Agenda - Council - 02/08/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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High Priority: Legislation to Extend Project Deadline (5 Year Rule) for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District 14 (The COR) A bill was introduced in the 2020 Legislative Session and was not heard due to (COVID-related) time constraints. The proposed legislation extends the deadline to approve projects funded by the TIF District. Typically, regardless of the duration of the district itself, projects must be approved within the first 5 years of the District. This includes incentives for qualifying private development activity as well as public improvements. Of key importance to this district is improvements to Bunker Lake Boulevard. Under a Joint Powers Agreement, the City is responsible for some improvements to Bunker Lake Boulevard (Anoka County took on initial improvements to Ramsey Boulevard and Sunfish Lake Boulevard). The second priority is making the NW quadrant of The COR `shovel ready'. A significant amount of fill is necessary to make this land developable. Other, smaller improvements could also be funded by this account/district. A bill needs to be re -introduced in the 2021 session. High Priority: Sales Tax Exemption for Public Works Campus A bill was introduced in the 2020 Legislative Session and was not heard due to (COVID-related) time constraints. The purchase of materials for the nearly $17.3 million Public Works Campus are not exempt from the state sales tax without this legislation. The bill would exempt purchases made for the project, including those made in calendar year 2020 and 2021. This bill has been re -introduced in the 2021 session. High Priority: Sales Tax Exemption for Water Treatment Plant Like the Public Works Campus, the purchase of materials for the proposed $32-36.5 million Water Treatment Plant are not exempt from the state sales tax without this legislation. The bill would exempt purchases made for this project. A bill needs to be introduced. High Priority: State Funding for Water Treatment Plant The City is requesting state funding to construct a water treatment plant being constructed to address a public health need in the city of Ramsey. The discovery of manganese by the Minnesota Department of Health in 2019 led the City to conduct a feasibility study for a water treatment plant to address the public health issue. The recommended action is to construct a $32-36.5 million Water Treatment Plant to serve Ramsey Water customers. Construction is proposed to commence in the fall of 2021. A bill needs to be introduced. 2020 City of Ramsey Legislative Platform Page 3 of 7