HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 01.31.2000 CC-SThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Special Session on the above
date with Mayor MaryEllen Kersch presiding.
Council Present:
Lee Bain
Charlie Barton
Charles "Noss" Burson
Susan Hoyt
Clark Lyda
Ferd Tonn
Lorenzo "Shorty" Valdez
Staff Present:
Council Absent:
All Present
Bob Hart, City Manager
George Russell, Assistant City Manager
Marianne Banks, City Attorney
Sandra Lee, City Secretary
Pablo Holguin, Director of Employee and Organizational Services
Jim Briggs, Director of Community -Owned Utilities
Verna Browning, Director of Community Services
Kathy Ragsdale, Utility Office Director
Mike Mayben, Energy Services Manager
Micki Rundell, Interim Director of Finance and Administration
Regular Session — Called to Order at 5:35 p.m.
Executive Session
A. Sec.551.071 consultation with attorney
B. Sec.551.074 personnel matters
Resignation of City Manager Bob Hart
Designation of Interim City Manager
— Annual performance evaluation of City Attorney
Regular Agenda — resumed at 7:30 p.m.
C. Action from Executive Session
Motion by Lyda, second by Barton to establish the salary of the City Attorney at
$72,000.00 per year effective January 10, 2000. Approved 7®0.
The following item was brought forward on the agenda.
City Council Meeting Minutes/January 31, 2000
Page 1 of 3 Pages
G. Consideration and possible action to accept the recommendation of the Council
Electric Deregulation Subcommittee to approve a contract with Navigant Consulting
Services (formerly RMI) in the amount of $45,000 for the specific purpose of
providing an independent evaluation of the City of Georgetown Community Owned
Electric Utility "s options for providing open competition to retail electric customers
within Georgetown's Electric Service area and establishing a schedule for
completion — Jim Briggs
Briggs told Council that Navigant would work with Council and staff to provide
education on the subject of "opting in" relative to the City's financial position and
market perspective. He said Navigant provided the Council Subcommittee with a
proposal including work sessions on two-week intervals to educate the public on the
electric deregulation issues. John Moore with Navigant assured Council that there
would be public involvement. It was determined that Monday, February 14, from
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. would be the first night to hold the work session/public hearing.,
with Monday, March 6, and Monday, March 20, as dates for the other work
sessions/public hearings.
Rene Hanson, 1252 Austin Avenue, said she has a great interest in this subject.
She asked if the Council would study the tax impact on the citizens, if the
information would be provided in user-friendly language, and asked that Council
allow a vote from the citizens regarding this issue.
Ken Evans, told Council he is concerned about the lack of rules on the State level
for this issue. He asked that there be a lot of publicity on the meetings.
Briggs said the financial impact to the city and the taxpayers would be a part of the
information provided. He said the majority of the Public Utility Commission rules
have been finalized and provided. He said he agrees with providing adequate
publicity. It was determined that the second and third work sessions could be noted
on the utility bills. Briggs suggested it would also be put on the City web site and
his staff would attempt to contact the various neighborhood associations in the City,
Motion by Lyda, second by Barton to approve an amendment to the existing
contract for professional consulting services with Navigant Consulting, formerly
RMI/Research Management International in the amount of $45,000 for providing an
independent evaluation of the City's options for providing open competition to our
retail electric customers and schedule the forums (work sessions/public hearings)
for February 14, March 6, and March 20, at 6:00 p.m., with each forum publicized
in all available media. Approved 7-0.
7:55 p.m. recessed to resume Executive Session — 8:45 p.m. resumed Open Session
C. Action from Executive Session
City Council Meeting Minutes/January 31, 2000
Page 2 of 3 Pages
Motion by Barton, second by Bain, to accept Bob Hart's resignation as City
Manager effective February 25, 2000, and appoint George Russell as Acting City
Manager effective February 26, 2000, and from now until then the transition will be
taking place between Mr. Hart and Mr. Russell in an orderly fashion as has been
described by both. Barton said he wanted the staff and the audience to know that
the City Council has a high level of confidence in George Russell's ability as
Assistant City Manager and ultimately, the Acting City Manager, and therefore
Council is making this decision tonight to appoint him as the Acting City Manager,
effective February 26, 2000.
Hart read his letter of resignation dated January 25. Mayor Kersch and
Councilmembers Hoyt, Bain, Tonn, Barton, Valdez, and Burson expressed their
gratitude to Hart for his leadership and wished him well. Barton's motion was
approved 7=0.
D. Mayor, Council, City Manager, and staff comments and reports
— Resignation of City Manager Bob Hart
Kersch and Councilmembers Hoyt, Bain, Tonn, Barton, Valdez, and Burson
expressed their gratitude to Hart for his leadership and wished him well.
E. Citizens wishing to address the Council
There were no citizens who wished to address the Council.
F. Consideration of possible action on establishing the process for replacement of the
City Manager — Mayor Kersch
Tonn noted that he had provided copies to the Council of a TML briefing on City
Council hiring procedures. Kersch said she felt the City was "in good hands" and
Council should study the information in regard to dealing with the position of City
Manager.
G. This item was handled previously.
Motion by Hoyt to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.
Approved:
aryEllen Kersch, Mayor
City Council Meeting Minutes/January 31, 2000
Page 3 of 3 Pages
Attest:
Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary