11/19/2000 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular Council Meeting ? 11-19-01 Page 2 There were no comments. Mayor Rinker said we provided you with a little bit of a packet. There are a couple of issues he wants to touch on. The first one, which has prompted all of you to come back to us, is one that we are likely never to resolve to anyone's satisfaction. I think it may become an academic issue. That is the question of the representation made that it could be catastrophic [if it were hit.] Every representation made to us, both before and after that date, has been to the contrary. We started from a position that if that is going to be that kind of a problem, something needs to be done. East Ohio Gas has been adamant that the regulator can't be placed underground. It was about a year ago when this issue was last addressed by Council. Since that time, the first I had heard that this was still posing an issue, it was brought up about 2-3 weeks ago. Then, we tried to pick up the ball where it was and see what could be done. The practical solution would be that East Ohio Gas, in looking at the area, has two locations--one where they could combine 4 regulator structures (if they could find a suitable place); and that would likely be across the street. Whether we will have the opportunity to do so, we do not know. We know that is still an option that East Ohio Gas is looking at. Where things stopped here last year, there was some tentative discussion as to whether or not the church site would be a location. We still think that a viable location for East Ohio Gas would be somewhere on the church site. That is something we need to revisit as far as where it could go; what it would require--an easement; what limitations the easement would pose. We probably have to look at the pros and cons of that site, the pros and cons of the other site. Ideally, East Ohio Gas will expend all the funds and do all it needs to do to relocate, but it needs a final landing place. The last word I heard was that Mr. Metzung had talked with Ty McBee of East Ohio Gas; all he could say was that he was aware that these options still are available. As far as a timetable for construction plans for any of those details, he did not have the information as of yet. I think our best course of action is to work with East Ohio Gas to explore those 2 possible locations and see if it will work out. Then, it will be a collective decision between Council and the Administration as to what the down side may be, what the positives are in relocating it. That would be most desirable course for us because the alternative is going to be problematic as far as finding a new site that would require our expenditure of funds. I am hoping we don't get into that kind of impasse. That is really what we have to look at--what is going to take to relocate. We will keep you updated. I am sure that is something that Dr. Parker can report back on. Mr. Sullivan asked if they would agree to respond within the 60 days. Mayor Rinker said yes. Dr. Parker is the one who had contacted us and let us know that this had returned to the table so we can definitely keep in communication. Dr. Parker said there has been some conflicting information about the safety issue. If that structure were to get hit, he has heard that there is an automatic shut-off system built into it. Mr. Metzung said that is correct. I have asked East Ohio Gas to provide us with a letter to describe the safety features of the gas regulators. Your understanding is correct. If it should get hit, it's like a pressure release valve, that when that kind of pressure goes, something automatically shuts off. In their letter, I asked them to describe the mechanics of how that