City Council

Office of the Clerk of Council City of Gahanna 200 South Hamilton Road Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes City Council Stephen A. Renner, President Ryan P. Jolley, Vice President Beryl D. Anderson Karen J. Angelou Brian D. Larick David L. Samuel Brandon Wright Isobel L. Sherwood, MMC, Clerk of Council Tuesday, January 22, 2013 7:00 PM City Hall Council May Meet in Caucus Beginning at 6:45 p.m. A. CALL TO ORDER - Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call Gahanna City Council met in Regular Meeting on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at Gahanna City Hall, in Council Chambers, 200 South Hamilton Road. President of Council Stephen A. Renner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Invocation was given by Council Member Jolley followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council Member Larick. Agenda for this meeting was published on January 18, 2013. Present 5 - President Stephen A. Renner, Ryan P. Jolley, Karen J. Angelou, David L. Samuel, and Brandon Wright Absent 1 - Beryl Anderson B. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA. Council Member Larick said he would like to add ORD-0038-2013 to the agenda under Item D. C. HEARING OF VISITORS. Renner said I have the honor to present a resolution to honor and commend former 20th District House Representative Nancy Garland; Renner read the resolution and the audience gave Garland a standing ovation. Garland thanked Council and the Mayor for the presentation of the resolution; said it has truly been an honor to serve you. Angelou presented resolution to Kate Koch Gatch, the Bike Lady; said this is what our community is; people who do good things for other people. Gatch thanked Council for the resolution. Nick Hogan, 1040 Venetian Way, said I am asking Council to correct an error; specifically to add an issue to the May ballot; a charter change to take the Council terms back to what they were before the last charter change; (Section 4.02 Council Composition and Term); Council has to put whatever the Charter Review Commission recommends on the ballot; Council did unanimously vote to oppose this charter change, but it was then approved by the people; the intent, the CRC said, was that the way things are set up now every 4 years the Mayor, City Attorney and all 7 Council members could be thrown out of office. I appeared before the Charter City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 Review Commission and told them this has never happened and will probably never happen; for this to happen the Mayor, City Attorney and 4 ward Council members would have to run opposed and then would all have to be defeated; then for at large, at least a minimum of 6 people would have to run with all 3 incumbents being defeated; do not think this will ever happen; spoke with office about additional cost to put this on the ballot in May; I know that time is short but this is important; having all members run every 4 years together eliminates a lot of politics and campaigning; I ask that you consider this for a charter change this May; asking that Council supports this. Tom Kneeland, 123 Serran Dr., said I would like to share a few thoughts on the city's goals, its mission and our long term financial stability; I grew up in Gahanna, long before it was a city; I've seen the good times of the '50s and '60s, and witnessed the bad times from the early '70s through the early '80s; the good times were just that; great times to be a resident in a small town where people cared about their neighbors, kids were kids, and the economy was good; during this period the village became a charter city and the growth boom was on us; bad times were tough to navigate; city was faced with near ruinous finances and tough decisions had to be made; we were blessed then with a strong, conservative administration (not that we don't have one now) that took necessary steps to stop the financial hemorrhaging; build a financial plan and stick with it. The city prospered for the next 2 decades from the late '80s through the late 2000s, not without growing pains, but with a real sense of pride in a community that strived to be the absolute best community anywhere. Then the bottom fell out of the economy and we're again faced with tough financial decisions. Some of us here tonight saw those early tough times. Many of us remember the good times and all of us have been impacted by the worst times I can remember. During those early years, through the '60s, the village was small and the financial needs were also small. As it grew, the demand by its residents for basic services also