1978-11-02 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTESD cD
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS,
HELD ON NOVEMBER 2, 1978, AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE CITY HALL, 2335 N. TEXAS AVENUE,
PEARLAND. TEXAS.
The meeting was called to order with the following present:
Mayor Tom Reid
Councilman Harry Farley
Councilman Dennis Frauenberger
Councilwoman Fran Coppinger
Councilman Carlton McComb
Councilman Morris Wilson
City Manager William E. Wolff
City Attorney Bobby J. Williams
City Secretary Dorothy L. Cook
PURPOSE OF THE MEETING:
1. RECONVENE PUBLIC HEARING ON RATE INCREASE REQUEST BY THE HOUSTON
LIGHTING 4 POWER COMPANY RECESSED SEPTEMBER 19, 1978.
PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK FOR THE REQUESTED INCREASE:
Mayor Reid reconvened the Public Hearing on the request by the Houston Lighting
$ Power Company for a rate increase.
Mr. Otto Schroeder, District Manager of the Houston Lighting 4 Power Company,
spoke before the City Council and advised that the Company applied before the
Public Utility Commission and in their figures, based on twelve months test
period which ran from April 1, 1977 through March 31, 1978, the. Company found
that its operation revenues were short $174,000,000. The Company is asking for
a 12.6% rate increase. The Company has approximately 721,000 residential customers
generating about 28% of -the revenue, 104,000 customers generating 22% of our
revenue, 1,500 industrial customers generating 44% of our revenue, and 78
municipalities and other non -classified customers generating 6% of our revenue.
The basic reason for the requested increase is that the rates are not sufficient
to adequately cover the cost and provide a reasonable rate of return.
PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK AGAINST THE REQUESTED INCREASE: None
QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD:
City Attorney Williams asked Mr. Schroeder if he could advise the City Council
what the rate of return would be if the Company was granted the increase requested.
Mr. Schroeder did not have this figure, but advised he could have it by the next
meeting.
Mr. Williams asked that the public hearing be recessed until a later date so that
additional information could be furnished the City Council. Mr. Williams also
stated that he just recently received testimony from our rate experts along with
additional information from Mr. Butler. We have not had a final conference with
Touche, Ross $ Company Rate Consultants, and Mr. Williams asked that the Council
have benefit of this information and in the next three or four days be able to
review the testimony that is before the Public Utility Commission. He also
advised at this point the City Council might want to go over the initial filing
that was made with the City in July. He advised that he would try to get Touche,
Ross, 4 Company out next week to present the City's case.
PUBLIC HEARING ADJOURNED:
The Mayor advised that the Public Hearing would recess until further notice.
Hearing adjourned at 7:55 P.M.
COMPLETE TAPE OF HEARING ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY SECRETARY.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Texas Open Meeting's Law, Section 2, Subsection (e) Legal 7:55 P.M.
Returned to open session with no action taken 11:30 P.M.
Minutes approved as submitted and/or corrected this / 3 day of
/I o� A. D., 1978.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Secretary