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6. PUBLIC HEARING <br />6.01: Public Hearing — Introduction of Franchise Ordinances with Anoka Municipal <br />Utility and Connexus Energy <br />Mayor Strommen closed the regular portion of the City Council meeting at 7:25 p.m. in order to <br />conduct a public hearing. <br />Public Hearing <br />Mayor Strommen called the public hearing to order at 7:25 p.m. <br />Presentation <br />City Engineer Westby reviewed the staff report and explained this is a housekeeping <br />consideration as the franchise ordinance had expired. He explained this ordinance is required to <br />allow utilities to operate within the City's rights -of -way and it contains a clause to allow the <br />proposed franchise fee. It was noted that each utility requires some unique language so one <br />ordinance will no longer work for both utilities. He stated staff worked with each utility to draft <br />that language and staff recommended introduction with second reading scheduled at the October <br />22, 2013, Council meeting. <br />Citizen Input <br />William Kingston, 15760 Andrie Street NW, asked that the Council display the ordinance so the <br />audience can see what is included as it is a 20 -year ordinance and includes the ability to institute <br />a franchise fee. He recommended that the right to read the ordinance should not be waived so <br />there is full disclosure. <br />Mayor Strommen explained that the consideration tonight is introduction of the ordinance and it <br />was included in the Council's meeting packet and available on the City's website. <br />Jim Bendtsen, 14131 Junkite Street NW, stated he would like to see how this franchise fee <br />ordinance relates to value and asked whether an unlimited level of charges can be placed as a <br />franchise fee. <br />City Engineer Westby stated the language within these two ordinances allows the utility <br />companies to operate within the City's rights -of -ways to locate and operate their utilities. The <br />language included related to franchise fees indicates the City has the right to adopt franchise fee <br />ordinances in the future. He explained that the franchise fee ordinance would specifically call <br />out the level of fees. <br />Darrel Smithwick, 8353 168 Lane NW, asked if the two ordinances can be posted to the City's <br />webpage so residents can read them prior to the next meeting. <br />City Council / October 8, 2013 <br />Page 5 of 24 <br />