City Council

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, May 22, 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 May 22, 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, Brian Strayer - Public Service Director, Mindy Kay - 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 Cleary, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to excuse Council Member Rupp from tonight's meeting. The motion passed by the following vote: Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett V. Approval of Minutes The May 8, 2023 City Council Minutes stand approved as submitted. #109-2023 City Council Meeting Minutes May 8, 2023 Attachments: 2023.05.08 City Council Meeting Minutes.pdf VI. Business of Guests A. Cheryl Raver Irving Cheryl Raver Irving greeted Council and reminded them of a few years ago where the freshmen class organized a foundation called Cuddles for Colombian Kids. Our first project at that time was collecting teddy bears for the kids and we received help from locals like John and Mary Mashburn. She then thanked Mayor Westcamp for the Cuddles for Colombian Kids proclamation that he had presented to that class. She City of Groveport Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2023 said one of the fruitions of this foundation was her friendship with Dr. Fernando Buitrago. They have been working together on human rights in Colombia for many years now. He is a professor of Geopolitical Ethics and Human Rights at the National University in Bogota and is visiting here for the third time along with his mother Blanca Buitrago. She told Council how glad she is to be able to host them during their visit, especially because they had taken such good care of her for a long time. She spoke about how Colombia has returned to being a more hostile region and that there are now warnings for people not to travel there. She said that she is so grateful for the support that the Mayor and Council had given them and so are the kids. She thanked them for being such great hosts, as Dr. Buitrago would be here visiting for the next couple of weeks. Dr. Buitrago greeted Council and thanked them for the opportunity attend tonight’s meeting and for his stay in Groveport. He said this is his second time visiting here and that Groveport is a special City full of beautiful people. VII. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings Ord. 2023-015 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2022-036 ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF GROVEPORT’S POLICE DEPARTMENT STRENGTH OF STAFF. Sponsors: Rupp A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Hutson, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett Ord. 2023-016 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART FIFTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE OF THE CITY OF GROVEPORT CODIFIED ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 1519, FIREWORKS Sponsors: Lockett Attachments: Ord. 2023-016 Exhibit A Amended.pdf A motion was made by Council Member Lockett, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to postpone to a date certain. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett City of Groveport Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2023 Ord. 2023-018 AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE POSITION OF PART-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AT THE SENIOR CENTER, ACCEPTING THE POSITION DESCRIPTION AND PAY GRADE. Sponsors: Hilbert Attachments: Ord. 2023-018 Exhibit A.pdf A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Dildine, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett Ord. 2023-019 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO A LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH THE GROVEPORT HERITAGE AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY (GHPS) Sponsors: Cleary This Ordinance was read by title Ord. 2023-020 AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A VARIANCE AS TO THE PERMITTED USES IN THE ESTABLISHED ZONING DISTRICT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4500 S HAMILTON RD, PARCEL NUMBERS 185-0002942, 185-002943, 185-001330 AND 185-001331, CURRENTLY ZONED PLANNED INDUSTRIAL PARK (PIP), JIM VOORHIS, APPLICANT Sponsors: Rupp Attachments: Ord. 2023-020 Exhibit A.pdf This Ordinance was referred to the Planning & Zoning Commission Ord. 2023-021 AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A VARIANCE AS TO THE PERMITTED USES IN THE ESTABLISHED ZONING DISTRICT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 385 MAIN ST, PARCEL NUMBERS 185-000282 AND 185-000283, CURRENTLY ZONED RESIDENTIAL (R-6), BRIAN CASSERLY, APPLICANT Sponsors: Dildine Attachments: Ord. 2023-021 Exhibit A.pdf This Ordinance was referred to the Planning & Zoning Commission City of Groveport Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2023 Ord. 2023-023 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING AND DEDICATING AS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS THE WATER MAIN AND HAYES ROAD ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CA VENTURES, PROJECT SUNSHINE DEVELOPMENT Sponsors: Lockett This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole C. 1st Readings Ord. 2023-024 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO PURCHASE TWO (2) KOHLER GENERATORS FROM BUCKEYE POWER SALES FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH OHIO REVISED CODE SECTION 125.04(C), THEREBY WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING PURSUANT TO GROVEPORT CITY CHARTER SECTION 9.02(B) AND THE DECLARATION OF AN EMERGENCY Sponsors: Cleary Administrator King informed Council that these generators are going to be purchased with our Covid funds. He said there will be a cost to install them as well, but in order to get the pricing on the generators themselves we have to move on them now because pricing is only good on them until the first part of June. He added that there is a long lead time so he anticipates