Bob Harbour, representing Harbour Consulting, presented information on the progress of the negotiations toward new electricity contracts to the City of California Board of Aldermen. The information was presented at the regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 2, in the City Hall Council Chamber. Although the cost of a kilowatt hour of electric power will rise, Harbour seeks to get the best price through negotiations with the producers. He will bring the contract information to the council for approval when negotiations are completed.
Harbour reported that the current contracts expire May 31, 2017. The negotiation for power supply is for a contract to begin June 1, 2017 and end May 31, 2020. The negotiation is for energy supply, capacity and transmission. Although the supply of electricity is available in Missouri, the state is losing production capacity because coal-fired plants are going off-line (shutting down power generation) due to environmental and greenhouse gas concerns.
There were five responses returned from the 10 requests for proposal (RFP) sent out. He is seeking the best bids available on behalf of four cities. Previously, California was one of five cities in the negotiations, but one of the cities - Hannibal - has decided to go on its own. It was the largest user of electric power. The transmission costs (cost of getting the electricity from the producer to the user) are also expected to rise in the next few years.
In other business, the council approved the plat proposal of West Meadow Estates subdivision a s presented by Larry Henley. The subdivision is south of the east-west portion of Latham Road. There are 37 lots on the plat. Henley said, that among other provisions, the covenant will require brick on three sides of the houses and no metal buildings.
Several bids were approved by the council. Purchase of three period lights were approved. Several of the more than 170 old ones need replacement due to damage or deterioration. The lights are $2,264.33 each from Lamplight Industries.
A Bobcat Engine Drive welder was approved for purchase from Airgas in Holts Summit, for $4,519.85.
A bid was accepted from Thomasson Lumber for utility poles. The cost is $10,284.25 for three 45-foot poles, five 40-foot poles, seven 30-foot poles and about 29 35-foot poles. There is a distributor in Springfield.
The purchase of Fall Restraint Equipment for the Electric Department was approved after the need and requirement was presented to the council. New regulations require a maximum distance of four feet fall for those working on utility lines and poles. The council approved the purchase of both four primary and four secondary sets of fall restraint equipment, $2,999.92.
The new well and well house near the new water tower were reported to have been coming along. Well 6, at Cargill is producing less water, and the council approved having someone determine the problem. Production has fallen from 400 gallons a minute to 250 gallons a minute.
Construction was set to begin on Nov. 3 at the new shelter house on the east side of Proctor Park. The shelter house with restroom facility should be completed by the end of the year.
Fire Chief Allen Smith reported 42 calls in October. There were five fire calls, three rescue and 34 medical. Police Chief Mike Ward reported 359 calls for service by the police department in October.
The council went into closed session following the department reports.
The next regular meeting will be Monday, Dec. 7.