At a special meeting of the Climate Change, Environment & Sustainable Technology
Committee of the Youngstown City Council on August 24 a Resolution to
reject SOBE's pyrolysis of tires in Youngstown was passed. It will be sent
to the City Council for a vote on Wednesday, September 20 at City Council public meeting being held 5:30pm in Community Room at the Covelli Centre (DoubleTree by Hilton Room), 229 E. Front Street, Youngstown OH 44503
"Councilman Julius Oliver made a motion for City Council to work with the Law Department to draft resolution in opposition of the SOBE plant to be presented to City Council for passage.
"Councilwoman Basia Adamczak seconded the motion. She requested to have the resolution available by the September 20th regular City Council meeting.
"Councilwoman Anita Davis asked Mr. Limbian(law director) if it could be completed by that timeline, and he answered yes, it can be drafted by then." It will be presented for a vote at September 20 City Council public meeting being held at 5:30pm in Community Room at the Covelli Centre (DoubleTree by Hilton Room)
229 E. Front Street
Youngstown OH 44503
President of Council Tom Hetrick stated "a resolution is a great step forward but as a reminder that a resolution does not have 'power' and are not enforceable. They should continue to consider more actions to be able to prevent the project from coming to Youngstown."
Councilwoman Anita Davis responded that she sees the resolution "as step one (1) and step two (2) is making sure that the zoning codes are clear on the subject. Council would need the assistance of the Law Department on the subject."
Media coverage:
via WFMJ: https://www.wfmj.com/story/49509075/committee-passes-resolution-opposing-sobe-plant-from-moving-in
via @Vindicator https://www.vindy.com/news/local-news/2023/08/city-council-paves-the-way-for-mahoning-ave-improvements/
Excerpts of public discussion: Jeff Limbian, law director, said "Mayor Brown has made clear statements that like Councilman Oliver stated, he wants to err on the side of caution and make sure they oppose the project any way they can. He expressed concern that the EPA is not the way to rectify the issue. It is important to continue to protest to the EPA regarding the process and the permitting." Jeff Limbian, law director commented, "the Fire Chief has provided a very raw and disturbing view of what it would look like if there is a meltdown, explosion, or a burn up of tires in the facility. The water runoff alone would be a hazardous to the environment not to mention the smoke and the potential damage to several block areas and beyond; and in the long term it is not an easy fix. The Fire Chief is very concerned with the possibility of a tragic disaster both in terms what could happen immediately, the runoff and the dangerous affects that can happen in the long-run."
Jeff Limbian, law director commented, "Mayor Brown has not directed [me] to speak on his behalf but [I have heard] him state that 'if the babies in Canfield, Boardman, and Poland wouldn’t be subjected to it, I will not be subjecting my babies to this kind of risk and dangers'. [I do] not foresee any pushback from Mayor Brown is what he is inferring."
- via handwritten notes(DML) and transcript by Youngstown City Clerk, Valencia Marrow.
Comments