Voters to decide if RP&L remains under regulatory commission
RICHMOND, Ind. — Richmond voters will decide Nov. 8 whether Richmond Power & Light should remain under the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission's jurisdiction.
Richmond Common Council on Monday approved a resolution putting the question on the general election ballot. The move was expected, because council members functioning as the RP&L board had July 5 authorized RP&L to bring the resolution before council.
RP&L General Manager Tony Foster said that prior to 1988 all Indiana electric utilities were under IURC jurisdiction; however, the law changed that year to require only investor-owned electric utilities to remain under the IURC. Now, all but seven of 72 municipally owned and all 38 cooperatives have withdrawn from the IURC's influence.
The IURC regulates a utility's rates and charges, its ability to borrow money and its rules and policies. It provides some protection for consumers against rate changes.
Foster noted, however, that RP&L as a municipally owned utility must bring all changes before elected council members, who are accountable to voters. A rate study prior to RP&L's three-phase rate increase that began last year cost RP&L more than $835,000 because of the IURC.
Council member Ron Oler said that RP&L ratepayers have entrusted council members to make rate decisions. He cited a public hearing during the recent rate study that no RP&L customers attended. RP&L paid for IURC officials to come to Richmond essentially for no reason.
During the RP&L board meeting, members expressed interest in adopting bylaws that would govern RP&L rate changes. Foster said Monday that RP&L is currently researching bylaws other utilities might have already adopted.
Climate Action Plan
The city's Climate Action Plan was presented Monday to council.
The plan is a roadmap to best prepare the city for climate change while working to reduce carbon emissions. The Climate Action Plan was among six points included in a climate resolution presented by a Youth Climate Action Team and passed by council during May 2021.
Ian Vanness, the city's director of infrastructure and development, said the plan includes adaptation and mitigation aspects. The 29 adaptation strategies provide guidance on preparing for climate change's immediate effects, and the 38 mitigation strategies identify areas to reduce carbon emissions.
Council referred the plan to Richmond Advisory Planning Commission to receive public input during its July 27 meeting.
The 136-page plan is available online through a link on the city's website, richmondindiana.gov.
Golf carts
Council members agreed with Richmond Police Department Chief Mike Britt that golf carts should not be allowed on city streets.
Britt has received citizen requests to allow golf carts; however, he read a prepared statement outlining his opposition to golf carts on city streets. He cited safety issues because of golf carts' specific design for use on golf courses, golf carts' lack of safety equipment and dangers from urban traffic and road conditions.
"It is the opinion of the police department golf carts do not belong on city streets," Britt said.
Officers occasionally run across golf carts being operated in neighborhoods, usually by younger residents. Britt said one officer saw six teenage girls riding in one golf cart, with two hanging off the sides.
"This is just a tragedy waiting to happen," Britt said.
If the city allowed golf carts, they would need to be registered with the state and operated by a licensed driver. Britt said his officers generally encounter young people ineligible for a driver's license operating golf carts. They could not legally operate a golf cart even if golf carts were allowed on city streets.
Council in 2019 rejected allowing off-road vehicles on city streets. Wayne County commissioners that year passed an ordinance allowing off-road vehicles, snowmobiles and golf carts on county roads if they meet specific conditions.
Council also approved transfer of $100,000 from RPD's wages budget line item to cover shortfalls in other budget areas. Most of the required transfer needs resulted from rising costs.
Road repaving
Council referred to its finance committee a request to allow the city to apply for an Indiana Department of Transportation Community Crossings grant.
The grant would cover half of the $393,870 cost of repaving seven road sections. The city's $196,195 share would come from tax increment finance district money. The city's redevelopment commission approved use of the money during its July 12 meeting, according to Greg Stiens, the city's director of public works and engineering.
The application is due Aug. 31, and if awarded, the project would be completed next year. The seven areas for paving include sections of North B Street, North West Eighth Street, North West 10th Street, North West and South West 11th Street, Rich Road, Catalpa Drive and Locust Drive.
Aerial fire truck
Council also referred to its finance committee a Richmond Fire Department request to amend the 2022 budget ordinance.
The amendment would enable RFD to pay cash for a new 100-foot aerial fire truck. The truck's bid was awarded to 911 Fleet and Fire Equipment. If paying cash, RFD saves $68,549 with a price of $1,495,224.
Controller Emily Palmer said the cash is available because of increased income.
This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Voters to decide if RP&L remains under regulatory commission
