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Councilmember Heinrich stated that the Council has been split for the past year on whether <br /> franchise fees or the use of the levy would be preferred for road financing. She commented that <br /> the discussion seems to be going nowhere and it is frustrating. She suggested taking the vote on <br /> whether there would be support for franchise fees and the rebates and wrapping up the topic. She <br /> commented that it seems that the comments are becoming negative and the discussion is not <br /> helpful. <br /> Mayor LeTourneau commented that difficult decisions sometimes lead to difficult discussions but <br /> believed that the conversation was being open and respectful. <br /> Councilmember Riley commented that there is not a perfect answer. He commented that the <br /> difference that would be charged for taxes versus (using the levy method) versus the franchise fee <br /> would be less than nine dollars per month for 98 percent of households. <br /> Councilmember Specht asked if all the road funding would be included in the franchise fees, such <br /> as cracksealing and maintenance. <br /> Finance Director Lund commented that the franchise fee amount would then need to be increased <br /> to support the sealcoating and maintenance. She noted that if the franchise fee were set at $8 to <br /> $10,Ramsey would stick out as the highest one and there would be more pushback from the utility <br /> companies. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove asked for input from City staff as to whether they would like it to <br /> continue in its existing manner of funding or to be included in the franchise fee. <br /> City Engineer Westby commented that he did not have a preference. <br /> City Administrator Ulrich commented that cracksealing is an annual maintenance activity whereas <br /> the intent of the franchise fee would be to support long-term maintenance/repair of the roads. <br /> Mayor LeTourneau commented that there has been good discussion tonight and would like to <br /> gather consensus <br /> Councilmember Heinrich stated that she would not support a franchise fee. <br /> It was the consensus of the Council that a$7 franchise fee would be used as the sole funding source <br /> for roads. <br /> City Administrator Ulrich summarized the franchise fee consensus that was reached through the <br /> discussion tonight for the potential five-year program. <br /> Finance Director Lund stated that if the schedule outlined is followed,the franchise fee could begin <br /> on October 1, 2020. She asked if that is the schedule the Council would like to follow or whether <br /> that should begin January 1, 2021. <br /> City Council Work Session/June 9,2020 <br /> Page 3 of 5 <br />