Committee OKs county fracking resolution - SSNL

DOWNTOWN AKRON — A Summit County Council committee recommended Council adopt a resolution asking state officials to enact “reasonable regulations” for high-volume hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

During the April 23 Public Works Committee meeting, chair Sandra Kurt (D-at large) and members Frank Comunale (D-District 4), Jerry Feeman (D-District 6) and Nick Kostandaras (D-District 1) voted in favor of the resolution, while member Tim Crawford (D-District 7) abstained. Committee members Gloria Rodgers (R-District 3) and Bill Roemer (R-at large) voted against the measure.

Roemer and Rodgers, in statements during the meeting, indicated they thought the state is already considering regulations of the industry through Senate Bill (SB) 315, Gov. John Kasich’s energy bill that addresses items such as the state’s oil and gas statutes. Rodgers also noted that it would be more efficient for county officials to meet with its state representatives rather than craft a resolution.

But Kurt, who sponsored the resolution along with Council members Ilene Shapiro (D-at large) and Paula Prentice (D-District 8) and County Executive Russ Pry, disagreed.

“It’s good for us to step forward and be as proactive as we can be,” she said.

Roemer also said he is concerned with the negative message the resolution could send to businesses in the drilling industry.

“I agree regulation is necessary and should be on a state basis,” he said. “I believe [SB] 315 addresses many of these concerns.”

Shapiro said she doesn’t think the county’s resolution is anti-business.

“This business is coming to Ohio and is welcome in Ohio,” she said, adding that some checks and balances should be in place.

Kostandaras said the County Commissioners Association of Ohio also is involved in the issue.

“We’re all on the same page,” he said. “We want to protect our most precious commodity — water.”

The committee also recommended Council adopt a resolution allowing Pry’s office to enter into an agreement for acquisition of right-of-way easements at a cost of $1,000 for installation of a traffic signal and improvements to the intersection of Canton Road and Springfield Lake Drive in the communities of Lakemore and Springfield.

The committee also recommended Council adopt a resolution awarding a contract to P.S. Construction Fabrics for the crack-sealing program for 2012, which will see work in Springfield and Akron.

During the Finance Committee meeting, the committee recommended Council adopt a resolution for a two-year contract with Waste Management for trash collection at most county facilities for $84,987. The contract does not include service to facilities operated by the Engineer’s Office, Children Services and the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board, according to Jason Dodson, Pry’s chief of staff. Those offices contract for their own trash removal, he added.

Summit County Council will meet April 30 at 5 p.m. for caucus and 5:05 p.m. for the regular meeting in Council Chambers on the seventh floor of the Ohio Building, 175 S. Main St.

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