City Council

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes City Council Brian D. Larick, President Nancy R. McGregor, Vice President Karen J. Angelou Merisa Bowers Jamie Leeseberg Stephen A. Renner Michael Schnetzer Krystal Gonchar, MPA, Clerk of Council Council may caucus at 6:45 p.m. Monday, June 7, 2021 7:00 PM VIRTUAL MEETING Meeting Call-in Details: Tel- (513) 306-4583 Conf. ID- 173 861 838# Hearing of visitors: email your request not less than 1 hour before the meeting starts to: council@gahanna.gov A. CALL TO ORDER - Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call Gahanna City Council met in virtual session on Monday, June 7 2021, via Microsoft TEAMS. President of Council, Brian Larick, 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 June 4, 2021. 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: None. C. HEARING OF VISITORS. Brenda & Carroll Hoffman, 279 Highmeadow Dr.; a long list of things she has asked about has not been addressed; curious about the status of the nuisance code; curious about the status of the code enforcement board and if it has been created yet; there are current instances of some residents being treated differently than others related to code enforcement matters; happened with swimming pools that were inspected because it looks like fines were waived; code enforcement illegal told them to pour sidewalk; had commercial standards applied to a residence; has the city lied about street trees; there is a stump in the right City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes June 7, 2021 of way and wants it removed; has been 4 years since the violation was filed; we have a problem with trees; while in code section 913, would like to review AEP transformers; have asked the city in the past to take care of the storage issues associated with those transformer boxes; regarding curb trees, we don’t want to mess up the sidewalks again with curb trees; root pruning is not the way to take care of the trees; how will the city handle that; we are wrecking forests out west to make streets aesthetically pleasing out east; we need well-written code. Theresa Thrash, 245 Maybank Ct.; wants to discuss curb trees; lived here when the HOA planted the trees, opted not to plant at the time; for 30+ years, we have dealt with cleaning up other people’s leaves; the trees that were planted produce small berries that make a mess; the other trees that the city is choosing to plant may have the same issues because people are not forced to clean up the trees; there were two recent incidents of trip hazards due to sidewalks being moved by trees; we don’t have the extra money to trim tree roots; have had downspout issues as well; trees should not be within 25’ of lines; give homeowners a choice. Vickie Amirault, 260 Maybank Ct.; the questions I have are surrounding the same issues as her neighbors; her sidewalks are newer but there ’s already displacement; the trees should be removed from the curb; hears potentially that the city will do the removal; if the city is not going to then something needs done; doesn’t have the money to replace sidewalks; neighbors on either side have worse sidewalks; curious if a quote would be provided for total displacement costs; curious if there is a discount; will trees remove roots or is that the responsibility of the homeowner; here’s there will be financing; the curbs and driveway aprons, will those be replaced because those are crumbling on the streets; if so, what is the expected start date for this neighborhood; will there be a project timeline shared with the public. Larick stated that most of the items brought up from speakers tonight will be discussed at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. D. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Minutes - To Approve: 2021-0096 Council Meeting Minutes for Approval. These minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda. City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes June 7, 2021 2. Motions: a. MT-0012-2021 MOTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE & ENGINEERING PERMISSION TO BID REPAIRS OF HAVENS CORNERS WATERLINE IMPROVEMENTS. This Motion was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. b. MT-0013-2021 MOTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE & ENGINEERING PERMISSION TO BID REPAIR OF GRANVILLE STREET SIGNALS. This Motion was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. 3. Ordinances for Second Reading: a. ORD-0028-2021 AN ORDINANCE AUTH O R I Z I N G A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - Insurance Proceeds Due to Damage of City Property. This Ordinance was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. b. ORD-0029-2021 AN ORDINANCE AUTH O R I Z I N G A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - Sale of Assets. This Ordinance was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. c. ORD-0030-2021 AN ORDINANCE AUTH O R I Z I N G A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - Water Meter Fees. This Ordinance was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. d. ORD-0031-2021 AN ORDINANCE AUTH O R I Z I N G A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION- Various Accounts. This Ordinance was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. 