City Council

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, September 12, 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 September 12, 2022 I. Call to Order Mayor Lance Westcamp called the City Council meeting to order at 6:36 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 Chief Adams led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. Roll Call Present: 6 - Shawn M. Cleary, Edward Dildine, Jean Ann Hilbert, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett, and Jack Rupp V. Approval of Minutes - August 22, 2022 The August 22, 2022 City Council Minutes stand approved as submitted. #174-2022 City Council Meeting Minutes Attachments: City Council Meeting Minutes 8.22.2022.pdf VI. Business of Guests A. Robyne Lindsay Robyne Lindsay, 305 Walnut Street, addressed Council about the traffic flow around her house on days the City holds special events. She has lived at that address for 17 years and has dealt with the traffic flow during Groveport's 4th of July and Apple Butter Day events. Mrs. Lindsay enjoys all the festivities but would like to suggest an alternate route for traffic during events held at Heritage Park. Living on the corner, she gets traffic coming and going from all directions. It gets very congested and causes issues getting in and out of their driveway. One way east on Canal Street and north on Walnut Street on the day events City of Groveport Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2022 occur. She would think it would only entail posting a few signs in that area. She commented that the City used a shuttle bus to drop off and pick up people one year. They are okay with drop-off at the stop sign, but when vehicles come south on Walnut Street to go west on Canal Street, it causes traffic to become congested. Chief Adams knows what the issues are in that area. The shuttle bus coming down College Street, turning east on Canal Street to turn north on Walnut Street, would make the traffic flow more manageable. Bands come down the center area to a tent across from the old Hamler place. Directing the bands down Cherry Street to Wirt Road would be too difficult because of all the pedestrian traffic. The bands coming east on Canal Street to Walnut Street and across Wirt Road would also work. Signage and the Eastland Career Center cadets can direct the entertainment vehicles to the back of the bandstand. No legal measures are necessary to divert traffic during special City events. The City Administrator and Chief Adams are to follow up with Robyne Lindsay. VII. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings 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 Sponsors: Cleary Attachments: Ord. 2022-031 Exhibit A.pdf A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Dildine, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp B. 2nd Readings None C. 1st Readings Res. 2022-002 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS City of Groveport Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2022 DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND THE DECLARATION OF AN EMERGENCY Sponsors: Dildine Attachments: Res. 2022-002 Exhibit A.pdf Law Director Kevin Shannon advised staff had requested Council to consider making a motion to suspend the rules as to the three readings. If Council votes on this matter tonight and that vote is successful, the legislation will go into effect immediately. It is an appropriations ordinance (resolution) and will enable the City to meet the deadline with Franklin County. Finance Director Jason Carr cited the City received the request from the Franklin County Auditor's Office to approve the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission last week. Therefore, the reason for the emergency legislation. The City will certify inside millage of 1.4. The estimated collections for next year would be $567,092.53. A motion was made by Council Member Dildine, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to suspend the rules as to the three readings. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp A motion was made by Council Member Dildine, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp VIII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Westcamp thanked Ed Dildine, Madison Township, Groveport and everyone involved in Sunday's 911 Ceremony at Motts Military Museum. It was an excellent ceremony and the weather could not have been better. B. Administrator - BJ King Administrator BJ King announced that department budget meetings have started, and he appreciates the department heads' effort to work on their budget. He looks forward to presenting the budget to Council for the third time since being with the City of Groveport. Last Thursday, Mr. King attended the City's last Farmers Market for 2022 and went to the outdoor pool to watch the dogs swim at the annual City of Groveport Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2022 Dog Paddle Palooza. Families of 105 dogs enjoyed watching their pets have fun at the end-of-summer event. C. Chief of Police - Casey Adams Chief Casey Adams reported that Lieutenant Josh Short provided a summary of a twelve-day period of the Main Street school zone. The report shows 122,000+ vehicles went through the school zone with an average speed of just under 24 mph. Those traveling over the speed limit came through at an average of 28 mph. Most of these vehicles were coming into town instead of leaving town. Data shows 3,000 to 5,000 cars traveling through Main Street from 3:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. as peak times. With 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. as low traffic times. D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr Finance Director Jason Carr reported that the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) mailed 1,311 administrative subpoenas to taxpayers who did not file a 2021 tax return. Council Members should direct citizens approaching them with questions or concerns about a notice to contact Finance Director Jason Carr. He would be available to answer any questions and concerns. During the COVID -19 pandemic in 2020, RITA put out a notice regarding the impact of work-from-home refunds. At that time, Groveport's impact ranged from a decrease in revenue from 4% to 12%. If based on the City’s collections for withholdings in 2021 it could have been a decrease anywhere from $540,000 to $1.6 million. RITA just released the COVID work-from-home refunds, which were sixteen claims for $30,907.43. Groveport has not seen the impact that other communities have seen. This information can be used in the future if the work-from-home continues. E. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon Law Director Kevin Shannon had nothing further to report. F. Development Director - Jeff Green Development Director Jeff Green met with contractors and Little Italy architects to get ready to commence with the Wert's Grove building project. Thursday, he will meet with the contractors and architect for Delaney's in the Rarey's Port building. Both projects are to start on City of Groveport Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2022 September 26, 2022. G. Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett and Jack Rupp Council Member Rupp attended the football game on Friday and commented on the law enforcement presence; everything was quiet. Council Member Lockett agreed and noted the Groveport Madison School District did a good job putting the plan together and implementing it. Council Member Dildine thanked the police officers for the 21-gun salute at the 911 Ceremony. He thanked the City of Groveport for its support, the Motts Military Museum, and the support of the City Council and Mayor for attending the event. Mr. Dildine was thrilled with the turnout and the ceremony itself. Plans are already in the works for next year. H. Clerk of Council - Ruthanne Sargus Ross Clerk of Council Ruthanne Sargus Ross had nothing further to report. I. Standing Committees Trees & Decorations Committee Council Member Dildine met and approved the 2023 budget with minor changes. The budget includes Blacklick Haunted Park, Apple Butter Day, Heritage Holiday, and a general Trees & Decorations line item. The Committee is looking into ways to expand community involvement with these holidays and events. Also, to expand the holiday decorations on the City’s properties and encourage Groveport neighborhoods to compete on holiday lights. City crews completed the concrete pads under the benches at Elmont Place. The next scheduled Trees & Decorations Committee meeting is November 14, 2022. The Committee will have one make-up meeting in October to meet the required six meetings yearly to keep its Tree City USA designation. Brian Strayer keeps an extensive list of the tree inventory, the condition of trees, and what trees have been replaced and will need replacing. Apples have been ordered from Lynd Fruit Farm in Pataskala for Apple Butter Day. The City will give away 200 Melrose apples, the official apple of the State of Ohio, and 800 other types of apples. The Committee will raffle off twenty trees and hand out 300 apple-shaped cookies from Cheryl’s Cookies, if available. City of Groveport Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes September 12, 2022 IX. Other Business Executive Session Law Director Kevin Shannon requested Council to consider making a motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G) to discuss economic development matters to include all members of Council, the Mayor, himself, the Administrator, Finance Director and the Development Director. A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Rupp, to go into Executive Session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G) to discuss economic development to include all members of Council, the Mayor, Law Director, Administrator, Finance Director and the Development Director at 7:05 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Rupp, to come out of Executive Session at 8:13 p.m. with no action taken The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp X. Adjournment A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, seconded by Council Member Dildine, to adjourn at 8:13 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, 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 6