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Housing & Economic Development <br /> exercise local authority over zoning and land-use decisions for wireless service <br /> facilities; and <br /> Public-private collaboration that support broadband infrastructure and services at <br /> the local and regional level, including partnerships and cooperation in providing <br /> last-mile connections. <br /> 3-P City Role in Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development <br /> Historically, cities have played a major role in environmental protection, particularly in <br /> water quality. Through the construction and operation of wastewater treatment and storm <br /> water management systems, cities are a leader in protecting the surface water of the state. <br /> In recent years, increased emphasis has been placed on protecting ground water and <br /> removing impairments from storm water. In addition, there is increased emphasis on city <br /> participation in controlling our carbon footprint and in promoting green development. <br /> Metro Cities supports public and private environmental protection efforts to reduce <br /> greenhouse gas emissions and to further protect surface and ground water. Metro <br /> Cities also supports "green" design and construction techniques to the extent that <br /> those techniques have been thoroughly tested and are truly environmentally <br /> beneficial, economically sustainable and represent sound building practices. Metro <br /> Cities supports additional, feasible environmental protection with adequate funding <br /> and incentives to comply. <br /> Green jobs represent employment and entrepreneurial opportunities that are part of the <br /> green economy, as defined in M.S. 116J.437, including the four industry sectors of green <br /> products, renewable energy, green services and environmental conservation. Minnesota's <br /> green jobs policies, strategies and investments need to lead to high quality jobs with good <br /> wages and benefits, meeting current wage and labor laws. <br /> 3-Q Impaired Waters <br /> Metro Cities supports continued development of the metropolitan area in a manner <br /> that is responsive to the market, but is cognizant of the need to protect the water <br /> resources of the state and metro area. Since all types of properties are required to <br /> pay storm water fees, Metro Cities opposes entity-specific exemptions from these <br /> fees. Metro Cities supports the goals of the Clean Water Act and efforts at both the <br /> federal and state level to implement it. <br /> Metro Cities supports continued funding of the framework established to improve <br /> the region's ability to respond to market demands for development and <br /> redevelopment, including dedicated funding for surface water impairment <br /> assessments, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development, storm water <br /> construction grants and wastewater construction grants. <br /> 2017 Legislative Policies 36 <br />