4. Ordinances for Introduction, Waiver, Adoption: a. ORD-0036-2021 AN ORDINANCE AUTH O R I Z I N G A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION- Intersection Improvements, Emergency Repairs; WAIVE SECOND READING. This Ordinance was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. End of Pass/Consent Agenda A motion was made by Renner, seconded by Schnetzer, to Pass the Consent City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes June 7, 2021 Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, McGregor, Angelou and Bowers E. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION / FIRST READING: Schnetzer Introduced the Items below under Section E. 1. ORD-0033-2021 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND PART FIVE, GENERAL OFFENSES CODE, CHAPTER 521, HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SANITATION, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA. This item was Introduced. 2. ORD-0034-2021 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND PART NINE, STREETS AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE, CHAPTER 903, SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA. This item was Introduced. 3. ORD-0035-2021 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND PART NINE, STREETS AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE, CHAPTER 913, LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA. This item was Introduced. 4. ORD-0038-2021 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND BY REPEALING AND REPLACING PART FIVE, GENERAL OFFENSES CODE, CHAPTER 521, HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SANITATION, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA. This item was Introduced. F. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION, WAIVER & ADOPTION: 1. ORD-0032-2021 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORD-0014-2021 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH STRAWSER PAVING COMPANY, INC., FOR THE 2021 RESIDENTIAL STREET PROGRAM ST-1075; AND TO APPROVE A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION; WAIVE SECOND READING. A motion was made by Schnetzer, seconded by Renner, that the Ordinance be Adopted. Discussion on the motion: Bowers asked Jadwin for clarification on the request for a waiver of second reading. Jadwin stated that this was a request from Council Clerk to correct an error. Clerk stated that the original Ordinance was first discussed during a Committee of the Whole Meeting in March; due to a clerical error it lacked the 10% contingency and did not include the supplemental language which was requested by the Director of Public Service and Engineering; the department received funds of $200,000 but were unable to transfer without the supplemental approval. City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes June 7, 2021 The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, McGregor, Angelou and Bowers G. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION, WAIVER & EMERGENCY ADOPTION: 1. ORD-0037-2021 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORD-0016-2021 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE SALARIES FOR PERSONNEL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2021 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2021; WAIVE SECOND READING; ADOPT AS EMERGENCY. A motion was made by Bowers, seconded by Schnetzer, that the Ordinance be Adopted. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, McGregor, Angelou and Bowers H. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: Clerk- None. Council Larick stated that he received a note regarding the history around the schools and city property; from his recollection, administrations had at a minimum, been interested in and saw an opportunity for the city and schools to discuss cohesive and coordinated development that is best for the schools and the city; has been the case for all the administrations he has been involved with; we all have our own positions, but we have all been on board with those discussions. Mayor Jadwin stated that they have been engaged in positive conversations with the school district in regards to an overlap that was identified; a facilities assessment identified some mutually beneficial opportunities to work with the schools; continued discussions will occur. Bowers stated that we all value our schools and community, has the same sentiment. I. REPRESENTATIVES: Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Leeseberg Leeseberg stated that the CIC purchased 110 N. High St.; known as the Kumon Building; it’s currently being leased by the CIC. The CIC will meet again on June 15, 2021. City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes June 7, 2021 Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou Angelou stated that MORPC will be honoring a few people, Niel Jurist is one of the honorees. MORPC will be celebrating the retirement of Marilyn Brown. The next meeting is June 10, 2021. