1974 870 Resolution - Laserfiche WebLink

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?. 2 RESOLUTION N0. $70 Introduced by: Council as a Whole A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE JOINING WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES IN LITIGATION AGAINST THE CITY OF CLEVELAND WITH REGARD TO WATER RATES; AUTHORIZING THE SUBU.RBAN WATER I2ATE COMMITTEE OF THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY MAYORS AND CITY MANAGERS ASSOCIATION TO COORDINATE EFFORTS AND RECEIVE AND EXPEND FUNDS THEREOF; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY WHEREAS, some or all of the residents of this community receive water service from the City of Cleveland either directly or through this suburb by means of a master meter; and WHEREAS, the City of Cleveland established new rates for water service affect- ing.residents of this community, on or about September, 1974, and in addition thereto, has established a surcharge on all water furnished or used through meters larger than one inch, including master meters, as well as a maintenance charge to all direct ser- vice water customers located outside the City of Cleveland, and WHEREAS, the City of Cleveland prior to the passage of the new rates did not consult or negotiate with this municipalit.y but did in fact arbitrarily, unilaterally, and capriciously set rates which are judged by this council to be discriminatory, excessive and confiscatory, and that Cleveland continues to give away free water to certain of its governmental and non-profit users without the same right to this suburb, while making this suburb subsidize said cost; and WHEREAS, it has been reported to the water consumers that the operation•of the water filtration, purification and distribution system of the City of Cleveland may be unable to cope with the requirements of the residents of this suburb in the for". seeable future and it has been further reported that the funds raised by the rates charged by the City of Cleveland are being imprudently and unnecessarily applied so that the most pressing problems are not being solved and that the rates are not based on any scientific, reasonable or proper rate structure; and WHEREAS, this municipality and its residents have been deprived of rights and property by the actions of the City of Cleveland in unlawfully raising water rates and establishing new charges, and unlawfully giving away free water, thus necessitating immediate concerted action to prevent further deprivation, to recover losses suffered to date, and to insure adequate water service in the future; and WHEREAS, by reason of the foregoing the regionalization of the Cleveland water system is vitally necessary in order to provide and maintain adequate and equitable water service in the future, and WHEREAS, this resolution constitutes an emergency measure providing for the immediate preservation of the public heal.th and safety and welfare, for the usual daily operation of a municipal department, and to institute legal action at the earliest date, now, therefore,