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City Administrator Ulrich stated that the Charter Commission would bring forward a petition or <br />could bring forward a Charter amendment. He stated that in staff discussion it was noted that <br />franchise fees would not be built up for 2020 projects and therefore other funds would be used <br />for projects that year. He provided additional background information on a previous attempt to <br />craft an ordinance for franchise fees. <br />Mayor LeTourneau stated that if a process is being followed, the City has extensively engaged <br />residents in discover and discussion and it would be prudent to take the next step. He stated that <br />as they continue to go through the process, people can then weigh in on the way the work is <br />being done. He believed that the next step should be taken to draft an ordinance, which the <br />Council can then review to make sure the needs are being addressed as tightly as possible. <br />Councilmember Heinrich asked if there is a cost for the research project from the University of <br />Minnesota. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that past projects have had a cost of about $5,000 and estimated <br />that this would be similar. He stated that the Charter states that the City must contribute $1,500 <br />to support the Charter Commission and therefore that is the available balance. He stated that <br />additional funds would require the approval of the Council, unless direction is given from the <br />Council to support that research. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated that the City already spent funds with WSB to get to this step in <br />the process and answer questions. He believed that effort to be sufficient. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that element answered internal questions that the City had in <br />regard to funding road improvements. He noted that the City did not ask WSB to go outside of <br />Minnesota in their research, while the Charter Commission would like more exhaustive work <br />done on franchise fees and what is done in other cold weather states. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated that he believes that would be a waste of funds and is simply a <br />stall tactic. <br />Councilmember Riley stated that it would be helpful to work together with the Charter <br />Commission, to ensure that they have all the information the Council has received. He stated <br />that beyond the Charter Commission, residents would have a lot of similar questions and <br />therefore the study would not be a bad thing. <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked for additional input on the financial information included in the <br />packet. <br />Finance Director Lund provided additional clarification. <br />Councilmember Musgrove stated that it does not appear that the franchise fee would be sufficient <br />to fund road improvement. <br />City Council Work Session / June 11, 2019 <br />Page 4 of 7 <br />