By Frank Phillips
DLC Media News

Pictured: Rick Anderson of Veregy speaks to Brazil City Council Wednesday.

Brazil – With the help of Veregy, an energy company, the City of Brazil will consider ways to save energy costs.

The main concerns expressed by Mayor Brian Wyndham and members of the City Council on Wednesday were the cost of electricity to operate the Wastewater Treatment Plant and street lights. The street lights in question are not the new lights along U.S. 40 but older lights seen in neighborhoods.

Rick Anderson of Veregy said the city could receive an energy assessment at no charge, which was accepted by the council.

The street lights may be replaced by solar-powered lights that would use little or no electricity.

“There are some significant opportunities to save some significant dollars,” Anderson told the council.

Anderson said Duke Energy customers recently received a 20 percent rate hike.

The mayor said the city has already taken advantage of some energy savings such as replacing the lights in city offices.

In other business:
– An ordinance was amended concerning the animal control contract with the animal shelter.

A 10-day impoundment clause was “tweaked” said City Attorney Traci Orman. The amendment states that after 10 days of impoundment a “vicious” dog will be returned to the owner with no further action, returned to the owner with plans to destroy the animal or the animal will be euthanized at the discretion of the city with court approval if the animal is deemed to be dangerous.

This is a fairly rare situation, Mayor Wyndham said. But, “our police chief and your mayor don’t have any qualms about handling the situation,” Mayor Wyndham added.

The amended animal control ordinance passed 4-0 on both readings and is now part of the City Code.

– Following the last Census, the City of Brazil is now designated as an urban rather than rural city, the Mayor said.

The big advantage of the designation will be to make more money available to the City for transportation and other needs.

Brazil is only one of two cities in Indiana to receive the upgraded designation, he said.

“That may open us up to thrive,” said City Councilman Steve Bell.

– The Mayor announced $10,000 grants have been made available to small businesses in Brazil.

In the first meeting of the new year, an election of officers was conducted as it is each year. Councilman Shane Litz was elected president of the council and Councilman Steve Bell was elected vice president.