Special premeeting comments on Ames City Council agenda July 6th, 2009

The Ames City Council has a special meeting this Monday. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm.  The agenda includes two items:

• Item 1 -- Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO). The city's electric utility participates in an electric power transmission group. This increases the reliability of the power and also reduces costs (power at times can be purchased for less than the city's cost of generation). This item evaluates the joining of the MISO transmission group. Council action is anticipated on this item.
  
• Item 2 -- Review of Interstate Power & Light (IPL) Franchise Fact Sheet.  IPL is giving a presentation to council to sell the benefits of giving eminent domain power to IPL and the benefits of a franchise agreement.

  At the June 9th council meeting the city staff asked for direction from city council regarding several issues being negotiated with Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL) franchise agreement (see staff report). From those issues, I have received several questions regarding the city of Ames giving the IPL Company the ability to condemn property for IPL's use (the right of eminent domain) in the city of Ames (see June 23rd comments). The council passed a motion on the 9th indicating to staff that bestowing eminent domain power to IPL was acceptable. The motion passed  on 4 to 2 vote.

  I did not vote in favor of the motion to give IPL eminent domain. I feel that the taking of someone's property against their will is an extreme measure. The tool of eminent domain should not be used by an entity that is not directly accountable to the citizens of Ames. The Council is accountable to the people through the voting booth (and your emails and phone calls).

  There is no expected action for the approval of the franchise ordinance Monday. A vote will likely happen at a later meeting.

Jim Popken
City Council At Large

Disclaimer: My intent of this communication is to give you a heads up on items coming to the city council. I may state some of my impressions and leanings here. I will, however, try to avoid staking out a position on issues before the council meeting occurs. I feel that I should avoid committing to any positions until I have heard and considered all the public input at the council meeting before a vote.

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See JimPopken.org for past comments.