Monthly fees won't be lighting the way to a brighter Minneapolis.
Bright lights, big city, but no extra fee in Minneapolis
The council nixed a public lighting fee on utility bills but tripled fees for owners of boarded buildings, added a new rental fee and mandated fresh foods in small grocery stores.
By STEVE BRANDT, Star Tribune
The City Council on Friday formally killed the idea of adding a fee for lighting to city utility bills. The initial proposal was up to $13.50 monthly to operate existing lights and install ornamental lights on a 30-year schedule. It was later scaled back to $2 monthly to pay for electricity.
The council did approve a new wrinkle in its lighting policy after a debate that's gone on since 1999. It will install ornamental lights on boulevards during street renovations, unless residents petition against them. Residents can also petition for them before street work. Property owners bear the cost through assessments in either case.
Also Friday the council:
• Tripled the annual fee -- to $6,000 --that will be charged to owners of boarded-up buildings. The intent is to shift the costs of providing services to those units -- for cleanups, police and fire response, and other regulatory services -- from taxpayers to owners.
"Banks have been unwilling to sell these properties for what they're really worth and holding them for far too long," said Council Member Gary Schiff, who initiated the move.
Nonprofits and the city will be exempted; those who rehab houses under an agreement with the city will be forgiven the fee in the year when the work is done.
• Imposed a new fee of $1,000 on housing units that are converted to rental use. The fee pays for an immediate inspection to make sure the house meets city rental standards. Buildings of six or more units would be exempted. Barbara Johnson, Diane Hofstede and Don Samuels sponsored the new fee, prompted by more foreclosed houses being used for rental property.
• Revoked the licenses of 45 rental houses, all but nine of them empty. They were held by people associated with the TJ Waconia firm, which the FBI has been investigating for mortgage fraud.
Samuels read owners' names during the cablecast meeting, saying the owners deserve shame for doing more damage to the city than drug dealers.
• Passed an ordinance that mandates that small grocery stores in the city contain at least a minimal amount of fresh foodstuffs. The proposal by Samuels and Cam Gordon is aimed at making more nutritious items available to residents who rely on corner groceries.
Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438
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STEVE BRANDT, Star Tribune
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