City Council

Office of the Clerk of Council City of Gahanna 200 South Hamilton Road Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes City Council Thomas R. Kneeland, President of Council Stephen Renner, Vice President of Council Karen J. Angelou, Ryan P. Jolley, Brian D. Larick, Jamie Leeseberg, Michael Schnetzer Kimberly McWilliams, CMC, Clerk of Council Monday, July 20, 2015 7:00 PM City Hall Council will caucus at 6:30 p.m. in the Committee Room A. CALL TO ORDER - Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call Gahanna City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, July 20, 2015, in Council Chambers of City Hall, 200 South Hamilton Road, Gahanna, Ohio. President of Council Tom Kneeland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Vice President of Council Renner delivered an Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Will Ferren of Troop 598. The Agenda for this meeting was published on July 17, 2015. Present 7 - Karen J. Angelou, Ryan P. Jolley, Jamie Leeseberg, Stephen A. Renner, Michael Schnetzer, Thomas R. Kneeland, and Brian D. Larick B. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA. None. C. HEARING OF VISITORS. Patricia Kovacs - ORD-0072-2015 527 Haversham Drive said she is speaking on behalf of Big Walnut Trail Section 5; said she uses Olde Ridenour Road, the Golf Course, and the sledding hill; understands residents desire to not provide right-of-way through their property for the trail; trail users would have preferred the trail follow along the Big Walnut River but understands the need to move it along Olde Ridenour; initially the trail was going to stay close to Olde Ridenour Road; the route was changed to go into the west end of the Golf Course; understands this is not desirable; other options would have been more expensive and less desirable; Troy and his staff have tried to work hard to address the concerns of trail users, golfers, and sledders; trust they will keep our concerns in mind; looking forward to the day the trail is connected. City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2015 Tom Liszkay - ORD-0072-2015 472 Tresham Road; been here for 28 years; support the alternative plan proposed by Mr. Troy Euton; it is the best use and best way to leverage the limited space we have there; there will be inconvenience during construction but in a couple years it will be beautiful and the grass will be grown in; asks that all supporters stand up. Kate Moening - ORD-0072-2015 255 Broken Aarow Road; resident for over 15 years; uses the trail on almost a daily basis; bikes every day; very much in favor of the trail; happy to see other people came forward to support the project; cities that have bike trails raise healthy families and are economically viable; this will help attract residents; MORPC is very involved in trail studies; Thursday they are having impact for trails press conference; spent considerable time identifying the economic benefit of trails in central Ohio; important not only to Gahanna but also to Ohio; believes the trail makes Gahanna a great place to live. D. INTRODUCTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE: Ordinances - To Be Introduced and Assigned to Committee: Renner introduced the items under section D. ORD-0073-2015 TO REZONE 4.19+/- ACRES OF PROPERTY AS SO, SUBURBAN OFFICE; SAID PROPERTY LOCATED AT RIDENOUR ROAD, IMPERIAL RISE #3, PART OF RESERVE "A"; PARCEL ID NO. 025-0 1 3 2 3 6 ; CURRENT ZONING RID, RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT; FRED KENIMER, LAND OWNER'S PROPERTY COORDINATOR, APPLICANT. This Ordinance was introduced. ORD-0074-2015 TO REZONE 1+/- ACRES OF PROPERTY AS CC, COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL; SAID PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5069 MORSE ROAD; PARCEL ID NO. 025-0037A-014-00; CURRENT ZONING ER-1, ESTATE RESIDENTIAL; SUSAN PRESCOTT, APPLICANT. This Ordinance was introduced. ORD-0075-2015 TO AMEND ORD-0181-2014, ORDINANCE FOR THE COMMAND City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2015 STAFF PERSONNEL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA JANUARY 1, 2015 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2015; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. This Ordinance was introduced. ORD-0076-2015 TO AMEND ORD-0180-2014, ORDINANCE FOR THE PART-TIME PERSONNEL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA JANUARY 1, 2015 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2015; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. This Ordinance was introduced. ORD-0077-2015 TO AMEND ORD-0183-2014, ORDINANCE FOR THE SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA JANUARY 1, 2015 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2015; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. This Ordinance was introduced. ORD-0078-2015 TO AMEND ORD-0182-2014, ORDINANCE FOR THE UNCLASSIFIED PERSONNEL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA JANUARY 1, 2015 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2015; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. This Ordinance