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City of Centerville <br /> Council Meeting Minutes <br /> December 9,2015 <br /> 2. Discussion & Update on Proposed Franchise Fees (Connexus Energy, CenterPoint <br /> Energy& Xcel Energy—Schedule Work Session to Discuss <br /> Administrator Ericson stated that Staff has met with representatives of all three (3) utility <br /> companies (Xcel, Connexus & CenterPoint Energy) with Ms. Colette Jurek, Manager - <br /> Community Relations & Economic Development for Connexus Energy being present in the <br /> audience. Administrator Ericson stated that Finance Director Paulseth has provided Council <br /> with a presentation in their packet and would be reviewing it with them. <br /> Finance Director Paulseth reviewed the presentation with Council, stated that this option is an <br /> avenue to fund street maintenance without assessments or little to no assessments, many other <br /> local cities are utilizing franchise fees and it does not increase the tax levy. Administrator <br /> Ericson stated that staff has experience in implementing these fees, have worked with all three <br /> utilities and believe that the City has been very transparent with both their discussion and <br /> consideration of these proposals. <br /> Mayor Wilharber stated that there are many entities within the community that are tax exempt <br /> and special assessments do not apply to them, (school and churches). This enables a fair playing <br /> field for road maintenance with all property owners benefiting and feels that the tax rate is high <br /> and cannot continue to sustain maintenance costs. Mayor Wilharber also stated that Cities <br /> previously received large local government aid, but that has been reduced affecting the City's <br /> ability to provide simple funding for such expenditures. <br /> The Consensus of the Council was to discuss franchise fees at a Work Session which would <br /> include staggered fees for commercial versus residential properties. Discussion ensued regarding <br /> length of time to implement, 2016's road maintenance projects/funding and the 2016 Budget. <br /> Finance Director Paulseth stated that it would take approximately 90 days from ordinance <br /> adoption to implement, that if implemented early in 2016 the City would receive half to three- <br /> quarters of the estimated annual fees proposed and funds from another fund could be utilized to <br /> subsidize the expenditures for a short period of time. <br /> Mayor Wilharber questioned whether Ms. Jurek could attend a December 16 meeting at 6:00 <br /> p.m. to discuss the franchise fees and Ms. Jurek concurred. <br /> Motion by Council Member Fehrenbacher, seconded by Council Member Love, to approve <br /> holding a Work Session on December 16, 2016 commencing at 6:00 p.m. All in favor. <br /> Motion carried. <br /> Mayor Wilharber requested that the Council consider IX. New Business Item#3 —City Code, <br /> Second Series#74 & Summary so that individuals in attendance regarding the item could recess <br /> if desired. <br /> IX. NEW BUSINESS <br /> 3. Approval of City Code, Second Series #74 & Summary <br /> Page 7of10 <br /> 18 <br />