Min - City Council - 1988 - 09/08 - Special CalledALLEN CITY COUNCIL
CALLED - SPECIAL EAS PUBLIC MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 1988
Present:
Joe Farmer, Mayor
Council Members,
Rex Womack
Jerry Wilson, Mayor Pro Tem
Bobby Glass
Jim Wolfe
Jim Pendleton
Absent:
Gary Edstrom
City Staff:
Jon McCarty, City Manager
Marty Hendrix, City Secretary
Other Attendees:
Wayne Armand, Chairman of Planning 8. Zoning Commission
Harold Biggs, Planning and Zoning Commission
Kenneth Fulk, Planning and Zoning Commission
Melissa Owen, Planning and Zoning Commission
With a quorum of the Council Members present, the called - special
telephone Extended Area Service (EAS) public meeting was called to order by
Mayor Farmer at 7:35 p.m. on Thursday, September 8, 1988, in the Auditorium
of the Allen High School, 601 E. Main Street, Allen, Texas.
Mayor Farmer provided opening remarks on the background of the
telephone Extended Area Service (EAS) request made by the City of Allen to
the Public Utility Commission and how various actions had resulted in the
city's ability now to vote on this issue. Mayor Farmer also advised that
6,603 ballots would be mailed on Friday, September 9, to all of the 727
telephone subscribers. He stated that the city hoped to achieve the return of
all of the ballots, with the 50% plus one positive votes to be reached by
October S. He pointed out that if EAS was passed by the 727 subscribers,
the installation of the system was to be installed by February of 1990.
Councilman Jim Wolfe, Chairman of the Council's Telephone Subcommittee,
spoke before those present on the effective communication process that had
been developed to get the word out to everyone on the EAS balloting process
and what EAS can represent to the city. He pointed out the number of
people that had volunteer to help with this effort. Mr. Wolfe introduced the
other members of the Telephone Subcommittee, being Mayor Pro Tem Jerry
Wilson and Councilman Jim Pendleton.
Councilman Pendleton spoke about the need for EAS to encourage
economic development in Allen and as a tool to keep the existing business
(" and industry in Allen.
4AW Mayor Pro Tem Wilson spoke about the publicity campaign for EAS in the
community. Mr. Wilson pointed out that the campaign consisted of banners,
yard signs, signs in the local businesses, street canvassers, and a telephone
bank.
At this time, Councilman Wolfe opened the floor for questions or
responses from the audience.
There was discussion on how long the EAS rates would be in effect and
how Southwestern Bell Telephone could go about having those rates changed.
ALLEN CITY COUNCIL
CALLED - SPECIAL EAS PUBLIC MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 1988 Page 2
There was discussion on the various classes of service listed in the initial
letter that was sent out on EAS and how one could change their class of
service to get a better rate. There was further discussion on the greatest
opposition to EAS being the fact that it is mandatory; and the status of
Southwestern Bell's appeal to the ruling of the Public Utility Commission and
if they planned to file suit in district court on this issue.
Councilman Wolfe explained the status of Southwestern Bell's appeal for
another hearing before the Public Utility Commission and the fact that the
request had been set aside and the time limit had expired for that request.
He also pointed out that the other option was that Southwestern Bell can
file suit in district court. Mr. Wolfe also explained why the city had selected
the mandatory service rather than the optional service.
There was further discussion about having the service available prior to
February 1990 and what the chances are that it can be moved up; and the
fact that if EAS is approved then the surcharge on intralateral phone calls
for future 9.1.1 service will be deleted from the phone bills. Mr. Wolfe
discussed with those present when the city can expect to have 9.1.1 service.
With no further discussion, the called - special EAS public meeting was
adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
These minutes approved on the 15th day of September, 1988.
FAUU110"dims
J96 Farmer, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Marty Hendrix, CAT, CITY SECRETARY