CC_Minutes_2003_0127 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Minutes -1/27/03 Page 10 Mayor Kysylyczyn reviewed the three (3) separate issues again, stating that all three were separate issues, and a potential franchise fee for replacement or undergrounding of the lattice towers was not part of tonight's discussion, but would require a lengthy process and discussion. Mayor Kysylyczyn identified the issues as: 1) large utility poles - lattice transmission lines; 2) wooden telephone poles; 3) franchise fee Mayor Kysylyczyn advised that future costs would be higher for undergrounding and improving the aesthetics of County Road C if not done at time of construction. Councilmember Schroeder expressed his opposition to the project, rationalizing that as a first tier, more mature suburb, we naturally have power poles; stating that if the City's intent was to underground the entire city's electrical service, they needed to develop a plan, with affected properties paying for it, not the entire city. Councilmember Klausing spoke generally in favor of the undergrounding as a n1eans to initiate aesthetically improving the City, with County Road C the first step in serving as the City's main street; which would in turn raise property values and improve the overall quality of the City. Robert Willmus, 2932 Hamline Avenue North Mr. Willmus had provided written comment which had been presented by City Manager Beets, but was after all available to attend the meeting, and spoke in opposition to the undergrounding and spreading costs city-wide when he received no benefit from this improvement. AI Sands, 2612 AIdine Mr. Sands spoke to his interpretation of ramifications regarding federal and County funding for the project; and the need for a feasibility study to be provided with the City's new assessment policy.