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Transportation <br />5-H Airport Noise Mitigation <br />Acknowledging that the communities closest to MSP and reliever airports are significantly <br />impacted by noise, traffic and other numerous expansion -related issues: <br />Metro Cities supports the broad goal of providing MSP-impacted communities greater <br />representation on the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC). Metro Cities wants to <br />encourage continued communication between the MAC commissioners and the cities they <br />represent. Balancing the needs of MAC, the business community and airport host cities and their <br />residents requires open communication, planning and coordination. Cities must be viewed as <br />partners with the MAC in resolving the differences that arise out of airport projects and the <br />development of adjacent parcels. Regular contact between the MAC and cities throughout the <br />project proposal process will enhance communication and problem solving. The MAC should <br />provide full funding for noise mitigation for all structures in communities impacted by flights in <br />and out of MSP. <br />Metro Cities supports noise abatement programs and expenditures and the work of the <br />Noise Oversight Committee to minimize the impacts of MAC operated facilities on <br />neighboring communities. The MAC should determine the design and geographic reach of <br />these programs only after a thorough public input process that considers the priorities and <br />concerns of impacted cities and their residents. The MAC should provide full funding for <br />noise mitigation for all structures in communities impacted by flights in and out of MSP. <br />5-1 Funding for Non -Municipal State Aid (MSAS) City Streets <br />Cities under 5,000 in population do not directly receive any non -property tax funds for collector <br />and arterial streets. Cities over 5,000 residents have limited eligibility for dedicated Highway <br />User Tax Distribution Fund dollars, which are capped by the state constitution as being available <br />for up to twenty percent of streets. Current County State Aid Highway (CSAH) distributions to <br />metropolitan counties are inadequate to provide for the needs of smaller cities in the metropolitan <br />area. Possible funding sources include the five -percent set -aside account in the Highway User <br />Tax Distribution Fund, modification to county municipal accounts, street improvement districts, <br />and/or state general funds. <br />The 2015 Legislature created a Small Cities Assistance Account that is distributed through a <br />formula to cities with populations under 5,000. While the account will remain in statute, future <br />appropriations will have to be appropriated by future legislatures. <br />Cities need long-term, stable, dedicated funding for street improvements and maintenance. <br />Metro Cities supports additional resources and flexible policies to meet local infrastructure <br />needs and increased demands on city streets. Metro Cities also supports dedicated and <br />sustainable state funding sources for non-MSAS city streets, including funding for the <br />Small Cities Assistance Account as well as support for the creation and funding of a Large <br />Cities Assistance Account. <br />2018 Legislative Policies <br />53 <br />