03-26-2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MARCH 26, 2003 VARIANCE FOR SETBACK FOR PATEI AT GERVAIS BEACH - RAMSEY COUNTY limits to prevent cities from increasing property taxes to make up the difference. Fahey noted that Little Canada has done a good job as a City over the past several years to reduce costs and minimize tax increases. Little Canada is one of the (owest taxing cities in Ramsey County as well as one of the lowest per capital expenditure communities. Fahey further reported that the Council and City staff have been looking for additional ways to cut expenses or slightly increase fees to offset the aid reduction, but the items identified will not be sufficient to offset the State's reductions. Fahey indicated that the City does not want to cut the level of service provided to its property owners. Therefore, the City is moving forward with the creation of a franchise fee surcharge on the electric and gas utility in the City. This fee is becoming common in other cities, and Little Canada intends to use the revenue generated from the fee for street infrastructure maintenance and repair. Fahey further reported that the City is looking for ways to consolidate services with other governmental bodies, and is currently investigating the transfer of the City's water utility to the St. Paul Water Department. A transfer of the water utility could result in lower water rates for property owners that may partially offset the increase that will be seen in gas and electrical rates given the imposition of a franchise fee. Mr- LaValle introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: REb'07. UTION NO. 2(103-3-62 -AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND CITY STAFF TO BEGIN RESEARCH INTO THE CREATION OF A FRANCHISE FEE ON EI,ECTRICAI. AND GAS UTILITIE,S`, AND IN.STR UCTING STAFF TO 73RING A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL. FOR CONSIDERATION The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Anderson. Ayes (5) LaValle, Anderson, Blesener, Fahey, Montour. Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. Mayor Fahey opened the public hearing to consider a Variance to allow a setback encroachment into the shoreline setback requirement for a path at Gervais Beach as requested by Ramsey County. It was noted that the Planning Commission and the Parks & Recreation Commission have recommended approval of the variance as requested. Larry Holmberg, Ramsey County Parks & Recreation, appeared before the Council and described in detail the improvements that the County is