City Council

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, February 13, 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 February 13, 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 C. Shannon - Law Director, Jason Carr - Director of Finance, Casey Adams - Chief of Police, Brian Strayer- Public Services Director, Steve Farst - City Engineer, 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 - January 23, 2023 The January 23, 2023 City Council Minutes stand approved as submitted. #024-2023 City Council Meeting Minutes Attachments: City Council Meeting Minutes 01.23.2023.pdf VI. Business of Guests A. Groveport Madison School District - Presentation of the Revenue Sharing Check Finance Director Jason Carr explained that the City of Groveport has a revenue-sharing contract with the Groveport Madison School District for specific parcels within the City's CRAs (Community Reinvestment Areas). The City sharing the generated income tax revenue with the School District goes back many years. Since 2005, the City has contributed close to $21 million relative to income tax through the school revenue sharing program. City of Groveport Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2023 Mayor Westcamp announced that he would present Groveport Madison Superintendent Jamie Grube with a check for $1,197,067.38. Mr. Grube introduced Groveport Madison Board of Education President LaToya Dowdell-Burger, Board Vice President Seth Bower, School District Treasurer Felicia Drummey, and Deputy Superintendent Paul Smathers. Mr. Grube appreciates the revenue sharing with the City of Groveport. It helps support educational opportunities. The symbiotic relationship between Groveport, Madison Township, and Groveport Madison Schools shows they all work together. B. Cheryl Raver-Irvins Cheryl Raver-Irvins, 349 Tallman Street, addressed Council on the mental health facility seeking a use variance on Blacklick Street. Mrs. Raver-Irvins asked if it was a for-profit or a non-profit business. Administrator BJ King commented that he was unsure if the company was for-profit or non-profit. Mr. King conveyed that the Ordinance had a first reading at Council, where it was referred to the Planning & Zoning Commission. The Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend disapproval of the application. The Ordinance will come back to City Council for a second reading on February 27, 2023. The third reading and public hearing will be on March 13, 2023, at the City Council meeting. Mrs. Raver-Irvins is concerned that if the facility is for profit, there needs to be some sort of oversight so that the facility will well serve the people seeking help. Mrs. Raver-Irvins wanted to know where the City was on deciding the matter of KidSpace. Mr. King advised that KidSpace will be part of the discussion during tonight's Executive Session. She asks that City Council consider that the building serves as a polling site and the mural's preservation by moving it to a safe environment. VII. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings None B. 2nd Readings None City of Groveport Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2023 C. 1st Readings Ord. 2023-005 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO PURCHASE A NEW HOLLAND TRACTOR FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT UNDER THE SOURCEWELL 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 in order for the City to take advantage of the competitive pricing off of the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchase Plan. Council Member Rupp asked staff to elaborate on the need for the emergency language in this legislation. He is concerned that the public may think this Council passes too many ordinances and resolutions by emergency measure. Administrator King stated it comes down to the supply chain.There is one available to the City now if the legislation passes tonight. Public Services Brian Strayer confirmed the dealer has a tractor on the lot and no one knows when they will get more. If Groveport doesn't move forward on this one, the City will get one eventually. But no one knows when or what the price would be until one becomes available. Early last year when Public Services bought the snow truck, staff was told the dealer couldn't get the truck and the price increased by $10,000, give or take. The fact that this dealer has the tractor, not only delivers the tractor to the City but it also ensures that the City is locked in with that price. Mr. King added that the New Holland tractor replaces a 1986 tractor that is unreliable and hard to find replacement parts and implements. The Department has two tractors. This tractor will allow crews to mow behind guardrails which they could never do with the current equipment. The new equipment and attachments will increase the safety of the City's workers. Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2023-005. 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: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett 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: City of Groveport Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2023 Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp Ord. 2023-006 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO PURCHASE A MOTRIM MOWER ASSEMBLY, AND UPFIT FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICES 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: Hilbert Law Director Kevin 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. 2023-006. A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Dildine, to suspend the rules as to the three readings and the effective date. 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 Dildine, to adopt as emergency legislation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp Ord. 2023-007 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE RESERVATION OF TWO (2) PARKING SPACES FOR THE BIRCH TAVERN IN THE CITY'S PARKING LOT LOCATED BEHIND THE STATED PREMISES Sponsors: Lockett Clerk of Council Ross read by title Ordinance No. 2023-007. This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole. VIII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Lance Westcamp and Administrator King will meet with Warren Motts this week to shore up some plans for Memorial Day. Plans for the Fourth of July are already in motion. There will be some new things going on this year that the Mayor will share later. Administration will finalize the plans for Memorial Day this week. City of Groveport Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2023 B. Administrator - BJ King Administrator BJ King spoke to both of the owners of the businesses in the two new buildings about how thrilled they are with the way things are going. A few things needed tweaking, but everything is going well. Mr. King had previously communicated with Council about the landscaping in front of the Municipal Building. Administration has tapped into the experience, knowledge, and skill of the City's Parks staff and Public Services Director Brian Strayer to develop a new landscape plan around the building. The