Kelly says the council's vote on the stadium measure would scuttle the city's bid and leave it out of the debate about to begin at the Minnesota Legislature in St. Paul. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the state legislature are addressing the stadium wants of the Minnesota Twins baseball team, Minnesota Vikings football team and the University of Minnesota Gophers football team, all of whom want public support for new stadiums.
The resolution declared the city should dedicate its scarce dollars to public safety, parks, libraries and street repair. It resolved that city priorities "preclude further city council consideration of the mayor's stadium financing plan."
Kelly's proposal calls for a 3% surcharge at bars and restaurants and a 2.7% tax on cars rented in Ramsey and Hennepin counties to help pay for a $520-million Downtown ballpark.
If St. Paul emerges victorious in the stadium battle this spring, Kelly still would need council approval for a ballpark plan. In addition, public financing from the city would likely require a public referendum
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