City Council

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes City Council Brian Metzbower, President Stephen A. Renner, Vice President Karen J. Angelou Brian D. Larick Jamie Leeseberg Nancy R. McGregor Michael Schnetzer April Beggerow, CMC, Clerk of Council Council may caucus at 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 18, 2019 7:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers A. CALL TO ORDER - Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call Present 7 - Karen J. Angelou, Jamie Leeseberg, Stephen A. Renner, Michael Schnetzer, Brian D. Larick, Brian Metzbower, and Nancy R. McGregor B. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA. None C. HEARING OF VISITORS. SWEARING IN OF POLICE RECRUITS: • Maria Curren • Brian Smith • Jeffrey Hoffman The Mayor, with the participation of the Chief of Police, the Director of Public Safety, City Council members, and City Attorney, swore in new Police Recruits Maria Curren, Brian Smith and Jeffrey Hoffman. Mr. Schnetzer said: To the Council, the Mayor, and to those in the audience, thank you for the opportunity to say a few words. First, I would like to congratulate Officers Curren, Hoffman and Smith. Welcome to the team. I am confident you will serve the community well for many years to come. This swearing in should be cause for celebration, not just because the Gahanna Division of Police is adding three well-qualified members to its ranks, but also for what this moment represents. It was not that long ago, City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 that the City's future finances were pressured and its future was uncertain. Public safety is at the core of services that the City provides, and while perhaps, not the base case scenario, reductions to public safety staff through attrition was not outside the realm of possibilities. Furthermore, prior year budgets included debate surrounding the deferral of necessary police equipment, and whether or not there were adequate funds to defray the cost of timely equipment lifecycle replacement. Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group of residents, city staff, and elected officials, earlier this year, voters delivered a brighter and more certain financial outlook for our community. Today's swearing in ceremony is a major step towards a brighter future: a future where the addition of new personnel permits the Division of Police to implement a prudent succession plan, a future where our officers have the necessary equipment to carry out a dangerous job, and a future where Gahanna residents can be assured of continued excellence in the delivery of public safety services. Kevin Dengel, 956 Cordero Ln, President of the Gahanna Area Arts Council, thanked City Council for allowing them to present their Peer Community Review to Committee the previous week. He introduced the speakers that were there to speak in support of the GAAC. Megan Adams, 201 Benton Way said she is a Gahanna resident and gallery chair on the GAAC board of directors. She has invested her passion for arts education through the development of Momentum, a gallery and community space at 116 Mill Street. In 2012 she moved to Gahanna from Denver, Colorado and fell in love with the Creekside area. She feels that what is missing is vibrancy, an active participation by a community in the appreciation of its uniqueness and of an attraction of visitors seeking new experiences. In Colorado, they use public spaces for the arts including sculptures, murals, amphitheaters, city development and small artist communities to name a few. It makes these places worth visiting and makes the arts accessible to everyone. What she has learned from her time on the GAAC is that they are not a small group of likeminded people, but an entire city waiting for the opportunity to become the vibrant cultural city that they deeply want. Over the summer she joined up with GIFT, Gahanna Inclusion for Teens and Young Adults which creates a series of inclusive art experiences within the Momentum Gallery. Thanks to a dedicated sponsor and local artists, hands on art actives and educational tours were provided and making those connections were a highlight of her summer. Supporting the arts is an investment in the vitality of our city. City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 Tara Smith, 5724 N. 4th Street, Columbus, says she was a 2013 graduate of Gahanna Lincoln High School and recently obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Theater from Otterbein University in 2017. She said that courtesy of the investment of the arts by the Gahanna Lincoln School District, many of her friends have gone on to pursue the arts professionally. Unfortunately due to the lack of arts opportunities in Gahanna, these art professionals have moved away including her because there are more opportunities outside of Gahanna. If there were more opportunities people would consider moving back. She recommends supporting the Gahanna Area Arts Commission for 2 reasons- to encourage people her age to come back to their hometown and, to develop opportunities for Gahanna's next generation of creatives before they too move away. Janelle Hallett, 5608 Hensel Woods, is an organizational program coordinator with the Ohio Arts Council. She explained that the Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Their grants leverage a high match ratio from its grantees $42 in local and private funding matches every 1 OAC dollar funded. Research from Bowling Green State University conducted in 2018 shows that Ohio's