Xenia council approves pipeline easement for gas main replacement

Xenia City Council voted unanimously April 10 to grant a pipeline easement to Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio (operating as CenterPoint Energy) for work on portions of city-owned property on West Church Street.

City Manager Merriman told council the easement would allow CenterPoint to replace aging gas main across city-owned parcels and coordinate with planned city improvements in the same area. Merriman said staff had researched a related issue about improvements on the city right-of-way south of the bank site and would follow up to resolve an apparently expired lease assignment.

Councilman Reynolds moved to pass the ordinance; the motion received a second and passed on a roll-call vote with Mayor Urschel, Councilmen Reynolds, Crawford, Croft, Walker, Councilwoman Sarris and President Smith all recorded as “Aye.”

The council opened a public hearing before the vote; no members of the public came forward during the hearing. Law Director Fisher advised that ordinary Huntington Bank customers had no conflict requiring abstention; only board members or shareholders would need to abstain.

Staff said the easement is routine and intended to avoid tearing up future city improvements. Merriman said follow-up work to clarify an old lease with the bank will be brought back to council if needed.

The ordinance was adopted by roll call; staff will follow up with any lease assignment work related to improvements in the right-of-way.