Aldermen Still Interested In EV Charging Stations
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By MARK EVANS
STE. GENEVIEVE HERALD
Charging stations for electric vehicles may not be coming anytime soon.
During last Thursday’s Ste. Genevieve Board of Aldermen meeting City Administrator Happy Welch reported that the county commissioners had opted not to pursue any stations at this time. There had been some hope that the city could go in with the county and share expenses of sitting up an overnight charging station.
“They said they didn’t think it was in the best use for the public parking lot,” Welch told the board. He added that, “It would be expensive to reconfigure the electric pole in the parking lot that is used by various businesses,
“It was not going to work,” Welch said of the plan to put a charging station in the county parking lot.
He noted that the city already had $15,000 allocated for a charging station and asked if the board wanted to wait until the next meeting to address the issue.
“I don’t think we’ve got a better choice,” said Ward 3 Alderman Joe Steiger. “I think maybe we’d better move forward with Main Street Park – maybe not install it, but at least order it.”
Ward 2 Alderman Bob Donovan said he would really like to know what the installation costs are going to be. He also expressed concern about the charger quickly becoming obsolete.
Welch said he would get some figures.
Steiger said he doubted it would become obsolete anytime soon.
“Even if the technology would progress, I think it’s important we get something to service the people who visit that have those vehicles,” Mayor Brian Keim said. “We understand that technology is only good for so long. Even so, an overnight charger would still make a lot of sense, in my opinion.”
Ward 2 Alderman Eric Bennett asked whether any of the vehicles require a particular brand of charger.
Welch replied that Tesla is proprietary (requiring a Tesla charger), but that other electric vehicles come with adapters to allow them to use various brand adapters. He said they also have apps that allow drivers to search for the nearest compatible charging station as they travel.
During his report, Welch also reminded the board that Aug. 15 is moving day for the city to move into its temporary location at 44 Plaza Drive, while the city gall building undergoes renovations.
Sine the office will be closed that day, all utility and water bills due Aug. 15 will instead be due Aug. 18.
OTHER REPORTS
Jasen Crump, police chief, reported that the department had 387 calls for service in June, made nine arrests and issued 19 summonses.
He said the department was again fully-staffed.
Crump said the department received a Missouri Department of Transportation safety grant. He said they have already purchased two additional portable breath-testing machines with the funds. He also said that unofficial ward was received that they were fully funded for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for additional digital radios for patrol cars.
He also reported that the new Dodge Durango patrol vehicles had arrived. It will be the end of September, however, before all the equipment can be installed.
Steve Wilson, local manager for Alliance Water Resources, reported that work had begun the waterline project on Ninth Street. One new valve had to be installed.
He said he has a meeting this week with a representative of a firm that sells crack-filling machines.
He said this street crew would be repainting crosswalks.
Two more components for the electrical component at the water plant have been delivered, he said.
Notes
• During the public comment portion of the meeting, Dena Kreitler, executive director of the Ste. Genevieve Chamber of Commerce, thanked the city for hosting the Chamber’s Leadership class. She said the current group has 14 participants.
• Street closures for Jour de Fete, Aug. 11-13 and for the National Park Service’s “Birthday Bash” (celebrating British troops evacuating New York City, Aug. 25, 1783, effectively ending the Revolutionary War) on Aug. 25 were approved as part of the consent agenda.
• The board passed on first reading a bill authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between the city and Ste. Genevieve Access Television. Ward 2 Alderman Bob Donovan asked whether the terms were the same as before. Welch said they were.