Committee of the Whole

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes Committee of the Whole Jamie Leeseberg, Chair Karen J. Angelou Brian D. Larick Nancy R. McGregor Brian Metzbower Stephen A. Renner Michael Schnetzer Kimberly Banning, Clerk of Council Monday, September 10, 2018 7:00 PM Council Committee Room Leeseberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PENDING LEGISLATION - ORD-0065-2018 TO AMEND SECTION 161.081, CREDIT FOR TAX PAID TO ANOTHER MUNICIPALITY, OF CHAPTER 161, INCOME TAX, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, RELATED TO 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. Larick stated this is a standing item on the Committee of the Whole agenda pending the close of the 60 day window and the scheduled day to vote on October 22, 2018. RECOMMENDATION: October 22, 2019 Special Meeting ORD-0077-2018 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO LEASE AGREEMENT FOR PERSONAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY LOCATED AT ACADEMY PARK. Leeseberg stated that we are waiting on a revised exhibit from Towerco, Barr shared that it is expected by the next meeting. RECOMMENDATION: Back to Committee City of Gahanna Page 1 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 10, 2018 ITEM FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE ORD-0079-2018 TO AMEND SECTIONS IN CHAPTER 139, POLICE DEPARTMENT, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA. Chief stated that the Police Department has been working with Human Resources and the Safety Director on the Police hiring process to expand the applicant pool and make necessary changes, in section 139 currently there isn’t any language from ORC 124.41 regarding age limitations, we have added 139.04 which has language that mirrors state law, that no one who has reached the age of 35 prior to the date of original appointment shall be eligible for hire; McGregor objects to the age limitation of over 35 years, there could be a qualified candidate who is retired from the military and over 35, ORC 124.41 does say that, however it also states that as a Charter City we can also set an age limitation; Larick requested to know what the compelling reasons are for the change, and asked if this is the appropriate reason for the city to take; Chief stated that the compelling reason is that when an officer is hired in the department that the expectation or belief is that they will finish out their career in the City, the police retirement requirements have changed to a minimum age of 52 and 30 years of service, so someone who comes in at an age of over 35 would not reach retirement age until they are over the age of 65, policing takes a toll on the body, someone who is 65 cannot do the demands of the job as efficiently as someone who is younger, that is the intent of putting it in ORC 124.41, as the age of police retirement has changed it is increasingly difficult to reach retirement if you do not start before the age of 35; Larick wanted to know the expectations of a 65 year old police officer; Safety Director Thomas said the expectations are the same, officers have to be able to do the job, there is no guarantee of a desk job for an officer who is 65; Chief said the academy is physically demanding and grueling, sending someone who is 50 is not guaranteed to pass or physically get through it, most of the other cities mirror the ORC, the City of Toledo has the age of 39; Larick stated that without anything in city code then the ORC code is in effect; Ewald stated if the City wants to deviate from the age then we should have something in code. RECOMMENDATION: Regular Agenda ITEM FROM THE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES ORD-0080-2018 TO AMEND THE CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS. City of Gahanna Page 2 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 10, 2018 Cochran stated that they are requesting changes to the Civil Service Rules and Regulations to make modifications to the selection and hiring process for Police Officers and Police Radio Dispatchers, currently due to the long process in hiring, the department is losing good candidates, the proposed changes include the order in which some of the processes are completed, candidates will first take a written exam, physical fitness exam and panel interview prior to the background check process, another part of the process reviewed are the credits given, in order not to limit the candidate pool, it is recommended to remove the education credits and reduce the number of military credits given, the Civil Service Commission has reviewed the changes, once the eligibility list is created then the background check process including polygraph test and final interview with the Chief, will be given, the Dispatcher list will be good for two years in order to have a list of candidates to pull from; the process is still thorough, just the order has been changed. RECOMMENDATION: Consent Agenda ITEM FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE RES-0014-2018 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. Bury stated ORC requires a resolution to accept the amounts and rates for Real Estate taxes. RECOMMENDATION: Consent Agenda ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MR-0037-2018 MOTION RESOLUTION TO WAIVE FEES, PURSUANT TO SECTION 135.11 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, FOR THE MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP DIVISION OF FIRE, FOR THE INTERIOR DEMOLITION AND SUBSEQUENT RENOVATION OF THE FIRE ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING LOCATED AT 485 ROCK FORK BOULEVARD. Priestas stated Mifflin Township Division of Fire is requesting a waiver of the permit fees for the demolition and renovation of their administrative building. RECOMMENDATION: Consent Agenda City of Gahanna Page 3 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 10, 2018 MR-0038-2018 TO RE-APPOINT THOMAS WEBER TO THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA HOUSING COUNCIL (CRAHC) BOARD, TERM SET TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2018, TO ALIGN WITH OTHER BOARD AND COMMISSION TERMS. Larick stated that Thomas Weber’s appointment ended in July of 2018, and this appointment is to extend the appointment until to the end of the year. RECOMMENDATION: Consent Agenda Adjourn - 7:49 p.m. City of Gahanna Page 4