Bullhead City Franchise Licensing Commission Meeting - July 25, 2023
Bullhead City Franchise Licensing Commission Meeting - July 25, 2023
The Franchise Licensing Commission of Bullhead City, Arizona, met on July 25, 2023, at 1:45 PM local time. The meeting included quarterly reports from Southwest Gas, Bermuda Water, Optimum (Altice USA), Republic Services (absent), and Unisource Energy (via Zoom). Commissioners approved the previous meeting’s minutes and discussed upcoming franchise renewals. No public comments were made.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the April 25, 2023, meeting. Motion carried by voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during the call to the public or on any agenda item.
Discussion Items
- Agenda Modification: Penny Lyons requested to present last via Zoom due to travel; the commission agreed.
- Southwest Gas Quarterly Report: A representative reported 23,001 customers in Bullhead City, with 87 new meter sets in the quarter (204 year-to-date). Emergency response: 214 priority calls, average response time 26.8 minutes (goal under 30 minutes). Projects included completing Holiday Highlands, road repairs on Barons Gate, and new work in Mountainside and Fox Creek. New business: 98 lots in Ironwood at North Fork. The commission praised the company’s community efforts, including employee-funded Meals on Wheels donations and a blood drive (10 donors, 16 units). A commissioner inquired about the pending rate case; the representative provided a website for updates. It was noted that natural gas services face national opposition, and the commission expressed strong support for Southwest Gas.
- Bermuda Water Quarterly Report: Stephen Taylor reported 1,987 customers (increase of 13 from Q1), with nine service line leaks and three main leaks repaired. The Arizona Corporation Commission approved a 17.8% rate increase (down from the requested 28%), effective September 1, 2023. For an average 5/8-inch meter customer, this results in a $4.64 monthly increase. The commission discussed the base rate increase; details are available on the ACC website.
- Optimum (Altice USA) Update: No report was provided. The chairwoman stated she emailed Jim Campbell on April 27 and July 10, and called on July 20 without a response. She submitted her emails for the record. City staff clarified that Optimum’s franchise license is one of two renewals coming up in 2024.
- Republic Services: No representative was present, and no report was submitted. The commission noted that Republic gave a presentation at a city council meeting and praised their past service.
- Unisource Energy (UES) Report (via Zoom): Penny Lyons presented via a shared screen due to audio difficulties. Residential customers: 1,201–1,287; commercial: 47–52. No outages since an unspecified date. Provided safety reminders about power lines and noted the pending rate proposal. Bills can be paid at Walmart or CVS. Commissioners were unable to hear most of the presentation.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approved: April 25, 2023, minutes approved unanimously.
- Franchise Renewals: City staff confirmed that Optimum and Republic Services (Allied Waste) franchise agreements expire in 2024. The commission agreed to hold a workshop to discuss contract amendments and input before sending to the city council for approval. Neither requires a public vote.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:15 PM (estimated) with a motion and second.
Meeting Transcript
Meeting for the franchise licensing commission of Bohead City. Call to order. All commission members are present. Excellent. Roll call. All commission members are present. I did that, didn't I? Okay. All right, let's do the pledge, and I'd like Glenda to lead us. Please stand. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America. One nation under God. Alrighty. Call to the public. Is there anyone out there that wishes to speak to the commissioners about anything that is not on our agenda? Okay. If you wish to address an item on the agenda, you should wait until the agenda item is brought up to the public. At the conclusion of the opening call to the public, individual members of the community may respond to criticisms made by those who have addressed the commission. May ask staff to review a matter. Am I okay? Okay. Or may ask that a matter be put on future agenda. However, members of the commission cannot discuss or take legal action on matters not already on the agenda. Agenda agenda modifications. I think we do have one. Right? Do we have any agenda modifications? Yes, madam, we do. Uh Penny Lyons asked if she could go last to present last. She'll be calling in via Zoom. She has traveling today. Oh, we love her. She's really nice. Okay. All right. Um okay. Uh chairman's comments. Hmm. Don't have any comments. We want this to get over real quick. Uh commissioners' comments regard current events. Anybody want to report on a current current event? Oh, I it's political. Is that okay if I announce the political thing? No. No, it's John. Okay. Never mind. Thank you. Is it okay if I announce something that's veterancy night is doing?
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