creative industries support nearly 290,000 jobs and contribute more than 41 billion dollars to the state's economy. The GAAC received project support funding from the OAC in 2020 from the arts start program. She shared some of the comments from the OAC members that reviewed GAAC's application for funding. The OAC supports what GAAC is doing to establish a local agency in the community. Amanda Morris, 153 N. High Street, Gahanna her business is the Mug and Brush but she said she is a student of CCAD and is a fellow creative. She said they have revolving art shows in her shop and took park with the Arts Council and everyone is interested in doing artistic things and bringing people in. She wanted to offer her support and thinks this is a step in the right direction. Henri Goulet, 336 McCutcheon Rd, he said he is a former Fortune 500 executive from the health care sector whose background includes visionary strategic planning, paradigm analysis, and holistic 360 degree thinking that is focused on the holistic wellbeing of the entire civic entity: family, community, congregation, education, business, arts, entertainment, health, media and government. He said he assumed such a focus would be inherent to a city whose very name denotes the confluence of three creeks into one. Such holistic wellbeing of a city is most effectively achieved when the arts are placed at the strategic center of civic infrastructure. The GAAC has already made a contribution to our City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 city because of its mission, vision and values. He recommends that the city designate the GAAC as the community’s official local arts agency and allocate tax revenue to support the work that is doing. This will allow for the establishment of an operating budget to plan its programs and open them up to grants. He also would like Creekside designated as an arts district as defined in ORC. D. INTRODUCTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE: Vice President Renner Introduced the items in Section D. Ordinances - To Be Introduced and Assigned to Committee: ORD-0101-2019 AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, OHIO DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2020. This item was introduced. This item was introduced. ORD-0112-2019 ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH THE GAHANNA COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION (CIC) FOR THE YEAR 2020 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES FOR THE CITY OF GAHANNA. This item was introduced. ORD-0113-2019 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS- Damage to City Property This item was introduced. ORD-0114-2019 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS - Water Meter Fees This item was introduced. ORD-0115-2019 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH THE DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCIL OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY GENERAL HEALTH DISTRICT, AND FRANKLIN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH FOR HEALTH SERVICES. This item was introduced. ORD-0117-2019 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF GAHANNA AND WILLIAM E. CONROY, II FOR CERTIFIED City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 ELECTRICAL INSPECTION SERVICES. This item was introduced. E. CONSENT AGENDA: 2019-0159 COUNCIL & COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Minutes be Approved and Filed.. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Angelou, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, Metzbower and McGregor Minutes - To Approve: Ordinance: Introduce, Waive Second Reading , Adopt: ORD-0116-2019 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF COLUMBUS FOR WATER QUALITY LAB TESTING SERVICES. A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Ordinance be Introduced, Second Reading Waived, and Adopted.. The motion carriedby the following vote: Ordinances on Second Reading: ORD-0103-2019 ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT AN APPLICATION FOR ANNEXATION OF .70 +/- ACRES FROM JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, STATE OF OHIO, TO THE CITY OF GAHANNA, LOCATED AT 4478 E. JOHNSTOWN ROAD (PID# 170-001140) A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Ordinance be Adopted.. The motion carriedby the following vote: ORD-0104-2019 ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF GAHANNA, OHIO: Amending Chapter 154 Landscape Board A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Ordinance be Adopted.. The motion carriedby the following vote: ORD-0105-2019 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - Various Accounts A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Ordinance be Adopted.. The motion carriedby the following vote: ORD-0107-2019 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING APPROVING AND RATIFYING THE SUBMITTED RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA TAX INCENTIVE REVIEW COUNCIL City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Ordinance be Adopted.. The motion carriedby the following vote: ORD-0108-2019 ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ADOPTED DEVELOPMENT FEE SCHEDULE AS REFERENCED IN CHAPTER 148, DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Ordinance be Adopted.. The motion carriedby the following vote: ORD-0109-2019 ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, OHIO: Amending Chapters 921 Sanitary Sewer Connections and Rental Rates, 927 Sewer Rates, and 929 Water Connections and Rates, OF TITLE THREE PUBLIC UTILITIES; and Amending Chapter 941 Garbage and Rubbish Collection of TITLE FIVE OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES. A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Ordinance be Adopted.. The motion carriedby the following vote: ORD-0110-2019 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AMENDED LEASE AGREEMENT WITH TOWERCO 2013, LLC. A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Ordinance be Adopted.. