City Council

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes City Council Jamie Leeseberg, President Nancy R. McGregor, Vice President Karen J. Angelou Merisa Bowers Brian D. Larick Stephen A. Renner Michael Schnetzer April Beggerow, MPA, CMC, Clerk of Council Council may caucus at 6:45 p.m. Monday, August 3, 2020 7:00 PM Virtual Virtual Meeting Details 513-306-4583 Conference ID: 871 070 702# To speak during the public hearing, email your name & phone number no later than 1 hour prior to the meeting to: april.beggerow@gahanna.gov. A. CALL TO ORDER - Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call Gahanna City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, August 3, 2020, via TEAMS. President of Council, Jamie Leeseberg, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Vice President of Council, Nancy McGregor, delivered an Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Agenda for this meeting was published on July 31, 2020. Present 7 - Jamie Leeseberg, Stephen A. Renner, Michael Schnetzer, Brian D. Larick, Nancy R. McGregor, Karen J. Angelou, and Merisa Bowers B. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA. Request to amend the agenda adding as new item L. EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 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. A motion was made by Larick, seconded by McGregor, that the agenda be amended to add the executive session as item L. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, McGregor, Angelou and Bowers C. HEARING OF VISITORS. None City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes August 3, 2020 D. PUBLIC HEARINGS: ORD-061-2020 AN ORDINANCE CREATING A DESIGNATED OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT AREA IN THE CREEKSIDE DISTRICT AND ENACTING REGULATIONS; AND DECLARING IT AN EMERGENCY. President Leeseberg opened the Public Hearing at 7:02 p.m. Mayor Jadwin presented details on the DORA. This Designated Outdoor Refreshment area is established according to Ohio Revised Code Section 4301.82. It creates an outdoor entertainment district that allows an individual to go into a permit holder's establishment and then walk out with that beverage within the established district. There are dozens of municipalities that have established these districts. The application was filed through the Mayor's office in conjunction with the Creekside District Alliance. Lew Griffin said that there has been much work done on this including work with the Service Department for that area and establishing rules for the area, hours, participants. We wanted the entertainment area to be family friendly, but the purpose is to help the businesses that are there, to establish a better entertainment are for our residents and this is just one small piece for making this area inviting for developers and to bring more activity. Shawn White, Nostalgia Brewing said he worked with Mr. Griffin on this and echoed his statements. He said he has personally seen DORA districts be successful and even kept some businesses going during the COVID pandemic by keeping business coming in. This DORA district will allow people to feel more comfortable by allowing people to be able to walk around and not have to sit in a closed in restaurant. Brad Fisher, President of the Gahanna Chamber of Commerce said Creekside is his home away from home and he has talked to many people about this concept. He said there were a lot of concerns initially but in talking to other districts, it does draw people to the area. This will draw people to Gahanna and the Creekside area. The following emails were read into the meeting: from Steve Winegargner: We are highly in favor of DORA. We live at Creekside and the residents of creekside would love to see this. from Emma Irvin: Before tonight's meeting, I wanted to offer my full support for the DORA initiative. I think it's a fabulous idea! City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes August 3, 2020 from Sarah Yakover: Regarding the proposed Creekside DORA, to be discussed at the city council meeting this evening. I cannot be on the virtual meeting, however I would like to express my opinion. I understand how much the restaurants and breweries have been hurting these last several months. My husband and I are also small business owners here in Gahanna and get the struggle. We love Creekside area and are always wanting improvements and new business that draw people to the area, however this proposal is geared only towards drinkers, and not a great family atmosphere that Creekside is. We ride our bikes around Creekside and the paths with our young children. They also love the water feature at Creekside. There is not much else to do for families right now during the pandemic and Creekside area and bike paths have been a life-saver. There needs to be more thought about how to attract a more encompassing population to the area, which would bring business to these restaurants, not just for those that want to walk around with open containers. This proposal is very narrowly focused, not all residents and visitors will be attracted to, and could deter a people away. I would be okay with limited hours of the DORA, evenings only for weekdays and the weekend. But all day Thursday-Sunday is not appropriate. I would much rather it look like Worthington downtown area than Short North, which is not really geared for families and kids. Lets be more creative with how we can support these businesses and build up Creekside. From June Inlow: April, this is June Inlow from Herb Group (and herb classes) and a Gahanna resident. I'm FOR the DORA proposal. Especially with the COVID-19, I prefer being outside. This will be another good reason to go to Creekside. Mr. Larick said there were some emails that weren't against it but wanted to change the footprint of the District. Mayor Jadwin