02-24-2003 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Minutes Page 2 February 24, 2003 ----------------------------- 4. Open Mike No one appeared for open mike. 5.1.Consider 20 Year CenterPoint Energy (Reliant) Gas Franchise Renewal Ordinance The City Administrator indicated that the City has had a non-exclusive gas franchise agreement with Minnegasco since 1953. The City Administrator introduced Arne Hendrickson, CenterPoint Energy’s Program Manager for local government and economic development. Director of Planning Michele McPherson presented the proposed ordinance granting CenterPoint Energy Minnegasco a nonexclusive franchise. COUNCILMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 03-005 GRANTING CENTERPOINT ENERGY MINNEGASCO A NATRUAL GAS UTILITY, A DIVISION OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION, A DELEWARE CORPORATION, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, A NONEXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, REPAIR, AND MAINTAIN FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION, MANUFACTURE AND SALE OF GAS ENERGY FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE USE AND TO USE THE PUBLIC WAYS AND GROUNDS OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER, MINNESOTA FOR SUCH PURPOSE; AND, PRESCRIBING CERTAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS THEREOF. COUNCILMEMBER TVEITE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.2. 2003 Pavement Rehabilitation Improvement/Public Hearing City Engineer Terry Maurer gave a presentation on the proposed 2003 pavement rehabilitation improvement project. He explained that the project includes the reconstruction of Fourth Street from Main Street to Trunk Highway 10 and the side streets intersecting Fourth Street one block each direction. Mr. Maurer reviewed the project costs and the proposed assessments to the benefiting property owners. He indicated that there currently are 92 assessable units and that the proposed assessment is $5,000 per unit. Mayor Klinzing opened the public hearing. Wanda Copeland, Holy Trinity Church, 1330 and 1326 Fourth Street – Ms. Copeland questioned if Fourth Street could be vacated or left at its current width instead of narrowing the road. She indicated there were concerns regarding parking congestion. She also questioned whether one side of Fourth Street could be striped for diagonal parking and the other side for parallel parking. The City Engineer indicated that staff has discussed the Fourth Street issues, but that the two churches (Holy Trinity and Union Congregational) were also working together on some of the Fourth Street options and the city remains open on this topic. He further noted that diagonal parking is not an option. Gordon Bynum – 420 Rush Avenue – Mr. Bynum questioned if the Council had given any thought to extending the assessment to property owners that do not abut this project. Mr. Bynum questioned if the narrowing of the street changes the right-of-way. The City Engineer indicated that it is the City’s policy for streets is to assess property owners abutting