Committee of the Whole

200 South Hamilton Road City of Gahanna Gahanna, Ohio 43230 Meeting Minutes Committee of the Whole Brian Metzbower, President Stephen A. Renner, Vice President, Chair Jamie Leeseberg Karen J. Angelou Brian D. Larick Nancy R. McGregor Michael Schnetzer Kimberly Banning, Clerk of Council Monday, February 11, 2019 7:00 PM Council Committee Room CALL TO ORDER Chair Renner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION - Kaye Dickson, Director of Franklin County Animal Care & Control: Role & Responsibilities Kaye Dickson Director of Franklin County Animal Care and Control; hired in August of last year; before that spent 32 years as a law enforcement officer; moved to Arizona and came back to Ohio; we enforce Chapter 955 for dogs under Ohio Revised Code; we only deal with dogs, no other animals; here for any calls on any dog related matters; some statistical information which was gathered is from 2016 to 2018; total calls for service was 248 calls for service; Columbus had 34,051; calls for Gahanna were 248; total bites were 5; dog on dog were 4; dog to person, no bites were 2; total dangerous dogs were 5; total police assists were 25; really not too bad over a 3 year period. Larick asked if calls were from Gahanna Police, the general public, or a combination. Dickson said the 25 were police assists, the others could have been from public or generated through the police department. Larick asked what cities in Franklin County are covered. Dickson said all; we have 24 hour coverage to service all cities. Larick asked what goes into the assessment of the decision on what to do about the dogs. Dickson asked him to be more specific and Larick asked about the most recent occurrence in Gahanna. Dickson said they investigate the same way as police officers do; try to find the facts; interview witnesses; if citation warranted then they issue it; return dogs to owners if possible City of Gahanna Page 1 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 11, 2019 and if not then they are taken to the County. Larick asked what kind of circumstances would allow a person on site to quarantine a dog. Dickson said there must be a bite on a human in order to quarantine a dog; dog is held for 10 days; can pick up dogs when they don’t know who the owner is and attempt to locate an owner; can also pick up a dog if there’s a search warrant. Larick asked about search warrant. Dickson said if there’s probable cause; if they believe there’s a dog who has done imminent danger to someone else or is in imminent danger; many reasons for getting a search warrant. Larick asked if the most current situation in Gahanna would have been a case where a search warrant could have been issued. Dickson said she had not read the entire case so she doesn’t know of probable cause. Larick asked if she had a chance to review Gahanna’s new ordinance. Dickson said no. Larick said not much had changed except fees; looking for recommendations for strengthening them. Dickson said would look for root cause; if what you are looking for is to prevent this from happening in the future then would look more towards spaying and neutering resources; or grant funding; even making that program available despite income; training resources available at the shelter; have diversion programs for people who have been cited; positive reinforcement. Larick said in the last 16 years the structure of the code has changed and we are seeking to modernize the code. Dickson said a lot of what they do is diversion; fines and fees can be waived if successful. Larick asked for statistics on spaying and neutering animals, does that make them less aggressive. Dickson confirmed; removing hormones removes the drive. Larick asked if there are any legal restrictions to writing code demanding spaying and neutering. Dickson said that’s a legal question, but can have incentives such as decreased fees for spayed and neutered animals. Renner thanked Dickson for her time. - Mark Boyd, U.S. Census Bureau: 2020 Census Presentation ITEM FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE MR-0006-2019 TO CONFIRM APPOINTMENT OF FIRE CHIEF OF MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP, FRED KAUSER, AND FOR THOSE AREAS SERVED BY JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT, FIRE CHIEF OF JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, BRAD SHULL, THE MUNICIPAL FIRE SAFETY INSPECTORS FOR THE PERIOD OF APRIL 1, 2019 City of Gahanna Page 2 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 11, 2019 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2020. Chief said this is for fire inspectors; pursuant to code, must annually appoint fire inspectors. Recommendation: Consent Agenda. ITEM FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY ORD-0015-2019 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND ADOPT THE PAY PLAN ADMINISTRATION POLICY, RETROACTIVE TO JANUARY 1, 2019; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. Ewald said during the last meeting we had discussion about Sections 7 of the pay plan policy, in regards to positions held concurrently; Larick had a question about that; Larick said under 4b, Sections 8 and 9; for 4b, 8, 9, would like to change so that council controls the pay or he would like those removed. Ewald said without HR director here to answer; he thinks those are hourly employees versus salary employees; would have to confer with HR; for section 7, language change had to do with director and interim being selected by Mayor per Charter. Larick said this is an automatic change in pay; given current situation, the ask is for the pay to be approved by Council or eliminate the section. Ewald needs time to review sections. Larick said he does not know what is the will of Council; considering the current economic situation. Mayor asked if this was the same change as before, when making adjustment to council office staff; this would be a new request. Ewald confirmed. Larick said he’d help with language. Recommendation: Back to Committee on 2/25/2019. ITEM FROM THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR ORD-0019-2019 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH BALDWIN GROUP INC., FOR MAYOR'S COURT SOFTWARE, ONLINE DOCKETING & PAYMENTS MODULE, AND TO SIGN A STANDARD DISCLAIMER, FOR THE INSTALLATION OF NEW COURT SOFTWARE. Franey read from attached report. Leeseberg asked if Ewald had City of Gahanna Page 3 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 11, 2019 reviewed; he said yes. Leeseberg asked if this comes out of the Court Fund. Ewald confirmed. Recommendation: Consent Agenda. ITEMS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF SERVICE & ENGINEERING