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Council warned of street‑fund shortfall; utilities committee highlights SCADA, pollinator field and peak power costs
Summary
Council finance and utility reports showed year‑over‑year revenue growth but flagged a near‑depleted street fund ($314) and a constrained 500 fund ($763); committee updates included a new SCADA monitoring system (~$61,000), a 4.79‑acre pollinating field at the water plant, and peak power capacity charges totaling about $1.44 million year‑to‑date.
Council financial and utility reports on June 15 painted a mixed picture: the city reported revenue growth but identified near‑term constraints in targeted funds and rising electricity capacity and transmission costs.
Councilman Martin told the council the city was up 4.69% year‑over‑year and May produced the best monthly revenue on record, but he flagged two “trouble” funds: the street fund showed only $314 available and the referenced “500” fund had $763 in less‑incumbrances. He said transfers or short‑term loans may be considered to complete projects before year end.
The utility and streets committee reported several infrastructure updates. Staff said a 4.79‑acre pollinating field has been planted adjacent to the water‑treatment plant with FFA students tending the crop; the field will be harvested and replanted with red clover in the fall for pollinators and potential school feed use. The electric system’s new SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) monitoring system has been installed; the committee reported the project cost at approximately $61,000 and described it as monitor‑only (no remote control features).
Committee members also outlined energy‑cost exposure: staff cited capacity demand charges for July 2025–May 2026 totaling about $1,443,000 and transmission costs for the Nov–Oct period of roughly $1,586,000, emphasizing that reducing load during peak‑alert days reduces the city’s capacity charges. Council discussed recent peak‑alert days and noted the battery energy storage system and diesel units were dispatched successfully during those events to reduce demand.
Procurement updates included two recent bids: a low paving bid of $83,342.90 (estimate $379,995) and a West Main sewer low bid of $411,718 (estimate $57,000). Staff also described a request for qualifications to repurpose a former diesel building to house electric switchgear, communications gear and HVAC; the discussion referenced potential demolition costs for the existing smokestack in the $500,000–$1,000,000 range.
Council members asked follow‑ups about peak reductions and the battery system; staff explained dispatch coordination with operators and cautioned that peak mitigation depends on temperature, time of day and system load.
Next steps: staff signaled forthcoming legislation to address transfers/loans for constrained funds and said additional procurement items will be returned to council for approval.