grew. In the 1970s the people were presented with a question, "IF you feel you require basic and enhanced city services, are you willing to pay for them?' and the answer was yes. That was over thirty years ago. We're now at a similar crossroads, and facing a similar, serious decision point in the City's future. Our revenues have sharply decreased, mainly from the financial chaos over the last 5-10 years, with the largest decrease coming from the loss of the local government fund, where over a million dollars was previously collected from the state, we are now faced with finding replacement revenues just to cover the loss. That alone is a huge loss to our annual budget, which was carved up to help pay for many of the basic services needs of the community. As a 17-year Council member and a past Director working for the administration I've seen first hand the pain incurred trying to provide the best service without the budget to match the need. We have to have a fair long term solution that will produce regional equity with a source of revenue that will make the City sustainable long into the future. I urge each of you to get behind this effort, to at a minimum, support letting the people decide their destiny, and place the city funding question on the ballot. Scott Mounts, School Board Representative, said Dewitt Harrell has been appointed to the vacant seat; will have 4 members running at election; we made decisions about redistricting; chamber orchestra and choir concert at Peace Lutheran was wonderful; please try to attend some time; Superintendent Scruci will have a breakfast meeting this Thursday; will be entering into contract negotiations this summer. D. INTRODUCTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE: Jolley introduced ordinances, by title, as amended to add ORD-0038-2013. City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 Ordinances - To Be Introduced and Assigned to Committee: ORD-0023-2013 TO ACCEPT GENERAL WARRANTY DEED FOR 0.571+/- ACRE ON TAYLOR STATION ROAD; FROM FRANKLIN STEEL COMPANY BY SIDNEY BLATT ORD-0027-2013 AN ORDINANCE DECLARING THE IMPROVEMENT TO CERTAIN PARCELS OF REAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY'S HAMILTON ROAD CORRIDOR TO BE A PUBLIC PURPOSE AND EXEMPT FROM TAXATION; ESTABLISHING A TAX INCREMENT EQUIVALENT FUND AND PROVIDING FOR THE COLLECTION AND DEPOSIT OF SERVICE PAYMENTS INTO THAT FUND; SPECIFYING THE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS DIRECTLY BENEFITING THE PARCELS; AND AUTHORIZING MAKE-WHOLE COMPENSATION PAYMENTS TO THE GAHANNA-JEFFERSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE EASTLAND FAIRFIELD CAREER CENTER. ORD-0028-2013 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH BILL WALKER FOR CLEANING OF THE GAHANNA GOLF COURSE CLUBHOUSE FOR THE PERIOD OF FEBRUARY 1, 2013 THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2014. ORD-0029-2013 TO ACCEPT GENERAL WARRANTY DEED FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ALONG TECHCENTER DRIVE, CONSISTING OF 0.379 ACRES AND 2.978 ACRES FROM VALUE RECOVERY GROUP II, LLC. ORD-0030-2013 DETERMINING TO PROCEED WITH THE IMPROVEMENT OF CERTAIN AREAS WITHIN THE CITY OF GAHANNA BY CONSTRUCTING AND INSTALLING AN EXTENSION TO THE TRIANGLE EAST SANITARY SEWER, SA-871; EXTENSION ALONG EAST JOHNSTOWN ROAD NORTH OF RIVA RIDGE BOULEVARD ORD-0031-2013 TO REZONE 5.478+/- ACRES OF PROPERTY AS SO, SUBURBAN OFFICE; SAID PROPERTY LOCATED AT 975 NORTH HAMILTON ROAD; CURRENT ZONING PCC; OTTERBEIN HOMES, APPLICANT ORD-0033-2013 TO APPROVE CURRENT REPLACEMENT PAGES TO THE GAHANNA CODIFIED ORDINANCES. ORD-0035-2013 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH FRANKLIN SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT FOR GAHANNA WORKING AGREEMENT WITH REGARD TO EPA STORMWATER REQUIREMENTS OF OUR NPDES PERMIT. ORD-0036-2013 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 FRANKLIN SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT FOR ASSISTANCE WITH ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION, A MINIMUM CONTROL MEASURE FOR OUR MS4 NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT. ORD-0037-2013 TO SUPPORT THE CITY OF COLUMBUS APPLICATION TO REDUCE THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MORSE ROAD BETWEEN HAMILTON ROAD AND US 62; AND TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS WITH THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. ORD-0038-2013 TO WAIVE BUILDING PERMIT FEES FOR THE RECONSTRUCT OF THE HISTORIC ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE. E. CONSENT AGENDA: Minutes - To Approve: 2013-0003 This Matter was Approved and Filed on