City Council

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, January 9, 2023 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 January 9, 2023 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 Chief Adams led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. Roll Call A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Cleary, to excuse Council Member Lockett from tonight's meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Lockett Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Rupp V. Approval of Minutes - December 19, 2022 The December 19, 2022 City Council Minutes stand approved as submitted. #002-2023 City Council Meeting Minutes Attachments: City Council Meeting Minutes 12.19.2022.pdf Introduction of New Police Officer Chief Casey Adams introduced Groveport’s newest police officer, Gregrey Martin. Gregrey comes from Streetsboro, Ohio, graduated from Ohio State University, and is fresh out of the academy. He started with the Department last Thursday. Officer Martin thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity and privilege to serve the City of Groveport. He introduced his girlfriend, Bailey Drossman, a Wexner Center Neurological ICU PA. City of Groveport Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes January 9, 2023 VI. Business of Guests Cheryl Irving Raver, 349 Tallman Street, gave kudos to Rick Palsgrove for his reporting of the City’s 2023 budget; his article was easy to understand. She also gave accolades to City Council and all the City staff who had worked hard on the budget. It was clear and, easy to understand, very transparent. Ms. Raver thanked the Police Department for all the work at the High School. She congratulated the twenty parents working on student discipline solutions with the School District and the police departments. But the bottom line is that we, the community, have a problem with the parents of the kids involved. At the worst or the most, they may be gang members themselves. At the very least, maybe they don’t know how to parent. Perhaps those parents can get involved in a compassionate way to guide and help them. When she was teaching and had to contact a parent about an issue with their child, most would ask what they could do differently at home to help the situation. That is not always the case these days. She asks that everyone still work toward a solution. She is proud of this Council, the City, and the Police Department for all they do. VII. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings Ord. 2022-048 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO SOLICIT BIDS AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR THE 2023 ANNUAL STREET MAINTENANCE PROGRAM Sponsors: Hutson Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2022-048. A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, seconded by Council Member Cleary, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Lockett Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Rupp Ord. 2022-049 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO SOLICIT BIDS AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR THE GOLF COURSE City of Groveport Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes January 9, 2023 DRIVEWAY PROJECT Sponsors: Lockett In response to Council Member Cleary, Administrator King stated that this bid for the Street Program would include all street maintenance under one package. That would give the City the best prices. Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2022-049. A motion was made by Council Member Rupp, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Lockett Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Rupp B. 2nd Readings Ord. 2022-050 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, CHAPTER 143, EMPLOYEES GENERALLY OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GROVEPORT, OHIO Sponsors: Hilbert Attachments: Ord. 2022-050 Exhibit A 143.05 Holidays.pdf Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2022-050. Ord. 2022-052 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO ISSUE REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE MOST DESIRABLE COMPANY OR FIRM, TO ENGINEER, DESIGN, AND ESTIMATE CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR THE SECOND FLOOR MUNICIPAL SPACE IN THE RAREY'S PORT AND WERT'S GROVE BUILDINGS Sponsors: Dildine Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2022-052. Ord. 2022-053 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO PURCHASE A JACOBSEN HR600, 11 FT WIDE AREA ROTARY MOWER AND A JACOBSEN ECLIPSE 360 TRIPLEX GREENS MOWER FOR THE GOLF MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE STATE OF OHIO COOPERATIVE PURCHASE PLAN THEREBY WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING PURSUANT TO GROVEPORT CITY CHARTER SECTION 9.02(B) Sponsors: Cleary City of Groveport Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes January 9, 2023 Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2022-053. Ord. 2022-056 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO PURCHASE A VENTRAC TRACTOR AND SNOW EQUIPMENT FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT UNDER THE SOURCEWELL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE PLAN THEREBY WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING PURSUANT TO GROVEPORT CITY CHARTER SECTION 9.02(B) Sponsors: Rupp Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2022-056. Ord. 2022-059 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO PURCHASE THREE (3) POLICE VEHICLES, INCLUDING ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT UNDER A COOPERATIVE PURCHASE PLAN THEREBY WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING PURSUANT TO GROVEPORT CITY CHARTER SECTION 9.02(B) Sponsors: Hilbert Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2022-059. C. 1st Readings Ord. 2023-001 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING SENIOR OPTIONS GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM, AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE ANY AGREEMENT NECESSARY TO RECEIVE SAID GRANT FUNDING AND THE DECLARATION OF AN EMERGENCY Sponsors: Hutson Law Director Kevin Shannon requested Council to consider making a motion to suspend the rules as to the three readings and the effective date in order to meet the deadline for this grant funding. Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2023-001. 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- Lockett Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Rupp City of Groveport Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes January 9, 2023 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- Lockett Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Rupp Ord. 2023-002 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES WITH THE DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCIL OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY GENERAL HEALTH DISTRICT 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. This legislation is normally passed in October or November of the previous year but the City didn't receive the proposed draft contract until last week. The contract effective date is January 1, 2023. Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2023-002. A motion was made by Council Member Rupp, 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- Lockett Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Rupp A motion was made by Council Member Rupp, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to adopt as emergency legislation. