Council approves generator upgrades

The city’s ability to generate electricity took center stage Monday as Iola City Council members discussed short- and long-term projects with Iola’s electric plant.
Council members voted to spend upwards of $840,000 over the next two years for new control systems to the city’s Wartsila natural gas-powered generators.
The current control systems on the 16-year-old generators are at the end of their life cycles, explained Mike Phillips, power plant superintendent.
Phillips noted he has had difficulty maintaining the old systems, expressing concerns they may not last through another season.
Half of the $840,000 was included in Iola’s 2015 budget; the other half in 2016.
The challenge is that Iola’s electric fund reserves remain low, at about $1.15 million, and represent barely a one-month cash flow.
Because of that, the city will dip into funds it has set aside to purchase new generators. The city has about $2 million in that fund, City Clerk Roxanne Hutton said.

BUT AS THE the city dips into its electric generation reserves, planners should remain cognizant that Iola does not generate enough power on its own to qualify for cheaper wholesale electricity rates, council members noted.
Since the 2007 flood destroyed a series of steam generators — FEMA funds to repair them were, with the federal government’s blessing, diverted to replace the city’s swimming pool instead — Iola has fallen short of thresholds set forth by the Southwest Power Pool to be considered a “generating city.”
To make up the difference, Iola buys excess generating capacity from Chanute, Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock said.
It would remain in Iola’s best interest to continue planning for a new generator or two, Councilman Jon Wells said. In fact, Iola should put infrastructure needs — electricity, water and gas — higher on its strategic planning priorities, Wells said.

COUNCIL members renewed a five-year contract with Taser International for body cameras worn by police officers. The city will pay $90,499 over the five years, with another $25,000 from the Allen County attorney’s office ($5,000 a year over the five-year period.)
The contract includes a license agreement with evidence.com, replacing and maintaining newer cameras as they’re developed, and a docking system for downloading video and recharging the cameras.

THE COUNCIL accepted the resignation announcements of Kevin Rush, from the Electric Department, and Joshua Gumfory, from the Gas, Water and Wastewater Department. Council members approved annual or six-month evaluations for four other employees, with subsequent pay raises.