Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/27/2018

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effectiveness of taxpayer investments. The Legislature has previously appropriated funding and granted the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency authority to assist cities with funding community land trusts (CLTs) for affordable housing. Response: The Legislature should support continuation of the land trust capacity - building program and provide capital start-up funds so community land trusts can continue to offer gap financing, interest rate write -downs, predevelopment financing, and financial underwriting. The Legislature should also support efforts by the Minnesota Community Land Trust Coalition to develop property tax valuation to lower property taxes for sales -price -restricted properties enrolled in CLT programs. LE-15. Telecommunications and Information Technology Issue: Telecommunications and information technology is essential public infrastructure for the efficient, equitable, and affordable delivery of local government services to residents and businesses. Telecommunications includes voice, video, data, and services delivered over cable, telephone, fiber-optic, wireless, and all other platforms. Response: The League of Minnesota Cities supports a balanced approach to telecommunications policy that allows new technologies to flourish while preserving local regulatory authority. Regulations and oversight of telecommunications services are important prerogatives for local government to advance community interests, including the provision of high quality basic services that meet local needs, spur economic development, and are available at affordable rates to all consumers. Policies should not diminish local authority to manage public rights - of -way, to zone, to collect reimbursement and reasonable compensation for the use of public assets, or to work cooperatively with the private sector. The League opposes the adoption of state and federal policies that restrict cities' ability to finance, construct, and operate telecommunications networks. LE-16. Broadband Issue: High-speed Internet is essential infrastructure needed by cities to compete in a global economy. Yet many communities do not have access to broadband at affordable prices. High fixed costs, low density, and short-term return -on -investment thresholds for private sector providers contribute to the lack of broadband across the state. Investing in universal broadband access has substantial local and regional economic benefits for communities of all sizes. Cities and other local units of government are facilitating the deployment of broadband services to increase connectivity, reliability, availability, and affordability for residents and businesses through a variety of models, including municipal broadband and public -private partnerships. However, attempts have been made to restrict cities from providing telecommunications services, particularly in unserved or underserved areas. Recent court cases have overturned interpretation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that states may not limit the extension of municipal broadband services from one city to another. Due to the high costs of broadband infrastructure, the state has expanded its role to identify and formulate tools to expand broadband access. The Office of Broadband Development within the Department of Employment and Economic Development League of Minnesota Cities 2018 City Policies Page 61