All Entries Tagged With: "Houssin Hourieh"
ARPA and LUB Are Settling Lawsuit
The lawsuit between Lamar Light and Power and ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority is drawing to a close and is expected to conclude following ARPA’s monthly meeting set for Thursday, February 25th. Utility Board members voted to approve a proposed settlement with ARPA, Case Number 14CV30045, during their meeting Tuesday, February 23rd. Following an […]
Council Okays Contracts for Lamar Loop Planning and GoCO Inspire Grant
A brief Lamar City Council meeting on January 25th dealt mostly with appointments and contract renewals. One of the next steps in the construction of the proposed Lamar Loop, a walking path encircling most of the city and connecting several exercise areas, is the hiring of a firm for design and construction documents. Two firms […]
Lamar Light and Power Continues to Upgrade Equipment for 2016
Houssin Hourieh, Lamar Light and Power Superintendent, told the Utility Board members that some expenditures have been budgeted for 2016 to update aging and outdated equipment. The plant will focus on power station relays for the 25 & 69 kilovolt substation equipment. He noted, “The relays were manufactured in the 1960s and we can’t […]
Utility Board Gains New Member
Michael Horning, Lamar businessman, was sworn in as the latest member of the Lamar Utility Board, replacing the vacancy left when Michael Bryant’s term expired. Judge Stanley Brinkley administered his oath of office at the Lamar Light Plant offices on Tuesday afternoon, October 27th. He will serve a five year term until 2020. Board chairman, […]
Lamar City Council Sets 2016 Budget
The Lamar City Council was joined by the Lamar Utility Board of Directors for the public hearing held regarding approval for the 2016 budget. Revenues for the City are projected for next year at $7,890,328, which is an increase of $233,035 compared to the 2015 budget. The Sales Tax Revenue of $1,357,206 is steady against […]
Light Plant Okays Equipment Replacements
The Lamar Utility Board approved four bids totaling $78,709 for various replacement stock items ranging from 40 and 45 foot wooden power poles, pole mount transformers, wooden crossarms and 40 foot iron ductile poles. Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, has explained this past summer that the plant will need to continue to purchase replacement […]
Storm Repair Efforts Recapped at LUB Meeting
Rick Beard assumed the duties of the interim chairman of the Lamar Utilities Board during the regular meeting held on Tuesday, August 25. Beard moved into that position when former chairman, Michael Bryant, said he would not serve another four year term due to time constraints. Beard will act as interim chairman until a […]
Bryant Honored for Service to LUB, Board Member Faces ARPA Suit
A vacancy for a position on the Lamar Utilities Board is currently open with the end of the four-year term for Michael Bryant. Bryant had served as board chair for his final year and has been replaced in that capacity by Rick Beard. Bryant’s departure leaves one spot open which is currently being advertised in […]
Light Plant Makes Repairs on Area Outages
The Lamar Utility Board held a brief meeting, approving purchase orders and payment of bills. A bid for underground junction boxes for $5,357 was approved to maintain stock inventory. Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, explained that some of these will be used as parts of the electrical infrastructure for the proposed dormitory pod for Lamar […]
ARPA/LUB Scholarships Announced; Exploration of New Power Source Continues
The Lamar Utility Board held a brief general meeting before moving into executive session regarding the assets of the Lamar Repowering Project. Prior to that, the December 2014 Financial Report was delivered which showed that cash was up $159,533 from November and accounts receivable increased by $155,456. There was a gross operating loss for the […]
Lamar Utilities Board Keeps Power Development Options Open
Lamar Utilities Board Extends Green Castle Agreement The Lamar Utilities Board, following an executive session on Tuesday, April 14, voted for a third extension of the agreement with Green Castle to pursue development of a natural gas power plant for Lamar. Lamar Light and Power Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, explained the energy development firm needs more […]
LUB Extends Fact-Finding Agreement with Energy Production Companies
The Lamar Utility Board spent only a few minutes with their regular meeting agenda on Tuesday, January 13, and the bulk of the meeting in executive session, reviewing a contract extension with representatives from GreenCastle and BioStar Renewables. GreenCastle and Lamar Light and Power entered into a 90 day contract last fall, employing the energy […]
Lamar Utility Board Discusses Collection Write-Offs
The Lamar Utility Board voted to accept the annual collection write-offs for unpaid customer bills for the year. The uncollectible accounts for 2013 amounted to $49,997.99, which is only a hair shy of the $50,000, budgeted for that year. That sum represents 0.38% of the Light Plant’s 2013 revenues of $13,145,197. A collection agency […]
Judge Denies Lamar’s Restraining Order Request Against ARPA & Syncora
The City of Lamar and Lamar Utilities Board were denied a request for a temporary restraining order against ARPA, Arkansas River Power Authority and bonding agent, Syncora Guarantee, during a hearing conducted this past Wednesday, October 22. A Senior Judge, Scott Epstein, ruled that the parties will have 90 days to come to some form […]
Lamar Utility Board Approves 2015 Budget
The 2015 Lamar Light Plant budget was passed by the Lamar Utility Board during their meeting, Tuesday, October 14. The budget, according to Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, is in two sections. One budget deals with the revenue requirements for Operations for the transmission and distribution of electricity. The second deals with the Lamar Repowering […]
Thrall Joins Lamar Utility Board
The Lamar Utility Board officer line-up was reorganized following the swearing-in of Doug Thrall to the board on Tuesday, September 30, by Judge Larry Stutler. Thrall’s appointment was confirmed the night before by the Lamar City Council for a full, five-year term. There were no changes in the actual line-up as Mike Bryant […]
Electricity Thieves “Play” with Fire
Some people are stealing electricity from Lamar Light and Power and their illegal hookups have the potential for danger. Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh, told the Lamar Utilities Board, his crews have come upon several instances where people ‘jump’ an electrical meter to skip out on payments. Fortunately, it’s not a widespread situation, but Hourieh […]
Thrall Gets Nod from Lamar Utility Board
Lamar businessman, Doug Thrall, received a unanimous vote of recommendation to become a board member from the Lamar Utilities Board, during their Tuesday, September 9 meeting. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Lamar City Council for action during their September 29 meeting. Thrall appeared before the board to answer questions regarding a potential conflict […]
Lamar Utilities Board Reviews Insurance Contracts, Board Member Application
Lamar Utilities Board members voted to continue insurance coverage for its 29 mile gas pipeline. The coverage with IMA Kansas Inc. routinely renews on September 3 and was initiated in 2005. Other insurance carriers for the city, such as CIRSA or Traveller’s, covers the power plant substations and wind turbines, but not for the pipeline. […]
Temporary LUB Chairman Appointed
Mike Bryant was elected as a temporary board chairman by members of the Lamar Utilities Board during their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 12. Rick Beard was elected to serve as vice-chairman. Both members will serve in this capacity until a replacement for David Anderson has been recommended by the Utility Board and approved by […]