Council adopts consent agenda, extends NOPEC agreement and keeps winter fireworks after 5-2 vote

The Independence City Council approved a broad consent agenda Feb. 11 that included routine contracts, equipment purchases and membership dues, extended the city's agreement with the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) for one year and rejected a motion to eliminate the communityChristmas fireworks by a 5-2 vote.

Lede: The counciladopted the consent agenda, which bundled multiple ordinances into a single vote, then separately considered and rejected a motion that would have removed the winter fireworks program.

What the consent agenda included Among the ordinances adopted on consent (listed by ordinance number in the meeting): - 20-25-10: Purchase and training of a police K-9 (approximately $15,200 from drug forfeiture funds). Chief: "Rambo is due to retire in July or August. This is for a new canine unit..." (Chief's remarks on training exclude marijuana scent for narcotics detection). - 20-25-11: Annual hydrant-fee payment to the Cleveland Water Department (approx. $27,032.99). City staff said the fee is calculated by hydrant count and flow capacity. - 20-25-12: Annual membership dues to the Southwest Council of Governments ($27,500) for regional emergency team participation. - 20-25-14:…