By Larry Sacks 

 

All Council Members were present.

 

·         John Roukema, the Director of the Electric Utility, made a presentation about the 2008 American Public Power Association Energy Innovator Award given to Santa Clara Silicon Valley Power.  According to the staff report, “Silicon Valley Power…was one of three utilities selected by the American Public Power Association to receive the 2008 Energy Innovator Award at their annual conference held June 21-25, 2008.  The Energy Innovator Award is presented by the APPA’s Demonstration of Energy-Efficient Developments program to recognize innovative programs that provide better service to electric customers and/or increase the efficiency of utility operations.  The award…is in recognition of Silicon Valley Power’s Outreach to Underserved Customers, a combination of programs designed to assist customers on its Financial Rate Assistance Program and seniors by increasing their energy conservation and lowering their electric bills.”

·         Michael Morris, President and Founder of the Orchard Valley Fine Arts Foundation, gave a presentation on Arts Walk Santa Clara to thank the City for its assistance with the inaugural event.  Held at Central Park on April 14, 2007, this year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, October 11 at the same location.  The event is a five-kilometer walk to raise money for non-profit art groups. 

·         Dwight Collins was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Senior Advisory Commission for the term ending June 30, 2012.

·         Janean Snyder was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Cultural Advisory Commission for a full term ending June 30, 2012 and Fatima Fagundes was appointed to fill a vacancy for a partial term ending June 30, 2011.  There are still two (2) more openings on this commission.

·         Rob Mayer was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission for the term ending June 30, 2012.  This was continued from the July 8 meeting as no one candidate was able to win a majority of the votes due to Council Member Kolstad’s absence at the beginning of the meeting.

Items listed on the CONSENT CALENDAR are considered routine and will be adopted by one motion. 

·         Council Member Kornder recused himself from voting on Agenda Item 7.A.4 – the adoption of a resolution establishing a disabled parking zone in front of 1332 White Drive.

·         Council Member McLeod recused herself from voting on Agenda Item 7.A.11 – An approval to execute a Loan Agreement and related documents for financing the Belovida Senior Apartment Project (1828-1878 Main Street). 

 

Consent Calendar Item 7.B.6 was pulled at the request of the City Manager.  This concerned the Adoption of a Resolution approving the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement with the City of Redding and the Modesto Irrigation District forming the M-S-R (Modesto, Santa Clara, Redding) Energy Authority.  Also approved was the issuance by the Authority of Gas Revenue Bonds not to exceed $1.8 Billion.  The City Manager would be authorized to appoint the Director of Electric Utility as Santa Clara's representative to the M-S-R Energy Authority Commission and the City's representative on the M-S-R Public Power Agency Commission (Alternate Commissioner – Council Member Pat Kolstad) and approving the form and execution of the Long-term Gas Supply Agreement with the Authority and certain Santa Clara-related portions of an Official Statement and authorizing related actions and matters. 

 

This would be a “gas prepay” program.  According to the staff report, “Santa Clara’s share of the M-S-R Energy Authority prepayment transaction would not exceed $850 million and annual savings are estimated to be in the range of $2.3 million (approximately 1% of the Electric Department revenue initially) to $3.9 million (approximately 1.7% beginning in 2013).  Actual savings will depend on market conditions at the time the transaction is executed.”

 

The proposal was passed unanimously and Mayor Patricia Mahan commented, “It’s amazing how you can issue 1.8 billion dollars in bonds and nobody has a word to say.”

 

·         Larry Monette, President of the Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) of California, Mission City Chapter No. 061, requested an increase in the health insurance reimbursement of the "2001 Retiree Plan" retirees up to the level of a current employee/retiree.  The staff recommended the Council to note and file the petition.  The Council voted to approve the improved benefit for the 2001 Retiree Health Care Program retirees to the level of the benefit of the 2003 Retiree Health Care Program, at a total additional cost of $1.6 million (above the current program) over 30 years, establishing the financing over a 30-year period and to include a cut-out for 65 and over low-income retirees from the 2001 program, effective July 1.  This passed with Council Member Kolstad recusing himself from voting and Council Member Kennedy voting against it.