Council considers Milestone development, RP&L proposed increase

The Richmond Common Council meets in regular session Tuesday with a full agenda.

Among the agenda items are:

• A report from Street Department head Tracy Bosell and requests from the Richmond Fire Department and Richmond Parks & Recreation Department to receive donations and grants;
• A special ordinance amending the zoning map from mixed zoning of general commercial and agricultural to high intensity industrial at 3408 Chester Boulevard. The request comes from Heritage Land Company and Milestone Contractors, who plan to consolidate their Richmond operation from three sites to one and build an office, garage and asphalt mixing plant. This ordinance was heard by the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission Jan. 23 at which time commission members heard a presentation by Milestone representatives. City staff recommended denial of the ordinance but Plan Commission members voted 9-0 to recommend approval to Common Council. The ordinance came to Council at its Feb. 3 meeting at which time Milestone representatives made a presentation followed by opposition from several citizens, including Leighann Hahn, representing the city’s Environmental Sustainability Commission. Council members decided to hold the ordinance on second reading, or public hearing, for Tuesday’s meeting.
• An ordinance granting Richmond Power & Light to seek a 9.6 percent increase in electric rates with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. RP&L last sought a rate increase in 2004, which was approved by the IURC at 6.5 percent and implemented over two years starting in 2005. The increase will be spread over the various categories of electric use, including residential, commercial, commercial lighting and industrial, and will be phased in over three years. If approved the increase will begin in 2021.
• An ordinance increasing the rate for the cumulative capital development fund, which is used to pay for vehicles and equipment for the city’s police and fire departments. The tax rate for the fund is currently $0.0414 per $100 of assessed value. City officials are asking that the rate be increased to $0.05 per $100 of assessed value. The rate in the city starts at 5 cents and drops slightly each year unless it is reset by council.

Council begins at 7:30 p.m., following the Richmond Power & Light Board of Directors meeting at 7 p.m. All are welcome.