[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6230103,"mediaKeyId","3443320-5f2b9ab9eba2c01d36111eb87bb59e25","parentId",3443320,"title","City locks 48‑month electricity contract as prices rise; staff urged local renewables exploration","audioSeconds",126,"startMs",3426000,"endMs",3552000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443320-5f2b9ab9eba2c01d36111eb87bb59e25&start=3426&end=3552","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443320-5f2b9ab9eba2c01d36111eb87bb59e25/thumbnail_3426000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6230103/Ohio/City-locks-48month-electricity-contract-as-prices-rise-staff-urged-local-renewables-exploration","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230103-969219c1f589c69f7ccea2aefaf45b4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437951&Signature=keAT4bnw34~Ddapy9tDOaL3R94odtMKGvRk7TbPn6aMSRPPbDo81bF1YdhTeSd0IUv0JXaFZYopVeWLsB4~lMkNK2xHHV2bypGPwKo-NBoKZBkzCRKBjaAIWUDSetZP8qHD-IMhU-xnkxtWHECllKsIDKAXula24gdqnxInA2ia~pUrVOu7A4T8gdP~XFaS~YGkv6q0gxGo2wiH1CGFsOkpkkSo8-wRalPeqUMQ~8DYIB3A2gJ2rVnRz6hjCupdJBsCZfr1uW7ZKkeCUnseQPFgVatzf2kvyulMFZDsKXoguYtYcy4QnloYqbIAWl8jxcRRMEWL2q7GvH4M4cPuUIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Springfield OH","date","2025-05-22T12:53:57.86Z","article","The Springfield City Commission authorized a 48‑month electricity supply contract with Dinergy Energy Services East LLC for selected city facilities and streetlights for a not‑to‑exceed amount of $6,116,381.

City staff told commissioners that wholesale capacity costs in the PJM market recently spiked and that a competitive fixed price offer from Dinergy (listed in the agenda as Dinergy Energy Services East LLC) averaged $6.93 per kilowatt‑hour for the contract period the supplier offered. Staff said that compares with the city's current average of about $4.85/kWh (rates effective October 2021 through September 2025) and would raise the city's annual electricity cost from roughly $1.1 million to about $1.5 million. Staff said Ohio Edison’s tariff price would have been higher still and that market prices were expected to increase; staff therefore recommended locking in competitive pricing now.

The commission declared the item an emergency and approved the contract by roll call. Commissioners and one audience member urged continued attention to alternative energy. Commissioner David Estrop said the city should explore local alternatives to conventional generation and noted House Bill 6's legacy in Ohio energy policy. Resident Larry Ricketts told the commission his household runs net‑metered solar and encouraged the city to study utility‑scale solar fields, pointing to examples in nearby communities.

Staff said the chosen competitive contract will cover October 2025 through September 2029 and that pricing was held only briefly in a bullish market; procurement staff said the city's broker recommended securing the price. The city will continue to monitor opportunities for community energy projects and report on program options, staff said.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting, May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a 48‑month electricity supply agreement with Dinergy Energy Services East LLC for select city facilities and streetlights, citing market capacity spikes and a recommendation to lock current competitive pricing.","taxTitle","Springfield City Commission, Springfield City, Clark County, Ohio","taxId",68986,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6230107,"Commission awards $8.37 million Erie Express pump station pretreatment contract; city seeks OWDA financing",154,4986000,5140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443320-5f2b9ab9eba2c01d36111eb87bb59e25&start=4986&end=5140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443320-5f2b9ab9eba2c01d36111eb87bb59e25/thumbnail_4986000.jpg","/articles/6230107/Ohio/Commission-awards-837-million-Erie-Express-pump-station-pretreatment-contract-city-seeks-OWDA-financing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230107-d26cc7020eedf9ff72e500c9e60fdd1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437951&Signature=axlxoWQvgrok-X-heC1lthXWKF3k1d-s9LHwjDWjg0x2YGDWKiWEjW37sgiVaaczNITdb3vRJ0MV5-PlIvtmS0m1fB0w67Anp3COB8xhxFjHnQSzJYtGf3EJ6A2aD0baRmpZEjlBzmthFODIf~WgrooY~qHzlaI~GaxhvTSkUxkaFqtH~o8Y0PsRKq5UWf-cxzCnLeWVgdilCTyoFwjXTt9fVnKx96PQmQDf24y41TwgVTvnLAdhyIbdcZDJtMkr4UuYEz8H48~qpJeu7sN1HP5iI~60nFVpkCXG0sZeiQ5jCTLIcvS3QskaWWs8nATuyazeF4cNK8VqGPNC1iV9Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield City Commission authorized an $8,368,000 contract with Peterson Construction Company for the Erie Express pump station pretreatment facility and approved applying for financing through the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA).

