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