OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bullhead City Franchise License Commission Regular Meeting - October 22, 2024

Boards & Commissions — Tuesday, October 22, 2024
BodyBullhead City, Arizona
SessionBoards & Commissions
DateTuesday, October 22, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 31:56

Transcript — Verbatim
1:10

Good evening, everybody.

1:12

Is the franchise licensing commission again tonight?

1:16

Today is July the twenty-third.

1:18

No, no, it's not.

1:20

I always do that, don't I?

1:22

It's the other one.

1:23

Okay.

1:25

Um, okay, here we go.

1:27

October 22nd, 2024.

1:30

And it is 5 30, so it's time to join the fund.

1:34

Uh we are here in accordance to the municipal code.

1:41

2.04.

1:42

Better put my glasses on.

1:45

I look better with glasses anyway.

1:48

Okay, call to order.

1:51

Okay, roll call, please.

1:52

All commission members are present.

1:55

Wow.

1:56

Okay.

1:57

I'd like for Linda to lead us.

1:58

Oh, I tell you what, let's have Jason do it.

2:00

Lead us in the pledge to the flag.

2:02

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:13

United States of America.

2:15

And to the Republic.

2:16

For which you stand.

2:18

One nation.

2:19

Under God.

2:20

Indivisible.

2:21

Liberty.

2:22

Justice Cross.

2:33

Okay.

2:35

Now we have call to the public.

2:38

And I saw Scotty back there.

2:41

Open call to the public.

2:43

Motion of this meeting is for citizens wishing to address the commission on issues within the jurisdiction of the city.

2:52

If you wish to address an item already on tonight's agenda, you should wait until that item is announced for a public hearing.

3:03

At the conclusion of open call to the public, individual members of the commission may respond to criticism made by those who have addressed the commission.

5:02

A few months ago I grabbed to the city council, and that was like talking to a brick wall, and two of the city council people live up there, and they go, huh?

5:12

So I'll be back for number three.

5:14

Thank you, Scotty.

5:15

I'm glad you're here tonight.

5:19

Agenda modifications.

5:20

Are there any items to be withdrawn from our remove or move to an appropriate place on the agenda?

5:33

Seeing none, we'll go forward.

5:35

Chairman's comments.

5:37

Is that me?

5:38

Yeah, it's me.

5:41

Well, you know, this is our last meeting of the year, thank God.

5:45

And we'll be back, but we'll be back in January.

5:48

So look for us then.

5:50

Anyway, we do want people to participate uh from the from the uh citizens because it's so important that you are made aware of what's going on in the city.

6:03

And uh okay, you have any commissioners' comments regarding current events?

6:09

Linda does, okay.

6:10

I have current events because since you guys won't see us until January.

6:15

Um November 18th at 5 o'clock at Don Sullivan Park over there by Rotary Park.

6:23

Um they are going to have it's called Fireside Rhythm and Drum Circle.

6:28

Um, it's a drum circle that Nicole Tracy and everybody knows who Nicole is.

6:33

Um she will be leading it with her with her partner um Ed Gallantine.

6:39

Um, and it's going to be a fundraiser to raise money for um the meals on wheels.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
Public Engagement████████████████████20%
Community Events████████████12%
Infrastructure Investment████████████12%
Energy Efficiency██████████10%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████10%
Public Safety███████7%
Summary of Proceedings

Bullhead City Franchise License Commission Regular Meeting - October 22, 2024

The Bullhead City Franchise License Commission held its regular meeting on October 22, 2024 at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. Chair Eva Corbett presided. All five commissioners were present: Barbara Brandt, Eva Corbett, Jason Newlin, and Linda Saldana. (Commissioner Kevin Hippensteel was absent from the prior meeting but all members were present for this meeting.) The meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (July 23, 2024): A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously with all present in favor.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Scotty (resident): Expressed strong dissatisfaction with Southwest Gas Corporation's work at Marina and Rio Grande. He complained about dirt and debris left after digging, water drainage issues that could cause flooding, lack of notification before work began (a crew dug near his property without prior notice), and difficulty obtaining contact information from the 811 utility location service. He also mentioned a court date for weed-related code enforcement and asked for the hole on his property to be restored. Southwest Gas representative Charles Cook indicated he would speak with Scotty after the meeting.

