Committee chairman Buzz Busby read through the few amendments to the
contract:
-
Extend the contract
five years. The prior contract was for three years, but the
company wants a longer commitment to allow recovery of their
costs in replacing pumps.
-
Change over from gas
chlorine to liquid.
-
Change from Consumer
Price Index increases to the North American Industry
Classification System.
-
Reduce contract
$34,750 per year.
-
Phase in new
electricity plan.
-
Replace 10 pumps at
$350,000 over a period of time, with the costs covered by EMC.
At the last meeting, manager Dave Kitzmiller addressed questions
about the changes in the electric consumption at the plant.
Previously, generators were used during peak times in summer months
to reduce costs. The new electric rate structures no longer offer
any savings in doing this. The EMC's parent company, BOC, plans to
bundle the communities they serve and seek bulk purchase of
alternative-source electricity.
Alderman Busby said that the new contract looks to be saving the
city a half-million dollars a year without any savings on
electricity. "So it could amount to more than that," he said.
[to top of second column]
 |
 Alderman Benny Huskins said, "I think a five-years (contract) is
too long." He also said, "I think the city could probably run the
sewer plant cheaper themselves."
Aldermen Marty Neitzel and Jonie Tibbs disagreed with him.
Neitzel said that the people of Lincoln are saying that we should
probably go out for bids. She countered, "It is my understanding
that originally EMC was the low bid for management of the sewer
treatment plant." She said that the raises they have made each year
have not been union wages but have been in accordance with the CPI.
They are doing a good job for the city, no one has been injured on
the job for eight years, and they are working with us to save money
on electricity. "I do not know that we could do this with our own
help," she said.
Tibbs said: "I think that the city had a taste of what the city
could do back some years ago. We were in a very big mess and EMC
took care of everything.. I think the city deserves the best, and
that we have right now."
Huskins agreed there may have been a mess then, but that was
prior to the current council.
The contract renewal was approved 8-1, with Huskins voting no.
Alderman Daron Whittaker was absent.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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