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2009-01-15 specialPLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES & PAGERS IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS. Page 1. Call meeting to order 2. Review / discussion / action regarding federal lobbying proposal / funding request 3. Adjourn • This is a preliminary agenda and subject to change. The Council will set a final agenda at the meeting. More current meeting agendas may be viewed at City Hall or at the City of Mound web site: www.cityofinound.com AGENDA�� - • 5341 Maywood Road Mound, MN 55364 (952) 472 -3190 MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Kandis Hanson, City Manager/ Sarah Smith, Comm. Dev. Director Date: 1/12/2009 Re: January 15, 2009 Special City Council Session — LGN Federal Lobbying Proposal and Funding Request Summary. For review and consideration, a proposed draft of the executive summary associated with the federal funding proposal which is to be discussed at the January 15 special City Council session is being forwarded. As part of the meeting, Staff also anticipates providing the Council with an update regarding the project's status including the following: • Mound request(s) for meetings with federal and local officials and Staff; proposed meeting schedule • • Report following 1/7 Staff meeting with Emily Gehrman of LGN • Possible Washington, D.C. meeting schedule for local officials • Preparation of "leave behind" document(s),. M i s +sir ,..•.. Downtown Mound Redevelopment and Federal Funding Proposal Overview Mound Visions History For nearly twenty years, the community of Mound, Minnesota with a population of 10,000, has been moving closer to realizing an aggressive vision for redevelopment of our sm owntown. The Mound Visions Plan, which was established in 1991, is based on the creation of tr 'ented, mixed -use districts which will serve as a hub of commerce, living and recreation. a the a ort's inception, the Mound community has demonstrated incredible financial commitme al will and patience to revitalize this once declining downtown. Today, after redesign in re b much of its downtown, Mound is at the threshold of creating what will truly be a model t -orient rict of multi -modal connections, compact development and environmental restor a goals o ound Visions Plan redevelopment plan can be summarized as follows: • Establishing a traditional downtown by creating 4 distinctive community place d. • Connecting the downtown area with new greenways trails and ditionally desi streets and sidewalks to promote multi -model systems and incorootating'streetscape and Ian scaping elements along the new mainstreet and realigned County Road 15 corridor. • Creating a central core of traditio lti -story "main street" .type buildings with retail along the street and office or housing uses loca a and keeping the downtown vital by mixing retail, entertainment and office uses with a lifecycle housg, central, downtown ]public ar g g p p • Providing gar botlstructured and surface lots. • Enhancing community appreciation of an cc o, atural resources by reclaiming the historic Lost Lake boot phannel and p g public and boat slip amenities for both residents and visitors. • Long range planning for regional transportati connections including future use of the former Dakota Railroad comdor planned for a possibl a light rail trail (LRT) route and transit station which was recently constructed for use a regional trail. • Proj ffi ancmg?the City's "natural t sources including Lake Minnetonka through the in ra i vative.aid,unique storm water strategies. Fed ding Request Mound's t for federal g revolves around two efforts: Priority Comp n of the remaining public infrastructure necessary for Mound's transit 'ented downtown redevelopment: $6.5 million • and acquisition Demolition and Brownfield cleanup • Lake Langdon trail and corridor amenity construction and lakeshore restoration (topography and habitat) • Rehabilitation of historic wellhouse as Dakota Trail restroom facility • Construction of final phase of district parking structure • Installation of rainwater reuse system • Installation of wayfinding signage system Priority #2 Trail and ecological linkage of the new Dakota Regional Trail from downtown Mound to Lake Minnetonka: $9.5 million • Land acquisition (fee title or easement) • Demolition and brownfield cleanup Priority # 2 (continued from previous page) • Lost Lake trail and corridor amenity construction and lakeshore restoration (topography and habitat) • Excursion boat landing construction at Mound Bay Park • Lakeside trailhead construction at Gillespie Center Key Discussion Points • An Alternative Urbanwide Area Review (AUAR) was done for the downtown Mound redevelopment project in 2004 and is considered by many to be a model document for environmental review. The AUAR is a comprehensive enviro review process set forth in Minnesota state statute which can be used as an alte ' ive to a EIS or the EAW processes. Stormwater improvements implemented in the d( requirements and were done cooperatively by the Creek Watershed District (MCWD) who provide MCWD, Mound's plan is considered to be an exi innovative stormwater strategies in an urban setti downtown Mound ran into the lake untreated. It innovative strategies will result in approximately removed. This is a direct and measurable water which is one of the state's mos portant natur al activities and stormwater enhan Strategie s unique and innovative stormwatef e d sites., ff q • Mound's downtown redevelopment concepts (ie, pedestrian, vehicle, pa example of hi istorically, stc hated that the exceed regulatory id the Minnehaha ccordine to the the quality improvement to Lake Minnetonka, resources. Mound's redevelopment are being viewed by many as a "model" for are already being'Vsed as demonstration boat, etc) and multi -modal o Construction of Greenway trail dY transient boat / dock project in Lost Lake which is' ° tie historical boat channel extent �p from Cook's Bay in