Seven Hills Council Passes Energy Contract, Tax Levy Resolution and Two Variances

Seven Hills City Council passed an electric supply contract and a tax levy resolution as emergency measures Sept. 29. Members also approved two residential variances. Committees began meeting at 6:01 p.m., and the council meeting ran from 6:17 p.m. to 6:59 p.m. after a closed session on pending litigation. Energy Contract Authorized as an Emergency Council passed Ordinance 40-2026, which authorizes the mayor or his designee to sign a 36 month service agreement with Atlantic Energy MD LLC. The contract covers electric supply for 16 miscellaneous city locations. The rate will be set on the day the contract is signed, with the goal of getting the best available supply rate. Council Pro Tem Justin Costanzo moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance by title only. He then moved to approve the emergency clause and to pass the ordinance. Council member Brian Kelley seconded each motion. No opposition was voiced. The Finance Committee held a special meeting Sept. 28 at 4 p.m. to review electric rates for city buildings. An energy broker who has worked with the city for about 12 years briefed council again before the vote. He said the 36 month term offers the best rate. A four year term is less attractive, he said, because suppliers tend to hedge their bets over longer periods. He said electricity costs have climbed as demand from data centers, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles grows. Suppliers are also paying to build capacity. Atlantic Energy came in lower, he said, because it bought better at the supplier auction held every six months. He said five suppliers were compared. The broker credited Service Director Jeff Bryda and Susan Oyster of the service department for their work on the review. Tax Levy Resolution Adopted Council also adopted Resolution 14-2026 as an emergency measure. The resolution accepts the amounts and rates determined by the Budget Commission. It authorizes the necessary tax levies and certifies them to the county fiscal officer. Council member Stacey Kelly made each motion, and Council member Patrick Elliott seconded. Members suspended the rules so the resolution could be read by title only. Fence Rules Return at the Next Meeting Council held the second reading of Amended Ordinance 37-2026, which sets standards for temporary fencing in the city's fence code. Council member Thomas Snitzky said the ordinance will need to move as an emergency measure at the next meeting. The council president agreed it can be handled that way. Council Approves a Garage Variance and a Fence Variance Council approved two variances that the Zoning Board of Appeals had recommended. Snitzky made both motions. Stacey Kelly summarized the board's findings for each. A homeowner on East Meadowlawn Boulevard received a one foot variance to build a 24 by 24 foot detached garage four feet from the side lot line. The code calls for five feet. The new garage will replace one that is more than 70 years old. The board voted 3 to 0 on Aug. 12, with three of five members present. One resident spoke in support, and the affected neighbor gave verbal support. Board members cited a $38,000 investment in the property. The homeowner will address the city engineer's comments on downspouts and grading if a permit is issued. A homeowner on Essex Drive received variances for a fence placed 12 feet forward of the rear building line on the north side of the home. The fence will sit 8 feet forward on the south side. The north side placement lets the gate open around a chimney. The south side placement allows the homeowner to enclose an air conditioning unit for privacy and security. The board noted the lot is pie shaped. Affected neighbors signed off on the request. The board voted 5 to 0 on Sept. 16 with all members present. Lot Split and Code Changes Move Ahead in Committee The Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee voted to place a lot split fronting Seven Hills Boulevard on the next council agenda as an emergency. Snitzky said the request has been in the works for more than a year. A section of Seven Hills Boulevard that was never dedicated had to be dedicated first, which delayed the split. The Rules, Ordinances and Ethics Committee advanced an amendment to the city property chapter. It would add a new section covering city property that is unneeded, obsolete or unfit for municipal purposes. The committee also advanced three ordinances to approve and enact replacement pages dated April, August and December. Both items go on the next meeting agenda. Fire Chief Details Sept. 21 Basement Fire Rescue Fire Chief David Higginbotham updated council on a fire that broke out around 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21. Crews were called to a basement fire with a resident trapped inside. The chief said he reached the scene within eight minutes. Three Seven Hills firefighters went into rescue mode and removed a woman from the basement. One of them rode with a Parma Fire crew and performed rapid sequence intubation, a skilled proc