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Angelou, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, Metzbower and McGregor F. PUBLIC HEARINGS End of the Consent Agenda Pass the Consent Agenda A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Schnetzer, that the be Pass the Consent Agenda.. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Angelou, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, Metzbower and McGregor ORD-0111-2019 To Gather Public Input for the Requested Vacation of Public Right of Way: Part of North Street (Additional Public Input Meeting will be scheduled November 18, 2019) Doug Maddy, 120 N. High Street: Mr. Maddy said he is also interested in enhancing the vibrancy of downtown Gahanna and thinks that this project will significantly do so by putting additional feet on the street which will help all of the businesses in downtown Gahanna. He said they have engaged their engineers do a study on North Street. A couple of members from their team met with the City Engineer last week and are waiting on some feedback from the City Engineer and once they have City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 that it will delivered to the civil engineer and be taken into consideration for the study that they will prepare. Patricia Kovacs, 527 Haversham Dr said she wasn’t proponent or opponent but asked that they be required to provide access to the multi-use trail that is behind the current condominiums. Tom Liszkay, 457 Tresham Rd said on the vacation of North Street, it is public property and the city should be reimbursed. There is financial incentive with the tax abatement and that they’re asking for vacation of the bike multi-use property on the west side of the development west of Mill Street, there are 2 easements there and they’ve asked that those also be vacated by your agreement. They could be changed or moved to accommodate people with bicycles but please do not, let’s not lose our rights to the west side right there by the creek. Vivian Miteny, 167 Highmeadow Dr said she has some concerns with the closure of North Street and asks that tax payers not be accountable to pay for that vacation. That should be part of the Developer’s costs. Also the elevation on the complex does not represent the true size of 5 stories, there are no set-backs and she thinks it will contrast with how the light and air and vibrancy will be situated to Carpenter and the other streets surrounding Mill Street. Joe Keehner, 116 D Town Street said he just heard about the project recently and that closing off North Street will be problematic because it is one less way to connect going east. There are already 2 streets that are one way, that only leaves North Street and Shull as two way streets. If traffic is stopped on any of the east west thoroughfares like the alley south of the herb center makes more sense as a pedestrian way but not for vehicles. He said he was on the Planning Commission for 8 years and has only seen one drawing and it looks like a megalith of boxy apartments. That would be 2 and a half blocks basically of massive apartments which would also be a block to connecting to part of old Gahanna. So it seems a bit problematic to be closing off North Street for a lot of different reasons. Jim McGregor, 180 Academy Ct. said that redevelopment is a good thing and we support and enjoy innovative investment, new exciting architecture, and the benefits of additional square footage. However, there is a procedure for proposing such projects which the city has not followed. Attorney Ben Hale was one of the great gentlemen in Central Ohio Development and he did so much good for all of us. Attorney Hale once told Mr. McGregor that he may think he opposes or gets frustrated with the administrative process, but it is the exact opposite. His clients City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 are willing to invest millions in Gahanna only if they are sure the property next to them will be held to the same high standards by which they abide. He continued, that there is a process that begins with a meeting between the builder and the City Engineer. Routinely the City Engineer will require that the developer to provide the City new right of way for necessary intersection and road improvements caused by the development. He or she will require the builder to pay the construction costs of the necessary improvements. Sometimes the City Engineer will require a traffic study be completed before he or she can make such a determination. There is a give and take in these discussions. Agreements are reached. The City Engineer knows the City’s cash flow for such projects. The developer would also broach the subject of right of way abandonment at this point. It’s only in the most unusual circumstances that a city would abandon active right of way. Right of Way is the back bone of a city. He continued, to wind up, the Mill Street Developer issues that Mayor Kneeland has put forth are very reasonable and we should hang on to the development process and begin that process the way we always have because it