Decorah City Council approves first reading of a franchise agreement with Alliant Energy

The Decorah City Council has taken the first step towards signing a franchise agreement with Alliant Energy.

The council Monday night approved the first reading of an ordinance to approve the franchise agreement with Alliant Energy.  Just one person's comments were read at the meeting--Decorah business owner Jody Neiss said she favored signing the agreement.

When the vote was taken, six of the city council members voted "yes," with Steve Luse being the lone hold-out.  Luse said he would prefer a franchise agreement which would let the City of Decorah opt out after two years.  City council member Johanna Bergan--who has been a critic of Alliant--said Monday night that "we need to move forward now."

The franchise agreement still needs to be approved two more times before it becomes official.  The City of Decorah has written to the Iowa Utilities Board, complaining that Alliant was using the franchise agreement as a negotiating weapon against the city.  The IUB has not yet made a response.