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the Council to review the franchise fees and the funds that have been collected. It has been found <br />that the building inspection funds are better than ever. There has also been an increase in fees <br />becat, sc of the fact that building permits were taken out early in regards to some ordinances that <br />were put into effect. There have also been other fees upgraded to meet costs. Due to all this he <br />would like to make the following motion. <br /> <br />Motion by Mayor Gamec, second by Councilmember Cook, to introduce an ordinance <br />attthorizing a salary increase of $8,500 and $6,500 for the Mayor and Council Members, <br />respectively, and that as of the finalization of the third quarter the franchise fees in the City of <br />Ramsey be discontinued. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich advised this needs to be separated into two motions. <br /> <br />Furthcr Discussion: Councilmember Elvig stated he would support the mayor 100 percent on <br />this. To give yourself a raise in a year that you have been fighting to make budgets meet and <br />have initiated a franchise fee is a terrible contradiction. He congratulates the Mayor, Council and <br />staff. The City has overcome a $450,000 LGA loss, kept taxes at or below last year's rate, and <br />they have encouraged revenue above and beyond their needs. To kill the franchise fee in the <br />third quarter, rather than going the full year would be a great move. Councilmember Kurak <br />questioned when the franchise fee would end. Mayor Gamec replied the fee would end the end <br />of September, and would not go into the fourth quarter. <br /> <br />Amendment to the motion on the floor by Mayor Gamec, second by Councilmember Cook, to <br />introduce an ordinance authorizing a salary increase of $8,500 and $6,500 for the Mayor and <br />Council Members, respectively, <br /> <br />Further Discussion: Councilmember Strommen stated she does support an increase, but set the <br />cutoff at a 33 percent increase. She does not support an increase this large. Councilmember <br />Zimmerman stated he would hardly think they could give themselves a raise when they are <br />telling residents it is hard times and they are pinching pennies. He will vote against this. <br />Councihnember Kurak commented she thought the $8,000/$6,000 was more of a reasonable rate, <br />and it falls within the 33 percent increase. <br /> <br />Amendment to the motion on the floor by Mayor Gamec, second by Councilmember Cook, to <br />introducc all ordinance authorizing a salary increase of $8,000 and $6,000 for the Mayor and <br />Council Members, respectively. <br /> <br />Further Discussion: Councilmember Kurak noted the Ramsey City Council has not had a raise <br />since 1989 and it is due. Councilmember Elvig noted these raises will bring Ramsey more in line <br />with surroundil~g comlnunities. The main thing for him is not to have a raise at the time that a <br />fi'anchise fee is needed to pay for things. The franchise fee will be addressed with the next case. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Cook, Elvig, Kurak, and <br />Strommen. Voting No: CouncihnemberZimmerman. Absent: CouncilmemberPearson. <br /> <br />City Council/August 10, 2004 <br /> Page 9 of 27 <br /> <br /> <br />