City Council

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, August 8, 2022 6:30 PM Council Chambers City Council Mayor Lance Westcamp Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett & Jack Rupp City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2022 I. Call to Order Mayor Lance Westcamp called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Staff Present: BJ King - Administrator, Kevin Shannon - Law Director, Jason Carr - Director of Finance, Casey Adams - 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 State Representative Richard Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. Roll Call A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Rupp, to excuse Council Member Ed Dildine from tonight's meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Dildine Yes: 5- Cleary, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp V. Approval of Minutes - July 25, 2022 The July 25, 2022 City Council Minutes stand approved as submitted. #154-2022 City Council Meeting Minutes 7.25.2022 Attachments: City Council Meeting Minutes 7.25.2022.pdf VI. Business of Guests A. State Representative Richard Brown State Representative Richard Brown tries attending City Council and Township Trustee meetings in his District to keep himself informed on what is happening in the communities. Representative Brown talked about how Ohio's redistricting has changed District 20, the District that includes Groveport. District 20 encompassed Whitehall, Reynoldsburg, parts of Columbus, along the eastern border of Franklin County to City of Groveport Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2022 Canal Winchester, Madison Township, Groveport, Obetz, Lockbourne, and Hamilton Township. Groveport is now in the new District Number 5, where Whitehall and Blacklick are gone, and the District picks up the southwest part of Franklin County up the west county line. Mr. Brown relayed that District 20 will now include Perry Township, Pleasant Township, Galloway, Pleasant Corners, Georgesville, and Harrisburg but not Grove City. The map had a small swath under Grove City to connect the southeast with the southwest part of the county. It is the largest geographic and one of the most rural districts in Franklin County. He hopes to continue to serve as the District's representative after November's election. Representative Brown thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to address them. B. Diane Holbrook - 185 Walnut Street Diane Holbrook, 185 Walnut Street, addressed Council on the school zone issues at Groveport Elementary and Middle School Central in April. She expressed concerns about the children's safety crossing the crosswalk at Wirt Road and Main Street. Ms. Holbrook commended Chief Adams' effectiveness with the "no U-turn" signs, the speed trailer, and patrolling the area. Unfortunately, only one sign had moved from a yard on Wirt Road to the school property since the matter was discussed at the last City Council meeting she attended. She showed Council pictures on her phone depicting no signs from the alley to Main Street on Wirt Road, except the one by Cron Alley (Drive), announcing a school zone or school crossing ahead. Ms. Holbrook showed pictures of the signage at the Log House that states there is a crossing 100' ahead that alerts drivers that there is a crosswalk where you may not expect one. Yet, when there is a crosswalk where one would expect it, there is no signage alerting drivers that they are coming up to it. The one with no signage is where children cross every day. Ms. Holbrook commented that the crosswalk at the Log House may get used twice or three times a year for special events. She showed pictures of the one sign at Cron Alley (Drive). Her grandson almost got hit there three times in two months. The School District has decided that the Wirt Road crosswalk is too dangerous for their 5-grade cross guards. It will be even more dangerous now with no crossing guards at the crosswalk. The cross guards will be at the bus drop-off areas across from Ace Hardware. At the meeting in April, she asked and thought the City had agreed on having it (School Zone) painted on the pavement. Ms. Holbrook said that Public Service Director Brian Strayer told her it would be painted on the pavement the City of Groveport Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2022 week after school was out. On Friday, the kids start school, and still no "school zone" wording on the pavement. Brian Strayer commented that when Diane Holbrook addressed this matter in April, he misunderstood what she wanted. Even in the conversation the two of them had last week, she requested that the crosswalk at Wirt Road and Main Street be painted green. Ms. Holbrook thinks green would be a better color but feels anything that shows there is a crosswalk would help. She displayed pictures from websites of options for school zone signage. If the crosswalk sign in front of Middle School Central with the flashing lights is not too much signage on Main Street, why would the same type of crosswalk assembly be too much on Wirt Road? She has been patient for the last five months and has called Mr. Strayer several times. Her concern is for every child that goes to those schools, and now there will be no adult supervision at that crosswalk, leaving children unprotected. When someone suggested volunteers patrol the crosswalks, Ms. Holbrook learned it would cost her $350 to $400 to get certified as a cross guard through the school. The head of the safety patrol teacher will no longer be at the crosswalk. She will be in the area directly in front of Groveport Elementary, where the sidewalk goes around the fountain to Main Street. The District moved the drop-off location to