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. Tuesday, September 7, 2021 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 Tuesday, September 7, 2021, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 S. Hamilton Rd. 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 September 3, 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 Hoffman, 279 Highmeadow Dr.: for the past four years, have voiced concerns about the sidewalks; is happy to see that coming along; is concerned about the emergency and waiver request for EMH&T because of experience with things not getting done; have said in the past that there’s not enough staff and oversight; contract is not a problem but we don’t know why it can’t be accomplished by our city employees; still unhappy with Strawser Paving work; we set standards for a reason; why are our people not doing this and if we do have to have EMH&T do it, why the three year period; we should have a template and be able to do it ourselves after a year; when we have good code and trained staff then they can do a good job; concerned that a third party won’t look at this the same way that employees would; please give a good review and ask questions. City of Gahanna Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes September 7, 2021 - Mayoral Proclamation for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Mayor Laurie Jadwin presented a proclamation to the Routte family (Justin, Shannon, Emma, Olivia, and Logan) in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Olivia was diagnosed with DIPG, a rare form of cancer that strikes children, and this family has chosen hope and faith above fear and the odds. The proclamation is attached below under file 2021-0171. D. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Minutes - To Approve: 2021-0170 Council Meeting Minutes for Approval. These Minutes were Approved on the Consent Agenda. 2. Ordinances for Second Reading: ORD-0050-2021 AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO TRAFFIC CODE SECTIONS OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA; TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES; TO PROVIDE FOR CODIFICATION; TO PROVIDE FOR SEVERABILITY; TO REPEAL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. This Ordinance was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. 3. Resolutions: RES-0030-2021 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS. This Resolution was Adopted on the Consent Agenda. End of/Pass Consent Agenda A motion was made by Leeseberg, seconded by Renner, to Pass the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, McGregor, Angelou and Bowers City of Gahanna Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes September 7, 2021 E. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION / FIRST READING: Leeseberg Introduced the Items under Section E. 1. ORD-0054-2021 AN ORDINANCE AUTH O R I Z I N G A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION- American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds. F. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION, WAIVER & EMERGENCY ADOPTION: 1. ORD-0051-2021 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH EMH&T FOR SANITARY SEWER EVALUATION SURVEY (SSES) SMOKE AND DYE TESTING SERVICES; WAIVE SECOND READING; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. Leeseberg stated that he would like to move to bring this back to committee because he had a lot of questions; there is an existing contract with Burgess & Niple and that work is not yet completed; this was brought to Council in August and we will be halfway through September by the time this goes through; not seeing a reason for the emergency and waiver. Schnetzer stated that he has been in similar situations where he has had questions about legislation and received the support of Council when he asked to bring those things back to committee. Bowers asked if this is specific to the smoke and dye testing; asked if Leeseberg could provide context on how the Burgess & Niple contract effects this contract. Leeseberg stated that the request for emergency/waiver was due to the dry months of August and September; this was brought to us at the end of August and it will be no sooner than the end of September when we can secure a contract; comments and questions would be better handled at the committee meeting next week, but this is being piggybacked off of the Burgess & Niple contract. Bowers asked if the Administration would be willing to explain. Director of Public Service & Engineering Grant Crawford stated that the tie in is that we initiate the SSES Phase One, which is the sanitary sewer evaluation survey; last year, following the weather events, there was raw sewage in residents’ basements; Burgess & Niple is still studying the sewers but we do have preliminary data from the flow models, and monitoring the flows during weather events we can see that there is infiltration and inflow in the sewers, specifically in Royal Manor and Brentwood; reiterated that the request was due to trying to taking advantage of the last remaining dry months of the year; if it continues to rain heavily then we cannot do the work; Phase Two consists of gathering City of Gahanna Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes September 7, 2021 the data of the actual sources of infiltration and inflow into our public sewers. Mayor Jadwin asked if Crawford