[Winona Online Democracy]
As issues relating to the Port Authority are discussed, it may be helpful to
refer to Minnesota State statutes governing them, including:
469.055 Powers and duties.
Subdivision 1. General duties. A port authority
shall: (1) promote the general welfare of the port district,
and of the port as a whole; (2) try to increase the volume of
the port's commerce; (3) promote the efficient, safe, and
economical handling of the commerce; and (4) provide or promote
adequate docks, railroad and terminal facilities open to all on
reasonable and equal terms for the handling, storage, care, and
shipment of freight and passengers to, from, and through the
port. A port authority may carry out its powers and duties
under sections 469.048 to 469.068 at any place in the city.
The term "general welfare" of course is also used commonly in many other
places to support and justify all sorts of planning and development
activities.
Phil Carlson, Mpls
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Behalf Of Paul Double
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2005 4:18 PM
To: Online Democracy
Subject: [Winona] Port Authority Funds
[Winona Online Democracy]
When the legislature approves the establishment of Port Authority's was it
their intent to fund such things a Shakespeare Festivals? I think not. Was
it to dredge land for retail? I think not. While case law, past practice
and the powers of Port Authority's may only be as creative as the human mind
can dream up this use seems to slap in the face of the legislative intent.
Will such abuse or creativity cause this valuable economic development tool
to be controlled to such extent that industrial job creation will be lost in
the desire to spend money on any cause that is presented to City Hall? It
was public money, an expanded sales tax, which created the newest Port
Authority treasure chest. You would think that if a public investment is to
be made that it would be for sustainable industrial jobs not a part time
tourism attraction. How many start up companies and how many full time jobs
would be created by funding "grants" or "gifts" to start up industrial
companies? What would 8 - $25,000 grants do to create new startup
companies?
What are the written criteria for these gifts, can anyone apply? Are they
renewable and for how many years? It is one thing for individuals to give
such gifts but quite another to use public funds.
What is the Port Authority's measure of success? Number of full time jobs?
Property Tax Revenues? Residential housing starts as a result of the
investment?
Is the Thompson Dredge project next?
Maybe the legislature needs to address the purpose of a Port Authority again
to protect us the abuses of TIF's (Tax Increment Funding) and the creative
funding of fast food franchises that killed their appeal.
Paul Double
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_______________________________________________
This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy
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