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 Monday, July 1, 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 Monday, July 1, 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. and the invocation was led by Council Vice President Jolley followed by the Pledge of Allegiance let by Council Member Larick. Agenda for this meeting was published on June 27, 2013. Present 5 - President Stephen A. Renner, Ryan P. Jolley, Karen J. Angelou, David L. Samuel, and Beryl Anderson Absent 1 - Brandon Wright B. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA: Clerk stated a corrected copy of the minutes had been distributed to Council due to an error in posting the vote on one of the pieces of legislation. The corrected version is posted on the website. No change needs to be made to the agenda. C. HEARING OF VISITORS: Tom Wester, 888 Ludwig Drive, here to speak in support of an income tax levy in November; give you a bit of my background; 25 years in private industry ending up as Director of Construction with Owens Corning; was a Deputy Director and then Acting Director for Public Service Department in Columbus for 5 years; then asked to be Deputy Director of District 6 for ODOT for several years; have worked in 27 of the 50 states and have worked internationally also; here in support of a November tax levy for a couple of reasons; has been well publicized that it has been 35 years since the City had a tax increase; in 1980 the City was 9.9 square miles and I believe Rathburn Woods, Rose Run, Hensel Woods, Crossings at McKenna Creek, Academy Woods, and Harrison Pond were yet to be conceived or built; in 2013 the City has 12.6 square miles; let's look at what that increase in square miles did; in 1987 the city had 50 miles of streets; in 2013 the City has 134 City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes July 1, 2013 miles of streets; in 26 years there is 2-1/2 times the mileage to maintain; what happened when we grew from 50 to 134 miles of streets; more streets and intersections to maintain; also have the underground infrastructure, sewers, catch basins and so on; also have to consider that as we resurface these streets we have to refit some of the intersections with ADA ramps; that is an additional cost; we also have the additional traffic signals and signage; we have additional mileage for police patrols; we have additional street lighting costs; about 80% of the streets in Gahanna are lit; that costs the City about $16,000 a month - $11,000 for power and $5,000 for maintenance; mentioned earlier the police patrols; an average over the last 5 years the city uses about $85,000 a year in fuel; that's about 280 gallons per day or 15 fill ups a day; costs the City about $1,000 a day at $3.50 per gallon; one cent a gallon change, if gasoline prices were stable, is worth about $8,500 a year to the City; 5 months of snow and ice control costs about $40,000 a month or $196,000 total a year; there are other examples of operational growth within the City budget; the growth in operational needs is further compounded by the cost of materials and labor; 1973 was the original gas shortage and since then the cost of gas has increased 300%; the City is at a crossroads; the Mayor's presentation on June 24 on the operational vision for the City was without increased revenue; this information is based on the predictions and expectations of the professionals who deal with these issues on a daily basis; City administrations have done a remarkable job over the last 35 years; however, the time has come to realize that the needs are outgrowing the resources; I encourage you to do the right thing and put the issue on the November ballot. George Mrus, 1217 Sanctuary Pl., first topic has do to with the Finance Department and Jennifer Teal; my wife has been in finance for 30+ years having retired from Nationwide as CFO for property casualty and currently sits on the board of both Bob Evans and State Auto and chairs the audit committee; have a special sensitivity for the Finance Department especially when the news can be difficult to deliver and all the heavy lifting they need to do in conjunction with the Mayor and the various other departments; like to publicly commend Teal and her team for the heavy lifting they do week in and week out and in particular when the news is difficult not only to present to Council but to the rest of the citizens and residents of Gahanna; thank you from my wife and myself; second has to do with what was previously mentioned; as the Mayor puts forward a proposed credit increase for the November ballot, believe Council has a responsibility to allow the citizens to vote on it; do not allow about 6-1/2% of the residents of Gahanna to dictate the future well being of future generations with regard to standard of living; believe it would be a dereliction of Council's responsibilities to withhold a vote for all of Gahanna residents; encourage, regardless of one's perspective, to City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes July 1, 2013 allow the rest of the citizens of Gahanna to vote on the issue on the November ballot; thank you. Kate Kautz, 199 Regents Road, stated she wished to express her thanks to The Golf Depot and Huntington National Bank for sponsoring their second annual "BOOM" Festival complete with fireworks on Wednesday, July 3; the Golf Depot hill is the perfect place to watch the ensuing displays of Columbus and Whitehall; I have numerous flyers for anyone who needs them; it is a welcome addition to my family's July 4 activities; on a more somber note, last week's financial forecast by the Mayor and the Finance Director was very discouraging and disconcerting; presentation was discouraging in its gloomy forecast of the next eighteen months with no glimmer of a silver lining without a tax increase; it contains an inherent assumption that revenues of existing businesses in Gahanna will remain flat and need to be