TITLE
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO THE SUSTAINABLE OHIO PUBLIC ENERGY COUNCIL (“SOPEC”), THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THE AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING SOPEC, AND APPROVING THE BYLAWS OF SOPEC; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
BODY
WHEREAS, the City Council of Gahanna, Ohio (the “City”) previously enacted legislation authorizing the City to establish an opt-out electric aggregation program, pursuant to Section 4928.20 of the Ohio Revised Code (the “Electric Aggregation Program”), for the residents, businesses, and other eligible electric consumers located within the City, and for that purpose, to act jointly with any other village, city, township, municipal corporation, county, or other political subdivision of the State of Ohio, as permitted by law; and
WHEREAS, by joining the Southeast Ohio Public Energy Council (DBA Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council) (“SOPEC”), the City will be able to act jointly with other members of political subdivisions and thereby maximize the potential benefit of electric deregulation through group purchasing efforts; and
WHEREAS, passage of the Ordinance as an emergency measure immediately necessary for the preservation of public peace, safety, health, and welfare of the City is recommended; to wit: for residents to fully maximize the potential benefits of aggregation, it is necessary that this Ordinance take effect at the earliest possible date.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, AND STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. The City Council finds and determines that it is in the best interest of the City, including the electric consumers located within the City, to join SOPEC and to adopt the SOPEC Bylaws, for the purpose of establishing and implementing the Electric Aggregation Program within the City.
Section 2. The Mayor of the City is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver the Agreement Establishing the Southeast Ohio Public Energy Council (DBA Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council) (the “SOPEC Agreement”). The SOPEC Agreement shall be substantially in the form presented to this City Council and on file with the Clerk, subject to such changes, insertions, and omissions that are consistent with this Ordinance and are not substantially adverse to the City and as may be approved by the Mayor, which approval shall be conclusively evidenced by the execution of the SOPEC Agreement; attached hereto as EXHIBIT A and made a part herein.
Section 3. The City Council hereby approves and adopts the Bylaws of SOPEC in the form attached to the SOPEC Agreement.
Section 4. It is found and determined that all formal actions of this City Council concerning and relating to the passage of this Ordinance were adopted in open meetings of this City Council, and that all deliberations of this City Council and of any of its committees that resulted in such formal action, were in meetings open to the public, in compliance with all legal requirements including the City’s Codified Ordinances and Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Section 5. That for the reasons set forth in the preamble, this Ordinance is declared an emergency, which shall be in full force and effect immediately upon passage by this Council and on date of signature of approval by the Mayor.