HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 1997-03-11 53
City Council, Special Meeting
Redding Convention Center
700 Auditorium Drive
Redding, California
March 11, 1997 1:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor McGeorge with the following Council Members present:
R. Anderson, Kehoe, Murray, and McGeorge. Council Member P. Anderson's absence was excused.
PRESENTATION OF THE ELECTRIC UTILITY AUDIT REVIEW COMMITTEE'S FINAL
REPORT
(A-050-125)
Fred Weatherill, Chair of the Electric Utility Audit Review Committee, presented the Electric Utility
Audit Review Committee's final report.
The following individuals addressed the City Council:
• John Roberts, Skyway Recreation Products, stated that his company's electric utility bill
ranges from $70,000 to $80,000 annually and he was not pleased about the proposed rate
increase.
• Floyd Bressel expressed concern about the proposed electric utility rate increase.
• Edward Limond, 2431 North Street, stated that the City should not be using the Electric
Utility as a"cash cow."
• Dave Johnson complimented the committee on its report, but felt a 23 percent rate increase
was excessive.
• Peter Scales stated that government should not be involved in private sector activities. He
noted that the Electric Utility's profits have increased 25 times since 1976.
• Frank Strazzarino, Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce, also complimented the
committee on its report. He related that the Chamber is concerned about this issue and
encouraged the City to have maximum citizen involvement.
• Susan Santilena explained that the proposed rate increase would increase her business'
electric utility bill approximately $8,500 per year. She stated that the indicator should be at
a competitive level instead of ten percent below.
• George Birch believed that the utility's market value was considerably less than its book
value.
• Larry Chapter, Comsco, asked whom the City's anticipates its competitors to be in the future.
He was also concerned that the City would not follow through and reduce the rates in fiscal
year 2005.
• Marshall Nelson was apprehensive that the City would not reduce the rates in fiscal year
2005.
The motion made by Council Member Murray to set a public hearing for 7:00 p.m., April 1, 1997,
to consider a 23 percent interim electric utility rate surcharge, a 2.7 percent rate increase for the
public goods charge, and the simultaneous enactment of lifeline rates died to lack of a second.
MOTION: Made by Council Member R. Anderson, seconded by Council Member Kehoe, to set a
public hearing for 7:00 p.m., April 1, 1997, to consider a 23 percent interim electric utility rate
surcharge.
Voting was as follows:
Ayes: Council Members -R. Anderson, Kehoe, and McGeorge
Noes: Council Members - Murray
Absent: Council Members - P. Anderson
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ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, at the hour of 2:30 p.m., Mayor McGeorge declared the meeting
adjourned.
APPROVED:
Mayor I /
ATTEST:
"1241City Clerk
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