HomeMy WebLinkAbout4F - Unfunded Mandates Day
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
BACKGROUND:
DISCUSSION:
STAFF AGENDA REPORT
4 (f)
FRANK BOYLES, CITY MANAGER
RESOLUTION 93-86 ESTABLISHING OCTOBER 27, 1993 AS
UNFUNDED MANDATES DAY
OCTOBER 18, 1993
The League of Minnesota Cities is collaborating with the National
League of Cities in a public education campaign to highlight the
dramatic increase and impact of state and federal mandates
imposed upon cities. The League is requesting assistance from
Minnesota cities on this subject.
In an effort to increase public understanding of the negative impact
which state and federal mandates have on cities, and especially
upon property taxpayers, the League of Minnesota Cities, National
League of Cities and others are declaring Wednesday, October 27,
1993 as Unfunded Mandates Day in cities throughout the United
States. October 27 represents the first day in a year long campaign
to draw attention to the financial and administrative burdens which
unfunded state and federal mandates have on local budgets and
taxes.
The League is asking each city to take three separate actions to
support the effort:
1. Adopt a Resolution on Unfunded Mandates and mail a copy
to the League of Minnesota Cities before October 27.
2. Prepare and send a letter to the Minnesota Federal
Congressional Delegation over the Mayor's signature
expressing concern about Unfunded Mandates.
3. Provide the League of Minnesota Cities with at least one
example of a federal or state mandate that has had major
impact on the city. The example is to include a general
description of the specific requirements, an estimate of the
cost to the city and a brief explanation of the impact of such
mandates on city operations and services.
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4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLDYER
ISSUES:
As part of the activity, the League of Minnesota Cities will supply an
example of editorials for publication In local newspapers.
Prior Lake, like most Minnesota cities, Is affected by the plethora of
unfunded state and federal mandates. Councllmembers are readily
aware of many of those mandates. Attached Is a copy of a
memorandum from Lee Swanson, President of the League of
Minnesota Cities, which Identifies about 50 state and federal
mandates which affect us.
ALTERNATIVES:
Each year the League of Minnesota Cities and Association of
Metropolitan Municipalities through their legislative policies makes
a modest effort to reduce unfunded mandates from the state and
federal government. This is the first organized effort in this
direction that I'm aware of. I believe it is a good one and one we
should participate in.
The Council has the following alternatives:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution supporting Unfunded
Mandates Day and the efforts of the League of Minnesota
Cities and National League of Cities.
2. Take no action.
RECOMMENDATION: Alternative Number 1.
ACTION REQUIRED: Adoption of the Consent Agenda.
AGENDL
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RESOLUTION 93-86
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING PRIOR LAKE'S POsmON
WITH RESPECT TO UNFUNDED MANDATES
MOTION BY:
SECONDED BY:
WHEREAS, the Federal and State Government have increasingly delegated responsibility for
program implementation from their level to local governments without providing
funding to deliver the service; and
WHEREAS, such unfunded mandates on local government have increased significantly in
recent years; and
WHEREAS, federal and state mandates do not consider local circumstances, costs, or capacity,
and subject cities to civil or criminal penalties for noncompliance; and
WHEREAS, federal and state mandates require compliance regardless of other pressing local
needs and priorities affecting the health, welfare, and safety of citizens; and
WHEREAS, federal and state burdens on local governments force cities to impose a
combination of higher local taxes and fees on local taxpayers and/or reduce local
services to citizens; and
WHEREAS, federal and state mandates are often inflexible, "one-size-fits-all" requirements
with unrealistic time frames and overly specific and inflexible procedures where
less costly alternatives may be just as effective; and
WHEREAS, the cumulative impact of these laws and rules directly affect the citizens of our
cities; and
WHEREAS, unfunded mandates inappropriately shift the tax burden from federal or state
income taxes to local property taxes which may have a diseriminatory impact
upon property owners and renters; and
WHEREAS, the League of Minnesota Cities, in collaboration with the National League of
Cities, seeks to help citizens understand and then help encourage law makers to
reduce the number, size and inflexibility of unfunded mandates, beginning with
the declaration of National Unfunded Mandates Day on October 27, 1993.
4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372 I Ph. (612) 4474230 I Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPlDYER
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA, endorses the League of Minnesota Cities efforts and those of the
National League of Cities and will fully infonn our citizens about the impact of state and federal
mandates on our local spending and taxes; and
BE IT FURlHER RESOLVED llIAT lHE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PRIOR
LAKE, MINNESOTA, endorses this year of mandate awareness, beginning on October 27 by
infonning and working with members of our Congressional delegation and our state legislators
to educate them about the impact of federal and state mandates, the actions necessary to reduce
these burdens on our citizens, and the importance of fiscal notes for all proposed legislation.
Passed and adopted this _ th day of
, 1993.