City staff said the project will install pretreatment at a pump station that has repeatedly clogged with grease and rags, forcing crews to manually clear obstructions multiple times per week. A city utilities staff member, Crestmore (staff member), described the site behind Wilbur Buscard at the dead end of Skinner Lane and said the station “collects more grease and rags than we see anywhere in the community, to the point where all of the mechanical things we have in place will not work.” He said crews currently spend many hours several times a week manually removing material to keep sewage flowing.

City Manager Brian Heck and staff framed the work as part of combined sewer overflow (CSO) and sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) prevention. Heck said the financing and the construction contract are linked: the city sought OWDA loan consideration this month to meet the authority’s application deadline. Finance staff reported an estimated interest rate of 4.72 percent and an estimated semiannual payment of about $276,000; the semiannual payments would be charged to the sewer fund.

Heck described practical benefits: the pretreatment installation will intercept grease and rags “at the beginning, make it something that can be properly separated and hold away or flow through the sewer, eliminate the concern about the sewer blinding off and eliminate the need for human intervention in that nasty, nasty job.” Commissioners said the schedule was time sensitive because the OWDA application deadline requires the project to be on OWDA’s agenda.

The contract and the financing application were approved by roll call. Staff said the project targets a chronic operational problem, reduces staff exposure to hazardous manual cleaning, and reduces the risk of a larger sanitary sewer overflow across an extensive upstream area during heavy rain events.","The commission authorized a construction contract with Peterson Construction Co. for the Erie Express pump station pretreatment facility and approved applying for Ohio Water Development Authority financing; staff said the project will prevent frequent manual removal of grease and rags and reduce combined/sewer overflow risks.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6230112,"City Commission OKs services for 33.951-acre annexation after residents raise notice, zoning and well concerns",3173,1722000,4895000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443320-5f2b9ab9eba2c01d36111eb87bb59e25&start=1722&end=4895","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443320-5f2b9ab9eba2c01d36111eb87bb59e25/thumbnail_1722000.jpg","/articles/6230112/Ohio/City-Commission-OKs-services-for-33951-acre-annexation-after-residents-raise-notice-zoning-and-well-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230112-b52d6379c4cbfb5c86fb56ab97f5624d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437951&Signature=XblOQBSi7tPaln1rV-c1W~gz-E4~oZJgIYjOgI4Dt6q72XIRV~FR7zoX0MGEw27dMFY~HnR37Aqm0SDkUYhlTzJLtkApV3MiwuunPD6B5sHFR2F6LpAzgxpsQMck~SIpINxrqnQjkqM5VazT9A7cCqnGl2hfMOkDkh8KFdjUBPDenjsMeFNDwYx0LZngiJk8zcAKT5NABZnLtkuhIw8CEkqWDSXElBmPW24qJxxGDXhoJF-RofGogy6JlRFmeLHEufT0NZZxb2v~K3IfEvMHur9s~H~Gc5dnmwA45PiMBEjSx9EkImNwcF~NB15XrD6jlZ5MrejgOOK5dujf0ToKpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield City Commission voted to establish that it can provide municipal services to a 33.951-acre parcel in Moorfield Township that petitioners Premier Property Sales Limited, Twyla Reed and Ronald Simpson have asked to annex into the city.

