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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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <br /> <br />Mayor Wilharberrequested that the Councilconsider 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 /> <br />IX. NEW BUSINESS <br /> <br />3. Approval of City Code, Second Series #74 & Summary <br /> <br />Page 7 of 10 <br /> <br /> <br />