City Council Notes: June 4, 2013

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2013 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.

Legislative Update from Representative John Petersburg to Council
LGA Increase to Owatonna of an additional 700,000 estimate, 80 million more to the program.
61 cities in Minnesota do not get LGA
Cities and Counties Exempted sales tax.      
$1.60 increase in cigarette tax per pack (Minnesota=2.08, Iowa =1.36, SD=1.53, and ND =.44)

Marriage Bill
Daycare workers Union Authorization
Tax Bill    2.1 billion in new taxes
                300-600 million in new fees
                Spending increase by 3.1 billion
                1300 new State jobs

Legislature adjourned to Feb 25th 2014



Other City Council items
Second reading on Amendment to Off Street Parking, will reduce the number of required spaces for offices and other business uses from present requirement of 1 per 200 square feet  to 1 per 300 square feet.

Approve cable TV franchise audit.  Hire Lewis & Associates to audit Charter books, the City gets 5% of gross revenue from Charter, audit is done to make sure that Charter is in compliance.  A three year review will cost $8500 for the audit