City Council

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, January 13, 2020 6:30 PM Council Chambers City Council Mayor Lance Westcamp Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett & Chad Grashel City Council Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 I. Call to Order by Mayor Lance Westcamp at 6:30 p.m. Staff Present: Jeff Green - Acting Administrator, Kevin Shannon - Law Director, Jason Carr - Director of Finance, Kurt Blevins - Police Captain Guests Present: The Guest Book is on file with the Clerk of Council. II. Moment of Silence The Mayor asked everyone to join him in a moment of silence. III. Pledge of Allegiance Newly appointed Administrator BJ King led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. Roll Call Present: 6 - Shawn M. Cleary, Edward Dildine, Chad T. Grashel, Jean Ann Hilbert, Becky Hutson, and Scott Lockett V. Approval of Minutes - December 16, 2019 Approved as submitted. #002-2020 City Council Minutes 12.16.19 Attachments: City Council Minutes 12.16.2019.pdf VI. Business of Guests A. Randy Maynard - Maynard's Towing Randy Maynard, 308 Holton Street, representing Maynard’s Towing, addressed Council on the matter of Council's recent passage of an ordinance regarding parking heavy trucks. The ordinance states heavy trucks can be parked in owners' driveways, but anything over 10,000 lb. cannot be parked on the street in residential areas. Mr. Maynard thought his tow truck, registered as weighing 7,800 lb., was covered under this new legislation parking in his driveway. But then he received a notice in the mail from the City of Groveport Property Maintenance Inspector stating that he was in violation of City of Groveport Codified Ordinances by parking his commercial vehicle in his driveway. The letter stated: The commercial vehicle parked onsite is prohibited in residential zoning districts and shall be removed from the premises. City of Groveport Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 §1177.08 LIMITATION OF PARKING IN RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS. Mr. Maynard does not work from home and doesn’t have a home office. His business runs police calls 24/7 and is required to be on site within 20 to 30 minutes maximum. Driving to the company’s office located north of Columbus to pick up the rollback tow truck and respond to the call would obviously be way in excess of 20 to 30 minutes. If Mr. Maynard couldn’t bring his truck home every night, his only other option would be to move out of Groveport. Law Director Kevin Shannon was made aware of this matter over the holidays and connected with Randy Maynard through email and phone calls. Mr. Shannon had indicated to Mr. Maynard that the City would not take any enforcement measures against his vehicle at this time. Mr. Shannon advised that he had to discuss the situation with Council, and tonight’s meeting was the first opportunity to talk to everyone together. The passage of Ordinance 19-043 pertaining to § 351.17 - OVERNIGHT PARKING OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES did allow vehicles to be parked in a driveway on the property. The original ordinance prohibited parking in any area of a residential district. Council then determined that the restriction would only be on any street or alley within the City of Groveport. There is a provision in § 351.17 as it relates to wreckers. Specifically saying, “ No person shall park or permit to remain parked, a wrecker or tow truck on any street in the City except when continuously and actively engaged in loading or unloading another vehicle or performing emergency vehicle repair service .” Mr. Maynard had pointed out to Mr. Shannon in §1177.08 the City has a zoning code that appears to conflict with what was done that relates to the § 351.17. The zoning code says for commercial vehicles: (a) Commercial Vehicles : (1) Not more than one truck limited to being a two-axle, four-tired pickup, panel or light truck, used strictly for commercial purposes, and which has operating characteristics similar to those of a passenger car shall be allowed per one (1) dwelling unit; (2) Trucks having dual tires on one (1) or more axles, or having more than two (2) axles, designed for the transportation of cargo, for commercial purposes and including, but not limited to tractor-trucks, trailers and semi-trailers ,shall not be allowed except in association with a home occupation, subject to approval in accordance with Section 351.17 of the Codified Ordinances and Section 1197.05 (Procedure for Authorizing a Conditional Use). Technically the City does not consider Mr. Maynard’s situation a home occupation. However, rather than Mr. Shannon just writing it off at that point and time and giving the Building & Zoning Department the go ahead to issue the enforcement notice and thus proceed, he feels Mr. Maynard should be apprised because he indicated to Mr. Shannon that City of Groveport Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 he knows of at least five other individuals within the City of Groveport who are also in violation of the same section code. Mr. Shannon had spoken to the Mayor about the situation over the holidays and advised that Council has to address the matter because the City now has an active violation on file issued by the City’s Property Maintenance Inspector as it relates to Mr. Maynard’s property. The City is not taking any enforcement with it at this time, but it needs to be decided what is to be done in the long run. As the code stands now, it can be indicated to Mr. Maynard that it is not a home occupation; therefore the vehicle cannot be there. Mr. Maynard would need to decide whether or not he wanted to apply for a home occupation as it relates to meeting the criteria to have some sort of satellite branch office in his home. After that process, §1134 gets into whether or not that particular use could occur within a residential district. It would be a matter for the Board of Zoning Appeals to make the decision as to whether or not that would be a permitted use. After further discussion, the matter was referred to the Committee of the Whole. VII. