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COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 8, 1990 <br />opportunity to hook up to the Blaine services at the same <br />cost as the Blaine citizens. This was a greatly reduced <br />cost. The Joint Powers Agreement was drawn up and sent to <br />the City of Blaine for signatures. During this time, there <br />were staff changes in Blaine and also in Lino Lakes. In <br />addition other more pressing matters were occupying the Lino <br />Lakes staff and the Joint Powers Agreement was not completed <br />and signed until November 13, 1989. <br />During this period of time, Lino Lakes residents who were <br />connected to the Blaine utilities were paying quarterly <br />service fees to the City of Blaine rather than the City of <br />Lino Lakes. The fees charged by the City of Blaine are <br />considerably lower than those charged by the City of Lino <br />Lakes. After the Joint Powers Agreement was completed, Mr. <br />Schumacher brought this matter to the attention of the City <br />Council. The Council has a policy that all residents in Lino <br />Lakes will pay the same quarterly rate no matter who provides <br />the service and also pay the service fee to the City of Lino <br />Lakes. The City of Lino Lakes pays the City of Shoreview its <br />regular charge and should be handling the Lino Lakes citizens <br />hooked to the Blaine utilities in the same manner. If this <br />procedure were followed, all Lino Lakes residents would pay <br />the same quarterly rate. Mr. Schumacher also noted that the <br />City Charter states that the City Council shall endeavor to <br />make each municipal utility financially self- sustaining. <br />About a year and one half ago the Council reviewed the <br />financial condition of the utility fund and did make rate <br />adjustments. These are the rates all Lino Lakes utility <br />customers are paying at this time regardless if they receive <br />service from Lino Lakes or from Shoreview. He noted to be <br />consistent and to follow the Council policy, Lino Lakes <br />residents connected to the Blaine utility system should be <br />paying the same rates. Unfortunately it appears because of <br />the long length of time it has taken to get this all in place <br />that the City of Lino Lakes is trying to discover additional <br />sources of revenue. <br />Mr. Neal asked who is currently billing these residents. Mr. <br />Schumacher explained the City of Blaine. Mr. Neal asked if <br />anyone remembered if these residents were told the quarterly <br />users fee at any of the hearings. It was not determined if <br />this matter was ever discussed. <br />Ron Bennett, 6966 Sunset Road - Mr. Bennett explained that he <br />hooked up immediately to the Blaine utility system because <br />Lino Lakes could not serve his area. However, now the Lino <br />Lakes utility system comes within two (2) blocks of his home. <br />Mr. Bennett said he has talked to Blaine and other <br />communities and Blaine explained that they made the service <br />available to the Sunset Road residents so that the road could <br />be properly constructed. Blaine also explained that they are <br />responsible for upkeep and maintenance of the system and Lino <br />Lakes has nothing to do with their system. Blaine says that <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />