HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2019-07 joining the Houston Coalition of CitiesRESOLUTION NO. 2019- 07
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION TO THE FULL
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW IN PROCEEDINGS PERTAINING TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY
HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC STATEMENT OF INTENT AND APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO
CHANGE RATES PENDING AS PUC DOCKET NO. 49421 AND RELATED PROCEEDINGS.
WHEREAS, on April 5, 2019, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC. ("CenterPoint") filed a
Statement of Intent and Application for Authority to Change Rates ("Statement of Intent') within the City of
La Porte, Texas ("City"), requesting a rate increase, riders, and tariff changes (collectively "New Rates");
and
WHEREAS, CenterPoint has simultaneously requested the New Rates at the Public Utility
Commission of Texas ("PUC") for customers receiving service in unincorporated areas ("environs"); and
WHEREAS, the PUC hears appeals from the ordinances of local regulatory authorities to determine
just and reasonable rates; and
WHEREAS, the New Rates would affect rates, operations or services for CenterPoint retail customers
within the City; and
WHEREAS, City has exclusive original jurisdiction as a local regulatory authority over the rates,
operations and services of an electric utility for customers within the city pursuant to the Public Utility
Regulatory Act ("PURA"); and
WHEREAS, PURA requires a local regulatory authority to make a reasonable determination of rate
base, expenses, investment and rate of return and to retain the necessary personnel to determine
reasonable rates; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to exercise its original jurisdiction over the request for the Statement of
Intent to the fullest extent allowed by law; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to participate in all proceedings affecting the rates, operations and
services of CenterPoint for customers within the city, through the Coalition of Cities; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that City's participation in the Coalition of Cities will achieve
coordinated efforts among similarly situated affected municipalities in order to maximize the efficient use of
resources and expertise in reviewing analyzing, and investigating the CenterPoint rate filings; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds the Coalition of Cities will bring together CenterPoint service area
municipalities to coordinate the hiring and direction of counsel and consultants working on behalf of the
Coalition of Cities and the City; and
WHEREAS, the Coalition of Cities shall be led by the City of Houston, which shall direct the selection
of legal counsel and consultants on behalf of the Coalition of Cities.
WHEREAS, interested parties must seek party status to comply with the intervention deadline to be
set in the proceedings; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the participation of the City of La Porte in the Coalition of
Cities will achieve coordinated efforts among similarly situated affected municipalities in order to maximize
the efficient use of resources and expertise in reviewing, analyzing, and investigating CenterPoint's
Statement of Intent; and
WHEREAS, City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City that the City
participates with the Coalition of Cities in the proceedings; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS:
Section 1: That the statements and findings recited in the preamble to this Resolution are found to
be true and correct and are hereby adopted as part of this Resolution.
Section 2. That the City is hereby authorized to join with other municipalities as part of the
Coalition of Cities and to participate to the fullest extent permitted by law in proceedings affecting the
rates, operations and services of CenterPoint for customers within the City of La Porte, Texas and in
particular regarding the Statement of Intent.
Section 3. That the City is hereby authorized to intervene in the proceedings as a member of the
Coalition of Cities.
Section 4. The City authorizes the Coalition of Cities to represent the City in proceedings affecting
the rates, operations and services of CenterPoint for customers within the City of La Porte and in particular
regarding the Statement of Intent.
Section 5. That such outside counsel that the City of Houston may select, shall represent the City
in all of the proceedings and are hereby authorized to take all legal and other actions necessary to forward
the interests of the City in the proceedings and all matters related to such proceedings, including without
limitation any hearings, conferences, negotiations and related Proceedings.
Section 6. The City Council officially finds, determines, recites and declares that a sufficient written
notice of the date, hour, place and subject of this meeting of the City Council was posted at a place
convenient to the public at the City Hall of the City for the time required by law preceding this meeting, as
required by the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code; and that this meeting has
been open to the public as required by law at all times during which this resolution and the subject matter
thereof has been discussed, considered and formally acted upon. The City Council further ratifies, approves
and confirms such written notice and the contents and posting thereof.
Section 7. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage and approval in the
manner required by the City Charter and ordinances or resolutions.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of 2019
APPROVED this this ! 3` day ofv�2019