WILLMAR -- Sen.-elect Joe Gimse and Rep. Al Juhnke answered questions from Willmar City Council members Monday night and offered comments on funding proposals in the Minnesota Legislature affecting local projects.
Gimse, a Republican, and Juhnke, a Democrat, both from Willmar, met with the council before the next legislative session convenes on Jan. 3. Gimse was elected and Juhnke was re-elected in the November general election.
Mayor Les Heitke said one of his main concerns is obtaining $20 million in state funds, along with $20 million in federal funds, to help finance the city's new wastewater treatment plant, estimated at $80 million.
Heitke said Gimse would have better access to Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Heitke hoped Willmar's funding request would be placed in the state bonding bill so that local citizens "are not impacted by lack of state funding.''
Also, he said the city needs Gimse's help in nullifying the $850,000 that the state says Willmar owes for assistance in buying land and developing the old airport. Heitke said the amount represents a huge impediment to economic development of the old airport site.
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Juhnke said he didn't know if total forgiveness is possible. Rather than repay the state, Juhnke has proposed a "rollover'' bill to let the city use proceeds from sales of former airport land to pay for lengthening the runway at the new airport from 5,500 feet to 6,500 feet. He said the city was wise to provide 1,000 feet of space for the runway extension. State or federal assistance would still be needed to pay for the extension, he said.
Council member Doug Reese said he liked Juhnke's "rollover'' idea.
Reese also mentioned the need for money for roads and bridges. He said it seems the rural area "gets shortchanged a little.''
Gimse said the transportation amendment approved by voters will be a hot topic. The amendment dedicates not more than 60 percent of motor vehicle sales tax revenue to transportation and at least 40 percent to transit. Gimse said transit and programs such as Kandiyohi Area Transit are important to rural areas.
Juhnke said he anticipates putting together another bill to increase the gas tax. A similar bill was defeated two years ago. Also, Juhnke said he'd like to double rural transit funding.
Other topics were also discussed.
- State veterans home: Gimse said he looks forward to working on the project. Juhnke said the state has spent $100,000 on a pre-design study and said he'll be offering something through the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Committee, of which he'll be chairman.
- Local option sales tax: Gimse said he supports legislation that would remove the requirement for legislative authorization after the tax has been approved by local voters. Juhnke said he supports legislation that requires voter approval, funds regional projects and has an end date.
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- Street utility fee: Gimse said he wants to see proposed legislation before taking a position on it. (Such a property fee or tax would generate revenue for street repairs based on the number of vehicle trips).
- State-wide smoking ban: Gimse said he does not have a position on it.
- Railroad bypass west of the city: Juhnke said the council would need to continue discussions with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. State matching funds may be possible, he said. Gimse said he would support the council's decision if it wanted a bypass.
- Energy: Juhnke encouraged the council to consider renewable fuel sources as it considers retooling the municipal power plant.