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Leeseberg Leeseberg provided an updated for the CVB: A new Gahanna Visitors Guide is in the works, to be released later in the summer. Ad sales are currently taking place. The current Herbal Cocktail trail runs through the end of June and the summer version begins July 1. The music line up for Creekside Blues and Jazz will be announced on June 14 and tickets go on sale June 18 (which would have been the opening day of the festival if we kept it in June). The gardens around the Herb Center/Visitor Center received a facelift. There are new plantings and identifying markers have been placed for self-guided viewing. The Herb Center hosted two tour groups in the month of May. They learned about tea blending and blended their own to take home. They were served lavender shortbread cookies and herb-infused lemonade and iced tea. They also toured the drying shed and the gardens around the Herb Center. Both groups provided positive feedback saying they enjoyed the experience. School Board (SB) - Schnetzer No report. J. OFFICIAL REPORTS: Mayor 2021-0100 Mayoral Proclamations & Report for June 7, 2021. Mayor Jadwin provided a summary of the attached report. City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes June 7, 2021 By the end of the month all residents should be transitioned to monthly water billing. Fireworks will be on July 3, 2021. The fireworks were originally scheduled for July 4th; however safety concerns were raised by Gahanna PD and Mifflin Twp. FD. Staff worked with Pyrotecnico to move to July 3rd to align with other municipalities in the area. Free registration for seating at the Golf Course is on the City website. If someone does not want to pre-register there are plenty of places around Gahanna to view the fireworks. The traditional parade will be on July 4th at noon, beginning at Clark Hall to Royal Plaza. Registration for parade participants are on the City website. Officer Carl Schmueckle, a 32-year veteran Police Officer, announced his early retirement. Officer Schmueckle's last day on duty is Friday, June 11, 2021. We will honor Officer Schmueckle at 10 a.m. in front of the PD, if you would like to join us. Brian Gill Huston, did a great interview on Channel 10, about the need for lifeguards. There will be open interview for lifeguards at the pools on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 from 4 - 6 p.m. We really need some additional staff. We have to watch how much we working our existing staff and we don't want to be in the position where we have to start shutting down early or shutting down a day here and there because we don't have enough lifeguards to cover. At the June 28, 2021 Committee Meeting there will be an update on Code Enforcement and where we are with the update and re-writing of the Standard Operating Procedures. A new Planning and Zoning Administrator will start on June 28, 2021. Mayor Jadwin presented a Proclamation for Pride Month. Included in the Proclamation is language from City Charter where we specifically denounce discrimination in many forms. Pride Month is about creating awareness around the fact that we need to eliminate discrimination in the many forms that exist. Community members have stepped up and organized a march on June 24, 2021 in the evening. Larick asked if the July 4th parade was still being put on by the Lions Club. Mayor Jadwin confirmed that it is correct with the support of the Parks & Recreation Department. Larick wants to make sure the Lions Club receive recognition for their hard work putting the parade together. City Attorney - NONE City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes June 7, 2021 K. COUNCIL COMMENT Angelou called and spoke to Officer Schmueckle to wish him the very best. He has been a wonderful person to know and a Police Officer. Angelou attended the Lincoln Elementary Ribbon Cutting. The school looks like it will be a terrific learning place for the children in our community. Bowers thanked Parks & Recreation and the Lions Club for going forward with the parade. It is really important to the community. The Lions Club is still looking volunteer support; anyone interested can contact Lions Club President Crystal McCann. Bowers submitted her Constituent Report which is attached. There are a number of contact items that are important that people may want to reference. Bowers stated she has two resolutions for Councils consideration at next weeks Committee of the Whole (COTW) meeting. Members received communication about an Alzheimer's Awareness Resolution. On the front page of the Dispatch today was an article about a new Alzheimer's drug that could significantly change the progression of that disease. Bowers would like to suggest bringing a resolution forward to the COTW next week. Bowers stated that given our position within Central Ohio and the close affiliation through Council member Angelou with MORPC she would like Council to consider is a Resolution in support of passenger rail expansion that is making its way across Ohio. The expansion of passenger rail would be to the economic benefit of the region. Bowers feels it could benefit Gahanna significantly given our proximity to the airport, I-70 and I-270. Bowers thank Mayor Jadwin for the LGBTQ Pride Resolution. This is an extraordinary significance to the Community. Bowers believes this is the first LGBTQ Pride Proclamation in the City of Gahanna. Bowers thanked the Mayor for pointing out that City