Minutes - 1991/11/25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~unds View City Council gulag Meeting Page Seventeen November 25, 1991 Dave Schwartz, representative of NSP had two points he would like to make. One of the points Mr. Schwartz clarified was that there is a misconception about NSP's use of the roads and public right- of- ways.. Mr. Schwartz states as far as NSP using roads for public utilities and right-of-ways it paid personal property tax of 10.9 million dollars to Ramsey County last year. Those taxes were for NSP's use of the roads. Mr. Schwartz also stated that the way it sounds is that NSP should be picking up the tab, however, the fee is charged directly to the user. During these times when people are cutting back, something they have control of, our concerns are the fees on them. Mr. Schwartz stated that some heat their homes with electric and this makes a drastic difference over those that heat with gas. Mr. Schwartz also stated that in some cases, some people don't use gas or electric to heat their homes, therefore, NSP believes this is not an equitable tax.- Roger Stigney stated that he is opposed to this tax because it is the taxpayer who pays. The City staff needs to look at cutting expenses. Mr. Stigney states that Councilmembers often say that . they have received a phone call from a resident and that this resident is a sign of the pulse of the community. Mr. Stigney states that if a true pulse of the community is wanted why not place a questionnaire in the City newsletter and have the residents-fill it out and state what services should be cut, ask what staff could be cut, and what salaries could be cut. Alice Frits, 8072 Long Lake Road, asked what time of the week or two weeks was it decided to reconsider this utility franchise fee tonite. Ms. Frits stated that someone knew it would be reconsidered in order to notify NSP to have a representative here. Mayor Linke stated it was discussed at the budget hearing on Monday night. Mayor Linke stated it was discussed as to bringing it up again if someone changed their mind. Councilmember Quick clarified Mayor Linke's statement by saying the meeting last week was not a budget hearing but a budget work session. Dave Schwartz, NSP, said he called the City yesterday to see if it might be on the agenda and was told it was a possibility. Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, clarified Mr. Schwartz's statement that the call was made Friday of last week. Orduno stated that Sysco had called NSP and NSP called her. NSP was told that there was a • possiblility of a reconsideration of the vote and there was no reason to keep this from NSP or Mr. Schwartz.