Sarasota, FL: An expert panel will discuss private and public utilities during a Special City Commission Meeting tomorrow Wed., June 16th 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1565 First Street. The format will provide an opportunity for public input.
The panelists may include:
• Pegeen Hanrahan, Former Mayor of Gainesville, Fl.
• Randy Knight; City Manager, Winter Park
• Jerry Warren; Electric Director, Winter Park
• Barry Moline; Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association
• Robert Scheffel Wright; Special Legal Counsel, City of Sarasota
• Rae Dowling; Area Manager, Florida Power & Light
• Buck Martinez; Renewable Development Sr. Dir., Florida Power & Light
• Ken Rubin; Legal Counsel, Florida Power & Light
• Bob Bellemare; COO, Utilipoint International
• Jerry Warren; Electric Director, Winter Park
• Barry Moline; Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association
• Robert Scheffel Wright; Special Legal Counsel, City of Sarasota
• Rae Dowling; Area Manager, Florida Power & Light
• Buck Martinez; Renewable Development Sr. Dir., Florida Power & Light
• Ken Rubin; Legal Counsel, Florida Power & Light
• Bob Bellemare; COO, Utilipoint International
The format is expected to include a 60-90 minute presentation by the expert panel. City Commissioners will then ask questions. Next, citizens will be allowed three minutes each to ask questions or make comments. The meeting will include the panelists addressing citizens’ comments.
During the meeting, energy issues will be discussed with an emphasis on a proposed franchise agreement with Florida Power & Light. The City’s franchise agreement with FPL expired last month and negotiations have been underway to extend the agreement. Both the City of Sarasota and FPL have offered modifications regarding terms and conditions.
Due to a programming conflict with a previously scheduled Sarasota County Budget Workshop, the special meeting will be shown live only on Verizon Fios channel 34 and the City of Sarasota website: www.sarasotagov.com. The meeting will be replayed almost immediately on Wed., June 16th at 6:00 p.m. on Comcast Cable channel 19 and Verizon Fios channels 32. It will be shown again Sun., June 20th at 3:30 p.m. on Comcast Cable channel 19, and Verizon Fios channels 32.