the Middle School Central area, where the pickup was last year. In past years, Groveport officers have been in the area of Groveport Elementary during drop-off times, and the school had a teacher at the crosswalks. Mrs. Hilbert is disappointed that the school won’t have adults out where the children cross the streets. Ms. Holbrook commented that in April, she left the Council meeting thinking there would be new signs. And Diane Holbrook commented that Mrs. Hilbert had said that she wanted the signs up by the end of spring break, and now it is the end of summer break. And there are still no new signs. That is very concerning to Ms. Holbrook. Mr. King noted there are several things at play here. First, there is the City’s responsibility and the school’s responsibility; both have an obligation to the safety of the students. Brian Strayer has spoken to Diane Holbrook several times, and some requests have been satisfied. The flashing sign is supposed to be in this Wednesday. The temporary signs are out on the street. Mr. King stated that the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which the City is bound by and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) enforces, says that crosswalks have to be white. There are also regulations on signs that can have flashing lights. Mr. King will contact the Superintendent of the Groveport City of Groveport Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2022 Madison School District. Mr. King commented that the City owns fifty percent of the responsibility to address the concern, so what can Groveport do now? Mr. Strayer is in attendance tonight to discuss anything further the City can do with signage to keep students safe. There is only so much the City can do from a legislative or government standpoint to address that crosswalk if there are no cross guards. Mr. Strayer stated that when the City moved the signs on Wirt Road up, his guess was about 150', closer to the intersection. Now that sign is about 300' from the corner. So the consideration would be whether there is enough signage close to the school. The sign is now at the school, so when a vehicle passes the sign, it can see the school. The problem is that when a driver is farther away, it sets them up to fail. The City never wants to set up drivers to fail. The City doesn't want to have too many signs in the area; the staff wants people to see the children and the other cars and not to be blind to all the signs. If more signage is needed, Public Works is prepared to install it by Wednesday's end of the day. The sign will be about 175' in the middle of the school zone on Wirt Road. Additional signage for a crosswalk/crossing at a stop sign is prohibited. The Ohio MUTCD prohibits any additional signage with a stop sign. The only other signs are street name signs and the small sign under the stop sign describing a “3-way stop,” “all-way stop,” etc. The reasoning is that when a driver sees that red octagon with white lettering, they know it means to come to a complete stop. If other signs are next to a stop sign, it pulls the driver’s attention away from the stop sign. As previously mentioned, green crosswalk lines are prohibited. The City can paint the words “school zone” on the pavement, but Public Works crews cannot do it by Friday. Mr. King will confirm the plan for crossing guards for the 2022-2023 school year with the school. Mr. Lockett asked if Mr. King had a chance to read the minutes from April 11, 2022, City Council meeting. Mr. King had a copy of the minutes in front of him, and there was no mention of painting “school zone” on the pavement. Mrs. Hilbert believes the City discussed that at another time, not at the April meeting. Mrs. Hilbert would also like the “school zone” on the Main Street pavement. Public Works is looking into obtaining the tools and materials to paint the wording on the pavement. The City would want to put down permanent materials. Contractors are backed up with the current construction season. The sign will be up by the end of the day Wednesday. The contractor is aware that getting it installed is a top priority as soon as they receive all the parts of the flashing light assembly. Mr. Strayer City of Groveport Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2022 hopes but cannot guarantee that the installation will occur on Thursday. In April, Mr. Strayer was told eight to ten weeks for repairs. We are months past that time frame. At the last meeting with the school, Chief Adams offered to have himself and his officers sit down and discuss safety matters with the school and the crossing guards. The Chief would strongly suggest that the crossing guards’ clothing be reflective and that they could carry more prominent stop signs. The school could place an adult staff member at the drop-off area along Main Street to help students get out of the vehicles and walk them to the building. Chief Adams will be at the Elementary Friday morning to monitor whether the number of children in the crosswalk changes in the morning and afternoon with the exterior construction completed on the Rarey’s Port building. Mr. King will contact the School District to verify their plan for the crossing guards. The City will get quotes to paint the pavement with “School Zone.” Once the flashing sign is back on Main Street, crews can remove the temporary speed limit sign and install an additional sign on Wirt Road. Mr. King will update Council on the situation after he talks to the school. Diane Holbrook expressed concerns about the flooding on Maple at Walnut Street. The City has been aware of the storm sewer problem for five years. The City won't repave her alley until the sewer gets repaired. When the stormwater goes down, it drains into her basement; there will be two feet of water every time there is good rain. Public Works ran a camera through the pipe to locate the leak. Last year The City did storm sewer work on Church Street, and work is getting done on Hickory Alley now. She wants her storm sewer repaired. Brian Strayer has worked with her to fix the ruts on Maple Street. The City told her to expect a contractor to be out in 30 days, but that hasn't happened. She wants her storm sewer to be a priority on the City's list of repairs. VII. