HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-01-20 - Special City CouncilSPECIAL SESSION - TUESDAY
JANUARY 20, 1976 - 3 :00 P.M.
CHAMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL, CITY OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS
The City Council of the City of Stephenville, Texas, met in Special Session,
Tuesday, January 20, 1976, at 3 :00 p.m., with Mayor Donald R. Jones present
and oresiding. Councilmen Jim Chambers, Cal McGee, Charles Riggins, Larry
Hammett.and Neal Guthrie were present. Councilmen W. M. Irwin, Raymond
Anderson and Jesse Sexton were absent. City Administrator Marshall Shelton,
City Attorney Joseph Chandler, Chief of Police Mike Watkins and City Secretary
Joyce Pemberton were present.
Others attending the meeting were Homer Hunter, J. W. Beck, Jim Hinds and a
number of interested citizens.
Said Special Session was scheduPd in order to discuss the Lone Star Gas Company
rate increase which was approve the Council December 2nd, 1976.
Mayor Jones started the discussion by asking Mr. J. W. Beck, local manager, to
come before the Council to discuss and answer some of the questions from the
Council concerning the high gas bills customers have been receiving this month.
After some discussion, Mr. Jim Hinds, a Fort .Worth representative of Lone Star
Gas Company, came before the Council, along with Mr. Beck, and they discussed
with the Council, in part, the figures the company uses in establishing their
rates.
The discussed that the rate increase ordinance was passed on December 2, 19759
to be effective 30 days from passage,.but the gas company started immediately
with the new rate and the increase appeared on bills received after January 1, 1976.
The discussion also concerned that some of the consumers have been charged for
43 days service, which would set the billing back in November, prior to the
date the ordinance was passed.
Mr. Homer Hunter also advised the Council that he would meet with Lone Star
officials today and try to get a definite opinion as to when the rate increase
actually was suppose to go into effect.
Mr. Hunter also advised the Council that,should they decide to rescind the ord-
inance, the Railroad Commission had already given approval for the increase and
it would probably be a matter of time only until they gave their approval again.
Councilman Jim Chambers made the motion to have the gas company break down the
various rates and pass -on charges and itemize it on the statement for each con-
sumer. Councilman Riggins made the second. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Beck advised Councilman McGee that arrangements could be made for those con-
sumers on fixed incomes that will find it hard to pay the high bills, if they
will come in and talk to him.
Mr. Hinds and Mr. Beck were questioned concerning the firm, its operations and
their financial standing.
After a very lengthy discussion, Mayor Jones asked Mr. Hinds and Mr. Beck to
check on the Lo -Vaca surcharge that was passed on, if there was any way to work
out an average bill per month on a 12 month period, submit various rate schedules
and a variety of multiple step charges.
No action was taken.
Councilman Chambers made the motion that the meeting adjourn. Councilman Riggins
made the second. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 5 :45 P.M.
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