could explain the timeline, and why it was brought forward when it was. Crawford stated that we received two large rainfalls earlier this year, and during those rainfalls, the flow monitors documented a significant response in the sewers in the Royal Manor and Brentwood neighborhoods; once we saw that, and Burgess & Niple had the opportunity to review, we immediately sought a public request for proposal; we advertised it, ranked the firms, had legal review, and brought it to Council as soon as possible. Renner asked if Crawford would remind everyone of the value of doing the smoke and dye testing and what it would actually illustrate in those areas of Royal Manor and Brentwood Estates. Crawford stated that the testing will find the actual source of infiltration and flow; will find the source of how rainwater or groundwater is entering the sewer system. Angelou asked if that was done for the Dunbarton Road area. Crawford stated that they didn’t pick up a similar response in College Park; waiting for the final result for when they plug in the model and see how it’s going; has the same trunk sewer as Royal Manor and Brentwood Estates. Angelou said we have had a lot of rain in the past few weeks, which should have been dry months; asked have they noticed anything of note. Crawford said that was localized rainfall that effected the eastern part of the city, primarily the industrial zone; saw no response in their sewers. Bowers asked if this comes back, if tonight would count as the first reading. Larick confirmed. Larick stated that it appears that the document from EMH&T is dated July 26; this was first on a Council agenda on August 23. Crawford stated that it’s possible that when we got it in, we needed time to review, and then sent it to the City Attorney for review; there is a turnaround time for reviewing all the proposals received and then ranking them. Renner asked for clarification that this was not pulled from the regular agenda but would go back to committee and then be on for second reading and emergency at the next Council meeting. Larick confirmed that would follow regular procedure. A motion was made by Renner, seconded by Bowers, to Introduce and Adopt the Ordinance. A motion was made by Leeseberg, Seconded by Schnetzer, to Introduce the Ordinance and bring back to Committee of the Whole on 9/13/2021 for further discussion. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, McGregor, Angelou and Bowers City of Gahanna Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes September 7, 2021 2. ORD-0052-2021 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH EMH&T FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE 2021-2023 SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE PROGRAM; WAIVE SECOND READING; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. Leeseberg stated that he had a list of questions for the Administration but needs time to review the responses; would ask that this also be brought back to committee. Schnetzer stated again, that he supports the request to bring back to committee. A motion was made by Renner, seconded by Bowers, to Introduce and Adopt the Ordinance. A motion was made by Leeseberg, Seconded by Schnetzer, to Introduce the Ordinance and bring back to Committee of the Whole on 9/13/2021 for further discussion. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, McGregor, Angelou and Bowers 3. ORD-0053-2021 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH MILLER CABLE COMPANY FOR THE REPAIR OF GRANVILLE STREET TRAFFIC SIGNALS; TO REQUEST A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION; WAIVE SECOND READING; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. Bowers asked about the bids; appears that Jess Howard came in under Miller. City Engineer John Moorehead stated that they came in close in most areas; there are 3 types of foundation repairs; repairing the signals in place is a difficult job; the three different repair options were included in the bid; this allowed for each contractor to decide which option they were better suited for and what pricing they could do it for; the alternates that are tallied together are the combination of two different alternate ways to repair the foundations; Miller Cable CO. is the lowest bidder in total. Angelou asked where Miller Cable CO. is located. Bowers said Green Springs, Ohio. Moorehead stated that for a public bid, we have to choose the lowest and best, and can't rate them on location. A motion was made by Renner, seconded by Leeseberg, that the Ordinance be Introduced, Second Reading Waived, and Adopted as an Emergency. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, McGregor, Angelou and Bowers G. CORRESPONDENCE AND ACTIONS: Clerk- none. Council- none. City of Gahanna Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes September 7, 2021 H. REPRESENTATIVES: Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) - Leeseberg No report. Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Angelou Angelou stated that MORPC's regular meeting is this Thursday; the Summit on Sustainability will be held on October 15, in person. Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) - Leeseberg 2021-0196 Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival Guide. Leeseberg stated that everyone is all hands on deck for the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival which is September 17-19; volunteers are still needed; tickets are available online; there is a guide attached to the minutes. School Board (SB) - Schnetzer No report. I. OFFICIAL REPORTS: Mayor 2021-0171 Mayoral Report & Proclamations. Jadwin stated that the CVB still needs volunteers at admissions booths for the CBJ Festival; this past Saturday was the Supporting Gahanna Together event; service projects were held throughout the city; thanked those who contributed; this Thursday will be a brick laying ceremony for the latest medical office building going in at the Crescent; this Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11; will have a ceremony in partnership with Mifflin Twp.; Channel 10 news did a story on the Gahanna PD to cover their implementation of body-worn cameras, which aired last night and is available online. City Attorney City Attorney Ray Mularski stated that Burica vs Gahanna, the trip and fall incident from a previous Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival event was City of Gahanna Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes September 7, 2021 dismissed a year ago; it has since been re-filed. J. COUNCIL COMMENT Angelou: stated that she hopes God may bless those with cancer; prays for all the people in Afghanistan. Bowers: thanked Mayor's office for the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month proclamation; attended the Flow for the Cure event at Friendship Park which was hosted by the Routte family; is a wonderful organization; Celebrate One is a non-profit organization that helps to encourage children to thrive through their first birthday; they are celebrating their 5th anniversary and will host an event on 10/17/21 in New Albany; there will be a mobile COVID vaccine unit at the Gahanna Sanctuary 9/17-9/19; there will also be a non-profit fair that same weekend there; 10/23/2021 the Mifflin Fire Department is partnering with SWACO for a prescription drug take back event; be sure to vote on or before Nov. 2, and be sure that voter registration is updated before Oct. 2.; stated that her constituent report was attached. Leeseberg: thanked the officers who responded to his home last night due to a glass alarm alert; everyone was safe, the officers responded quickly. Renner: the Royal Manor Block Watch kicked off and many city representatives were present; created by Jason Ruark; thanked Chief Spence for addressing safety concerns; well received by residents. Schnetzer: extended gratitude to the officers who attended; learned a lot; wanted to make the community aware that Chief Spence is the VP of the Central Ohio Chiefs Association; the pursuit of the CALEA standards has been a goal of the PD; they are more than 90% there; one of few police departments in the country to have achieved that; helped clean up litter at Woodside Green for Support Gahanna Together day; when going off the beaten path to clean up litter, you realize just how many acres of parkland we have here. McGregor: a few weeks ago, received a message from a resident in the Villas; he had a lot of rain coming from the detention basin behind the Stoneridge movie theater; he asked who oversees those basins when on private property; after contacting the Public Service & Engineering Department, was informed that the property owner is responsible for maintenance but the city inspects them every 5 years; she received photos that showed litter and overgrown trees; received a message yesterday from CASTO, and it was cleaned up; appreciates it; had volunteers at the Historical Society complex for Supporting Gahanna City of Gahanna Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes September 7, 2021 Together; there were gardeners, painters, scouts working on an Eagle Scout project; appreciated all the help. Larick: recalls exactly, the moments of 9/11; received a phone call from an employee who said that a plane had hit the building; they immediately pulled up the news and watched the second plane hit; it's a vision that one won't forget considering the responders, the loss of life, the photos; read an article that spoke about young people who don't realize the extent of what 9/11 is; although we don't need to live and breathe the past, we should be cognizant of events like that; we need to ensure that we have as good a community as possible, full of good people, and as good as a society as we possibly can; on Saturday, spent 3 hours shoveling dirt for the historical society, which is an organization that I have a great deal of passion for; there was a great group of volunteers who made it more welcoming for those out of town visitors; the Lily Stone is a bed and breakfast, which raises money for the Historical Society. 2021-0181 Council Member Merisa Bowers' August Constituent Report. K. EXECUTIVE SESSION 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 or official, or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual, unless the public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual requests a public hearing. Council rose to report into Executive Session at 7:48 p.m., held in the Council Conference Room, with only Council Members in attendance. Council rose to report from Executive Session at 7:53 p.m., with no action taken. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Leeseberg, Renner, Schnetzer, Larick, McGregor, Angelou and Bowers L. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m. City of Gahanna Page 8