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<br />Further Discussion: Councilmember Look stated that he feels this action would force Connexus <br />Energy to come to the table with the City and discuss the issue. Mayor Gamec stated that he <br />feels Connexus Energy would want this issue to go to court. Councilmember Strommen stated <br />that her concern is that if the City begins this legal action, the City needs to be committed to <br />seeing it through. She stated that the City has an offer from Connexus Energy and she feels if <br />the City can up that amount a bit, that would be our best option. She stated that she agrees with <br />Councilmember Jeffrey that the City should make a move to cut ties with Connexus Energy and <br />move to in-house billing because they are not meeting the City's needs. Councilmember Dehen <br />stated that he is nervous about bringing this in-house because many times government is not as <br />efficient as the private sector. He stated that if we don't contract with Connexus Energy, perhaps <br />there is another private entity the City could use for utility billing. Finance Officer Lund stated <br />that she does not know of any other private company that does utility billing. Councilmember <br />Strommen stated that her point was that she feels the City should sever ties with Connexus <br />Energy. Councilmember Dehen stated that his concern is that the City has a reasonable contract <br />rate with Connexus Energy and while there have been some issues, if this is taken in ~ouse, there <br />will be a substantial amount of money needed for staff time and benefits. Councilmember <br />Strommen stated that it may be worth spending more money if the customers receive better <br />customer service. She stated that this under-billing issue is not the only issue the City has had <br />with Connexus Energy. She stated that she feels their response to other issues has also been <br />appalling. Councilmember Olson stated that our contract with Connexus Energy may only cost <br />$60,000/year, but questions what the "real" cost is when you take a look at $684,450.64 that the <br />City may just have to absorb. Councilmember Look stated that the offer from Connexus Energy <br />was just talk and not in writing, so the City does not know what they will really cover. <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated that he feels the City needs to sever its ties with Connexus Energy <br />if we are not happy with their service. He stated that the City may not have the option to choose <br />who becomes our biller if Connexus Energy has an out clause. He stated that if the City takes <br />any action, it needs to make sure the City is prepared to take action .either in conducting our own <br />billing or contracting with someone else. Finance Officer Lund stated that another option to <br />consider is similar to what Andover has been doing. She stated that Andover staff does the <br />commercial meter readings and then they send that information to Connexus Energy for billing. <br /> <br />Motion failed. Voting Yes: Councilmembers Look, Dehen and Jeffrey. Voting No: Mayor <br />Gamec and Councilmembers Olson and Strommen. Absent: Councilmember Elvig. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Look, seconded by Councilmember Jeffrey, to table discussion on <br />. possible litigation with Connexus Energy concerning utility billing. <br /> <br />Motion carried. V oting Yes: Mayor Gamec and Councilmembers Look, Jeffrey, Dehen, Olson <br />and Strommen. Voting No: None. Absent: Councilmember Elvig. <br /> <br />MAYOR, COUNCIL AND STAFF INPUT <br /> <br />None <br /> <br />City Council Special Meeting /October 2, 2007 <br />Page 10 of 11 <br />