St. Charles council approves revenue purpose statement for proposed utility franchise fees; public hearings set for June 9

The St. Charles City Council on May 12 approved Resolution 5A-2025, a revenue purpose statement that would govern expenditures of fee revenue collected under proposed electric and natural gas franchise fees intended to be used in lieu of the Local Option Sales Tax. The motion to approve was made by Allison and seconded by Kozak; the council recorded a unanimous roll call in favor.

The council set public hearings on Ordinance 230 (electric franchise ordinance, including franchise fees) and Ordinance 231 (natural gas franchise ordinance, including franchise fees) for June 9, 2025. Councilmember Allison moved to set the hearing dates; Councilmember Brockett seconded and the motions passed unanimously. No ordinances were adopted at the May 12 meeting; the hearings will provide a public forum before any ordinance vote.

Councilmembers also approved Resolution 5B-2025, which approves a plat of survey for Cox's Prairie Oaks, following a motion by Blomme and a second by Brockett. Separately, the council approved a quote from Iowa Contracting to repair handicap ramps on Main Street after a motion by Brockett and a second by Kozak.

Other routine business that passed as part of the meeting included approval of the consent agenda (minutes from April 14, April treasurer's report, May claims and receipts, and a liquor license for Tiger Lily Cafe). Those consent items were approved on a unanimous roll call.

The council did not take final action on the proposed franchise ordinances; the next procedural step is the public hearings scheduled for June 9, 2025.