Minutes - Council - 10/08/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Strommen closed the regular portion of the City Council meeting at 7:55 p.m. in order to conduct a public hearing. Public Hearing Mayor Strommen called the public hearing to order at 7:55 p.m. Presentation City Engineer Westby reviewed the staff report and background of this consideration to institute a franchise fee to fund a SMP. His presentation included details relating to Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) and aging streets, increasing costs, SMP 2013 estimated costs, current SMP funding sources, ideal SMP funding sources, other SMP funding sources, funding by franchise fees, franchise fee implementation terms and tentative implementation schedule, and conclusions. It was noted staff's recommendation is to institute a monthly fee of $8 per utility against both residential and commercial properties, which would generate approximately $1.7 annually. If adopted, implementation would be conditioned on: 1. Special assessments would no longer be used to help fund street maintenance projects as long as franchise fees are collected. 2. Electric and gas utility franchise fee revenues must be dedicated solely to long -term street maintenance program projects. 3. Electric and gas utility franchise ordinances must include five -year sunset terms. 4. A franchise fee /special assessment rebate program must be implemented to prevent anyone currently paying a special assessment on a previous street maintenance project from also paying franchise fees on top of their assessment, including anyone who paid their assessment off early. City Engineer Westby presented written comment received prior to tonight's meeting from: Amber Chrudimsky via e-mail; Andre Champagne via e-mail; MaryLou Peterson via e-mail; Irene Beberg of 7411 -152 " Avenue NW, via telephone; John Scherle of 5354 140 Lane NW, via telephone; SueEllen Peterson via e-mail; Wayne Buchholz of 14621 Neon Street NW, via comment card; Susan Anderson via comment card; Linda Bybee, 5031 142n Lane NW, via comment card; Cindy McKay of 7855 157 Avenue NW via comment card; Marilyn Potter of 14368 Waco Street via comment card; and, resident of 5530 156 Avenue NW via comment card. City Engineer Westby stated these written comments will be appended to tonight's meeting minutes. He indicated staff recommends the Council introduce Ordinances #13 -21, #13 -22, and #13 -23 and if introduced, asked the Council to verify terms of implementation. Mayor Strommen thanked residents for attending this important public hearing to provide input. She stated the public hearing is on the proposed franchise fee ordinance and the underlying problem is how to fund the SMP. She stated the Council would appreciate suggestions for altemative solutions to fund the SMP and asked residents to provide succinct comments, limited City Council / October 8, 2013 Page 8 of 24