Discussion Items

  • Quarterly Report – UniSource Energy (Penny Lyons): Ms. Lyons reported no rate changes in the near future. As of September 2024, there were 1,191 residential and 55 commercial customers. No power outages occurred in the quarter. She provided holiday electrical safety tips and reminded residents to call 811 before digging and stay away from downed power lines.
  • Quarterly Report – Southwest Gas (Charles Cook): Mr. Cook reported 66 new customers added in Q3 2024, bringing the total to 23,118 active customers. He confirmed a recent rate increase but did not have the specific amount; customers can visit southwestgas.com or call 1-877-860-6020 for details. Ongoing pipeline replacement projects are near Marina and Rio Grande. A map of eight planned 2025 projects will be provided to the Commission. In response to a commissioner's question, he noted that gas bills can be paid online, at remote kiosks, at Smith's grocery, or at City Hall.
  • Quarterly Report – Bermuda Water Co. (Steven Taylor): Mr. Taylor reported 10,177 total customers system-wide, with 1,979 within Bullhead City limits. In Q3 2024, the system experienced 36 service line leaks and 11 main line leaks (7 main line and 4 service line leaks within the city). All leaks were repaired with new pipe. No road closures occurred and no rate increases are planned for the year.
  • Quarterly Report – Republic Services (No Representative Present): No representative attended, and no written report was submitted. Chair Corbett noted that a rate increase may have occurred, but no information was available.
  • Republic Services Franchise License Agreement Update: No update was provided. The item was placed on the agenda for review; the agreement is undergoing legal review and will be brought back to the Commission.
  • Franchise License Commission Bylaws (Revision Approval): Commissioner Newlin raised a question about the membership requirement that "the Commission should include at least one member each representing senior and disabled citizens." He noted that he holds a handicap placard and volunteers at the senior center, and Chair Corbett commented that the commission's senior and disabled representation is covered. No other concerns were raised. A motion to approve the revised bylaws passed unanimously (4-0). The bylaws take effect immediately upon approval.
  • Future Agenda Topics: Chair Corbett asked for suggestions. Commissioner Cook recommended that utility representatives be prepared with customer counts, emergency contact numbers, upcoming rate increases, and details of work in the area. No other topics were proposed.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: Minutes of July 23, 2024 (unanimous).
  • Approved: Revised Franchise License Commission Bylaws (unanimous, effective immediately).
  • Next Meeting: Scheduled for January 28, 2025. Chair Corbett noted that she will be using her married name (Genovese) going forward.
  • No action taken on quarterly reports or the Republic Services franchise agreement update.
  • Public comment noted: Scotty's concerns about Southwest Gas work practices will be followed up by Charles Cook.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody. Is the franchise licensing commission again tonight? Today is July the twenty-third. No, no, it's not. I always do that, don't I? It's the other one. Okay. Um, okay, here we go. October 22nd, 2024. And it is 5 30, so it's time to join the fund. Uh we are here in accordance to the municipal code. 2.04. Better put my glasses on. I look better with glasses anyway. Okay, call to order. Okay, roll call, please. All commission members are present. Wow. Okay. I'd like for Linda to lead us. Oh, I tell you what, let's have Jason do it. Lead us in the pledge to the flag. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. United States of America. And to the Republic. For which you stand. One nation. Under God. Indivisible. Liberty. Justice Cross. Okay. Now we have call to the public. And I saw Scotty back there. Open call to the public. Motion of this meeting is for citizens wishing to address the commission on issues within the jurisdiction of the city. If you wish to address an item already on tonight's agenda, you should wait until that item is announced for a public hearing. At the conclusion of open call to the public, individual members of the commission may respond to criticism made by those who have addressed the commission. A few months ago I grabbed to the city council, and that was like talking to a brick wall, and two of the city council people live up there, and they go, huh? So I'll be back for number three. Thank you, Scotty. I'm glad you're here tonight. Agenda modifications. Are there any items to be withdrawn from our remove or move to an appropriate place on the agenda? Seeing none, we'll go forward. Chairman's comments. Is that me? Yeah, it's me. Well, you know, this is our last meeting of the year, thank God. And we'll be back, but we'll be back in January.

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