Council designates Upper Arlington an America 250 community and backs OML challenge to AT&T tariff filing

Upper Arlington City Council voted unanimously Jan. 13 to adopt a resolution designating the city an America 250 Ohio community and approved a second resolution backing the Ohio Municipal League’s challenge to an AT&T tariff filing at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

Resolution No. 1‑2025, the America 250 designation, was presented by local volunteers and historical‑society members who outlined potential community activities tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States. Kristen Greenberg of the Upper Arlington Historical Society and other volunteers described ideas that include a themed July 4th celebration, school‑focused history programming (a fourth‑grade museum pass offered statewide), a community movie series connection and potential historical markers. Council approved the resolution by voice vote; the motion was moved and seconded on the record and the clerk announced, “Motion carries.”

Presenters said joining the America 250 Ohio program carries no direct cost to the city to become a designated community; however, specific local projects could carry expenses. The presenters flagged one potential grant‑eligible project: a historic‑site sign at the Wellington School cemetery honoring a Revolutionary War veteran. Staff estimated a historic sign would cost in the “$10,000 range” and that any state grant would likely require matching funds.

Resolution No. 2‑2025 directs support to the Ohio Municipal League (OML) as it seeks to challenge a tariff filing by AT&T at PUCO. Vice President Close explained the issue as a tariff request by AT&T that could shift the cost of relocating utility lines in city right‑of‑way to municipalities when road projects require utility moves. “This is a filing with PUCO where AT and T filed what's called a tariff request to make the city pay the cost of relocation for utility lines that are in our right of way,” Vice President Close said, summarizing the OML position.

City staff provided context: when utility poles or lines require relocation for city projects, relocation costs can be substantial. Gary (city staff) told council that, in a prior project, the city paid to move 15 poles at a cost of $271,000 and estimated a separate relocation of 21 poles could have cost another $380,000; he said those figures illustrated the potential scale of the issue for future road projects.

OML asked member cities to pass supporting resolutions to show jurisdictional interest as OML prepares any formal filing; the council approved the OML‑support resolution by voice vote. Vice President Close and staff cautioned that OML could later request member contributions to fund litigation; such a request would return to council for approval.

Council also heard first readings on three ordinances: a three‑year print publication contract (Ordinance 1‑2025), a bond authorization in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000 for CIP projects (Ordinance 2‑2025), and an amendment to Chapter 171 on mayor’s court fees and procedures (Ordinance 3‑2025). Those ordinances were introduced and will return for a vote at subsequent meetings; no council vote was taken on them Jan. 13.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution No. 1‑2025 (America 250 Ohio designation): Motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote (motion carries). No individual roll‑call tallies recorded in the transcript.

- Resolution No. 2‑2025 (support OML challenge to AT&T tariff at PUCO): Motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote (motion carries). No individual roll‑call tallies recorded in the transcript.

The council scheduled formal votes on the introduced ordinances for future meetings and staff said they will return with bond‑sale timing, printing contract details and the mayor’s‑court code changes for the required additional readings and adoption votes.