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Council delays action on EV charging agreements; asks staff to review lease terms and revenue options
Summary
Council rescinded earlier motions and postponed both the termination of the 2016 ZEF Energy agreement and the planned Minnesota Power replacement agreement, asking staff to examine lease terms, potential rent or revenue sharing and whether existing 2016 terms remain appropriate in 2025.
The Little Falls City Council on Oct. 6 postponed two related actions involving electric vehicle charging stations at Maple Island Park: a mutual termination of a 2016 agreement with ZEF Energy, and execution of a proposed replacement agreement with Minnesota Power.
Staff explained the mutual termination is a procedural step required before Minnesota Power can enter an agreement to operate upgraded EV chargers at the same site. Several council members, however, expressed concern about replicating the original 2016 lease terms and about the city effectively granting rent-free use of prime riverfront parking to a commercial operator. "Why would we give Minnesota Power free rent on prime river real estate for them to make a profit?" one council member asked. Staff said the city attorney and Minnesota Power’s attorney had reviewed the terms and found them acceptable, but staff agreed to investigate whether a lease payment or revenue-sharing provision should be added.
Council rescinded the earlier motions and voted to postpone items d and e so staff can research market terms, potential lease payments or profit percentages and report back. Council also asked staff to delay terminating the existing agreement with ZEF until the Minnesota Power proposal is vetted to avoid leaving the site unserved.
