Mar 13, 2008

The Ava Board of Aldermen met for a brief session Tuesday evening, a meeting that included an update on the city's efforts to renegotiate a palatable agreement with Sho-Me Power –– an attempt by the city to countermand the upcoming rate increase which goes into effect April 1. Administrative Director Peggy Porter informed council members neighboring cities had joined with the City of Ava and their efforts to fight the electrical rate increase. Porter said the group is working with an attorney to determine what options might be viable to pursue, what contractual obligations, if any, the municipalities must abide by, and what type of reasonable solutions are available to the group. Neighboring communities enjoining Ava's efforts are Houston, Lebanon and Sullivan. On Tuesday, Feb. 26, Ava hired attorney Brent Stewart of Stewart & Keevil, LLC, from Columbia, Mo. to help the City of Ava tackle issues associated with the rate increase. Stewart, who specializes in electric industry litigation, was engaged to assist in determining the best venue for negotiating with Sho-Me Power. Stewart is now representing the entire group of municipalities. Porter reported several Missouri legislators and members of the General Assembly have asked the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) to serve as a third-party expert and review the new Sho-Me Power rate structure. The commission has been asked to provide an opinion on the fairness of the rate increase. Porter said the city will continue in their outreach to find a solution to the problem. A request from LTC. Larry Durham, Civil Air Patrol, Douglas County Squadron Commander, was presented to council and city administrators by Mayor Leon Harris; Durham was asking for help in securing a meeting place for the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program. The program, which is presently being implemented in the area, is focused on helping youth develop leadership and technical skills, as well as learn about aviation and space. The program is geared for youths, age 12-21 years. After a brief discussion, it was agreed the cadet program could meet in the city building located at NW 3rd Avenue and NW 10th Street, a site commonly referred to as the "Singleton" building. Mayor Leon Harris reported city employees had a system in place for attacking the debris left throughout the town by the recent ice storms. He said city crews were diligently working to rid neighborhoods of the piles of brush and tree limbs. Harris informed the board some of the debris was being hauled to the landfill compost area, and others were being processed in the chipper. Administrative Director Peggy Porter updated city council on the architectural plans being developed for a new City Hall building. Porter said the drawings are still in the planning stages, however the latest renderings submitted by the architectural firm were too costly. Consequently, Porter noted the city had requested the firm provide a plan that was more cost effective. Last year the City engaged the architectural firm of Pellham Phillips Architects and Engineers of Springfield to create a plan for building a future city hall. The proposed site would house city officials, administrators, and city utilities in one convenient location. Council members in attendance for the meeting were Judy Lovan, Ric Engelhardt, Burrely Loftin and David Norman. The next council meeting is Tuesday, March 25, 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at Ava City Hall.