Charger does have some inclusive and non discrimination language already in it. Bowers congratulated and shared that Amanda Ferguson, a long time employee of the Ohio Herb Center was honored as the COSI STEM Star for this year's Science Festival and was the Grand Marshall for their festival. She was recognized for advancing science and learning for our youth across Central Ohio. Bowers spoke with Ferguson who is excited about some expanded use programming that get ready once everything reopens and participating in the Pollinator Palooza at the Franklin Park Conservatory. Gahanna Foundation has launched three (3) grants for landscaping City of Gahanna Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes June 7, 2021 design. Those interested can submit design ideas for specific aspects at the Gahanna Sanctuary. The Gahanna Foundation is hosting a pre fireworks event "Red, White and Blues" with food, beverages and music at 8pm on July 3, 2021. The tower will be lit up in red, white and blue. Leeseberg stated he will not bee seeking another term in office as the Ward 4 representative. Leeseberg has enjoyed his time and the opportunity to meet lots of great people. Leeseberg stated he spoke to Sheila Vitale and understands she is running for the Ward 4 position. Leeseberg feels Vitale's service on the Governor's Commission in the Chair Review Committee and her other experience will make her an excellent candidate this November. He wishes her the best. Renner stated that we have a rising star and we are not talking enough about him in his opinion, Chief Spence; not only did he give an excellent presentation about body cameras and that the vendor that we have is accepted by the NAACP. Renner said it came to his attention that Chief Spence was also mentioned in a Channel 6 News item "Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children". Founder Melissa Thomas St. Clair has been working with the City of Columbus and many other for the "Stop the Violence Campaign", she mentioned in the news item that Chief Spence and her have talked. She was very open and receptive and very proud of the leadership Chief Spence has been doing on the issue. Renner thanked the Mayor for the Proclamation for Pride Month and thanked the Police Force and Chief Spence for the work they have been doing. Schnetzer thanked the Mayor and Staff for the monthly Mayor's Report. Schnetzer has observed the continued progress on the Detroit Street rebuilds as well as the playground replacement at Woodside Green Park. It is good to see the Issue 12 dollars at work; without them it would be difficult to imagine how these projects would be funded in a timely fashion. Schnetzer said June 6th was the 77th Anniversary of the D Day Invasion, where 60,000 Allied troops crossed the English Channel to storm the beaches of Normandy, France. They suffered 10,000 casualties on the first day. That battle marked the turning point in the war. There are fewer than half a million WWII Veterans alive today. So if you see a Veteran, please take a moment to thank them for their incredible debt that we all love. McGregor was at the Lincoln Elementary Ribbon Cutting also and stated it was fun one of her granddaughters was one of the ribbon cutters. It is a beautiful school and should be a great learning place. The Gahanna Farmers Market is on Sundays in a new location; in the northwest corner City of Gahanna Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes June 7, 2021 of the parking lot at Clark Hall near the creek. Larick said his family also went to the Farmers Market and enjoyed it. The street work on Helmbright and some of the other streets is almost complete; he is very much looking forward to the improvements. 2021-0101 Council Member Merisa Bowers' Constituent Report. L. EXECUTIVE SESSION Council reported into Executive Session at 7:55 p.m., with no other attendees. Council reported out of Executive Session at 8:01 p.m., with no action taken. A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by McGregor, to go into Executive Session under authority of Section 5.40(g) of the Council Rules of Procedure, to consider confidential information related to the marketing plans, specific business strategy, production techniques, trade secrets, or personal financial statements of an applicant for economic development assistance, or to negotiations with other political subdivisions respecting requests for economic development assistance, provided that both of the following conditions apply: (1) The information is directly related to a request for economic development assistance that is to be provided or administered under any provision of Chapter 715, 725, 1724 or 1728 or sections 701.07, 3735.67 to 3735.70, 5709.40 to 5709.43, 5709.61 to 5709.69, 5709.73 to 5709.75, or 5709.77 to 5709.81 of the Revised Code. (2) A unanimous quorum of the public body determines, by a roll call vote, that the executive session is necessary to protect the interests of the applicant or the possible investment or expenditure of public funds to be made in connection with the economic development project. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, McGregor, Angelou and Bowers M. ADJOURNMENT Adjourned at 8:04 p.m. City of Gahanna Page 10