HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-06 ResolutionPrepared by: Simon Andrew, Management Intern, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 356 -5014
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CITY OF IOWA CITY
2012 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
WHEREAS, the Iowa City City Council seeks to encourage legislation that enhances economic
development and opportunity in Iowa Cit as well as the State of Iowa; and
WHEREAS, the City of Iowa City and othe11cities play a critical role in the future of the Stag; and
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the citizens of Iowa City that the City Council establi K legislative
priorities and convey said priorities to: Stag legislators who directly represe7tl a City, other
State legislators, and to the Governor and the\Governor's administration.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the
legislative proposals to the Iowa City area legisl
session as follows, not listed in order of priority:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
the Iowa City City Co .Heil hereby outlines its
ive delegation for the712 Iowa State legislative
The City supports the preservation of existing ecoihom� development incentives, as well as
policies that would enable us to expand our econoVe development efforts.
Of greatest importance is the retention of Tax,*re ent Financing (TIF); however, the City
believes certain reforms of the current TIF statutes o IId be considered. The City encourages
reforms similar to. those proposed in "Tax crement Financing: A Case Study of Johnson
County" by Peter S. Fisher of the Iowa fiscal Partne hip.
KRUPP PLACE JUDICIAL DECI N
The Krupp judicial ruling all s commercial rental c mplexes to be converted to co -ops and
thus reduce their property x classification from commercial to residential categories.
As the impact of thi judicial ruling is better underst od, the need for a legislative fix may
become more app ent. This is an issue that our City nd Legislators need to monitor and be
ready to react to epending on the fiscal impact this deci ion ultimately has.
ROAD USE AX
The Ci supports increasing the road use tax to offset t e growing cost of maintaining and
build' g our transportation infrastructure.
Our continuing imbalance of need and resource is forcing the \City to use other funds to pay the
ongoing costs of our transportation infrastructure. There is a need in Iowa City and the region
to increase the road use tax.
Resolution No.
Page 2
AMTRAK SERVICE BETWEEN CHICAGO -IOWA CITY -DES MOINES
The City continues to support the extension of passenger rail service to Iowa City. The City
needs the State's legislative and financial support to make this a reality.
CHAPTER 411: POLICE /FIRE PENSION SYSTEM
The City encourages the State to estructure this pension system to ensure at the system is
financially sound and sustainable. State financial support, future tieri of state benefits,
controls on expansion of benefits, e c. should all be considered by the St e.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TAX REDUCTIONS AND DIVE7FICATION OF LOCAL
GOVERNMENT REVENUE OPTION ,
With the strong push for commercial property tax reductions b ng advocated at the State level,
the City strongly supports making s re that reliable altpnative sources of revenue are
substituted and provided by the state legislature to ensure at severe service cuts or a shift of
the tax burden to residential properties dos not occur.
Other local revenue sources should be eva� ated and 'ncluded. For example, a local option of
raising the Hotel -Motel Tax from a maximurrof sev�i percent (7 %) to nine percent (9 %).
ALCOHOL — LOCAL REGULATORY AUTHOgITY
The City seeks support for greater local de/ermination in regulating the licensing, sale, service,
and consumption of alcoholic beverages. /A "Ho e Rule" approach will allow local government
to more effectively address alcohol related proble s and issues that are of particular concern in
their respective communities. 7
IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES and MOTROPOLITAN (COALITION PRIORITIES
Iowa City, as a member city of Paoth organizations, s pports the legislative priorities set forth by
the Iowa League of Cities an� by the Metropolitan oalition for the 2012 legislative session,
unless otherwise altered by tl e City.
Passed and approved thi� day of , 20
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK ty Cor y's ffi e
r
w•'- i,:, ®, CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
1
Date: December 13, 2011
To: Tom Markus, City Manager
From: Simon Andrew, Management Intern
Re: 2012 Legislative Priorities
As discussed at the December 6, 2011 work session, a resolution reflecting Iowa City's 2012
State legislative priorities has been prepared for Council action in advance of meeting with our
area legislators for discussion of the 2012 legislative session.
While these priorities are largely consistent with those proposed by the Iowa League of Cities,
the Metropolitan Coalition, and the Iowa City City Council's approved 2011 legislative priorities,
they are more specific to Iowa City's needs, concerns, and current environment.
This year's discussion will also involve the input and expertise of the Davis Brown Law Firm,
with whom the City recently entered into a contract to provide lobbying efforts with the State on
behalf of the City.
The 2012 Iowa City legislative priorities are as follows:
1. Economic development, including the reform of development incentives while preserving
their existence. Suggested TIF reforms are presented in "Tax Increment Financing: A
Case Study of Johnson County" by Peter S. Fisher of the Iowa Fiscal Partnership. This
report is available at the following web address: http:// iowafiscal.org /2011docs/111121-
TIF-JC.pdf.
