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<br />Randy Bauer, 14942 Quintana Street NW, stated he is speaking for his church, St. Katherine <br />Drexel, which is already paying taxes. He added some Councilmembers were against the franchise <br />fee and were elected, some ran in favor of the franchise fee and were elected. He requested that <br />this issue be put on the next voter’s ballet so people can vote, like in the referendum for schools. <br /> <br />Commissioner Howell stated she was vocal about the franchise fee in her campaign, and a <br />resounding number of people supported her campaign for that reason. She added many residents <br />are upset about the franchise fee. She noted some people just found out about it, because it is a <br />hidden tax on the electric bill. <br /> <br />th <br />Darrell Smithwick, 8353 168 Lane NW, stated he is very much in favor of the franchise fee. He <br />added it will need to be replaced with something, if it is taken away. He noted it is a very stable <br />source of income for roads. It was my understanding that this was going to be approved for a <br />certain length of time. We should let it ride itself out, and then see where we stand. <br /> <br />Kim Upsall, 16360 Chameleon Street NW, stated she asked the engineers in her family about <br />franchise fees, and was told that Ramsey is the perfect situation for a franchise fee because there <br />are no big box stores or related tax base. She added road improvements will have to come from <br />assessments and residents will have to pay for the roads. She asked why the City is not looking at <br />supplementing the franchise fee through the State of Minnesota’s LRIP for local roads. <br /> <br />Maria Buchholz, 14621 Neon Street NW, stated she comes to a lot of meetings, and she has <br />opposed the franchise fee from the beginning, as the levy is the fair way to go. She added it is <br />fairer for residents to pay taxes based on the value of their home, which will bring in more money <br />than the franchise fee. She reiterated that she has been opposed to the franchise fee from the <br />beginning. <br /> <br />Derek Steinberg, 15440 Yakama Street, stated he is actively involved in my church council, and <br />he has a budgeting background. He added some Councilmembers ran for office based on support <br />for the levy. He noted those funds are not a sure thing without a solid plan in place, and the levy <br />is not a guarantee. He noted constituents that are not fans of the franchise fee are also not fans of <br />levies that increase their taxes. <br /> <br />th <br />Chris Nelson, 7630 166 Avenue NW, stated the issue tonight is not franchise or levy, but the fact <br />that the City Council is cancelling a funding source with no plan going forward. She added she <br />has lived in Ramsey for 23 years, and she is disgusted at the thought of leaders doing something <br />with no plan. She noted this looks like the City Council is doing this because of their campaigns. <br /> <br />Councilmember Heineman thanked everyone that spoke. He stated one resident indicated that <br />taxes will go up if this goes on the levy. He added there is a misrepresentation about what is being <br />discussed, and taxes have already gone up. He noted the issue is whether to change the tax rate to <br />be proportionate to the value of homes. <br /> <br />Councilmember Heineman stated the franchise fee provides a safety net, as the City Council can <br />remove it at any time. He added it is a false narrative that the franchise fee is safe, but the levy is <br />City Council / July 27, 2021 <br />Page 10 of 25 <br /> <br /> <br />