City Council

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, April 10, 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 April 10, 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, 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 local Boy Scout Darin Gearheart to lead 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 The March 27, 2023 City Council Minutes stand approved as submitted. #069-2023 City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2023 Attachments: 2023.03.27 City Council Meeting Minutes.pdf VI. Business of Guests A. Carla Cramer - Groveport Heritage and Preservation Society Carla Cramer informed Council that the Groveport Heritage and Preservation Society has been discussing ways to continue to highlight the history of Groveport and to provide a simple means for newcomers and visitors to learn about our history. She said their main focus right now is signage. She handed out a visual aid and explained that one of their City of Groveport Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes April 10, 2023 ideas would be a sign as you come into Groveport with language that includes “Historic Canal Town”. She said the sign would be very inviting and tell a little about us. She went on to say that the main reason she wanted to address Council is that the Heritage and preservation Society has been looking at different signage to put at our historic sites such as the Canal Locke. They have also been discussing signage that would direct people to those places. She informed Council that the Society is in the process of coordinating with the Ohio Canal Southern Descent Group to get some signage that we could put on our roadways informing drivers that they are on the Ohio & Erie Canal Southern Descent Heritage Trail. They are considering the cost and durability of the signage. They were originally thinking of signage similar to what you’d see at a State Park. She said those signs have fading issues so they are looking into something else that wouldn’t need to replaced every five to ten years. She then spoke about the option for using signage like what the City already has at its parks and in front of the Municipal Building. She then pointed out an example of signage used in Lancaster that showcases maps, pictures and facts about its historic sites. She said the Society is talking about putting such signage in five locations including Blacklick Park, which could talk about the traction line as well as direct visitors to the Canal Locke. They considered adding a few smaller signs along the path to help further direct visitors. Other locations the Society is considering are Veteran’s Park, the Sharps Landing Building, and behind Ace Hardware. She concluded by saying the Society will further discuss costs and locations of signage if the City approves. Law Director Kevin Shannon suggested that the City could do a licensing agreement allowing the Groveport Heritage and Preservation Society to put the signs on City property. Council Member Rupp inquired what our ability would be to offer a grant that would help the Society with this. Administrator King said that the City has discussed purchasing the cases for the signs to go in. He then said he would be in further communication with Mrs. Cramer as far as what size the signs would be and what they will look like. Law Director Shannon confirmed that the City would draw up a legislation authorizing the Administrator to enter into a licensing agreement to facilitate the posting of the signs. The Mayor and Council agreed. VII. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings B. 2nd Readings City of Groveport Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes April 10, 2023 C. 1st Readings Ord. 2023-014 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE ODOT WINTER CONTRACT (018-24) FOR ROAD SALT AND THE DECLARATION OF AN EMERGENCY Sponsors: Cleary Council Member Cleary stated that we should be pretty full from last year. Administrator King confirmed that we are pretty full and further stated that this ordinance is going to authorize the purchasing of up to 600 tons for next year. He went on to say that there is a ten percent allowance. We have to purchase up to at least ten percent of 600 tons of salt and we can purchase ten percent over. He said that we are in good shape right now but would hate for us to have a hard winter next year and be stuck. A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Hutson, 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 reminded Council of the Tree City USA event coming up on Wednesday, April 19th. B. Administrator - BJ King C. Chief of Police - Casey Adams Chief Adams wanted to remind Council of the Coffee with a Cop event that will be every Friday morning from 8:00 to 10:00. He said that last Friday drew a large crowd and anticipates that it will continue to do so. He went on to say that Port Columbus Airport Police Lieutenant contacted him in reference to the air show. One of the three days is totally sold out. The other two days are about fifty to seventy percent sold out. D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr Finance Director Carr updated Council by summarizing Bond Anticipation Notes first renewal from the 2022 issuance. He said we paid down $300,000 of the $1.8 million originally issued. We issued $1.5 million in 2023. Going into this transaction we realized that interest rates City of Groveport Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes April 10, 2023 were going up so we sought ways to lower the cost of issuance. We sought out change in bond counsel, our municipal advisor and paying agent. Overall, we were able to save $4,830. Our interest rate ended up being at 4.25% which is great for this environment. #073-2023 Finance Report Attachments: Finance Report.pdf 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 expressed that he would like Council, Administration, and the Police Department to look at our disaster plans in light of what we’re seeing in the country with natural disasters and emergencies. Our last plan was dated in July 2020. He added that FEMA came out with a new guideline last year to update and review disaster planning. Mr. Rupp said he thinks we should take advantage of FEMA’s new plan. He also stated that the City should participate in some kind of mass notification. He said he spoke with Administrator King about the County’s mass notification system and our possible participation in that. Mayor Westcamp asked Administrator King to keep Council informed on this. Council Member Hutson said that the Easter Event and Egg Hunt were very well attended this past weekend. She commended the Community Affairs department for doing a wonderful job on the event. Mayor Westcamp also acknowledged the Parks Department. H. Clerk of Council - Ruthanne Sargus Ross I. Standing Committees IX. Other Business City of Groveport Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes April 10, 2023 X. Adjournment Council Member Cleary made a motion, seconded by Council Member Dildine to adjourn at 6: 50 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 5