the Consent Agenda. Ordinance: Introduce, Waive Second Reading, Adopt as Emergency: ORD-0024-2013 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT FOR THE 2013 FISCAL YEAR WITH THE FRANKLIN COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER COMMISSION TO REPRESENT INDIGENT PERSONS BEFORE THE FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT CHARGED WITH VIOLATIONS UNDER GAHANNA ORDINANCES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. This Matter was Introduced, Second Reading Waived, and Adopted as an Emergency on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0025-2013 TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO NEGOTIATE AND THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT AMENDMENT FOR A LOWER ELECTRIC RATE AND TO EXTEND OUR EXISTING AEP ENERGY CONTRACT FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR AMENDING ORD-0139-2010; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. This Matter was Introduced, Second Reading Waived, and Adopted as an Emergency on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0026-2013 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO MAKE APPLICATION FOR A RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM AND A CLEAN OHIO TRAILS FUND GRANT; TO EXECUTE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS IF City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 GRANT IS AWARDED; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. This Matter was Introduced, Second Reading Waived, and Adopted as an Emergency on the Consent Agenda. Ordinances on Second Reading: ORD-0003-2013 TO ACKNOWLEDGE GENERAL WARRANTY DEED FOR SANITARY SEWER AND WATER LINES AS PART OF A PROPERTY TRANSFER; FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4491 E. JOHNSTOWN ROAD; PORTRAIT HOMES - GAHANNA GROVE LLC This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0004-2013 TO ACCEPT QUIT CLAIM DEED FOR RIGHT OF WAY PURPOSES FOR USE AS AN ALLEY AND KNOWN AS PARCEL #025-00021; FROM WILLIAM AND FLORA CLOTTS This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0005-2013 TO ACKNOWLEDGE EASEMENT FOR UTILITY PURPOSES FOR PROPERTY KNOWN AS RESERVE A OF SPRINGBROOK FARM SUBDIVISION CONTAINING .734 ACRES+/- This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0006-2013 TO ACKNOWLEDGE WARRANTY DEED FOR PURCHASE OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 94 N. HIGH ST. FROM GEORGE AND CARRIE MCMILLIN This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0007-2013 TO ACKNOWLEDGE EASEMENT FOR UTILITY PURPOSES FOR PROPERTY LOCATED EAST OF CHERRY BOTTOM ROAD AND SOUTH OF COLDWELL DRIVE FROM COLUMBUS ACADEMY CONTAINING 2.797 ACRES This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0008-2013 TO ACCEPT GENERAL WARRANTY DEED FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 465 E. JOHNSTOWN ROAD; FROM CERTIFIED OIL CORPORATION This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0009-2013 TO ACCEPT LIMITED WARRANTY DEED FOR RIGHT OF WAY PURPOSES FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON MORRISON ROAD FROM GLIMCHER PROPERTIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; CONTAINING .052 ACRES+/- This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 ORD-0010-2013 TO ACKNOWLEDGE EASEMENT FOR UTILITY PURPOSES TO COLUMBIA GAS FOR PROPERTY ON HAVENS CORNERS ROAD CONTAINING 6.263 ACRES+/- This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0011-2013 TO ACKNOWLEDGE EASEMENT FOR UTILITY PURPOSES TO COLUMBIA GAS FOR PROPERTY ON CHALLIS SPRINGS DRIVE AND IN HEADLEY PARK This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0012-2013 TO ACCEPT WARRANTY DEED FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 455 CLARK STATE ROAD FROM PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH; AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE WARRANTY DEED TO PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH BY THE CITY OF GAHANNA FOR PROPERTY FRONTING ON HAMILTON ROAD ADJACENT TO 455 CLARK STATE ROAD This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0013-2013 TO ACCEPT GENERAL WARRANTY DEED FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ALONG MORSE ROAD EAST OF HAMILTON ROAD, CONSISTING OF 0.384 ACRES FROM DAISEYLAND FARMS, INC. This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0014-2013 TO ACCEPT GENERAL WARRANTY DEED FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ALONG MORSE ROAD EAST OF HAMILTON ROAD, CONSISTING OF 2.353 ACRES FROM HARRISON W. SMITH, JR., TRUSTEE This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0015-2013 TO ACCEPT GENERAL WARRANTY DEED FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ALONG