<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2oPBy9_1FKDiaIA00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2oPBy9_1FKDiaIA00" width="1100" height="734" ><figcaption>Councilwoman Jade Thompson discusses the potential cost risk of waiting for different bids regarding electricity for the city during Thursday evening's Marietta City Council meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)</figcaption></figure>MARIETTA -- City Council declined Thursday evening to waive the remaining readings of an electric aggregation ordinance after members called for more time to compare options for residents' electricity supply.Council voted 5-2 against suspending the second and third readings of Ordinance 97, leaving the measure pending. The ordinance would authorize an agreement with Dynegy Energy Services for the city's electric generation aggregation program, with provisions allowing customers to opt out.Council members Bill Gossett, Jon Grimm, Davie Hendrickson, Harley Noland and Jeff Schultheis opposed the suspension. Jade Thompson and Ron Wesel supported it.Aggregation allows local governments to combine consumers' buying power to negotiate energy prices, according to the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel.Noland said council had heard only one presentation and should consider other proposals before proceeding. He said he had contacted officials in other communities about their programs and wanted time for public input."Is this the best deal at this point? I don't know because we've only had one presentation," Noland said.Grimm said council should have received the proposal earlier to allow more time for review."I think it should have been brought to council way before this time, so that it could be properly considered," Grimm said.Thompson, who moved to suspend the readings, said she wanted to rely on the experience of those advising the city and believed waiting could result in higher prices."I think that prices are going to go up. I don't think prices are going to go down," Thompson said.Law Director Paul Bertram clarified the timing, saying the contract timeframe runs into December, despite references during the discussion to an October expiration.Bertram said the city needed to provide residents 21 days' advance notice by mail and have the matter docketed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio by Oct. 9 to meet the contract schedule.Thompson later said she would seek another presentation at a special utilities committee meeting as soon as possible.Safety-Service Director Steve Wetz said the city had previously sought competitive bids for aggregation. He recalled an offer from another provider that included a $25,000 grant for the city but carried a higher electric rate than the lowest offer.Wetz said he opposed choosing a grant for the city over the lowest price for residents.Council also heard concerns about the Marietta Aquatic Center's finances.Thompson reported a $54,014 loss, citing an accounting provided by Budget and Procurement Director Denise Rhodes. She said bad weather contributed to the loss and that officials needed to consider other options."But it's not a sustainable thing going forward. So we're going to have to discuss some other options," Thompson said.She said Wetz had additional ideas for the center, but those options were not discussed during the meeting."I know we need this valuable place for families to go in the summer," Thompson said.Council also unanimously adopted Resolution 23, accepting a $10,000 donation from the Mid-Ohio Valley Aquatic Center to provide swimming lessons for children in need through the Marietta Aquatic Center.Council also unanimously suspended the remaining readings and adopted Ordinance 98, approving appropriations and transfers for several city operations.The measure included approximately $334,705 for the water treatment plant project. Grimm said the money would fund an engineering change order associated with a change in scope and an extended project timeline.Other provisions included $91,705 for street crack sealing, a $20,000 transfer within the water fund for trench-shoring equipment and a $14,600 transfer for tree maintenance. Grimm said the tree maintenance funding was the second supplemental allocation for that work this year.The ordinance also included $20,000 for street repairs, $3,700 for harbor staffing costs and $938 in grant funds for office supplies in the Victims Information Program.Council unanimously adopted Resolution 25, designating eligible institutions for city deposits. Grimm said the measure reflected the treasurer's recommendation.Resolution 26, concerning the city's fiscal year 2027 public housing agency annual plan, received its second reading without further action.Resolution 22 received its first reading, with no further action. The measure would acknowledge and support the Start Westward Memorial Society's efforts to preserve the Start Westward memorial in East Muskingum Park.Council's next regular meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Armory.</div></body>

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MARIETTA -- City Council declined Thursday evening to waive the remaining readings of an electric aggregation ordinance after members called for more time to compare options for residents' electricity supply. Council voted 5-2 against suspending the second and third readings of Ordinance 97, leaving the measure pending. The ordinance would...

Marietta council leaves electric aggregation plan pending

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MARIETTA -- City Council declined Thursday evening to waive the remaining readings of an electric aggregation ordinance after members called for more time 

Marietta council leaves electric aggregation plan pending

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