worked so well. But the Engineer has to be involved, the Development Director has to be involved, none of which have been fully vetted according to the Mayor’s report. This is a hearing that is out of sequence. There is no traffic study. So his support is of Mayor Kneeland’s suggestion to step back. This is a right of way that has been there 150 years and not addressing that is not ready. This information is needed. Merisa Bowers, 363 Higley Ct said that she is speaking personally and based upon conversations with constituents over the last several months. This was one of the most talked about issues in the city- how it would affect the entire community. The passage of issue 12 has created a new urgency for our community to prioritize development that generates taxable income. With 100% credit for income taxes paid elsewhere, most of it going to Columbus, Gahanna must use its resources wisely and with discretion. These hearings aren’t about whether the development should be built, it is permitted under current zoning, but whether to determine if this project is so special and valuable as to justify hundreds of thousands of dollars or more in tax dollars to subsidize this project. This project should be going through established processes. She opposes the use of tax dollars on this project including the donation of North Street or any other private or public property. The physical building is fraught with problems. As presented by architects at the Planning Commission meeting, the structure is 5 stories of wood frame on slab, not even close to industry best practices. What this means is it will not tolerate flooding in an area not 50 feet from the creek, it will not withstand heavy use common of an apartment building and reasonably, this project will only look good for about 15 years, then what kind of rent City of Gahanna Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 will it generate. We can list the variances and other physical problems with the structures but they should be addressed by Planning Commission first as has been the policy and practice of this city. We are not going to be generating any income from this project. As the letter released from outside counsel to the Development Department, the requests from the developer are out of line with standard incentives for this area which have already been subsidized for this development with the CRA. She closed by asking that the project be referred back to the administration and rerouted back to its normal process. Terry Birchler, 171 N High Street on the North side of North Street is still trying to figure how the closure of North Street will affect his business. He said he only had one point to make and that was once this decision is made and this project is complete, it can't be unmade. For that reason alone it should take more than a compelling argument, it should be an overwhelming reason to close the street. So far he doesn't feel that a compelling argument has been made. All of the positives can be accomplished without closing the street. He said it feels like there needs to be a significant argument as to why the developer can't simply develop the car wash and other properties without having to close the street without accomplishing this. Mike Hroncich, 775 Gulf Stream Ct: (from provided written document) Good evening. Thank you for allowing me to speak tonight. I'd like to begin by saying that I am in favor of development on the northern portion of Mill Street, and throughout Gahanna. While my preference would be mixed-use development for this area, I am willing to listen to any options brought forward. To this point, I have several concerns about the request to vacate North Street. The first being that that developer requested that no traffic study be completed, as seen in Point 4A of the Developer Agreement. Traffic during rush hours in the morning and evening is a consistent challenge for many residents in our community. Eliminating an outlet for traffic, while adding more cars to drive through the area, in my opinion, requires a traffic study. Secondly, in May of this year, the residents of Gahanna voted to increase the City Income Tax increase from 1.5% to 2.5%. l believe the residents did this to preserve our quality of life and allow for future investment within our community. I don ’t believe the residents voted for this so that 6 months later, city property, paid for by the taxpayers, would be given away for free. The value of the developer’s project is approximately 22 million dollars. The tax abatement is worth approximately $9.9 million dollars. The developer is currently asking Gahanna to pay for $1.2 million dollars in expenses, ranging from Waiver Fees to infrastructure Improvements. That’s $11.1 million dollars that the developer is saving, and that doesn’t include the value of North Street. There is a value associated with North Street, and City of Gahanna Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 I’d willing to negotiate that value as part of a deal, but to give it away for free? Absolutely not. I'd also like to bring forth another idea related to North Street, and this project as a whole. Two of our current City Council members, Ms. Angelou & Mr. Leeseburg, have received campaign donations from this developer, their family members, or the developer’s attorney over the past several years. Ms. Angelou has received $250 dollars, and Mr. Leeseburg has received $550 dollars since 2017, Or 10% of what he raised in 2017. l have these questions to ask of the both of you. Are these campaign