2. Legislative remedies to the possible negative effects of the Krupp judicial decision, which
allows commercial rental complexes to be converted to cooperatives and thus be taxed
as residential properties.
3. Increasing the road use tax to adequately fund the building and maintenance of our
transportation infrastructure.
4. Funding passenger rail service between Chicago, Iowa City, and Des Moines.
5. Chapter 411: restructuring the police /fire pension system in order to ensure the system's
stability and sustainability.
6. Diversifying local revenue sources, especially in light of proposed commercial property
tax reform. This includes a local option to increase the maximum rate of the Hotel -Motel
Tax.
7. Local regulatory authority over alcohol licensing, sales, service, and consumption.
8. Supporting the Iowa League of Cities and Metropolitan Coalition legislative priorities
unless otherwise modified by the City.
With Council's approval, staff will work with our area legislators and lobbying firm to affect
positive State legislative action specific to these priorities.
Jr
� CITY OF IOWA CITY
N.,
- `' °����
MEMORANDUM
Date: November 10, 2011
To: City Council
From: Dale Helling, Assistant City Manager
Re: Legislative Priorities
C(D FED)y
Please find attached a copy of Resolution #10 -496 by which Council adopted your legislative
priorities for 2011, as well as a copy of the 2012 Legislative Priorities of the Iowa League of
Cities. These are provided for your review in anticipation of a meeting with our area legislators
prior to the 2012 session.
In addition, the Metropolitan Coalition discussed 2012 priorities at its meeting on August 25,
2011 but those have not been finalized. The discussion included the following as possible
priorities:
a. diversifying revenue sources;
b. Chapter 411(police /fire pension system) restructuring and keeping the system sound;
c. preservation of TIF as an economic development tool;
d. extension of the 6% historic tax credit;
e. adequate funding for public transportation infrastructure (road use tax revenue);
f. negative effects of the Krupp decision allowing commercial rental complexes to be
converted to Co -Op and taxed as residential properties;
g. general concurrence with the priorities of the Iowa League of Cities.
With Council's concurrence, a discussion of your legislative priorities will be placed on your
December 6, 2011 work session agenda. A resolution reflecting those priorities will then be
prepared for formal Council action.
cc. Tom Markus, City Manager
Marian Karr, City Clerk
Eleanor Dilkes, City Attorney
For over 114 years, the Iowa
League of Cities has served as
the unified voice for municipah-
ties. Wide a focus on education
for city officials and advocacy on
their issues, the League continues
to serve as a reliable and credible resource.
This brochure proudly presents the League's
priorities for the 2012 Legislative Session as
adopted by the membership at its Annual
Business meeting.
Cities in Iowa strive to provide safe com-
munities and the quality of life that citizens
and businesses have come to demand, while
at the same time making increasingly diffi-
cult choices as revenues remain stagnant and
costs increase.
The League continues to engage in discus-
sions to find a solution to commercial prop-
erty tax inequities. However, cities are faced
with increasing health care and pension costs
as well as unfunded state and federal man-
dates, the costs of which cannot be ignored.
We applaud and support the Governor's ef-
forts to investigate sources of funding for
infrastructure costs and cities continue to
recognize our role as partners with state and
business officials in continuing economic de-
velopment efforts to maintain and strength-
en the state's economy.
We look forward to working with the Gov-
ernor and Legislature on the issues that are
criti �es and their citizens.
Alan W. Kemp
Executive Director
Iowa League of Citiel
ii
6
IIIIIIIIIM
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Ifta
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Iowa League of Cities
Legislative
Priorities
2012
IOWA
LEAGUE
4f CITIES
2012 Legislative Priorities
Reform Ionu'epraper!y tau systeor by iopleaieutirg
equitable reforms that work for all property tau pay-
ers and localgoverowenL
Cities have a commitment to partnering with
businesses to drive economic development and
to help create the quality of life Iowa's citizens
and employers expect. The League supports
a property tax plan that addresses commercial
property tax relief without negatively impacting
local governments' ability to provide necessary
infrastructure and services. The League seeks
reform that makes the system more transparent
to taxpayers and furthers its goal of creating a
responsible property tax solution that will enable
business to thrive and create jobs, while enhanc-
ing our cities.
