HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 05-160 RESOLUTION NO. 05-160
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT,TEXAS,AUTHORIZING THE
REVIEW INTO THE REASONABLENESS AND PRUDENCE OF THE
PROPOSED RATES OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY'S BEAUMONT/EAST
TEXAS DIVISION ("CENTERPOINT GAS"); SUSPENDING THE
EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THE PROPOSED RATES OF CENTERPOINT
GAS NINETY (90) DAYS; AUTHORIZING THE PARTICIPATION IN A
COALITION OF CITIES KNOWN AS ALLIANCE OF CENTERPOINT
MUNICIPALITIES (ACM) IN ORDER TO HIRE ATTORNEYS AND
EXPERTS WITH OTHER CITIES SERVED BY CENTERPOINT GAS;
AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN OTHER PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO
CENTERPOINT'S RATE REQUEST; REQUIRING REIMBURSEMENT OF
MUNICIPAL RATE CASE EXPENSES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
SEND A COPY OF THE RESOLUTION TO CENTERPOINT; FINDING
THATTHE MEETING COMPLIES WITH THE OPEN MEETINGSACT;AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS RESOLUTION.
WHEREAS, on or about June 30, 2005, CenterPoint Gas filed a Statement of
Intent with the City Clerk in order to change rates and increase revenues; and,
WHEREAS, according to CenterPoint Gas the new rates would go into effect on
August 4, 2005; and,
WHEREA S, in order t o prope rl y review th e requested rates it will be necessary
for the City of Beaumont to suspend the proposed effective date for ninety (90) days;
and,
WHEREAS, in order to properly review the proposed rates efficiently and
thoughtfully it is helpful to join with other East Texas and Southeast Texas cities to form
a coalition of cities to evaluate and make recommendations with regard to or related to
the Statement of Intent; and,
WHEREAS, the coalition of cities shall operate through a Steering Committee
composed of members appointed by the City Councils of the participating cities; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 103.022 of the Texas Utilities Code reasonable
municipal expenses associated with rate case proceedings are reimbursable by the gas
utility;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
Section 1.
THAT the statements set out in the preamble to this resolution are adopted herein as if fully
set forth herein.
Section 2.
THAT the proposed effective date by CenterPoint Gas is suspended for an additional
ninety (90) days after the date the schedule would otherwise be effective.
Section 3.
THAT the City of Beaumont(hereinafter"City") is authorized to coordinate with other cities
in a coalition of cities known as Alliance of CenterPoint Municipalities (ACM) and
authorizes the Steering Committee to hire and direct legal counsel and consultants, to
negotiate with CenterPoint Gas, to make recommendations concerning the requested
change in rates, and to direct any administrative efforts or litigation associated with or
related to CenterPoint Gas' Statement of Intent.
Section 4.
THAT the City employs Jim Boyle and Dan Lawton to represent the City with regard to the
Statements of Intent filed at the City and at the Railroad Commission of Texas and to
employ such rate experts as are necessary as recommended by the steering committee
for the Alliance of CenterPoint Municipalities.
Section 5.
THAT the City is authorized to intervene or participate in any proceeding related to the
Statement of Intent filed by CenterPoint Gas on June 30, 2005.
Section 6.
THAT the City, in coordination with the Steering Committee cities, shall review the invoices
of its consultants for reasonableness before submitting such invoices for reimbursement
pursuant to Section 103.022 of the Gas Utility Regulatory Act.
Section 7.
THAT CenterPoint Gas shall promptly reimburse the City's rate case expenses.
Section 8.
THAT upon adoption the City Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this resolution to:
Mr. Charles Harder, Executive Director of Rates, CenterPoint Energy Entex, P.O. Box
2628, Houston, Texas 77252-2628.
Section 9.
THAT the meeting at which this resolution was approved was in all things conducted in
strict compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Texas Government
Code.
r ,
Section 10.
THAT this resolution shall be effective immediately upon passage.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the 19th day of July,
2005.
- Mayor Guy N. Goodson -
ATTEST:
City Clerk .....