MORSE ROAD EAST OF HAMILTON ROAD, CONSISTING OF 0.230 ACRES FROM PLATEAU ACRES, INC. This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0016-2013 TO ACCEPT GENERAL WARRANTY DEED FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ALONG MORSE ROAD EAST OF HAMILTON ROAD, CONSISTING OF 1.120 ACRES FROM GAHANNA TRUCKING, INC. This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0017-2013 TO ACCEPT GENERAL WARRANTY DEED FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ALONG MORSE ROAD EAST OF HAMILTON ROAD, CONSISTING OF 1.601 ACRES FROM THE NEW ALBANY COMPANY This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 ORD-0018-2013 TO ACKNOWLEDGE QUIT CLAIM DEED FOR 0.195+/- ACRES TO BECOME A PART OF SILVER LANE; FROM THE 470 SILVER LANE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0019-2013 TO ACCEPT WARRANTY DEED FOR RIGHT OF WAY PURPOSES FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON HAVENS CORNERS ROAD FROM GAHANNA WOODS PARTNERSHIP CONTAINING 0.777 ACRES+/- This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0020-2013 TO ACCEPT WARRANTY DEED FOR RIGHT OF WAY PURPOSES FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON HAVENS CORNERS ROAD FROM GAHANNA WOODS PARTNERSHIP CONTAINING 0.384 ACRES+/- This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0021-2013 TO ACCEPT WARRANTY DEED FOR RIGHT OF WAY PURPOSES FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON HAVENS CORNERS ROAD FROM MIKE G. AND CAROLYN Y. KUCSMA CONTAINING 0.196 ACRES+/- This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0022-2013 TO ACCEPT WARRANTY DEED FOR RIGHT OF WAY PURPOSES FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON HAVENS CORNERS ROAD FROM DAVID K. AND JUNE E. PETERS CONTAINING 0.188 ACRES+/- This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. Resolutions to Adopt on First Reading: RES-0001-2013 TO HONOR AND COMMEND NANCY J. GARLAND FOR HER WORK IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND HER REPRESENTATION OF THE CITIZENS OF GAHANNA. This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. RES-0002-2013 TO HONOR AND COMMEND KATE KOCH GATCH FOR HER WORK WITH BIKE LADY, INC. This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. RES-0003-2013 TO HONOR AND COMMEND JUDITH GLENN FOR SERVICE ON THE CITY OF GAHANNA CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION. This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. RES-0004-2013 TO HONOR AND COMMEND FRANK O'HARE FOR SERVICE ON THE CITY OF GAHANNA PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE LANDSCAPE COMMISSION. City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. Motion Resolution: MR-0002-2013 This Matter was Approved on the Consent Agenda. MR-0003-2013 This Matter was Approved on the Consent Agenda. MR-0004-2013 This Matter was Approved on the Consent Agenda. Passed The Consent Agenda Yes: 6- President Renner, Jolley, Larick, Samuel, Angelou and Wright Absent: 1- Anderson End of the Consent Agenda F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Z-0006-2012 Director of Planning & Development Jones said Sue McConn and her team are here tonight; reviewed the zoning change; Planning Commission did approve the zoning change at the 12/19/12 meeting; location is just south of Beecher and N. Hamilton intersection; was one parcel; adjacent to Academy Ridge subdivision; next to OSU Physicians; current zoning PCC, Planned Commercial Center; requesting SO, Suburban Office which is more administrative and business operations; broader category; more professional uses; good for skilled nursing center; is consistent with land use plan; similar zoning that retains natural buffer between this project and residential; more income tax revenue and less impact on infrastructure; remaining piece will be kept at current zoning. Renner opened the public hearing at 7:30 p.m., and asked for proponents. Sue McConn, Otterbein Homes, said a little bit of history about us; we have a mission; been around for 100 years; started out as an orphanage and home for elderly; have always had a ministry of caring for elders; do have homes like these proposed in Perrysburg, Springboro, Monclova and several other places in Ohio; is a shortage of skilled nursing facilities in Ohio, especially in Franklin County and that is why we wanted to come here; 800 beds short; our board challenged us to work to enhance the lives of elderly and the way they live and are cared for; not be institutionalized; need continuing care retirement communities; our vision is to liberate elderly; are proposing 5 homes with 10 elder care patients per house; look like homes; they