That page is:
http://www.cityoframsey.com/Franchise_Fee
Most Crabgrass readers probably already know the City will hold an Open House relating to franchise fees that will be held on Tuesday, October 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. It will be in the Lake Itasca Room at City Hall
- and -
there will be a public hearing scheduled at the regular televised Council meeting, on the agenda for Tuesday, October 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. A public hearing is where any concerned citizen can succinctly state an opinion and rationale about an agenda item, in this case the item is the Franchise Fee proposal. It is not a place where citizens are expected to argue or debate at length, but the intent is more for council members to get a sense of how citizens concerned enough to show up and voice something feel, and why.
It helps the decision process so long as those on council remain open-minded and willing to hear. An ultimate vote might not go as you, a participating citizen might wish, but at least you will have a "soapbox" opportunity that, if passed up, gives you less grounds to complain about outcomes.
Often in the past Tom Gamec as mayor would either rush a public hearing on something controversial, or filibuster as if people did not see what he was doing. Mayor Strommen should not adapt either obfuscating tactic, but also, nobody wants a meeting to drag on until sunrise with person after person taking lengthy time to state a redundancy. There has to be a balance.
Last, a special October 2013 issue of Ramsey Resident discussing the franchise fee proposal was mailed recently, many readers may hold that double-sided single page item, and it also has been posted on the City Website, where on the homepage you can scroll the left sidebar to "Ramsey Resident" or simply use THIS LINK:
http://www.cityoframsey.com/sites/default/files/documents/RamseyResident/Special%20October%202013.pdf
A day or so ago the website was not up to date, but all of that stands correct now, with ample time for all of us to read and think, and participate as each of us thinks best. But, do remember, Oct. 1 for the open house, and Oct. 8 for the public hearing. If you cannot attend that council meeting, remember it will be televised on QCTV so that citizens wanting to hear what others say, without being there and speaking, will be able to watch and learn.
___________UPDATE__________
Some may think this is information overload, but additional information has been posted online by ABC Newspapers, i.e., this item authored by Eric Hagen, from yesterday.
