(a) The City of Northwood shall have and may exercise any and all legal powers and duties to implement Section 1052.01 of this chapter in accordance with the powers granted to municipal natural gas utility systems by the laws and Constitution of Ohio and the Charter of the City of Northwood including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Develop plans for and enter into negotiations with appropriate third parties in connection with all aspects of the establishment, operation and maintenance of a municipal natural gas utility including a program for the purchase, production, transmission, distribution and sale of natural gas power and energy to or for its customers.
(2) Supervise the work of all consultants engaged by the City of Northwood in connection with the establishment of a municipal natural gas utility and its power program.
(3) Review all proposed contracts or other arrangements relating to the establishment and operation of a municipal natural gas utility and its power program and supervise the implementation thereof.
(4) Have responsibility for the development of plans and procedures for the operation and maintenance of a municipal natural gas utility and its power program and supervise the implementation thereof.
(5) Establish rates, subject to approval by City Council, for the use of natural gas service provided by a municipal natural gas utility and establish billing and collection procedures.
(6) Acquire and/or lease property for municipal purposes as permitted by Ohio R.C. 715.01 and 715.011, respectively.
(7) Enter into contracts with other municipal utilities, regulated utilities, independent power producers and other appropriate third parties for bulk power, transmission service and operation and maintenance services.
(b) The City of Northwood shall have the express authority to purchase and sell power, and own or lease and operate any facilities related therein including transmission and distribution systems.
(c) The municipal natural gas utility shall be entitled to provide power to any structures or customers within or without the City of Northwood provided that service outside the City of Northwood shall be in compliance with the restrictions contained in Article XVIII, Section 6 of the Ohio Constitution.
(Ord. 2006-16. Passed 7-6-06.)