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to raise general revenue." He added this text was taken from the Charter Commission's January <br />27, 2014, minutes. <br />Commissioner Bendtsen asked whether there are other funding sources available as a stop gap <br />without a franchise fee. He stated he supports the Niska amendment. <br />Commissioner Zaetsch stated there is emergency bonding. <br />City Attorney Langel stated City staff has discussed the proposed language of the "Niska" <br />amendment, and what it would mean in terms of dollar value to the City. He added City staff <br />would struggle to provide a cost amount that corresponds with the restriction in the statute, and <br />franchise fees would not be in place. He added a motion was approved by the City Council to <br />direct the Charter Commission to review counter- petitions to Council- initiated improvements <br />during budget discussions in the fall, to find a way to pay for roads. He reiterated the City <br />Council has made it clear that they have no further interest in franchise fees, and it seemed, in his <br />opinion, it would be pointless to pursue an election. <br />Commissioner Niska stated that taking the proposed amendment to a vote would present voters <br />with the question of whether franchise fees should be used as a general revenue source, or linked <br />to something related to the franchise. He added the Charter Commission and community <br />members have expressed their feelings about using franchise fees as a source of general revenue, <br />and the issue will eventually resurface and create additional cost to the City in terms of a special <br />election. He noted he does not support the Charter Commission moving forward on the franchise <br />fee amendment at this time. <br />Commissioner Zaetsch stated he fully concurs with Commissioner Niska's comments, and agrees <br />that the Commission should not do anything that might be considered confrontational at this <br />time. He added Chapter 7 of the City Charter relates to borrowing mechanisms that would <br />provide options for relief, independent of franchise fees. He reiterated his support of the "Niska" <br />amendment. <br />Commissioner Niska stated he would propose a motion in light of the City Attorney's opinion <br />regarding the intent of the City Council not to bring the franchise fee up again in 2014. <br />City Attorney Langel stated, in response to Commissioner Niska's comment, that he does not <br />speak for the City Council, but provides his own opinion of the City Council's actions in this <br />matter. <br />Commissioner Zaetsch stated the Charter Commission could consider tabling the issue <br />indefinitely with the understanding that the question of franchise fees can be revisited in all <br />aspects. <br />Chairperson Field stated a motion to indefinitely table might prevent the Commission from <br />raising the issue. <br />Charter Commission/ June 25, 2014 <br />Page 5 of 9 <br />