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Joint Work Session <br />Board of Commissioners/City Council <br />June 9, 1999 <br />Page 10 <br /> <br />previously completed by the City. He said it could involve a new master plan for the riverbank area <br />bordering on the EWEB office building. <br /> <br /> Commissioner Anderson asked if the North End Scoping Group had considered any of the <br />"Back to the River" ideas. Mr. Bowers replied that the concern of the group had been more broad, <br />but that it had discussed improving river visual and connection issues which were related. <br /> <br /> President Smith asked if a decision had been made about location of the proposed Federal <br />Court House. Mr. Bowers replied that no decision had been made, but that three sites were under <br />consideration - Fifth Avenue Post Office Annex, City Hall, and the former Sears Building. President <br />Smith asked if the EWEB Steam Plant facility had been identified as a potential location. Mr. <br />Helgeson replied that there had been discussion regarding the site. <br /> <br /> Commissioner Bishop requested information about the River Front Urban Renewal District. <br />Mr. Bowers said he would provide information to Commissioners. <br /> <br /> President Smith reported that the Board of Commissioners had embarked on a EWEB <br />headquarters site assessment. She said a work plan was being developed to complete the project and <br />suggested that its conclusions could be helpful to the City in its planning processes. <br /> <br /> President Smith asked if it would be possible for an EWEB representative to participate in <br />City discussions regarding "Return to the River" considerations. Mr. Bowers stated that he would find <br />a way to make such participation possible. <br /> <br />ELECTRIC INDUSTRY RESTRUCTURING <br /> <br /> EWEB Electric Division Director Garry Kunkel reviewed developments related to <br />restructuring of the electric industry. He said that electric utilities had been heavily regulated and had <br />exclusive service territories assigned prior to 1992, but that the Federal Energy Policy Act and <br />Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had since mandated open transmission access and <br />deregulation of"wholesale" power sales. He noted that the U.S. Congress was currently considering <br />five bills designed to deregulate "retail" power sales. He also noted that 45 state legislatures were <br />considering deregulation bills and that 20 states already had some form of deregulation law in place. <br />Mr. Kunkel reviewed EWEB policies on restructuring and deregulation legislation, as follows: <br /> <br /> <br />