City Commission Meeting Summary - May 20, 2009
The City Commission met in regular target issues workshop session and took the following action (with Commissioners Gillum and Katz absent):
Item 1 - Received a Power Point presentation, presented by General Manager of the Electric Utility Kevin Wailes, updating the Commission on the Energy Resource Plan and related issues (brought forward by Electric Utility)
The Commission agreed that close attention should be given to the Electric Utility's base rates, operation and maintenance costs, as well as alternatives/options to further investigate power supply diversity; expressed a willingness to consider options, such as a diversity partnership, but not any kind of asset sale; and concurred with a suggestion by the City Manager that a RFQ/RFI be developed and shared with the Commission before release.
Additionally, Mayor Marks expressed some hope that state and national energy policies would be adopted to provide some guidance for local governments.
Commissioner Lightsey suggested that a goal of 20% renewables for the future would be difficult to achieve since the City was already clean and green, therefore, it might be helpful to have a national partner.
Commissioner Mustian questioned whether there was a need to expand the City's transmission interconnection capability, and determined from Mr. Wailes that a prior study by R.W. Beck indicated it was not economically beneficial. Mr. Wailes identified that the results of this study were driven by the significant amount of upgrades that would have to be made far outside the City's system and in many cases, utilities have determined that localized electric power generation was cheaper than adding new major transmission facilities.
Commissioner Mustian also clarified with City Manager Thompson that a budget reduction in the Demand Side Management (DSM) Program would be considered during the budget process.
Item 2 - Received an update on City Indices, presented by City Auditor Sam McCall, and voted 3-0 (Commissioners Gillum and Katz absent) to review proposals for the organization performance measures and provide direction for the City Indices Project, based on direction from the Financial Viability of the Government Target Issue Committee, which directed that initial efforts focus on organization performance measures (brought forward by the City Auditor)
The Commission briefly discussed the need for a survey, potentially with community partners, and the need for information on how the City of Tallahassee compared to other cities in the state; concurred with the suggestion that it would be helpful to look at questions from other governments and to work with other City departments; and directed staff to evaluate security at City Hall.
The Commission also congratulated Dr. McCall on receiving his doctorate.
CTC:RM:ecg:06-04-09