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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The Pelham City Council held a public hearing regarding the approval of an ordinance renewing the city of Pelham’s electric franchise agreement with Alabama Power on Monday, Aug. 5.

Last passed in 1994, the new renewal agreement changed virtually nothing from the already established and long reigning agreement between the city and the utility company.

In accordance with the city’s rules, prior to the ordinance’s passage, the city first had to hold a public hearing discussing the matter that allowed interested citizens to speak both for or against the measure.

During the hearing, the only individual to speak was Anna Catherine Roberson with Alabama Power, who spoke in favor of the agreement’s approval.

“This happens once every 30 years, so it is certainly momentous,” Roberson said. “This franchise agreement essentially outlines how we are able to provide service within the city limits of Pelham. It outlines what that means regarding poles, wires and all of that and also how we are able to construct and provide services to our customers.”

Following the absence of other speakers either for or against the agreement’s passage, the public hearing was promptly concluded.

Although regular meeting rules would have required the city to vote on the ordinance at a later meeting, at the recommendation of City Manager Gretchen DiFante, the Council moved to suspend the rules and immediately vote on the agreement instead.

Councilmember Chad Leverett made the initial motion to suspend the regular Council meeting rules, with Councilmember David Coram seconding. The ordinance was then passed unanimously and the agreement was subsequently adopted with a second unanimous vote held by the Council.

Alabama Power is an investor-owned and tax-paying utility that provides 1.4 million customers in Alabama with electricity service. It is also the only electricity utility regulated by the Alabama Public Service Commission.

Alabama Power is the second largest of the four U.S. utilities operated by the Southern Company, one of the nation’s largest generators of electricity.

The 30-year electric franchise agreement is now in effect and will remain in place until it is again brought up for renewal on Aug. 5, 2054.