AD HOC Committee Meeting
August 17, 2007
Final
Attendees:
Douglas Athas, Chairman
Committee Members
Larry Jeffus
Laura Perkins-Cox
Rick Williams
UAB Member Lowell Hyatt
Staff:
Ray Schwertner
Glen Smith
Carol Bentzlin
Brad Neighbors
1. Chairman Douglas Athas called the Meeting to order at 3:34 p.m.
2. Role of the Utility Services Committee and Utility Advisory Board
The purpose of this meeting, charged by the Mayor, is to determine the purpose for these organizations. A grand view of organizations would be to work with and support Garland, Power & Light, to give access to data and to be a communication avenue to citizens, while maintaining confidentiality as needed.
In the past these organizations have been redundant, have tied up staff time, have conducted lengthy meetings, have accomplished little and have taken on tasks not assigned by City Council. The procedures outlined in the ordinance for the UAB were not followed and the process is not working. City Council was often not aware of tasks assigned by the USC to the UAB.
This committee will review the organizations and explore the following issues:
Are two organizations necessary?
How is the UAB defined by the current ordinance?
How is the UAB defined by the new, unapproved ordinance?
What is the connection between USC & UAB?
How many members should be on the UAB?
How can we make the process work?
What does each board do?
How much power or authority should the boards have?
Look at successes: Banner Implementation
Look at issues that were not tasked by USC to UAB: City conservation statement.
Review weaknesses exposed by USC and UAB.
Review how other cities use utility governing or advisory groups to devise the best formula for the City of Garland.
3. Recommendation to Council:
Compose a report to City Council of this committee’s recommendation to:
Suggest that further appointments to the UAB and USC be postponed.
Review four types of boards: two boards, hybrid of two boards, one board made up of experts or one board for GP&L and one board for other utilities.
Bring in experts to talk on various structures of utility governing and advisory boards and the history upon which their decisions were made.
Give more time for this committee to meet and make a recommendation.
If the UAB can obtain a quorum, they can review the GP&L Budget. Wayne Dalton will be contacted.
Chairman Douglas Athas will work out times that this Ad Hoc Committee can meet again.
4. Adjourned
Chairman Athas adjourned the meeting at 5:00 P.M.
Submitted by: Carol Bentzlin on 8/20/07
Approved by: /ss/_Douglas Athas on 9/11/07