goal is to open the space to make it more consistent and current. Work started on the project today by removing some trees and shrubs. Mr. King is excited to see the plan moving forward and that the Parks crew had the opportunity to weigh in on the design. Council Member Hilbert suggested a sign be placed out front of Delaney's Diner to direct people to its entrance at the back of the building. Mr. King will follow up with Brian Strayer about a sign. Council Member Rupp commented on all the accidents at Hendron Road and State Route 317. In particular, going north on Hendron Road to SR 317, a lot of vegetation blocks the view of vehicles coming around the curve. He wanted to know if the vegetation was the City's responsibility or the State of Ohio's. Mr. Strayer has talked to Walt Wagner, Public Works Maintenance Superintendent, about the need for vegetation to keep the bank from erosion. Mr. Strayer agrees with Mr. Rupp that crossing the intersection is a challenge. The new mower will allow crews to trim down the vegetation at least as far down as the implement will reach. Staff can evaluate what to do from that point on once crews trim it back. It is very steep, which makes it challenging to maintain. #025-2023 Admin Report to Council Attachments: Admin Report to Council February 13.pdf C. Chief of Police - Casey Adams Chief Casey Adams announced that while he and Sergeant Westhoven were looking into vehicles, they learned that Groveport Police Department’s name was still on two Fords that the Department placed an interest in a while back. The dealer asked if Groveport wanted to give up the two vehicles, and he said no, the Department intends to hold onto them. Mid to late summer is the earliest the City can expect to see the delivery of vehicles. The other vehicle found was a 2021 City of Groveport Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2023 Ford F150 pickup truck in New York. It is a brand-new vehicle with 600 miles on the odometer when it hit the City’s lot. Mayor Westcamp and Administrative staff went in and purchased the truck. The Department is still figuring out how to outfit the truck properly for the street, but this purchase makes sense with all the trailers and equipment the Police Department moves around the City. The Department was notified this week that it would receive a little over $58,000 in grant funding for body cameras. 2023 is the last year of the lease agreement with Axon. This grant will help the Department tremendously when shopping around for body cameras. D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr Finance Director Jason Carr advised the police pickup truck will be paid out of capital appropriations for the 2023 budget. The pickup truck is one of the three (3) police vehicles in the 2023 budget. Three (3) police vehicles were encumbered in the 2022 budget that were carried over to 2023. The City still has funding for five (5) vehicles if they become available. The grant dollars Chief Adams referred to has Finance bringing an appropriations ordinance before Council at the end of this month. There is a local match tied to that grant, but that local match is already included in the budget. 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 was not present. G. Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett and Jack Rupp Council Member Jean Ann Hilbert quipped that she would be walking more with new food establishments in Groveport. This development has been a long time coming. It is great news for the City. Council Member Ed Dildine commented on the good reports from social media, which is what everyone reads anymore. Mr. Dildine suggested holding a Committee of the Whole meeting at the Groveport Elementary School since it will turn 100 years this year. The City could invite the Groveport Madison School Board to attend. Council Member Becky Hutson commented it’s a wonderful experience, and she loves the two new buildings. Both are packed already. They are a great City of Groveport Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2023 addition to our City. Council Member Scott Lockett thinks it’s nice having the two buildings. Seeing them filled with all the people has got to translate into them walking back and forth between the two. Council Member Jack Rupp reported on the February 8th School Board meeting. The Board recognized the Groveport Madison High School Competition Cheerleading Team for winning the Ohio Capital Conference Buckeye Division varsity championship. They took first place in the 2023 AmeriCheer Buckeye Cheer Open Nationals. Next, they will compete in Virginia Beach. The Board also recognized Black History Month and introduced an app that allows parents to track the location of their child’s bus. The School District is entering into a safe route discussion with Franklin County Engineers and the State of Ohio to look at accidents and traffic and find safer bus routes. Other topics of discussion involved safety equipment for the high school, school curriculum changes, and a report from the District’s Human Resources Director on the number of students disciplined and the type of incident. Council Member Shawn Cleary congratulated Ed Dildine on being handed over Badge One. Badge One is worn by the most senior member of the department. Firefighter Ed Dildine became the longest serving active duty member of the department following the departure of Firefighter Larry Baugess. H. Clerk of Council - Ruthanne Sargus Ross Clerk of Council Ruthanne Sargus Ross had nothing further to report. I. Standing Committees Council Member Shawn Cleary informed Council that he will report on the February 1, 2023 Cemetery Committee meeting at next week's Committee of the Whole meeting. There will also be a brief presentation on the new cemetery software. IX. Other Business Executive Session Law Director Kevin Shannon advised that staff 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 and eminent and/or pending litigation to include all members of Council, the Mayor, himself, the Administrator, Finance Director and City Engineer Steve Farst. A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member City of Groveport Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2023 Hutson, to go into Executive Session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G) to discuss economic development and eminent and/or pending litigation to include all members of Council, the Mayor, the Law Director, the Administrator, the Finance Director and City Engineer Steve Farst, at 7:04 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote:. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp Law Director Kevin Shannon advised the Mayor, that the record should reflect that Mr. Dildine had to leave the executive session due to another commitment, that is why he is not voting on closing the meeting. A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to come out of Executive Session at 8:16 p.m. 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 Cleary, seconded by Council Member Lockett, to adjourn at 8:17 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 8