HomeMy Public PortalAbout10-21-1974 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, OCTOBER 21 , 1974
1 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met in regular
2 session October 21 , 1974, at the hour of 7:00 P.M. in the Council
3 Chambers in the Municipal Building in said City serving as a committee
4 in charge of the operation of the Richmond Power & Light Plant. Mr.
5 Merchanthouse presided with the following members present: Messrs.
6 Brown, Cornett, Elstro, Geier, Hilton, Marino, Mills , and Williams.
7 Absent: None. The following business was had to-wit:
8
9 Charles W. Hilton was sworn into office as Councilman-at-large by
10 Judge Robert J. Delaney.
11
12 Mr. Williams moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting,
13 seconded by Mr. Mills and on unanimous voice vote the motion was
14 carried.
15
16 Mr. Elstro moved to approve the following bells, seconded by Mr. Cor-
17 nett and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
18
19 APPROVE THE FOLLOWING:
20 Bills in the amount of $ 626,681 .78
21 Interest Coupons 577.50
22 1 Payroll 67 ,194.26
23
24 TRANSFERS FROM CASH OPERATING FUND TO:
25 Depreciation Reserve Fund $ 91 ,000.00
26 Cash Reserve Fund 60,000.00
27 Utility Bond Fund 66,837.49
28 -
29 Irving Huffman, General Manager, said our contract with Old Ben Coal
30 Co. is coming up for renewal at the end of this year. They request
31 next year's contract to permit them to negotiate prices every 90 days.
32 Because of the condition of the energy requirements they can make this
33 request, Mr. Huffman said.
34
35 Mr. Huffman reported he will appear before the Indiana Public Service
36 Commission Wednesday as an intervenor in Indiana & Michigan's petition
37 hearing for 27.7 per cent rate boost.
38
39 "If the emergency rate boost is given I & M, we face an almost immediate
40 boost in cost of our purchased power. This plus the higher monthly
41 payments we make to offset the rate request pending before the Federal
42 Power Commission of I & M means our costs would rise more than 65
43 percent. " Huffman Said.
44
45 Mr. Huffman estimated a 110-day coal supply on hand under the new burn
46 plan. He said a coal strike at the mines appears certain, which will
47 cut off supply and raise per ton costs.
48
49 William Johnson, chairman of Local 1395 of the IBEW Union, thanked the
50 Councilmen that took time to go down to the Richmond Power & Light
51 to talk to the employees. He said these employees just want the right
52 to bargain.
53
54 Robert Lawson, International representative of the IBEW, said the
55 election held July 1 , 1974 was not a representative election, but was
56 an affiliation election; therefore, the contract that was signed will
57 be honored until July 1 , 1975. He said any subsequent meetings held
58 with the Board will not be construed as recognition of the union.
59
60 Mr. Lawson said the efforts made today by the Board were greatly appre-
61 ciated.
62
63 There being no further business on motion duly made, seconded and passed,
64 the meeting was adjourned.
65
66 Greg Merchanthouse, Chairman
67
68 ATTEST: Margaret Mellen
69 City Clerk