City Council

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, November 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 November 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, 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 Present: 6 - Shawn M. Cleary, Edward Dildine, Jean Ann Hilbert, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett, and Jack Rupp V. Approval of Minutes The October 23, 2023 City Council Minutes stand approved as submitted. #231-2023 October 23, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes Attachments: 2023.10.23 City Council Meeting Minutes.pdf VI. Business of Guests A. Swearing in Sergeant Gilbert & Sergeant Bell Chief Adams informed Council that the final interviews had been held for the Sergeants positions. The two positions have been filled by Detective Josh Gilbert and Patrolman Ernie Bell. Law Director Kevin Shannon proceeded with the swearing in ceremony of Sergeant Gilbert and Sergeant Bell. City of Groveport Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes November 13, 2023 B. Andrew Nimely Andrew Nimely greeted The Mayor and Council and expressed his thanks to Groveport. He said he is more proud of this City than ever before. He spoke about how proud he is to have been able to run for Madison-Township Trustee. He said he thought could overcome his opponent and is thankful for the campaign. For those people who believed in him and his story, he said he can’t quit. He expressed how Groveport has always been there for him and how he will always appreciate this City. He said together we will continue to work hard to bring on change and transformation. VII. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings Ord. 2023-034 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE ANNEXATION 1.94 ACRES, OF MORE OR LESS, PARCEL NUMBER 180-000921, LOCATED IN MADISON TOWNSHIP UPON ANNEXATION OF SAID TRACT TO THE CITY OF GROVEPORT (DAVID H. ARLINGTON AND DAWN A. ARLINGTON, PETITIONERS) Sponsors: Dildine Attachments: Exhibit A.pdf Law Director Kevin Shannon informed Council that the petitioners had made a request through Administrator King that this matter be postponed to the next meeting date on November 27th. A motion was made by Council Member Dildine, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to postpone to a date certain. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp Ord. 2023-040 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GROVEPORT, OHIO, FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2024 Sponsors: Hilbert Attachments: Ord. 2023-040 Exhibit A.pdf Council Member Hilbert stated this was a very well done budget. Mr. King said it was certainly a team effort. Council Member Cleary confirmed with Chief Adams that we have everything we need for the Police City of Groveport Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes November 13, 2023 Department. A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Hutson, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp Ord. 2023-041 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RECREATION CENTER CAPITAL ACCOUNT FUND AND RESCINDING ORDINANCE NO. 2019-047 (ADOPTED 11/12/2019) Sponsors: Lockett A motion was made by Council Member Lockett, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp B. 2nd Readings Ord. 2023-043 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 15-007 (ADOPTED 02/23/2015), PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, TITLE NINE - TAXATION, OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GROVEPORT BY AMENDING CHAPTER 182 - INCOME TAX, AND FURTHER AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 16-049 (ADOPTED 11/28/2016), ORDINANCE NO.18-070 (ADOPTED 12/17/2018), ORDINANCE NO. 2020-037 (ADOPTED 11/9/2020), AND ORDINANCE NO. 2021-038 (ADOPTED 08/09/2021) WHICH AMENDED THE SAME Sponsors: Dildine This Ordinance was read by title Ord. 2023-044 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING AND DEDICATING AS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS THE WATER MAIN AND SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REDWOOD DEVELOPMENT ON HENDRON ROAD Sponsors: Cleary This Ordinance was read by title Res. 2023-006 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2023/2024 FRANKLIN COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL NATURAL HAZARDS MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE Sponsors: Hilbert This Resolution was read by title City of Groveport Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes November 13, 2023 C. 1st Readings Ord. 2023-047 AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE POSITION OF PART-TIME ASSISTANT CITY PROSECUTOR IN THE LAW DEPARTMENT, ACCEPTING THE POSITION DESCRIPTION AND PAY GRADE THEREFORE AND THE DECLARATION OF AN EMERGENCY Sponsors: Hutson Attachments: Ord. 2023-047 Exhibit A.pdf Mr. Shannon stated that staff is requesting a motion to suspend the rules as to the three readings and the effective date. The current contract prosecutor that we have will no longer be serving the City at the end of December. For that reason, and so we can have a prosecutor in place part-time and on the City’s payroll, staff is making the request. A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, 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 Ord. 2023-048 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO SOLICIT BIDS AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR THE 2024 STREET MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, MAPLE STREET STORM IMPROVEMENTS AND MAPLE STREET RESURFACING PROJECT Sponsors: Dildine This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole Ord. 2023-049 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO SOLICIT BIDS AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR THE ELMONT FORCE MAIN PHASE 3, PART 1 REPLACEMENT PROJECT Sponsors: Cleary This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole Ord. 2023-050 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO SOLICIT BIDS AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER FOR THE PICKLEBALL City of Groveport Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes November 13, 2023 COURTS PROJECT Sponsors: Lockett This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole VIII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Westcamp spoke about how Veterans Day was another successful day in the City of Groveport. He thanked Community Affairs Director Jessica Wyke for her work coordinating the event and said the guest speaker did a wonderful job as well. He said it was probably one of the biggest crowds we’ve witnessed. The Police Department did a good job shutting the road down. Usually a lot of people have to work on Veterans day but it was a large Saturday crowd. The brick recipients and banner honorees were very pleased and it was a great day, especially with Mott’s Military Museum being involved. B. Administrator - BJ King Administrator King commented on how well Veterans Day went. He then stated some information went out about a special meeting to discuss group homes. It