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Councilmember Elvig stated that his recolleetion of previous discussions the Council has had <br />regarding franchise fees is that they would look at the possibility of implementing franchise fees <br />so that they could implement the fees at the last minute if it becomes necessary. The Council has <br />not stated that they would adopt franchise fees. It was his understanding that staff was going to <br />look at other options, such as building permits for collecting additional revenue. He stated that <br />he would agree with tabling action for further information. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman replied that they are not able to table action until July if they want to <br />position themselves to collect franchise fees for the fourth quarter. <br /> <br />Finance Officer Lund noted that she did look at the building permit revenues for the remaining of <br />the year and they do not come close to the $125,000 projection. The only way the City can look <br />at balancing the budget for 2003 without implementing franchise fees would be to reduce staff. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook stated that he wanted to see the impact on the citizens of Ramsey, <br />including the 60 percent the City can add to the levy for 2004. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich inquired if the Council wanted the information before the public hearing <br />is scheduled. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook stated that he wanted the information prior to the public hearing. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich stated that the information would be available before the public hearing <br />but questioned if the Council wanted to schedule the public hearing before receiving the <br />information. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kurak suggested that they schedule the public hearing because of the time <br />constraints and if after the public hearing the Council decides not to implement franchise fees <br />they do not have to. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Kurak, seconded by Councilmember Cook, to schedule a public <br />hearing to introduce an ordinance establishing franchise fees on gas and electric utilities at the <br />rate of 4.5 percent of total revenues. <br /> <br />Further discussion: Councilmember Zimmerman stated that he did not have enough information <br />at this time. Councilmember Elvig inquired if they were to table action when would it be <br />brought back. Finance Officer Lund replied that it would have to come back before the Council <br />within the next month. Councilmember Elvig inquired if they were to delay the scheduling of the <br />public hearing tonight would they still have time to schedule the public hearing at the next City <br />Council ~neeting. City Administrator Norman explained that staff needs to know if the public <br />hearing will be scheduled for June 24th because notice has to be published in the Ramsey <br />Resident, which will be mailed in the middle of June. Councilmember Kurak stated that the <br />Council should hold the public hearing and then they can make the decision as to whether or not <br />they should implement franchise fees. Finance Officer Lund stated that staff wants to proceed <br />forward so that they have something to fall back on if they need it. <br /> <br />City Council/May 27, 2003 <br />Page 16 of 18 <br /> <br /> <br />