was introduced. ORD-0081-2015 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - Fleet Program Auction Proceeds. This Ordinance was introduced. ORD-0082-2015 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - Insurance Claims Proceeds. This Ordinance was introduced. ORD-0084-2015 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO LEASE AGREEMENT WITH PIGSKIN BREWING COMPANY, LLC FOR THE USE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2015 This Ordinance was introduced. E. CONSENT AGENDA: Minutes - To Approve: 2015-0143 Council Minutes - July 6, 2015 These Minutes were Approved and Filed on the Consent Agenda. Ordinance: Introduce, Waive Second Reading, Adopt as Emergency: ORD-0079-2015 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO OHIO EPA SECTION 319 GRANT AGREEMENT FOR ASHMEAD DRIVE GREEN STREET DEMONSTRATION; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. This Ordinance was Adopted on the Consent Agenda as an emergency. ORD-0080-2015 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AMENDED GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION (OPWC) FOR THE HAMILTON ROAD CENTRAL PROJECT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. This Ordinance was Adopted on the Consent Agenda as an emergency. ORD-0083-2015 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH M+A ARCHITECTS FOR RECONFIGURATION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DETECTIVE AREA; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. This Ordinance was Adopted on the Consent Agenda as an emergency. Resolutions to Adopt: RES-0005-2015 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO MAKE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS THROUGH THE PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION (PDM) GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE CLAYCRAFT ROAD BOOSTER STATION. This Resolution was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. Approval of the Consent Agenda A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Schnetzer, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Angelou, Jolley, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Kneeland and Larick City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2015 End of the Consent Agenda F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: ORD-0073-2015 TO REZONE 4.19+/- ACRES OF PROPERTY AS SO, SUBURBAN OFFICE; SAID PROPERTY LOCATED AT RIDENOUR ROAD, IMPERIAL RISE #3, PART OF RESERVE "A"; PARCEL ID NO. 025-0 1 3 2 3 6 ; CURRENT ZONING RID, RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT; FRED KENIMER, LAND OWNER'S PROPERTY COORDINATOR, APPLICANT. President Kneeland read the title and the Public Hearing Rules. Public Hearing was opened at 7:16 p.m. Proponents: Glen Dugger, 37 West Broad Street, agent for the applicant; stated they vetted quite a few issues through Planning Commission; through workshop and two public hearings; looked at traffic issues; it was the conclusion of the Planning Commission that the most likely use of this property would have an equivalent traffic generation as the current zoning could allow; this parcel was rezoned by the request of the City from Suburban Office (SO) to RID (Restricted Institutional District); it is a 4-5 month process to find a user and rezone and the church is not in the position to make those types of decisions; another option that was discussed in Planning Commission was Final Development Plans (FDP) being turned down; they have been turned down in that FDP process; this just returns this to the City's original zoning from 2007; happy to answer any questions. Opponents: There were none. Public Hearing was closed at 7:22 p.m. Anthony Jones, Director of Development, said Mr. Larick had a question of how many of the zoning changes that have been approved had a specified project in mind; Jones said of the last 22 zoning changes, 18 had a specified project. ORD-0074-2015 TO REZONE 1+/- ACRES OF PROPERTY AS CC, COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL; SAID PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5069 MORSE City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2015 ROAD; PARCEL ID NO. 025-0037A-014-00; CURRENT ZONING ER-1, ESTATE RESIDENTIAL; SUSAN PRESCOTT, APPLICANT. Anthony Jones, Director of Development, said all uses within the zoning are permissible; this is a small lot south of Morse Road; multi-family and community commercial zonings surround the property; feel as a staff the proposed zoning is compatible and appropriate in the area; will not have an impact on infrastructure needs. President Kneeland opened Public Hearing at 7:26 p.m. Proponents: There were none. Opponents: There were none. Public Hearing was closed at 7:26 p.m. G. STANDING COMMITTEES: 2015-0142 Committee Minutes - July 13, 2015 Committee of the Whole - Renner No report. Finance - Schnetzer No report. Service & Safety - Leeseberg No report. Development & Parks - Larick No report. H. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2015 Clerk No report. Council Kneeland said Patricia Kovacs attached a letter to her speaker slip this evening; will get to the Clerk to make a copy and send to Council. I. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES: ORD-0072-2015 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH COLUMBUS ASPHALT PAVING, INC. OF 1196 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE GAHANNA, OHIO 43230 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BIG WALNUT TRAIL SECTION 5; TO SUPPLEMENTALLY APPROPRIATE $60,000; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. President Kneeland read the title and the amendment. Angelou asked when engineer will be done; Euton said should be this week; will not need to go back for grant funding; Schnetzer said many are in opposition; first heard about original configuration cringed a bit, but seeing alternate routes improved his original thoughts; private property should be left alone; stormwater drain off is important for homes in the area; public safety is also of utmost concern; other options are not feasible; but again looking at transparent fence versus other options, will take the transparent fence; believes administration will do everything in their power to mitigate concerns and make this the best option; we have to either go with option B or kill the thought of a trail in the area. Larick thanked the team for their work; had concerns with the fence; has improved and is no longer as intrusive. Leeseberg indicated there are a couple aspects of the fence; one being public liability; fence, while not perfect, is necessary; it's a good compromise. Jolley said to fence or not fence; it cannot be said that I do not support our trails; before I was even sworn in to office, I was on the phone with then-Parks Director Tony Collins asking what additional monies needed to be appropriated in 2012 to bolster the trail program; I am an avid cyclist, riding 5 or 6 days per week, often on our city streets, and on our trails when I can; of course, as we know, the trails do not go everywhere, which is a key reason this plan is before us in the first place; I have also been a golfer since the age of 4; I grew up playing City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2015 at Gahanna, and played there as a member of the Gahanna High School Golf Team as well; neither of these activities would be enhanced, in my experience and opinion, by the proposed placement of Big Walnut Trail Section 5; some may say that a delay on this phase of our trails is tantamount to killing the project, or demonstrates a lack of support for trails in general, or that such a delay will be too costly; I disagree; the $500,000 in grant money we have been awarded for this project is certainly significant. While it is not guaranteed that we would retain this funding were we to solicit an extension on this project, in speaking with our Parks Director, it seems we are very likely to be granted such an extension; Gahanna has never before requested an extension, as other communities have done many times; additionally, the one-time penalty Gahanna would be assessed on its next grant application is exactly that: a singular occurrence, compared against the lasting impact of this trail project; if we act tactically, we can mitigate the quote-unquote “cost” of the one-time penalty by submitting as our next grant proposal a plan that is smaller in scale and/or less of a priority for the City, thus reducing the potential pain in the event that grant is not secured; thinking strategically, we should recognize this delay for the opportunity that it represents. With the benefit of further planning, we can build a trail section that safely and sensibly integrates the multiple competing activities planned to collide in this area, while preserving the natural and delicate splendor of the golf course and its surrounding features; in short, we can, and must, build something Gahanna can enjoy and be proud of, not something residents ruefully rush past; I do not sense enthusiastic support from our Parks Board. What I sense is tepid acquiescence to the least bad and hastily concocted alternative as currently presented. It is not enough that we have made a few last-minute modifications to appease specific concerns about the proposed path of the trail; we can do better; our residents, and future trail users from across the region, deserve better; as such, I cannot, and will not, support this legislation to complete what I believe to be, as proposed, a suboptimal plan; I urge my colleagues to similarly vote against this legislation and to send the plan back to the drawing board to develop not simply the least bad alternative proposal, but the best plan possible. Renner indicated that this was contentious; have multiple people and groups that are engaged; encouraged everyone to engage in future projects at the beginning, middle, and not just at the end; said people felt rushed and had a lack of information; said the information is there and urges people to engage. Angelou concurred with Renner; went to the meeting at the golf course; felt that they were left out of the loop since the Golf Course was established in '70s; her husband bought that