Yes
No
Andren
Fitzgerald
Kedrowski
Scott
White
Andren
Fitzgerald
Kedrowski
Scott
White
Frank Boyles
City Manager
City of Prior Lake
{ Seal}
League of Minnesota Cities
3490 I.eIington Avenue North
St. Paul, MN 55126$44
(612) 490-5600
October 1, 1993
TO: Mayors, Managers, and Clerks
FROM: Lee Swanson, LMC President
RE: Unfunded Mandates Day
The League is collaborating with the National League of Cities and other associations
representing local government in an important public education campaign to explain the
impact of the dramatic increase in the mandates imposed on cities by the federal government.
The effort will begin on Wednesday, October 27, "Unfunded Mandates Day" in cities
throughout the United States.
I am urging all LMC member cities to help educate citizens and lawmakers about how
unfunded federal and state mandates affect cities. I have enclosed infonnation to help your
city actively participate. The materials have suggestions to help you draw attention to the
financial and administrative burdens of unfunded state and federal mandates on local budgets
and taxes. I encourage your city to take the following steps prior to and on October 27, and
to continue this effort throughout the coming year:
(1) Adopt the enclosed resolution on unfunded mandates at a city council
meeting BEFORE October 27, and send/fax a copy to the League if you do.
(lMC fax: (612) 490-0072)
(2) Modify the enclosed sample letter to fit your city's situation and
send it to members of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation over the
mayor's signature.
(3) Provide at least one example of a federal and/or state mandate that has
had a major impact on your city. Send a description of tbat mandate to
Sarah Hackett at the lMC Office by OCTOBER 13. Include a general
description of the specific requirement(s); an estimate of the cost to your
city; and a brief explanation of the impact of the mandate(s) on city
operations and services.
As part of the activities for October 27, I will write an editorial about the effects of mandates
on cities for distribution to major daily newspapers. The League will send you a different
editorial that you can use with your local paper . You will need to add some examples of the
impact of mandates on your city.
Below is a list of some state and federal mandates. Enclosed you will also find a flyer the
National League of Cities has produced which answers questions about mandates. Please
make additional copies for councilmembers as well as for citizens in your community with
whom you may have a chance to discuss these concerns.
Thank you and good luck!
STATE AND FEDERAU*) MANDATES
PERSONNEUEMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Unemployment compensation
Workers compensation
Public pensions - Basic and Coordinated plans
Continuation of health and life insurance coverage
Prevailing wages paid on public contracts (both)
Veterans preference
Employee right-to-know
ParentalleavelFarnily leave'"
Fair Labor Standards Act'"
Americans with Disabilities Act'"
PUBUC SAFETY
Peace officer standards & training
Temporary detention facilitiesl
detoxification centers
911 - emergency phone service
Confined space entry
Animal control
"First responder" & firefighting
by city employees on state hwys.
ENVIRONMENT
Wastewater treatment standards (both)
Drinking water standards (both)
Surface water management
Waste disposal criteria/facilities*
Hazardous substance transportation
Recycling
Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act
Lead-based paint testing and removal*
Leaking underground storage tanks (both)
Superfund (both)
PLANNING
Land use planning
State zoning standards
Unifonn building code
Flood plain management
Flood insurance
Shoreland development
TRANSPORTATION
Municipal state aid roads
Computer requirements
REVENUE CONSTRAINTS
Tax-exempt property
Limitations on local special assessments
Limitations on maximum penalties and fines
Truth in Taxation
Sales tax and MVET on city purchases
Minimum levy contribution to regional libaries
GENERAL GOV'T/RECORDS
Conducting elections
Record retention schedule
Data Practices Act
Open Meeting Law
Competitive bidding
Publication of summary budget
Municipal liquor store reporting
Street lighting
Tax-exempt bond reporting*
*indicates a federal mandate
October 19, 1993
The Honorable
u.s. Senate/House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20510/20515
Dear Senator/Representative:
We are writing on behalf of the citizens and taxpayers of the City of Prior Lake asking your help in
reducing the burden of unfunded federal mandates. We urge your action to force a change in the way the
federal government considers future mandates.
Today we are beginning a public education campaign in our city about what federal mandates are and
what they mean to citizens. We intend to make clear the real costs that are passed on to our city.
Federal mandates directly affect the citizens of our cities and towns. Legislative and regulatory
requirements to perfonn duties without consideration of local priorities, costs, or possible alternatives put
an unfair burden on taxpayers. By ignoring other pressing local neem or priorities, federal mandates take
decision making powers out of the hands of local officials.
Too often, federal roles and regulations are inflexible, impose WlI'ealistic time frames, and specify
procedures or facilities where less costly alternatives might be just as effective. It is time for that to
change.
We want you to take a leadership role in turning back the tide. Enclosed is a copy of a resolution on
federal mandates adopted by our city council. We would like to report that Congress will act to reduce
storm water and drinking water mandates before this session adjourns. We would like to report that no
future law or regulation will be imposed without close consultation with local leaders, and without the
federal government picking up its share of any costs.
Please join our campaign to end unfunded federal mandates and to reintroduce government as a
partnership between governments to serve our citizens.
Sincerely,
Mayor Lydia Andren
CITY OF PRIOR LAKE
PRIOR LAKE, MN 55372
PBI7ll9.WRT