Title
Approving Laws 2023, Chapter 64, Article 10, Sections 2, Section 3, Section 4, and Section 5 authorizing the City to impose a local sales and use tax in the amount of one percent for the purpose of financing certain improvements to streets, bridges, and parks and recreation facilities.
Body
WHEREAS, Laws 2023, Chapter 64, Article 10, Section 2, Section 3, Section 4, and Section 5 (“the special law”) authorize the City of Saint Paul to impose by ordinance a sales and use tax of one percent to pay the costs of collecting and administering the tax and to finance all or part of the following projects in the city: streets, bridges, and capital improvements to Saint Paul parks and recreation facilities, plus an amount needed for securing and paying debt services on bonds issued to finance the projects; and
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 297A.99 authorizes the imposition of a general sales tax if permitted by special law of the Minnesota Legislature; and
WHEREAS, Article XII Section 2 of the Minnesota State Constitution authorizes the legislature to enact special laws that apply to a single local government unit and that become effective after approval by the governing body of the affected unit; and
WHEREAS, the special law is effective upon approval by a majority vote of the City Council and filing a certificate with the Minnesota Secretary of State, all in accordance with Minn. Stat. § 645.021, subd. 2 and 3; and
WHEREAS, Laws 2023, Chapter 64, Article 10, Section 2, Subd. 1a allows the City to present one question on the ballot for all projects authorized under the special law as long as the question states each project proposed to be funded by the tax, the amount for each project proposed to be funded with the tax, and the estimated length of time the tax will be in effect for each project; and
WHEREAS, the projects will result in benefits to both the residents and businesses of the City of Saint Paul and to non-resident visitors and businesses; Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby approves the Special Law, Laws 2023, Chapter 64, Article 10, Section 2, Section 3, Section 4, and Section 5 in all respects; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is authorized and directed to file with the Office of the Secretary of State a certified copy of this resolution and the appropriate certification as required by Minn. Stat. 645.021 before the next Legislative session; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the proper City officials and staff are instructed to prepare and present to the City Council one question on the ballot to be voted on by the voters of the City at the next general election on November 7, 2023 for all projects authorized under the special law; and be it
FINALLY RESOLVED, that the proper City officials and staff are instructed to take all actions necessary to implement the Special Law and bring any further proceedings to this Council as necessary to implement the Special Law.