03/19/2018-CC-Minutes-RegularCITY OF SANGER, TEXAS
MINUTES: REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
March 19, 2018, 7:00 P. M.
502 Elm Street, Sanger, Texas
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Thomas Muir, Councilman Bill Boutwell, Councilman Lee
Allison, Councilman David Clark, Councilman Allen Chick
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilman Gary Bilyeu
The Mayor and four (4) Council Members were present constituting a quorum.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Alina Ciocan, Acting City Manager, Cheryl Price, City Secretary
1. Call Meeting to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance.
The Regular City Council Meeting was called to order by Mayor Muir on Monday, March 19,
2018 at 7:04 P.M. The Invocation was given by Mayor Muir. The Pledge of Allegiance was led
by Councilman Clark.
2. Citizens Input: (Citizens are allowed 3 minutes to speak. The City Council is unable to
respond or to discuss any issues brought up during this section).
There were no citizens who wished to speak.
3. CONSENT AGENDA:
a) Approval of Minutes:
1. City Council Regular Meeting, February 20, 2018.
b) Disbursements
A motion was made by Councilman Boutwell, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Clark. Motion carried unanimously (4-0 vote,
Councilman Bilyeu absent).
4. Consider Any Items Removed from Consent Agenda.
None.
REGULAR AGENDA
5. Consider, Discuss and Possibly Act on Resolution No. 03-01-18 - Approving of a Change
in Atmos Energy Corporation, Mid-Tex Division’s (“Atmos”) Rates And Consenting to a
Reduction in Atmos Pipeline Texas (“APT”) Rates as a Result of the Reduction in the
Federal Income Tax Rate From 35% to 21%.
Acting City Manager Alina Ciocan summarized. On January 1st ,2018, the new tax laws went
into effect and Atmos Tax Rates went from 35 percent to 21 percent which resulted in a gain
for Atmos of about $29 million dollars. Atmos is seeking to pass it on to the consumer. There
are two components; one is Atmos Pipeline and the Cities do not have authority over the rates
for Atmos Pipeline, they are set by the Railroad Commission. The City of Sanger is a regulatory
authority under the Gas Utility Regulatory Act (GURA) and GURA has exclusive original
jurisdiction over Atomos Energy Corporation – Mid-Tex Division. Also, the City of Sanger has
participated as a part of a coalition of cities known as the Atmos Texas Municipalities (ATM)
and was a part of a docket change and a rate change back in 2017, so we do have to give our
consent. The second portion deals with Atmos Mid-Tex in which the cities do have authority
over the rates. What is being proposed is a change in the base rate decreasing the rates across
the board from residential to industrial of about 6 percent. She referenced exhibits in the packets
showing both current and proposed rates. She noted that both the Resolution and the packet
information was prepared by legal counsel for the coalition of cities, and they have been
involved in the process, reviewed the rates and recommend approval. There was brief
discussion.
A motion was made by Councilman Boutwell to approve Resolution No. 03-01-18 - approving
of a change in Atmos Energy Corporation, Mid-Tex Division’s (“Atmos”) Rates and consenting
to a reduction in Atmos Pipeline Texas (“APT”) Rates as a result of the reduction in the Federal
Income Tax Rate From 35% to 21%, as proposed. The motion was seconded by Councilman
Allison. Motion carried unanimously (4-0 vote, Councilman Bilyeu absent).
6. INFORMATION ITEMS:
a) All American Dogs Report
There was discussion regarding the All American Dogs Report and it was noted that the
Council would like to see a more detailed report, similar to what we used to receive (including
the surrendered animals) showing all of the months in the fiscal year from October 2017- to
October 2018 with year to date totals. It was suggested and agreed to have All Ame rican
Dogs in to visit with the Council and provide an update.
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b) Atmos Energy Rider GCR – Rate Filing under Docket No. 10170
No discussion.
7. ADJOURN.
There being no further business, Mayor Muir adjourned the meeting at 7:20 P.M.