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Mounds View City Council October 11, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 20 • Mr. Kaden stated he would be in favor of the proposed franchise fee increase, if this money is dedicated for street reconstruction, and can not be used for any other purpose. He explained that Mounds View desperately needs to provide for this, if the citizens don't want to see assessments in the range of $4,000 to $8,000. He noted that many people could not afford to pay this amount. Mr. Kaden stated he will be one of the last people in the community to see any benefit from this franchise fee, as his street was completed last year, and will not be done again for 20 or 30 years. He explained that everyone else would see the benefit before that time, when the reconstruction of their roads takes place. He added that businesses generate much truck traffic, and it is only fair that everybody pays for the roads. He stated commercial properties realized a decrease in their property tax rates at the State level, and whether or not they noticed this depends upon their current property value assessment, however, this will provide some relief in relation to the proposed franchise fee increase. Mr. Kaden stated that it does not seem unreasonable to pay between $14 and $20 per year for the next 20 years, to cover the cost of road reconstruction projects, when the alternative could be an $8,000 assessment. Planning Commissioner William Laube stated he was involved in many organizations within the City. He stated one of his concerns with the current proposal was in regard to some of the key words he was hearing, such as "preserve," "protect investments," and "good faith." He stated these were good words, however, there should be an attempt to look at the overall picture. • He explained that not only are they attempting to preserve Mounds View as it is today, but also for the future, and instituting a high tax on the citizens will result in a city which looks like Columbia Heights, or other smaller towns who can not afford this. Mr. Laube stated he has been watching the budget discussions for the last few months, and he was highly disappointed, due to the fact that the City "rubber stamps" things. He stated they do not seriously consider where the City's money is going. He noted a good example of this is the current airport negotiation. He pointed out the City is spending money for attorney fees, however, he has not been able to obtain a dollar amount in this regard. He explained, in his opinion, since they do not know how much money is being expended for this purpose, it is a waste of money, and would be better directed elsewhere. He stated the tremendous amount of money being expended on attorney fees was up to the sole discretion of the City, and the citizens have no say in where these funds go. He reiterated that this is very disappointing to him, and there did not appear to be any challenges to this. Mr. Laube stated his complaint in regard to the proposed franchise fee increase is the lack of notice to the citizens. He stated from his perspective, this was just another issue that was "rubber stamped" as part of the budget process, and would be enacted. Mr. Laube stated he lives on a private street, and will have to pay 100 percent of the cost when it is done, and will not see any part of this money. He commented he did not have a problem with putting money aside for streets for the rest of the City, however, he would rather see some honest, hard work at attempting to determine where the City's money is going. He pointed out that what he has seen in the City for nine years indicates that the money is just spent, the City has an endless pocket, and the citizens can afford it. He noted a good example of this is Tax Increment Financing. He stated the citizens are bearing the tax burden in the City. He suggested