Mansfield City Council fast-tracks NOPEC, offering bulk electric rates

MANSFIELD — City Council on Tuesday evening approved joining the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, a non-profit government aggregator that offers competitive, bulk-purchased electricity.

Local lawmakers, who listened to a second presentation from NOPEC officials during a public hearing, were scheduled to only give a first read to legislation about joining the organization. A vote was scheduled April 21.

However, lawmakers chose to move it ahead to a vote and approved it unanimously, joining more than 240 other communities in Ohio in NOPEC. The new agreement will begin in June.

NOPEC officials said city residents and businesses will be notified by mail in the coming weeks about the program. NOPEC negotiates bulk rates for electricity and natural gas to provide lower, stable supply rates.

Eligible customers in NOPEC communities are automatically enrolled in the standard program, but they have the option to opt out or choose other plans, officials said.

NOPEC, founded in Cuyahoga County in 2000, was designed as a non-profit organization focused on reducing costs for customers through aggregate buying power, rather than generating profits for shareholders.

NOPEC also awards grants to member communities for energy efficiency projects (e.g., LED lighting, solar installations).

City Council on Tuesday also:

— amended the commencement date for Aphordia Deshea Harris to the Mansfield Public Arts Commission. Her term will expire July 31, 2029.

— approved the appointment of Ryan Shealy to the Mansfield Public Arts Commission, replacing Lee Tasseff. His term will end July 31, 2027.

— approved the reappointments of Patricia Kennedy, Harold Wayman and Kimberly Moton to the city Board of Utility Appeals.

— approved the reappointments of Tammy McLaughlin and Sheila Kisor to the city’s Police Review and Community-Police Relations Commission.

— approved the reappointments of Jennifer Kime, Matthew Stanfield and Ben Davis to the Downtown Improvement Advisory Board.

— voted to amend pay ranges, positions and salaries for specified city employees.

— approved spending up to $107,960 on a Cues C550 Camera System from Mtech of Garfield Heights for use by the sewer department.

— approved spending up to $598,534 for a five-year lease for a Super Products Carmel Vac Truck from MTech. The city would pay $119,706.80 for each of the next five years with an option to buy at the end of the lease. The vehicle would be used by the water and sewer departments.

— approved a joint maintenance agreement with Madison Township trustees along boundaries between the city and township.

— give first read to the administration’s plan to use an estimated $825,000 in the federal Community Development Block Grant funds and an estimated $325,000 in federal Home Investment Partnership Program funds.

— approved the rezone of five parcels on Possum Run Road to B-2 (general business district) from its current township zoning classification.

— voted to approve the administration’s plan for Glessner Avenue infrastructure improvements.