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Lockett Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Rupp Res. 2023-001 A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE RULES OF COUNCIL Sponsors: Lockett Attachments: Res. 2023-001 Rules of Council Exhibit A .pdf Law Director Kevin Shannon requested Council to consider making a motion to suspend the rules as to the three readings. The Charter provision specifically states that this Resolution is not subject to referendum, so if Council suspends the three readings and votes on this item tonight, this legislation goes into effect immediately. Clerk of Council Ross read by title Resolution No. 2023-001. A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Dildine, to suspend City of Groveport Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes January 9, 2023 the rules as to the three readings. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Lockett Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Rupp A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Dildine, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Lockett Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Rupp VIII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Lance Westcamp wished everyone a happy New Year. He looks forward to working with everyone in 2023. The Mayor thanked Cheryl Raver for the kind words she shared with Council; Council greatly appreciated them. B. Administrator - BJ King Administrator BJ King also looks forward to 2023 and continuing all the exciting activities, events, and projects in 2023. Mr. King announced that he would not be at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. Directors with department related legislation on the agenda will be in attendance to answer any questions. #003-2023 Admin Report to Council Attachments: Admin Report to Council Januaey 9.pdf C. Chief of Police - Casey Adams Chief Casey Adams reported in addition to the three new officers, Patrol Officer Shellie Rimmer is back on the street. She started last week getting reacclimated to patrol duty. By this spring, Chief Adams hopes to be back to full staff with no shift shortages. Officer Benner and Officer Bell patrol the area of State Route 317 and Groveport Road regularly in the evenings. There have been three fatal auto accidents in the last four months; one at Old Hamilton Road at Bixby Road, one on SR317 at Groveport Road, and one on SR317 south of Groveport Road. The bicycle patrol will be back out in the community this year. All new City of Groveport Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes January 9, 2023 officers will go through bike school to get bike certified. Chief Adams wants more bike patrol out in 2023 than there were last year. D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr Finance Director Jason Carr reported that Public Services Director Brian Strayer has a program that tracks labor and equipment costs for services provided by the City. Mr. Strayer said that the labor and equipment use costs for snow removal in December totaled $37,971.98. Mr. Carr remarked that, in his personal opinion, Groveport’s roads were in better condition than many of the surrounding communities. Mr. Carr and Administrator King received good news from Moody’s Investors Service. The City debt rating received a two-notch upgrade; from A2 to Aa3, which is considered high grade. It’s not common to receive a two-notch upgrade. Mr. Carr referred to a report from Moody’s Investors Service identifying the City's credit strengths: strong tax base; strong management and budgetary practices; and ample liquidity and reserves. The format for the budget that Council sees every year has stayed the same. But, the methodology that he and Administrator King have put into place have helped steer the City to have a positive fund balance at the end of every fiscal year. The budget process change has helped focus on Groveport’s increased reserves. Moody’s Investors Service has focused on the City’s golf course and aquatic center operations when determining the credit rating assigned, and the City subsidizing the golf course and aquatic center with General Fund dollars is considered a negative. The amount the City transferred to manage the budget in 2022 helped secure the rating upgrade. Mr. Rupp, on behalf of the City Council, directed Mr. King to draft a letter thanking the directors for their essential part in Groveport’s budget. E. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon Law Director Kevin Shannon had nothing further to report. F. Development Director - Jeff Green Development Director Jeff Green is updating all the business information to schedule visits. If Council is interested in participating in any of these visits, contact Mr. Green. This year a representative from City of Groveport Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes January 9, 2023 One Columbus (previously Columbus 2020), an economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region, will be invited to participate. One Columbus brings in a lot of resources. Mr. Green mentioned when Mrs. Hilbert was with him to visit Fluvitex, someone from Columbus One was with them as well. Mrs. Hilbert asked if Fluvitex had worked out the issue of getting employees to its warehouse. Mr. Green hadn't heard anything further about the matter. Since Groveport started its transportation program and with the upgrades at COTA, he thinks the issue has leveled out. The company hasn't said anything further on the subject. Mrs. Hilbert asked Mr. Green to follow up with Fluvitex on the matter and to let them know how much Groveport Council appreciates them. G. Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett and Jack Rupp Council Member Rupp plans to attend the School Board meeting on Wednesday. The Mayor mentioned the "Java with Jamie" event, where interested parties can have coffee at Starbucks with Groveport Madison School District Superintendent Jamie Grube. Council Member Hutson would like to participate in a couple of business visits. Mr. Green will have to let her know ahead of time to adjust her work schedule. Mrs. Hutson will not be available for January 17, 2023, Committee of the Whole meeting. Council Member Cleary commented on how remarkable John Jones's work for the community is and how he had cited the numbers of all the successes of the FireFighters 4 Kids organization. Council Member Dildine wished everyone a Happy New 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 reported that at tonight’s Trees & Decorations Committee meeting, members elected Scott Clinger as Chairperson and Leah Keller as Co-Chair for 2023. Plans are underway for the 2023 Tree City USA banquet at the Paddock Pub on April 19, 2023. Crews will start identifying trees on the Street Tree Inventory list that need attention. There are roughly 1,600 trees along the streets in the City of Groveport. The inventory list allows the City’s crews to schedule City of Groveport Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes January 9, 2023 maintenance and connect with Tree City USA and other municipalities to see what type of trees work best in specific circumstances. IX. Other Business None. X. Adjournment A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to adjourn at 7:08 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Lockett Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson 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 9