1. House Local Government Committee
First, open the PowerPoint document. Then, scroll down to your city specific city slides.
Elizabeth Wefel
January 23, 2018

2. CGMC’s Mission
The CGMC is dedicated to a strong Greater Minnesota. Our mission is to develop viable, progressive communities for businesses and families through strong economic growth and good local government. To meet that goal, we support fair property taxes, good land use planning, sensible environmental regulation, a balanced transportation system, and effective economic development tools.

3. CGMC Represents 97 Cities Across the State
LGA/Property Taxes
Economic Development
Annexation and Land Use
Transportation
Environmental Regulation

4. CGMC Structure CGMC members set legislative priorities and positions
CGMC Board, with input from membership, directs work of the lobbying team
The law firm of Flaherty & Hood, P.A. does the legislative advocacy and organizational management for the CGMC
CGMC has no staff of its own

5. CGMC and LMC
LMC works on behalf of all cities in Minnesota and therefore can’t weigh in on issues that impact regions differently
CGMC works exclusively for Greater Minnesota on issues that have a more significant impact on rural cities
CGMC works cooperatively with LMC, Metro Cities, and other Local Government Groups often

6. What CGMC does at the Legislature
Research issues
Initiate legislation
Gather support
Lobby, Lobby, Lobby!
Connect city officials to their legislators on the issues
Advocate through the media
Provide updates and “action alerts” to members

7. Intersection with local government
On many issues the committee faces, LMC advocates on behalf of all cities.
CGMC is most active on land use and annexation related issues

8. Annexation = Good Land Use Policy
Process by which Minnesota’s land use goals are achieved
Policy recognizes that sound urban development and preservation of agricultural land and open spaces essential to economic growth
City government best for intensely developed land. Townships best for ag, open space and rural

9. Annexation = Good Land Use Policy
Why annexation?
Promote efficient government
Promote fair distribution of property tax burdens
Protect the environment, including our water
Preserve agricultural land and open space
Help the state meet CO2 reduction goals
Countless examples of how annexation protects environment and promotes economic growth
Detroit Lakes, Winona, Austin, Staples

10. Annexation – The Basic Types
Annexation by Ordinance
City passes ordinance declaring land that is urban/suburban in character to be annexed if certain criteria met
Orderly Annexation (annexation by agreement)
City & township agree in advance for triggers and process
Contested Case Annexation
Petition to Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) from city, township, property owners, or another combination
Since 2013, 133 Annexation by Ordinance filed and 126 Orderly Annexations

11. Annexation & Local Government Committee
Changing the annexation laws is contentious
Best approach to legislation is achieving agreement between cities and townships
Without agreement, it’s winners and losers in a zero sum game.
Current system could use tweaking, but needs to be mutually acceptable

12. THANK YOU!