Ripley official reads Ripley Power Alliance notes citing substation bid, pension contribution and solar-project funds

A staff member read notes at a Ripley meeting about actions and proposals discussed by the Ripley Power Alliance at meetings on Dec. 12 and Dec. 30, 2024, and said those items may need later ratification by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

The notes covered several operational and capital matters. The group named Kenny Parham as secretary to replace Minnie Stowe and recommended sending three applications for power-board positions to the mayor for appointment consideration; the notes list Parham for a four-year term and refer to an applicant identified as Linda Love or "White Beard" to fill the remainder of Stowe’s term. The staff member characterized those recommendations as items the city board may be asked to ratify.

The notes reported that the group accepted a bid from Power Grid for the East Industrial Park Substation with the bid amount stated as $198,000. The staff member said the substation bid acceptance was a report from the Ripley Power Alliance rather than a formal action by the city board at that meeting.

The Ripley Power Alliance notes acknowledged an actuarial report on the RPL pension plan and recorded that the annual contribution would increase to meet a 10-year goal of 100% funding. The plan noted in the report covers 27 active employees, 17 retirees and three vested former employees; the actuarial accounting in the notes identified a $1,000,000 contribution amount to that plan.

The notes also described a potential revenue anticipation note and said the organization planned to sign and file documentation with the Internal Revenue Service to declare official intent for reimbursement of certain capital expenditures.

On renewable-energy projects, the notes recounted discussion of a Silicon Ranch Mount Pleasant summer project described as a long-term (20–30 year) contract involving additional, to-be-identified parties. The notes recorded receipt of funds from Silicon Ranch for equipment purchases and operation tied to the Ripley solar project; the amount listed in the meeting notes was unclear in the transcript and was not confirmed at the meeting. The notes further recorded a $499,000 payment to be taken from Silicon Ranch funds as a down payment toward a $1,600,000 Pennsylvania power transformer discussed at a prior power-board meeting.

The notes included a recommendation to do repairs and epoxy the floor of a Ripley Power warehouse described in the notes as roughly 3,500 square feet to improve presentation for prospective industries. The staff member said the superintendent had discussed the project with Mayor Gains as a possible grant-funded item.

The staff member concluded that the Ripley Power Alliance’s actions as recorded would be brought to the formal meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen with the superintendent present for any ratification or further discussion. The meeting then adjourned and the regular monthly meeting was scheduled to begin at about 6 p.m.