said they were sent to Mr. Larick and herself but were not sent to the Council Clerk. Mr. Leeseberg asked for closing comments. City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes August 3, 2020 Mayor Jadwin said there were questions about what would happen after hours, and people crossing Mill Street with drinks and these were all questions that were asked of other cities with DORA in place. This is going to be one tool in the toolkit for adding amenities for adding entertainment to an area that it was designed for. This will attract more businesses to the area and will make this a more vibrant community. The six participating establishments are taking this very seriously and really want this. There is a detailed safety and sanitation plan and this will be a positive thing for the community. If this is implemented as proposed and changes need made in the future, Council can amend it in the future. Mr. Mularski said that Council always has the right to amend its own ordinances. Mr. Leeseberg closed the public hearing at 7:28 p.m. E. CONSENT AGENDA: Minutes - To Approve: 2020-122 Meeting Minutes for Approval End of Consent Agenda Pass consent agenda A motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Larick, to pass the Consent Agenda.. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, McGregor, Angelou and Bowers F. RESOLUTIONS RES-018-2020 RESOLUTION CONCERNING SERVICES TO PROPERTY PROPOSED FOR ANNEXATION: +/- 0.8 ACRES IN JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP (5829 Taylor Road; Greg A. & Paula Stonerock, PID#170-000215-00) TO THE CITY OF GAHANNA, AND CITY BUFFER REQUIREMENTS AS PROVIDED IN OHIO REVISED CODE 709.023. Mrs. Beggerow presented the Resolution for services for a pending Expedited Type II Annexation. Mr. Weber said that Jefferson Township Sewer and Water District cannot serve this property and the client's well goes dry in the summer. Gahanna can provide water once annexed. City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes August 3, 2020 Mrs. McGregor asked what city buffer requirements mean. Mrs. Beggerow replied that she believed it had something to do about Zoning but that it had always been in previous legislation so it was left. A motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Larick, that the Resolution be Adopted.. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, McGregor, Angelou and Bowers G. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION / FIRST READING: Mr. Larick introduced the Legislation in Section G. Mr. Larick introduced the items in item G. ORD-057-2020 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE & ENGINEERING TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH GREENLOTS TO EXECUTE THE SOFTWARE AS A SERVICE (SAAS) AGREEMENT. ORD-058-2020 ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF GAHANNA, OHIO: Enacting Sections 351.21 PARKING AT ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS of Chapter 351 PARKING GENERALLY and Section 949.01 ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS Chapter 949 ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS. ORD-059-2020 AN ORDINANCE AUTH O R I Z I N G A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - Parks & Recreation ORD-060-2020 ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,500 FROM THE OHIO PARKS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION TO USE TOWARDS AN UPDATED TRAIL MAP; AND TO SUPPLEMENTALLY APPROPRIATE SAID GRANT FUNDS. ORD-061-2020 AN ORDINANCE CREATING A DESIGNATED OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT AREA IN THE CREEKSIDE DISTRICT AND ENACTING REGULATIONS; AND DECLARING IT AN EMERGENCY. City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes August 3, 2020 H. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: Clerk None Council Mr. Larick noted the items that came in regarding the footprint changes of the DORA. I. REPRESENTATIVES: Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Larick Mr. Larick said the last meeting they were working on wrapping up the details regarding the small business support for COVID. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou Mrs. Angelou stated that there will be a board meeting Thursday. Wednesday there is a HEROES act webinar. Things will be moving along. July was off and there were many webinars including the CARES act and Housing. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Leeseberg Mr. Leeseberg presented the CVB report which is attached to the minutes. Mrs. Angelou asked how many employees were at CVB. Mr. Leeseberg replied 2 full time and 1 at the herb center. Mrs. Angelou asked about the numbers from the hotel tax. Mr. Leeseberg said he hasn't seen the numbers, they haven't scheduled a meeting but there should be one coming up. 2020-125 CVB Report for August 3, 2020 City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes August 3, 2020 School Board (SB) - Schnetzer Mr. Schnetzer said that the meeting that was scheduled for July between school board and City has been rescheduled to next week. He will have a report next meeting. J. OFFICIAL REPORTS: Mayor Mayor Jadwin presented that the new IT manager, Kevin Schultz has been hired. The Police Department has had to adjust their training and have been doing web-based training and all have completed 2 hours of implicit bias training and in August they will do training on constitutional community policing and wellness. She issued a proclamation (attached) on National Black-Owned Businesses Month. Mrs. Angelou asked the Mayor why they didn't know about the arrival of the $1.1 million CARES Act funding. She asked if there is an amount that is already spent and if there is a complete file of everything pertaining to COVID 19. Mayor Jadwin replied that she didn't know the funds came in and it wasn't immediately shared because we didn't