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The Plainview City Council met on April 10, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council
Chambers of the Plainview City Hall at 901 Broadway. The agenda for this meeting
was posted in City Hall at 4:15 p.m. on April 6, 2007. Mayor John C. Anderson
presided. Councilmembers present were: Cathy Waggoner-District 2, Belinda Pena-
District 3, John N. Bertsch-District 4, Ron Trusler-District 5, Wendell Dunlap-District 6
and Roland Nash-District 7. Councilmember Kelvin Tipton-District 1 was absent.
Staff members present were: Greg Ingham-City Manager, John Berry-Director of Public
Works, Leslie Pearce-City Attorney, John Castro-Director of Community Services, Gary
Glass-Fire Chief, Will Mull-Police Chief, Dale Simpson-Director of Civil Service, Jack
Keller-Budget Manager, and Belinda Hinojosa-City Secretary.
News Media Representative: Richard Orr-Plainview Daily Herald
Guests present: Mary Jane Shanes, Carolina Castro, Dalton Jennings, Cindy Jennings,
Lisa Jennings, Shirley Foster, Betty Foster, Brian Henry, Barry Miller, Caren Miller, Beth
Finley, Samantha Searcey, Jeff Suttle, Scott Ferguson, Casondra Damron, Alicia
Browning, Joan Stone, Ted Stone, Stan Foster, Lavelle Wilson, and Laverne Wilson,
Councilmember John N. Bertsch delivered the invocation.
Councilmember Belinda Pena led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Anderson recognized the Jr. Service League members and the WBU students
in attendance.
Councilmember Ron Trusler recognized the CERT Members. The members receiving
certificates tonight have completed 30 hours of training. Mayor Anderson and Sgt. Mike
Allen presented certificates to the following: Carolina Castro, Barry Miller, Lisa
Jennings, Joan Stone, Ted Stone, Dalton Jennings, Cindy Jennings, Brian Henry, Betty
Foster, Stan Foster, Lavelle Wilson, Laverne Wilson, Beth Finley, and Caren Miller.
Those not present were as follows: Whit Hunt, Paulette Manning, Richard Gaither,
LaDeanna McPherson, Josie Rey, Dustin Williams, Wayne Jennings and Tony Perez.
Mike Allen presented to Councilmember Ron Trusler the Award in Excellence in
Leadership for January 2005-March 2007. The CERT Team was awarded the CERT
Team of the Year and was recognized for public and governmental support.
Councilmember John N. Bertsch moved to adopt the consent calendar. The motion
was duly seconded by Councilmember Cathy Waggoner and carried by unanimous
vote. Items approved on the consent calendar included approval of the minutes of
March 27, 2007 and April 5, 2007; the Council granted an excused absence to
Councilmember Kelvin Tipton.
Greg Ingham, City Manager presented for consideration Resolution R07-173, a
Resolution by the City of Plainview, Texas ("City") Approving a Settlement Regarding
Southwestern Public Service Company's ("SPS") Application For A Rate Increase,
Including SPS' Application to Reconcile its Fuel Expenses for the Years 2004 and 2005,
on Appeal Before the Public Utility Commission of Texas; Determining that the Meeting
at Which This Resolution was Passed Complied with the Texas Open Meetings Act; and
City Council Minutes April 10, 2007 Page 1 of 3
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Making Such Other Findings and Provisions Related to the Subject. He stated on May
31, 2006, Southwestern Public Service Company filed arate-filing package with the City
of Plainview and other system cities to increase utility rates by approximately $47.9
million. SPS' rate-filing package includes reconciliation of its fuel expenses for the two-
year period of January 1, 2004 through December 2005. After months of extensive
review of SPS' requested rate increase, the Alliance of Xcel Municipalities' counsel and
consultants recommend approval of the settlement reached by the parties in the case
pending before the Public Utility Commission of Texas. He stated SPS proposed rate
increase was $47,900,000 and the recommended settlement amount is $23,000,000.
SPS had requested a residential service availability charge of $12.75 per month
(currently $4.65 per month) and the settlement amount is $5.10 per month. SPS' has
committed to improve SPS service levels $5,000,000 in 2007 and $5,000,000 in 2008.
This would be spent on new employees and new service provider activities. Also, under
the settlement SPS proposes a reduction of $29,300,000 in SPS reconcilable fuel costs.
He stated it was his recommendation that the Council approve Resolution R07-173.
Mayor Anderson asked for public comment. There was no public comment.
Councilmember Pena moved to approve Resolution R07-173. The motion was duly
seconded by Councilmember Nash.
Mayor Anderson asked for Council Comment.
Councilmember Dunlap asked when this would take effect and for how long. He was
advised this was effective May 1St and it would be in effect from here forward until the
next rate increase. Mr. Ingham also stated that it has been 15 years since SPS has
filed for a rate increase.
Councilmember Bertsch thanked Mr. Ingham for his work. He asked how the
$23,000,000 would affect the consumer and he was advised in the kilowatt per hour
charge and the base rate. Residents would probably see a 10% increase.
Mayor Anderson thanked Mr. Ingham for his work on this.
Mayor Anderson asked for a vote on the matter. The motion to approve carried
unanimously.
Gary Glass, Fire Chief requested that Ordinance No. 07-3478, an Ordinance Amending
Chapter 4, Ambulances, Of The City Of Plainview Code Of Ordinances;
Cumulativeness Clause; Conflicts Clause; Severability Clause; And Effective Date be
postponed until a later time to look into further and for staff to do research and tie up
loose ends.
Mayor Anderson announced that by general consensus of the Council Ordinance No.
07-3478 would be delayed until the next regular meeting.
Leslie Pearce, City Attorney requested that Ordinance No. 07-3479, an Ordinance of
the City of Plainview to Clarify the Certification Pay and Assignment Pay in the Fire
Department be posted to the next Council meeting so that she can make sure all legal
issues are covered.
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Mayor Anderson announced that by general consent the item would be considered at
the next regular meeting.
Mayor Anderson moved to go into Closed Session to deliberate the purchase,
exchange, lease or value of real property. This meeting is authorized by the Texas
Government Code Section 551.072. The motion was duly seconded by Councilmember
Truster and carried by unanimous vote.
Mayor Anderson recessed the meeting at 7:34 p.m.
Mayor Anderson called the meeting back to order at 8:29 p.m.
Regarding action item No. 8, Mayor Anderson announced that it will not be necessary
for the Council to take any action on the purchase of any more real estate as related to
the Hike and Bike Trail. The Trail will be completed within the original budget.
There being no further business, Mayor Anderson adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
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Belinda Hinojosa
City Secretary
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City Council Minutes April 10, 2007 Page 3 of 3