City Council

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, April 26, 2021 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 April 26, 2021 I. Call to Order by Mayor Lance Westcamp at 6:30 p.m. Staff Present: BJ King - Administrator, Kevin Shannon - Law Director, Jason Carr - Director of Finance, Ralph Portier - Chief of Police, Jeff Green - Development Director, Ruthanne Sargus Ross - Clerk of Council 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 Chief Portier led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. Roll Call A motion was made by Council Member Dildine, seconded by Council Member Cleary, to excuse Council Member Hutson from tonight's meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Hutson Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert and Lockett V. Approval of Minutes - April 12, 2021 The April 12, 2021 Minutes stand approved as submitted. #109-2021 City Council Meeting Minutes 4.12.2021 Attachments: City Council Meeting Minutes 4.12.2021.pdf VI. Business of Guests A. Richard Brown - State Representative District 20 Jeff LaRe - State Representative District 77 Richard Brown, State Representative for the 20th District which includes Groveport, and State Representative for the 77th District Jeff LaRe from the area of Pickerington where Chief Ralph Portier resides, gave tribute to Ralph Portier and presented him with a commendation from the State of Ohio House of Representatives. Mr. Brown read the City of Groveport Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes April 26, 2021 commendation and presented it to Chief Portier. Mr. LaRe added his accolades to Chief Portier having met Ralph in the 1990s after graduating from the Sheriff’s Academy in Fairfield. Mr. LaRe expressed his admiration for the Chief’s length of service; he has always been someone to look up to and he is thankful for his willingness to serve. Both congratulated the Chief on his retirement. VII. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings None B. 2nd Readings Ord. 2021-015 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING CREDIT/DEBIT CARD CONVENIENCE FEES FOR PAYMENTS RECEIVED BY THE GROVEPORT MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE Sponsors: Lockett Law Director Kevin Shannon requested Council to consider making a motion to amend Section 1 to read as follows, "That convenience fees for credit/debit card transactions processed through manual terminals or on-line payments located at the Groveport Municipal Golf Course shall be a fixed fee no greater than 3%.". That is the statement of the amendment. Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2021-015. A motion was made by Council Member Dildine, seconded by Council Member Cleary, to amend Section 1 to read as follows, "That convenience fees for credit/debit card transactions processed through manual terminals or on-line payments located at the Groveport Municipal Golf Course shall be a fixed fee no greater than 3%.". The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Hutson Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert and Lockett Ord. 2021-017 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AREA TAX INCENTIVE AGREEMENT WITH CA VENTURES RELATED TO THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION AND FUTURE REZONING AND DEVELOPMENT OF PARCEL NUMBERS 180-005225 AND 180-000279 Sponsors: Dildine City of Groveport Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes April 26, 2021 Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2021-017. Ord. 2021-018 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE GROVEPORT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION (HEREINAFTER "GROVEPORT CIC") TO SELL THE PROPERTY, LOCATED AT 384 WESTPORT DRIVE IN THE CITY OF GROVEPORT, OHIO PURSUANT TO OHIO REVISED CODE SECTION 1724.10(B) Sponsors: Hilbert Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2021-018. C. 1st Readings None VIII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Lance Westcamp reminisced back to 12 years ago when he, Council Member Cleary and Ralph Portier sat in an interview for Groveport’s Chief of Police. Ralph Portier has met and gone above all expectations the Mayor had for a Chief and from that day forward Mayor Westcamp knew he had made a friend for life. Chief Portier will be missed wholeheartedly. When he came to the City of Groveport he knew there was a little shakeup in the police department and was told that the department needed a leader. Today when Ralph Portier’s name is mentioned people know who he is. He has influenced so many lives even before coming to Groveport. He can walk away with his head held high knowing he did one of the best jobs, probably the most outstanding job, representing the City of Groveport in the position in which he served for the last 12 years. Mayor Westcamp credited Ralph's wife, Peggy Portier, he is where he is today because she has kept him going and has always stood beside him. Mayor Westcamp wanted to publicly declare from his heart that Chief Portier has done the greatest job during his long tenure here representing the residents of the City of Groveport and the Groveport Police Department. The Mayor stated to Ralph "I love you, I thank you and we wish you well in your retirement." Chief Portier was presented with his Council Chambers name plate. Mr. Cleary had the honor to be with the Mayor for Ralph Portier's City of Groveport Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes April 26, 2021 interview. At the time the police department, which is a little special to him, was in a bit of a turmoil. After the interview, Mr. Cleary was confident that they picked the right person to put the department back on the right path. The Chief led the police department with honor and respect and more, he had the connection with the residents of Groveport. The positive influence he put out in the City with his presence at City events and over his officers was always evident. Mr. Cleary thanked the Chief and was honored by his service. Mr. Dildine joked even though Chief Portier jumped ship from fire department service to police service he will let that slide for now. Mr. Dildine praised Chief Portier’s leadership, noting respect from a community starts with leadership, and he has embodied that in our police department. The residents of this community respect and respond to our police department. He will be missed by this community and definitely by this Council. The training he provided to the Madison Township Fire Department is still talked about today. The fire department always knew he had their backs and they had his back. Mr. Dildine closed with “Always know that the door is always open and enjoy your retirement to the fullest”. Mr. Lockett personally thanked Ralph Portier who was with Groveport before Mr. Lockett was on board. The Mayor talked about Chief Portier excessively and everything he said was right on board. Mr. Lockett had a personal note for Chief Portier that he would