Agenda - Council - 06/10/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Elvig stated that his recollection of previous discussions the Council has had regarding franchise fees is that they would look at the possibility of implementing franchise fees so that they could implement ti~e fees at the last minute if it becomes necessary. The Council has not stated that they would adopt franchise fees. It was his understanding that staff was going to look at other options, such as building permits for collecting additional revenue. He stated that he would agTee with tabling action for further information. City Administrator Norman replied that they are not able to table action until July if they want to position themselves to collect franchise fees for the fourth quarter. Finance Officer Lund noted that she did look at the building permit revenues for the remaining of the year and they do not come close to the $125,000 projection. The only way the City can look at balancing the budget for 2003 without implementing fi'anchise fees would be to reduce staff. Councilmember Cook stated that he wanted to see the impact on the citizens of Ramsey, including the 60 percent the City can add to the levy for 2004. City Attorney Goodrich inquired if the Council wanted the inforn~ation before the public heating is scheduled. Councilmember Cook stated that he wanted the information prior to the public heating. City Attorney Goodrich stated that the information would be available before the public hearing but questioned if the Council wanted to schedule the public hearing before receiving the information. Councilmember Kurak suggested'that they schedule the public hearing because of the time constraints and if after the public hearing the Council decides not to implement franchise fees they do not have to. I I I I I I I I I ! I -52- Motion by Councilmember Kurak, seconded by Councilmember Cook, to schedule a public heating to introduce an ordinance establishing franchise fees on gas and electric utilities at the rate of 4.5 percent of total revenues. Further discussion: Councilmember Zimmerman stated that he did not have enough information at this time. Councilmember Elvig inquired if they were to table action when would it be brought back. Finance Officer Lund replied that it would have to come back before the Council within the next month. Councilmember Elvig inquired if they were to delay the scheduling of the public hearing tonight would they still have time to schedule the public hearing at the next City Council meeting. City Administrator Norman explained that staff needs to know if the public heating will be scheduled fo.: June 24th because notice has to be published in the Ramxey Resident, which will be mailed in the middle of June. Councilmember Kurak stated that the Council should hold the public hearing and then they can make the decision as to whether or not they should implement franchise fees. Finance Officer Lund stated that staff wants to proceed for~vard so that they have something to fall back on if they need it. City Council/May 27, 2003 Page 16 of 18 I I I I I I I