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Mounds View City Council Page ill <br /> Regular Meeting _ October 13, 1 <br /> Mayor Linke stated that it is an option and that staff was asked to <br /> prepare the ordinance to include the entire package. <br /> McCarty stated to not adopt Ordinance 519 with the franchise fee <br /> agreements would be a moot point. McCarty stated that he has not <br /> had a flood of phone calls relating to the gas and electric franchise <br /> agreements. McCarty stated that the franchise agreements and <br /> implementation of the franchise fee should have been a part of the <br /> budget process and discussed at the hearing. McCarty suggested <br /> that the Council table this item and make it a part of the budget <br /> process in the future. <br /> Charlie Hall, Mermaid, stated that the business community feels <br /> that the 4% fee should not be added and it should be deleted from <br /> the agreement. <br /> Richard Oman, stated that he does not object to the franchise, but <br /> is in opposition to the fee because it is an inefficient way to <br /> collect revenues and it adds on a new layer of administration costs. <br /> Mr. Oman stated that the residents should not pay NSP to administer <br /> paperwork. <br /> Mayor Linke explained that NSP cannot charge the City any • <br /> administrative costs for collecting the fee. State law doesn't <br /> allow for that. <br /> Richard Oman stated that the residents will also pay 6.5% sales <br /> tax on a revenue source for the City. If taxes are raised it <br /> increases the property taxes but adds nothing new to the bill. <br /> Steve Lauterbach, 8285 Knollwood Drive, stated that he is opposed to <br /> the franchise fee. Property taxes should be increased. Residents <br /> will pay less with the franchise fee but businesses will pay <br /> more as well as the churches and schools. The franchise fee <br /> shouldbe-removed-from the-agreement. <br /> Russ Young, 3032 County Road I, stated that NSP when they were <br /> to cut trees on his land asked but the City demanded the trees <br /> be cut or the City would cut them down. <br /> Mayor Linke stated that he did not understand the problem <br /> with the trees. Orduno stated that Mr. Young should contact the <br /> City tomorrow and she would be glad to research the problem <br /> surrounding the cutting of the trees. <br /> Mayor Linke stated that NSP doesn't have to inform the City <br /> when they are working in the City. <br /> Ruth White, 2917 County Road I, stated that in her opinion the <br /> franchise fee is .a sneaky way to raise taxes. This franchise <br />