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HomeMy Public PortalAbout02-18-2003 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 TUESDAY,FEBRUARY 18,2003 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.Tuesday,February 18,2003 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.Paul Combs was absent.The following business was conducted: ROLL CALL Eight present. MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 3,2003 Councilmember Hutton moved to approve the minutes of February 3,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 Dickman and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Bills Already Paid: Payroll and Deductions $532,442.30 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 $532,442.30 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 Bond Coupons Miscellaneous Prepaid Invoices $ 223,747.69 Telecom.Div.Misc.Pre Paid Invoices: 1,117.86 Total Prepaid Invoices: 757,307.85 Total EFT/Direct Deposit of Payroll: (181,040.77) Total Prepaid Invoices: 576,267.08 Total EFT Transfers: 74,171.48 Total Prepaids plus EFT Transfers: 650,438.56 Total Bills Not Paid: 682,288.44 Grand Total of Bills to be approved: $ 1,332,727.00 RP&L Minutes Cont'd February 18,2003 Page 2 REMARKS BY CHAIRPERSON Chairperson Wissel had no remarks. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was none. STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE REPORT Councilmember Elstro had no remarks. REPORT BY GENERAL MANAGER General Manager David Osburn gave a brief update on the Landfill Gas project,noting that it was about two years ago when RP&L seriously started looking at putting the project out at the New Paris Pike Landfill.He commented on the visit to Danville,IN that a few of the Board members made to see a similar facility operated by Waste Management.He said that when things started falling into place the economy began to fall,with declining sales,and it was decided at that time to table the project. He said the reason he is bringing it up now is that it is a matter of timing with the Sanitary District and he has been told that that time is coming near and felt that he needed some input from this Board.Following comments from Councilmember Welch about exactly what would happen if there was an agreement with the Sanitary District,Osburn explained that the Sanitary District would put in a collection system,bring the gas to a central point then flare it off.He added that that is what landfills traditionally do with the methane.He said what RP&L intended to do is to put in the collection system but capture that gas and use it to fuel generators to make electricity.He said the difference there is that the collection system that is needed to generate electricity is a little more complex than the standard collection system that is used to flare it off. In answer to a question by Councilmember Welch about a monetary agreement,Osburn said basically what had been worked out in the draft agreement was that RP&L would put in the collection system and the generators and bear the cost of the entire project and by doing that the utility would have the rights to the gas.The estimated cost of the project, Osbum said,is around$2.5 million. Councilmember Elstro stated that he was among those Board members who took the trip to Danville and he feels the project would be good for both the Sanitary District and RP&L.Councilmember Dickman asked if RP&L would gain any credits with the EPA for the greenpower generation and Osburn answered that methane is a potent gas and the utility would get credit for reducing greenhouse gas emission.Osburn said he felt that the project would be a great educational tool for the community,to get the school kids out to the landfill and let them see that this is a large recycling program and lets them see that waste can be used for something useful.Councilmember Parker asked Osburn if the excess heat that would be generated from the project would be sold to the Sanitary District to heat its building. Osburn said that is one of the issues yet to be resolved. City Attorney Bob Bever mentioned some other questions which the Sanitary District has,noting that he is in a difficult position since he is representing both sides.He said about 90 percent of the agreement is in hand that has been agreed on by both parties,and it would be brought back to both Boards.Following the above discussion,Chairperson Wissel stated that he felt the consensus of opinion of this Board is that Osburn should continue to pursue the project. Osbum stated that the trip to Washington,D.C.for the legislative rally turned out to be a good meeting with the aides of Senators Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh on telecom and environmental issues.He said they also spent some time with Congressman Mike Pence.He said his annual review of the operations of the utility from 2002 is scheduled for Thursday night.He added that although the City had a lot of snow,the ice storm that was forecast missed this area. Chairperson Wissel mentioned to Osbum that by the time this Board meets the next time the vacancy created by the resignation of Councilmember Combs will be filled by a new member.He was assured by Osbum that he would have an orientation set up for that new member which would also include a tour of RP&L. 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 •