in the 2024 budget there will be money and also whatever is remaining in the Covid fund to put toward their installation. Council Member Hilbert asked if we’ve had generators at the two lift stations before, to which Public Service Director Brian Strayer said no. Mrs. Hilbert said we are very fortunate not to have had any sewer backups. Council Member Cleary inquired if there is a need for more generators down the road and stated that he thinks that every lift station should have a backup generator. Mr. Strayer agreed and said that the one in their neighborhood is only a storm lift station and the overflow is actually low enough that it won’t backup into the homes but there are several other sanitary lift stations that will need them down the road. Mrs. Hilbert stated we should prioritize getting them. Mr. Strayer said we currently have a portable generator that was bought for this purpose. The problem lies in the event that we have multiple outages, that portable generator can only be at one lift station. Mr. Cleary added that he wishes the public would adhere to not flushing baby wipes because of how they clog up the system. He said it would really take a load off the lift stations if they did so. Mr. Strayer agreed that wipes do constantly back the pumps City of Groveport Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2023 up and the City spends a lot of money in maintenance. He said they do send out notices in the neighborhoods where they have reoccurring issues. Administrator King said there is no such thing as a flushable wipe. Mr. Strayer and Council all agreed. Council member Dildine suggested putting a flyer out in the paper or maybe along with water bills informing the public about this issue. Mr. Strayer stated that they’ve tried to localize the flyers because the bulk of the issues happen in a certain area. The rest of the City has not had too many problems. He said it is still a global problem but it’s concentrated in the one area, which is a rather small area. Mrs. Hilbert added that even one that is flushed is one too many. Mr. Strayer agreed because even if it passes through our system it can go to someone else’s and plug them up . A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson and Lockett VIII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Westcamp reported that he, Chief Adams and Administrator King attended the Armed Forces Day celebration on Friday as guests of Mr. Motts at Motts Military Museum. He said it is a great ceremony and those who have never been should definitely go next year. He went on to say that there are openings of a few local businesses coming up as well as the Valedictorian breakfast on Wednesday. B. Administrator - BJ King Administrator King informed Council that we’re continuing to get ready for the pool to open next week. He said it was nice to be able to attend the ribbon cutting last Friday at Fastest Labs. He stated that is a business that the City is putting in touch with the warehouses and also use for our own pre-employment or reason of suspicion. The local schools will be able to use them as well for their pre-employment needs. They do on call as well, so that solves an issue for our third shift police officers with places not being open. He said he thinks it’s going to be a great partnership. #110-2023 Admin Report to Council Attachments: Admin Report to Council.pdf City of Groveport Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2023 C. Chief of Police - Casey Adams Chief Adams spoke about Detective Bell and Detective Sturgill’s open house every Tuesday from 3:00-5:00pm starting on June 6th. He said the Police Department is prepared for next week’s Memorial Day festivities. He then updated Council on the upcoming Air Show. They’re moving the Blue Angels up to 3:15pm from 4:15pm. We’re going to go over final points when it comes to traffic control on June 8th. Council Member Cleary expressed his concern over officer safety while directing traffic due to the nature of travelers wanting to hurry to get there or get home. Chief Adams assured him that he and Lieutenant Short had spoken and agreed that no officer will be out directing traffic on 317. He said officers will be mobile and take care of any parking and trespassing issues or auto accidents if they arise. He added that he spoke with the County Engineer and was told that they are on track to get Ebright Rd open in twenty-one days which would be really good news for us with that Air Show. He then reported that we have not had any major issues with that road blockage. #111-2023 Airshow Update Attachments: Airshow Update.pdf D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr Finance Director Jason Carr updated Council on the City’s receipt of a $13,000 check for the damage done to the Cemetery in a recent crash. He thanked Public Service Director Brian Strayer and his team for working the claim and staying on top of it. E. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon F. Development Director - Jeff Green Development Director Jeff Green thanked the Mayor and Council for coming to the grand opening last Friday at Fastest Labs. He said the business owners were very surprised by the support they received from the City and we need to do that every time. He added that we need to open up an account with some of the local shops, in particular the flower boutique and start sending arrangements just as a token of appreciation from the City. He gave Council the new visitor guide and pointed out the changes that have been made to add our own facilities and information about the Rec Center, Golf Course and various community events. City of Groveport Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2023 G. Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett and Jack Rupp Council Member Cleary had two topics of discussion for Council. The first being the issue of companies, not only in Groveport but all over, that bore and do all their digging and never clean back up. He said a company did this in his neighborhood when they laid down fiber optics but have not repaired the grass. He said you see this problem on the news and we’re constantly having these problems everywhere. He talked to City Engineer Steve Farst who has received several phone calls about the issue. Mr. Cleary expressed to Council his desire to take action and introduce legislation with a penalty or fine for not cleaning up. He said it is ridiculous and told Council how the mess spans all the way through his neighborhood and into the park. He understands we do need fiber optics but does not want to handle it like everybody else. He wants to fight back against companies doing this. Council Member Hilbert agreed and said we shouldn’t have to fill their holes. Mr. Cleary added that we should have language in the permit that states they have to clean up. Mayor Westcamp asked Administrator King to clarify if they need a permit. Mr. King stated that anything in the right-of-way needs a permit. Mr. Cleary went on to discuss his second item of concern. He stated that the two baseball diamonds at the Rec Center are still in need of backstops. He said the T-Ball teams use a small one but he wants to put in a 10x20 straight piece of chain link fencing. He said it doesn’t need to be the fancy arched over kind of backstop, just something to catch the fowl ball and dress up the baseball diamonds. Council Member Dildine stated that the City has looked into it before and there is a legal issue because they have to meet certain standards. We’d have to follow guidelines for the exact size according to the diamonds and who is using those diamonds. Mrs. Hilbert said it should be in the budget for the Rec Center. Mr. Dildine said it has been turned down many times by Council because of the cost. Law Director Kevin Shannon said a previous Rec Center Director had looked into them and that it certainly is worth looking into again. Mr. Cleary added that the Rec Center has been there for twenty years and it is about time. He said even if the diamonds are mainly used for t-ball, we could at least budget for one large backstop. Administrator King said it makes a lot of sense and he’s talked to Mr. Strayer and Mr. Carr about it. He said the fields are looking great right now with all the work that Public Works has put into them, and the backstop would be the next step. Mr. Shannon threw the question out to Council if they may consider designating the diamonds as strictly t-ball. Mr. Dildine said we would need to talk to the Rec Center Director and that he doesn’t want to limit the fields to anything because we don’t know what the future holds. Mr. City of Groveport Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2023 Shannon agreed and then stated that he was thinking along the lines of the physical requirements for the backstop do not necessarily come into play if the fields are designated for Tee Ball. Mr. Cleary said it is something we need to investigate. He added that we’ve named our other ball diamonds after some great athletes from Groveport. He wants to continue with that when naming these diamonds. Mayor Westcamp said he thinks we’re on the right track and wants to get Public Works and the Rec Center directors together to discuss these matters. He added that there are definitely some stipulations that make the costs go up. Mr. Dildine added that about fifteen years ago when we looked at this, the cost inhibited what we used them for. We were limited to the highest level that the diamond could be used which was at the time t-ball and Softball. Mr. Shannon said he thinks this was an order for us to get umpires and there are certain requirements. Mr. King stated that these two fields are certainly conducive to t-ball because there’s no other fencing whatsoever required. Mr. Cleary said that we’ve got such a nice Rec Center and for twenty years the fields have been sitting there and done nothing so it’s time to change that. Administrator King, Council and the mayor all agreed that this issue will be further looked into. Council member Hilbert brought up her concern with people turning left onto Main Street from Wirt Road. She said that several times she has witnessed people turning left there who’ve almost gotten hit. She thinks we should address the dangers of turning left there by prohibiting left turns onto Main street altogether and putting in a no left turn sign. Mayor Westcamp inquired if she was thinking permanently or during certain hours. Mrs. Hilbert said she thinks it should be permanent and added that a driver has to go clear out into the street in order to see clearly enough just to turn right, and even further to turn left. The Mayor agreed and said he doesn’t know why people do not go up College and use the traffic light. Mr. Dildine said it is definitely something to be looked at in terms of how we can make the flow of traffic better. He suggested looking into the timing and patterns of the traffic lights. He then added that if we do decide to make it a right turn only at Wirt, we would have to have signage directing people to College. Administrator King said he would meet with Mr. Farst in the morning to discuss the intersection. Mr. Dildine then said that the only way to turn off Wirt is to pull up way past the crosswalk and there’s no other place to even put the crosswalk because of the angle of the street. He concluded that we can at least eliminate traffic turning left and that will help tremendously in making that intersection more safe. H. Clerk of Council - Mindy Kay I. Standing Committees City of Groveport Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2023 IX. Other Business X. Adjournment Council Member Cleary made a motion, seconded by Council Member Dildine to adjourn at 7: 04 p.m. All in favor stated AYE, None Opposed. Motion passed. __________________________________________ Lance Westcamp, Mayor __________________________________________ Mindy Kay 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