City Council

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes City Council Brian D. Larick, President Jamie Leeseberg, Vice President Karen J. Angelou Nancy R. McGregor Brian Metzbower Stephen A. Renner Michael Schnetzer Kimberly Banning, Clerk of Council Council may caucus at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 2, 2018 7:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER - Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call Gahanna City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, July 2, 2018, in Council Chambers of City Hall, 200 South Hamilton Road, Gahanna, Ohio. President of Council, Brian D. Larick, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Vice President of Council, Jamie Leeseberg, delivered an Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Agenda for this meeting was published on June 29, 2018. Present 6 - Karen J. Angelou, Jamie Leeseberg, Stephen A. Renner, Michael Schnetzer, Brian D. Larick, and Nancy R. McGregor Absent 1 - Brian Metzbower B. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA. None. C. HEARING OF VISITORS - Bill Sweeny, 167 Scottsbury Ct.; have been a resident since 2001; thanked Council for opportunity to speak; here tonight regarding rental property legislation (ORD-53-2018); has a concern with single family homes being rented out by absentee landlords; has personal experience with tenants in the past 6 years, with one particular property which has caused a lot of communication between him and his neighbors and the city; happy to see this because code enforcement is needed; in support. Rick Duff, 312 Dunbarton Rd.; 26 year resident of Gahanna; 1st topic for discussion is the rental property ordinance; appreciates Council hearing his concerns. 2nd topic is Resolution 11, for income tax increase; when City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes July 2, 2018 looking at where tax money goes, a big part of revenue from taxes goes to services; part of income tax increase should go towards fire department services like other cities with the same rate and credit do; not against tax increase, but wants to set the level of service that other cities have at that income tax rate; believes a 2% increase would be more fair; hates to see it fail based on that one thing; have never minded paying this percentage of taxes to Gahanna because of the services received are a value at that rate; when working in Columbus, had to pay higher percentage than Gahanna but not using their services other than roads. Jeanie Hoffman, 708 Waybaugh Dr.; here to discuss Resolution 11; seemed like last week at the Committee meeting no one had decided on anything; all of a sudden is on the agenda a week later; wants to get behind it but can’t like this yet; need an income tax increase because we need the money; especially in roads; understands need for deadlines to get on ballot but this needs more discussion; agrees with Duff’s comments; but a whole 1 percent is a whole lot. - Council Member Michael Schnetzer Schnetzer presented a donation to the Parks & Recreation Fund to defer expenses for playground equipment; said it was brought to his attention that a child in a wheelchair was unable to play on a playground at Woodside Green; wanted to make the donation towards the fund in order to help pay for more inclusive playground equipment. Lee Tucker, Board Chair, thanked Schnetzer and said this is great that the new playground is inclusive; anyone who would like to contribute can donate; no amount is too small. City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes July 2, 2018 - Mayoral Proclamation for John P. Howard Mayor presented a proclamation to John Howard for his service to the community. - Mayoral Proclamation for Parks & Recreation Month Mayor presented a proclamation for the Park & Recreation, to proclaim July 2018 as Parks & Recreation month; wants to thank Council and the community for all their support in order to make the Gahanna Parks a great place. D. INTRODUCTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE: Vice President of Council, Jamie Leeseberg, introduced the items under Section D. Ordinances - To Be Introduced and Assigned to Committee: ORD-0057-2018 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - ATTORNEY GENERAL POLICE OFFICER TRAINING ACCOUNT. This Ordinance was introduced. ORD-0058-2018 TO ACCEPT GRANT MONIES OF $20,000 FROM THE OHIO HISTORY CONNECTION TO PAY FOR THE SLATE ROOF REPLACEMENT PROJECT AT THE OHIO HERB EDUCATION CENTER; AND TO SUPPLEMENTALLY APPROPRIATE SAID GRANT MONEY. This Ordinance was introduced. ORD-0059-2018 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - INSURANCE CLAIM AND RESTITUTION PROCEEDS. This Ordinance was introduced. ORD-0060-2018 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - PARKS & RECREATION DONATION PROCEEDS This Ordinance was introduced. City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes July 2, 2018 E. CONSENT AGENDA: Minutes - To Approve: 2018-0136 6-18-2018 Regular Council Meeting Minutes, 6-25-2018 Special, Committee and Finance Minutes These Minutes were Approved and Filed on the Consent Agenda. Postponed to Date Certain, July 16, 2018 (back to Committee 7-9-18): ORD-0054-2018 TO ENACT CODE CHAPTER 732, MOBILE FOOD VENDING (MFV), AND TO REPEAL CODE CHAPTER 733, STREET FOOD VENDORS, OF PART SEVEN, BUSINESS REGULATION CODE, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA. A motion was made by Renner, seconded by Angelou, that the Ordinance was Postponed to Date Certain, to the Committee of the Whole, due back on 7/16/2018. