IURC pullout discussed (3/29/05)

DUNKIRK — Council members here are once again pondering the pros and cons of leaving the jurisdiction of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

Dunkirk officials considered this option about eight years ago. But the proposal met with opposition from city residents, and the idea was dropped following public discussions in 1997.

Belonging to the IURC means that city water rate increases must be approved by the Indianapolis-based commission following public hearings and other procedures which require the city to pay certain fees in advance.

City officials said this makes it hard for local council members to increase water rates gradually, as each increase involves a lengthy process.

At the previous council session, Mayor Sam Hubbard asked city attorney William Hinkle to prepare a report on the subject. Hinkle submitted his report, numbering several pages, at Monday’s council session.

According to Hinkle’s report, major advantages of leaving IURC regulation include:

“Local elected officials are more attuned to the needs of the community than the IURC.

“Public hearings regarding changes in utility rates are held locally, whereas the IURC holds public hearings in Indianapolis where it is hard for the public to attend.

“The IURC charges related to rate increases and bond issues are eliminated.

“Because the IURC (officials) must regulate many utilities in many communities, they have a tendency to make very broad general assumptions, which may be good general guidelines but they may not fit the town or any other community very closely.

“The process of going through the IURC to adjust rates and charges may add six to nine months to the time it takes. If the utility is having some financial problems which require the rate adjustment, usually the problems are made worse with the delay.

“Generally, the IURC does not improve the management of the utility, it only adds another level of bureaucracy.”

In addition Hinkle included a long list of communities which have dropped out of the IURC during the past few years. These included Albany, Angola, Batesville, Berne, Bluffton, Speedway and Van Buren.

Hubbard suggested that city council members review Hinkle’s report over the next few weeks, and “decide on a course of action” at the April 11 council meeting.

In other action Monday night, council members heard a request from the owners and managers of the Second Chance Bar & Grill, 116 E. Commerce St., to serve beer and food in a large tent near their business during the Glass Days Festival.

Explaining the idea were Terry Ridgway and David and Susan Duran. They said the only alcoholic beverage to be served in the tent would be beer and strictly inside the confines of the tent. They said they also planned to obtain permission from the state Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and strictly enforce all the state regulations regarding having such a festival beer tent.

“I know it’s never been done before, but we’d like a chance to do that,” Susan Duran said.

Just prior to Monday night’s council meeting, the trio said they presented their plan to the Glass Days Festival Committee, and were told to present the idea to the council.

Responding to the request, Hubbard said, “In the first place, the Glass Days Committee is kind of passing the buck.”

Hubbard said he didn’t see anything wrong with having a tent along East Commerce Street and serving and cooking food there, but he questioned the idea of serving beer on the sidewalk. Also he noted that other bars or liquor license holders may want to do the same thing.

“As far as the food part is concerned, I have no problem at all,” Hubbard said.

Police Chief Arnold Clevenger said that public input on this issue should be sought. He suggested that a public hearing be held or perhaps residents should simply relay their opinions to the council member who serves their neighborhood or the mayor.

“It’s kind of a tough decision,” Hubbard said.

Councilman James Doughty added, “I think we ought to think about it,” especially in light of all the Budweiser beer bottles made in Dunkirk.

Hubbard said the council would try to provide a definite answer on the topic at its next meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 11 at city hall.

Also Monday night, council members:

•Agreed to hire Leary Construction of Greenfield to paint the water tower at a cost of $21,700. Hubbard also asked water department superintendent Dace Mumbower to see if there would be any extra charge for painting a picture of a glass blower or a slogan like “Glass Capital of Indiana” on the water tower.

•Tabled the awarding of a contract for cleaning up debris and tree-trimming work at the city park. Hubbard said that perhaps the project should be re-bid because not all the previous bidders seemed to be clear on what the work involved.

•Noted that applications for summer park and pool jobs will be accepted in the next few weeks at city hall.

•Listened to comments by Councilman Larry Smith that the city should do more to clean up eyesores and litter in the community. He advised that perhaps it was time to strengthen some of the city ordinances dealing with these issues.[[In-content Ad]]