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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02/16/1989UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Port Angeles, Washington February 16, 1989 I CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stamon called the meeting to order at 4:01 P.M. II ROLL CALL Members Present: Chairman Stamon, John Hordyk, Carl Alexander, Jeff Rosbach. Members Absent: Staff Present: Jim Hallett. D. Flodstrom, B. Coons, J. Pittis, G. Leaf, D. Wolfe, L. Danks, J. Abernathy, S. Hardy. III LEGISLATION 1. Sewer Rate Increase Director of Administrative Services Wolfe presented to the Committee an outline of the three preferred alternatives. (1) To establish a customer commodity-based rate for residential customers with a maximum commodity charge, based on estimated peak non-irrigation usage; (2) Establish a customer/commodity-based rate for all customer classes, with the summer irrigation rate reduction for residential customers in conjunction with summer water rates; (3) Establish a customer/commodity-based rate for residential customers with a block of consumption included in the customer charge and a maximum commodity charge, based on an estimated peak non-irrigation usage. Following a lengthy discussion of the analysis, Committee Member Jeff Rosbach moved that the Committee recommend Alternative (1), the establishment of a customer/commodity- based rate for residential customers, with a maximum commodity charge, based on estimated peak non-irrigation usage; to set the customer charge estimate at $10. Committee Member Carl Alexander seconded and the motion passed 4 - 0. Committee Member Carl Alexander moved that the Committee recommend non-residential rates be increased by 28.85%, with the customer charge of $3.05, estimated commodity charge of 89 cents per cubic foot. Committee Member John Hordyk seconded and the motion passed, 4 - 0. -1- UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE February 16, 1989 It was the decision of the Committee to set a meeting date for March 9, 1989, at 4:00 P.M. to discuss a draft facility plan on the Secondary Sewage Treatment Plant. Additionally, the Committee decided to discuss latecomer charges for sewer utilities at a subsequent meeting. The meeting adjourned for a break at 5:30 P.M. 2. MCS Adoption A. Legislative Efforts Acting Light Department Director Hardy gave a presentation to the Committee regarding the Model Conservation Standards and the State adoption efforts. Some of the main points covered were that electrically-heated homes would be built to Model Conservation levels; that the effective date for the new code would be July of 1990. Electric utilities would be required to provide transition payments through June, 1993. The Committee discussed the number of climate zones, and Committee Member Hordyk suggested expanding the number of climate zones in the State of Washington. Committee Member Carl Alexander discussed concerns regarding whether the transition payment constituted a subsidy on the part of the utilities. It was the consensus that the City support the State adoption and that the Committee members concerns to their legislators. efforts for communicate Chairman Stamon indicated she would be AWC Legislative Conference and would local legislators. in attendance at the be speaking to the B. Northwest Enerq¥ Code Proqram Acting City Light Director Sheila presented information to the Committee regarding the Northwest Energy Code Program. It was the agreement of the Committee to table this issue until further information was provided from the Legislature regarding the Model Conservation Standards. 3. Telecable Update Manager Flodstrom updated the Utility Advisory Committee on the recent events regarding the Telecable issue, specific- ally the discussion between staff and Telecable on -2- UTILITY ADVISORY COM~ITTEE February 16, 1989 Wednesday, February 15th, regarding a letter that was being sent by the local manager of Telecable in response to complaints being made by citizens on the recent increase in rates. The Committee briefly discussed the waiver hearing, and Chairman Stamon requested that non-Councilmembers discuss this issue with the City Attorney so that they may be fully informed of the events up to this date. 4. Selection Process for City Liqht Director Manager Flodstrom distributed the remaining applications and discussed how the Committee should proceed. The Committee Members agreed to review the applications, to prioritize the applicants, and bring a listing of the top candidates to the next meeting. At that meeting, they would set forth the final steps toward the recruiting of the Light Director. 5. Rate Reduction - Liqht Department The Committee reviewed a report from the City Light Depart- ment regarding the rate reduction for 1988, as it is a goal of the Council to consider the possibility of reducing electrical rates to City consumers. After some discussion, it was recommended that the Utility not pursue rate reductions at this time. 6. Business Incentive Throuqh Rates The Committee reviewed the report regarding the possibility of actively pursuing a rate reduction for businesses. The recommendation was to not pursue the rate reduction at this time. It was noted there was a tax incentive side of the goal and this was to be presented to the City Council at a later date. 7. Discussion of Alternatives to Eliminating Senior Billinq Problems This item was issued as a city Council Goal. The objective was to revise the senior citizen utility billing dates to accommodate the receipt of Social Security and retirement payments. Following discussion, the members were requested to address their concerns or questions to the Administrative Services Director. The item will be brought back for future consideration. -3- UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE February 16, 1989 8. Information on Federal BPA Debt Repayment Manager Flodstrom stated forthcoming and it would this time. there would not be proper be more information for a discussion at IV ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 P.M. Chairman Prepared by cc.55 -4-