supplemented through an increase in taxes; it was disconcerting that no discussion was allowed after the power point but was siphoned to one person at the City to field and answer; I look forward to a public discussion of the issues and questions raised by various Council members during the week; also Council's vote on the budget due July 15 is a distinct issue and concern from the gloom and doom forecast; they are not interrelated; taxation rates on the national, state and county levels are rising; Gahanna should probably expect a school levy next year; my personal favorite, the mortgage deduction, may disappear in an effort to streamline federal tax reform; Gahanna is one of the few central Ohio communities with a low tax rate that favors our businesses, present and future, entrepreneurs and anyone employed anywhere but the City of Columbus; my intention is to keep it that way; Happy Independence Day and God bless America. Claire Yoder, Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools reminded Council that the next Board meeting is 6:30 next Thursday at Clark Hall; invite you to come see our new welcome center which is a new entity in Clark Hall; in watching our budget, the school district is looking at a levy for spring; share concerns that you have as you look at your budget as to where to cut and be efficient and still provide the necessary services; we did our 15% budget cut a couple of years ago; very difficult when the community comes to us and wants to have the Chinese program for example; when we consider programs we need to look not only at the dollar amount but the millage we would need to ask for; encourage you to move forward and allow the electorate to make its decision; hope that we can encourage people to speak their mind when it comes to the school levy; investment in our kids; if we don't have healthy schools we don't have a healthy community; the school district ranks 3rd from the bottom in taxation; we give the community good bang for their buck; very pleased with the services the City provides; assuming it also is the best bang for the buck; City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes July 1, 2013 thanks for being part of the school district; will continue to work together to make this a place where folks want to come and raise their kids. D. INTRODUCTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE: Ordinances - To Be Introduced and Assigned to Committee: Ordinances introduced, by title, by Jolley. ORD-0101-2013 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH PROS CONSULTING FOR UPDATING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN TO ADD A COST OF SERVICES STUDY; AND TO SUPPLEMENTALLY APPROPRIATE $10,000. ORD-0102-2013 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - Water Purchases & Sewer Rental ORD-0103-2013 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT MODIFICATION WITH MS CONSULTANTS, INC., FOR THE HAMILTON ROAD CENTRAL PROJECT TO ADD THE DESIGN OF A WATERLINE RELOCATION PLAN AND TO COMPLETE THE NEXT PLANNED PHASE OF DESIGN; IMPROVEMENT NO. 785; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. ORD-0104-2013 TO ACCEPT SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENT NO. SA 1000 AND APPURTENANCES THERETO, FOR RESIDENCES AT CENTRAL PARK, 840 CLAYCRAFT ROAD. E. CONSENT AGENDA: Minutes - To Approve: 2013-0022 This Matter was Approved and Filed on the Consent Agenda. Ordinances on Second Reading: ORD-0097-2013 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - Stormwater & Water Funds This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0098-2013 TO ADOPT THE CITY OF GAHANNA REVISED INVESTMENT City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes July 1, 2013 POLICY DATED JUNE 6, 2013. This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0099-2013 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO MASTER MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING RECLAMATION, REHABILITATION, AND REUTILIZATION OF VACANT, ABANDONED, TAX-FORECLOSED OR OTHER REAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF GAHANNA, OHIO, WITH THE CENTRAL OHIO COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION (COCIC) This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. ORD-0100-2013 TO AMEND CHAPTER 105, WARDS AND BOUNDARIES, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA. This Matter was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. Passed The Consent Agenda A motion was made by Vice President of Council Jolley , seconded by Anderson, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- President Renner, Jolley, Larick, Samuel, Angelou and Anderson Absent: 1- Wright End of the Consent Agenda F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. G. STANDING COMMITTEES: Committee of the Whole - Jolley: Jolley reminded Council they are to submit their questions to Braun on the budget; did receive answers to first set of questions today. Finance, Service & Safety - Larick: No Report. Development & Parks - Wright: No Report. H. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: Clerk: City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes July 1, 2013 2013-0021 Clerk stated this item would be heard in Committee of the Whole on July 8. Council: No Report. I. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES: None. J. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES: None. K. MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS: None. L. REPRESENTATIVES: Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Larick/Renner: Larick stated there is a tentative meeting set for 6:00 p.m. on July 16 here in committee rooms. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou: Angelou stated next meeting is July 11. Bd. of Education, Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools - Anderson: Anderson stated she will be attending the next meeting. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Jolley: Jolley stated he was unable to attend last meeting; thank everyone who helped out and attended the Blues & Jazz Festival; was a great success; looking forward to seeing numbers; hoping to have positive outcome financially. M. OFFICIAL REPORTS: Mayor: No Report. City Attorney: Ewald stated the Ohio Jobs budget was passed and signed; going over it to see how it will impact us locally. City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes July 1, 2013 N. COUNCIL COMMENT: Angelou wished everyone a Happy 4th of July; time for people to reflect on those who have given their life for freedom; look back at the history of our City, County, State, and country it is a wonderful place to live; give thanks every day that I live here. Samuel digging through old notes and ran across the CFAC (Citizens Financial Advisory Committee) report of 2010; closing paragraph keeps coming back to me; the report states "in order for Gahanna to be a top city for many to call home, to compete for future business, and to continue its award winning standards in education, citizens of Gahanna must be willing to invest, take some risks, hold many accountable, and empower many more to work hard to attain the City's top potential. It is not about the Gahanna that we live in today, or lived in yesterday, it is about the Gahanna that our sons, daughters, grandchildren and generations yet unborn will live in, in the future. It is our turn to plant the seeds today for a great harvest in the future." This group was 15 members of the Gahanna community; some were asked by the Mayor and some volunteered; concentrated on 4 areas - revenue and budget, sustainable growth, accountability and assessment, and innovative revenue; City has been following a lot of their recommendations; recommended an income tax increase to 2-1/2% which was brought to the ballot and many of us hope will be back; recommendation to create a capital improvement plan and dedicate annual funding which we are doing; talked about maximizing infrastructure investments and encouraging higher density development which we do; also mentioned to review and prioritize City services and service levels which City has done; establish a comprehensive performance measurement system which City has done and is continuing to do; utilize technology; provide City services to other entities for a fee which we do; examine collaborations and partnerships which we are currently doing; and maximize financial investments which we have done; second thing I'd like to mention is that I'd like to pose to each Council member, what do you want for your city; think about it seriously; when I came here 38 years ago came because we had nice looking neighborhoods, great schools and it was affordable; that has changed a bit; enjoy the parks and pools, accessibility to Columbus and shopping; would like to see better walkability; am here because I wanted to be here and hope all other folks are encouraged to vote for this income tax increase realize we have to move forward; lastly is that we are getting near campaign time; in today's Columbus Dispatch there is an article entitled "Clintonville Group Seeks to Tone Down Nastiness"; quoted from portion of article; bottom line is you can be passionate but let's be respectful; let's be alerted to that when we get down to the campaigning; sure my colleagues will do this. Anderson stated comments have been made about City and taxes and what kind of Gahanna we want; underscore as we are about to celebrate birthday of our nation to look within ourselves to find some level of participation and we are invigorated to come out and vote; when I worked for the Secretary of State's office one of the hallmarks we left as a legacy was that people could vote absentee; now it is no fault absentee; can do many things to vote early; point is that it is important to be engaged and to take our responsibility as citizens seriously; encourage others to vote regardless of what their view might be but to exercise that right to vote; Happy July 4th; is an opportunity to celebrate our nation and enjoy our families and friends; instill in others the importance of voting and being civically engaged. Larick thanked Wester, Mrus and Kautz for not only speaking this evening but for remaining for the entire meeting for dialogue, discussion and debate; too often people say their piece and leave and don't understand where the rest of the discussion goes; Happy Birthday to the United States of America; hope to see everyone on Wednesday and for the remaining events on Thursday. City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes July 1, 2013 Jolley wished everyone a Happy Independence Day. Renner wished everyone a Happy Independence Day; have traced family back almost to Revolutionary War; very passionate event for us; great grandfather was a Roughrider with Teddy Roosevelt; Independence Day, Declaration of Independence, and Constitution of the United Sates are important to my family and we have a long held tradition that we read the entire Constitution on July 4; please consider doing that when you are grilling hamburgers. O. EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Larick, seconded by Samuel, to go into Executive Session under authority of Section 5.40(a) of the Council Rules of Procedure to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of a public employee, official, licensee or regulated individual unless such public employee, official, licensee or regulated individual requests a public hearing. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- President Renner, Jolley, Larick, Samuel, Angelou and Anderson Absent: 1- Wright Council rose to Executive Session at 7:27 p.m. Council President stated no action would be taken after the Executive Session. Council rose to report from Executive Session at 7:40 p.m. with all members in attendance returning to the dais. P. ADJOURNMENT: 7:41 p.m. - Motion by Angelou. City of Gahanna Page 8