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings None B. 2nd Readings Ord. 2022-028 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A ONEOHIO OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND AND THE DECLARATION OF City of Groveport Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2022 AN EMERGENCY Sponsors: Hutson Law Director Kevin Shannon requested Council to consider making a motion to amend the Ordinance in Section 1. After the word "purposes," add a comma and insert the following language: " including the retroactive application and/or administration of this ordinance to the date the federal money was received, July 15, 2022." In light of the fact that this legislation could not be acted upon as an emergency at the last meeting due to the number of Council Members present, the Finance Director indicated that the ordinance has to have the retroactive activity language in order to carry out the aims of the ordinance. Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2022-028. A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to amend Section 1. after the word purposes add a comma and insert the following language: " including the retroactive application and/or administration of this ordinance to the date the federal money was received, July 15, 2022." The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Dildine Yes: 5- Cleary, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp Law Director Kevin Shannon requested Council to consider making a motion to suspend the rules as to the three readings and the effective date. A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, 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: Excused: 1- Dildine Yes: 5- Cleary, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to adopt as emergency legislation. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Dildine Yes: 5- Cleary, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp Ord. 2022-029 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART NINE - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE, CHAPTER 929 - WATER REGULATIONS OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GROVEPORT Sponsors: Lockett Attachments: Ord. 2022-029 Exhibit A.pdf City of Groveport Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2022 Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2022-029. C. 1st Readings Ord. 2022-030 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO PURCHASE THREE (3) 2023 FORD HYBRID POLICE UTILITY VEHICLES, INCLUDING ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE STATE OF OHIO COOPERATIVE PURCHASE PLAN THEREBY WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING PURSUANT TO GROVEPORT CITY CHARTER SECTION 9.02(B) AND THE DECLARATION OF AN EMERGENCY Sponsors: Rupp Law Director Kevin Shannon requested Council to consider making a motion to suspend the rules as to the three readings and the effective date so the City can take advantage of this competitive process through the Ohio Cooperative Purchase Plan program. Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2022-030. A motion was made by Council Member Rupp, seconded by Council Member Lockett, to suspend the rules as to the three readings and the effective date. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Dildine Yes: 5- Cleary, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp Council Member Cleary encouraged Chief Adams to hold on to the cruisers the Department has now; they will be tough to come by shortly. Equipment will be available in 2023, but in 2024 Groveport won't find any. Chief Adams looked into many options and felt three vehicles through the OCPP was the best option. The 2023 budget will list the purchase of these vehicles as a capital item. A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, seconded by Council Member Lockett, to adopt as emergency legislation. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Dildine Yes: 5- Cleary, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp Ord. 2022-031 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO CONVEY AN EXTENSION TO THE DRIVEWAY EASEMENT PREVIOUSLY GRANTED TO DAVID AND JOELLEN STEBELTON IN ORDINANCE NUMBER 2006-035 City of Groveport Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2022 Sponsors: Cleary Attachments: Ord. 2022-031 Exhibit A.pdf Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2022-031. This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole. VIII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Lance Westcamp had nothing to report this evening. B. Administrator - BJ King Administrator BJ King reported that the cart path replacement project officially started today. The City has offered employment to one applicant for the HR Generalist position, hopefully starting with Groveport in two weeks. Mr. King will reach out to the Council Members regarding the applications received for the Assistant Clerk of Council position to see how the Council wants to proceed with the interviews. The position is Council appointed. Mr. King had emailed the Council about a motion for the City to take over maintenance and ownership of the entrance sign at The Orchard subdivision. For the City to take ownership of the sign, it