 |
             |
COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC WORKS The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Public Works was held on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., in the Boardroom at 121 West Court Avenue. Meeting attendees are listed in the Print Friendly PDF version above.
1. Manager Reeves referred to an e-mail from Charlie Barrineau regarding consideration by City Council to change the municipal election to November. He noted that this would affect the next election in November and any subsequent elections. 2. Manager Reeves requested authorization to execute renewal of an annual rent agreement for the lower parking lot. He noted a slight increase from $6,000 to $6,300, plus taxes. A motion was made by Commissioner Monaghan, seconded by Commissioner Hancock, and unanimously approved. 3. Manager Reeves presented an engineering agreement for an electrical arc flash study at the water treatment plant. He noted that this was a budgeted item, and a proposal had been received from McCall Thomas, the engineer of record when they went through the interview process. He continued that David Tuck would also like to include an option costing $12,000. A motion authorizing execution of the agreement was made by Commissioner Monaghan, seconded by Commissioner Hancock, and unanimously approved. 4. Manager Reeves provided the Commissioners with copies of a summary report of a rate study proposal on all three utilities from Sheree Brown, and offered to provide the 100+ exhibit sheets if requested. He suggested that the summary first be reviewed and requested guidance with how to proceed. Manager Reeves noted that the bottom line is that the electric department is in really great shape, and we are in a position to recommend establishing a rate stabilization fund up to $1.1 million without a change in rates. With natural gas, while the base rate increase was 5%, the actual increase seen on the customers’ bills was less than 1 ½%. He continued that a 20% increase was recommended for water, which is not a real surprise. However, Mr. Chapman had suggested an alternative, which would be to reduce the minimum consumption allowed with the minimum billed from the current 400 cubic feet to 200 cubic feet. By doing that, it supplants basically 10%, and we can get by with a 10% rate increase and that change to the rate structure. Commissioner Hancock stated that he thought we already charged from 100 cubic feet and there was not a minimum. Commissioner Monaghan agreed that he thought the minimum had been eliminated. Manager Reeves responded that part had never been changed. Commissioner Monaghan asked about the base rate; Manager Reeves responded that he did not recall, but it was in the detail exhibits. He asked that they review the summary and either Sheree Brown could come in for a presentation during a work session, or it could be done as a public hearing. Commissioner Monaghan noted that the big emphasis would be on water and would have the most questions. Manager Reeves referred to an agreement that could be discussed during Executive Session that could potentially aid greatly in the water situation. Commissioner Monaghan asked about the timing of doing this now rather than at the end of the fiscal year after the budget. Manager Reeves responded that was what was being done; this was turned over to Sheree Brown immediately after the budget review in January with the Commissioners. They did not make a decision at that time; the information was turned over to Sheree Brown and they are getting the results of that now. Ms. Ogletree noted that it takes a long time since Sheree has to gather a lot of information from the industry in order to come up with the projections. 5. Mr. Chapman reported that surveys had gone out on water bottles and information was still being compiled from manufacturers for a business plan. He noted six responses received from those surveys showing the most interest is in purchasing the water with their own labels for tradeshows, festivals, etc. 6. Mr. Gentry reported that they are awaiting a response on the CDBG; there were additional questions and more information was provided by Jeff Chapman. After Commissioner Monaghan inquired about new construction, Mr. Gentry noted that almost 100% of rebates are returning customers. 7. Manager Reeves expressed appreciation to staff, and especially to Mr. Barnett, for filling in during a recent absence.
A motion was made by Commissioner Monaghan and seconded by Commissioner Hancock to go into Executive Session for personnel and contractual matters; the motion was unanimously approved.
|
