Committee of the Whole

COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL – COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2021 AT 6:45 PM COLUMBUS CITY HALL 1. Roll Call: The meeting was called to order at 7:25 pm by Council President Gray. Present: (in person) Council President Gray, Mayor Arnold, Alders: Motiff, Reid, Pyfferoen, McCabe, Albright; Staff: (in person) City Administrator Ellefson, Deputy Clerk Fude, Media Coordinator Wolf; City Attorney Johnson (Zoom), City Engineer Lietha (Zoom), Dir Planning/Development Schreiber (Zoom), Rec Director Meyers (in person) 2. Notice of Open Meeting: Noted as posted. 3. Approve Agenda: Motion by Pyfferoen, second by McCabe to approve the agenda. Carried voice vote. 4. Citizen Comments: Tory Weidmann representing the 4th of July Committee. He has heard that many other venues are opening. Would like to know what the Common Council thoughts are if we can proceed with booking the bands and entertainment. 5. Department Reports: March 2021: DPW, Fire, Library, Lifestar, Media Coordinator, Police 6. Review & discuss Carrico Contract: Amy reviewed that we have contracted with Carrico Aquatic Resources for the past 8 years. Attorney Johnson recommended two changes: 1. Under Assumptions, item #4 to change to Carrico Aquatic Resources in consultation with the City of Columbus has the authority to close the Facilities, etc. 2. Under Article IV: Compensation first item to remove “All chemicals in excess of $26,600 will be purchased by the City of Columbus at current commercial wholesale trade price.” Consensus of the committee was to stay with the flat fee amount. Recreation Director Meyers will follow up with Carrico. Forward to 5/4/2021 Regular meeting with changes. 7. Review & discuss Status of Emergency Order and Mask Mandate: Ellefson reviewed mandate options. Gray asked if any funds would not be available if emergency order was not in place. Reid, library is open but staff will continue to wear masks. Many alderpersons believe in a compromise of opening City Hall but to have staff continue to wear masks. Albright: many residents in her district interested in city buildings opening, emergency mandate ending and masks optional. Mandate can be revisited. Forward to 5/4/2021 Regular Meeting extending mandate for two months to open city buildings while still wearing masks. 8. Review & discuss applications, plan from 4th of July Committee: Tory Weidemann, 4th of July Committee said they are planning to proceed with putting out hand sanitizer and putting up signs to wear masks. Council comfortable having the event being that it is outside. They plan to have fireworks and music. Each day rides will be sanitized. Consensus was to move forward with plans. 9. Review & discuss Street Closing Request by Chamber of Commerce-Red Bud Days, May 8, 2021: Paula Steiner, Chamber, looking to have street closure for music, vendors, prince & princess contest. Will have Red Bud beer. Will also have garage sales. Looking for street closure for food on the boulevard, have the vendor/ fair available and segregate between the music. Friends of the Library book store will be open. Music will be provided by a spin off from Funky Chunky. Forward to 5/4/2021 Regular Meeting. 10. Review & discuss Amendment to Purchasing Policy: Ellefson explained the change to limit the length of contracts to two years. Forward to 5/4/2021 Regular Meeting. 11. Convene to closed session per § 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body withrespect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved. Motion by Pyfferoen, second by McCabe to adjourn into closed session at 8:01 pm. Roll call vote unanimous. 12. Reconvene to open session: Motion by Pyfferoen, second by McCabe to reconvene to open session at 8:53 pm. Submitted by:Carried voice vote. 13. Adjourn: Motion Jane Fude, Deputy by Motiff, second by Pyfferoen to adjourn at 8:54 pm. Carried voice vote. Clerk