Roseville Council To Consider Supporting Legislation on Street Districts

The Roseville Council tonight (Monday) will consider whether to support a resolution calling on Minnesota state lawmakers to OK legislation giving cities the option to pay for road projects through street improvement districts. 

In a staff report, Roseville Public Works Director Duane Schwartz said the League of Minnesota Cities is urging cities to adopt a resolution supporting the initiative. 

Schwartz said, "Staff is supportive of this legislation as a possible funding tool for future use if the city were to create a district such as commercial or retail areas or the Twin Lakes area as an improvement district for road improvements in lieu of assessments which are challengeable under state statute. This is enabling legislation so it is a city’s choice to use the funding tool.

"This could be an important tool for many cities across the state to assist with the funding of their street infrastructure. It does not pose the same risk of challenge as Chapter 429 assessments. Use of this tool would strictly be a local government decsion."

The League's resolution contends, "Cities need flexible policies and greater resources in order to meet growing demands for municipal street improvements and maintenance." It adds,  "Existing funding mechanisms, such as Municipal State Aid (MSA), property taxes and special assessments, have limited applications, leaving cities under-equipped to address growing needs.

The League resolution adds, "Maintenance costs increase as road systems age, and many cities—both large and small—are not spending enough on roadway capital improvements to maintain a 50-year cycle."

To read the complete staff report and resolution, click on to this link. 

The Council meeting is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 2660 Civic Center Drive. To see the complete agenda, click on to this link.

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