The question before the commission was limited: staff asked whether the city could provide water, sewer and other services to the parcel, not whether the county should approve the annexation. City Manager Brian Heck said the item “is simply a statement of services” and explained the Ohio Revised Code process: a property owner files with the county, the county notifies the city within five days, and the city and township have 20 days to respond. Heck said the county will hear the annexation in June; if the county approves, state law creates a 60‑day window before the city votes on final annexation.

The action matters because the petitioners have said the site will be developed with single‑family housing and will need city water and sewer to proceed. Developer representative Tracy Craig told the commission: “No adjacent properties will be annexed ... This project is strictly single family homes.” Craig said the project would include about 100 to 120 single‑family houses and that the developer plans to work with the city and ODOT on traffic improvements.

Several Moorfield Township residents told the commission they were surprised and concerned. Resident Chris Michaels said his neighborhood “was blindsided” after receiving the application about a week earlier. Eric Lee, whose home backs up to the parcel, said: “This is my backyard. Literally, this is my backyard ... We moved to the county so we didn't have overcrowding.” Other speakers raised concerns about potential apartment development under the old zoning designation, impacts to shallow wells and septic systems, traffic, school overcrowding and wildlife loss.

City staff clarified zoning and process questions. Heck said the annexation petition was initially filed under Springfield's old zoning code (referred to in the petition as RS‑8, or up to eight units per acre) but under the city's new zoning code that took effect May 6 the parcel would fall into a residential low‑density classification intended for single‑family housing. He added that any development would require a subdivision plat reviewed by city engineering and utilities staff; stormwater and road improvements would have to meet city standards so adjacent properties are not adversely affected.

The commission approved the staff recommendation to establish services by roll call vote; the ordinance was declared an emergency and passed. Mayor Rob Rue and commissioners voted in favor. The county hearing is expected in June; if the county approves the annexation, the matter would return to the city for a final vote after the statutorily required waiting period.

Residents were told to continue meetings with the developer and to attend county and future city hearings. City staff repeatedly urged neighbors to bring specific concerns (for example, locations of wells or narrow roads) so engineering review can address them in later plat or permitting stages.","The Springfield City Commission approved a staff recommendation that the city can provide utilities and other services to a 33.951-acre parcel in Morefield Township that petitioners seek to annex; residents objected to short notice, possible high-density zoning and impacts to wells, roads and schools.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6230093,"City outlines July transition to microtransit model; dial‑a‑ride and subsidized passes to continue",136,3283000,3419000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443320-5f2b9ab9eba2c01d36111eb87bb59e25&start=3283&end=3419","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443320-5f2b9ab9eba2c01d36111eb87bb59e25/thumbnail_3283000.jpg","/articles/6230093/Ohio/City-outlines-July-transition-to-microtransit-model-dialaride-and-subsidized-passes-to-continue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230093-e6bf661d72a21dc8f7c1fc6c53853b1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437951&Signature=IS3C308Z7Kth0vK-ub2V~QbIaeZxz4pH-2s-FzmmO0XgLs64kjVnNPnD2W52p9aea9I7eeLd5o02ywDhE9p8oh-7Ep7oBb148cRzcjScWQjsaIw2U2HLxRPVIhD09BSqTVsTvpY9XnvKoXTgDyArnW8vWxz9LJKkLnj3VMjBrIhq8iK6i9Hf9VnUTFC7oz26V4t45g3veYIWvgPR~dk1COcfhX2OXhXpPQ~8p7F~vT6rIi5nuacgRzVAoYRtY-r2P3bmVCmGUrVa88JWoZk5-Q-yn9-dtNIxlY3qmt~K-ep0GfEZfn4IrU4sSJiCISrFCMSzrbUKhmqQfF2-pV3gtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Springfield City Commission they are negotiating a contract with a new provider and are working to move the city's public transit service toward a microtransit model, with a hoped transition beginning July 1 and an overlap period if possible.

City Manager Brian Heck (speaking for staff) said most transit funding comes from Federal Transit Administration dollars and that those grant programs are often prescriptive. He described microtransit as “a more direct service for our residents” and said staff hoped for a July 1 start date if contract details are finalized. He said the city will notify existing riders and community partners through social media, the newspaper and public meetings, and that staff will continue to offer dial‑a‑ride services intended for riders with disabilities.

