Nine members cast their vote in person, seated apart throughout the council chamber in City Hall. Three members voted remotely via an audio connection.
They authorized the mayor or public service director to receive an American Electric Power grant for reimbursement of up to $300,000 for the electric charging stations. They must be installed by the end of July and operate for four years, according to a memo from Public Service Director John Highman.
The stations require 480-volt, three-phase power from AEP and could charge a vehicle in 20 to 30 minutes. They'll be divided between two city-owned parking lots — the lot on Fulton Road NW near Stadium Park and the lot on Rex Avenue NE between Tuscarawas and Second streets.
The city would charge a cost-per-minute price based on the operating costs, demand and market rates, according to Highman's memo. He predicted the city would incur a "several thousand dollar cost" the first year or two but break even or profit as demand for electric vehicles and charging stations increases.
Highman explained, via an audio connection Monday, that the customer's fees would go toward the city's electric bill. The "worst-case scenario," he said, would be the city spending $2,000 to $4,000 for electric.
City Council will not meet again until April 13.
By that time, council members at home should be able to better hear those present, said Patrick Barton, the city's information technology director. He'll work to improve the council's teleconferencing and also to provide a live stream of the meeting for the public.
"Obviously, this is a learning experience," Barton said.
Other action
Authorized the law director to contract with area municipalities for legal services in Canton Municipal Court for 2020 and 2021. The city has represented cities and villages within the court's jurisdiction since 1980. Canton is expected to receive $11,900 from East Canton, $5,500 from East Sparta, $13,500 from Hartville, $29,000 from Louisville, $5,000 from Magnolia, $44,000 from North Canton, and $6,700 from Waynesburg. Authorized the law director to give a more than 3% merit raise to attorney Phil Schandel, increasing his salary from $69,652 to $80,000. The Community and Economic Development Department, which works closely with Schandel, will provide the difference with federal money. Agreed to modify the city's contract with Burgess & Niple Inc. for the next phase of work related to an administrative order from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The city will pay $580,500 for their professional engineering services while making improvements to Canton's sanitary sewer system. Authorized the mayor or public service director to contract with Cartegraph and Esri for software and licensing to implement the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) required by the EPA's order. It's estimated to cost $492,785 throughout a five-year period.©2020 The Repository, Canton, Ohio, Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
