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City Administrator explained to the Council that they should be fully <br />aware that the involvement of the tax laws dealing with commercial property <br />versus residential property and the equalization of them is not necessarily <br />going to make all the citizens in Ramsey happy because if these laws are <br />changed, it will have an affect on their pocketbooks. However, I pointed <br />out that more equality in current state laws would also be extremely <br />beneficial to Ramsey and all other communities in Minnesota because it <br />would encourage growth and industry which would provide jobs for people. <br />City Administrator further stated if councilmen~ers felt that the City <br />should not be involved, that they should say so any time along the process <br />of developing new legislation because councilmembers and the City Adminis- <br />trator who are involved in this surely don't want to be involved in an <br />issue that is not consistent with the majority of the total council's <br />thinking in regards to this type of legislation. Further, it will be <br />assumed that the councilmembers and the City Administrator, when they <br />are involved in this, will assume until otherwise told, that they have <br />the total council's backing on this type of legislation. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cox - In order for people to survive in this State, things <br />are going to have to change. The tax structure in this State breeds <br />ignorance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Sorteberg - I can't get to sympathetic for the businessman <br />when you look at the standard of living he has set for himself. I <br />think we should quit knocking Minnesota. Nobody should be on the committee <br />unless they are going in with an open mind to learn the whole picture. <br />~ feel Councilmember Cox's mind is made up, but that he will also go into <br />this with an open mind. Businessman also has loopholes in taxes that he <br />can take advantage of that a resident can't. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Sorteberg and seconded by Councilmember Van Wagner <br />to authorize Mayor Gamec and Councilmember Cox to work in the development <br />of better legislation in the following areas: <br /> <br />1) State Aids to Cities <br />2) Ta×es as to their affect on business and industry. <br /> <br />Further Discussion: Councilmember Cox - Why should a person who owns a <br />home be in a better position that a person who rents? Councilmember <br />Sorteberg - That encourages home ownership. There are a lot of things <br />in this world that aren't fair. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Councilmembers Sorteberg, Reimann and Van <br />Wagner. Voting No: Nonel Abstaining: Councilmember Cox. Absent: <br />Mayor Gamec. <br /> <br />Mr. Schnelle made note of Item #12 under Letters and Communications. <br /> <br />Also contained under Case #5, Item #1, Legislation, was the legal issue <br />regarding State Aids in which the City is pursuing this case in the <br />Court and we have engaged the law firm of Lang, Pauly & Gregerson LTD <br />and their cost to review to see if we have a case will be between $400 <br />and $1000. Further, this cost will be shared with City of Ramsey paying <br />½ and Minnesota Small Cities Association paying ~. <br /> <br />C/November 10, 1981 <br /> Page 7 <br /> <br /> <br />