financing and Urban Renewal Districts Economic Development An Innovative EconomyA Well‐Planned CityProtect the ability for cities to create urban renewal districts and utilize tax increment financing dollars to improve the districts Affordable Housing Community Development A Safe, Welcoming Community A Well‐Planned City Support bills that give local governments the ability to construct affordable housing Criminal Justice Funding City Attorney A Safe, Welcoming Community Monitor and oppose effort to shift funding for State criminal justice programs to local governments. 126 DUI Blood Draws City Attorney A Safe, Welcoming Community Support legislative efforts to allow blood draws for first offense DUIs. This would allow law enforcement to apply for a warrant for blood when a driver suspected of driving under the influence refuses to provide a breath sample on a first offense DUI. Under current law, blood warrants are allowed if a driver has previously refused to provide a breath sample to law enforcement or if the driver has one or more prior convictions for DUIExpand Low Income Tax Credits Community Development A Safe, Welcoming Community A Well‐Planned City Legislation similar to 2019 SB‐18 ‐ Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act – which would create State Housing Tax Credits, the goal of which would be to bring more private investment and Federal housing funds to Montana to create more homes and apartments. Rationale: Low income tax credits are the primary tool being used to generate low‐income housing in Montana. Providing for additional tax credits would create much‐needed additional inventory. Funding Affordable Housing Personnel From Building Permit Fees Community Development A Safe, Welcoming Community A Well‐Planned City A High Performance Organization Allowing Affordable Housing personnel / administration to be funded from building permit revenue. Currently, there are restrictions on what building permit funds can be used for. This would allow municipalities to fund personnel (up to 2 people, including salary & benefits) responsible for creating additional affordable housing in the municipality. Rationale: Currently, such positions are funded from local affordable housing funds, and these funds should be going directly to projects and programs rather than program administration.Marijuana Legalization City Attorney A Safe, Welcoming Community Monitor legislative action in response to the passage of two marijuana referenda on the ballot in November including land use issues, safety, and taxation of marijuana sales, a local option sales tax on marijuanaPreservation of Subsidized Housing Community Development A Safe, Welcoming Community A Well‐Planned City Support legislation that creates new funding to support the preservation of subsidized homes that would otherwise return to the private market when their subsidy programs expire; funds would support purchase by non‐profit housing providers that would retain affordability. Sale or Lease of School District or University Property Community Development A Safe, Welcoming Community A Well‐Planned City This will require more research to determine if legislation is needed. Currently it appears that in MCA Title 77 State Lands, Chapter 2, the sale or transfer of state land to another public entity, the state may consider – as total or partial consideration – the community benefit of the use of the land by the other public entity. Legislation may be required to insert language that allows the land transfer or sale to be discounted based on the community benefit for any prospective purchaser or leaser. This would allow, for instance, the school district to accept a below‐market bid on surplus land if it’s used for affordable housing, a clear community benefit. Allowance for jurisdictions to exceed state‐adopted building codes Public Works A Well‐Planned City A Sustainable Environment To implement best‐practices in water conservation, we seek state code modifications that allow local jurisdictions to require the installation of high efficiency plumbing fixtures in order to reduce water demand from new construction. Bills related to Water Use Act Public Works A Well‐Planned City A Sustainable Environment Generally monitor bills related to the Water Use Act including issues surrounding the Growing Communities Doctrine, or protectable interests for municipalities to plan and provide for future water in their service areas. It is also in the City’s best interest to monitor and support legislation integrating the Water Use Act (MCA Title 85) with applicable provisions in the Land Use statutes (Title 76) and Local government statutes (Title 7). Exempt well bills (also MCA Title 85) Public Works A Well‐Planned City A Sustainable Environment To protect water quality and quantity, support legislation that addresses the efficient use of water in new developments through community water systems. Also, support legislation that addresses the use of exempt wells in suburban developments. Fund a grant or loan program for cities to provide sewer systems to property owners with gaining septic systems Public Works A Well‐Planned CityA Sustainable EnvironmentSeptics are a significant contributor to nutrient water quality impairments around the state. Sewering should be more cost effective than the state’s focus on achieving water quality standards through discharge permits. Montana Department of Transportation Local Agency Processes City AttorneyPublic Works A Well‐Planned CityA High Performance Organization Revision of MCA Titles 60‐2 and 60‐3, et al, regarding MDT’s administration of FHWA’s Federal Aid highway funds for Urban (and Secondary) Routes, including maintenance responsibilities on Urban and State routes through incorporated cities. Nutrient Water Quality Standards Public Works A Well‐Planned City A Sustainable EnvironmentMonitor and/or support legislation that would assist cities with meeting water standards at water and wastewater facilities 127 Subdivision Review Community Development A Well‐Planned City Support legislation the streamlines final plat processing Support Infrastructure Coalition Public Works A Well‐Planned CityA High Performance Organization The Montana Infrastructure Coalition (MIC) is planning to promote a state‐wide sales tax with a portion of the tax dedicated strictly to infrastructure use. This is another item that could help fund infrastructure. Commercial and Residential Property Assessed Clean Energy Sustainability Manager A Sustainable Environment A High Performance Organization Continue to support our state‐wide partners to advance legislation that would allow jurisdictions the options to participate in a state‐wide C‐PACE program. C‐PACE uses borrowed capital to pay for upfront costs associate with energy and water efficiency or renewable energy improvements. The borrowed capital is repaid over time via a voluntary tax assessment, allowing for a longer term on repayment and transferability of the repayment obligation to the next property owner. Also, encourage legislation that would promote a Residential PACE program. Community Renewable Energy Opportunities Sustainability Manager A Sustainable Environment Supportive legislation developed between the City of Bozeman, the City/County of Missoula, City of Helena, and potentially Northwestern Energy, that is designed to help communities reach their 100% net renewable energy goals by 2030.Study or pursue enabling legislation that would allow Investor Owned Utilities the ability to offer a customized electric portfolio to participating jurisdictions or support related legislation designed to increase utility‐scale renewable energy.Renewable Net Energy Metering Sustainability Manager A Sustainable EnvironmentIf appropriate and reasonable, continue to defend small‐scale net energy metering law, including interconnection standards. Co‐op bidding and Procurement City Clerk High Performance OrganizationStreamline the public procurement and bidding requirements while maintaining best practices for transparency, openness, and participation.128