Committee of the Whole

COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2024 1. Roll Call: Alder Roelke called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm. Present: Alders: Finkler, Gray, Motiff, Reid, Steiner; Staff: Amundson, Caine, City Attorney Johnson, City Engineer Lietha, Chief Weiner, Chief Hazeltine, Meyers, Caine, Larson, Bennett, Ruth Hermanson (CHLPC), and interested citizens. Mayor Hammer was excused. 2. Notice of Open Meeting: Noted as posted 3. Approve Agenda: Motion by Finkler, second by Motiff to approve the agenda. Carried voice vote. 4. Citizen Comments: None 5. Department Reports: Fire, Library, Police, Treasurer: Placed on file. 6. Discuss Bids Regarding the 2024 Street Project: Jason Leitha, City Engineer, shared that two bids were received from the eight plan holders, and were opened on 02/02/24. Forest Landscaping Construction came in as the lowest bidder. The other bid came within about $37,000 from it. The pricing was good enough to allow some additional smaller projects to be completed, as well. Leitha asked this to be moved forward for consideration with the two base bids and the four alternates. Forward to 03/05/24 Regular council meeting. 7. Discuss Special Assessments on Businesses located on Commercial Drive: Amundson addressed the current assessment process the city uses and with guidance from Leitha, is advising that it is staff's recommendation to assess commercial properties in the same manner as residential properties. Most of the assessments made since 2016 have been residential. After discussion, Leitha is advising that it is staff's recommendation to assess commercial properties in the same manner as residential properties. Forward to a future Council meeting. 8. Discuss Chicken Permit for 749 Fuller Street: Mike Kornmann, CED will be inspecting this property before the next council meeting. There are no concerns with the application. Alder Gray asked if this decision authority chould be given to either the CED, or the Administrator. Atty. Johnson agreed. Next Committee of the Whole meeting should address the change in the ordinance which requires this. Forward the 749 Fuller Street decision to the 03/05/24 Regular meeting. 9. Discuss Summer Concert Series: Ruth Hermanson from the CHLPC shared the plans for the Summer Concert Series. There is no cost to the city and the monies raised will be for the Resthaven. Insurance will be covered through a sponsorship. 10. Discuss Citizens Rights to Address Council Ordinance: The draft of the Ordinance to Repeal and Recreate Sections 2-40 and 2-51 of the City Code of Ordinances was presented to the committee members. There was a question from Alder Finkler regarding the three-minute time limitation to speakers, followed by committee discussion. It was decided to have two versions of the Draft Ordinance presented at the next Council Meeting for consideration. 11. Discuss ATV / UTV Parking: Alder Finkler asked if this ordinance update could be addressed with the sunset clause. Atty. Johnson indicated that the ATV/UTV issue would be appropriate at the Committee of the Whole meeting on 03/05/24. 12. Presentation of Annual Report by Interim City Administrator: Amundson presented the Annual Report to the committee, publicly thanking the Department Heads for their input. Library employee Reagan Muller assisted with the layout. Alder Finkler thanked everyone involved. 13. Adjourn: Motion by Finkler, second by Motiff to adjourn at 7:57pm. Submitted by Susan L. Caine, City Deputy Clerk