know if we were even going to be able to keep it. We have been going through to evaluate the needs and what it would look like. Part of the issue was that if you received $800,000 and up it throws you into a single audit and we've not dealt with that. 2020-123 Proclamation "National Black Business Month" City Attorney None K. COUNCIL COMMENT Mr. Larick read the three emails that he received: Mayor Jadwin and council members, As a Creekside resident I would like also to add a few comments regarding the proposed DORA application. On any given day there are a number of residents with strollers and small City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes August 3, 2020 children touring the area, enjoying the water, the boats and all that creekside has to offer. These are families. If you allow folks with drinks in hand wondering around the area, I don't think this will go over so well with parents. Also, this is a residential area. There are 90 plus units in creekside, many of them here are senior citizens. We would be living in a bar setting all the time. Would any of you like this sort of behavior going on in your neighborhood. My suggestion would be to expand the outdoor seating for the local businesses. In that way they can police their patrons in their area and we don't have people on the streets with too much to drink. Thank you, LaJune Cohen Hello Mayor Jadwin and council members, I will not be able to call in to the hearing on Monday since I am out of town. I suggest a change to the north border if you do adopt DORA. My condo faces Mill St, and I live over the U Break - I Fix it and eyebrow salon. If the border is North Street, I will have drinking people sitting under my window every night until the time ends that night and later. People who park in the 15 minute spaces and in the garage already sit under window, talking and yelling, nearly every night. If the north edge of DORA is North St, that will ensure disruption to everyone who lives on Mill St. The owner of the Upper Cup already rents his space for parties after 7:00 p.m., and those guests linger past 11:00 p.m. People do not use the crosswalks as it is, and now there will be more drinking customers stepping out into traffic with alcoholic beverages. I think the business being brought in by Stadium is already increasing foot traffic. I also wonder how patrons who come for ice cream will feel having to share seating on the plaza with drinking patrons. It seems the longer I live on Mill St, the more ways the City thinks of to increase noise for the only residents on the plaza. (Creekside festival stage has been in front of our residences for several years.) I live in a convenient location for working downtown and plan to stay another 10 years. Thank you for listening. Marie Olon Major Jadwin and council members, I agree with Marie's comments below regarding adopting DORA. I strongly urge you to make Walnut Street the North border. There are plenty of places to sit and drink in the courtyard without sitting in front of a City of Gahanna Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes August 3, 2020 residential building drinking alcohol until after 11 pm every night. The North Street border would only encourage people to sit on the porch of 151 Mill St or hang out in the "old car wash / plant library". Does the City of Gahanna intend to increase police presence during the DORA times? It will take more than an occasional drive by to assure everyone's safety. We are living in very difficult times due to the virus. We should all do everything we can to help our local businesses, but not at the expense of the residents who live here at Creekside. We have put up with the skateboarders in the garage, on the plaza, on the walking paths, the swimmers in the fountains and the loud weekend drunks sitting under our windows after the bars close but, DORA 7 days a week until 11 pm and later is too much. Would you want your DORA in you neighborhood? Sandy Miller Mr. Renner shared that he had been getting more constituent calls regarding trees on private properties. There are some large mature trees in the Royal Manor area that are impending fall down and what does the city do if anything. He recognizes it's a private property owner issue and he tries to educate property owners but he feels it could become an issue. Mrs. Angelou said her 54th wedding anniversary is Thursday. Ms. Bowers congratulated Karen and Dick on their anniversary. She thanked everyone that participated in the dialog both everyone in favor and those with concerns. Her monthly constituent report is attached to the minutes. She will be participating in the OML New Council Seminars and the NLC constituency group with great topics like evictions, voting and public safety. She thanked the Mayor and City Attorney for prompt responses to her questions. Mrs. McGregor congratulated Karen and Dick on their anniversary. Mr. Leeseberg contratulated Karen and Dick on their anniversary and thanked the Mayor for her Proclamation, he got to Stadium last week and enjoyed the crowd there. 2020-126 Bowers Constituent Report for July, 2020 L. EXECUTIVE SESSION pursuant to 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. A motion was made by Larick, seconded by McGregor, to enter into executive session. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, McGregor, Angelou and Bowers City of Gahanna Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes August 3, 2020 M. ADJOURNMENT Meeting prematurely adjourned: Motion to reopen the meeting by Larick, second by McGregor, all voted yes by roll call vote, meeting reopened. ************* Council returned from Executive Session at 8:25 p.m. and subsequently adjourned at 8:26 p.m. April Beggerow, MPA, CMC Clerk of Council APPROVED by the City Council, this day of 2020. Jamie Leeseberg City of Gahanna Page 10