04-12-76 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MFFTTNCI APRIL 12, 1976 REGULAR MEETING - RECONVENED RESOLUTION NO. 516 -76 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND REQUESTING AN ADDITIONAL HEARING TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND BY THE INDIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ON THE REQUEST BY INDIANA AND MICHIGAN ELECTRIC COMPANY FOR A THIRTY -THREE (33) PER CENT RATE INCREASE. WHEREAS, the Indiana and Michigan Electric Company has petitioned the Indiana Public Service Commission for a thirty -three (33) per cent across the board increase on utility rates; and WHEREAS, the thirty -three per cent increase does not include the additional fuel adjustment cost; and WHEREAS, the proposed rate increase would significantly affect all consumers both in the pri- vate and public section; and WHEREAS, as examples of the proposed rate increase the average home owner would experience an increase from $26.00 per month to $34.00 per month, plus any fuel adjustment increases; and WHEREAS, the City of South Bend has budgeted $650,000.00 for electrical current expenses for the present calendar year which relfected a twenty -four (24) per cent increase over the 1975 bud- get; and WHEREAS, the proposed rate increase would require an additional $214,500.00 to be budgeted fo street lighting alone; and WHEREAS, Indiana law requires the Public Service Commission to hear all controversial pro- ceedings by conducting a full, fair impartial and adequate hearing of all facts and evidence; and WHEREAS, Indiana law specifically mandates the Commission to insure that the public interest be adequately represented by counsel at such proceedings; and WHEREAS, the public interest of the citizens of the City of South Bend will not be adequately represented at the public hearing to be held on April 14 and April 15 in Fort Wayne, Indiana NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend that: SECTION I. The Indiana Public Service Commission is hereby placed on notice that the public interests of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana will not be adequately represented at the public hearings to be held in Fort Wayne, Indiana on April 14 and April 15, 1976. SECTION II. The Common Council of the City of South Bend on behalf of all of its citizens officially petitions the Indiana Public Service Commission to schedule a second hearing in the Cit of South Bend so that all consumers in this locality may offer facts and evidence to insure that a full, fair, impartial, and adequate public hearing be held on the proposed thirty -three (33) per cent rate increase petitioned by the Indiana and Michigan Electric Company. SECTION III. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approved by the Mayor. s/ Frank Horvath Member of the Common Council s/ Roger Parent s/ Richard C. Dombrowski s/ Mary Christine Adams s/ Terry S. Miller s/ Robert G. Taylor s/ Joe T. Serge s/ Walter Szymkowiak s/ Walter T. Kopczynski A public hearing was held at this time on the resolution. Council Member Horvath said the intent of this resolution was a request for an additional hearing by the Public Service Commission in South Bend. He said the average homeowner would experience an increase from $26 to $33 per month, plus an additional fuel adjustment increase. He said the city of South Bend would have an ad- ditional cost of $214,500. Council President Parent said the rate increase was very high, and would hope the resolution would help convince the I &M they should not go that high. He indicated that some of the Council Members would attend the meeting in Fort Wayne. Council Member Horvath said he was just informed that with Waste Water, Park Department, etc., the City's total electric bill is approximately $1,000,000, so if there is a 33 per cent increase it would cost the City a substantial amount. Council Member Szymkowiak made a motion this resolution be adopted, seconded by Council Member Dombrowski. The resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of nine ayes (Council Members Serge, Szymkowiak, Miller, Taylor, Kopczynski, Adams, Dombrowski, Horvath and Parent). ORDINANCES, FIRST READING ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $6,000 TO LINE ITEM 260.0, CONTRACTUAL SERVICES, WITHIN THE CUMULATIVE SEWER BUILDING AND SINK- ING FUND, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE BUREAU OF STREETS IN THE REPAIR OF SEWER STRUCTURES AND RELATED RECONSTRUCTIONS.