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Mounds View City Council October 11, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 15 Carol Prime, President of the New Brighton/Mounds View Chamber of Commerce, stated their Chamber represented a number of small and mid-sized businesses in Mounds View. She indicated they are very concerned regarding the proposed increase in the franchise fee, however, the majority of them also recognize that the quality of the streets and the quality of life in Mounds View is very important to their success as business owners. Ms. Prime requested the Council make a sincere effort to insure that the small and mid-sized business owners receive much notice in regard to the City's future plans. She explained some of the proposed increases would be very difficult adjustment for the business owners. She explained that some of these businesses have utility bills of$4,000 to $5,000 per month, and the present proposal represents an increase of $1,000 to $1,500. She added it was important to realize that many of these businesses employ a number of people in Mounds View. She noted they will see an increase on their home utility bills, as well as their business utility bills, and this represents a difficult issue for them. Ms. Prime stated most of the businesses are concerned with ongoing tax issues, and recognize that an increase at this time might indicate an increase again next year, or that what they had expected to sunset will not, and therefore they are planning for that. She requested the Council insure that the business owners be informed of the City's plan for the future, and that they communicate this plan on a regular basis. Mayor Coughlin commented he would be attending the Chamber function with Mayor Norm Coleman on Thursday, October 14, and would have the opportunity to speak with people in regard to this subject at that time. George Weineke, 2704 NE Highway 10, complimented the Mayor and Council on their hard work in addressing these difficult issues. He stated he was a small business owner in Mounds View, and enjoyed conducting his business in the City. He stated small businesses were aware that things were apt to change, and therefore,budgeted for this. He stated he was certain the City was aware of these problems years ago, and it was difficult for him to understand why they did not make some decisions at that time. He stated this was difficult to understand. Mr. Weineke stated he required water brought onto his property, which cost $21,000, and he did not request funds from anyone for this purpose, rather, he paid for this expense from his savings. He commented his parking lot required resurfacing, and again, he paid this $6,000 expense out of his own pocket. He explained he did not request other people to pay for the services on his property, and he felt he had an obligation to pay for them himself. He added he had a problem with the assessment reduction from 50 percent to 25 percent, as he believed people should pay for what they are using. He stated there always appears to be another increase required to pay for these services, and this seems to be a never-ending problem. Mr. Weineke stated that if the current proposal goes forward he would request the funds be dedicated as indicated, and no other Council be permitted to utilize those funds for any other purpose, no matter what the emergency. He reiterated this was a difficult decision to make, and he did not envy the Council in this regard. Mr. Weineke stated he has been in the insurance business for approximately 20 years, and the fore-mentioned $10,000 deductible for the City's water truck is shocking to him. He explained