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings ORD. 19-073 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2004-082 THEREBY RENAMING THE LINKS AT GROVEPORT TO THE GROVEPORT MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE Sponsors: Lockett Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 19-073. A motion was made by Council Member Lockett, seconded by Council Member Hutson, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett B. 2nd Readings ORD. 19-078 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO SOLICIT BIDS AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR THE SANITARY PUMP STATIONS STAND-BY GENERATORS PROJECT Sponsors: Hutson Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No.19-078. City of Groveport Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 C. 1st Readings Ord. 2020-001 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PAY GRADE FOR THE HEAD LIFEGUARD CLASSIFICATION IN THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND THE DECLARATION OF AN EMERGENCY Sponsors: Cleary Acting Administrator Jeff Green explained that this, and the next Ordinance, is the chain reaction of bumping up the lifeguard pay grade. Law Director Shannon requested Council to consider making a motion to suspend the rules as to the three readings and the effective date. Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2020-001. A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to suspend the rules as to the three readings and the effective date. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett Council Member Cleary inquired if staff had any idea how much this would cost the City. Finance Director Jason Carr provided the changes in the dollar amounts from step to step in the pay grades. Mr. Cleary had concerns of where the money would come from to account for all the hours worked at the higher hourly rates. Mr. Carr assured him when the budget is being prepared, staff is quantifying that cost. Mr. Carr will bring back to Council a more accurate accounting of the costs in February. A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Dildine, to adopt as emergency legislation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett Ord. 2020-002 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PAY GRADE FOR THE ASSISTANT AQUATICS MANAGER CLASSIFICATION IN THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND THE DECLARATION OF AN EMERGENCY Sponsors: Dildine Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2020-002. A motion was made by Council Member Dildine, seconded by Council Member Cleary, to suspend the rules as to the three readings and the effective date. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett A motion was made by Council Member Dildine, seconded by Council Member Cleary, to adopt as emergency legislation. The motion carried by the following City of Groveport Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett VIII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Personnel Board of Review Mayor Lance Westcamp recommended to Council the appointment of Jack Rupp to the Personnel Board of Review for a three year term. A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Dildine, to appoint Jack Rupp to the Personnel Board of Review for a three year term. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett Planning & Zoning Commission Mayor Lance Westcamp recommended to Council the appointment of Becky Hutson to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a one year term. A motion was made by Council Member Lockett, seconded by Council Member Grashel, to appoint Becky Hutson to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a one year term. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett Records Commission Mayor Lance Westcamp recommended to Council the appointment of the Administrator, himself as Mayor, Kevin Shannon, Law Director; Jason Carr, Finance Director; Jean Ann Hilbert as Council Rep; and Ruthanne Ross, Clerk of Council; to the Records Commission for one year terms. A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Hutson, to appoint the Administrator, Lance Westcamp, Mayor; Kevin Shannon, Law Director; Jason Carr, Finance Director; Jean Ann Hilbert Council Rep; and Ruthanne Ross, Clerk of Council; to the Records Commission for one year terms. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett Trees & Decorations Committee Mayor Lance Westcamp recommended to Council the appointment of City of Groveport Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 Ed Dildine as Council Rep to the Trees & Decoration Committee. A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Lockett, to appoint Ed Dildine as Council Rep to the Trees & Decoration Committee. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett Mayor Lance Westcamp recommended to Council the appointment of Scott Clinger to the Trees & Decoration Committee for a four year term. A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Hutson, to appoint Scott Clinger to the Trees & Decoration Committee for a four year term. