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Special Meeting Minutes - September 12, 2006 |
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CITY OF ROHNERT PARK SPECIAL MEETING/WORK SESSION MINUTES FOR:
Rohnert Park City Council
September 12, 2006
Tuesday
The City Council for the City of Rohnert Park met this date in a Special Meeting/Work Session to commence at 5:00 p.m. at the Rohnert Park City Hall, 6750 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park, with Mayor Smith presiding.
SPECIAL MEETING/ WORK SESSION:
Call to Order: Mayor Smith called the Special Meeting/Work Session to order at 5:03 p.m.
Roll Call: Breeze, Flores, Mackenzie, Vidak-Martinez, Smith
Staff present for all or part of the Special Session: City Manager Donley, Assistant City Manager Schwarz, Building Official Bruck, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Jenkins, and Videographer Beltz.
UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES:
No members of the public were interested in speaking.
COMMUNITY CHOICE POWER – The Solution to California’s Energy and Climate Crisis:
1. Reviews by the following representatives:
a. Ann Hancock, Climate Protection: Ms. Hancock briefly reviewed Community Choice Aggregation, and she commended the City of Rohnert Park for embracing such a new concept. She also noted that a Community Climate Action Plan meeting had taken place today.
b. Jerry Lahr, Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG): Mr. Lahr discussed ABAG’s natural gas aggregation program, and he elaborated on the aspect of opting out of such a program. He responded to Council questions and comments regarding the status of ABAG’s natural gas aggregation program, the terms of participation, the use of compressed natural gas vehicles, and the stability of gas prices.
c. David Rubin, Pacific Gas & Electric Company: Prior to Mr. Rubin’s presentation, PG&E’s Governmental Relations Representative for the North Bay and North Coast, Marie Gainer Murphy, shared opening comments about PG&E’s position on Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) and how PG&E is helping cities and counties make that decision. Mr. Rubin explained his background with CCA and he provided a detailed explanation of CCA as a viable option for cities and counties. He responded to Council questions and comments regarding PG&E’s assistance if a city chooses CCA, the opt-out phases, and use of PG&E’s transmission system if a city or county generates or procures power from other sources.
Rohnert Park City Council SPECIAL MEETING/ WORK SESSION Minutes (2) September 12, 2006
d. Paul Fenn, Non-profit consultant: Mr. Fenn clarified a clerical error in the agenda, noting that he owns a power facility and is a nonprofit consultant and a community advocate of CCA. He also noted his background with CCA law. Mr. Fenn responded to Council questions and comments regarding the effectiveness of regional Joint Powers Authorities (JPA), the use of hydro-electric turbines, the use of residential solar panels in San Francisco and the San Francisco model, and the controversy surrounding nuclear plants.
2. Public Comments: Mayor Smith called forward members of the public interested in commenting on this matter:
a. Dave Erickson, Climate Protection Campaign, was recognized and discussed how large-scale wind projects are better and less expensive than nuclear plants. He also noted that the real promise of CCA is that it allows cities or counties to act as bargaining units to negotiate with power generators for a competitive rate.
b. John Rosenblum, Climate Protection Campaign, Consultant, was recognized and discussed various ways to reduce cost by reducing the amount of water and energy used in a community.
3. Council discussion/direction/action: Councilmember Breeze commended the speakers for informative reports. She encouraged staff to pursue discussions with the County of Sonoma and/or other local cities regarding the CCA idea. Councilmember Flores called attention to the pressing climate and resource issues facing the world today, and he noted that CCA provides cities an alternative way of protecting the environment and providing energy. Councilmember Mackenzie noted the City’s efforts several years ago to work with a JPA. He suggested that staff be directed to start discussions on a County Administration level and with Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) regarding the idea of CCA, and that staff raise the CCA idea up at the upcoming Mayors’ & Councilmembers’ Association meeting. Vice Mayor Vidak-Martinez expressed a desire to hear staff’s input on what the City could do, in light of its current resources, that would have the biggest impact in terms of energy production and transmission. City Manager Donley shared comments about SCWA’s potential interest in CCA. Mayor Smith stated that energy alternatives and ideas like CCA need the support of the community, and he expressed a desire to learn more about public interest in CCA. He indicated that the City should consider working with the City of Cotati and Sonoma State University regarding Community Choice Power. Council CONCURRED (1) to direct staff to bring the CCA issue up at the Mayors’ & Councilmembers’ meeting and report on feedback; (2) to direct staff to report back on their input and comments regarding CCA; (3) to direct City Manager Donley to report on and get feedback from the upcoming City Managers’ meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Chairperson Smith ADJOURNED the Special Meeting/Work Session of the City Council at 6:20 p.m.
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Katy Leonard Tim Smith
Certified Shorthand Reporter Mayor
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