06162009 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Projects must be shovel-ready by March 2010. If other projects fall off, we may get our project back on. CAPCOG has a Law Enforcement Committee that we have representation on. They have a "Use of Force" simulator available for county-wide mobile training. CAPCOG is looking for a host community, and the on-going cost would be at CAPCOG's expense. CAPCOG has also been selected to do a green energy study in relation to economic development. Mayor Narvaiz reported that she has been asked to sit on the Governance Task Force for NLC. They participated in a strategic planning session to determine how NLC should move forward. They are looking at video conferences because of travel costs. She also reported that the FAIR Committee met and received new information on open meetings and a Texas case that has been taken to court. She wants to have a Lunch and Learn with the City Attorney to help us stay abreast of open meetings changes. NLC is looking at becoming a bonding agency for cities. She has been asked to sit on a committee to further define NLC's position on universal healthcare. It was agreed that it should not be a free system for anyone. They are looking for a basic level of health care that would be affordable for everyone, but allow individuals to pay extra for more care. 30. Update on the International Conference of Shopping Centers by Mayor Susan Narvaiz and City Manager Rick Menchaca. • Mayor Narvaiz distributed copies of what they received when they met with Prime. She reported that attendance at the conference was down. She reported on a global retail runway session and how the current economic state was affecting them. The discount market is expanding, and all the attention is in California. 31. Discussion on the LCRA Wholesale Power Agreement renewal. (This item was moved up to 6:00 P.m.) Tom Taggart, Director of Public Services, updated the Council on the LCRA contract renewal. He provided a brief history of service by LCRA established in 1934 by the State. LCRA owned the San Marcos Electric Utility from 1939 until the City purchased the distribution system in 1986. The City has operated and maintained the system since 1991. LCRA has provided wholesale power to the City under a 25-year contract that expires in 2016. He briefly discussed the Wholesale Power Agreement and the Retail Utility Renewal Status. 31 existing wholesale customers, constituting approximately 61% of LCRA's base load, have already executed the agreement extension for an additional 25 years, ending in 2041. 27 of these 31 have executed a "rolled up" contract version incorporating clauses and provisions negotiated by later versions, but included due to Most Favored Nations clause. Significant amendments to the agreement that have been negotiated to date include: 1) establishment of a Rates and Resources Council; 2) up to 30% market pricing option to allow retail utilities, such as the City of San Marcos, to purchase electricity from non-LCRA sources; 3) limits on retail participation in non-wholesale power related expenditures; and 4) broader dispute resolution language. Discussion areas identified for • negotiations with LCRA include: 1) assurance of continued focus on green energy resources and environmental stewardship; 2) participation and support of smart grid technology RM061609 Minutes Page 7