Council adopts annual appropriation and multi‑item consent agenda; FirstEnergy easement held for review
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Summary
The Independence City Council adopted the annual appropriation and a consent agenda including a fire‑department equipment purchase, cybersecurity policy, a utility‑locating contract and benefits renewal; the council deferred a FirstEnergy driveway easement because the easement document was not in the packet.
At its Nov. 11, 2025 meeting, the Independence City Council adopted the city’s annual appropriation ordinance and approved a consent agenda containing several administrative and operating items. The consent agenda passed on a roll‑call vote after a brief presentation of items by staff.
The council adopted Ordinance 2025‑128 (annual appropriation) after a motion to adopt and roll‑call; recorded votes on the appropriation included Day: Yes; DeGeronimo: Yes; Narduzzi: Yes; Tagliati: No; Trakis: Aye; Laverca: Yes; Walt Chanoitz: Yes. Finance staff said the appropriation adjusts capital and infrastructure funds but does not alter the general or operating fund balances and cited recent payments such as a $176,000 ODOT contract closeout and $458,000 for service‑department work.
Items on the consent agenda (read by title and adopted together) included: - Purchase of an extractor cleaning device for the fire department to sanitize self‑contained breathing apparatus, helmets, gloves and boots; the fire chief said machine cleaning is more thorough, consistent, reduces cancer risk and saves staff time (two packs per ~15 minutes). Staff said purchasing is in the capital plan so no additional appropriation was required. - An ordinance requesting county advancement of property tax collections under Ohio Revised Code sections cited in the legislation. - Renewal of the contract with South Shore Utility Locating Inc. for underground conduit marking; staff recommended South Shore’s flat monthly price (about $1,800/month; $21,600/year) with a $4,000 contingency for a not‑to‑exceed $25,600 contract. - Adoption of a City of Independence cybersecurity policy required by state law (House Bill 96), including adherence to NIST/CIS frameworks, required training, and ransomware reporting to Ohio Homeland Security within seven days and to the auditor within 30 days. - Amendments to the building permit fee schedule to move certain fees for new dwellings and additions to a square‑footage basis; staff said this is primarily a structure change to make fees more equitable and does not materially raise fees. - Renewal with Anthem/ERC Health for group medical and prescription coverage; staff reported a surplus refund of about $111,610 and projected 2026 premiums at roughly $3.13 million (down from a projected $3.197 million).
A separate ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a driveway easement with FirstEnergy Properties Inc. and a $10,000 payment was not adopted. Multiple councilmembers said the easement agreement referenced in the ordinance packet was not attached or available in the council portal; one councilmember said, “Personally, until I actually see the actual easement agreement, I am not comfortable moving forward with the legislation.” Staff acknowledged the agreement exists but that it was omitted from the packet; the council agreed to leave the item on first reading rather than pass it tonight.
The council also authorized retention of labor‑relations counsel (Ordinance 2025‑129) and handled several items on first reading, including selecting James B. Oswald Company as the proposed insurance broker for 2026 (Ordinance 2025‑136). The meeting concluded with announcements and adjournment.