CITY OF LYNN HAVEN
SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 3, 2007 - 3:00 P.M.
The City Commission held a special meeting on Friday, August 3, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room at City Hall.
Present:
Walter T. Kelley, Mayor
Antonius G. Barnes, Commissioner
Roger P. Schad, Commissioner
John B. Lynch, City Manager
Dennis Kiah, Assistant Police Chief
Mayor Kelley called the meeting to order and gave the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To excuse Commissioners Ashbrook & Wittkopf from the meeting.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 3-0
Item #3. Discussion and possible action regarding Bay County's proposed Exclusive Service Area:
City Manager Lynch stated that Bay County has proposed an ordinance that purports to create an exclusive service area in which the County will provide water, wastewater and reclaimed water services. The ordinance also prohibits other utilities from providing these services in what they call the County's exclusive service area. Further, the County is requiring all land owners within its exclusive service area apply to the County for services within an allocation period to be announced by publication after the effective date of the ordinance. In the proposed ordinance the County is recognizing the service territories that it granted to Panama City Beach and Gulf Coast Electric Co-op, which are franchise utilities of the County; it is excluding those areas from their exclusive area territory. It is also excluding the Public Service Commission regulated utility service territories, however, they are not recognizing the City's 180 District that was established in December 2003; Ordinance 756. Staff recommends approval to ask Ms. Suzanne Brownless, special counsel for utility matters, to challenge the County's proposed district at the County's upcoming meeting on August 7, 2007. The City should take whatever steps necessary to protect their interest.
Motion by Commissioner Schad: To accept the recommendation of staff to allow Ms. Brownless to proceed on behalf of the City to challenge Bay County.
Second to the motion: Commissioner Barnes.
City Manager Lynch stated that it appears the County is interested in purchasing Gulf Coast Electric Co-op and would provide water, wastewater and reclaimed water north from the Bailey Bridge to the Bay County line. The City does not want to appear to be adversarial with the County, however, they wish to remind the County that the City has a 180 District.
On Vote:
Schad: aye
Barnes: aye
Kelley: aye Motion passed: 3-0
There was no further business to discuss and the meeting was adjourned at 3:13 p.m.
APPROVED THIS 14th DAY OF AUGUST 2007.
Walter T. Kelley, Mayor
ATTEST:
John B. Lynch, City Manager
Prepared by Laurie Baker