Reform and Maintain Strong
Pension Systems
Address needed systemic changes to the Murnicpal Fire and Police
Retirement System of Iowa (MFPRSI), aimed at creating a fair,
sustainable system ))bile controlling costs to cities Ensure the
susfainabibi y and fairness of the IPERS system
A majority of city administrative costs relate to personnel,
particularly through benefits like pensions. The recent eco-
nomic downturn severely impacted Iowa's pension systems,
including the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System
of Iowa (MFPRSI) and IPERS. Skyrocketing projected
actuarial rates translate to millions of dollars in additional
city costs to fund existing benefits, and highlight built -in un-
sustainable inequities in the system's structure that must be
addressed. IPERS has recently implemented a contribution
rate increase. No new employee benefits should be consid-
ered at this time.
Remove Unfunded Mandates
Eliminate unfirnded state mandates and increase home rule.
In addition to funding rising pension and healthcare
costs, cities face a host of other mandates at the state and
federal levels. With ongoing discussions on property tax
reform, the League wants to address city cost drivers and
mandates, many of which the League has been or is at-
tempting to ameliorate legislatively. Removing requirements
such as mandatory newspaper publication costs, require-
ments for certain boards and commissions, requirements to
provide services to tax exempt properties and high -cost en-
vironmental regulations can help cities hold down costs and
make more flexible decisions at the local government level.
The Iowa League of Cities serves as
the unified voice of cities, providing
advocacy, training and guidance to
strengthen Iowa's communities.
Increase Transportation
Infrastructure Funding
Increase the TIME -21 fund for city transportation
infrastructarre through additional firnding viethods
Cities in Iowa know that maintaining and enhanc-
ing city road and water infrastructure is critical to
our ability to retain and attract businesses, and to
provide safe, reliable transportation for our citizens.
Faced with a declining Road Use Tax Fund and the
underfunding of the TIME-21 fund, new revenue
sources are crucial. The League supports the work
of the Governor's Transportation 2020 Citizen Ad-
visory Commission and its examination of addition-
al funding sources for the TIME-21 fund, including
raising the gas tax, to ensure the annual $215 million
minimum necessary to maintain critical needs for
our roads and bridges.
Protect Economic Development Tools
Maintain ficnding for economic develapmeotprograms
and sipportpohaes aimed at iuliroriug city economic
development,
The foundation for healthy, thriving cities lies in
local economic development. The League supports
programs such as Vision Iowa, Main Street Iowa,
and tax credits such as the State Historic Tax Credit
Program. Tax Increment Financing remains a singu-
larly, effective tool in the city economic development
toolbox, sought after by many businesses looking to
locate in Iowa. Its availability and flexibility must be
maintained.
Prepared by: Simon Andrew, Management Intern, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 356 -5014
RESOLUTION NO. 12 -01
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CITY OF IOWA CITY
2012 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
WHEREAS, the Iowa City City Council seeks to encourage legislation that enhances economic
development and opportunity in Iowa City as well as the State of Iowa; and
WHEREAS, the City of Iowa City and other cities play a critical role in the future of the State; and
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the citizens of Iowa City that the City Council establish legislative
priorities and convey said priorities to: State legislators who directly represent Iowa City, other
State legislators, and to the Governor and the Governor's administration.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Iowa City City Council hereby outlines its
legislative proposals to the Iowa City area legislative delegation for the 2012 Iowa State legislative
session as follows, not listed in order of priority:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The City supports the preservation of existing economic development incentives, as well as
policies that would enable us to expand our economic development efforts.
Of greatest importance is the retention of Tax Increment Financing (TIF); however, the City
believes the current TIF statute should be amended. The City encourages reforms similar to
those proposed in "Tax Increment Financing: A Case Study of Johnson County" by Peter S.
Fisher of the Iowa Fiscal Partnership.
KRUPP PLACE JUDICIAL DECISION
The Krupp judicial ruling allows commercial rental complexes to be converted to co -ops and
thus reduce their property tax classification from commercial to residential categories.
As the impact of this judicial ruling is better understood, the need for a legislative fix may
become more apparent. This is an issue that our City and Legislators need to monitor and be
ready to react to depending on the fiscal impact this decision ultimately has.
ROAD USE TAX
The City supports increasing the road use tax to offset the growing cost of maintaining and
building our transportation infrastructure.
Our continuing imbalance of need and resource is forcing the City to use other funds to pay the
ongoing costs of our transportation infrastructure. There is a need in Iowa City and the region
to increase the road use tax.
Resolution No. 12 -01
Page 2
AMTRAK SERVICE BETWEEN CHICAGO -IOWA CITY -DES MOINES
The City continues to support the extension of passenger rail service to Iowa City. The City
needs the State's legislative and financial support to make this a reality.
CHAPTER 411: POLICE /FIRE PENSION SYSTEM
The City encourages the State to restructure this pension system to ensure that the system is
financially sound and sustainable. State financial support, future tiering of state benefits,
controls on expansion of benefits, etc. should all be considered by the State.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TAX REDUCTIONS AND DIVERSIFICATION OF LOCAL
GOVERNMENT REVENUE OPTIONS
With the strong push for commercial property tax reductions being advocated at the State level,
the City strongly supports making sure that reliable alternative sources of revenue are
substituted and provided by the state legislature to ensure that severe service cuts or a shift of
the tax burden to residential properties does not occur.
Other local revenue sources should be evaluated and included. For example, a local option of
raising the Hotel -Motel Tax from a maximum of seven percent (7 %) to nine percent (9 %).
ALCOHOL - LOCAL REGULATORY AUTHORITY
The City seeks support for greater local determination in regulating the licensing, sale, service,
and consumption of alcoholic beverages. A "Home Rule" approach will allow local government
to more effectively address alcohol related problems and issues that are of particular concern in
their respective communities.
IOWA LEAGUE OF CITIES and METROPOLITAN COALITION PRIORITIES
Iowa City, as a member city of both organizations, supports the legislative priorities set forth by
the Iowa League of Cities and by the Metropolitan Coalition for the 2012 legislative session,
unless otherwise altered by the City.
Passed and approved this 4th day of January 120 12
MAYOR
ved by
ATTEST:
CIT C ERK City Attorney's Office
Resolution No. 12 -01
Page 3
It was moved by Mims and seconded by Champion the Resolution be
adopted, and upon roll call there were:
AYES: NAYS: ABSENT:
x Champion
x Dickens
x Dobyns
x Hayek
g Mims
x Payne
x Throgmorton
WF
Prepared by: Simon Andrew, Management Intern, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 356 -5014
RESOLUTION NO. 12 -02
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CITY OF IOWA CITY
STRATEGIC PLANNING PRIORITIES
WHEREAS, the Iowa City City Council seeks to ensure that all City services are provided in the
most effective, efficient, and equitable manner possible; and
WHEREAS, the Iowa City City Council strives to set policy direction that best reflects the
preferences of Iowa City's citizenry, is in the City's long -term interests, and helps to create the city
and local governance that our citizens desire; and
WHEREAS, City Councilmembers and City staff have undertaken a strategic planning process to
identify, prioritize, and articulate this policy direction.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Iowa City City Council hereby outlines its top
priorities and related new initiatives generated during the strategic planning process which are to
be incorporated into specific action plans by City staff.
TOP PRIORITIES:
• Economic and Community Development. The City strives to expand and diversify the
economic base of the community, particularly in existing planned commercial and
industrial areas that have supporting infrastructure established.
• Development and Planning of the Downtown and Near Downtown Areas: It is the City's
goal to promote growth of the Downtown and Near Downtown areas in a manner that
builds upon the existing vibrancy of the region, serves persons of all ages and
backgrounds, and compliments the surrounding neighborhoods and University
community.
• Neighborhood Stabilization: The City aims to invest in and deliver core services to
neighborhoods in a manner that enhances overall stability and maintains the intended
character while facilitating new opportunities to improve the quality of life.
• A Strong and Sustainable Financial Foundation: The City aims to create a strong and
sustainable financial foundation that will provide needed stability and flexibility while
utilizing taxpayer dollars in the most efficient and responsible manner.
• Public Communications and Community Outreach: The City strives to be a high -
functioning, customer service oriented organization that actively supports and engages
stakeholders though clear, open, and innovative communication methods.
SIGNIFICANT NEW PROJECTS, POLICIES, AND INITIATIVES:
The City's neighborhood stabilization initiatives should incorporate collaborative efforts
with the Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) to maintain and build upon the
success of schools in established neighborhoods while ensuring new elementary
schools are planned as integral and sustainable components of neighborhoods.
Develop an economic and community development strategy for targeted commercial
areas outside of the previously noted planning districts.
A comprehensive organizational assessment should be conducted, including an
evaluation of public communications and community outreach, with a focus on the
organizational customer service culture.
These broad directives will be incorporated into specific actions plans by City staff to be
presented to Council for review and approval. Action plans should define specific steps needed
to accomplish each goal, the party responsible for implementation, a timeline for completion,
and define the criteria by which to gauge success. Council will review progress every four
months.
Passed and approved this 4th day of January 120 12
AKA/4, 1
MAYOR
A oved by
ATTEST:
CIT LERK City Attorney's Office
It was moved by Dobyns and seconded by Throgmorton the Resolution be
adopted, and upon roll call there were:
AYES:
x
X
x
x
x
x
NAYS:
ABSENT:
Champion
Dickens
Dobyns
Hayek
Mims
Payne
Throgmorton