02/19/2002 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 2/19/02 could then be taken. The committee unanimously recommended passage of Ordinance 2001-15 8 with the two amendments that were suggested. Ordinance 2002-18, an ordinance authorizing all actions necessary to effect anopt- out natural gas aggregation program pursuant to Section 4929.26 Ohio Revised Code, directing the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to submit a ballot question to the electors authorizing execution of an agreement with NOPEC for such purposes and declaring an emergency. Ordinance 2002-18, sponsored by Mayor Musial, will be passed under suspension of rules in order to be placed on the ballot this spring. Notice to the Board of Elections must be given by February 21. This ordinance allows the voters to consider allowing the city to enter into a gas aggregation purchasing program with NOPEC, the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council. By entering into this agreement, citizens will be able to benefit from bulk purchasing of gas supplies. If passed and implemented, all residents will automatically be participants in the plan unless they specifically choose to opt-out of the program. The committee unanimously recommended approval and passage under suspension of the rule requiring three readings. ~ A proposal to pass a resolution to support Ohio Care, a comprehensive publicly funded not-for-profit health inswance program covering all residents of the State of Ohio as well as all dependents of Ohio residents, whether residing within the state or elsewhere, and all persons employed in the state regardless of residence within or outside of the state as well as their dependents. Mr. Gordon, a volunteer lobbyist, attended the committee meeting and answered questions presented. This plan would eliminate Medicaid, vision, dental, nursing home care, nursing care, prescription and medical insurance plans and place responsibility of providing all the above under the responsibility of the state. Because of some skepticism expressed and concerns about Ohio paying for coverage for non-Ohio residents, it was felt that Council should not rush into passing the proposed resolution as requested by Mr. Gordon. It was unanimously agreed to hold the subject in committee. • Ordinances 2002-12 and 2002-20. (Report given by Councilman Gareau.) Councilman Gareau, member of the Intra-Governmental Relations and Legislation; Long- Range Planning Committee reported on Ordinance Nos. 2002-12 and 2002-20: 1) Ordinance 2002-12 is an ordinance repealing Ordinance 97-122, which is entitled "An Ordinance Creating a New Chapter 133 of the Administrative Code of the City of North Olmsted entitled `Interim Director Appointments' and declaring an emergency." The main discussion of the committee focused on the relationship of Ordinance 97-122, which in its creation allows for interim directors to be appointed by the mayor and removed without the input of Council and a related Charter provision dealing with the removal of directors generally. The Charter provision states that certain directors "may only be removed with the concurrence of two-thirds of the members of Council eligible to vote." The discussion focused on whether the Charter provision requiring Council approval to remove directors was impermissibly at odds with an ordinance allowing removal of certain directors without the consent of Council. The origin of the ordinance was discussed, and it was the belief of the majority members of the committee that Ordinance 97-122 to allow for interim directors to assist in the smooth transition from `' one administration to the next as opposed to that of a sitting mayor between two