Rail Crossings and Rail Safety

• Support funding for modernization and separation of rail-vehicle traffic as a critical matter of public safety and congestion relief along all major rail lines in the North Metro.

• Secure funding for vehicle/pedestrian bridge crossing BNSF rail line at 57th Avenue in Fridley.

Transportation Advocacy

• North Highway 65 Coalition

• I-94 West Corridor Coalition

• Connect Blue Line Now!

• The Minnesota Transportation Alliance

Specific Transportation Projects:

• Northwest River Crossing – Secure funding to advance tier one EIS study for a future Northwest River Crossing between Ramsey and Dayton.

• Trunk Highway 252 – Support improvements to improve safety and mobility of the 252 corridor.

• Highway 65 – Support opportunities for increased efficiencies and safety improvements.

Fiscal Policy

• Represent NMMA perspectives in debates over comprehensive tax reform proposals to be sure the collective North Metro voice is heard and to ensure that the Local Government Aid and Metro Area Fiscal Disparities programs remain intact.

• Support and advocate for TIF legislation sought by member cities and support the use of TIF as a tool for cities to promote economic development.

• Support and advocate for Local Option Sales Tax initiatives sought by member cities.

• Support sales tax exemption for materials purchased for state and local road, bridge, sidewalk, trail, facilities and transit construction projects.

• Work with other city groups to soften the impact to cities seeing reduced Local Government Aid (LGA) and consider proving a base minimum LGA allocation for cities.

Governance

• Collaborate with city groups to advance key local governmental legislative objectives.

• Support additional Metropolitan Council accountability and transparency, including staggered terms, elected city officials’ significant participation in nominating Metropolitan Council members.

• Engage NMMA Community Partners in legislative efforts to more effectively carry the NMMA message to elected officials and the governor’s administration.

Additional Issues

• PUBLIC SAFETY: Advocate for stable ongoing funding for public safety aid.

• PUBLIC SAFETY: Support communities facing negative fallout from hosting landfills and toxic waste sites.

• PUBLIC SAFETY: Support efforts to improve pedestrian safety on Trunk Highway 47 between Osborne Road in Fridley to U.S. Highway 10 in Coon Rapids.

• PUBLIC SAFETY: Seek a state or regional solution for infrastructure security.

• QUALITY OF LIFE: Support NMMA city member community center with regional significance renovation and expansion bonding requests.

• QUALITY OF LIFE: Support funding for the construction of the West Mississippi River Regional Trail (WMRRT) in Champlin..

• QUALITY OF LIFE: Support funding for linking the Rice Creek North Regional Trail in Circle Pines with other regional trails.

• QUALITY OF LIFE: Support member city efforts to improve water quality and treatment, fire suppression and address growing demands for stormwater management.

• HOUSING: Support local control in city zoning.

• HOUSING: Increase city government authority in regulating congregated care facilities.

• ECONOMIC DEVELOPEMENT: Support efforts to establish a Bio Tech Innovation Center in Brooklyn Park.