land when he City of Gahanna Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2015 worked for the City; they need to be a part of the process in the future; was disappointed that the Golf Course was not included from the beginning; planning to vote for this now; but wants to make sure we do not forget people in the future. Schnetzer said we could delay and explore more alternatives; this is what you call a choke point; no matter where we put the trail we are going to impact someone; this is the best alternative that we have at this point. Jolley concurred that the process can be delayed; we are not required to move forward with this; it is not down to option A through C; we can still consider other options. Kneeland said that several weeks ago when we were presented with this and understood that there were little to no public meetings was prepared to vote no; but now after some of discussions and modifications have remedied some of the concerns this has made significant changes; it is not always easy to make these decisions; decisions sometimes come with compromise; expect to see a lot more public exposure with public projects in the future; even if it does add months to a project. A motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Leeseberg, that the Ordinance be Adopted, as Amended, as an Emergency. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Angelou, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Kneeland and Larick No: 1- Jolley A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Renner, that the Ordinance be Amended by Substitution. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Angelou, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Kneeland and Larick No: 1- Jolley J. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES: None. K. MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS: None. L. REPRESENTATIVES: Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Larick/Kneeland Larick said next meeting tomorrow morning at City Hall. City of Gahanna Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2015 Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou Angelou reported on last meeting; met last Thursday; has information on sustaining Scioto; has literature on impact of trails; brought studies, that will be available in Council office for anyone interested; trails will not impact property value; trails are popular and heavily used; our cost is typical; William Murdock, Director, is now second VP of the National Association of Regional Councils; Josh Mandel was present to do open checkbook Ohio; would like to bring this forward; opencheckbook.com; total transparency; we were 46th transparent in Ohio and because of this we are not first; urges you to visit Josh Mandel's website; can look at checks from several years ago; cities can have this for nothing; Columbus was named top intelligent community in the nation; also had an interactive map where you can draw in any road project you want; great for data; Federal Water Quality Protection Act, the WOTUS Senate Bill 1140 update; thanked Leeseberg and Renner for the information to take down to the executive committee; asked if we should be taking a stand on this; discussed it and we brought forward 4 options for the commission to vote on; will be two sides of this issue; got information from our service department and our engineers; executive committee chose to take the interested party view with only two people saying no; will be continuing to look at this; there are lawsuits on this currently; this is in limbo but we are taking interested party viewpoints. Bd. of Education, Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools - Jolley No report. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Jolley Jolley said the meeting was postponed in order to bring forward numbers from the Blues and Jazz festival; meeting will be August 13th. M. OFFICIAL REPORTS: Mayor No report. City Attorney No report. City of Gahanna Page 10 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2015 N. COUNCIL COMMENT Larick thanked service department for follow ups regarding the repaving of Taylor Road and water drainage issue. Angelou added that shredding day was a successful; thanked the service department. O. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 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. A motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Leeseberg, 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: 7- Angelou, Jolley, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Kneeland and Larick President Kneeland requested Planning Commission Members Rosan, Burba, Shepherd and Keehner attend the Executive Session. President Kneeland confirmed there will be no action taken from the Executive Session this evening; Executive Session will be held in the Council Committee Room. Council rose to Executive Session at 8:00 p.m. Council rose to report from Executive Session at 9:17 p.m. with no action taken. P. ADJOURNMENT: by Kneeland at 9:17 p.m. City of Gahanna Page 11 City Council Meeting Minutes July 20, 2015 City of Gahanna Page 12