[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6391805,"mediaKeyId","2111108-df0f8548c7c7fda7bca23b248d38f22f","parentId",2111108,"title","Hilliard Council backs Ohio Municipal League in challenge to AT&T tariff change at PUCO","audioSeconds",245,"startMs",1190000,"endMs",1435000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2111108-df0f8548c7c7fda7bca23b248d38f22f&start=1190&end=1435","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2111108-df0f8548c7c7fda7bca23b248d38f22f/thumbnail_1190000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6391805/Hilliard/Franklin-County/Ohio/Hilliard-Council-backs-Ohio-Municipal-League-in-challenge-to-ATT-tariff-change-at-PUCO","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6391805-0cb5e82a4785db2b4e3e58a832a35c69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201964&Signature=OvaZgIRGLMEtFkrEpaDYGlJ1ZUDKSYKQpOtJ4vUDXtRh572~MrprYvBEWsvFo5yfSqlI4Px2KylUn63S9wPppIwJW7Ijfqc87kWffgekbg1INTHP8wfotENCN~avvKsjYoqy-VUn8n2SkkOyo6miXw~usCI61jwQ9VfIJ8wCFnIrtS5vhQ9fI91rRwMS-hdO0rfL-c4T-u6Jk~Q8-XfJNMMfkUIVK~UGHsNForQ1-1L2VleFeL4wxLfbOsyR50efOHsa2oXNUJG~-IFyDvGMLGJxeYQM~VJfYxAhPuIpdf-oGMRwM1v-QN4-BQTRsW7b0WIkWd8tZJxX93Za~0bqqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hilliard OH","date","2025-01-13T00:00:00Z","article","HILLIARD, Ohio — Hilliard City Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Jan. 13 supporting the Ohio Municipal League’s challenge to a tariff amendment filed by Ohio Bell Telephone Company (AT&T) at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

City staff told council the tariff amendment would let the company charge municipalities for the cost of relocating or undergrounding utility lines — a change from current practice. A staff presenter said the resolution was initiated at the request of the Ohio Municipal League to gather municipal support for intervening before the PUCO.

A staff explanation read at the meeting said, “This resolution was initiated at the request of the Ohio Municipal League due to a filing of a tariff amendment by, Ohio Bell Telephone Company, which is AT and T. Tariff before the Public Utilities Commission is the term they use to establish their rules of operating and, charging fees. And what they have requested is a change that would allow them to charge back the costs of relocating an undergrounding lines to the requesting municipality, which is contrary to today's current practice.”

Vice President Andy Teeter, drawing on experience as a utility relocation coordinator, explained how right-of-way and easement arrangements typically work. Teeter said, “If they're in a private easement that they paid for then we are required or the municipality is required to pay for them to relocate it. But if they're in our easements, our right of way, then that charge is on them.” Teeter added that the tariff amendment appeared to expand the list of items the company could charge back to municipalities.

City staff cautioned that municipalities’ leverage is limited by state right-of-way rules and that new contractual rights can be pursued only when opportunities arise.

Council voted by roll call: Cynthia Vermillion, Andy Teeter, Tina Catone, [Mister] Carrier, Greg Betts and Emily Cole all voted yes. The resolution passed 6–0 and is effective “at the earliest date allowable by law,” according to the meeting record.

In addition to the resolution, the council approved one consent-agenda item (24R01) by voice vote earlier in the meeting; the consent item passed and was certified without separate discussion.

The resolution directs the city to join municipal peers in supporting intervention at the PUCO; no additional city appropriation or ordinance was approved at the meeting. Council did not specify follow-up steps or a timeline for any further legal or contractual action on the matter during the Jan. 13 session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council - Jan 13 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Hilliard City Council voted 6-0 Jan. 13 to adopt a resolution supporting the Ohio Municipal League's challenge to an AT&T (Ohio Bell Telephone Company) tariff amendment at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio that would let the company bill municipalities for some utility relocations.","taxTitle","Hilliard, Franklin County, Ohio","taxId",52752,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6391810,"Hilliard honors former Mayor Timothy Ward; family urges permanent memorial",641,292000,933000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2111108-df0f8548c7c7fda7bca23b248d38f22f&start=292&end=933","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2111108-df0f8548c7c7fda7bca23b248d38f22f/thumbnail_292000.jpg","/articles/6391810/Hilliard/Franklin-County/Ohio/Hilliard-honors-former-Mayor-Timothy-Ward-family-urges-permanent-memorial","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6391810-730aa910fadd843037b2247f6a1d3b11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201964&Signature=iMFCkuzHmSW-l1mVk8TyHCxHnrpLHqSofmd1aIeyBXl9atlV5xFhEjcj3JEHqDXfjnQVauSRjcM2a-2xPXhePipAAqxY6xfmUlwzVCnQKmnia4eBcZIL-G1iS-2C42rJf1HGqzovVcQPg2w8VFN61IjWcCVmpr3-bp~KS4pcDjZbZoGz7HJU8JCh0QEX7TFsQoEzNzKNei~83J-2Kk~2CzygViNYmZN6KN3PwX-l2hRsu~-ZlQR49ZSOe4YQsqv6vsCuO9lm7UaI65~94AyBQpLgaN7GvhZV90Rd0p~DWVDT2taSOfWdCVAHOYXQ6oWeoep~aSLHAOkV15eVlhJE8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HILLIARD, Ohio — Hilliard City Council presented a proclamation on Jan. 13 honoring former Mayor Timothy Ward and members of Ward’s family urged the council to give him a permanent public memorial.

President Tina Catone read the proclamation, listing Ward’s service as Hilliard mayor from 2000 to 2003, his roles with the Madison County Board of Elections and the Association of Election Officials, military service aboard the USS Skipjack and other civic activities. The proclamation notes Ward died Oct. 30, 2024, following a battle with cancer.

The family’s request was framed during a public-comment segment immediately after the proclamation. Ellie Ward, identified in the meeting as the mayor’s daughter, said, “I just truly, the only thing I want is for my dad to get the recognition that I think is long overdue.” She asked the council to “honor my dad for his service, his accomplishments as mayor, and his love for this city by giving him a permanent place in it.”

Patrick Mayer, a trustee at Avery Masonic Lodge, and Jeffrey Gergel, a friend and lodge brother, spoke in support. Mayer said Ward was “a beacon of not only God and his country, but of Hilliard as well,” and asked the council to consider an existing pocket park or similar site. Gergel described Ward’s civic work and military service and called him “a great loss.”

The proclamation, presented by President Tina Catone on behalf of the council, lists Ward’s civic and professional roles, including service as a page at the statehouse, director of the Madison County Board of Elections, president of the Association of Election Officials, and a graduate of The Ohio State University. The text also notes Ward’s service in the U.S. Navy and his membership in Masonic organizations.

Council members did not take a formal vote to create a park, plaque or other permanent memorial during the meeting. The proclamation and a sign were given to the family at the meeting’s conclusion.

The comments from Ward’s family and Masonic colleagues focused on recognition of public service and veterans’ contributions; no formal council action or timeline for any memorial was announced.","Hilliard City Council on Jan. 13 presented a proclamation recognizing former Mayor Timothy Ward’s public service; family members and Masonic colleagues urged the council to consider a permanent memorial such as a park or plaque.","actionData","errors"]

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Hilliard Council backs Ohio Municipal League in challenge to AT&T tariff change at PUCO

Hilliard honors former Mayor Timothy Ward; family urges permanent memorial