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Mounds View City Council October 11, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 29 Council Member Marty explained the Streets Policies Committee has been before the Council a • number of times, and has been before the Work Session, both of which are televised. He stated the Streets Policies Committee never requested or projected the raising of the franchise fee. He stated this has come up in Council Work Session discussions a number of times, and those who care enough to view these meetings are aware that this is not a new subject. He stated the present consideration is an attempt to clarify the details, and spell out exactly where the funds will originate, and exactly what they are to be spent on, which are the streets. He noted the only discussions he has had in this regard have been in the Council Chambers, and he does not know where the "backroom dealings" perception might have originated. Council Member Thomason stated the documents on the Chamber walls, which have been posted for approximately 3 months, indicate under Council Expectations, Number 2, Franchise Fee, with an arrow pointing upward at government funds and street funds. She stated this document was created at a meeting with facilitator Carl Neu, with whom they had discussed ideas for funding of these projects. She stated they have also touched on these issues at other Council meetings. She reiterated this was not a case of the Council failing to inform the public. She commented that the pubic is welcome to come down, tune in, and inquire regarding the meaning of these things. Mayor Coughlin added that this topic has been mentioned in an article in the Focus Newspaper in the last month, and in addition, was the subject of considerable discussion during the "Conversation with the Mayor" program on cable access. He stated, not only are these meetings being re-broadcast over and over, but he has been very vocal on this issue, and understands the controversy behind it. He stated if they can do better they will, they will take suggestions, and do something. He stated he has pushed to continue televising the Work Sessions when someone had requested to have them removed. He reiterated he has put all of the commissions on cable so that the citizens can view these issues from their home, as they realize that a lot of people are busy, and don't have time to sit through these lengthy meetings. He stated they were trying, and hope to continue on that open forum path. There was no further public input. Mayor Coughlin closed the Public Hearing at 9:27 p.m. 2. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance. Council Member Stigney noted Mayor Coughlin's comment regarding an article published in the Focus Newspaper, and stated he did not believe there was any mention of the proposed increase from 2.5 to 4 percent to the franchise fee. He stated he had called and left a message with the newspaper to attempt to notify the public, and was informed that the time frame was such that they could not do publish this information. He stated he had also informed the New Brighton Bulletin, and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He noted there were no published hearings in any of the newspapers. He stated at the City Council meeting of September 13, they had discussed the franchise fee, and perhaps carrying as it is, however, no residents he has spoken to were aware of the proposed increase. He added that a poll of the audience would indicate they were all informed via telephone call. He stated the information provided to the residents is poor, and to proceed on this basis, without further notification of the public is, in his opinion, intolerable.