TORONTO — On Monday, Toronto Council approved an ordinance aimed at deterring the accumulation of trash on properties or runoff that creates a nuisance for neighbors while also authorizing the mayor to sign a new electrical aggregation agreement for city residents.

The ordinance was drafted by attorney James Calabria using terms drawn from the International Property Maintenance Code adopted by council in 2023.

It allows City Police to issue citations to property owners for loose trash and other debris and an accumulation of rodents, insects and other pests or noxious conditions and drainage from roofs, paved areas or other sources that create a nuisance for others.

Under it, the property owners who fail to address such conditions within 14 days of notification may be fined $100, followed by another $100 fine if still no action has been taken.

Ultimately, city officials may hire someone to correct such conditions and place a lien on the property to recoup the costs if it’s sold.

Council also authorized Mayor John Parker to enter into a 24-month agreement with Regor Energy of Clinton, Ohio, to secure natural gas for the city’s residents at a fixed rate of 6.940 per thousand cubic feet of use, effective April 1.

The rate is an increase from the rate of 6.760 per thousand cubic feet for which Regor Energy had negotiated previously and will amount to an annual increase of about $15 based on average natural gas use, said John Regor, owner of the energy aggregating company.

Ney told council the rate, through IGS Energy, is the lowest of those offered by a few companies supplying natural gas produced by Columbia Gas of Ohio to this region.

He suggested council also could consider an agreement by which customers would pay a variable rate influenced by such factors as temperature and the costs to improve pipelines and other infrastructure.

Ney said during the last period, the variable rate available through the supplier was less than the selected fixed rate, particularly during warmer months when households required less heat, but he acknowledged it could spike under some conditions.

Councilman at large Michael Burkey had recommended council go with the fixed rate because a spike could impact senior citizens on tighter budgets.

Councilman at large Larry Glenn asked whether customers under budget plans would be affected by the agreement and was told they would not.

The ability of city officials to negotiate for a collective natural gas rate for the city’s residents was approved by voters in 2021.

But residents may choose a different electrical supplier and may opt out of the aggregation program by calling IGS Energy or Columbia Gas of Ohio.

Not automatically enrolled in the aggregation program are customers who qualify for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan because their income is at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty income level or those who have signed up for the Public Utilities Commission’s Do Not Aggregate list.

Customers can find a chart comparing available fixed or variable rates from multiple suppliers at PUCO’s website at https://www.energychoice.ohio.gov/ApplestoApples.aspx.

The Apples to Apples chart there includes rates for natural gas and electricity.

Ney said he will be returning to council before the current electrical aggregation agreement negotiated by Regor Energy expires in April to discuss the city’s options then.

In other business:

• Council agreed to provide $3,000 to Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1 for the Christmas with a Cop program, through which Toronto Police provide toys, clothing, shoes, hats and gloves to local children in need.

The officers also are accepting donations for the effort at the police department in the City Building up to Nov. 7.

• Council learned Acting Fire Chief Ryan Boyd has secured a $905,672 federal grant for air packs and related equipment for the city’s fire department and six other area departments.

Boyd said locally the equipment will go to the department’s city and Knoxville fire stations.

Council President Frank McEwen, a former Toronto fire chief, said the packs cost between $12,000 and $15,000 and the collaborative effort to seek funds for multiple departments will benefit all of them.

• It was announced funds remaining from those allotted for the city’s annual paving project will be used to resurface Third Street from Cleveland Street to Euclid Avenue, Findley Street from Euclid to Trenton Street, Fourth Street from Cleveland Street to Myers Street, and Main Street from Findley to the railroad tracks.

• It was announced the city’s Halloween trick or treat hours will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 30.