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Mounds View City Council Page Seven ~tegular Meeting September 13, 1993: Councilmember Blanchard stated that quarterly the Gity raises $18,000 and spend approximately $15,000. This means that there still is something coming in on utility. It is not right to tax the residents twice. Councilmember Trude stated that this utility could be abandoned for one year and looked at again and the fee could be adjusted. Councilmember Blanchard stated that after one year, if it would become necessary, the utility could be reconsidered. Blanchard stated that the City is taxing the residents twice, once with the electric franchise and once on the streetlight utility. Councilmember Trude stated that she would like to ask Mr. Brager how wise it would be to spend down the fund and then reconsider it later. Mayor Linke stated that when this utility went in to effect the rates were set, now because of an excess, the rates appear to be too high and the rates could be adjusted if the street light utility were continued. Mayor Linke. stated that perhaps the $14.00 rate is too high. Mayor Linke stated that he would not like to see the utility eliminated altogether. Councilmember Quick stated that, at the last Work Session, the Police Department was asked to relook at where there is a need for street lights in ~he City. Councilmember Quick stated that the Council should proceed rudently and look at the list of where street lights are needed. Councilmember Trude stated that the need for streetlights in the City is not totally a crime problem. The residents in the southwest portion of the City complained about adding this utility to their bill as they don't have street. lights and are paying for them. Mayor Linke stated that each year in the newsletter there is an article on streetlights and how residents should go about getting .that information to the City. Councilmember Quick stated that every year the state changes rules and we have to adjust every year. Councilmember Quick stated that the City should prudently move forward with street lights and evaluate the situation before making hasty decisions. Councilmember Blanchard stated again that this ordinance should be sunsetted. Councilmember Blanchard stated that this utility was to be a temporary fix until the franchise fee came into effect, now, with the franchise fee and utility the residents are being taxed twice. Mayor Linke stated that the City uses $125,000 of the franchise fee for taxes. Orduno stated that the City is receiving $200,000 per year assuming 1991 was ~n average year. Orduno stated that in speaking to NSP, the fund will be down considerably because of the cool summer this year. The fee collected