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5.12: Adopt Resolution #20-148 Authorizing Bid Letting for Public Works Facility Project #20- <br />07 <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor LeTourneau, Councilmembers Menth, Kuzma, Musgrove, <br />Riley, and Specht. Voting No: None. <br />6. PUBLIC HEARING <br />6.01: Public Hearing: Introduce Proposed Ordinance #20-11 Implementing a Gas <br />Franchise Fee on Centerpoint Energy for Providing Gas Service Within the City of <br />Ramsey, Introduce Proposed Ordinance #20-12 Implementing an Electric Franchise <br />Fee on Connexus Energy for Providing Electric Service Within the City of Ramsey <br />and Introduce Proposed Ordinance #20-13 Implementing an Electric Franchise Fee <br />on the City of Anoka Electric for Providing Electric Service Within the City of <br />Ramsey <br />Presentation <br />City Administrator Ulrich introduced the case related to implementation of a franchise fee which <br />would be used for pavement management. He provided details on the pavement management <br />program in Ramsey and a summary of the details of the 2015 through 2019 pavement management <br />summary which used the assessment method. He reviewed the funding options identified in the <br />staff report. <br />Finance Director Lund reviewed the remainder of the staff report and recommendation to introduce <br />the respective ordinances related to implementing a franchise fee on said utilities. <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked for clarification on the administrative fee and the change from <br />five to ten percent. <br />Finance Director Lund explained that the ten percent includes all administrative costs associated <br />with staff time and the public hearings. <br />Public Hearing <br />Mayor LeTourneau called the public hearing to order at 7:37 p.m. <br />Citizen Input <br />Jim Benson, 14131 Junkite St NW, stated that he is a member of the Charter Commission and <br />therefore has a special interest in this. He stated that in his opinion, a franchise fee is the wrong <br />form of road funding as it is a regressive tax that charges people that do not own property. He <br />stated that residents that have gas or electric service will be charged, whether or not they own <br />property or use the roads. He stated that people would pay less through funding the road <br />improvements through the tax levy. He reviewed two different calculations that he used to <br />determine how the City could fund roads through property taxes. He reviewed language within <br />Chapter 8 in the Charter, which he believes is being corrupted. He believed that the only people <br />City Council / July 14, 2020 <br />Page 5 of 18 <br />