Jasper announces the schedule for biomass public forum
The Jasper City Council and Utility Service Board met last night to decide on the format of the upcoming public forum regarding the biomass proposal.
In lieu of a sparse attendance from the public the two boards heard remarks from the Dr. Alan Johnson, Dean VUJC. He was approached by the city to moderate the forum and agreed to fill that role in the discussion of this contentious issue.
Johnson explained that the forum would be held at the Jasper Arts Center on Tuesday July 26 at 6 p.m. Displays and rallies from opponents and proponents would be allowed on the campus grounds but not on the city property.
The format of the forum would resemble the public forum regarding the referendum vote for the Jasper Public Library. The proposed agenda has representatives of the city and Jasper Clean Energy making statements regarding the history and plans for the biomass power plant. Dr. Christopher Shaddix will be available during the forum and Johnson recommended he be allowed a statement as well.
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This would be followed by 60 minutes for questions to the representatives of the city and Jasper Clean Energy. After the 60 minutes, individuals will be allowed four minutes for statements and this section of the forum will not have a time limit.
Johnson recommended that those individuals wanting to make statements sign up prior to the forum.
During the discussion between the board and Dr. Johnson, Dr. Norma Kreilein raised her hand for the attention of the board. After a few moments of keeping her hand in the air, Utility Service Board President Wayne Schuetter recognized and allowed her to ask a question.
Kreilein stated that this day was a conflict with the monthly medical staff meeting she and many other doctors were required to attend. “My concern, I mentioned to Rick (Stradtner), it’s a Tuesday night, we are required to attend these medical staff meetings and that will automatically knock out any ability for the physicians who are required to attend that meeting for asking any questions in public so that the public can see what our concerns are. I have a problem with the night of that meeting.”
In regards to Kreilein’s remarks Mayor Schmitt asked her what time the meeting usually ended. She stated it started at 6 p.m and usually lasted an hour and a half.
“I would be inclined to move the start time from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.” Mayor Schmitt said.
Kreilein then objected to the timeliness of the public forum in regards to the release of the draft proposal for the public to review. The mayor pointed out that she and the public would have approximately ten days to review the lease proposal. The proposal is tentatively scheduled for release for this Friday July 15 but may not be released until Saturday.
Kreilein voiced objections to the council and board stating that it would be difficult for the doctors to attend even with the later time. USB Vice-President Rick Stradtner asked if there was anything the hospital could do to allow the doctors to attend the public forum.
Kreilein informed the board that the night is just not going to work for the doctors. “Whether or not the doctors will be able to attend is questionable.”
The Mayor explained that the date has been worked on diligently to accommodate the staff and personnel attending and that it would be difficult to reschedule.
Schuetter expressed that additional question time may be made available at the end of the public comment section to allow any other questions that were not addressed in the first question session.
The board and council approved the Tuesday July 26 meeting date, moved the starting time to 7 p.m., and approved the Jasper Arts Center for the location.
The question of having an additional public forum if all of the concerns of the citizens are not addressed during a single meeting has been raised. Mayor Schmitt stated, “I am open to whatever the boards decide. I am certainly open to setting those meetings, but up to this point we have been responding to what we have been hearing out there. That’s what we are trying to do and that’s why we set this meeting.”
Afterwards the Mayor spoke with Dr. Kreilein personally as she had expressed that the Utility Service Board had been made aware of the timing conflict prior to the agreed upon schedule. She implied that the mayor should have been aware as well.
As Kreilein was leaving the City Hall, Mayor Schmitt approached her and apologized for the oversight. Sandy Hemmerlein had informed him that the subject had been brought up at a meeting the Mayor did not attend and he was unaware of the scheduling conflict.
