Agenda - Council - 05/27/2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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in 2025 • Senator Bahr introduced the 2025 bill following efforts in the two prior years. • Staff will advocate for the request based on any success in obtaining additional funding will aid in reducing future user fee increases. • Staff testified in front of the House Capital Investment Committee on April 3, 2025. • Staff has not witnessed this request in an omnibus bill, but we will continue to monitor legislation in the closing days of session. SFXXXX/HFXXXX City of Ramsey pedestrian overpass over Highway 10 and Highway 169 Senator John Hoffman has contacted staff regarding a potential additional funding source in 2025 for the Highway 10 Pedestrian Overpass. • The project is estimated to be $7.5 million in construction costs. Staff are entertaining an option to prepare an alternative bid to construct the project as a covered overpass. This would eliminate the need for snow removal during the winter months. • The City was awarded $3.75 million in 2024 through transportation funds. The funds may be used for plan design, construction observation and construction costs. • Staff also plan to submit for funding on this project through the Congressional Directed Spending. This would provide federal dollars towards the project. • An application has been submitted to Congressman Tom Emmer. fundin • An application has been submitted to Senator Amy Klobuchar • Additional applications will be submitted as application windows open. • The goal is to fully fund this project with outside funding sources. Metro Mobility Service Area Expansion to Ramsey Senator Bahr has indicated special legislation is not required. With funding for the service coming from the metro county sales tax, any expansion to the service area is now a budgetary discussion. Staff will monitor discussions and advocate for the expansion to necessary parties. SF0037/HF0269 Discontinuation of the Northstar Commuter Rail • HF0269 has passed out of committee. • 02/26/25 the bill received its second reading in the house. • SF0037 has been introduced and referred to Senate Transportation Committee. • Staff continues to work with Metro Transit on the transition plan to replace the Northstar Commuter Rail with bus service. Housing Bills There are four sets of bills introduced and receiving hearings. The City of Ramsey, along with many other cities, are expressing opposition to the bills as they remove local zoning authority. This comes in the form of requiring cities to allow incompatible uses within zoning districts or the ability to collect public input. Attached to the case is the letter sent by Ramsey opposing these bills and others that may be considered that restrict local zoning authority. The current bills are as follows: • SF2229/HF 1987 - Minnesota Starter Home Act • SF2231/HF2140 - More Homes Right Places Act • SF2286/HF2018 - Transforming Main Street Act • SF1268/HF1309 - People Over Parking Act • Additional new bills have received hearings with comparable restrictions to local zoning authority, however, those bills have not been successful in committees. Recommendation: N/A Outcome/Action: