20111101 Regular City Council Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL -
LIGHT & POWER MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON
HELD NOVEMBER 1, 2011, IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS OF THE CITY HALL LOCATED AT
4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Davis, McCormick, Maisano
MEMBERS ABSENT: Gonzales, Newmire
The meeting was called to order at 8:03 a.m. by Mayor Pro-Tem
Davis.
Councilman McCormick led the flag salute.
Kristen Enomoto announced that there were no changes to the
agenda.
Enomoto announced that this was the time allotted for public
comment. The Mayor Pro-Tem inquired whether anyone in the
audience wished to address the City Council.
Independent Ethics Advisor Sohn Van de Kamp questioned the
City's transparency, when in his own experiences, he has found
that the speaker system function properly and it is difficult to
hear. He recommended that the speaker system be turned on and
tested. He also recommended that everyone make use of the
microphones. He suggested that the Councilmen address the
people sitting in the back area. Van de Kamp questioned whether
the speaker system was turned on.
VandeKamp reported on the incident during the last Council
Meeting, and advised that there had been confusion concerning
what Councilmen Newmire stated that was not part of the record.
Van de Kamp is not speculating on what was said or meant, but
advised that it is in the City's best interest to record the
meetings.
Van de Kamp recommended that the City invest in a decent
recording system. He advised that the recordings should be kept
for 60 days after the approval of the minutes, and that if there
are any questions in the preparation of the minutes, those
working on the minutes can have accurate records. If the
minutes should ever be questioned, they can check with staff to
see what was said. Van de Kamp opined that a recording system
would not be a costly proposition, and would be in conjunction
with what the City is tying to accomplish.
Mayor Pro-Tem Davis thanked Van de Kamp. There were no
additional comments.
It was moved by McCormick and seconded by Maisano to approve the
Minutes of the Regular City Council - Light & Power Meeting held
October 18, 2011. Motion carried, 3-0.
Regular City Council -
Light & Power Department Minutes
November 1, 2011
CONSENT CALENDAR:
It was moved by Maisano and seconded by McCormick, that the
matters on the Consent Calendar be approved as recommended.
Motion carried, 3-0.
1. Approval of Light & Power Warrant Register No. 310,
totaling $3,324,543.27, which covers the period of October
11 through October 24, 2011, and consists of the following:
a.Ratification of wire transfers totaling $2,913,199,89;
and
b.Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling
$337,234.26; and
c. Authorization to issue pending checks totaling
$74,109.12.
2. Approval of Gas Warrant Register No. 98, totaling
$22,138.73, which covers the period of October 11 through
October 24, 2011, and consists of the following:
a. Ratification of the issuance of early checks totaling
$5,107.76; and
b.Authorization to issue pending checks totaling
$17,030.97.
3. Resolution No. 2011-176 - A Resolution of the City Council
of the city of Vernon Approving and Adopting the Resource
Adequacy Plan for 2012, which Includes the Demand Forecast,
the Planning Reserve Margin, the Qualifying Capacity
Criteria, and the Supply Plan, in Accordance with the
California Independent System Operator's Tariff
Requirements
4. August 2011 Resource Procurement Report, to be received and
filed.
ORAL REPORTS
Director of Light & Power Carlos Fandino reported that the
Department is in the process of looking at a renewable energy
pass through that will affect Vernon businesses. Fandino
reported that the Department engaged two of the members of the
Advisory Committee on Electric Rates and met on October 31,
2011, to discuss the possible renewable pass through to address
renewable portfolio standards ("RPS").
Fandino stated that the objective is to make the issue of the
pass through as transparent as possible. Fandino announced that
the next Electrical Rates Advisory Committee meeting is
scheduled for November 9, 2011, at 8:00 a.m. Fandino reported
that the Light & Power Department is taking a proactive approach
and contacting the businesses and encouraging them to attend the
Advisory Committee Meeting.
Fandino reported that the state of California has expedited the
RPS and that the City must comply with 20t RPS, and is in the
process of trying to secure bio methane fuel with Paul Prager of
Beowulf and shell Oil Co. Fandino expects to he completed with
negotiations and have a contract signed before the beginning of
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Regular City Council -
Light & Power Department Minutes
November 1, 2011
the year so that the City can obtain credits for the greenhouse
gas AH32 component.
Fandino explained that the difference between the RPS power and
market power will be the cost that will be passed onto the
customers. Fandino advised that the item will be up for
discussion during the Advisory Committee Meeting on November 9,
2011, and will be presented to City Council in the form of a
Resolution at the November 15, 2011 meeting.
Fandino reported that there were no significant power outages
during the last two weeks. on October 29, 2011, there was a
pilot wire alarm caused by a car hitting pole incident. Fandino
explained that a pilot wire is a twisted pair of wires used to
protect transmission lines during lighting storms, and can also
be used as a communication line. Pilot wires check whether the
relays are working correctly. Fandino reported that the wires
are only used on 66KV transmissions, which are critical circuits
in Vernon.
Mayor Pro-Tem Davis inquired whether the wire had been repaired
and whether the party responsible had been identified. Fandino
advised that the repair has been made and that was a hit-and-run
incident and that the driver and license plate are unknown.
Enomoto announced that that there were no additional items on
the agenda.
Mayor Pro-Tem Davis announced that Mayor Gonzales would not be
available for the meetings for personal reasons, and apologized
for not announcing it earlier.
Mayor Pro-Tem Davis asked Van de Kamp if the speakers were now
functioning correctly. In response to Van de Kamp, Fandino
advised that the speakers were on, but that the volume had been
turned up.
At 8:15 a.m., it was moved by McCormick and seconded by Maisano,
to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
ATTE
Wil and G. Yu hi
City Clerk
William J. Davis
Mayor Pro-Tem
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