City Council

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, March 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 March 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 Shannon - Law Director, Jason Carr - Director of Finance, Casey Adams - Chief of Police, Jeff Green - Development Director, Mindy Kay - Assistant 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 The Mayor asked the Boy Scout troop in attendance to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. Roll Call Absent: 1 - Jean Ann Hilbert Present: 5 - Shawn M. Cleary, Edward Dildine, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett, and Jack Rupp V. Approval of Minutes The February 27, 2023 City Council Minutes stand approved as submitted. #046-2023 City Council Meeting Minutes Attachments: City Council Meeting Minutes 02.27.2023.pdf Administrator King introduced Sadie Pruitt as our newest full time maintenance employee in the Parks Department. VI. Business of Guests City of Groveport Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes March 13, 2023 A. Andrew Nimely Andrew Nimely Introduced himself to Council and asked for Council’s support in his endeavor to run for Trustee. He is a Groveport resident and serves as a supply pastor at Groveport United Methodist Church. He went on to say that he came to the United States just out of high school in pursuit of the American dream. He operates two businesses, one accounting firm and a health agency that focuses on people who have disabilities. He said he is fortunate to have been able to employ more than 150 people in Franklin County. He obtained his MBA from OU and now teaches Computer Technology at Columbus State. He expressed how he wants to give back to the community he and his family live in, and is running for Trustee because of how much he cares about Groveport. He told Council how grateful and blessed he is to be able to stand in front of them and speak. His goals as Trustee are to be involved with the community and establish a bi-monthly meeting to work with the community in facing difficult issues. He concluded by saying he is trustworthy, confidential, and has years of experience in accounting and business management. He strongly believes in the law, supports the police and fire departments and strongly supports the first and second amendments. He thanked Council for the opportunity to speak and for any support in his campaign. VII. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings 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 A motion was made by Council Member Lockett, seconded by Council Member Rupp, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp B. 2nd Readings Ord. 2023-010 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOTES IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $1,300,000 IN ANTICIPATION OF THE City of Groveport Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes March 13, 2023 ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DESIGNING, ENGINEERING, AND CONSTRUCTING VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY'S MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE, WITH RELATED SITE IMPROVEMENTS AND APPURTENANCES THERETO; AND APPROVING RELATED MATTERS Sponsors: Hilbert This Ordinance was read by title Ord. 2023-011 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $200,000 IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING VEHICLES AND OTHER RELATED EQUIPMENT FOR MUNICIPAL ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICING PURPOSES, AND APPROVING RELATED MATTERS Sponsors: Hilbert This Ordinance was read by title Ord. 2023-012 AN ORDINANCE CONSOLIDATING UP TO TWO BOND ANTICIPATION NOTE ISSUES OF THE CITY OF GROVEPORT, OHIO INTO A CONSOLIDATED NOTE ISSUE, AND ESTABLISHING THE TERMS OF SUCH CONSOLIDATED NOTE ISSUE Sponsors: Hilbert This Ordinance was read by title C. 1st Readings VIII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp B. Administrator - BJ King Mr. King had handed Council a packet with a registration form for the Tree City USA banquet on April 19th. He explained that if anyone would like to attend they should let him know and the City will cover the entry costs for Council members. If any members of Council want to go on the 2:30pm guided tour at Walnut Woods Metro Park they should let him know so we have appropriate transportation lined up. Also, in the packet is the Arbor Day event schedule for April 28th. We will be planting a tree at Groveport Elementary at 1:30pm and at Glendening at 2:30pm. Lastly City of Groveport Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes March 13, 2023 is the schedule of community events for the entire year. #050-2023 Admin Report to Council Attachments: Admin Report to Council.pdf C. Chief of Police - Casey Adams Chief Adams spoke in regards to the catalytic converter theft investigations. He said Mr. Cox did take a plea deal and will be serving eight years in prison. The Columbus Police Department had sent us stats on catalytic converter thefts. Over the last two years we were in triple digits, and the last two months we had 40 and 14 for the entire county. He said they attribute that to Detective Gilbert’s efforts in the investigations. D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr E. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon F. Development Director - Jeff Green G. Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett and Jack Rupp Council member Rupp said that at the most recent school board meeting, a lady spoke about the need for discipline in the schools. Her feelings to the board were that if they start in K-1 in terms of requirements and discipline then by the time they get to high school they will understand and know what the expectations are of them. Maybe this would help with the disciplinary problems we are having in the schools. He believes her message was very well received by the board. He went on to say that on a positive note Mr. Mertz, who is a teacher at the school and part of the Ohio leadership Institution, has an annual UN model program competition. There were three teams this year that went to the Ohio region and one of the teams was selected to move into the second day to give their presentation. He stated that all three of the team’s presentations were positive and passed. One of our students won the Best Delegate award. They also recognized Libby Gray for her third board term at the meeting. He said the board is discussing an educational foundation for donations. They talked with the attorney for the school district to come up with how they would use and dispense those donations. In order for the foundation to be created, it will also require a City of Groveport Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes March 13, 2023 board of trustees to be established. He added that there was discussion and review on policies and procedures for discipline and expulsions. There was also review of the community eligibility for free meals qualifications. Mr. Rupp then spoke about his opportunity to go to the MORPC Data Day. The first program that he was very impressed by was the United Way program. Michael Wilcos, Senior Vice president of Community Impact, told a story about the transition of residents and the growth and changing in the communities within Franklin County. Mr. Rupp thinks it would be a good opportunity to maybe pair with Canal Winchester’s school district and the township to partner with Mr. Wilcos to bring the United Way in and go over what he understands about the data of our communities. He could also go over data and what we should look for in the future in terms of collaboration with other communities as we see growth. Mr. Wilcos is interested in coming to do a joint presentation. Mr. Rupp said it certainly would be a challenge to get all the boards together but it might be worth while for all of us. He went on to say that the other program at MORPC Data Day that was of particular interest was A Drive Into the Future: Data and Technology at ODOT presented by Charles Ash, who is the Data Technology Deputy Director for ODOT. The presentation was about ODOT building a huge database platform. He said the need for this platform to be of value to the state and the communities was participation on the part of the municipalities and the various governments to put live data into this platform and to be able to look at and study traffic. For example, the traffic on 670 going westbound controls speed based upon traffic flows. That may be something that at some point would make us able to collect data and see all the way down 33 and solve some of our traffic problems on the interstate and major highways. Hopefully as we progress and get a little more technology we can participate in this database that ODOT is trying to develop. He then confirmed with Council that the school board will be having a special meeting tomorrow at 5:30pm just prior to the regular meeting at 7:00pm. Council member Cleary commented that at the last time all we heard was the bad came out at the schools. He said we do have some great students and great teachers up there and he is glad to hear the positives. Council member Dildine said he was able attend the Temporary Emergency Public Shelter Committee. He said it’s nice to see the progress that has been made by the Committee to create a shelter for the community in case of weather or anything else that could be a threat to public safety. He went on to commend the cooperation between the City of Groveport, Madison Township, the schools, Public Service, and the Police. He added the more things we can do with other parties within the community will help us all out tremendously. He enjoyed the Red City of Groveport Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes March 13, 2023 Cross’s presentation at the last meeting and said he was surprised at the things they do, all the services they provide, how many volunteers they have and what they bring to the table. He went on to say that Bob and Lisa are doing a fantastic job with the committee. He said they’ve really got it down and as the Committee moves forward it will be presented in front of Council. He concluded by saying if the need for this arises it’s going to take all of us working together and it will really benefit the community and he wants to make sure we do it right. H. Clerk of Council - Ruthanne Sargus Ross I. Standing Committees Council member Cleary informed Council of a traffic crash that took out part of the fence at Groveport Cemetery. He said it is sad to see, as the cemetery holds a special place in his heart. We will rebuild, it will just take some time. He added that we will reach out to the professionals at the Ohio History Center as well as the families of those who’s headstones were damaged to make sure they are aware. We do have some black fencing left over from another project that we can use, that would look really nice, stand out, and guard the cemetery well. He expressed that he does not want the public to be upset and think we’re not doing anything but this is going to take some time. He went on to say that there were fragments of headstones found up to eighty yards past the site of the crash and that he is more concerned about the headstones than the fencing. The driver did have insurance. Mr. Dildine suggested that when we order fencing, we should order extra so that we have replacement fencing on hand for any future needs, and maybe put fencing up in other areas to ensure the safety of the cemetery. Mrs. Hutson suggested a place in Groveport we could get fencing from. Mr. Dildine wanted to add to the discussion on Street Tree Inventory. He informed Council that an arborist came out and did another section of about 300 trees. What we’ve done so far has made a big difference and we are at the point that the trees he is inspecting are good and we do not have to go back and replace any trees. Spring planting is coming up which is the only other thing on their agenda. Mr. Cleary then addressed the Boy Scouts in attendance and asked if they had any questions for Council. The boys asked if any help was needed with planting trees or replacing the fence at the Cemetery. Mr. Cleary replied that Council would appreciate any help. Mr. King said we would absolutely keep them in mind and collect contact information after the meeting. Mr. Dildine suggested we could set up a Clean-Up Day or City of Groveport Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes March 13, 2023 City Beautification Day for the scouts to be involved in. Mrs. Hutson suggested the scouts assist in retiring flags in the next Flag Ceremony. Mr. Dildine agreed and said that a Flag ceremony could be held at the Rec Center. Mayor Westcamp thanked the Scouts for attending tonight’s meeting and confirmed with Chief Adams the start of Coffee with a Cop. Chief Adams said that event will be held at Groveport Town Hall every Friday morning 8:00am-10:00am in April and May. IX. Other Business X. Adjournment Council Member Cleary made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hutson to adjourn at 7: 02 p.m. All in favor stated AYE, None Opposed. Motion passed. __________________________________________ Lance Westcamp, Mayor __________________________________________ Mindy Kay Assistant 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