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Scranton
City Council
City adopts new method
for computing energy cost adjustments
Gabe Faimon | Reporter
SCRANTON—During its Feb. 17 meeting, the Scranton City Council
adopted an ordinance authorizing a revised method for computing
the energy cost adjustment (ECA) posted on electric power bills.
The ordinance places a 10 percent cap on the average annual system
loss factor that may be used in the computation. The ordinance encourages
efficiency by allowing use of a factor of less than 10 percent whenever
an actual decrease in annual system loss is realized.
To assure the ECA computation will be up to date, the ordinance
stipulates, “The ECA shall be calculated on a rolling twelve-month
average, using the most current twelve month period for which data
is available.”
See Public
Notices on Page 5B for Ordinance No. 602.
Adoption of the ordinance reflects culmination of extended joint
efforts with the council and the city’s consultant, Greg Wright,
EMG, LLC, related to ongoing study of the electrical distribution
system.
The adopted agenda for the council meeting included an item, “Rodger
Franks – Electric,” in response to a request from the
Scranton resident to address the council.
Franks opened by questioning the quantity of replacement transformers
and power poles the city authorized for purchase during its Dec.
2 meeting. He followed with questions regarding the schedule for
transformer and pole delivery and installation.
Council member Ken Croucher replied that 41 transformers had been
ordered, with 13 delivered to date. Other council members commented
that workload, limited number of city personnel and adverse winter
weather conditions affected installation efforts.
Franks expressed dissatisfaction with council members’ answers
and rebuttal.
He then shifted his comments to trash service, questioning the city’s
authority to collect trash and levy trash collection fees.
City attorney Todd Luckman responded. He said the city’s authority
to levy fees for trash collection and to contract for trash service
was established by ordinance. Luckman also said anyone operating
as a trash collector in the city was required to possess a city
license.
Franks’ wife, Rhonda, questioned the city’s trash service
billing arrangement with its trash contractor, Osage Waste Disposal.
Scranton City Councilman Jack Mayfield outlined the rationale for
past city policy decisions related to the matter. Joe Greene, owner
of Osage Waste Disposal, entered the discussion, and the four-way
exchange became heated.
Scranton Mayor Gary Burkdoll requested Mayfield to discontinue his
responses and rebuttal, and Mayfield yielded.
In other discussion, acting on a motion by Scranton City Councilman
Eddie Lester, seconded by Mayfield, the council unanimously appointed
Scranton Police Chief Jon Reed to permanent status.
In other action, the council:
• Appointed Ronnie Morris to the fire department.
• Authorized purchase of eight copies of two Kansas League
of Municipalities manuals, one that addresses open meetings and
the other that addresses sales tax matters. |
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