Committee of the Whole

COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2023 1. Roll Call: Council President Roelke called the meeting to order at 7:20 pm. Present: Council President Roelke, Mayor Hammer, Alders: Finkler, Gray, Motiff, Reid, Steiner; Staff: Ellefson, Goebel, City Attorney Johnson, City Engineer Lietha, Chief Weiner, Meyers, Chief Hazeltine, Bledsoe, interested citizens. 2. Notice of Open Meeting: Noted as posted. 3. Approve Agenda: Motion by Motiff, second by Finkler to approve the agenda. Carried voice vote. 4. Citizen Comments: Alder Gray stated the CHLPC ordinance was not on the agenda. CA Ellefson stated it was staff oversight, not the Mayor's decision. Marc Rhode, 743 W School Street, spoke about the Japanese knot-weed issue on Tower Dr Peggy Adams, Solidarity Realty, spoke on Dingee property Jesse Pycha-Holst, Solidarity Realty, spoke on Dingee property Dominic Famularo, 324 W Mill St, spoke on Dingee property 5. Committee / Commission Minutes: Placed on file: Beautification 3/13/23, Columbus Utilities 3/16/23, Senior Center Advisory 3/2/23 6. Discussion and recommendation Offer to Purchase 1400 Park Avenue: Alder Motiff stated the use of ARPA money was not hidden for the purchase of the property and that the CDA brought to the Council ideas from the public, city employees, and staff for potential ARPA uses and all were turned down. Has concerns if selling the property, the City would have to return the money. Alder Steiner stated the City should not be flipping properties, considering this offer would be unethical, social media campaign was to strong-arm the City to sell; Alder Gray stated he agreed with Alders Motiff & Steiner; Alder Reid stated she was against the purchase from the start, and there wasn't much discussion on the uses of ARPA funds; Finkler stated she agreed with Reid, concerns with the houses, cost of infrastructure. CA Ellefson stated there could be a possible solution in selling the property and keeping the ARPA funds as long as new owners meet ARPA guidelines and a developer’s agreement could be discussed. Several alders agreed a developer's agreement would be a compromise. Motion by Motiff, second by Steiner to wait for the RFP process and consider all options at the same time. Roll call vote carried 5-2 with Reid & Finkler voting No. 7. Discuss accepting Donation for Pickle Ball Court: Consensus to accept donation for Pickle Ball courts. Forward to 5/16 Regular meeting. 8. Discuss paint for pickle ball courts: Consensus to accept donation to paint Pickle Ball lines on the tennis courts with the City providing the paint. Forward to 5/16 Regular meeting. 9. Review Alcohol License Renewals for 2023-2024 Licensing Period: "Class A" Liquor & Fermented Malt Beverage Licenses, Class "B" Fermented Malt Beverage License, "Class B" Liquor & Fermented Malt Beverage Licenses: Forward to 5/16 Regular meeting but requested staff to reach out to Cardinal Lanes, Tea Time, Columbus Country Club regarding outstanding invoices/taxes. 10. Review Tobacco License Applications for 2023-2024 Licensing Period: Forward to May 16 Regular meeting. 11. Discuss Capital Streets Plan: Ellefson & City Engineer presented a 9 year street plan which shows each plan attached specifically to borrowing and budget. The plan does not include county aid or any stormwater costs. Any grants applied for and received could be applied that a particular street project and reduce monies borrowed or budgeted. Alders liked the plan and Gray asked to see a similar plan for stormwater. Hammer agreed a plan is needed before the stormwater goes to referendum. Motiff asked stormwater be put on next COW for further discussion.  Page 2 – Committee of the Whole – 5/2/23 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 (1149 W James St): Motion by Motiff, second by Finkler to convene to closed session at 8:58 pm. Roll call vote unanimous. 13. Reconvene to open session: Motion by Gray, second by Hammer to reconvene to open session at 9:13 pm. Carried voice vote. 14. 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 with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved (428 River Rd, 103 N Ludington St): Motion by Motiff, second by Finkler to convene to closes session at 9:14 pm. Roll call vote unanimous. 15. Reconvene to open session: Motion by Motiff, second by Steiner to reconvene to open session at 9:47 pm. Carried voice vote. 16. Adjourn: Motion by Motiff, second by Finkler to adjourn at 9:47 pm. Carried voice vote. Submitted by: Pat Goebel, City Clerk