donations worth anyone questioning the objectivity of our governing body? Are these campaign donations worth anyone questioning the validity of this project? Ms. Angelou & Mr. Leeseburg, you both are civil servants, and I have tremendous respect for your roles in our community. Due to that respect, and the respect that I want others to bestow on our government, I am requesting that both of you recuse yourselves from all conversations related to this development. Doing so would prevent these questions, and any further questions, being asked regarding the legitimacy of this project. Finally, i’ll leave you all with my favorite quote of all-time, from American author Zig Ziglar, “When you do the right things the right way, you have nothing to lose, because you have nothing to fear.” Thank you for your time. Mr. Maddy said to some of the comments this evening, he heard many comments that will not be addressed until later on in the process. He said a couple of the speakers are not informed with the process that has come thus far. There have been 24 plus meetings now with either the Mayor, Council or otherwise. He said he would reinforce to Council that they have committed to do a traffic study and in reference to Mrs. Bower's comment, they are not interested in going back in the process, they have been at this a long, long time 24+ meetings and 2 years in the planning process, not going back. He hopes Council will consider the vacation of North Street. Mrs. Angelou asked if Mr. Maddy gave any money to her campaign this year. Mr. Maddy replied he did not. Mr. Renner asked Mr. Maddy if he did not support Council if they decided to move this to Planning Commission. Mr. Maddy said he supports it moving to Planning Commission sooner City of Gahanna Page 10 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 than later. He is not interested in going back to step one and starting over as was suggested. Mr. Renner said he understood, he interpreted it as getting back to the public process which was working with the City Engineer, Planning, Development team etc... Mr. Maddy said they are committee to send the drawings to Planning Commission as soon as they get through the vacation of North Street and Development agreement. There has been a preliminary meeting with Planning Commission and feedback received and made some alterations to the drawsings and happy to see them. President Metzbower closed the public hearing at 8:05 p.m. G. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: Clerk Council 2019-0166 MORPC Communication: Return on Investment Details H. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES: ORD-0106-2019 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE HOUSING OFFICER TO ENTER INTO A COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA AGREEMENT (CRA) WITH EASTGATE COMMERCIAL PARK LLC, FOR A TAX ABATEMENT FOR A TEN YEAR PERIOD; FOR ONE HUNDRED PERCENT PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT ON THE INCREASED VALUE OF THE PROPERTY; FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6579 TAYLOR ROAD; PARCEL ID NO. 027-000008; PART OF COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA #1. Mr. Larick said that he wanted to make clear that there have been many communications when it comes to revenue streams, tax abatements, CRAs and a whole spectrum of items that represent incentive. Discussions often come back to the schools and how it may impact the schools. This particular project, essentially, the schools, directly through the Gahanna Jefferson Education Foundation who are the owners of interest thought the willing of the property to the Foundation of this project, in effect, it is the schools, the Education Foundation that would have to be supportive or knowledgeable of the fact that there is a CRA on this. Every discussion around incentives, the schools are brought up, and City of Gahanna Page 11 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 yet there is a good project here that does have a relationship back to the schools, that the Foundation should be aware of because they are the material property owners due to the willing of the property to the Foundation. This property is in Ward 3 and should add value to the community. He just wanted to bring awareness that the same asks are occurring within a property within a property that is associated with our school system, as other folks make as well. A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Ordinance be Adopted.. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Angelou, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, Metzbower and McGregor I. MOTION RESOLUTIONS: MR-0038-2019 MOTION RESOLUTION TO APPOINT KARI HAWK TO THE RECORDS COMMISSION FOR AN UNEXPIRED TERM EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2020. A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Motion Resolution be Approved.. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Angelou, Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, Metzbower and McGregor J. REPRESENTATIVES: Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Larick Mr. Larick said the CIC meeting is Tuesday, November 19 at City Hall. