Utility Service Board still has questions; no public forum date set for biomass questions
The big news at the public meeting concerning the public forum was that there was no news. The City Council and the Jasper Utility Service Board (USB) met in a closed executive session to discuss the power plant proposal and decide on the agenda for the public forum.
According to USB Chairman Wayne Schuetter the executive session only exposed that there were still questions that needed to be addressed before proceeding forward with the acceptance of the drafted proposal.
It still appears that the proposal will be ready by July 1st for review and the USB will then meet with the council to determine the forum for the public agenda.
During the public meeting USB Vice Chairman Rick Stradtner, whom has called for a slowing of the process during previous meetings, motioned that the proposal be tabled for 60 days after the initial approval to continue researching the project before coming to a decision.
Stradtner stated, “I feel to properly analyze all of the details, I would like to make a motion that we delay any decision on this project for a period of 60 days.”
The motion met complete silence from the board and council as no second to the motion was made.
Schuetter then addressed the group, “Adequate time will be given for review of that (the proposal) and the public forum meeting to get input on that before this board will make any recommendation to the city council.”
A public referendum has been suggested by citizens and political candidates but during the meeting Sandy Hemmerlein explained that a public referendum was not allowed for the issue of the biomass power plant according the state statute.
Mayor Schmitt assured the public, “There will be a public forum before this proposal is approved.”