would take a motion to authorize the City to accept the duty of maintaining the sign. Mrs. Hutson asked Mr. King to clarify why Groveport would take ownership of the sign. If Groveport owns and maintains the sign, then the City should have a say in the construction. If public funds are paying for the maintenance, then the City should take ownership of the sign. Mrs. Hutson asked if there would be a motion tonight and if Administration would notify the residents in the subdivision of this action. Mr. King advised that Council can postpone the motion to allow residents to speak on the matter. Mrs. Hilbert asked if the City took ownership or maintained any other development sign(s). Law Director Shannon commented that some subdivisions have Homeowners Associations (HOA) that fund and provide maintenance to their signs. There is not an HOA in The Orchard subdivision. Mr. Shannon is unaware of any incidences where the City of Groveport has taken on such maintenance. But as a general rule, the HOAs have the funding to take care of the entrance signs of their subdivisions. The answer is no. The City cuts the grass at the entrance of The Orchard because it is in the City's right-of-way, and the park is a City-owned property. The City of Groveport Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2022 contractor relocated the sign in the City's right-of-way with the completion of the Hendron Road project. Another entrance sign in a City right-of-way is at Grove Pointe. Public Service Director Brian Strayer pointed out that the Grove Point subdivision does not have an HOA, but there are a couple of condo associations. Some entrance ways are in City right-of-ways, and some are in reserves; private property as opposed to City-owned. Mr. Lockett asked if the City was setting a precedent to take over all the subdivision entranceways. Mr. King commented that there is always that risk when a decision would affect other situations. Other subdivisions could ask the City to take ownership and maintenance of entranceways and signs. Mrs. Hutson stated she thinks it would be good to keep the discussion open for those concerned about the sign at The Orchard. Mr. Lockett suggested that the Council Members who live in the Orchard subdivision possibly solicited their neighbors to contribute to the care and maintenance of the entrance sign. Mrs. Hutson took this approach with the City first. Her second approach would be to get a food truck in the neighborhood to get everyone together and see what the residents wanted to do about the sign. Mr. Lockett stated that some of the subdivision entranceways and signage are huge. He does not want to get into a situation where Groveport maintains all development entryways. Mr. Shannon responded that The Orchard subdivision predates his employment with Groveport. He does not know the circumstances, but Rockford was the developer, and homeowners have complained that Rockford never followed through with creating an HOA as promised. When new subdivisions come in now, there hasn't been an issue. Developers have set up an HOA upon completion of the project. Mr. King added that the responsibility for the ownership of such things is now written into the development text. #155-2022 Admin Report to Council Attachments: Admin Report to Council August 8 2022y.pdf C. Chief of Police - Casey Adams Chief Casey Adams reported that the new speed sign is now in front of Groveport Elementary School; it's much brighter than the City's previous signs. This new sign collects data, like the number of vehicles, speed, and peak times. D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr City of Groveport Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2022 Finance Director Jason Carr advised Council that the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) mailed 1,565 non-filer income tax letters for 2021. Mr. Carr believes that many of the 1,565 are people who may have income that may not be required to be taxed. Those individuals are still required to file an exemption form because Groveport has mandatory filing. RITA will request information to file a tax return or an exemption form. When taxpayers do not respond, it starts the subpoena process through the court. Council can direct any questions or concerns to Mr. Carr. Information will be in the Groveport Messenger, the City’s Facebook page, and website. E. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon Director of Law Kevin Shannon had nothing further to report. F. Development Director - Jeff Green Development Director Jeff Green had nothing further to report. G. Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett and Jack Rupp Council Member Rupp thanked everyone for excusing him last month while he was on vacation. It was enjoyable. He checked in with BJ King on what occurred with Council during his absence. Council Member Locket went to three City events in the last week. He hopes more people will take advantage of them. Council Member Cleary asked that everyone donate to the people of Kentucky. H. Clerk of Council - Ruthanne Sargus Ross Clerk of Council Ruthanne Sargus Ross had nothing further to report. I. Standing Committees Vice Chair Dawn Bellamy canceled last Wednesday's Cemetery Committee meeting due to a lack of a quorum. She was the only Committee Member present. IX. Other Business None. City of Groveport Page 10 City Council Meeting Minutes August 8, 2022 X. Adjournment A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Hutson, to adjourn at 7:23 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Dildine Yes: 5- Cleary, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp __________________________________________ 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 11