HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-01-1976 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, SERVING AS
A COMMITTEE IN CHARGE OF THE OPERATION OF THE
RICHMOND POWER & LIGHT PLANT, MARCH 1 , 1976
1 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana, serving as
2 a committee in charge of the operation of the Richmond Power &
3 Light Plant, mat in regular session March 1 , 1976, at the hour of
4 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building of said City. Mr. Ahaus
5 presided with the following members present: Messrs. Austerman ,
6 Carter, Elstro, Merchanthouse, Mills , Paust, and Williams. Absent:
7 Cornett. The following business was had, to-wit:
8
9 Mr. Williams moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting,
10 seconded by Mr. Mills and on unanimous voice vote the motion was
11 carried.
12
13 Mr. Carter moved to approve the following bills, seconded by Mr.
14 Merchanthouse and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
15
16 APPROVE THE FOLLOWING:
17 Bills in the amount of $317,596.63
18 Interest coupons 1 ,475.00
19 1 Payroll 115,642.80
20
21 INVESTMENTS PURCHASED
22 Depreciation Reserve Fund $294,947.40
23 Utility Bond Reserve Fund 99 ,789.40
24 Cash Reserve Fund 75,627.57
25
26 C.D. `s. Maturing in 1 Year, Yielding 6 1/8C
27
28 Mr. Merchanthouse reported on the special study committee meeting.
29 Ernst & Ernst will be hired as a consultant for the review at
30 Richmond Power. & Light.
31
32 There are three major considerations:
33
34 1 . A strong desire to determine that the utility's ratepayers
35 are receiving fair value for rates they pay. This deter-
36 urination directly mathhes similar actions now being taken
37 by a number of regulatory commissions , including the
38 ' Indiana Commission in its recent efficiency review of I&M..
39
40 2. A deep concern that the Board and the utility management
41 have all the information needed to answer the question of
42 how best to ensure adequate power ratepayers tomorrow at
43 the lowest possible price today and tomorrow.
44
45 3. An intense interest on the part of the Board to organize
46 and direct itself to dealing with the major substantive
47 issues that must be resolved if the Company is to continue
48 as a reliable supplier of reasonably priced power.
49
50 Mr. Merchanthouse moved for; Mr. Ahaus,aas_Chairmar tossignaa._eontract
51 with Ernst & Ernst, seconded by Mr. Paust and on roll call was voted
52 the following: Ayes: Austerman , Carter, Elstro, Merchanthouse, Mills ,
53 Paust and Williams. Cornett: Absent.
54
111 55 It was noted the cost of this project will not exceed $37 ,500. This .
56 . will give a comparison of Richmond Power & Light to other utilities
57 throughout the state.
58
59 Mr. Huffman asked authorization to purchase two (2) van type vehicles.
60 RP&L now has a van which was purchased March 1 , 1971 , which has in
61 excess of 71 ,000 miles and a 1969 Novi II, 2 door sedan which they
62 would like to replace with a van. Mr. Huffman requests permission
63 to receive bids at the next meeting.
RP&L Minutes Cont'd
March 1 , 1976
Page 2
1 Mr. Williams moved to accept this request, seconded by Mr. Mills.
2 Mr. Don Meredith, City Controller, requested the opportunity of
3 considering this van to be purchased by the City at the RP&L trade-
4 in value. The motion was amended to so read, giving the City first
5 chance at buying the van. On unanimous voice vote the motion was
6 carried.
7
8 Mrs. Marshall of 1513 South 4th Street, appeared before the Board
9 to register a complaint on her power & light bills. Mr. Huffman
10 will set up an appointment to talk with Mrs. Marshall . Mr. Fluff-
11 man, in answer to a question , did state that all meters are re-
12 placed every 8 years and they are very accurate on registering
13 usage.
14
15 Mr. Anthony Denardis , 511 South 10th Street, appeared before the
16 Board to ask questions and register complaints on a variety of
17 issues.
18
19 There being no further business , on motion duly made, seconded and
20 passed, the meeting was adjourned.
21
22 Fredric Ahaus
23 Chairman
24
25 ATTEST: JoEllen Trimble
26 City Clerk