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HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-03-2003 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA,SERVING AS A BOARD IN CHARGE OF THE OPERATION OF THE RICHMOND POWER&LIGHT PLANT MONDAY,MARCH 3,2003 The Common Council of the City of Richmond,Indiana,serving as a Board in charge of the operations of the Richmond Power&Light Plant met in regular session at 7 p.m.Monday,March 3,2003 in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building in said City.Chairperson Bruce Wissel presided with the following Councilmembers in attendance:Howard"Jack"Elstro,Etta J.Lundy,Karl Sharp,Bing Welch,Larry Parker,Phil Dickman and Sarah "Sally"Hutton. The following business was conducted: After being sworn in by Clerk Norma Schroeder,Stephen H.Rabe took his seat as the newest Councilmember.He replaced Paul Combs who submitted his resignation effective as of February 28,2003. ROLL CALL Nine present. MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 18,2003 Councilmember Hutton moved to approve the minutes of February 18,second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a voice vote. APPROVAL OF BILLS,INVESTMENTS AND TRANSFERS Upon recommendation of the Finance Committee,Councilmember Hutton moved to approve the following bills for payment,seconded by Councilmember Sharp and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Bills Already Paid: Payroll and Deductions $270,948.24 Investments Purchased From: - Cash Operating Fund Bond Sinking Fund Utility Bond Reserve Fund Depreciation Reserve Fund Insurance Reserve Fund Consumer Deposit Fund Cash Reserve Fund Group Insurance Fund Total $270,948.24 Telecommunications Division Investments Purchased From: Cash Operating Fund Transfer from Cash Operating Fund to: Cash Reserve Fund for Payment To City in lieu of taxes Transfer from Cash Operating Fund to: Depreciation Reserve Fund For Property&Plant Transfers from Depreciation Reserve to: Cash Operating Fund Transfers from Consumer Deposit to: Cash Operating Fund Transfers from Utility Bond Reserve Fund to: Bond Sinking Fund Transfers from Cash Operating to: Interest and Bond Principal Bond Sinking Fund Cash Reserve Fund Utility Bond Sinking Fund Depreciation Reserve Fund Insurance Reserve Fund Consumer Deposit Fund Interest and Bond Principal End of Month Petty Cash Revenue Bonds Interest Coupons Redeemed Interest Coupons Redeemed Miscellaneous Prepaid Invoices $ 181,490.24 Telecom.Div.Misc.Pre Paid Invoices: 17,141.88 Total Prepaid Invoices: 469,580.37 Total EFT/Direct Deposit of Payroll: (89,139.52) Total Prepaid Invoices: 380,440.85 Total EFT Transfers: 1,082,786.48 Total Prepaids plus EFT Transfers: 1,463,227.33 Total Bills Not Paid: 365,708.73 Grand Total of Bills to be approved: $ 1,828,936.06 RP&L Minutes Cont'd March 3,2003 Page 2 REMARKS BY CHAIRPERSON • Chairperson Wissel had no remarks. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Chairperson Wissel mentioned the article in the Palladium-Item which appeared recently about former Councilmember Paul Combs,stating that from that it appeared that Combs did not qualify to be an RP&L Board member during his last month in office which was February.Since Combs was receiving payment for that,he said it was his feeling that this Board should make some attempt to go after those payments.He suggested that the Board first write a letter and ask for voluntary payment and make a copy and send it to the State Board of Accounts since that is the body that does the auditing. Councilmember Welch asked City Attorney Bob Bever for his opinion.He stated that it would be difficult to prove that his legal residence changed before February 28,and there were several other items that needed to be substantiated but without proof it would be difficult to succeed in recouping the money paid to Combs.He said,however,he would do exactly what this Board directed him to do. Councilmember Welch commented that since Combs had supposedly moved out of state and asked if that would make it even more difficult to recover the money he received during February.Bever responded by answering in the affirmative.He stated that if the City would pursue this and get a judgment against Combs for reimbursement that would be only half the battle.He said the next step would be to collect it and if he had no income here or no assets to attach it would be necessary to go to his new state of residence,register that judgment in that state,and pursue collection efforts there.He added that it is not to say he would not pay it without a judgment here but if he did not voluntarily pay it then it would require legal action in this new state. Councilmember Sharp suggested that it might be the correct move to determine residency to see whether or not his rent was paid up at his apartment.Bever said it would be a judge to make the ruling on that as to whether or not that made him a resident of the City.He said what would have to be proved to get anything back the Board would have to actually say he no longer qualified to serve and that lack of qualification would have to be based upon his lack of legal residency.He said it would be the burden of the City to prove his lack of qualifications for whatever period of time. Councilmember Parker asked about what kind of money is involved and Bever said the maximum would be about$900 plus for the full month and$450 plus for half a month. Chairperson Wissel asked for a motion and hearing none from the other Board members,made the motion himself to write a letter and request payment from Combs or ask him to explain.Councilmember Elstro said he was advised by an individual that he made a call to Combs around February 21 and got his answering machine.He said he didn't know what that meant,but just threw that information in for what it was worth. The motion died for lack of a second. Councilmember Welch asked that the Clerk make the notes of this discussion in the minutes and place them on file in case the State Board of Accounts might question the payment of Combs'salary in February so the City would have some record of this discussion. STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE REPORT Councilmember Elstro had no remarks. REPORT BY GENERAL MANAGER In the absence of General Manager David Osburn,RP&L's Finance Manager Tracey Garrett brought before the Board a request for authorization to contract GEA to repair the cooling towers at the Generating Station.She said Bob Crye was in the audience tonight to provide further information about this project.Crye explained that$75,000 had been budgeted this year for a cooling tower and the spring outages are planned for the last of March into April.He said he would like authorization to do the repair work on both cooling towers during that time.Councilmember Parker asked if GEA had given an estimate on the cost to do the work and Crye said it was approximately$60,000 on the No.2 unit and about$15,000 to$20,000 there.He said they would attempt to get the work done for the$75,000 budgeted. Councilmember Welch moved to authorize the General Manager and Cry to proceed with the repair of the cooling towers with GEA Contracting,second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a voice vote. NEW BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT There being no further business,on a motion duly made,seconded and passed,the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Bruce Wissel,Chairperson ATTEST: Norma Schroeder,Clerk