Chillicothe City Council tabled a second reading of an ordinance that would place responsibility of unpaid utility bills on property owners during Monday's regular virtual meeting.
Multiple constituents called in during public participation to voice concerns regarding the proposed legislation and the desire for council to hold a public forum with landlords to discuss it further prior to taking it for a vote.
"The only thing we're trying to do is clean up so the city can collect delinquent bills and the responsibility falls on the owner of the property," said Councilman David Tatman.
Marc Leeth, who represents a local group of landlords, expressed concern that this ordinance would impact affordable housing in Chillicothe. He acknowledged the impact of unpaid water bills on the city and offered a solution.
"We feel that's an easy fix by increasing the water deposit," said Leeth. "We've impressed this time and time again; we don't feel like we are being heard in this respect."
Leeth also said the ordinance would impact more than just water bills.
"You call it water bills, but it's water, sewer, trash, and recycling," he said.
A committee meeting to further discuss the tabled ordinance had not yet been set.
At Monday's Council meeting, members passed multiple pieces of legislation, including:
- an ordinance approving the action of the Planning Commission of the City of Chillicothe with regard to a lot split and zoning boundary adjustments for property located on Stoneridge Drive and Western Avenue, Chillicothe, Ohio;
- an ordinance approving a contract between the City and Burgess & Niple for professional services for preparation of an Ohio EPA required Asset Management Plan and assistance with the implementation of said plan and appropriating $50,000.00 for their services;
- an ordinance authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $415,000 Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Refunding Bonds for the purpose of refunding bonds issued for the purpose of paying outstanding bonds issued to refund notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of bonds of said City for the purpose of paying for certain improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and declaring an emergency;
- an ordinance authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $140,000 Police and Fire Pension Refunding Bonds for the purpose of refund bonds issued for the purpose of refunding bonds issued for the purpose of providing funds to prepay, at a discount, the City’s accrued liability to the State Police and Firemen’s Disability and Pension Fund, and declaring an emergency;
- an ordinance authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $950,000 Garage Facility Bonds for the purpose of paying outstanding bonds issued for the purpose of paying notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of bonds of said City for the purpose of paying the cost of constructing a Transit Bus Garage Facility, and declaring an emergency;
- an ordinance authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $85,000 Safety Service Vehicle
- Acquisition Bonds for the purpose of paying outstanding bonds issued for the purpose of paying notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of bonds of said City for the purpose of paying the cost of acquiring two Fire Department pumper trucks and a Police Department armored vehicle, and declaring an emergency.
- an ordinance authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $1,590,000 Municipal Court Improvement Refunding Bonds for the purpose of refunding bonds issued to refund bonds issued for the purpose of paying notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of bonds of said City for the purpose of paying the cost of acquiring and improving a building for Municipal Court use, and declaring an emergency;
- an ordinance consolidating five bond issues of the City of Chillicothe, Ohio, and declaring an emergency;
- an ordinance appropriating $75,000.00 for City Income Tax Refunds and declaring an emergency;
- an ordinance accepting and appropriating CARES Act Grant funds in the amount of $661,924.50 and declaring an emergency;
- an ordinance appropriating $20,000.00 for use toward the purchase of uniforms, body armor, and other essential items to equip newly hired Police Officers and declaring an emergency;
- a resolution accepting and supporting the Citizen Participation Plan for the Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Programs and declaring an emergency.