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Mound Council directs staff to negotiate joining Lake Minnetonka-area legislative representation coalition
Summary
Mound approved directing staff to negotiate terms to join a coalition, administered by Orono, that would hire a shared lobbyist to push three priorities: oppose a state 'missing middle' housing bill, pursue regional infrastructure funding (notably water treatment), and advocate property tax reform. The council voted to authorize negotiation; final contribution will be set later.
Mound's City Council voted Jan. 13 to direct the city manager and city attorney to negotiate terms for Mound to join a Lake Minnetonka-area legislative representation proposal that would pool several small cities to hire a lobbyist.
The plan, led in drafting by Deep Haven Mayor Kent Carlson and administered by Orono, would advance three priorities: protect local control against the state "missing middle" housing legislation, advocate for regional infrastructure (including water-treatment funding), and form a coalition to pursue property-tax reform. The mayor told the council the group’s initial cost-share formula—which applies an administrative credit to Orono and apportions costs by a mix of home counts and tax capacity—would result in an estimated Mound share of about $7,607 if all cities participate.
Council member (speaker 3) moved to direct City Manager Dixon and City Attorney Lansman to negotiate the city’s contribution and related terms; another council member seconded the motion and it passed by voice vote.
Supporters said pooling resources lets small cities afford specialized advocacy and presents a united message to state legislators. The mayor framed the initiative as a modest, shared expense to protect local zoning authority and secure infrastructure funding: "If we can help kill this missing middle bill, that's where $7 is done," the mayor said during discussion. Council members also noted the proposal is intended to be time-limited (initially one year with an expectation it could extend to three) and that the exact Mound contribution could change if participating cities drop out.
The council’s action tonight was limited to direction to staff; no payment or binding contract was approved. Staff indicated a formal resolution and final cost would return to council for approval, likely at the next meeting.