Priestas said the first 3 items are routine supplemental requests. ORD-0020-2019 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - Fleet Program Auction Proceeds. Recommendation: Consent Agenda. ORD-0021-2019 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION- Insurance Claim Proceeds. Recommendation: Consent Agenda. ORD-0022-2019 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION - Water Meter Proceeds. Recommendation: Consent Agenda. ORD-0023-2019 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH CLARKE ENVIRONMENTAL MOSQUITO MANAGEMENT INC., FOR MOSQUITO MANAGEMENT. Priestas said the item is for mosquito management; 3 year contract with optional extensions. Recommendation: Consent Agenda. ORD-0024-2019 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A WORKING AGREEMENT WITH FRANKLIN SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT (FSWCD) FOR NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) STORMWATER COMPLIANCE. Priestas said this is for EPA requirements that the city must meet; revolves around 6 control measures. Recommendation: Consent Agenda. ORD-0025-2019 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A WORKING AGREEMENT WITH FRANKLIN SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT (FSWCD) FOR NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION (IDDE) COMPLIANCE. Priestas said this is for EPA requirements that the city must meet; City of Gahanna Page 4 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 11, 2019 revolves around 6 control measures. Recommendation: Consent Agenda. ORD-0026-2019 TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A REAL ESTATE PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH FOUR PROPERTY OWNERS FOR EASEMENT ACQUISITION FOR THE HEIL DRIVE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT; ST1047. Priestas said this is for the construction of Howland Dr. scheduled for this summer. Recommendation: Consent Agenda. MR-0007-2019 MOTION RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE & ENGINEERING PERMISSION TO BID THE 2019 STREET PROGRAM ST1064 AND DETROIT STREET REBUILD. Priestas said this is a request for permission to bid for the 2019 street program; shooting for end of February; finalizing a few things, then will have the list of streets. Recommendation: Consent Agenda. ITEM FROM THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS & RECREATION 2019-0021 DRAFT Citywide Master Trail Plan Barr stated this is a draft; connecting to the Big Walnut Trail; section 8 is last section; a lot of east to west connection into Olde Gahanna; not vetted to public for input yet; police and council would also get involved at that point; worked with Jones for TIF district; added in where potential funding could come from; would take input from Schnetzer. Schnetzer said this first began in Infrastructure Committee from last spring; not official and not necessarily going to get done; asked Barr for a general price tag. Barr said estimated guess is $7 million but may be closer to $10 million; the idea was we weren’t trying to connect to each neighborhood; trying to get to major thoroughfares; Schnetzer said we hear this all the time; top desire is to have walkability; keep from driving; he said this is just a draft and concept for now. Jones said tech center drive walking path is widely used by one of our largest employers; employees use the path throughout the day; want to build connecting loops as it improves their quality of life. Priestas said City of Gahanna Page 5 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 11, 2019 MORPC has identified this as beneficial. Leeseberg said Jadwin may be able to weigh in. Jadwin said having a vibrant parks system here is key to tourism; shows one of the first factors for drawing business and residents is having nice parks and trails; connectivity is key to the future of Gahanna. Schnetzer asked what year was Big Walnut Trail first section put in. Barr said early 2000; section 8 connects to the Pizurro Park; goes to Whitehall; gets to downtown. Schnetzer asked about draft land use plan. Jones said only other area of conern for walkways was the sidewalk conditions. McGregor said 81% want connectivity; have been consistent. Leeseberg said he’s glad to see Morse Rd. widening; thanked Rob for Clotts Rd. for those sidewalks. Renner asked what the next step in the process is. Schnetzer said he’d like to see this get out to the community to see what the concept is. ITEMS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ORD-0018-2019 TO REZONE 3.87 +/- ACRES OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 219 NORTH HAMILTON ROAD; PARCEL ID NO. 025-002808; CURRENT ZONING COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (CC); REQUESTED ZONING RESTRICTED INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT (RID); MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES; NANCY WHITE, APPLICANT. Jones gave a presentation on the project; explained process for zonings; provided summary. Applicant Jack Reynolds said we have gone to Planning Commission before with other applications; looking to add fire department; serve variety of different purposes; central location in the community; working with Moody-Nolan for Final Development Plan and Design Review applications; building will look like building on Ridenour; brick; fire chief working with Nancy White. McGregor said this is a good use at this location; asked where will kids learn to park since they used to use that empty parking lot. Schnetzer said seems like a good project; he’d like to see green infrastructure. Applicant said yes, that is an option. McGregor asked about detention plan. Reynolds said looking at underground retention with release into the storm water which runs into Carpenter. Mayor said looking at joint dispatching; gain more space and cut costs; ask Chief to look into the opportunity. Chief Spence said we tried to encapsulate on technology operations and collaborate; will have update to give to council; met 3 times; looking at grants and all options; this has been on the city’s radar for a long time; intent is to present a synopsis of everything that has been brought today; designation rolled out on the county level; this is a great opportunity; blue prints have been written in Dublin. Leeseberg said he attended citizen police academy. City of Gahanna Page 6 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 11, 2019 Renner asked for the timeline and Reynolds said the First Reading would be 2/18/19, Second Reading and Public Hearing would be 3/4/19. Recommendation: First Reading on 2/18/19 and Public Hearing on 3/4/19. ADJOURNMENT By Renner at 8:21 p.m. City of Gahanna Page 7