December 12 Huntingburg Council meeting notes
The Huntingburg Common Council met for their regular meeting and took the following actions.
-Adopted an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2005-19 establishing a new schedule of rates and charges for natural gas and services rendered by the municipal natural gas utility of the City of Huntingburg. This ordinance resets the tracker to reflect current gas prices. No one’s rates are being changed with the amendment.
-Adopted an ordinance adjusting the electric rates and charges for electric energy and services rendered by the municipality owned electric utility of the city of Huntingburg. This is resets the tracker for the electric utility payments.
-Approved the 2014 City Calendar of meetings.
– Heard the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) report from ADA Director Sue Tooley – Mayor Danny Spinner requested the council approve $10,000 from the Riverboat Gambling Fund to use towards continued ADA improvements and planning in 2014. The council approved the request.
-Approved the salary ordinance for elected officials granting a 2 percent raise for the common council members. Councilwoman Linda Summers was the lone dissenting vote to the raise.
-Tom Presley, of Matrix Integration, presented a proposal for the telecommunication project for the city offices. Matrix will be providing design, engineering, and installation of a new telecommunication system for the city. The council approved paying $132,595.30 for the new telecommunication system and phones; and entering into a contract for services with Matrix Integration for $77,070.
The city will pay out of the Rainy Day Fund. “It’s pretty much raining. Our telecommunications system hasn’t been updated since 1995,” Mayor Denny Spinner said about the purchases.
-James Zellman with Honeywell gave a report of the energy audit his company has been performing for the city. He asked the council to approve his company completing a request for proposal to be sent out to interested companies. The preparation of the request for proposal is being done at no cost to the city. Honeywell will likely bid on the contract if it the city moves forward on adopting some of the energy saving recommendations. The council voted 2 – 1 to allow Honeywell to complete the request for proposal. Councilman Alex Blackgrove voted no and stated he felt the cost savings indicated in the reports he had seen so far didn’t support the city moving forward with the project. Councilman Glen Kissling and Councilwoman Amy Lehr supported Honeywell completing the proposal. Councilwoman Linda Summers abstained from voting. Councilman Steve McPherron was absent.
