Agenda - Council - 11/12/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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with State law; removing duplicative language; remove the need for primaries, with one option to remove primaries all together and another option to remove primaries for special elections; clean-up the language regarding advisory elections, with an option to remove advisory elections all together and another option to state that advisory elections can only occur with general elections; and regarding section 4.5.4, an option should be brought back to remove that section which would default to State law, and another option cleaning up the language and allowing appointment for terms of only less than 365 days. City Administrator Ulrich noted that sometimes there are special elections that align with general elections, as the City did this past fall. He noted that in that circumstance that might be an exception that would allow for a primary for a special election as it coincides with the regular general election. 5.2 Discuss Commissioning a Study on Alternate Sources for Road Funding Chairperson Field stated that the City of Ramsey is considering alternate sources for road funding, noting that he recently attended a public meeting on the topic. He reviewed the options that would be available that include 100 percent assessments, the current assessment policy, or franchise fees. He stated that there is a provision in the Charter on franchise fees and provided background information on how franchise fees work. He noted that lengthy discussions occurred in 2013, and reviewed a proposal that was made by a former Commissioner. He stated that proposal imposed a limit on how franchise fees could be used. He stated that he is not suggesting that the Commission take up action on the proposal but suggested that the language be considered for future debate until a private study can be commissioned to review options for road funding. He believed that the information would be useful to the Commission and to the Council as well. He stated that he reached out to City staff to determine if there are funds available for this type of study and learned that $1,500 could be allocated for this type of study. Commissioner Bendtsen asked how much the City of Ramsey is paying WSB for the presentation that is currently underway. City Administrator Ulrich explained that the price of the WSB contract was $35,000 and was separated into three different phases. He stated that phase one was to review the current pavement management plan and make recommendations, phase two moved into additional staff and public meetings along with presentation of resources, and phase three would include additional public meetings and potentially leading to a recommendation on a funding source for road improvements. He noted that the contract does have check -in points where the contract can be stopped. He stated that currently the City uses assessments for road financing and noted that if there is a consensus of the public input to continue with that, the service proposal would stop after phase two. Commissioner Anderson asked how Elk River is funding their road improvements, as they seem to have sufficient funds. Charter Commission/ February 13, 2019 Page 8 of 11