have their own room with a private bath in each; they can bring their City of Gahanna Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 own furniture and make it feel like home; we give them the power back; they tell us when they want to get up and they participate in all meal planning; they receive assistance with meds and personal hygiene if necessary and skilled nursing; if they do not need help we do not do it; has had a tremendous impact on the people in our facilities; helps give them back some dignity through the journey to the end of their lives; very successful; have people on waiting lists for all of our facilities, some up to 90 people; found people who have lived in a residential area all of their lives want to be in this type atmosphere; already have 2 that are interested for Gahanna; very happy with the property and feel it is a good fit for the neighborhood; are licensed by the Department of Health; no HUD money involved; do accept Medicare and Medicaid; are usually middle of the market as far as cost to live there; accept all faiths and races. Samuel said this is a great concept. Angelou asked about the ravine; Jones said the ravine area will not be developed; will serve as a buffer. Renner asked for opponents; there were none. Renner closed the public hearing at 7:50 p.m. and said this will be assigned to Committee of the Whole for Monday January 28th. G. STANDING COMMITTEES: Committee of the Whole - Jolley: No Report. Finance, Service & Safety - Larick: Larick said we had several operational issues. Development & Parks - Wright: Wright said the same as Finance, Service and Safety; did want to explain why the emergency language for the Central Ohio Trail Fund/Recreational Trail Program Grant; it was because of the filing deadline; wanted to get them in in time. H. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: Clerk - Nothing. 2013-0002 This Communication was Received and Filed Council I. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES: None. J. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES: City of Gahanna Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 ORD-0032-2013 TO AMEND SECTION 161.03, IMPOSITION OF TAX, OF CHAPTER 161, INCOME TAX, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, RELATED TO INCREASING THE CITY INCOME TAX RATE TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA Jolley introduced ORD-0032-2013, and read by title. ORD-0034-2013 TO AMEND SECTION 161.18, CREDIT FOR TAX PAID TO ANOTHER MUNICIPALITY, OF CHAPTER 161, INCOME TAX, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA. Jolley introduced ORD-0034-2013, and read by title. K. MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS: L. REPRESENTATIVES: Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Larick/Renner Larick said CIC did organize; Tom Kneeland was elected as President; there is an opening for a trustee position on CIC if any one is interested. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou Angelou said MORPC did meet on January 17th and passed two Resolutions; To authorize the Executive Director to amend the Agreement with Columbia Gas of Ohio for the Warm Choice Program and to extend and/or enter into subcontracts for Residential Energy Conservation, Heating and Weatherization Services; To Authorize the Executive Director to enter into an agreement to receive additional funds from Ohio Partners for affordable energy to provide services in Franklin County for the AEP Community Assistance Program; other information - The Ohio Public Works Integrating Commission made final recommendation to the Ohio Public Works Commission for projects funded in round 27, program year July 21st; $31 million was awarded to 14 district 3 Franklin County projects; closest being Bexley for the northeast quadrant roadway 2.98 mil and in Jefferson Township 1.264 mil to resurface 6 township roads; the State of the Region Address will be on April legislators say that the Local Government Fund will not be cut in the year's biennial budget. Bd. of Education, Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools Renner said Anderson was the Board representative this month; I will be attending the February 14th meeting. