Minutes - Council - 10/28/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A roll call vote was performed by the Recording Secretary: Councilmember Kurak aye Councilmember Cook aye Councilmember Zimmerman nay Counci lmember Pearson aye Councilmember Elvig aye Councihnember Strommen aye Mayor Gamec aye Motion carried. Case #3: Report from Joint Law Enforcement Meeting Police Chief Way stated that he attended the October 22nd Joint Law Enforcement meeting where they covered several committee reports. The items discussed were: 1) the continuation of weapons of mass destruction training for both Police and Fire throughout the County using a federal grant. 2) They were informed that the auto grant was cut by the State, which was money that was used to look for stolen vehicles at places such as used car lots. 3) The 800 MHz system is progressing forward and they hope to start using the system this April. 4) The group had a lengthy discussion regarding medical expenses for people that may be injured during an arrest. The League of Minnesota Cities has stated that they will back the cities that they should not be held responsible for paying those medical bills. 5) The final issue that was discussed was a multi jurisdictional network, which will allow all Police Departments to put their information into one system so that they can all share the info~Tnation. There are some concerns over security of the information, but once that is resolved the system will probably move ahead quickly. There was no action necessary. Case #4: Adopt Ordinances Implementing a Gas Franchise Fee on Centerpoint Energy, Minnegasco, a Division of Centerpoint Energy Resources Corp., a Delaware Corporation, for Providing Gas Energy Service within the City of Ramsey, and Implementing an Electric Franchise Fee on Connexus Energy, a Minnesota Cooperative, and the City of Anoka, a Municipal Electric Distributor, for Providing Electric Energy Service within the City of Ramsey, Minnesota Mayor Gamec explained that the Council has been discussing th~ implementation of a franchise fee for some time. It has become apparent that the City really has no choice, but to implement a fi'anchise fee to offset the loss in Local Government Aid (LGA) and the inability of the City to account for its growth. The Council feels very strongly that they will only have to implement the fee for one year and the ordinance will include a sunset date. The City anticipates collecting $404,000 in franchise fees that will go into the general fund and be used to help pay for se~Mces provided to the citizens that would otherwise have to be cut. City Council/October 28, 2003 Page 5 of 18