Mild weather has been a friend to this year’s utility customers.
Last winter ranked among the 10 warmest in the past 150 years, energy consultant Scott Shreve told Iola City Council members Monday. Conversely, August ranked among the 10 coolest on record.
But what can be a blessing to some, is a bane to others.
The mild temperatures have resulted in less revenue for the city in terms of heating and cooling charges to customers.
Shreve spoke at length about a host of energy-related matters, but was not yet ready to give specifics on the need for a rate increase. That will come later this fall.
Among Shreve’s talking points:
— Iolans have consumed roughly 16 percent less electricity this year than over the same period in 2011, partly because of the mild temperatures and more energy-efficient homes. It’s also worth noting that since that time Herff Jones, one of the city’s largest employers, no longer is in business.
— Because Iola does not have enough generating capacity on its own to cover its peak demands on a daily basis — it’s been that way since the 2007 flood destroyed a pair of generators at the city power plant — the city must purchase capacity from Chanute and Sabetha, to the tune of $80,000 to $100,000 annually.
— Council members are eager to purchase additional generators to get an extra 8 to 10 megawatts of generating capacity. Purchasing used generators are expected to cost between $1.7 million and $2 million. Shreve noted the budgetary impact would be mitigated because Iola would no longer have to spend money to purchase capacity from other communities.
— About 12 percent of the electricity going to Iola each day comes from renewable energy: namely, wind and hydroelectric power. The hydroelectric contract will end in 2019, Shreve said. He remains bullish about eventually relying more on wind power, and possibly looking at solar-powered electricity, if prices continue to drop.
— Nuclear power and coal remain the two least expensive forms of fuel for electricity, although wind costs are continuing to drop. Diesel-powered electricity — Iola has those generators — remains prohibitive, to the point the city never uses them, and likely will never use them, aside from periodic test-firings.
Shreve will return with Iola City Administrator Sid Fleming in the coming months with recommendations on Iola’s rate structure, and whether — or how much — a hike will be needed to help replenish the city’s electric reserves.
COUNCIL members were receptive to a proposal to place a sign or plaque celebrating residents who helped bring the Happy Tails Dog Park to Iola in 2012. They weren’t as enthusiastic about renaming the park for Iolan Ray Shannon.
A proposal to rename the park for Shannon, who helped a band of citizens raise $10,000 to help with the park’s construction, was brought to the Council earlier this month.
Councilwoman Beverly Franklin said she received a phone call noting others were integral to getting the dog park as well. Bud and the late Jeri Jones were mentioned.
“One of my concerns was for those who worked on it, but don’t get noticed,” Fleming said.
“There were a lot of citizens involved with it,” Councilwoman Nancy Ford said.
Iolan Donna Houser offered two reasons to keep the name as is: 1. The name came from a 2011 contest in which area youngsters were asked to come up with suggestions. (One did.)
Secondly, nobody will get the name right if the park’s name is changed. She noted most Iolans (incorrectly) refer to the John Silas Bass Community Center by its old name, the North Community Building. And friends of Everett Shepard are quick to point out Riverside Park once was named after the late police chief, but was changed back to Riverside when the new nomenclature was ignored.
Council members directed Fleming, with a 7-0 vote, to reach out to those who helped raise funds for the dog park to compile a list of significant contributors for a sign or plaque.
THREE big-ticket items were approved after being discussed by Fleming and some of the Council members Sept. 11.
Purchased were:
— A 2018 Ford Utility Police Interceptor from Twin Motors Ford of Iola for $29,7171. The Twin bid was the highest of four, but was less than 4 percent higher than the lowest bid, allowing the Council to favor the local vendor.
— A 2017 Ford F-350, 1-ton pickup for the Street and Alley Department from Twin Motors for $30,700. The bid from Twin Motors was the second-lowest of three, but was only $73 higher than the low bid.
— A Kubota B2550HSDC tractor with an enclosed cab, a loader and box blade attachments from Storrer Implement Co. of Iola for $18,845, the lowest of three bids. The bid includes a $5,940 credit to the city for trading in its 2002 Kubota tractor.
The items were discussed, but not acted upon Sept. 11, because the planned meeting was scrapped when only four Council members were in attendance, insufficient numbers for a quorum.
THE COUNCIL approved a number of requests related to the upcoming Farm-City Days celebration. City crews will once again offer water and electric service for carnival crews staying at Riverside Park the week of Oct. 12-15. A park curfew also will be waived to allow the carnival crews to camp overnight. Golf carts and ATVs will be allowed by volunteers that weekend to help coordinate volunteer efforts. The Recreation Community Building will be opened for a community dinner on Oct. 12. The city also will offer a family pool pass for 2018 as part of a medallion hunt promotion.
The requests were approved by a 7-0 vote. Councilman Bob Shaughnessy absent.
THE COUNCIL also:
— Received a plaque of appreciation from the Kansas Army National Guard 891st Engineer Battalion for the city’s continuing support for the Guard. Guardsmen Jeremy Wilson and Austin Sigg, a former councilman, were on hand.
— Approved use of the New Community Building at the park for a Nov. 11 meal hosted by the Veterans Day Committee to feed members of the 35th Infantry Military Band, which will be in town for a public performance that day.
— Approved a special permit request for Dudley’s Done Right to host an outdoor music concert Oct. 7 at the restaurant. Cereal malt beverages will be served during the event.
— Were told by Houser that antique lanterns soon will be reinstalled at the football stadium at Riverside Park. She found an old lantern during renovations, and sought to have it refurbished. Others were fabricated to look identical.
— Were told Christmas Vespers rehearsals will begin at 8:15 p.m. Oct. 4 at Iola’s First Christian Church. The weekly rehearsals will lead up to the Dec. 3 Vespers Concert. Anyone in the community is welcome to be a part of the chorus, Houser said.
