Agenda - Charter Commission - 06/25/2014

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Councilmember Riley said he would prefer the language would be changed to having a Super majority of 5 out of 7 versus 6 out of 7. Councilmember Tossey stated he is concerned this amendment will take on a life of its own. He pointed out the biggest problem is that a future Council can decide this fee is no longer just for road maintenance. Mayor Strommen noted some of the proposed language that came back from the Charter was to change the Super majority from 6 out of 7 back to the original ratio of 5 out of 7. She asked if this is an issue with this Council. Motion by Councilmember Johns, seconded by Councilmember Riley, to amend Chapter 7 of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Ramsey to reflect a Super Majority vote change to 5 out of 7. Motion failed. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers Johns, and Riley. Voting No: Councilmembers Backous, Kuzma, LeTourneau, and Tossey. Councilmember Kuzma stated he would like the use of the funds to be the decision of the Council. He said he did not want use of the funds to be locked into a Charter Amendment. Mayor Strommen said the Charter changed two parts in the language of the Amendment and sent it to the Council for discussion. Since the Council tried to vote on one of the changes, and it failed, she asked what the issues are with the proposed language. Councilmember Backous explained he supported this in the beginning because it was an alternative to assessments, which he said does not approve of. However, now using the fees for other issues than street maintenance is being discussed, and was against that. He stated he preferred the franchise fees be used only for roads. He also noted he does not oppose the 6/7 Super Majority, but he opposed the last motion due to the possibility of having a ballot referendum with identical propositions — one with a 6 out of 7 vote and one with 5 out of 7. Mayor Strommen responded the goal was to come to an agreement to have only one proposition on the ballot. She stated she would like to come to a compromise, if possible. If it cannot be agreed upon, possibly this discussion should take place along with the budget, which would delay a plan for street maintenance Councilmember Tossey suggested the question on the ballot be proposed as whether the fee should be an assessment or franchise fee. Jim Benson, 14131 Junkite Street NW, Ramsey, Charter Commission Member, suggested the Councilmembers work to remove all assessments. He asked what it would take in property taxes to eliminate a franchise fee. Councilmember LeTourneau asked whether there has been a case where franchise fees had been used, and if so, what for, and how long it lasted.