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reached tonight in regard to the amendment because there is not another meeting within the next <br />30 days. <br />The Charter Commission's amendment would add the following wording: "...except that any <br />franchise fees imposed under applicable state statutes must be limited to defraying increased <br />municipal costs accruing as a result of utility operations and may not be used to raise general <br />revenue..." <br />City Attorney Langel stated staff recommendation is to deny this amendment because the term to <br />limit franchise fees to "defraying increased municipal costs accruing as a result of utility <br />operations" is ambiguous and leaves open the question to future Council's and the public, <br />subject to potential challenge via law suit or other action by residents. He stated this amendment <br />does not have the transparency or ability to define the limits as the Charter Commission has <br />indicated it desires. Staff recommends the Council consider alternative language that outlines <br />the terms and limitations for franchise fees. <br />Mayor Strommen stated the Council has discussed this issue with the Charter Commission in a <br />Joint Session and also at Work Sessions. <br />Citizen Input <br />There was none. <br />Motion by Councilmember LeTourneau, seconded by Councilmember Kuzma, to close the <br />public hearing. <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers LeTourneau, Kuzma, <br />Backous, Johns, Riley, and Tossey. Voting No: None. <br />The public hearing was closed at 7:24 p.m. <br />Council Business <br />Mayor Strommen called the regular City Council meeting back to order at 7:24 p.m. <br />Motion by Councilmember Tossey to introduce Ordinance #13-26, Amendments to Chapter 10 <br />of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Ramsey, said Amendments Relate Generally to <br />Franchises, as written. <br />Motion failed as it received no second. <br />Councilmembers LeTourneau, Backous, Riley, Kuzma, and Johns voiced support for the <br />recommendation of staff to consider alternative language, and advocated continuing <br />conversations about other options to improve the language to address concerns that had been <br />expressed. <br />City Council / December 10, 2013 <br />Page 5 of 14 <br />