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Mounds View City Council October 11, 1999 <br />Regular Meeting Page 30 <br />Council Member Stigney advised that the franchise fee is only one pay option, and he hoped to <br />• have the opportunity to discuss the other alternatives. He made a motion to pass ordinance 641 <br />and 643 at 2.5 percent to sunset in a year. He stated this would provide time to inform the <br />residents and receive their input, and determine which direction to take. He stated all were aware <br />that a problem exists, and there is a need to create funding for street reconstruction projects, <br />however, they have not examined the plan, the revenue sources, the costs or any of these factors. <br />He stated it would be premature to pass the franchise fee increase at this time. He added he did <br />not believe it would be harmful if the Council desired to dedicate a portion of the 2.5 percent fee <br />to the streets, and he would not oppose this. <br />MOTION/SECOND: Stigney/ To Adopt Ordinance 641, an Ordinance Implementing <br />a Franchise Fee on Northern States Power Company Electric and Natural Gas Operations Within <br />the City of Mounds View, and Ordinance 643, an Ordinance Implementing a Franchise Fee on <br />Reliant Energy Minnegasco Natural Gas Operations Within the City of Mounds View, at the <br />Rate of 2.5 Percent, to Sunset in One Year. <br />Motion failed for lack of a second. <br />MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Marty. To Waive the Readings and Approve Second Reading and <br />Adoption of Ordinance 641, an Ordinance Implementing a Franchise Fee on Northern States <br />Power Company Electric and Natural Gas Operations Within the City of Mounds View, and <br />Ordinance 643, an Ordinance Implementing a Franchise Fee on Reliant Energy Minnegasco <br />Natural Gas Operations Within the City of Mounds View, at the Rate of 4 Percent, to Sunset in <br />• the Year 2000. <br />Council Member Stigney explained as the Council was not aware of how much money is <br />required, or when it will be required, this one year only fund will not do anything for street <br />reconstruction, and this will be an ongoing issue. He explained the interest accrued on the City's <br />Tax Increment Funds is 2.4 million dollars, and this could be channeled toward the <br />reconstruction costs rather than implementing an additional franchise fee. He stated within the <br />three year time frame discussed for road reconstruction projects to continue, they must have an <br />idea of which roads require reconstruction, which are MSA, what is the shortfall of necessary <br />funds, and what money are they attempting to make up, in what period of time. He noted, if this <br />is an ongoing consideration, and he was certain they would be constructing roads for many years, <br />the golf course was planned to begin to provide money to the City after 16 years, in the year <br />2015, which could be a good source of revenue. He stated Tax Increment Financing District <br />expirations will occur in the year 2015, and all of that money could go back into the tax base. <br />Council Member Stigney explained that the creation of a fund that will sustain itself, i.e., a 30- <br />million dollar fund, this was not realistic, and would never occur by increasing the franchise fee <br />to 4 percent. He stated the issue to consider is cash flowing the projects, and that is to determine <br />what money is needed when, and what is the best source for obtaining it, rather than increasing <br />the franchise fee. <br />Council Member Stigney reiterated there has been no communication in terms of notifying the <br />• residents of this proposal, and if they support it, so be it, however, in lieu of any support from the <br />residents, he opposes this action. <br />