Minutes - Council Work Session - 09/24/2019

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singular member cities navigate their own work at the capital. She provided information on the number of staff people and the Metro Cities Board. She stated that the Builders Association of the Twin Cities has issued two papers that have been very critical of city development and permit fees and the Metro Cities has been working to respond to the papers and initiatives of that organization. She stated that Metro Cities has argued that the data used by the Builders Association is very dated and does not accurately represent the current building climate. She provided additional information on the topic. She noted that Metro Cities has asked its member cities to communicate with their legislators on this topic. She thanked Ramsey for its membership. Councilmember Heinrich asked for information about affiliate membership. Ms. Nauman replied that to qualify for affiliate members, you would be a city that straddles the seven-county metro area. She noted that those cities do not have voting abilities but are provided with the same information. Mayor LeTourneau explained that the Council is currently going through a process to educate the new Councilmembers on the organizations that the City partners with as well as evaluate the partnerships to ensure that the City continues to partner with entities that provide value to the City. Councilmember Musgrove asked the top four cities that receive LGA. Ms. Nauman replied that she could supply that information to the Council upon further research. She noted that while the program has been around for decades, it has been revamped along the way. She noted that 69 percent of those funds go to cities outside the metro area. Mayor LeTourneau stated that the work that Ramsey would appreciate is how the City could possibly change the legislation related to the policy to become a recipient of LGA. Ms. Nauman confirmed that continues to be at the front of her mind. She stated that while formula changes in 2013 added Ramsey as a recipient of LGA, the City fell off again after that. She stated that Metro Cities continues to strive for a more consistent formula for LGA that would allow Ramsey to benefit. Councilmember Menth asked the criteria for receiving LGA. Ms. Nauman reviewed the different formula factors which include need factors and tax capacity. She noted that when Ramsey began to grow, that seemed to outweigh the need factors which include age of housing and infrastructure. City Administrator Ulrich noted that Ramsey has been lumped together with other third ring suburbs, although those suburbs are wealthier than Ramsey. Ms. Nauman stated that legislators are starting to take note of this and pay more attention. She noted that Ramsey definitely stands out on this issue for her. City Council Work Session/September 24,2019 Page 2 of 10