HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 - MINUTES - 1/14/19980008
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 14, 1998
An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, was
called to order by Mayor Kleindienst, in the Council Chamber, 3200 Taliquitz Canyon Way, on
Wednesday, January 14, 1998, at 5:30 p.m., at which time, the City Attorney announced items to
be discussed in Closed Session, and at 7:00 p.m., the meeting was convened in open session.
ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Barnes, Hodges, Oden, and Mayor Kleindienst
Absent: Councilmember Reller-Spurgin
The meeting was opened with the Salute to the Flag.
REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: City Clerk reported that the agenda was posted in
accordance with Council procedures on January 9, 1998.
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION (All
Entities) - See items on Page 2 of agenda this date.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/INTERAGENCY REPORTS:
a) Councilmember Hodges reported that CVAG Executive Committee held a special meeting,
and has included Indian Avenue in the top four priorities for fiords being generated vis-a-vis
RCTC funding efforts.
b) Councilmember Barnes reported on work of the Human arid Cominunily Resource
Cotmnittee, into which the former Youth Committee has been integrated, and that a report
was received from the County as to welfare program restructuring,
LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
1. P.S. ENERGY SERVICES
Recommendation: That the Council approve the following agreements: a) retail services
agreement with FirstPoint of California; b) power purchase sale agreement with Enron I47-
Power Marketing Inc.; and c) financial risk assurance agreement with FirstPohn of 004)
California, A3894, 3895, and 3896.
Assistant City Manager revievved his report in detail, a copy of which is on file with the
City Clerk, and stated that the final three agreements need to be in place for the City to
become the aggregator; and that there has been extensive legal review of the documents;
that the documents are in their final draft and ready for approval.
George Wyatt, Vice -President of FirstPoint, stated that for the past year, the company has
consistently and publicly tried to place Palm Springs as a leader and regulator in the energy
services changes taking place; that it has been careful not to go into the market place in
advance of having enough certainty as to what that market will look like; that there has been
no ambiguity or generalization; and that with the proposed contract, and the information as
to what the rates will be, lie is confident that the corninihnents can be fulfilled.
City Attorney stated that the most critical of the agreements is the financial assurances
agreement, which outlines the obligations the City is taking; that it was critical to have
made certain that FirstPoint has the responsibility to make sure that it comes up with the
money to buy the power to be delivered to customers it has contracted with, and that the
City's general fund is protected from any exposure, and that the agreement accomplishes
those ends. He stated that the General Fetid is not at risk, and he recommended proceeding
with the contracts.
Art Lyons read from a newsletter, UCAN, indicating how thin the margin will be in this
new market; that Enron is offering a different rate throughout the Slate, and the Palm
Springs offer will probably serve as its model that it will follow; that the City and its
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Council Minutes
1-14-98, Page 2
constituents have an on -going relationship; that the utility user lax and electric franchise
fees will decrease - thus, perhaps the first step in achieving a reduction in the tax. He
provided a comparison of a typical bill, reflecting the Edison "net" cost after its 10%
reduction which went into effect January 1, 1998, to the same consumption computed on
the Enron flat rate; and then a comparison of a summer residential electrical bill; and stated
' that Palm Springs consumers will get relief when they need it the most - smmner electric
charges.
Councilmetnber Barnes noted that the persistence has paid off, and the goal expressed by
the Council years ago can now be realized; that it will have far-reaching effects, i.e., on
economic development, and cheaper rates for local businesses.
Council cormnended both Mr. Lyons and Mr. Wyatt for their work.
Minute Orders 6084, 6085 and 6086 as recommended, were presented; after which, it was
moved by Oden, seconded by Hodges, and unanimously carried, Reller-Spurgin absent, that
MO6084-6086 be adopted.
2. MO 6087 approving form of proposed customer service agreements to be entered into
between P.S. Energy Services and individual customers (4 types for cormnercial customers,
one for residential, and one for small business).
It was moved by Barnes, seconded by Oden, and unanimously carried, Reller-Spurgin (147-
absent, that MO6087 be adopted. 004)
3. MO 6088 approving contract with Art Lyons for energy services consulting, commencing
January 1, 1998, through December 31, 1998, for not to exceed $47,200, A3897. Letter (147-
received from P.S. Energy Services guaranteeing reimbursement to the City for all of Mr. 004)
' Lyons' contractual costs, including allowed rehnbursables.
It was moved by Oden, seconded by Hodges, and unanimously carried, Reller-Spurgin
absent, that MO6088 be adopted.
ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE ITEMS: None
ADDED STARTERS: None
There being no further business at 7:05 p.m., the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned (Council
convened in Cabinet meeting).
1 / L
- , JUDITH SUMICH
City Clerk