12/11/2000 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 9, 2000 Council Member Carlson asked if this would set the franchise fee. Ms. Waite Smith stated this ordinance would not set the franchise fee. Council Member O'Donnell voted yea. Council Member Reinert voted yea. Council Member Dahl voted aye. Council Member Carlson voted yea. Mayor Bergeson voted yea. Motion carried unanimously. Public Hearing, FIRST READING on Ordinance No. 15 — 00, Establishing a Meter Fee for Customers of Reliant Energy Minnegasco (continued from September 25, 2000, 3/5 Vote Required), Linda Waite Smith — Staff advised the City's franchise agreement with Reliant Energy Minnegasco expired several years ago. That agreement did not impose a franchise fee. In 1999, the City Council directed staff to negotiate a new agreement and include a franchise fee with the intent of treating all franchisees in the City consistently. The new agreement has been submitted to the City Council as proposed Ordinance 14 — 00. In connection with that agree Ordinance 15 — 00 establishes a meter fee of about $1.50 per residential user, or equiv proximately 3% of the average customer bill in each category of customers. Council Member Dahl asked if a section could be added t would be used so, in the future, it could not be used fo&so Hawkins stated that could be contained in the ordinant ger on how the revenue er than road construction. Mr. uld be amended by a future council. Council Member Dahl asked if including it in t 'sy ordiri ' r ce would require a public hearing to amend. Mr. Hawkins stated that is correct. Council Member O'Donnell stated thi as ''tt issue since no one wants to impose another tax on its residents. However, one adv a_wo be in a situation like Twilight Acres where the City was unable to assist to bring th s nt more into alignment with something reasonable. However, the questions raised t pas d again tonight are about whether this is equally shared. Council Member O'Donnell state is is an important question and he would appreciate receiving more information about th Council Member Carlson staid 22 people contacted her on this issue and raised issues about adding another tax and using it for road repair. The fact the money could legally be used for road repair is clear cut but the concern is whether the Council is trying to get around the Charter since it does not allow the use of General Funds for road repair without a Charter amendment. She stated she would need a recommendation from the Charter Commission before she would be willing to support this ordinance. Council Member Dahl suggested this ordinance be tabled to the next Council meeting to allow time to get the information requested and needed to make a good decision. • Mr. Hawkins stated a motion to table, if seconded, would be in order even though there is a motion on the floor to adopt. 7