Agenda Packets - 2006/10/09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council September 11, 2006 Regular Meeting Page 2 Ms. Casebolt stated that when she purchased her home, she called Metro Transit to make sure 1 that the route was solid and that at the time, Metro Transit gave the residents assurance that the 2 route would be kept. 3 4 Ms. Casebolt stated that six to seven residents are directly impacted and asked that the Council 5 join the Met Council Representative Sanda to try and save the route. She noted the route is in 6 transition and asked the Council for their support. She explained the bus route and said it will 7 now take 90 minutes for her to commute to Minneapolis. 8 9 Councilmember Thomas stated that the bus is the only route from Mounds View to Saint Paul. 10 She stated that if the City wants to support public transportation, the Council needs to speak up. 11 She stated she supports an official letter from the Council to try and save the bus line. 12 13 Mayor Marty said that in the past, the City has received notice a month or so prior to route 14 cancellations. He stated riders were noticed on Friday and the bus line was gone on Monday. 15 Ms. Casebolt stated that although she heard about the closure through the grapevine a few weeks 16 ago, it was still quite sudden. She stated Metro Transit based their decision on less than solid 17 research. 18 19 Mayor Marty asked if there is any way the Council could write a letter to Metro Transit on the 20 City’s behalf. Administrator Ulrich stated it would be possible. The Council reached consensus 21 to write such a letter opposing the removal of the bus line. 22 23 6. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 24 25 None. 26 27 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS 28 29 A. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 778, an Ordinance 30 Implementing a Franchise Fee on Xcel Energy Electric and Natural Gas 31 Operations within the City of Mounds View for the Year 2007. (ROLL 32 CALL VOTE) 33 34 Finance Director Beer stated the ordinance is to continue the 4% franchise fee on natural gas and 35 electric operations within the City. He stated the franchise fee is an integral part of the budget, 36 $270,000 of which is budgeted for the Street Improvement Fund and $270,000 of which will go 37 into the General Fund. He noted that public notice was given and the ordinance will be published 38 as soon as it is approved. 39 40 Finance Director Beer noted the City Attorney Riggs addressed Xcel’s letter. He stated City’s 41 position that any franchise fee be approved by 4/5 of the Council after notice and a public 42 hearing, and the franchise does not require that Xcel accept the fee ordinance language, and 43 accordingly, Xcel has no basis to demand specific ordinance language, such as a permit fee 44 waiver. 45