The current NOPEC agreement requires an involuntary opt In from all residents of the City of Elyria.   An opt out option is offered during a small, approximately 20 -30 day window once every 2 years.  A letter is sent to residents that appears to be junk mail and does not include an addressed envelope to send the included opt out slip.  This makes opt out difficult and inconvenient for most residents.  There are many residents who would prefer not to use NOPEC yet resign themselves to the involuntary opt in because opting out is too inconvenient to complete. Many more residents are unaware of the NOPEC agreement, either because they recently moved here or were not here when the agreement went into effect.

We propose that the agreement be modified to allow for a permanent opt out, with a requirement that an addressed envelope be included in the letter sent to the residents and that an online opt out method be provided conspicuously on both the City's website and NOPEC's website.  If these options cannot be provided or if NOPEC is unwilling to comply with this requirement, then the agreement should be abolished. 

Furthermore, we as a community request that the following item be place on the next general election ballot as a proposed ordinance:

"The city of Elyria shall not enter into any agreement with any utility provider that offers any contracted services on an involuntary opt in basis.  All contracted utility services must be provided with a voluntary opt in and permanent opt out options, including mail, fax, telephone, email, and a website form."