Minutes - Council Work Session - 05/13/2014

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been hit three times since it was moved out of the cul -de -sac bulb. Public Works Superintendent Riemer explained the snow gets built up in the cul -de -sac and then the mail is delayed because the mail carriers cannot get to the mailbox. The Post Master will then give a notice to the resident, and sometimes the resident calls the City to complain. He pointed out the two most common comments relating to having the mailboxes out of the cu -de -sac are theft, and the safety of residents having to walk across the cul -de -sac in the winter. He noted his department has discussed these issues with the Post Office, and the Post Office recommends having the mailboxes out in the throat of the cul -de -sac. It is easier for the mail carriers to deliver mail with the boxes grouped together. Since this is a policy with the City, the City cannot enforce the mailboxes to be one place or the other. The City would need to adopt an Ordinance to make sure all the mailboxes are in the approved location. He added that it is a big help to the Public Works Department to have the mailboxes out of the cul -de -sac. He noted it is the responsibility of the resident to keep their mailbox clear in the winter. Councilmember Kuzma questioned whether it would be safe for older and disabled people to have their mailbox in the throat of the cul -de -sac. A resident mentioned the Post Office offers a service to residents that need mail delivered to their door. Councilmember LeTourneau stated he thought that turning this into an Ordinance would be restrictive and controlling to residents. Mayor Pro Tem Backous stated he agreed that the mailboxes should be grouped together. This action would help to alleviate the approximately 40 calls they get in the winter. Discussion took place regarding the time and money that could be saved by creating an Ordinance that would alleviate Staffs time for phone calls and solutions. The consensus of the Council was to direct staff to draft an Ordinance and present a full case report at the May 27, 2014, Council meeting. 2.05: Charter Amendment — Chapter 7: Franchise Fees City Attorney Langel reviewed the staff report and presented the Charter Commission's proposed changes to the amendment to Chapter 7 of the City Charter as it pertains to franchise fees. He explained that Finance Director Lund created an analysis based on two methods. The first method is at the 20% level, which is currently proposed. The second method is based on using up to four times the budgeted amount. Pro Tem Mayor Backous stated he agreed with the method of tying it to the budget. Councilmember LeTourneau commented his concern in tying it to the budget is that the amount would be different every year. Recalculation of the fee means another ordinance would be drawn up and this would require a letter to residents each time. City Council Work Session / May 13, 2014 Page 4 of 6