Committee of the Whole

COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022 – 6:50 PM COLUMBUS CITY HALL 1. Roll Call: Council President Gray called the meeting to order at 7:19 pm. Present: Council President Gray, Mayor Arnold (via Zoom), Alders: Albright, Motiff, Reid, Roelke (via Zoom), Steiner, City Administrator Ellefson, Deputy Clerk Fude, City Engineer Lietha, City Attorney Johnson and interested employees and citizens. 2. Notice of Open Meeting: Noted as posted. 3. Approve Agenda: Motion by Motiff, second by Steiner to approve. Carried voice vote. 4. Citizen Comments: Pete Skalitzky, 346 Sturges St. regarding ATV, UTV draft ordinance. Nothing additional. Thanked the council for reviewing. E-mailed council members with suggested changes. Aaron Lyons, 941 Park Avenue in opposition to the draft ordinance. Drafted letter of concerns. Number one concern is public safety. Afraid that majority has not been heard from. 5. Committee / Commission Minutes: placed on file: CWL 5/19/22, Library 4/19/22, Tourism 5/2/22. 6. Review CSA donation proposal for diamond 1 dugout wrap for Cardinal Pride at Meister Park: Forward to July 19 Regular meeting. 7. Review Preliminary Funding Plans for debt issuances: Greg Johnson, representing Ehlers. Started review with General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds 2022 B. The presale report that summarizes the financial analysis and the purpose for these bonds. The General Obligation General Corporate Purpose bonds will finance three types of capital improvement projects for 2022 and 2023. The total amount of project costs is $1,300,000.00. Under state law if you are financing several different types of projects with one bond issue you also need to adopt separate resolutions. Reviewed fiscal impact, debt profile and present debt levy service and revenue sources. Estimated closing date would be September 22, 2022. Greg then summarized the Sewerage System Revenue Bonds. These are revenue bonds. The main distinction between revenue debt and general obligation debt is that revenue debt pledges a non-tax levy revenue source for repaying the bonds. Projects including sewer improvements, lift station and clarifier improvements were reviewed. Total amount of projects’ costs being funded is $2,270,000.00. Debt service reserve fund, estimated interest rates and amortization schedule was reviewed. Will need to monitor future sewer rates. Closing will be the end of September. Forward to July 19 Regular meeting. 8. Initial Resolution Authorizing $840,000 General Obligation Bonds for Street Improvement Projects: Forward to July 19 Regular meeting. 9. Initial Resolution Authorizing $370,000 General Obligation Bonds for Equipment for Fire Dept: Forward to July 19 Regular meeting. 10. Initial Resolution Authorizing $160,000 General Obligation Bonds for sewerage Projects: Forward to July 19 Regular meeting. 11. Resolution Directing Publication of Notice to Electors to Bond Issues: Forward to July 19 Regular meeting. 12. Resolution Providing for the Sale of Not to Exceed $1,370,000 General Obligation Corporate Bonds, Series 2022B: Forward to July 19 Regular meeting. 13. Resolution Providing for the Sale of Approximately $2,650,000 Sewerage System Revenue Bonds, Series 2022A: Forward to July 19 Regular meeting. 14. Review Draft Ordinance regarding recreational use of ATV/UTVs on City streets: Attorney Johnson reviewed draft ordinance and the difference between snowmobiles and ATV/UTV uses. After much discussion it was decided to put this to an advisory referendum. Forward to July 19 COW meeting to propose language for the advisory referendum perhaps for the November election. 15. Review and Discussion CDA request to develop ARPA plans: Motiff shared a letter that was prepared to ask if, what ARPA could be used for. The city has received $535,903.00 that need to be used by December 31, 2024. The CDA is requesting permission to come up with a plan for how the funds will be used. Ellefson reviewed intent of the funds to be used for economic development or investment in the community that is key to make a long-term difference in the community. It was agreed that the CDA would come up with ideas for spending ARPA plans. Forward to July 19 Regular / COW meeting. 16. Review and Discussion DPW Organizational change: Ellefson reviewed position changes. There would be a change from Crew Leader to Street Superintendent in that this position would be out in the field help and direct staff to free up time for the director to do their work. Recommend to keep this position hourly. The director will still have the general oversight. Would like permission to start advertising with the draft job position. Forward to July 19 Regular meeting. 17. Review and Discussion Hillside Cemetery Secretary Job Description: When reviewing the job description the Hillside Cemetery Association has their own rules that they follow as a member of that board. This description captures the City portion of the operations. The position will have duties and obligations as a member of the Hillside Cemetery Organization independent of their City work. This position reports to the Director of Public Works. FLSA guidelines were reviewed. Hourly rates vs number of hours per week were discussed. Hourly rate would be between $16.00 to $18.00 per hour and be able to advertise the draft job description with the updated hourly rates. Forward to July 19 Regular meeting. 18. 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 sale of property in the City of Columbus. Motion by Roelke, second by Motiff to convene into closed session at 8:23 pm. Roll call vote unanimous. 19. Reconvene to open session: Motion by Motiff, second by Steiner to reconvene into open session at 8:52 pm. Carried voice vote. 20. Convene to closed session per §19.85(1)(c) to consider employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. Motion by Motiff, second by Roelke to convene into closed session at 8:53 pm. Roll call vote unanimous. 21. Reconvene to open session. Motion by Motiff, second by Steiner to reconvene into open session at 9:04 pm. Carried voice vote. 22. Adjourn: Motion by Steiner, second by Motiff to adjourn at 9:05 pm. Carried voice vote. Submitted by: Jane Fude, Deputy Clerk