MINUTES
Special Meeting
Friday, March 14, 2003, 2:00 p.m.
City Hall, Room 263
Chairperson: Commissioner Gonzalez; Vice Chairperson: Commissioner McGoldrick
Members: Commissioners Ammiano, Hall and Schmeltzer
Alternate: Commissioners Peskin and Fellman
Clerk: Monica Fish
SPECIAL AGENDA
(There will be public comment on each item)
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Commissioner Gonzalez at 2:07 p.m.
Members Present: Chairperson Commissioner Gonzalez, Vice-Chairperson Commissioner McGoldrick; Commissioners Ammiano and Fellman.
Members Absent: Commissioners Hall and Schmeltzer.
Gloria L. Young, Executive Officer was noted as present.
2. Approval of Minutes for the Commission Meeting of February 14, 2003 (Discussion and Action Item).
No public comment.
The meeting minutes were unanimously approved with no objection.
3. Discussion on Information regarding Long Island Power Authority's Acquisition of the Long Island Light Company and Transition to Public Power.
Chairperson Commissioner Gonzalez stated that legal counsel, Nancy Miller gathered additional information on this item because of a request from Commissioner Schmeltzer. Since Commissioner Schmeltzer and Ms. Miller were not present, Chairperson Commissioner Gonzalez suggested rescheduling the item.
Gloria L. Young, Executive Officer stated this issue was first brought to the LAFCo by Chairperson Gonzalez to gather information on the performance of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and whether there were opportunities of transfer of funds to the General Fund. New York state customers benefited from the LIPA acquisition and distribution of electricity because it resulted in lower rates. Commissioner Schmeltzer asked that additional information be provided on the actual process involved in the acquisition and distribution, which is before the Commission for discussion today.
No Public Comment
This item was Continued to the Call of the Chair.
4. Public hearing to discuss the proposed SF LAFCo 2003-2004 Fiscal Year Budget pursuant to Government Code Section 56381 (Discussion and Action Item).
Ms. Young discussed the proposed 2003-2004 Fiscal year budget that is scheduled today and for subsequent adoption at a future meeting. Government Code Section 56381 requires that the LAFCo have two hearings with at least a twenty-one day notice to adopt the final budget. The budget reflects what the Commission approved in concept at the February 14, 2003 meeting, which included the first ten-percent reduction required by the Mayor's budget submittal. An additional ten percent contingency reduction was also identified. The budget before the Commission for adoption proposed reducing the original budget by $44,897 for a budget total of $404,070. The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg bill states that the LAFCO has the ability to keep the budget at the same amount, but because of the budget crisis SFLAFCo was willing to take the first ten-percent cut and accept a ten-percent contingency cut. The majority of the cuts have been in professional services such as legal counsel and energy consultant reduction in rates. Our expectation is to not have legal counsel attend Commission meetings if it is not required.
No public comment.
The proposed budget was approved with no objection.
5. Future Agenda Items.
Ms. Young discussed SFLAFCo's next public hearing of Friday, March 28, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. on desalinization. Currently four speakers have committed to speak: Poseidon Resources that is involved in a desalinization project in Huntington Beach; Jared Huffman, a Marin Municipal Water District member; the past City manager for Santa Barbara whose City did a project in 1992 that was completed but not activated; Ionics, the firm who supported Santa Barbara in that effort. Ms. Young has been working with Commissioner Fellman on questions to pose to the speakers in advance of the meeting and requested that Commissioners forward questions to her by Monday, March 17th. Speaker biographical information and presentations are being secured.
No public comment.
6. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda.
Mr. Da Costa stated that he appreciated the SFLAFCo's last meeting on tidal energy, and that this body is doing everything in its power to address the energy issue because it really affects the southeast sector of the City. The sooner cleaner energy is brought into the grid, the sooner we can rid the City of the old aging and polluting plants in the southeast sector. This Commission has a sensitive responsibility to our children who are suffering from respiratory diseases and infants who are dying. The sooner we move forward the better it will be for the City and County of San Francisco.
7. Adjournment.
The meeting of the San Francisco Local Agency Formation Commission adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
Meeting materials are available for inspection at the Clerk of the Board's Office, Room 244, City Hall.