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UNAPPROVED
<br />communities. He noted Minnegasco had indicated they did not intend to run extensive gas lines within
<br />the City of Mounds View, and simply desired to provide service to a particular area of the City. He
<br />requested, in light of this, that the Council consider including the Realife Cooperative, who had, in good
<br />faith, chosen Minnegasco to be their service provider. He noted that although he held out hope for de-
<br />regulation, that might not be a practical possibility in the near future. He proposed inclusion of the Golf
<br />Course, if need be, the Zep Manufacturing location, and the Realife Cooperative location into the
<br />ordinance, providing they abide by the right-of-way agreement and permitting processes.
<br />Council Member Marty stated that the franchise is limited to Zep Manufacturing, which is a different
<br />situation that the Realife Cooperative. He stated that his understanding was that they would discuss the
<br />Realife location at a later date. He stated that he had no problem with Exhibit A, as it is written, and the
<br />possibility of the addition of the Golf Course, but would like further discussion before granting a blanket
<br />franchise.
<br />Mayor Coughlin clarified that he was not proposing a blanket franchise but, rather, a compromise to an
<br />agreement previously reached by the Council. He stated that a very limited amount of work and doubling
<br />of pipeline was being proposed, which would provide a development with a choice. He added that they
<br />were either going to stand for what is essentially a monopoly or not. He stated that, as a contractor and
<br />proponent of the free market, he was proposing a very limited Franchise Agreement to include no more
<br />than the three specified locations, and requested the Council's support.
<br />Council Member Thomason stated that the agreement between Reliant Energy Minnegasco and the
<br />Realife Cooperative had been signed ,prior to the Council's last discussion. She stated that, in her
<br />opinion, they should not suffer the inability to obtain the service they had chosen, and that leniency was
<br />indicated. She stated that she supported Mayor Coughlin in a limited Franchise Agreement to include the
<br />Golf Course, if need be, Zep Manufacturing, and the Realife Cooperative.
<br />Council Member Marty stated that the agreement was made 24 days prior, and that the issue had come to
<br />the attention of the Council some time before that. He stated that, in effect, the agreement had not been
<br />signed until after the Council had been informed of the issue. He acknowledged that they had not had
<br />extensive discussion on the matter, however, in his opinion, the 24 day time period was not significant.
<br />Marty stated that at the last Work Session, City Attorney Long had advised that action should have been
<br />taken on the matter some time ago in regard to Zep Manufacturing, possibly one year ago. He stated that
<br />he was not in favor of monopolies, however, he did not see how the addition of another gas line would
<br />benefit any residents of the City, other than possibly the Realife Cooperative residents. He reiterated that
<br />he had no problem with accepting the ordinance as written, with the possible addition of the Golf Course,
<br />but stated that he could not support the addition of another location without further discussion and
<br />examination. He stated that before the addition of gas lines in and under the City streets, he would like
<br />more research.
<br />Mayor Coughlin reiterated that the Council and Realife Cooperative's time line may not be the same. He
<br />stated that, at this point, they had discussed the subject at great length. He stated that the Council would
<br />be considering the Right -of -Way Ordinance during the present meeting, which provided immense control
<br />for the City and the Public Works Director in determining whether or not something is viable. He stated
<br />that Public Works Director Ulrich and others are the experts in the area of gas lines. He stated that he and
<br />the Council desire everything to be done properly, and that the reason for the Right -of -Way Ordinance is
<br />to hold paramount the issue of safety. He stated that he would again request the Council's support as a
<br />contractor and someone who desires as much competition in the realm of utility provision as possible, so
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