Lake Minnetonka to the City's new mainstreet, Auditor's Rod` Completed 2002. v" CSAH 15 /Shoreline Drive realigned the City's main ?) county roads and also included significant pedestrian ding sidewalks, seating areas and controlled crosswalks. f a 3 -level public parking deck and support facilities which include a bus station, (50) Park and Ride stalls and other transportation related wntown Mound. Completed 2007. o Coo Ae"ation with the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) and Three Rivers Park District regarding construction of a new regional trail located on the former Dakota Railroad line which runs through downtown Mound. Unofficially, Mound is serving as a trail head for the new regional trail. It is important to mention that this trail corridor has been reserved for future light rail use. Completed 2008. The Dakota Regional Trail connects into the Twin Cities bikeway and trail system which extends to Minneapolis. The current private and public investment in new downtown Mound is estimated at $200M. Total grant funding received for Mound redeveloment efforts is over $7M. 0 125 250 S00 7, 50 1,000 Feat 1 inch = 3,00 feet DRAFT Mound Visions Federal Funding Packet - Project Diagram Hoisington Koegter Groin► :tine. January 12, 2008 _ From: Gehrman, Emily J. [ejgehrman @locklaw.com] Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 3:46 PM µ To: Gehrman, Emily J. Subject: Federal Economic Stimulus Update We wanted to this opportunity to reinforce our previous communications to update you with information on the evolving federal economic stimulus package that is currently being crafted by President -Elect Obama's transition team and key congressional leaders. The bill will likely be debated in Congress beginning January 6, 2009, with a goal of House passage first and later in the Senate. After the New Year, Senate Democratic leadership announced that the stimulus package may not be ready as soon as Obama takes office, more likely not until early February. In a meeting with Senators earlier in December, Obama and his team proposed a $775 billion stimulus package that would, at base, provide temporary tax cuts to the middle class, help state governments with healthcare costs and provide funding for quick start, "shovel ready" infrastructure investment projects such as roads and bridges. The proposal will likely be geared towards "transparency" and will have a "use it or lose it" policy to promote a strong start with ready -to -go projects (90 -180 days) that will immediately create jobs. The President - Elect's transition team made clear that this funding bill will have no "earmarks" or special designated projects but will likely be primarily formulaic funding distributed through appropriate federal agencies under existing authorities. However, the discussions in this meeting focused on the need for direct investment into metropolitan areas, given that metro areas are competitive economic engines that need investment and can help to jumpstart the failing economy. Because of the unprecedented nature of this large funding package, the allocations of these dollars will be likely be up to the discretion of the administration and therefore not set in stone at the bill's inception. The incoming administration cautions that this is a very large, ambitious package so many things are still in flux. The following is a basic outline of the proposed plan, which is still not complete but which leadership hopes to have passed and ready for the President shortly after he takes office on January 20 th . $775 billion total on projects and programs that are meant as a "down payment" on issues /investments that President -Elect Obama means to follow -up on as part of his broader sustained agenda. The team hopes to create upwards of 3 million jobs over the next two years. This legislation will begin to be crafted by Congress during the first days and weeks of January. The bill is not yet complete and as always with the nature of Congressional bipartisan negotiations, anything could change. We have outlined the following likely inclusions of the bill, but again these are rough estimations and we will be monitoring the progress of the bill and update you on any changes. Health Care • State aid to cover healthcare for low income individuals and families • Healthcare Information, Technology improvements Infrastructure (This is meant to be the most significant infrastructure investment since the Interstate Highway System) . Roads, bridges, transit, ports 1/6/2009 Page 2 of 4 9 . Digital infrastructure . Energy efficiency projects Weatherization, Retrofitting Grants, Smart Metering Education . School Construction and Modernization Social Programs • Extend unemployment benefits • Extend food stamps Tax Cuts • $1,000 tax credit for working families • Possible business tax breaks • Possible expansion of the earned- income tax credit for poor • Possible credits for tuition and • Possible alternative energy tax credits Based on this information of the bill, which is not public, we still believe it is a positive and beneficial step for local government stakeholders to provide Members of Congress with updates on local shovel - ready projects that would fit any listed criteria or are known to have job creation potential. The lack of "earmark" projects in this bill does not automatically negate the possibility of local projects being funded after the bill is complete. Please contact any member of the Lockridge Grindal Nauen Federal Relations team if you have any questions or need any additional information. Dennis McGrann Federal Relations Director Email: dmmcgrann @locklaw.com Phone: (202) 544 -9840 Fax: (202) 544 -9850 Emily Gehrman Federal Relations Email: eiaeh rman(&locklaw.com Phone: (202) 544 -9840 Fax: (202) 544 -9850 Megan Helge Federal Relations Email: mh elae(a�locklaw.com Phone: (202) 544 -9840 Fax: (202) 544 -9850 Hannah Bernhardt Federal Relations • hkbernhardt@locklaw.com Phone: (202) 544 - 9840 Fax: (202) 544 -9850 1/6/2009