Rep. Dovilla Commends Director Zehringer on Commitment to Transparency

7/29/2019 Rep. Dovilla Commends Director Zehringer on Commitment to Transparency

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MICHAEL D.DOVILLA7TH DISTRICT ______

POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT,

CHAIRMAN

FINANCE &APPROPRIATIONS

HIGHEREDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

MILITARY &VETERANS AFFAIRS

VERN RIFFE CENTER77SOUTH HIGH STREET,13THFLOO

COLUMBUS,OH43215-6111_____

T:(614)466-4895_____

F: (614)719-6957_____

[email protected] Ohio General Assembly

House of Representatives

Columbus

For Immediate Release: Contact: Chris Ventura

September 13, 2013 (614) 466-4895

Rep. Dovilla Commends Director Zehringer on Commitment to

Transparency

ODNR Initiates Review of Division of Oil and Natural Gas Resources Internal

Protocols

COLUMBUS State Representative Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) today commented on a letter

from Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Jim Zehringer, which addressed

concerns expressed by Rep. Dovilla regarding the notice of public meetings by the Oil & Gas

Technical Advisory Council (TAC).

Last month, Rep. Dovilla wrote to Zehringer expressing concern about the no-notice

cancellation of a meeting of the TAC, which North Royalton municipal officials had driven

to Columbus to attend. The meeting had been scheduled for the city to present its position

on a mandatory pooling application by Cutter Oil Company.

I commend Director Zehringer on his commitment to ensuring the Ohio Department ofNatural Resources maintains the highest standards of accountability and transparency

expected by Ohioans, said Dovilla. I am pleased the Director has initiated a thorough

review of the internal protocols, and I look forward to learning how he will establish

improved procedures for public notice. With respect to the specific matter being

considered by the Technical Advisory Council, the people of North Royalton deserve a fair

hearing on mandatory pooling. I will continue to work with Mayor Stefanik and Council

President Antoskiewicz to ensure state law is being followed on both the process and

substance of this issue, which is of great importance to our communitys residents.

-30-

Editors Note: Copies of Representative Dovillas letter to Director Zehringer and the directors

response are attached.


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MICHAEL D.DOVILLA7TH DISTRICT______

POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT,

CHAIRMAN

FINANCE &APPROPRIATIONS

HIGHEREDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

MILITARY &VETERANS AFFAIRS

VERN RIFFE CENTER77SOUTH HIGH STREET,13THFLOO

COLUMBUS,OH43215-6111_____

T:(614)466-4895_____

F:(614)719-6957_____

[email protected] General Assembly

House of RepresentativesColumbus

August 27, 2013

Director James ZehringerOhio Department of Natural Resources2045 Morse RoadColumbus, OH 43229-6693

Dear Director Zehringer

I write with respect to the August 13, 2013, quarterly meeting of the Oil & Gas TechnicalAdvisory Council (TAC).

As you may be aware, the City of North Royalton has been diligently working with the OhioDepartment of Natural Resources with regard to the mandatory pooling of municipal propertyunder Cutter Oil Companys application #aPATT021996.

On May 14, 2013, North Royalton Mayor Robert Stefanik, City Council President LarryAntoskiewicz, and Law Director Thomas Kelly appeared before the TAC due to the failure ofCutter Oil Company to allow for the City of North Royalton to provide due process for Cutter Oil

Companys pooling request. At that meeting, Chairman Gonzales persuaded Cutter Oil Company totable its application for mandatory pooling until the next quarterly meeting on August 13, 2013, forthe City to hold the required public meetings prior to bringing the lease agreement to a vote by CityCouncil.

As you know, Section 1509.38 of the Ohio Revised Code governs the operations of the TACwith one of the statutory requirements being that, The council shall hold at least one regularmeeting in each quarter of a calendar year and shall keep a record of its proceedings. It wasbrought to my attention by Law Director Thomas Kelly that this statutory meeting was cancelledwithout any public notice. As an advocate of government accountability and transparency, I amgreatly concerned about the cancellation of a statutory meeting without notice.

Upon review of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources public website for the TAC,http://oilandgas.ohiodnr.gov/commission, which contains the announcement of all councilmeetings, it is clear that a council meeting was scheduled for August 13, 2013. I have included foryour review, a copy of the website, which duly noticed the public meeting, yet did not notice thecancellation of the aforementioned meeting.

In order best to serve all Ohioans, whether elected officials or residents of our State whohave interest in the regulatory functions of the TAC, I would like to request that you initiate a reviewof the procedures in place which are used to notice TAC hearings.


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In addition, I ask that you personally contact Mayor Bob Stefanik and Law Director ThomasKelly with regard to their letter dated August 14, 2013, a copy of which I have also enclosed.

Thank you for your prompt attention to my concerns. Should you have any questions aboutthis matter, please feel free to contact me directly or have a member of your staff contact Chris

Ventura, Legislative Aide, in my office at 614-466-4895.

Sincerely,

MICHAEL D. DOVILLAState Representative7th House District

Enclosures (2)

cc:Mayor Robert StefanikCouncil President Larry AntoskiewiczCouncilman John NickellCouncilman Gary PetruskyCouncilman Paul MarnecheckCouncilman Steve MullerCouncilman Dan KasarisCouncilman Dan Langshaw

Laura Haller, Director of Legislative ServicesThomas Kelly, Law DirectorBruce Campbell, Safety DirectorRobert Chegan, Jr., Fire ChiefState Senator Thomas Patton

MDD/cav


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Documents

Rep. Dovilla Commends Director Zehringer on Commitment to Transparency