Minutes - Council - 10/22/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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that any franchise fees imposed under applicable State Statute must be limited to defraying increased municipal costs occurring as a result of utility operations and may not be used to raise general revenue." Chair Field stated this amendment would require a direct correlation between the franchise fees and covering increased utility operating costs and cannot be used to raise general revenue. He stated this clarifies and limits the fee to only the qualifying costs of the utility. Chair Field stated the Council has discussed eliminating the special assessment process; however, that provision was not originally contained within either ordinance. The Charter Commission was in general agreement that eliminating or lowering the special assessment process was a good option but did not have time to consider it and will discuss it at a future meeting. He described the process in Ramsey to approve a Charter amendment. With this recommendation, approving the Charter amendment requires a unanimous vote by the Council. If not, the amendment will die but the Charter Commission reserves the right to reconvene again and submit a different amendment or to bring it to the voters directly. Chair Field stated one member opposed the amendment because she wanted the amendment to go to the voters and not the Council. Mayor Strommen thanked Chair Field for the thorough report. City Attorney Langel stated the process for the Charter amendment pursuant to Statute 410.12.7 is to send it to the Council as a recommendation. Approval requires a unanimous vote of the City Council before becoming effective. The Council has two weeks to one month to notice the public of the amendment and hold the public hearing. Then, within one month, the Council is required to vote on the amendment. This process will take about two months. If there is a unanimous vote of the Council, it would become effective 90 days from publication, resulting in at least a five -month process. Mayor Strommen summarized the discussion during tonight's Work Session in being appreciative to the Charter Commission for the amendment, supporting the request to initiate a dialogue, and directing staff to organize a joint Work Session between the City Council and Charter Commission to discuss governance issues. The Council was concerned with limits and had placed them in the ordinance. The Charter Commission is recommending those limits be placed in the Charter. Mayor Strommen stated the Council also discussed holding a budgeting and funding discussion on how the roads can be paid for. She noted the July 2011 resident survey showed three- fourths of those surveyed said the City should have a plan and policy for long -term road maintenance. Mayor Strommen stated there is not clear consensus in the community and the Council would benefit from additional dialogue on those issues as well as governance issues with the Charter Commission. She stated the Council supported slowing the process, not introducing the ordinance tonight, and holding more conversation with the. Charter Commission and residents. Mayor Strommen asked staff to assure the Charter Commission received the updated ordinances. Councilmember Backous thanked Chair Field and the Charter Commission, stating he is delighted they are taking on the issue as the ordinance does not contain enough "teeth" and the Council is sincere in wanting to place limits and proper protection. He stated it is difficult for residents to keep up with everything that is going on but this discussion has made them aware of City Council / October 22, 2013 Page 7 of 11