Mt. Pleasant approves $148K funding to modernize their hydroelectric plant

MT. PLEASANT—The Mt. Pleasant City Council approved a $145,800 upgrade to the one of the city’s hydroelectric plants during its Jan. 13 regular meeting, a step that will bring modern controls to equipment that has served the community since 1939.
The upgrade to Unit 1 at the city’s hydroelectric facility will include a DEX-250 control system, which provides precise voltage regulation plus generator and motor protection, among other features, all in a single package.
The purchase also includes a “brushless exciter,” which replaces old-style parts, including brushes and slip rings, and provides DC power to the main generator rotor, creating the magnetic field needed for power generation.
The Power Department staff told the council that the original rheostat dates back to 1939, and the city has been experiencing issues with brushes wearing out quickly on the current exciter.
“We’ve been going through brushes like crazy,” staff reported. The city aims to have the unit operational before high water season this spring to maximize power generation.
Mt. Pleasant is one of few Utah municipal utilities that generates some of its own hydroelectric power. Streams running out of local canyons flow into and turn turbines in the town’s hydroelectric plants.
In other business, the council approved the sale of approximately 2.1 acres in the city’s industrial park. The council added a clause requiring the buyer to construct a building within two years, with documentation that the project will include a $500,000 building and create jobs starting with at least two employees.
Council members also heard an update on the North Sanpete Veterans Memorial project, which is on track for dedication on July 4 as part of the community’s America 250 celebration marking the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Maria Ricks is leading efforts to gather names of local veterans. Residents can submit names through the city office. The memorial will feature wings for special recognition of Black Hawk War veterans.
Steve Grey, chief of the North Valley Police Department, reported the department had seen record-breaking citation numbers, with new officers actively enforcing traffic laws. He added that the department’s K-9 unit has been particularly active in drug interdiction efforts.
The council also approved a pioneering agreement with Tim and Lindsay Beasley for a water line extension, approved a $3,600 purchase for a shipping container for the Power Department, and discussed revisions to ConToy Arena rules and membership policies.
The arena rules discussion was tabled pending refinement of language regarding membership definitions, appeals processes and the dress.
The council approved $1,000 toward fireworks for the Wasatch Academy Chinese Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 17. Snow College is also donating to the celebration.