Agenda - Council - 08/18/1981 - Special

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-2- constantly monitoring the ~et Council. In addition to its metropolitan area activities, the 2.~ is active in proposing and lobbying for legislation concerning city revenues. In the area of le~limits we were success£ul in 1980 in having the limits raised from 6% to 8% and in 1981 of retaining levy flexibility in the face o£ pressures for much greater restrictions. The ~2.~ is the primary organi- zation backinE the Shade Tree Disease Control Program. Although grant funding was reduced for 1981 and 1982, we were successful in maintaining the special levy for 1982 and 1983 and making the program optional in 1982 instead of mandatory. In 1979, the A~.~ participated in modifying the' Aid formula. AlthouEh the 1982 distribution was reducet by 8.3% by the Ooverr. or, it v~tl be restored in 1982 and at our u~gir~, the 1981 deficit was allowed to be r~de up as a levy base increase in 1981. Finally, in the area of revenues, the ~,;~ annually sponsors a seminar to explain the lev~y limit and aid laws clearly to local officials and suggest methods for utilizing these laws to gain revenue to accom?!ish much needed tasks within the cities. The .~, in addition to its lobbying efforts, also provides other services to m=-mber cities. ~ne ~D~ is the primary sponsor of the a~nual ).~etropolitan Area Salary Survey and is the exclusive sponsor of the m~mual Elective Officials survey. We also provide the secretarial and administrative support for the Metropolitan Area ~anagement Association (~.5~). The _&~ is not, of course, the end all answer to all city' problems. I have tried to enumerate a few areas in which we feel that because of ou~.existence and efforts, many city problems have been resolved or r~tigated.through legislation, agency regulations, ideas on how to utilize current laws, and in some cases, the prevention of certain restrictive laws passing. The AM~ has been and will continue to be effective only if it h~s broad based support from most cities within the ~etropolitanArea. Representatives from the AM~would be pleased to meet with your city officials to discuss membership in more detail. For your ir~ormation, the A~Z{ dues-are based on the I~,IC dues ahd the current year's dues (June 1981 - }Amy 1982) for your city would be $1,459.00. Please do not hesitate to Contact me or our Executive Director, Vern Peterson, should you desire more information. Thank you. Sincerely, ~ames J. Krautkremer ~;ayor, Brooklyn Park AMM. President .JJK/cr cc: Lloyd Schnelle