By Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com
Representatives from Efficiency Smart participated in a detailed discussion with the Galion Administration about renewing a three-year contract with the organization. Kristen Wilder and Harry Philips were the reps from the energy efficiency consultants, and they both answered questions and gave their reasons why they believed Galion should renew.
Efficiency Smart is a consulting firm that advises municipalities on ways they can improve their energy efficiency. The group advises both residential and commercial properties, in such ways as which LED streetlights to purchase, efficiency audits, and rebates for purchasing energy efficient materials.
The contract on the table would see the city pay $429,000 over the next three years. To give this number some perspective, Auditor Brian Treisch called it one-half of one month’s electricity bill for the city. Another number is $15 per year per residence.
The discussion revolved around what this money would buy for the citizens of Galion. Wilder stated that in the first three-year contract, Galion saved $13 in energy efficiency for every $1 spent on the agreement. This was admittedly a high performing cycle but nevertheless points to good work. They also cited the $80,000 annually that they are saving Covert Manufacturing.
The ordinance to renew the contract, Ordinance No. 2014-32, was up for a first reading, and it did pass, although Mike Richart offered the lone dissenting vote. There is timeliness to this as anyone who renews before March 31 will receive a no- strings-attached energy grant of $40,000. Council thought it would be prudent to leave this as a first reading for the moment, and proceed to suspend the rules, if necessary, at the March 25 meeting to meet the March 31 deadline. This gives council time to organize any further questions they might like to ask.
The other major piece of legislation moved ahead the exempt employees payments and benefits. These contracts have been negotiated with the various city unions. Council President Carl Watt said, “The unions negotiated in good faith.”
Mayor Tom O’Leary clarified some of the numbers, some of which can look like considerable raises. The pension pickup is being phased out and the employees will be picking up larger chunks of the healthcare costs which will result in their take home pay remaining about the same.
The discussion was not without some rancor though, as Bob Cerrar posed questions that members of the administration felt were somewhat pointed in nature. Cerrar mentioned that, “a lot of promises” were made in regard to spending by the city with the change in city government.
“I really thought the anger had left the room,” O’Leary rebutted. O’Leary took particular offense at the idea of the promises of those who fought to change the government being lumped onto the current administration’s shoulders.
“Nobody in this room made those promises,” O’Leary said.
Not that he is advocating profligacy with the city’s funds, O’Leary reiterated that these contracts are a “budget neutral” move.
The mayor was backed up by council member Tom Fellner. When Cerrar tried to interject further Fellner stated, “No Bob, I think you’re done. We’re not pointing fingers at the past, which I think Bob is what you’re doing.”
Shirley Clark brought up that she had been contacted by Majid Ressallatt inquiring about the status of his settlement. She informed him that the matter had been sent back to committee, and Fellner has set up a meeting to discuss the situation.
Some matters that are in the works for the future, O’Leary brought up some changes to the Planning Commission. There has been a reorganization with Eric Kent named as chair. They are considering resurrecting the Zoning Appeals Board, or at least repealing some of the portions of the ordinance that abolished that Board.
O’Leary is also hoping for some feasibility studies about the bringing a hotel(s) to Galion. He cited a lack of hospitality accommodations as an issue that was discussed by the Chamber of Commerce at their annual breakfast. This is something that would both improve “community esteem” according to O’Leary, and fill a current void.