LET’S TALK ABOUT THE CLEVELAND WATER AGREEMENTS

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do we currently have contracts with Cleveland Water to fix our water lines and mains?

Yes.  The City of North Olmsted signed a “Water Service Agreement for Direct Service” on June 7, 1983, under Ordinance No. 83-49.  That agreement includes maintenance by Cleveland Water and also a Capital Improvements program from revenue paid by North Olmsted to Cleveland Water

2. Why did Council vote 6-1 against the new Water Agreements?

City Council does not believe that this is the time to enter any new agreements with Cleveland Water based on litigation that is between Westlake and the City of Cleveland and also other requirements of the contracts.

3. What’s the litigation about?

The City of Westlake is suing the City of Cleveland to receive their water from Avon Lake’s water system. 

4. Why does North Olmsted care about the litigation?

North Olmsted’s water lines are directly connected from Westlake to North Olmsted.  If Westlake leaves the Cleveland Water System, North Olmsted will need to be re-connected somehow.  City Council asked Cleveland Water to guarantee, in writing, that if Westlake leaves the Cleveland Water System that North Olmsted residents won’t be charged to re-connect our water and we will not have increases in our water charges.  Cleveland’s response was “don’t worry about it – you will be made whole.”  Not the answer we wanted for you.

5. We’ve heard rumors about North Olmsted joining Avon Lake?

City Council is NOT discussing joining Avon Lake.  Anything you hear about that is just a diversion from City Council’s demand.  A guarantee from Cleveland that there we will not pay for their problem with Westlake.

6. So, are we really passing up $4 million dollars?

Not really.  That dollar amount is an estimated amount that we might receive for projects submitted if we would sign the new agreements.  It is not guaranteed based on how the program works under the new agreements.

7. How does the program work under the new agreements?

Under the new agreements, North Olmsted would submit projects to be rated by a formula.  If the project qualifies, then the project is put into a pool with projects submitted by a total of 40 suburbs.  They are then rated against each other, and awards are made from a pool of $10 million dollars for all of the 40 suburbs.

8. How many projects could we be awarded to North Olmsted?

Only a few.  North Olmsted’s water lines are not that old – 80% do not qualify for any of the programs.

9. What else is in the agreements that Council is opposed to?

The new agreements would permit the City of Cleveland to raise our water rates by up to 75%.  It also strips away our right to any arbitration or litigation if there is something we disagree with.  It really guarantees Cleveland can do whatever they want over North Olmsted.  Council refused to give our City away.

10. Can we negotiate better terms for the agreements?

Mayor Kennedy has not tried to do that.  Westlake does have a better agreement – Council believes we should also, but we have no authority to negotiate.

11. Are there other solutions to fix the water lines that are a little older?

There could be but the Mayor will not research them.  For example, H2Ohio and the likelihood that we will be receiving federal/state money for infrastructure improvement are reasons not to jump at Cleveland.

The three new agreements and their subjects are very complex. City Council has given them a great deal of review and discussion over the past three years. Each time they have been presented, nothing has been changed and still no guarantees to us regarding no re-connection fees and no higher water rates.