City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date: 04/17/07

Item No.:        

Recommendation:  That the Common Council authorize the extension of the contract with RMT, Inc. for consulting services related to the WE Energies Elm Road Generating Station Project, for 2007 for an amount not to exceed $20,000.

Background:  When WE Energies began the process to enable the construction of the new Elm Road Generating Station, the City engaged RMT, Inc, an environmental consulting firm, to review information related to the environmental effects of both the construction and the operation of the power plant.  The firm was engaged for an indefinite period, for an amount not to exceed $150,000.  Their services ranged from active research on behalf of the City’s position with the DNR, the PSC, and WE Energies, to testimony in judicial cases, and to review of ambient air monitoring now being done on a regular basis.  The monitoring of air quality was a critical element of the City’s agreement with WE Energies.  The continued review and interpretation of the data provided by the WE Energies air monitoring system and analysis of air quality serves as a safeguard for the residents of the area affected by activity at the power plant.  Because the building project is ongoing, with the first of the new generation units scheduled to begin service in 2009, it is in the best interest of the City to have the monitoring and analysis continue, not only for assurance of compliance, but also to have historical information.  RMT’s services would continue to be engaged on an annual basis for regular monitoring work, as well as being available on an as-needed basis, should environmental issues arise.

Fiscal Impact:  The annual cost of air monitoring analysis and reporting fluctuates depending on the amount of work necessary to complete a thorough analysis.  However, it is anticipates that the cost should not exceed $15,000 annually.  A not-to-exceed amount of $20,000 would fund the reporting for approximately 12 months, unless additional services are requested to address unforeseen circumstances.  Funding would be taken from Fund 19, WE Energies Community Mitigation--Account 514, Consulting.

Prepared by and fiscal review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk

Respectfully submitted, Patrick DeGrave City Administrator