City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of May 22, 2024 The Governing Body met at 4:00 pm on this date for the Regular City Commission Meeting with the following members present and participating to wit: Mayor Skidmore, Mayor Pro Tem Allen, Commissioner Caylor and Commissioner Crowley. Commissioner Clayton was absent. Mayor Skidmore called the meeting to order. Mayor Skidmore welcomed the audience, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Timothy Roth from Faith Lutheran Church gave the invocation. Public Comments No public comments were received. Appointments, Proclamations, Recognitions, Nominations, and Public Hearings Consent Agenda Commissioner Crowley made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Allen, to approve this consent agenda to include minutes from the May 15, 2024 Regular Meeting, and the Regular Meeting agenda. The motion was considered, and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the consent agenda duly approved. Declaration No declarations were made. Unfinished Business New Business Review of 2025 Operating Budget Electric Fund The Governing Body heard from Finance Director Melanie Landis regarding the 2025 proposed Electric Fund budget. Operations and capital improvements are funded through the collection of monthly user fees for services. Ms. Landis reviewed the following items: • Discussed essential aspects of the electric utility, including electric production, reliable service, and sustainability. • The rate structure, adopted on January 18, 2023, via Resolution 1928-23, supports operations and capital improvements through monthly user fees. • The approved rate increases for 2024 are anticipated to take place in the fall. • Revenue and expenditure trends were thoroughly examined to provide context for the proposed budgetary allocations. • 2025 Proposed Electric Utility Production Budget: Includes $250,000 for testing and repairing a 200,000-gallon diesel storage tank, $20,000 for removal and preventive maintenance on cooling tower pump 2, $35,000 for testing and maintenance on the 161kV transmission system and equipment, $100,000 for a study on the City of Ottawa Electrical System with updates every five years, $75,000 for replacing a 2000 Mountaineer with a full-size crew cab truck, and an anticipated increase in purchase power and demand power for 2025 and 2026. May 22, 2024 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes May 22, 2024 Page 2 • 2025 Proposed Electric Utility Distribution Budget: Includes $150,000 for annual vehicle transfer for a planned replacement in 2027, $60,000 for utility pole replacement, and $130,000 for tree trimming. • 2025 Proposed Electric Utility Warehouse Budget: Includes $30,000 for building maintenance, a $5,000 increase, and $9,000 for weed control chemicals, a $1,500 increase. • 2025 Proposed Electric Utility Administration Budget: Includes $60,000 for the replacement of two vehicles for meter readers and $60,000 for investment in the replacement and relocation of a KIOSK machine. • 2025 Proposed Electric Utility Broadband Budget: Revenue reduction to zero due to the potential for current customers to move to other broadband providers. • Ms. Landis presented highlights from the revised 2024 budget, 2025 proposed budget, and 2026 projected budget offering a comprehensive overview of the fund. • The Electric CIP features key allocations: $500,000 transfer from the electric fund for planned capital improvements, $468,000 for the bulk purchase of AMI meters, and $575,000 for the replacement of the traffic signal at 15th and Main St. Review of New City Alert System Paul Sommer presented a review of the new city alert system to the Governing Body. The City of Ottawa is partnering with Everbridge to ensure residents receive timely and reliable notifications. This system sends targeted messages to the right people at the right time, enhancing community communication. Citizens can easily sign up through a link available on the city’s webpage or Facebook page. City Manager’s Comments City Manager Brian Silcott updated the Governing Body on current projects. Governing Body Comments Mayor Skidmore reported that he attended the Azura Credit Union groundbreaking ceremony and also inquired about the status of the cemeteries in preparation for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. Announcements A. May 29, 2024 City Commission Meeting – 4:00 pm, City Hall B. June 5, 2024 City Commission Meeting – 7:00 pm, City Hall Adjournment There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 5:05 pm. /s/ Melissa Reed Melissa Reed, City Clerk May 22, 2024 2