Portsmouth Council adopts resolution opposing AT&T tariff change; establishes law enforcement trust account

Portsmouth City Council voted on three legislative items during its Jan. 13 meeting: it passed an ordinance creating a new law enforcement trust account, recorded a first reading for an Esplanade platform project for the Southern Ohio Museum and adopted a resolution backing the Ohio Municipal League's challenge to AT&T's tariff filing at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

The most consequential formal action was the passage of an ordinance authorizing establishment of an account in the city's law enforcement trust fund (Fund No. 225) to receive property-room monies and to appropriate those receipts to expense line 225.2190.5327. Vice President Libet Mosley moved to pass the ordinance; the roll call vote recorded Sean Dunn, Charlotte Gordon, Andy Cole, Yvette Mosley, Joey Sandlin and Dennis Packard as voting yes and the ordinance was adopted.

Council also recorded a first reading for an ordinance authorizing construction of a new platform and curb modification at the Esplanade for the Southern Ohio Museum, submitted by Kurt Dondis on behalf of SONACC. Vice President Mosley moved that the measure constitute a first reading; the council vote recorded Council member Charlotte Gordon as abstaining and other present members voting in favor.

Finally, council adopted a resolution supporting the Ohio Municipal League's challenge to AT&T's tariff proposal at the PUCO. City Manager Sam Sutherland described the resolution as "just expressing our disagreement" with AT&T's proposed change and said that if the matter moved to litigation, Portsmouth would have the option later to join or decline to join that litigation; he said the resolution "doesn't commit us to any any any monies." Vice President Mosley moved adoption; the roll call was unanimous in favor.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance (Law Enforcement Trust Fund, Fund 225): Moved by Vice President Libet Mosley; roll call — Sean Dunn (aye), Charlotte Gordon (aye), Andy Cole (aye), Yvette Mosley (aye), Joey Sandlin (aye), Dennis Packard (aye). Outcome: approved. - Ordinance (Esplanade platform; first reading): Moved by Vice President Libet Mosley to constitute first reading; roll call — Charlotte Gordon (abstain), Andy Cole (aye), Libet Mosley (aye), Joey Sandlin (aye), Dennis Packard (aye), Sean Dunn (aye). Outcome: first reading recorded; merits and details to be considered in later readings. - Resolution (support Ohio Municipal League challenge to AT&T tariff at PUCO): Moved by Vice President Libet Mosley; City Manager Sam Sutherland explained that the resolution expresses the city's disagreement with AT&T's proposal and does not obligate the city to pay litigation costs unless council later appropriates funds. Roll call — unanimous. Outcome: adopted.

Council members and staff indicated that any future city involvement in litigation over the AT&T filing would require a separate appropriation and ordinance if money were needed. The measures passed or recorded were included in the clerk's record for the Jan. 13 meeting.