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Angelou, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick and McGregor Absent: 1- Metzbower Motion Resolutions: MR-0023-2018 MOTION RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE 2019 TAX BUDGET AS SUBMITTED TO COUNCIL ON JUNE 25, 2018 AND TO DIRECT AND AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO DELIVER SAID TAX BUDGET TO THE FRANKLIN COUNTY OFFICE OF BUDGET NO LATER THAN JULY 20, 2018. This Motion Resolution was Approved on the Consent Agenda. End of the Consent Agenda Yes: 6- Angelou, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick and McGregor Absent: 1- Metzbower F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. G. COMMITTEE UPDATES None. City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes July 2, 2018 H. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: Clerk None. Council None. I. RESOLUTIONS/MOTION RESOLUTIONS: MR-0026-2018 MOTION RESOLUTION TO APPOINT CHRISSY KAMINSKI TO FILL AN UNEXPIRED TERM ON THE PARKS & RECREATION BOARD; SAID TERM TO END ON DECEMBER 31, 2020. A Motion was made by Renner, Seconded by Leeseberg, that this Motion Resolution be Approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Discussion on the motion: Larick thanked Kaminski. Angelou said considering this is Parks & Recreation month, and considering everything the Parks Board does for the parks and community, believes this is a perfect mix. Yes: 6- Angelou, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick and McGregor Absent: 1- Metzbower RES-0011-2018 TO PROVIDE FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA AT THE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 6, 2018, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 75-76, PASSED AUGUST, 1976, SO AS TO INCREASE THE GAHANNA INCOME TAX FROM A RATE OF ONE AND ONE-HALF (1.5%) PERCENT TO A RATE OF TWO AND ONE-HALF (2.5%) PERCENT. Angelou said a wise man once said there’s nothing certain in life but death and taxes; all of us on this dais pay taxes like all of you do; asks them this question: would you vote for this increase if it were not needed; of course not; was the only NO vote because did not believe an income tax increase was needed then; came back in 2013 and voted against it again because it still was not needed; in 29th year as Council Member; belief is strong that one should not ask for a tax increase unless you have gotten rid of waste, streamlined services for cost effectiveness, and implement strong financial policies; this Council has done that and more; City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes July 2, 2018 finances are transparent due to open check book; have strategic plan, looked for studies to increase revenue; performance audit that stated this is a well-managed community, created Lean Gahanna for best possible way to serve community; been 5 years since it was defeated; did not define how dollars would be spent; was a giant slush fund in the sky; difference now is that data shows revenue is needed for roads and repairs and capital improvements; asked do you think your road is in the shape it should be; asked for a show of hands for those who live on a road that needs repaired; does not want to ask for money but it is needed; will be a sustainable community; loves Gahanna; please carefully study the intent of this. Schnetzer said he seconds that this is the time to discuss this important issue. Leeseberg said he mentioned previously the story of his experience of City tour from 5 years ago and how he visited a building with a leaning wall, in the Oklahoma building; it is still leaning; this is needed; we do a great job with what we have; for a long time we didn’t do anything and we are paying for it now; wouldn’t be asking to do this if we didn’t need it; the longer we put off projects the bigger and more expensive they become; in support. McGregor said not in favor of raising taxes generally; but it’s abundantly clear that there’s a need for funding for buildings and roads; not saying everything done in the past was perfect; mistakes have been made; but this is a current issue; buildings we have are falling down; things that needed done were not able to be completed; need to look at as of now what do we need; this is a decision for the voters, but this will go on the ballot and see what they say. Renner said being an elected person and one of 7, there’s nothing more difficult than looking at the budget and telling your bosses, the residents, that the money is not there; the hope