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HomeMy Public PortalAbout04-02-2001 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,APRIL 2,2001 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,April 2,2001 in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building in said City.Chairperson Phil Dickman presided with the following Councilmembers in attendance:Howard"Jack"Elstro,Etta Lundy,Karl Sharp,Bing Welch,Larry Parker,Paul Combs and Sarah"Sally" Hutton.Bruce Wissel was absent.The following business was conducted: ROLL CALL Eight present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of March 19,2001 were approved on a motion by Councilmember Hutton,second by Councilmember Welch and 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 Combs and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Bills Already Paid: Payroll and Deductions $252,043.94 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 Investments 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 $ 138,637.46 Total Prepaid Invoices 390,681.40 Total EFT/Direct Deposit of Payroll: (81,983.001 Total Prepaid Invoices: 308,698.40 Total EFT Transfers: 1,690,027.10 Total Prepaids plus EFT Transfers: 1,998,725.50 Total Bills Not Paid: 812,364.74 Grand Total of Bills to be approved: $2,811,090.24 RP&L Minutes Cont'd April 2,2001 Page 2 REMARKS BY CHAIRPERSON Chairperson Dickman had no comments. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilmember Hutton commented that General Manager David Osbum had a survey done on the dusk to dawn lights and got 14 responses.She said these revealed that they are all similar in what RP&L does which is basically anyone who wants one can put one up.Osbum requested an opinion from Michael Craycraft who suggested that no request be denied,but that in the utility's provision it should state that the company reserves the right to install one or more shields on each light to prevent light projection on adjacent properties at the request of an adjacent property owner.She said she would have copies of all of that at the next meeting and there could be more discussion. In answer to a question by Councilmember Lundy about what area that would be in,Councilmember Hutton said that would be any place within the City.Osbum said he felt the additional language in the company's provisions was a good idea.Chairperson Dickman said he wanted to clarify that the dusk to dawn lights in question are not street lights,but would be located on personal property. Councilmember Combs asked if anyone had checked into the possibility of having the street light shields on South 18th Street that was discussed at the last meeting.Osburn said the problem with that is that it is between the street and sidewalk,which would shield the sidewalk and that possibly would draw some complaints.He said the light is a mercury light so they could go ahead and upgrade the lights in that section to a sodium which is a softer light,but it's not going to do away with the complaints about more light into the houses now that the trees have been cut down.In answer to a question by Chairperson Dickman,Osburn said RP&L is upgrading to sodium lights but has been waiting until the ballast burns out,but he said he wouldn't have any problem in pushing that up a little bit since there are only about four lights in that area. Councilmember Sharp asked if the provision on the dusk to dawn lights was retroactive and would pertain to those who already have them and Osburn answered that this is something that the utility would respond to,as needed.Further discussion on the replacement of the street lights on South 18th Street ended with the Councilmembers being in agreement with the replacement of the lights with sodium. STREET LIGHT COMMITTEE REPORT Councilmember Elstro said there were no new requests. REPORT BY GENERAL MANAGER Before opening the bids for the two four-door sedans Osburn presented the proof of publication.Councilmember Welch moved to accept it and place it on file,second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Osburn said the first bid was from Studebaker Buick for a Pontiac Grand Am for$16,587.38 each totaling$33,174.76 with a trade in of$1,000,making it$32, 174.76.A second bid opened was from Fred First Ford for a Ford Escort for $13,143 and an$800 trade in,making the total bid for$12,343.A bid of$13,117 by Victory Chevrolet was read by Osburn who said it was for a Chevy Cavalier for$13,117 with an$800 trade in making a total of$12,317. Councilmember Welch moved to refer the three bids to the General Manager for evaluation,recommendation and tabulation,second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Osburn requested the authorization of the Board for the General Manager and the City Attorney to proceed with the First Bank Connect closing since there are no outstanding issues to be considered.Bever said what is to be approved by this Board is to purchase substantially all the assets of the First Bank Connect's business for the Internet service provider business for the sum of$436,000 plus the cash on hand plus the receivables and closing hopefully should occur in April.He went into detail,explaining everything contained within the purchase agreement.Councilmember Welch moved to authorize the General Manager to proceed with the closing as per the agreement and the explanation given by the City Attorney about the conditions of the agreement,second by Councilmember Lundy and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Osburn introduced Resolution No.2—2001—A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO.3—2000,FIXING THE NUMBER AND COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES He explained that this resolution deals with two position changes,bringing Rich Cody on as a permanent employee as Telecommunication Director and creates a new position of Information/Content Administrator.He said this person has completed her degree and since RP&L has paid for her education he feels it is time to put it to work. He added that the head count would stay the same because they don't plan to fill that position that the person held.Councilmember Hutton moved to approve the resolution,second by Councilmember Elstro and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Osburn commented on the EPA allowance auction,stating that,as he expected,RP&L did not get any allowances, noting that the average price was$173 and his highest bid had been$130. He also stated that last week at the A.P.P.A. information workshop they had the linemen's rodeo,adding that it is an event where they test the skills of those who work on the lines.He said RP&L entered a team this time and placed third in one event,which he said was a very good showing for their first time out.He added that this is a good team building exercise as well as a good morale building exercise.Members of that team,he said,were Jason Allen,Chris Wagner and Robert Ullery. NEW BUSINESS There was none. RP&L Minutes Cont'd April 2,2001 Page 3 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business,on a motion duly made,seconded and passed,the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Phil Dickman,Chairperson ATTEST: Norma Schroeder,Clerk