On eve of biomass vote city releases details on additions to the lease
The vote on the proposed lease is tomorrow at 4 p.m. at the city hall. With this looming in the near future the city held a press conference to release more details concerning changes in the lease. These changes come from questions raised at the public forum and concerns from the community.
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The new additions to the lease include an increase in time limits before a Utility Service Board member or elected official is allowed to be employed by Jasper Clean Energy. This period of time will now be increased to three years for those members and elected officials but remains one year for city employees.
Another change was applied to the royalties paid from the renewable energy produced. According to Mayor Bill Schmitt the lease has been changed to reflect that the city will receive royalties on any energy produced from a renewable resource. It is no longer limited to the existing boiler.
Concerning the city’s financial responsibilities in regards to any litigation the mayor state, “Jasper Clean Energy will be responsible for the first $25,000 in costs associated with any legal actions.”
Then the city and Jasper Clean Energy would split the costs after the initial $25,000, but the city’s responsibility will be capped at $200,000. Also the city’s payments would be deducted from future rent payments Jasper Clean Energy makes to the city.
Other areas addressed:
- Members of the two person board will only be compensated by the parties they represent.
- Truck routes will be limited to Cathy Lane and 30th Street
- The city is only responsible for improvements and repairs of the facility up to the commencement date.
- Jasper Clean Energy is obligated to deliver an operating closed loop biomass facility to the city at the end of the lease.
- Jasper Clean Energy is now required to supply the city with a site map showing areas that have improvements as well as proposed changes to the facility.
- Jasper Clean Energy is required to perform all emergency, necessary, scheduled, and routine maintenance during the term of the lease.
- The updated lease will be available on the city website as soon as it is completed.
Regarding the upcoming vote the mayor stated public commentary would not be taken during the meeting as it was a meeting between the USB and city council.
Concerning objections raised about the vote occurring during the Strassenfest, USB President Wayne Schuetter stated that he and the mayor addressed each member personally and they each confirmed they were ready to vote.
“The feeling we are getting in the community is that regardless of the outcome we need to get this voted on.” Schuetter explained.