was originally scheduled for November and is now scheduled for December 13th at 6:00pm. Law Director Shannon said our position is we need to have this hearing and get this done, and the applicant wants to as well. We had some scheduling issues that came about, but this is the date we need to resolve this. Mr. King went on to mention the tenant build-outs. Lissy Bee’s had a final inspection today. It passed and they will have occupancy tomorrow. The goal is to be open by Black Friday, and at the end of this week Choptank will have its final inspections. He then shared a letter from the contractor. It read, “Thank you. We appreciate all the help and support from the City. It’s been a huge help to moving this along.” Mr. King gave kudos to all the staff in the Building department who have had a hand in this. He added that the contractor said several times that this is the best place to work and the City has been very supportive. He concluded by updating Council on the small business classes that have just wrapped up. He said five people completed it and he will be following up with the gentleman from Columbus State to see where we go from here with the program. City of Groveport Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes November 13, 2023 C. Chief of Police - Casey Adams Chief Adams said that last Tuesday we had our first meeting with Diane Holbrook on the Main Street traffic issues. We put a lot of different ideas and concepts out there. One of the quickest ones would be in front of Floyd’s Hot Rods. No parking signs have been put out in front of Floyd’s. One of the big issues people had mentioned is they cannot see down Main Street toward Front Street when trying to turn from Wirt Road. That was a quick and easy fix done that same afternoon. We will continue in keeping officers out in the school zones and putting speed trailers out and monitoring them. Mr. King added that all agreed at the meeting to wait until the traffic study was finished to move forward on other decisions. Mr. Rupp asked when we will begin the study. Mr. King said the study is underway right now and should probably have initial results within two to three weeks. Chief Adams then reported that Halloween was really quiet and we had no issues this year. The crowd was larger, not quite to pre Covid numbers, but more and more people are getting out. There were a lot of vendors on Front and Main that night and a lot of kids enjoying that area of the block party. He said there were no complaints and it ended up being a really nice event. D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr Mr. Carr stated we will be making a final contribution for the build-out of $175,000 payable from Groveport to the CIC to finalize the project and costs related to the contractor and architect. The final cost would be less than the $2.2 million that Council approved for the build-out itself, and for those purposes we are under budget. E. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon F. Development Director G. Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett and Jack Rupp Mr. Cleary said we had talked a while back about how when AT&T runs fiber underground and tears up the ground, and its months before they fix it. He said Council mentioned making an ordinance about it a while ago and wanted to mention it again, as the area in his back yard just collapsed. AT&T put in new fiber and demolished the area. He said he would like to see Council get with the Engineering and Building departments to come up with something that is put in our standards how City of Groveport Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes November 13, 2023 AT&T should clean up in the future. He then spoke about the Golf Course. He said we’ve got roughed in electric out there and asked if it would stay that way or if we were going to put some kind of boxes on them. He specified he is speaking about the inflatables. Mr. King ensured him that the electric would not remain the way it is. Mr. Cleary went to ask about the apartments on 33, and if it is Groveport Schools. Mrs. Hilbert said it’s Columbus. Mr. Dildine explained that they’re under Phase 1 now and it’s Columbus schools. Phase 2 is in the annexation process now from the township to the City of Columbus. Administrator King expressed his appreciation for Council’s support over the past three years with the budget process. He said he feels like we’re hitting the mark of what needs to be done. We’re replacing equipment, we’re doing infrastructure, we’re making improvements. He said he really appreciates the support that we have. H. Clerk of Council - Mindy Kay I. Standing Committees Mr. Dildine reported that the final Trees and Decorations Committee meeting in 2023 had just been held. The biggest thing we talked about was coming up with a policy for placement of memorial trees and/or benches when a request comes in. As pointed out by Mr. Lockett, all our plaques are different and there’s no set standard. He said the Committee has gathered policies from other cities so they will look at them and bring it back to Council. He then said the Committee approved the meeting dates for 2024. He went on to report the Haunted Park raised $6,792 to be split between Human Needs and the Food Pantry. That’s pretty good for the weather being bad and the Ohio State game playing. They had over seven hundred people on Saturday and spoke about starting earlier next year with police presence or special duty. That way, we’re not taking away from patrol and have someone dedicated to the event. A presence of some kind is definitely needed if the event is going to continue to grow to more than seven hundred people in such a small space. Mrs. Hutson asked if Council will be presenting Human Needs with a check from Bruce Smith at any special event. Mr. Carr said the CIC used to at their meeting when they would collect the money. He said he doesn’t believe we presented them with a check last year, since Trees and Decorations collect their own funds. The Mayor and Council agreed we could reach out to Mr. Smith. Mrs. Hutson said it needs to be recognized. Mayor Westcamp then confirmed with Mr. Dildine that the Committee still needs one member. City of Groveport Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes November 13, 2023 IX. Other Business Law Director Shannon requested Council to consider making a motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(1) to discuss the employment of a public employee, to include all members of Council, the Mayor, himself, the Administrator, Finance Director, Personnel Director and Michael Loges. A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Dildine, to go into Executive Session at 7:06pm. 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 Cleary, to come out of Executive Session at 8:22pm. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Cleary, Dildine, Hilbert, Hutson, Lockett and Rupp X. Adjournment Council Member Hutson made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hilbert to adjourn at 8: 23 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 8