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RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 22-0103R, ADOPTED JANUARY 24,2022,TO ADD STATE FUNDING FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPRESS PROJECT AS A LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY FOR THE CITY OF DULUTH IN 2022.
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BY COUNCILOR KENNEDY:
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth is a member of the Northern Lights Express Alliance; and
WHEREAS, the federal Infrastructure and Investment Act of 2021 provides for significant funding for intercity passenger rail projects; and
WHEREAS, a 20 percent funding match by the state of Minnesota could leverage 80 percent of the necessary funding for the Northern Lights Express Project; and
WHEREAS, funding bills for the Northern Lights Express Project have been introduced in the Minnesota Legislature for the 2022 legislative session.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the council reaffirms its support of the Northern Lights Express Project.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that Resolution no. 21-0103 establishing the city of Duluth 2022 Legislative agenda be amended as follows (additions underlined):
WHEREAS, the city council finds as follows:
(a) The city desires to establish a legislative agenda for 2022;
(b) The city has devoted meeting time and discussion to the city legislative priorities;
(c) The city supports the following legislative initiatives that are of vital interest to the region.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the city of Duluth’s top legislative priorities are:
• to work with legislators and the administration to safeguard funding for Local Government Aid;
• secure state funds for improvements and upgrades to the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area; and
• secure state general obligation bond proceeds for improvements and upgrades to the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the city of Duluth also supports the following local and regional initiatives:
• Funding for housing projects as proposed by the Homes For All Coalition which calls for general obligation bonds for public housing rehabilitation and housing infrastructure bonds for construction of affordable housing through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency;
• Policies to help reduce and prevent evictions; programs to provide emergency and long term rental assistance, identifying and protecting Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing, increasing affordable homeownership development through Minnesota Housing programs such as the Economic Development and Housing Challenge Program, state matching dollars for local housing trust funds; and policies and funding to combat and prevent homelessness;
• A reduction in the class tax rate impacting the net tax capacity of parcels at the airport to stimulate local economic development;
• Increased funding for Department of Employment and Economic Development programs such as the Minnesota Investment Fund, the Job Creation Fund and the Redevelopment Account and support for local businesses that may apply for these funds;
• State funds to establish a customs facility to develop a market for cruise ship industry in the Great Lakes;
• State funds to facilitate the redevelopment of Lot D;
• State general obligation bond proceeds for the Port Development Assistance Program;
• State funds for redevelopment and upgrades to the Armory;
• State funds for programs and incentives to expand and attract opportunities for film, television, and music production in Minnesota;
• State funds to improve access and affordability of child care throughout Minnesota;
• Increased funding for library programing and infrastructure;
• State funds to remove and replace lead service lines still in use throughout Minnesota;
• State funds to address the future of Highway 61 in downtown Duluth;
• State funds to improve access to universal, high quality broadband services for all Minnesotans;
• State funds to support local government efforts to remove and replace trees infested by emerald ash borer and development of markets for products utilizing the resulting wood waste;
• A statewide policy requiring employers to provide safe and sick time for employees; and
• Efforts to meaningfully address racial and economic disparities as the state recovers from COVID related economic strain.
• State funds to establish a Minnesota Health Plan and support for Federal Medicare for All Act.
• State funds to support the Northern Lights Express Project.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution amends Resolution 22-0103R to add support for funding the Northern Lights Express Project to the city of Duluth priorities for the 2022 legislative session.