Monticello City approves plans to renew contract with Empire Electric

Members of the Monticello City Council approved renewing a contract with Empire Electric, talked about annexation boundaries and heard an update on the public safety building at their latest meeting.
The Monticello City Council voted to move forward to renew their contract with Empire Electric Association (EEA) at their July 8 meeting.
Upon receiving the draft report from Regime Engineering Partners the city reviewed two suggested options from the study.
Option one would continue with EEA as the city energy provider under newly-negotiated terms and option two would see the city take on the utility management directly.
City council members expressed concerns with the financial burden related to taking on providing power along with the logistical challenges. Council members and staff also shared they’ve heard from the public that they support the way the utility co-op has delivered power to Monticello.
The draft report outlined pros and cons for the two options, city staff recommended option one to continue with EEA.
The city originally signed a 40-year deal with Empire Electric in 2005, with an option for either party to cancel the contract at the 20 year mark in 2025.
With the option for review, the city commissioned a study to review options but after receiving a draft report as well as presentations from EEA; members of the council voted unanimously to move forward with Empire Electric.
Negotiations for a new contract will now begin between the city and EEA.
City Manager Kaeden Kulow mentioned the contract will review things that no longer serve the city and the co-op, with an additional look at the length of the contract as the two groups move forward on a new agreement.
Members of the council also discussed revisions to the city annexation boundaries which will expand the map of future areas that could be annexed into city boundaries. The annexation expansion area does not mean the properties will become a part of the city, as that requires both the property owner and the city to agree on annexation first. The updated annexation boundaries will be considered for approval in August and September following public hearings that have been held on the matter. Future expansions of city services including water and sewer would largely fall on developers.
Members of the Monticello City Council received a report on the planned updates to the San Juan Public Safety Building in Monticello.
John McLaughlin of AJC Architects explained the project includes expanding the facility towards the north to move the courts, add housing, re-roof the building and provide new mechanical and electrical systems.
Other parts of the proposal include improving site circulation for better parking, changing and expanding the layout, improving operational items including inmate intake, and recreation areas, improving design aesthetics, and addressing sewer concerns.
Among the key expansions will increase inmate bed count from 80 to 120 including a new women’s dormitory, with an increase in capacity and accompanying state contracts will also come an increase in staffing levels.
Members of the city council also confirmed their plans for a meet the candidates night in September to allow the public to hear from city council candidates.
Kulow also provided an update on some ongoing projects with the digital sign outside the Visitor Center replaced and work being done on the roof of the Visitor Center with hopes of completing work by the Pioneer Day celebration.
At the meeting members of the council also approved a bulk purchase of fertilizer for the Hideout golf course at $16,700 noting the item was within budget.