MINUTES

 

JOINT COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT OF BEXAR METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT

Monday, September 27, 2010

9:00 a.m.

San Antonio Main Library Auditorium

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18 and House Concurrent Resolution 57, a public hearing of the Joint Committee on Oversight of Bexar Metropolitan Water District was held on Monday, September 27, 2010, in the San Antonio Main Library Auditorium.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Carlos Uresti Don Durden Rhonda Harris Kevin Wolff		Representative Frank Corte, Jr.

 

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Senator Carlos Uresti, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

Senator Uresti made brief opening comments.

 

The following member arrived after the roll was called:  Commissioner Kevin Wolff at 9:20 a.m.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the BexarMet water district are shown on the attached witness list.

 

Also attending and making comments during the meeting were Representative Jose Menendez and Senator Leticia Van de Putte.

 

The chair moved that public testimony be closed at 12:30 p.m., and without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The committee, on motion of Sen. Uresti, unanimously consented to recess for lunch at 12:35 p.m.  The hearing resumed at 1:18 p.m.

 

Following comments and discussion, Commissioner Wolff made a motion that the committee recommend to the 82nd Legislature that it adopt a bill to allow BexarMet ratepayers who are registered voters to engage in a vote to authorize dissolution of the BexarMet board and to provide a mechanism to place the utility under conservatorship. The legislation should further include protection mechanisms to ensure that any actions the conservator were to take would not leave any constituents without proper current or future elected representation at the utility and provide a transition plan to ensure continued service for all customers. The legislation could also direct the conservator to engage independent, third-party management of the utility, according to the motion.

 

Sen. Uresti amended the motion to add the recommendation that the 82nd Legislature adopt a second bill related to BexarMet that would address board governance issues.

 

The motion was approved unanimously (4 ayes, 0 nays).

 

There being no further business, at 1:45 p.m. Sen. Uresti moved that the committee adjourn. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

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Senator Carlos Uresti, Co-Chair

 

 

 

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Jerry Needham, Clerk