02-10-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 10, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 30 (4. SENATOR DAVID OSMEK, Continued) Another piece of legislation that was passed is what is called the growler bill. Growlers are the 64-ounce jugs of beer that tap rooms like to serve. Osmek indicated there were regulations on how much the tap rooms could sell before it triggered a prohibition, which was changed as part of the bill that was approved. Osmek stated this session the Legislature is looking at a possible 10-cent deposit fee on cans and bottles, repealing the business-to-business taxes that were approved as part of last year’s tax bill, repealing the telecommunications tax, the farm implement tax, and the warehouse tax, which comes into play on April 1. Osmek noted Greenfield currently has a fulfillment center that fits the definition for the warehouse definition. The company does not buy product or manufacture product but does distribute product. Osmek stated even though that company does not own the product, they would be taxed on it, which is something he would like to repeal. Osmek commented he is hopeful the Legislature will remove some of those taxes in light of the $1 billion tax surplus experienced last year. Osmek stated one of his main functions is to help the cities in his district and that he would welcome any questions or input by the City Council. Printup asked for more detail regarding the 10-cent deposit. Osmek stated Iowa has a nickel deposit on every aluminum can and plastic bottle and Michigan is considering dropping theirs due to a lack of success. Minnesota has a very successful rate of recycling without the deposit due to single-source recycling, which has turned into a highly regarded method of recycling. Osmek indicated the deposit would add $2.40 to every case of beer or $2.40 to every case of water. A person would be able to get that money back if they take it to a redemption center but the bottle or can, must be intact and cleaned out. Osmek stated while some people feel it will increase recycling in Minnesota, in his opinion it will decrease it. In addition, a number of organizations collect aluminum cans and sell them as one way to raise money. Osmek stated in his view the MN House is going to drop that piece of legislation but nothing is guaranteed. Osmek stated in his view Minnesotans would not benefit from that deposit. McMillan noted a piece of legislation was apparently passed where cities could protect email addresses of citizen if their particular city has a listserv. McMillan asked if that legislation applied only to listservs. Osmek indicated he would have to research that. Osmek noted any private e-mail addresses, if it is used for government business, would become part of government documents. McMillan commented it is sometimes difficult to follow pieces of legislation through the process because they are added at the last minute. Osmek stated another issue is lumping pieces of favorable legislation in with legislation that is not so beneficial.