Committee of the Whole

COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL – COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2021 – 6:45 PM COLUMBUS CITY HALL 1. Roll Call: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Mayor Thom. Present: Mayor Thom, Council President Ryan, Alders: Adams, Gray, McCabe, Pyfferoen (in person), Reid; City Administrator Ellefson, City Clerk Goebel, City Attorney (Zoom), City Staff via Zoom: Duernberger, Lang, Lietha, Ganz, Schreiber, interested citizens including Ron Curtis. 2. Notice of Open Meeting: Noted as posted. 3. Approve Agenda: Motion by Pyfferoen, second by Gray to approve the agenda. Carried voice vote. 4. Citizen Comments: Ron Curtis, Parkview Dr, asked to speak on items #8, 9. 5. Department Reports: Placed on file: December 2020: DPW, Fire, Library, Media Coordinator, Police, Treasurer 6. Review & discuss SMA for TAP Grant: The grant would be treated as a highway project, therefore it was suggested to use an consultant for real estate acquisitions Applying and receiving a stewardship grant would be used to offset the real estate costs, which the City would be responsible for. Real Estate costs are not covered under the TAP Grant. Forward to 2/2/21 Regular meeting. 7. Review & discuss WWTP Influent Screen Replacement Close Out and Lien releases: The close out and lien releases are a formality for the final payment; it notices the work is done and payment is recommended by City Engineer. Forward to 2/2/21 Regular meeting. 8. Review & discuss timeline and plans for developing a Transportation Utility: Timeline for developing the Transportation Utility was presented including information on the website for the public, mailings and public meetings, with the hope the utility will be approved early April. While the Transportation Utility and the Stormwater Fund are separate processes, funding a Stormwater Fund will depend on the approval of the Transportation Utility. If there is no Transportation Utility, the funding from the 2021 Budget will not be allocated to the Stormwater Fund. 9. Review & discuss plans for establishing Stormwater Fund and reallocating funds: While there is consensus for both the Transportation Utility and a Stormwater Fund, funds will not be allocated without the Transportation Utility being approved. Should the Transportation Utility be approved, the Council have to approve a budget amendment to reallocate funds in the 2021 budget from street maintenance to stormwater. 10. Discuss City Council Meeting Expectations: Several Council members have shared concerns on how long Council meetings are, and members and staff still working full time jobs. Several options were discussed and the consensus to put time guidelines on the agenda for the chair to watch and keep the discussions moving in a timely manner. 11. Adjourn: Motion by Gray, second by Thom to adjourn at 7:55 pm. Carried voice vote. Submitted by: Pat Goebel, City Clerk