06/17/1997 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 6/17/97 utility services on behalf of the residents. Presently, utilities have protected service areas. However, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has created a pilot project for electric deregulation known as conjunctive electric service. Deregulation will provide for "retail wheeling" whereby retail users will be able to choose power suppliers as is currently done with telephone long-distance suppliers. Under the PUCO program, users could combine and negotiate for more favorable rates. The intent of this ordinance is to offer a Charter amendment to the citizens of North Olmsted which would allow the city to negotiate with utility providers on behalf of all of our residents so as to take advantage of these reduced rates. Numerous suggestions and concerns were voiced at the meeting, including questioning whether a Charter amendment was the best way to accomplish this objective. The administration requested that the legislation be withdrawn to allow for additional time to review various options. The committee concurred with that recommendation. b. Resolution No. 97-53, which reaffirms that the City Council and the Mayor support the Community Development Block Grant Program and ask that Congress continue to fund it. The committee unanimously recommended approval of the legislation. c. Resolution No. 97-58, which calls upon CEI to conclude bargaining with Utility Workers Local 270 so as to preserve jobs in our community and to achieve improved maintenance and emergency response. The legislation was introduced by the Mayor. Following some discussion, the committee unanimously recommended approval of the legislation. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Donna Marshall, 4692 Canterbury Road, spoke on the height of fences around swimming pools. Mrs. Marshall does have a four foot fence around her yard However, according to the current regulations, she would need to add a two foot fence at the top of a four foot pool. She feels it would be an imposition to pay the extra cost for the two foot fence. Mr. O'Grady explained that Council is currently reviewing the swimming pool barrier requirements. He recently introduced legislation which will require residents to have a four foot barrier and leave it to their discretion to go to six feet. A four foot above- ground pool will not require another barrier as long as there is a controlled entrance. It was explained to Mrs. Marshall that the legislation will not be in place for this summer season and that she should contact the Building Department to determine whether her current fence has been in place long enough to be "grandfathered" under the law. LEGISLATION Resolution No. 97-37 introduced by Mr. Nashar on behalf of Mayor Boyle, Mr. Limpert and himself was given its third reading. A resolution requesting a review by the State Legislature of Ohio Revised Code 4303.29 as amended, effective November 1, 1994, subject to economic development project and defining specific limitations. Mr. Nashar moved for adoption; second by Mr. Limpert; motion passed unanimously. Resolution No. 97-37 adopted. 4