Heck said current partnerships — including the VA distribution of bus passes — would continue under the new model and that schools or other organizations could still buy bulk or subsidized passes. Deputy Director Jason Vai has begun community outreach at senior centers and other locations; staff invited community groups to request presentations. Several public commenters asked for clarity on how and when riders would be notified and whether existing services would stop; staff said they would answer questions after the public comment period and schedule community meetings focused on transit.","City staff said the public transit system will transition toward a microtransit model with a hoped July 1 overlap start; officials said dial‑a‑ride and subsidized passes (including those distributed by the VA) will continue and staff will hold community meetings to explain changes.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6230098,"City partners with ODOT on Ferncliff safety work after 65 crashes since 2018; $200,000 eligible federal funds with city match approved",122,4627000,4749000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443320-5f2b9ab9eba2c01d36111eb87bb59e25&start=4627&end=4749","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443320-5f2b9ab9eba2c01d36111eb87bb59e25/thumbnail_4627000.jpg","/articles/6230098/Ohio/City-partners-with-ODOT-on-Ferncliff-safety-work-after-65-crashes-since-2018-200000-eligible-federal-funds-with-city-match-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230098-16d0f7fb0b5c1f5a77f36c2b114bf6a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437951&Signature=bBFdCeQsnJkJnG2rwObSZ~YhaQNfdnoKg-7TaTKExkrXG3ZLQKbysIYmyg~f0J-MWnBBWy2goVKT8ZeglIIgovGiM5D~Op4ci-TkpkooesohSS6MDKEf5mWJZYkYzR2vhJ2WUVWZswJ1it6JQbOTiPW3PRhlwmNzqyrTQ03Q39XvjG70vT0vNqSb9DUBjIpUoBjBhDFvkC8eqPEoU9k-FHg-5xNgnw-a-cGR41SOROLyVRgwXYKe2sYeYJalri-n8l8RFK5K4lRLrMN~v7Vy1eEnwrHOruPVjzEuGwuLi6nMzbQeZNc~Dy6zFREHObpe-2INWiaB0UuHClJZ8Y5-Lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield City Commission approved a federal local public agency (LPA) agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for safety improvements on State Route 4 in the Ferncliff area and authorized use of up to $200,000 in eligible federal funds with a city match of $330,382.

City staff said the location has experienced 65 crashes since 2018. Staff described improvements that include lane‑striping changes and application of a high‑friction pavement treatment to reduce skidding. Service Director Chris Moore explained the engineering challenge: the road curve is unbanked and was built in an era of slower traffic; re‑grading the curve to add banking would be a multi‑year, multimillion‑dollar project, while the proposed treatments are lower‑cost measures intended to improve safety in the near term. Moore said: “The way to bank that curve would be about a 5 year and $6,000,000 project. This is a much better solution to try to narrow down what the problem is, make the road less slick.”

City staff said ODOT will partner on design and construction; the LPA agreement and the city match were approved by roll call. Staff said the high‑friction treatment is used successfully in other high‑accident spots and does not adversely affect drivability, and that the partnership reduces the city's share of the total cost of work.

The commission approved the agreement and authorized staff to execute necessary documents to implement the project and comply with legal requirements.","The commission authorized an LPA agreement with ODOT for a Ferncliff area safety project after staff reported 65 crashes in the curve area since 2018; the project will use striping and high‑friction surface treatment and includes up to $200,000 in eligible federal funds and a $330,382 local match.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City locks 48‑month electricity contract as prices rise; staff urged local renewables exploration

Commission awards $8.37 million Erie Express pump station pretreatment contract; city seeks OWDA financing

City Commission OKs services for 33.951-acre annexation after residents raise notice, zoning and well concerns

City outlines July transition to microtransit model; dial‑a‑ride and subsidized passes to continue

City partners with ODOT on Ferncliff safety work after 65 crashes since 2018; $200,000 eligible federal funds with city match approved