HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 04-14-9795
MINUTES OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL
Adjourned Regular Meeting - April 14, 1997
An adjourned regular meeting of the Ukiah City Council, the agenda for which was legally
noticed and posted, convened at 7:06 a.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 300
Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. Roll was taken and the following Councilmembers
were PRESENT: Chavez, Ashiku, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. ABSENT: Councilmember
Kelly. Staff Present: Customer Service Supervisor Archibald, Public Utilities Director
Barnes, Electric Supervisor Bartolomei, Community Service Director DeKnoblough,
Finance Director Elton, Compliance/Customer Service Officer Goodrick, City Manager
Horsley, and City Clerk Henderson.
2. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Malone welcomed comments from the audience.
the Council.
3. Special Order of Business
3a. Electric Workshop
No one came forward to address
Public Utilities Director Barnes outlined the provisions of California State Assembly Bill
1890 for the Council. The bill provides the framework for the pending restructuring of the
electric utility industry in California, allowing the industry to become competitive. The bill
sets timetables for retail competition within the industry, provides for independent
operation of the State's electric transmission system, outlines the recovery by utilities of
previous investments in powerplants, and formulates a market structure designed for future
competition within the industry. The bill makes provision for competition transition charges
to be collected by both investor-owned and publicly-owned utilities. Mr. Barnes noted
publicly-owned utilities are not mandated to adopt retail competition; however, State
sanctioned competitive transition charges are contingent upon implementing retail
competition.
AB 1890 mandates a minimum level of funding for public policy programs. The
investor-owned utility policy programs will be administered by the California Public Utilities
Commission and the California Energy Commission, while the policy programs for
publicly-owned utilities will be administered by their elected boards or councils. A utility
must create a fund to be used in one or more of the following areas: conservation
programs, renewable technology, research and development, and Iow income assistance.
In order to become competitive, Ukiah will be required to raise $350,000 which will amount
to a 2.85 percent increase in rates. Many provisions of the bill still need to be clarified.
Councilmember Kelly arrived at 7:24 a.m.
In response to questioning, Mr. Barnes noted the City's Electric Utility is exempt from the
requirements of Proposition 218. In order to initiate a competitive program, public utilities
considering retail competition must hold a Public Hearing by July 1, 1999 and must begin
the phasing in of such a program by January 1, 2000. In the near future, staff will present
to Council the pros and cons of various options which it may choose to develop into a
strategic plan for the implementation of Assembly Bill 1890.
Adjourned Regular Meeting- April 14, 1997
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4. ADJOURNMENT
MIS Ashiku/Mastin to adjourn the meeting was carried by a voice vote of all AYE.
ABSENT: None.
Mayor Malone adjourned the meeting at 7'37-a.m.
Colleen B. Henderson, City Clerk
Adjourned Regular Meeting- April 14, 1997
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