Laserfiche WebLink
Mayor Gamec stated that the problem is that businesses are all of a sudden being confronted with <br />a very large bill but, looking at the formula, the fees are fair. <br /> <br />Mr. Reimann replied that the fee is just another tax and if the businesses can't absorb the cost <br />then it is passed on to the consumer. <br /> <br />Councilmember Connolly noted that it would not be possible to add the fee onto the taxes <br />without the County cooperation which is not likely. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec replied that there are a lot more implications if the fee is added to the taxes. <br /> <br />Larry Peterson, Connexus Energy, stated that Connexus does pay taxes, with the City's portion <br />being $166,000. By one of the comparisons of increasing taxes by 3%, Connexus would be <br />paying approximately $2,800 rather than the $10,000 they are currently being charged for the <br />storm drainage utility. If the City is going to talk about large storms then every area of the <br />property produces runoff. Some of the businesses have already made the investment as required <br />by the City which was done at an approximate cost of $200,000 for Colmexus Energy. He stated <br />that Connexus would be willing to take the wetlands back from the City if it would help reduce <br />the cost they are being charged. Mr. Peterson inquired if there was a list of proposed projects <br />that the fund is proposed to pay for that can be given to the businesses. <br /> <br />City Engineer Olson replied yes. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson stated that he was somewhat confused by. the modified method. <br /> <br />City Engineer Olson explained how the modified method was calculated using the example of <br />the golf course. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson replied that the residents and businesses cannot understand the formula. <br /> <br />City Engineer Olson reviewed cities that have similar storm drainage utilities. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson replied that they are talking about the City of Ramsey and what he is saying is that <br />the formula is confusing to him. <br /> <br />City Engineer Olson explained that there are certain criteria that have to be met to make a <br />business eligible for the modified method. He compared Connexus Energy's property with the <br />Golf Course property and explained that without the modified method they would have been <br />charged the same as Connexus Energy. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that several of the business owners have not come in and met with the City <br />Engineer to review the formula and he has received a request fi'om John LeTourneau requesting a <br />meeting with the City Engineer and some of the Councilmembers to get some more of the detail <br /> <br />City Council/October 10, 2000 <br /> Page 9 of 17 <br /> <br /> <br />