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Columbiana delays action on electricity
By D.A. WILKINSON
COLUMBIANA
Council wants to set electrical rates for city customers but tabled the issue due to a lack of information.
City Manager Keith A. Chamberlin said Tuesday of the rates, “I didn’t do my homework as I thought.”
He told council that he was not sure what industrial, commercial and residential costs would be if the city decides to buy electricity from American Municipal Power Inc.
He wasn’t sure if the rates would be at megawatts or kilowatts or other measures.
In other action, council voted not to ask for a hearing before the Ohio Department of Liquor Control for a new liquor permit for A & L Gas LLC, doing business as Quik Mart & More.
The C-1 liquor permit would allow carryout of beer in 12- or 24-can packages for off-premises consumption.
Police Chief Tim Gladis told council he did not see a problem if the permit was issued.
Council also approved an emergency ordinance that would allow Chamberlin and the city’s Clerk of Council Deann L. Davis to get information from the chief of the Ohio Division of Mineral Resources of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
City Municipal Atty. Daniel Blasdell said that agreement will allow the city to receive information on energy options that are being taken throughout the area and are registered with the state. The information will first go to Columbiana County Engineer Bert Dawson, and will then be available to subdivisions.
Tom Farley, the chief of the city’s EMS program, said he would begin to apply for funds for a new ambulance. The city has two ambulances. He estimated the city will contribute about $60,000 and the same amount would come from grants. The grants would likely be approved by 2013 when the city will have raised the money for its share of a new ambulance.