give him after tonight’s meeting. Mr. Grashel didn’t have the long history working with Chief Portier as the others but when he came on board as a Council Member the Chief was very warm and welcoming, making sure Mr. Grashel was comfortable. This community loves and respects our police department. A team is a reflection of leadership which Chief Portier has brought to the department as much as Council could possibly ask. As past events have shown, the love and respect transcends beyond Groveport. Mrs. Hilbert commented that everything she had said to Chief Portier last week stands true tonight. The Chief’s leadership is the main thing he has shown this community plus the love and respect he has for his officers and also for the residents of Groveport. As Mr. Grashel commented, that love and respect transcends beyond our community. Chief Portier loves and respects people, is out to protect and serve and has made a lifelong commitment to that service. Groveport is fortunate to have had his leadership for the last 12 years. Mrs. Hilbert wished Ralph and his wife, Peggy, the best. Chief Ralph Portier thanked everyone. “It has been a great ride. I’m City of Groveport Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes April 26, 2021 tired but all of you have directed and guided me, I am because of all of you” Mayor Westcamp added that the Chief may be retiring but they will definitely keep in touch. B. Administrator - BJ King Administrator BJ King reminded Council about the Arbor Day celebration on Friday at 11 a.m. being held at the cemetery. The event will be very similar to last year’s celebration. The Trees & Decorations Committee is invited to attend as well as City Council. The 2021 Street Maintenance Program is underway, Administration is hoping to have it wrapped up fairly quickly this year. Last Friday, Kyle Lund and Seth Bower had a meeting with the Franklin County Board of Health in regard to the outdoor swimming pool. They are finalizing the operations plan in the next few days to share with Council and to get the word out to the community on what the City will be doing to open the outdoor pool this season. Mr. King only got to work with Chief Portier for a year, but he has enjoyed every single day. He thanked the Chief for welcoming him to Groveport and wished him an enjoyable retirement. #110-2021 Admin report to Council April 26 2021 Attachments: Admin report to Council April 26 2021.pdf C. Chief of Police - Ralph Portier Chief Portier noted that Sergeant Casey Adams intended to be present at tonight's meeting but with only two officers out tonight, he elected to stay out on the road himself. D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr Finance Director Jason Carr reported that the department will be implementing ACH payments for vendors to modernize the City’s payment structure, to save costs, and expedite the process to pay vendors. After some training with the vendor, Mr. Carr looks to have the new process implemented by the end of May 2021. #111-2021 Finance_Director_Report_04_26_2021 Attachments: Finance_Director_Report_04_26_2021.pdf E. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon City of Groveport Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes April 26, 2021 Law Director Kevin Shannon addressed Chief Portier stating “It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with you all these years”. He reminisced about the days of late hours and outside agencies' involvement in personnel matters during all the turmoil within the police department. Then, Ralph Portier came in as Chief of Police, and even with having all the pieces, it’s one thing to have all that talent but one has to be able to mold that talent to work together as a cohesive unit and team, and he was able to do that in an amazing fashion. He is well-respected and thought of in this community. Mr. Shannon noted that as a representative of the Groveport Police Department in the courts, Groveport is very well-thought of and known to have a well-trained and professional police department which Mr. Shannon thinks reflects on Chief Portier. When he first met the new Chief, Mr. Shannon offered him all his phone numbers for when the Chief calls him at night. Chief Portier stopped him and asked when he called him at night, what are you talking about? Mr. Shannon said he got calls at 2, 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning. Chief wanted to know why they were calling him. They call in case they have questions. The Chief stated the way this would go is, they should call him (the Chief) and if by chance the Chief runs across something, which is a rarity, he will call Mr. Shannon. Mr. Shannon recalled that Chief Portier never called him which is a testament to his leadership. He thanked the Chief and told him to go enjoy himself. F. Development Director - Jeff Green Development Director Jeff Green updated Council on the matter of the animal hospital. They met with the owners last week and they are still plowing through the short sale on the property next to them. Dr. Land expressed some great ideas that Mr. Green thinks Council would like to see. The City is working with them on some parking issues that they are struggling with right now. The Rarey’s Port Building groundbreaking will be on July 27th with construction beginning on July 28th. The Wert’s Port Building will be August 12th. There are 30 vendors and 5 food trucks signed up for the Third Thursday event at Cruiser Park. Mr. Green commented that he and Chief Portier often butted heads but it never felt like that. They always got along and could laugh at the end of the day. They have accomplished a lot in the last few years including the great building housing the police department. City of Groveport Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes April 26, 2021 G. Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett and Chad Grashel H. Clerk of Council - Ruthanne Sargus Ross Mrs. Ross stated she was grateful that she had the opportunity to work more closely with Chief Portier the last 9 years and very thankful for his leadership and friendship. I. Standing Committees Council Member Cleary had sent pictures to the other Council members of the work being done at the Groveport Cemetery. The concrete walk and pad will be very helpful to those with a wheelchair or other walking aids. When the podium is set it will look great. Mayor Westcamp saw the site on Saturday and noted it looks excellent. The Cemetery Committee’s commitment to this project is much appreciated. The first Cemetery Committee meeting with its new member is next week. IX. Other Business None. X. Adjournment A motion was made by Council Member Dildine, seconded by Council Member Cleary, to adjourn at 7:00 p.m.. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Hutson Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Grashel, Hilbert and Lockett __________________________________________ 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 7