Tallmadge council approves utility permit fees, road and facility projects, grant and gas-aggregation amendment

Tallmadge City Council approved a package of measures on March 13, 2025 that the administration said are intended to prepare the city for growing utility work, advance infrastructure projects and accept outside funding.

Key approvals included ordinance 2025-38 establishing a right-of-way utility construction permit fee; ordinance 2025-39 accepting a Bureau of Justice Assistance violent crime reduction grant (city share about $56,917); authorization to advertise for bids on the East Avenue reconstruction project (Ordinance 2025-45); contracts and bid authorizations for cemetery cremation-park improvements (2025-41) and community center roof repair (2025-42); retaining a consultant for right-of-way acquisition on the East Avenue project (2025-43); and Ordinance 2025-46, an amendment to the city's natural-gas aggregation agreement with Eastern Power & Gas (EPNG) that moves the aggregation to a variable rate with a provider discount until the city can lock a new fixed price.

Director of Public Service Roar told council the right-of-way fee is intended to cover staff time reviewing a growing volume of fiber and other utility installations. "If you think about utilities, you'd have a gas company tying into 1 house or maybe 2 houses... Now the fiber is going coast to coast. It's going a mile in all directions and now we have to take time to review the plans," Roar said. He described the proposed fee as "$200 for the first 200 feet and $20 for each additional 100 feet." The ordinance passed at first reading.

Roar also explained the gas-aggregation amendment was prompted by supply and tariff changes at a private supplier that required many communities served by that provider to alter their contracts. He said the amendment would place customers on a variable rate with a 5-cent-per-unit discount from market, and start April 1 if the city signs the amendment. Roar said the change preserves the city's aggregation rather than having all customers drop to the utility's default rate; the city can seek a fixed-price contract later when market conditions improve. "This is the option that we have," Roar said.

Council also authorized staff to advertise for bids on the East Avenue Road reconstruction project (North Avenue to the roundabout) and to hire Orlean Associates LLC for right-of-way acquisition services to support that project, which is scheduled to start work in 2027. The cemetery cremation-park and community center roof repairs were budgeted and advanced to bidding or first reading, and the city accepted the federal violent-crime grant to purchase equipment and support training and overtime costs.

All voted measures recorded unanimous votes where recorded (typically 6-0). Several items were introduced for first reading or committee hearing and will return to council for further action.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 2025-38 (utility construction permit fees): set fees at $200 for first 200 ft; $20 per additional 100 ft. First reading; passed 6-0 where recorded. - Ordinance 2025-39 (Bureau of Justice Assistance FY2024 violent crime reduction grant): city share approx. $56,917 for equipment/training/overtime; approved 6-0. - Ordinance 2025-45 (East Avenue reconstruction — advertise for bids): authorized; approved 6-0. - Ordinance 2025-43 (right-of-way acquisition services — East Avenue): authorized contract with Orlean Associates LLC; approved 6-0. - Ordinance 2025-41 (Tallmadge Cemetery cremation-park improvements): authorized to advertise for bids; approved 6-0. - Ordinance 2025-42 (Community Center roof repair): authorized to advertise for bids; approved 6-0. - Ordinance 2025-46 (amendment to gas aggregation agreement with Eastern Power & Gas): moves aggregation to variable-rate amendment with a 5-cent discount, effective April 1 if signed; approved 6-0. - Ordinance 2025-40 (HZW environmental consulting for 892 NW Ave): introduced in Public Service committee; first reading (no final action tonight). - Ordinance 2025-44 (amending outdoor storage rules; public hearing set 04/24/2025): introduced at first reading and public hearing scheduled.

Several ordinances were advanced to bidding or to subsequent readings; council members and staff said they will return with contract documents, bid results or additional ordinance language at future meetings.