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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24-20 City Commission Packet Materials - WS1. Draft 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 with the State Legislature delegation MEETING DATE: August 24, 2020 AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Work Session—Special meeting RECOMMENDATION: Share the City’s Draft 2021 Legislative Priorities with the current State Legislators and candidates from the surrounding area. Discuss City priorities with legislators and identify possible opportunities for collaboration. Receive feedback from the delegation about the priorities list. Direct staff to revise the priorities and 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 formed a cross functional core legislative team focused on effectively identifying and communicating the City’s legislative priorities. Staff developed a robust prioritization process 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. On August 11, 2020, Staff presented these priorities to the Commission and received further input from the about the priorities. The Commission requested staff to identify priorities as offensive or defensive and to add additional priorities to the list. The issues on the spreadsheet are grouped by the level of attention or effort required by city staff. Priorities highlighted in yellow in the spreadsheet were specifically identified by the Commission for Staff to prioritize. (Attachment 1) 4 The City Commission will discuss the priorities with State Representatives and Senators from the Bozeman area during the work session. 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: 20/08/2020 5 Issue Title Department Strategic Goals Status of Action Description Planning and Zoning Board Consolidation Community Development An Engaged Community A Well-Planned City A High Performance Organization Active-Draft Legislation Having 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 Clerk Community Development An Engaged Community High Performance Organization Active-Draft Legislation Supporting legislation that modernizes or improves public noticing requirements for bidding, procurement, and other city actions that require public notification Special Election Date City Attorney An Engaged Community Active-Draft Legislation Propose legislation that would allow municipalities to conduct special district elections on the same date as their general election Beer and Wine Licensing Commissioner Pomeroy An Innovative Economy Active-Draft Legislation Open the beer and wine licensure process to give more restaurants an opportunity to participate; restaurants would pay the greater of $3,000 or 1% of gross revenues for the licenses Broadband Economic Development Library An Innovative Economy A Creative, Learning Culture Active-Draft Legislation High 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 connections Childcare Economic Development Library An Innovative Economy A Safe, Welcoming Community A Creative, Learning Culture Active-Draft Legislation Modify 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. Local Options Sales Tax Economic Development Library Public Works Deputy Mayor Andrus Commissioner Cunningham Commissioner Wallner An Innovative Economy High Performance Organization A Well-Planned City Active-Draft Legislation A 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. Restructure the Local Option Sales Tax proposals, 25% property tax relief, 25% Rural Revenue Pool, 5% administration, 45% local infrastructure Use revenues on tourism improvement like a tourism BID 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. Soda Tax Commissioner Wallner An Innovative Economy Active-Draft Legislation Soda or sugary drink tax to promote a healthy lifestyle and generate new revenue for the city Taxation Deputy Mayor Andrus Commissioner Cunningham Commissioner Wallner An Innovative Economy Active-Draft Legislation Local Option Sales Tax and Soda Tax in particular, looking for ways to capture spending for non-residents and provide possible property tax relief Affordable Housing Community Development A Safe, Welcoming Community A Well-Planned City Active-Draft Legislation Support bills that give local governments the ability to construct affordable housing Preservation of Subsidized Housing Community Development A Safe, Welcoming Community A Well-Planned City Active-Draft Legislation 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. Subdivision Review Community Development A Well-Planned City Active-Draft Legislation Support legislation the streamlines final plat processing Community Renewable Energy Opportunities Sustainability Manager A Sustainable Environment Active-Draft Legislation 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. Gallatin College Facilities Economic Development An Innovative Economy A Creative, Learning Culture Active-Endorse legislation Gallatin 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. 6 MEDA Next Gen Report Economic Development An Innovative Economy Active-Endorse legislation Support 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. DUI Blood Draws City Attorney A Safe, Welcoming Community Active-Endorse legislation 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 DUI Expand Low Income Tax Credits Community Development A Safe, Welcoming Community A Well-Planned City Active-Endorse legislation 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. Sale or Lease of School District or University Property Community Development A Safe, Welcoming Community A Well-Planned City Active-Endorse legislation 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. Bills related to Water Use Act Public Works A Well-Planned City A Sustainable Environment Active-Endorse legislation 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). Fund a grant or loan program for cities to provide sewer systems to property owners with aging septic systems Public Works A Well-Planned City A Sustainable Environment Active-Endorse legislation Septics 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. Support Infrastructure Coalition Public Works A Well-Planned City A High Performance Organization Active-Endorse legislation 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 Active-Endorse legislation 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. Tax Increment Financing and Urban Renewal Districts Economic Development An Innovative Economy A Well-Planned City Defensive-Protect from changes Protect the ability for cities to create urban renewal districts and utilize tax increment financing dollars to improve the districts Criminal Justice Funding City Attorney A Safe, Welcoming Community Defensive-Protect from changes Monitor and oppose effort to shift funding for State criminal justice programs to local governments. Renewable Net Energy Metering Sustainability Manager A Sustainable Environment Defensive-Protect from changes If appropriate and reasonable, continue to defend small-scale net energy metering law, including interconnection standards. Legislative Redistricting City Manager Economic Development An Engaged Community A High Performance Organization Monitor Monitor 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 diluted Covid-19 Response Legislation Mehl An Innovative Economy A Safe, Welcoming Community A High Performance Organization Monitor Monitor any new legislation relating to COVID-19 assistance and relief in the legislation. Look for programs to support efforts happening in Gallatin Valley and offer input as necessary. 7 Funding Affordable Housing Personnel From Building Permit Fees Community Development A Safe, Welcoming Community A Well-Planned City A High Performance Organization Monitor 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 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 marijuana Allowance for jurisdictions to exceed state-adopted building codes Public Works A Well-Planned City A Sustainable Environment Monitor 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. Exempt well bills (also MCA Title 85)Public Works A Well-Planned City A Sustainable Environment Monitor 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. Montana Department of Transportation Local Agency Processes City Attorney Public Works A Well-Planned City A High Performance Organization Monitor 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 Environment Monitor Monitor and/or support legislation that would assist cities with meeting water standards at water and wastewater facilities Co-op bidding and Procurement City Clerk High Performance Organization Monitor Streamline the public procurement and bidding requirements while maintaining best practices for transparency, openness, and participation. 8