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Jolley Jolley said the Visitor's Guide will be done the end of the first quarter; highlights for the CVB; will be represented at the Heartland Travel Show; can showcase the Herbal Trail, Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival and Holiday Lights; the search for the new Executive Director is ongoing; hope to have someone by the end of next month. City of Gahanna Page 10 City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 Central Ohio Transit Authority - Samuel Samuel said I have good news; COTA receives most of its funding through Franklin County sales tax; the 2012 sales tax receipts grew by $5.5 million dollars for 6.7% more than 2011; this means more money for COTA which they will spend wisely; sales tax base continues to be strong. M. OFFICIAL REPORTS: Mayor Mayor said we have a wonderful staff, and Emanuel Torres, our Economic Development Manager has been recognized by the Gahanna Chamber of Commerce; he received an award for best recruitment performance on behalf of the Chamber; this tells me how much he has been out to see the new businesses in Gahanna; very proud of him; join me in recognizing him; there is a new feature on Code Red; users can be called for winter weather advisory; you have to opt in to receive them; Braun emailed you a link to Your Money At Work: A Guide to Gahanna's General Fund which we have updated and is at the printers right now so we will have hard copies for our citizens; very pleased with this updated document; explains where the City receives revenue from and how it is spent; also includes how property taxes are distributed; State of the City is next Wednesday the 30th, at Middle School West; will have an open house from 6 to 7 to answer any resident questions; presentation will at be at 7:00 p.m.; also Groundhog Day breakfast is Friday, February 1st. City Attorney Ewald said in working with Nancy Garland and her staff, they were very professional and I would like to thank them as well as Garland for a job well done; we received a trex application this week; transfer of a liquor permit for Chipotle; we just approved one for Smashburger; Development will be bringing that forward; just wanted to inform you; with the request of the resident who came forward with ballot adjustment or addition, any such item would have to be completed before Feb. 6th to go on the May ballot. N. COUNCIL COMMENT Angelou said yesterday was the Annual Gahanna Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast; was a beautiful presentation sponsored by the Ministerial Association; Gahanna residents spoke including Dr. Ervin Smith, a noted author and historian who knew Martin Luther King; also Dwight Carter, principal at the high school, and Kai Nilsen of Peace Lutheran Church spoke; was held at New Life Church; thank the Mayor for the Proclamation; I was able to present it on her behalf; hope we will have more people there next year; was wonderful program; would ask if Mr. Hogan's request will be on committee agenda next week; think it deserves discussion; I agree that ward terms should be two years. Samuel said I would encourage the citizens to obtain more information about he proposed tax increase; contact City offices or Council members; we have the hard facts. City of Gahanna Page 11 City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 Wright said I have a few things; we need to keep abreast of the legislation that Representative Grossman is going to introduce; apparently with haste to introduce it; I think this is government coming down and saying we can do it better than you; it proves local government is better; can really connect with those who make the decisions; easier than trying to track it at the State House and having to make an appointment there; think this is a big issue that can really affect Gahanna through our budget process; thank the Mayor's office for Proclamation for the MLK Breakfast; I agree that we should have a conversation about the wards; think it merits discussion; good point was raised that City Council passed a resolution to vote no on it. Jolley said I am sure we will have a lively discussion about the Council term staggering and charter amendment; voted against it; thought it was a poor idea; intrigues me that approximately 60/40 voted yes; seemed like residents voiced their choice; not in favor to put it back on the ballot at this time; thank Garland for her service to the district and the State and for her assistance, help and encouragement in my bid to succeed her in office; was an excellent representative; appreciate her friendship and service. Renner said I would like to extend congratulations to the Mayor; serving at the county I find out different things; our Mayor has been elected by her peers as the chair of the District EMA Council; I am looking forward to discussion on the Council ward terms; will take part in discussion; do not really want to put it on the ballot now when people voted to approve it. O. ADJOURNMENT: 8:15 p.m.; Motion by Jolley. City of Gahanna Page 12