is that this will elicit a discussion about the community. What services do we want? What kind of community do we want to be? Reflected on the fact that Independence Day is this week; nothing more patriotic than putting an issue on the ballot for residents to decide. Schnetzer complimented Angelou; said City of Gahanna population grew City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes July 2, 2018 historically and then recession hit, and then another; D grade for infrastructure; something many cities are facing; Gahanna has lowest tax rate in central Ohio; current rate does is not sustainable; primary source of income is income tax; other places is property tax; best option here is at city’s disposal; residents getting certainty; based on 20 year projection; can be reasonably assured that public safety will continue, property values will not decrease; in support. Larick said that we have implemented a formalized efficiency program, Lean Gahanna, to ensure that real and empirical tools are used; appreciates all the hard work from Council Members; no one wants a tax increase but we all want a city that is functional, presentable, maintained, has assets. A motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Leeseberg, that the Resolution be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Angelou, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick and McGregor Absent: 1- Metzbower J. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES: ORD-0053-2018 TO ENACT CODE CHAPTER 780, RENTAL PROPERTY REGISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE, OF PART SEVEN, BUSINESS REGULATION CODE, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA. Schnetzer said this code change has been through Committee of the Whole and Code Review Committee; has been reviewed extensively. A motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Renner, that the Ordinance be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Angelou, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick and McGregor Absent: 1- Metzbower K. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES: None. L. REPRESENTATIVES: Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Leeseberg Leeseberg said they met a few weeks ago. No other updates at this time. City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes July 2, 2018 Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou Angelou stated that the executive meeting was held last week due to the holiday this week; was held in Lancaster; that city is alive and well; had a wonderful tour of historical areas; Fairfield county will join MORPC as well; next meeting is a week from this Thursday. Gahanna-Jefferson Board of Education - Metzbower No report. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Renner Renner stated that Laurie Jadwin is still on vacation but was able to provide an update on Blues & Jazz festival; based on early numbers $350,000 generated. Separately, Wyandotte Winery will host an upcoming event for tourism ambassador program; more details to follow. M. OFFICIAL REPORTS: Mayor Thanked Council, said it was not an easy decision to make; difficult to ask for more money but looking at numbers, can see that this will keep Gahanna the community where everyone wants to be a part of and move to; Gahanna is a small hometown that is really a bigger city. Said in Development, have 16 active projects; continue to push for new development; potential for 970 jobs newly created or retained; development continues to see Gahanna as viable option; hoping to continue the trend. City Attorney No report. City of Gahanna Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes July 2, 2018 N. COUNCIL COMMENT Angelou said next Monday, will attend Gubernatorial reception hosted by MORPC, will be there to represent Council; the Candidate forum will be held the following day from 9-3; will not be at COTW on 7/9 for that reason. Said she hopes everyone enjoys a safe and happy 4th; appreciates all the work of the Mayor and staff for the July 4th events. McGregor asked everyone to come out and enjoy the holiday events; is glad the fireworks are back; just a history of that, one year the City opted to not have fireworks and that caused a big upset; have a safe and happy fourth of July. Renner said happy 4th; wants everyone to remember the constitution; said it is a family tradition to read the constitution every holiday; also reminds people to read the Federalist Papers to gain a full understanding of the values. Said to be cautious of the extreme heat; please stay cool. Schnetzer said in the 5 years he’s been on council, has grown to appreciate colleagues and the hard work they all do; thanks all members; not an easy thing to pass a tax increase; also said Happy Birthday America. Leeseberg said he also made his kids learn the story behind the Star Spangled Banner; everyone sings it but doesn’t appreciate the meaning of the words; said Happy 4th. O. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. P. ADJOURNMENT 7:41 p.m. by Larick. City of Gahanna Page 9