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou Mrs. Angelou presented: MORPC met last Thursday, speaker on the one Columbus, one region on the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Kimberly Hall, Director, updated on the new workforce challenges impacting communities as well as available resources and services. COTA President Johanna Pinkerton presented their now on demand transportation service called COTA plus. It debuted in Grove City and it will have a pilot program in Westerville. Currently MORPC is lining up communities to participate in the summer local government intern program for 2020. Requests for interns are open through December 12th. City of Gahanna Page 12 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 Regional Housing strategy: last week the advisory board met to review and gave detailed input on initial data findings. A series of housing conversation kicks off with the impact of segregation on housing at 9am on December 13th. Data and mapping team is advancing in the alliance of the American dream competition with the idea of creating a suite of web tools to provide housing information resources. Data maps are now available on Mid-Ohio Open Data available at morpc.org/data population and employment forecasts through 2050. Update was provided for the 2020 2050 metropolitan transportation plan. Discussion on Central Ohio Water Quality management plan presented which looks at the future impact and development on water, maps, sewer systems and boundaries. Assesses pollution concerns. Round Table update by Chair Ben Collins. Smart Region Task Force completed Smart Streets Policy. Smart Streets Playbook is in draft form. Dana McDaniel from Dublin, Chair announced that they have adopted a smart streets policy and though we have looked at our smart streets policy, I don't think it's been adopted or the way it's supposed to be, so we'll be discussing that. Central Ohio rural planning was officially designated a rural transportation planning organization by Governor Mike DeWine. This is the first one in the state of Ohio and certainly in this region. Aging in place and designing communities to support mobility, there will be a webinar on November 20. MORPC obtained the Auditor Audit of Distinction award for 5th time in a row. Dr. Carr was named to Columbus CEO magazine, future 50 class. Government Liaison - Metzbower None Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Schnetzer Mr. Schnetzer presented CVB Activities: Hosted the President’s Luncheon and STAR Awards for the Ohio Association of Convention & City of Gahanna Page 13 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 Visitors Bureau at LaNavona on Nov. 14, welcoming 40 CVB Directors from around the state to Gahanna Visit Gahanna honored with six (6) STAR (State Tourism Achievement Recognition) by the Ohio Association Convention & Visitors Bureau for its work in marketing and promoting Gahanna (3 first place awards and 3 second place awards) The Ohio Herb Center and Visit Gahanna will host the popular “Visits with Santa” on Sat., Dec. 7 and Sat., Dec. 14 from 9am to 1 pm at the Ohio Herb Center. Snap a photo with Santa and create a craft to give as a gift in Mrs. Claus’ parlor. Finalizing plans for the 2019 Holiday Lights Celebration, with kickoff event scheduled for THIS Sunday, November 24 from 3-6:30pm in the Creekside District. Volunteers are needed. Planning for related Holiday Lights events, including The Santa Race (Sat., Dec. 7) and the Holiday Character Breakfast (Sat., Dec. 14). Registration and ticket information can be found on visitgahanna.com Planning underway for the 2020 Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival. Artist submission period expired on November 1. Working on securing musicians for 2020 lineup K. OFFICIAL REPORTS: Mayor None City Attorney None L. COUNCIL COMMENT Mrs. Angelou said thank you to Mayor Kneeland for his work on the Veterans and Memorial Day programs. Mayor Kneeland replied thank you but it was a team effort. Mr. Larick said the Veterans Day ceremony was fantastic and they do a wonderful job. Congratulations to the new officers and the Police Department as a whole for their new positions and the future for the community and safety in the community. Mr. Renner said ditto about the Police Department and congratulations to City of Gahanna Page 14 City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 the new officers. Serving our government and making sure we are adhering to our public policies and procedures are something that is very important and paramount to who we are. There is a change happening across the city and if you aren't feeling it you must be asleep. People are learning how to engage, they're speaking up and learning how to find their government and this year and last year I've seen more citizen engagement than I've ever seen and I'm happy. Thank you to all the speakers. Mr. Schnetzer said this is the last regular Council meeting before Thanksgiving and he wanted to wish everyone an early Happy Thanksgiving. It is a truly unique and American Holiday where we stop and reflect on all of the things we are thankful for. Travel safely and enjoy the holiday and your loved ones, friends and family. President Metzbower congratulated the new officers and said that this is a monumental show of forward movement for the city. He thanks Chief Spence for his hard work and thanked the Arts Council for coming out and their passion for the community. He thanked everyone that spoke on the Mill Street project. EXECUTIVE SESSION: pursuant to Section ORC 121.22 (G)(3) Conferences with an attorney for the public body concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action and pursuant to Section ORC 121.22 (G) (5) Matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or regulations or state statutes N. ADJOURNMENT APPROVED by the City Council, this day of 2019. Brian D. Larick City of Gahanna Page 15