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Councilmember Bruce Harrell
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2010
Council to Build New City Light Review Panel
Group will help guide strategic planning, financial policies and rate reviews
SEATTLE – Today Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell announced the City
Council is seeking candidates for membership on the new City Light Review Panel
which replaces the City Light Advisory Committee. That group terminated on January
31, 2010.
The Council intends to re-define the governance of City Light with the new Review
Panel. Previously, the Council engaged two separate committees that worked on City
Light issues. The City Light Advisory Committee previously had five members who
worked on a wide array of issues with general oversight. The City Light Rate Advisory
Committee had nine members who specifically worked on rate issues. The new
Review Panel examines the functions of the former groups and establishes nine
members from a cross-section of citizens from business leaders to people on the
neighborhood level. Its purpose will be scoped and focused, charged with reviewing
and assessing City Light’s strategic plan; assisting in community outreach to discuss
the strategic plan; independently assessing the adequacy of City Light’s financial
policies and reviewing changes to City Light’s rates.
“The people and businesses demand a utility that represents their interests; cost
efficient, reliable power that is environmentally sustainable. To be competitive, the
utility must rely on the hard work and ingenuity of its employees, coupled with the
needs and demands of its customers. This panel puts that infrastructure in place,” said
Councilmember Harrell.
Legislation mandating the committee will be discussed in February with likely passage
by the Full Council in the early part of March. It is predetermined that the group will
City of Seattle
Seattle City Council
News Release
Contact:
Michael Jerrett, Councilmember Harrell’s office, 206-684-
8881 Laura Lockard, Council Communications Manager,
206-684-8159
meet at least four times in a twelve-month period and that those meetings will be open
to the public. Harrell added, “Transparency and openness means including all of our
customers, large and small, into the equation of decision-making. That is how we
protect the ratepayers.”
Councilmember Nick Licata adds “I look forward to the establishment of this Panel and
the expertise that its members bring to the table. They will play a significant role in
moving forward with strategic planning, financial policies and rate discussions.”
“As City Light moves forward with strategic planning and ongoing discussions of
financial policies and rates, it is important to have a group in place that helps guide the
process. I look forward to their engagement,” said Councilmember Richard Conlin.
The Council is accepting resumes until the close of business on March 3, 2010. Please
email your cover letter and resume to michael.jerrett@seattle.gov . If preferred, hard
copies can be mailed to:
Michael H. Jerrett
Office of Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Seattle City Council
PO Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025
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