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett President Pro Tem Mayor Lance Westcamp opened up the floor for nominations for President Pro Tem for the two year term of 2020 and 2021. Council Member Lockett nominated Jean Ann Hilbert. A motion was made by Council Member Dildine, seconded by Council Member Hutson, to close the nominations. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett A motion was made by Council Member Lockett, seconded by Council Member Hutson, to approve Jean Ann Hilbert as President Pro Tem for 2020 and 2021. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett Vice Chair Mayor Lance Westcamp opened up the floor for nominations for Vice Chair for the two year term of 2020 and 2021. Council Member Lockett nominated Becky Hutson. A motion was made by Council Member Grashel, seconded by Council Member Dildine, to close the nominations. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett A motion was made by Council Member Lockett, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to approve Becky Hutson as Vice Chair for 2020 and 2021. The motion City of Groveport Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett B. Acting Administrator - Jeff Green Acting Administrator Jeff Green commented that the new City flags are in and the singled-sided ones are available to anyone who wants one. The larger double-sided sewn flags are displayed in all of the City's facilities. Mr. Green asked Council to finalize their orders for Groveport logo apparel. Mr. Dildine thinks the policy of limiting the annual amount for apparel to $40.00 for employees and the $80.00 limit for new employees needs to be looked into for reconsideration. That isn’t very much of an allowance for representing the City of Groveport when at meetings, training, events, et cetera. The City pays for shirts and boots for the Public Works employees in the range of $120 to $190 a year. The matter was referred to the Committee of the Whole meeting for discussion. #003-2020 Adm Report to Council - Jan 13 Attachments: Adm Report to Council - Jan 13.pdf C. Chief of Police - Ralph Portier Chief Portier was not present. Captain Blevins had nothing to report. D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr Finance Director Jason Carr hopes to get a written response within the next week or so to fill the vacancy in the Finance Department. He thanked Anna Krigbaum for her hard work. The Department managed to close the books on time, if not earlier than last year, while managing utilities and collections. Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA), the City’s tax collection agent, will be mailing out post cards informing residents and those conducting business in Groveport of the 2019 filing requirement. The City of Groveport is mandatory filing and RITA will be enforcing the mandatory filing from January 1 onward. Even if an individual had no income they still need to file an exemption. Mr. Carr would like to get with Southeast Messenger Editor Rick Palsgrove about putting another article in the paper to inform Groveport’s residents. E. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon City of Groveport Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 Law Director Shannon requested Council to consider going into Executive Session when Council reaches the item of Other Business on the agenda to consider employment and imminent litigation. F. Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett and Chad Grashel Council Member Cleary raised the matter of crosswalks at Main Street and Front Street. Mr. Green commented the crosswalks won't be put in until the paving on Main Street is finished. Mr. Cleary thinks putting down lines or dashes temporarily would be better than nothing since school is in session. Mr. Green will follow up on the matter and come back to Council. G. Clerk of Council - Ruthanne Sargus Ross Nothing to report. H. Standing Committees Council Member Dildine reported there was a Trees & Decorations Committee meeting tonight and Council will be forwarded the minutes as soon as they are available. IX. Other Business A. Executive Session Law Director Shannon requested Council to consider making a motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(1) to discuss the employment of a public employee and under (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. To include all members of Council, the Mayor, himself, the Acting Administrator, and the Finance Director. A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to go into Executive Session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G) (1) to discuss the employment of a public employee and under (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 at 7:15 p.m. To include all members of Council, the Mayor, the Law Director, the Acting Administrator, and the Finance Director. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett City of Groveport Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes January 13, 2020 A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to come out of Executive Session at 7:43 p.m. with no action taken. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett X. Adjournment Council Member Cleary made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hutson to adjourn at 7:44 p.m. All in favor stated AYE, None Opposed. Motion passed. __________________________________________ Lance Westcamp, Mayor __________________________________________ Ruthanne Sargus Ross, CMC Clerk of Council PLEASE NOTE: THESE MINUTES ARE NOT VERBATIM. A RECORDING OF THE MEETING IS AVAILABLE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS. City of Groveport Page 9