Committee of the Whole

COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL – COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 – 6:45 PM COLUMBUS CITY HALL 1. Roll Call: The meeting was called to order by Council President Ryan at 7:20 pm. Present: Council President Ryan, Mayor Thom; Alders (all via Zoom): Adams, Gray McCabe, Pyfferoen, and Reid; City Administrator Ellefson, City Clerk Goebel, City Attorney Johnson (Zoom), Staff: Meyers, Lang, Lietha (Zoom), Ruekert Mielke staff (Zoom), interested citizens Ron Curtis, Max Chu. 2. Notice of Open Meeting: Noted as posted. 3. Approve Agenda: Motion by Gray, second by Adams to approve the agenda. Carried voice vote. 4. Citizen Comments: Present: Ron Curtis, Max Chur to comment on item #11. 5. Committee/Commission Minutes: placed on file: Aquatic Center 6/10/20, 8/26/20, Cable Commission 09/02/20, 10/7/20; CDA 10/19/20, 11/23/20, CHLPC 11/12/20, CWL 11/19/20, Library 06/16/20, 08/18/20, 09/15/20, 10/20/20, Plan Commission 8/13/20, 9/10/20, 10/15/20, 11/12/20, PFC 8/17/20, Recreation 9/14/20, Tourism 8/3/20, 9/14/20 6. Review & discuss Music & Memory donation to the Senior Center: Senior Center Director Kim Lang reviewed a donation from Enerpac which allows the Senior Center to reach out to citizens with cognitive challenges to find ways to engage them with the community. Forward to 1/19/21 Regular meeting. 7. Review & discuss Butterfly Garden Volunteer Park MOU: Planning & Development Director Matt Schreiber informed the Council of several changes to the site plan without City knowledge or approval, differing from the original plans and the MOU. Suggested the MOU be revisited. Council members were of the understanding this project would be done in phases as well as a master plan be implemented. Return to 1/19/21 COW. 8. Review & discuss SMA for TAP Grant: There are several items which need to be done and not covered under the grant. Looking into another grant to help with real estate acquisition. Return to 1/19/21 COW. 9. Review & discuss Details of Developing a Downtown Tax Increment District: Council reviewed and liked the updated map of the proposed TID. The cost to develop the TID if $15,000 and Ehlers can help with the creation. The City can reimburse itself with these costs once the TID is created. Forward to 1/19/21 Regular meeting. 10. Review & discuss Resolution for CDBG Close Application: Application will require two resolutions; once they are approved, Schreiber will review the application with the DOA prior to submittal. Forward to 1/19/21 Regular meeting. 11. Review & discuss details and options for a Storm Water Utility or Transportation Utility: Administrator Ellefson explained the two different utilities. The storm water utility would be a separate charge on the utility bill and the money would only be eligible for storm water projects. It could help offset any borrowing proposed for storm water projects. It would also require a referendum with a short time frame to notify the public to explain the utility. The deadline to submit wording for a referendum question on the Spring 2021 ballot is January 26. In setting up a transportation utility, the money can be used for any street project with few limitations, and can also offset any borrowing needed for larger street projects. The transportation utility would not require a referendum, but would also be a separate charge on the utility bill and can be used for street projects; and could free up approximately $95,000 in the 2021 budget designated for slurry and crack sealing and mill & overlay projects. That money could be used for storm water projects. Council agreed to the Transportation Utility only if the money set aside in the 2021 budget for street work would be reallocated, by resolution, for storm water projects. Forward to 1/19/21 Regular meeting. 12. Convene to closed session per §19.85(1)(e) deliberating or negotiating the purchase of public properties, the investment of public funds, or conducting other public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, specifically to discuss potential acquisition of parcels in the City of Columbus. Motion by Gray, second by Adams to convene to closed session at 10:02 pm. Roll call vote unanimous. 13. Reconvene to open session: Motion by Thom, second by Gray to reconvene to open session at 10:24. Carried voice vote. 14. Adjourn: Motion by Thom, second by Gray to adjourn at 10:24 pm. Carried voice vote. Submitted by: Pat Goebel, City Clerk