Plain City officials are moving forward with a plan to have Columbus service the village with water and sewer utilities, though the process may not be as quick as some had hoped.
At Monday night’s meeting, Plain City Village Council heard a first reading of a resolution to approve a petition requesting the state to expand Columbus’ service area and allow that city to sell water and sewer service to the village.
The legislation was written as an emergency, meaning council could bypass the required three separate readings as well as the provision that legislation does not take effect until 30 days after the final approval.
A resident in attendance asked why the measure was being declared an emergency.
“To get the petition in sooner because it takes so long to get to the process,” said Mayor Darin Lane.
He said the village tried to submit the petition in the spring of last year, but it was stalled when Union County refused to approve it.
“That set us back several months,” Lane said.
He said by not passing the legislation as an emergency, it will take “several months.”
The resident thanked the mayor for his explanation.
Following the vote however, the point was irrelevant.
Under Ohio Revised Code, at least three quarters of the members present must vote to declare legislation as an emergency. At Monday’s meeting the motion to declare an emergency received a 4-0 vote. Council members Shannon Pine, and Darrin Lee abstained from voting on the motion. Both are employed by the City of Columbus. While the vote to declare an emergency was unanimous, it did not get approval of three quarters of the members present and so it failed.
The third and final reading will be scheduled for council’s Feb. 11 meeting. The legislation will take effect 30 days after the final reading.
The City of Columbus and Madison County have already approved the petition. Plain City’s approval is the last step before the application is submitted to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
If OEPA approves the petition, Columbus would expand its water and sewer service area to include Plain City and a portion of northeast Madison County.
Village Administrator Nathan Cahall said the approval is contingent upon execution of a service agreement with Columbus.
Council also approved an ordinance establishing the West Jefferson Building Department as the village’s designated building department. For years Plain City has contracted with the Union County Building Department to administer and enforce the state building codes.
Village officials had intended to make the change as soon as the legislation takes effect, however it was determined that as part of the contract with Union County, Plain City is required to give the county a six-month notice. Cahall said the village will give that notice then begin with West Jefferson.
Village officials have said they have been frustrated with how long it takes applicants to get a response or approval from the Union County Building department.
“Hopefully you are not waiting 90 days on plans anymore,” council member John Rucker said.