Harrisburg council splits on continuing controversial 'energy study'
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[A City Council split vote on Thursday most likely will feed what has been developing as a degree of unrest among Harrisburg City employees.
On a split vote, council voted to continue what has been billed by City Treasurer Charlie Will as an energy study.
Originally explained to City Council as a free study to determine ways the city could save energy - with the emphasis on City Hall - employee concerns grew when representatives of the Evansville firm began probing other departments, prompting Commissioner Ron Fearheiley to ask at a recent meeting of council if the firm has intentions of taking over water and sewer operations.
Will, at that time, gave assurance the firm never operates water and sewer plants and that is not the intention.
The assurance has not quieted unrest among city workers, some of whom have expressed concern they will lose their jobs.
Declaring the work of the firm is "bad news for Harrisburg," Commissioner John McPeek said.
It was unsuccessful; McPeek and Fearheiley, a former water and sewer superintendent, favored halting the study. Mayor Eric Gregg and commissioners Ron Crank and Bart Schiff want it to continue.
Both Crank and Gregg said there is no cost and no obligation to the city as the study continues.
During the discussion, under questioning by Fearheiley, Will did expand on the extent of the study by Energy Systems Group, which appeared far more intensive than explained when council authorized the study.
Will said the firm does a "very comprehensive" study that includes utility operations and needs for repairs and replacement.
He told council water and sewer departments are very high-energy users and the firm has expertise in equipment and processes and can determine of there is new technology that would be beneficial to the city.
Will said citizens would benefit because the firm would increase efficiency, abating rate increases.
And all of this, he said comes with no cost to the city.
Gregg issued an assurance to workers and current service providers, saying, "It is not meant to take over our water and sewer and Jim Brown."
The situation, he said, "has just gotten out of proportion."
Other questions asked of Will were harsher.
McPeek asked if he had any connection, with the firm, to which Will said he had applied for a job there some years ago and a firm in which he has ownership has dealt with the Evansville firm.
Will said whatever the recommendation of the survey, he would be blocked from profiting.
McPeek's intensive questioning brought a reprimand from Gregg: "We are not playing 'gotcha politics,'" he said.
One area of concern, according to Fearheiley, has been water loss percentages.
He told council city employees know of the problems and know the solutions to them.
"This is simple stuff; these are no-brainers," Fearheiley said. "The problem is we need to direct our employees."
With council apparently back into a 3-2 split on at least one matter, employee fears most probably are not relaxed with one section of the apparent ESG website that reads, "ESG's resources in managing projects and programs extend beyond design and construction and include comprehensive operation and maintenance of energy centers and customer facilities; full-scale measurement and verification programs; complete system and facility integration; and so much more."
During the meeting:
- Council gave an OK for a second Tax Increment Finance District along the bypass route, primarily on land owned by Fletcher Johnson.
Fearheiley warned council the area is serviced for sewerage by a "nightmare station" for pumping sewage.
- Council is moving forward with plans for refurbish the Greystone Building in the present TIF area for use by the regional Superintendent of Schools' office.
A special meeting has been called for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at City Hall.
Indications are Harrisburg will make use of, for the first time in recent memory, a piece of law that allows large contract amounts to be approved without competitive bidding. Such action can take place with a 3/5ths council vote.
- Easement work is proceeding on Pankey Branch. However, two landowners are demanding compensation to allow an easement to turn the flood area into a sloped grassy area. Council met in closed session on the matter and took no action authorizing a payment after the meeting. No votes are allowed in a closed session.
- Clearing of the backside of the city's inner levee surrounding the sewage treatment plant has uncovered what could be the cause of boils during flood incidents.
"Varmints" have dug several holes that could weaken the inner levee.
Engineer Jim Brown suggested digging the area out and re-compacting as soon as possible.