Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2022 - COLUMBUS CITY HALL 1. Roll Call: Council President Gray called the meeting to order at 7:25 pm. Present: Council President Gray, Mayor Arnold, Alders: Albright, Motiff, Reid, Roelke, Steiner; Staff: City Administrator Ellefson, Deputy Clerk Fude, Chief Weiner, DPW Director Lentz, City Engineer Lietha, CWL employees: Koenig, Lietha, Tanner, Fenner, Boness, Kaltenberg, and Kehoe, City Engineer Lietha, WWTP Anding, City Attorney Johnson, City Treasurer Bledsoe, interested citizens, and the media. 2. Notice of Open Meeting: Noted as posted. 3. Approve Agenda: Motion by Motiff, second by Albright to approve the agenda. Carried voice vote. 4. Citizen Comments: Joe Hammer, 162 E. School St., spoke in support of a utility commission and the longevity of service and experience. Jack Sanderson, 113 Dawn Ct., spoke about utility infrastructure, qualify employees, and rates. Kelly Crombie, 442 S. Lewis St., former Mayor and former CWL Commissioner spoke in regards to noise and complaints regarding ATV/UTV. Urged caution to prevent previous problems. Pete Skalitzky, 346 Sturges St., in support of ATV/UTV on all public streets within the city; it was the fastest growing family activity. Lori Schwoerer, W1356 Wendt Rd., reviewed rules and the safety of ATV/UTV. Bill Blaska, 707 Cherokee Path, member of ATV/UTV club, highlighted the potential revenue it can bring into a community. Ted Petrie, 231 Campbell St., spoke in support ATV/UTV. David Koenig, N5665 US Hwy. 151, CWL , voiced concerns. Spoke in regards to longevity because of the commission structure. In favor of Option 2. Vicky Lietha, 436 W. School St. CWL. Is not in support is disbanding the commission. Jacob Tanner, 962 Waterloo St., CWL, in support of Option 2. Zacharia Fenner, 417 Parkview Dr., CWL, in support of Option 2, Jacob Boness, 320 Richmond St., asked that the CWL please do what is right for the rate payers. Rose Schulze, 257 Waterloo St., CWL Commissioner, not in favor of Option 3. Alan Strohschem, 620 Park St., former CWL Commissioner, spoke in regards to longevity of commissioners. Stated that commissioners learned what employees do. Not in favor of Option 3. Troy Kehoe, 138 E. School St. CWL, in favor of Option 2. 5. Department Reports – May 2022: Placed on file: DPW, Fire, Library, Lifestar, Police, Treasurer 6. Review Bids for CDBG project: Jason Lietha reviewed the bids. Recommend to capitalize on the $423,000.00 grant and award the base bid for $565,870.00 RLP Diversified. Dredging would have cost $495,000.00. Would borrow for the difference. Forward to July 5 Regular meeting. 7. Request from Police Chief Weiner for body cameras: Chief Weiner reviewed the need for body cameras and how they are now the norm, not the exception. There are ARPA funds, grants and could receive donations. Looking for permission from the council to gather quotes for the body cameras and storage if permitted to review grants and funding. Consensus of the council is in support of Chief Weiner to proceed to gather quotes for body cameras, storage and review ARPA Funds and available grants. 8. Preliminary Funding Plans for debt issuances: Bledsoe reviewed. Return to July 5 Committee of the Whole. 9 Review and Discussion - Organizational Study Utility Consolidation: Discussed the difference between boards and commissions and other details such as a general manager, contracts, equipment, etc. The council agreed Option 2 and discussed how this should be done. Return to July 5 Committee of the Whole. Page 2 – Committee of the Whole 6/21/22 10. Discussion regarding recreational use of ATV/UTVs on City streets: A lot of information was included in the packets. Enforcement was a concern. Chief Weiner reviewed no significant issues from other communities. Recommend to have ordinance include all necessary restrictions. Safety concerns having all the roads as ATV/UTVs. City Attorney Johnson reviewed statutes, recommendations for an ordinance and signage. Motion by Albright, second by Motiff to return a draft ordinance with a sunset clause to the July 5 Committee of the Whole. Roll call vote: Albright aye, Arnold nay, Gray nay, Motiff aye, Reid nay, Roelke aye, Steiner aye. Motion carried 4-3. 11. 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 TAP Grant appraisal contract negotiations. Motion by Motiff, second by Roelke to convene into closed session at 9:36 pm. Roll call vote, unanimous. 12. Reconvene to open session: Motion by Roelke, second by Arnold to reconvene to open session at 9:50 pm. Carried voice vote. 13. Adjourn: Motion by Motiff, second by Steiner to adjourn at 9:50 pm. Submitted by: Jane Fude, Deputy Clerk