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September 26, 2013 Tuesday, October 1, 2013 6:00 — 9:00 p.m. — Public Open House Regarding Franchise Fees — Lake Itasca Room Thursday, October 3, 2013 7:00 p.m. — Planning Commission — Council Chambers Preview of Next Week Public Open House Regarding Franchise Fees (6:00 — 9:00 p.m. — LIR) • An informal Public Open House will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1st in the Lake Itasca Room at the Ramsey Municipal Center, 7550 Sunwood Drive NW. Various information concerning franchise fees will be presented at multiple stations around the room. Feel free to stop by the Open House anytime between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. Planning Commission (7:00 p.m. — CC) • PUBLIC HEARING: Consider Request for Preliminary Plat Approval of BROOKFIELD 4TH ADDITION; Case of Capstone Homes • Consider Site Plan Approval for Molin Concrete Expansion at 6820 143rd Ave NW • Receive Update on Housing Assistance Policy • Receive Update on Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Rulemaking Project (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) Council Update Franchise Fees. A special October 2013 edition of the Ramsey Resident was mailed to city residents on Wednesday, September 25th. The purpose of the special edition was to notify residents that the city is considering using electric and gas utility franchise fees to help pay for the long- term street maintenance program. It is estimated that $2,202,000 will be needed annually over the next 5 years to adequately fund the street maintenance program to maintain an average PASER rating of 6.5 on all city streets, which is a goal of the city's Strategic Action Plan. The 2014 preliminary budget includes $500,000 for street maintenance projects, which leaves an estimated funding gap of $1,700,000. The City Council is therefore considering a monthly franchise fee in the amount of $8 per utility, or $16 per month for households using both electric and gas utilities, to generate $1,700,000 annually to close the gap. Council also directed staff to include a 5 -year sunset term with any new franchise ordinances to ensure that the fees would be reviewed and new funding sources would be explored within 5 years. In addition, Council directed that the use of special assessments be eliminated if franchise fees are implemented, and that a rebate program be developed to ensure that property owners currently paying assessments on prior street maintenance projects would receive a rebate for any franchise fees paid during the remaining term of their assessments.