County Board Notes-November 26, 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.

• Finance Department – Proposed a 2.44% Levy & 8.28% Overall Budget Increase for 2014
• Human Services – Hiring additional staff to handle workload
• Sheriff – Want to add a Sergeant to be the Radio System Manager for the  800 MHZ system for $66,000.00. So far the 800 MHZ system has cost the county just under 2.5 Million
• Court Appointed Attorney’s – Cost has increased because of a change in the system. They used to contract with one Attorney, but now use a “pool” of Attorney’s.
• Wheelage Tax – They are going to use this money for road improvements rather than tax reductions. #310,000.00
• Capital Budget Improvements – Looking to use $214,000.00 from Reserves & $440,000.00 from Budget for a total of $653,961.00.
• Visitor Phone Upgrades at Detention Center – They are looking to spend $63,000.00 to upgrade Visitor Phones at Detention Center to utilize SKYPE. This will also allow them to record conversations.
• All budgets have gone through Policy Committee’s
• Quick Claim Deed – The County is going to quick claim deed some right of way to 4 business located across from Grace’s Restaurant to the City so these businesses can get clear titles to their property
• Strategic Plan – They discussed their Strategic Plan a bit without detail and we can request a copy if we would like one.

City Council Notes-November 19, 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.

Tax Increment Financing District 3-6.  Modification to add another parcel of property that is owned by Viracon to TIF District 3-6.

Building permits for 2013, through October 31.  There were 11 permits for single family dwellings issued.  In 2012 we had 10.

New liquor license for Bump’s Bar (Carol Gowland) at the former Reno’s bar site on 18^th Street.

Owatonna Public Utilities Commission.  Request by OPU to increase the pay per month for the OPU commissioners.  Original request was for an additional $100.00 per month.  Council voted 5-2 to increase by $25 per month to new monthly amount of $125.  Previously the pay rate was $100 per month.  Budget impact for OPU will be about $1500 per year.

MN DOT office of Aeronautics grant purchase for John Deere Gator for airport use.  Total cost of $16300 of which $5433 will be paid by Owatonna.

Council Hearing for City Budget for 2014, hearing at Council Chambers before next Council meeting on December 3, at 6pm.  The budget will be adopted on December 17^th Council Meeting.

Adjourn 7:20 pm

County Meeting Notes-Nov. 12, 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.

Representative John Petersburg gave an anticipated session highlight with top issues, including minimum wage and bullying legislation. Bonding probably won't take place until next biennium (DMC-Rochester; county may look at bonding for Public Works Building) and transportation funding may not happen until 2015 session.

Highway 14 East Turnback-overall the agreement w/ county and MnDOT is close to being agreed upon with a few small details to be worked out (culvert expectation and repair, timeline for turn back  design agreements, property acquisition along Cty Rd 43). 

Septic Ordinance review-State updated requirements in 2008 w/ a few changes since. New rules need to be adopted into an ordinance by Feb. 14, 2014. Commissioners not positive if they'll accept the Transportation and Drainage Committee's recommendation to go back to the state requirement on inspection upon the addition of a "bedroom"; county currently requires the inspection for any home addition.

Senator Klobuchar has contacted Administrator Shea with news that FEMA has committed to an appeal decision within 3-4 weeks.

There will be one meeting in December (17th); January's meeting dates will be Jan. 7th and Jan. 28th.

There will be a joint meeting with the county, city and school district on Dec. 2nd at 4:30 PM at the Owatonna Arts Center.

Repeal the B2B Taxes-Sign the Petition!

Help us repeal the B2B taxes on 

1) storage and warehouse sales tax, 

2) sales tax on labor for repair and maintenance of business-related equipment and 

3) sales tax on telecommunication equipment purchases