Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/22/2013

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requested it because the proposed amendment is so restrictive and clearly in opposition to the work the Council has been doing. He is concerned about that. Councilmember LeTourneau asked if it is necessary to go through the process and then decide whether to vote on the language, or have it rewritten, which takes the decision out another 120 days. He stated he does not know why that strategy was used or maybe it was not understood how this would encumber the consideration by the Council. Mayor Strommen stated Charter Chair Field can speak to that issue during tonight's Council meeting, as it was discussed by the Charter Commission that they wanted a "backstop." She stated the Council has to act within the timelines prescribed but the Council could also have a simultaneous discussion on what the language should contain. She felt it would not cause a major slowdown as both can follow parallel paths. Councilmember LeTourneau stated the other part, that he may not have made clear, was that he appreciates the request for dialogue and as stated by Councilmember Tossey, another option is to look at the counter petition piece that is also reasonable and may be part of the solution. He stated the way the amendment is stated, it will require another six months. Councilmember Tossey stated Charter Commissioner Anderson stated she was afraid Ramsey was being run by special election so she supported it coming before the City Council. It was noted the cost for a special election is approximately $17,000 so this method (unanimous Council vote) opens the dialogue and the City is not being run by a special election that usually has low voter turnout. Councilmember Tossey stated if the Council does not consider this amendment, the Charter Commission has the option to go to a special election. He noted the proposed language is from the Statute, not created by the Charter Commission. Councilmember Backous stated the main reason he wants the dialogue is to slow the process so all understand each other and to talk about the special assessment process, which he thinks has caused all the trouble. That has to be done through the Charter Commission, to find a solution between the franchise fees and special assessments. Councilmember Backous stated franchise fees will raise revenue 30% and he wants people educated on the facts and not given disinformation. Mayor Strommen stated she favors entering a dialogue with the Charter Commission, which was strongly considered during strategic planning, that it is a collaborative process between the Council and its Commissions. She noted one issue is around governance of franchise fees, which is in the "wheelhouse" of the Charter Commission. The other issue is in the prevue of the Council, which is how to fund roads long term. Mayor Strommen stated in the resident survey from July 2011, three out of four respondents believe Ramsey needs to develop a long -term street and reconstruction funding policy. When asked about the funding mechanisms, 49% favored a franchise fee, 39% favored putting it in property taxes, and 77% opposed assessments. When asked about all three, 44% favored franchise fees with 18% supporting it strongly. Mayor Strommen stated she has received a lot of varied responses, some like assessments, some like it on property taxes, and others like a flat fee. She stated it would be good for the Council to dive into that question with its residents in what a long -term road and reconstruction funding policy City Council Work Session / October 22, 2013 Page5of8