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35 Report Date: June 24, 2014 .STFOP- 00kNOIL 06)NSIDER4T16)N Resolution 14-049; a resolution Authorizing Membership in the Suburban Rate Authority, A Joint Powers Organization Under Minnesota Statutes, §471.59, Authorizing Execution of the Amended Joint and Cooperative Agreement and Appointing Jay Hartman and Mark Casey as Director and Alternate, respectively, to the Suburban Rate Authority Board. OVERVIEW: Before you tonight is a resolution to approve the Joint Powers Agreement with the Suburban Rate Authority (SRA). By becoming a member with the SRA, the City of St. Anthony will have a voice in dealing with utility franchises and being an advocate for reduction to rate payers. The SRA members are assessed on the basis of population and voting power. Each 5,000 in population or fraction thereof, is equal to one (1) vote. Each vote equals a $400 per year annual assessment. St. Anthony will have two (2) votes and be assessed $800 per year. The SRA is a joint powers organization consisting of 28 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area suburban cities totaling over 850,000 in population in 2014. Through a vote of its membership, the SRA is authorized to intervene in rate matters affecting gas, electric and telephone services and rates charged to municipalities and their residents and businesses. Related to that authority is SBA's involvement in utility right-of-way use, gas and electric franchises, and wireless cell phone tower site regulation and lease agreements. They are also authorized to address water and sewer issues. The SRA was organized in 1963, for the purpose of providing collective strength in negotiating franchises with Minneapolis Gas Company (later Minnegasco and CenterPoint Energy). In 1974, the Legislature adopted the Public Utilities Act to provide for state regulation of gas and electric utilities, except for cooperative electric associations and municipal utilities. Since that time, SRA has been active in matters concerning gas, electric and telephone rate regulation and in legislation concerning the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The SRA has addressed numerous issues of importance to municipalities in all matters of utility use of right-of-way and other public ground, as well as rates paid by suburban ratepayers, including municipalities themselves. The SRA responds to these matters within PUC proceedings, city ordinances, agreements with utilities and occasionally in state legislation. The collective voice of and combined resources of Twin Cities suburban municipalities has allowed the SRA to address utility issues most single cities could never afford to take on.