Post Author's Photographer By Kristin Eggen June 28, 2018

For Immediate Release Contact: Chad Bird, City of Decorah, City Manager, 563-382-3651Decorah City Council Members Announce Public Forum related to Electric Utility Franchise Agreement

Decorah, IA (June 26, 2018) “? Decorah City Council members, led by utility committee chair, Andy Carlson have scheduled Saturday, June 30, 2018, for an informational meeting to interact with the public on issues surrounding the renewal of the city’s franchise agreement with Alliant Energy.

The Code of Iowa in Section 364.2 allows cities to grant franchises to any person to “erect, maintain, and operate plants and systems for electric light and power, heating, telegraph, cable television, district telegraph and alarm, motor bus, trolley bus, street railway or other public transit, waterworks, or gasworks, within the city for a term of not more than twenty-five years.” A franchise is a contract or agreement which allows a utility use of the public streets and alleyways in order to provide service within the city.

Decorah’s current franchise agreement with Alliant Energy expired on June 15, 2018. The council’s utility committee is now charged with identifying terms and issues which may be discussed in the context of negotiating a new franchise agreement with Alliant Energy. The city council is eager to hear from the general public on issues important to the community regarding local energy. Now is the time to present ideas towards establishing a more proactive partnership with Alliant Energy and to define the terms of such an agreement and how many years an agreement may exist.

The public is invited to attend this forum format discussion which will include an overview of the utility franchise law in Iowa and key elements from the City’s recently expired franchise agreement. The forums are designed to hear from the public which issues may be important to include in a newly negotiated franchise agreement.

The forum will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018, in the city hall council chambers from 9:00 am “? 11:00 am.

For further information please contact Decorah City Hall at 563-382-3651 or email city manager Chad Bird at citymanager@decorahia.org

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Person with short hair and glasses smiles in front of a sign that reads “INNESHEK ENERGY PROJECT” with a building silhouette and sunburst in the background.

Kristin Eggen

Kristin Eggen first came to the Winneshiek Energy District as a Green Iowa AmeriCorps member in 2015. Eight years later, she is thrilled to lead the grassroots clean energy movement in Winneshiek County. Kristin deeply appreciates rural communities, Northeast Iowa, community sustainability, and nonprofit management. She uses The Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter methodology and graphic recording services to drive strategic conversations around community sustainability, justice, fundraising, and nonprofit health.

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