City Council

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, May 13, 2024 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 13, 2024 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, Michael Loges - Development Director, Brian Strayer - Public Services Director, Steve Farst - City Engineer, 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 - Edward Dildine, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett, Jack Rupp, Jean Ann Hilbert, and Shawn M. Cleary V. Approval of Minutes The April 22, 2024 City Council Minutes stand approved as submitted. #101-2024 April 22, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Attachments: 2024.04.22 City Council Meeting Minutes.pdf VI. Business of Guests A. Lori Herron Cuthbert Lori Herron Cuthbert spoke on the behalf of Groveport Madison Human Needs and informed Council of some upcoming events. She stated there is a new initiative starting next school year, based upon need and requests from teachers and social workers, to collect sweatpants or other clothing items for children in case they have an accident at school. This will keep children from having to go home and miss the rest of the school day. She said the program is called Cruiser Closets and that they are currently reaching out to school administration to find out what other items are in need. She then spoke about an upcoming fundraising golf outing City of Groveport Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes May 13, 2024 on July 19th called Nine & Dine and how proceeds will help fund Cruiser Closets. She told Council there has been a significant spike in the numbers of clients served from the beginning of the year to the month of April. She said the clientele has more than doubled in such a short amount of time and explained that the majority of the assistance was with utilities and rent. Mrs. Hilbert mentioned that the Women’s Circle at the Groveport Methodist Church does a clothing giveaway in August and suggested Mrs. Cuthbert check in with them for clothing items for the children. Mr. Rupp inquired on utilities and housing subsidies and if Human Needs networks with other agencies to provide support. Mrs. Cuthbert said that if the person in need does not live in our school district or we are otherwise unable to help, there are other agencies we try to connect them to. B. Ann Raver Ann Raver stated she has no problem with the City’s decision to tear down KidSpace and make it a parking lot, however, she feels the City did not give the public enough notice that it would be moving to the space above Delaney’s. She asked if it was always in the books that it would move there. Administrator King addressed her concerns and said that this is multifaceted because of the need for parking downtown. He added that the second floor of the Rarey’s Port building has to be government or not for profit use because of the way the funding is structured. He said the City is looking at ways to add additional parking downtown to support the additional businesses and it makes sense to move KidSpace to the Rarey’s Port Building and expand parking at the old KidSpace site. Mrs. Raver said she understands; however, she never saw an article in the Messenger and feels like the City kept the public out of the loop. She then suggested building a new KidSpace down near the Rec Center or Degenhart Park instead of using the space above Delaney’s. She and Mr. King continued to discuss the demolition of KidSpace, the City’s efforts to expand parking, and Mrs. Raver’s suggestion of building KidSpace elsewhere. Mrs. Raver went on to address her concerns for the overgrown weeds around the Columbia Gas building outside Founder’s Bend and asked what the plan is for the upcoming pipeline installment. Mr. King stated that he and other staff had had multiple conversations with Columbia Gas and have addressed many concerns to the plan. He said Columbia Gas is currently working on addressing the City’s concerns, particularly keeping the gas line on the west side of 317 and minimizing the impact at Founder’s Bend. Public Services Director Brian Strayer added that he has a meeting this coming Thursday to meet with their team about their proposed alignment, keeping in mind everyone’s feelings toward keeping the gas line across 317. Mr. King City of Groveport Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes May 13, 2024 then said he could give Mrs. Raver the phone number to a contact at Columbia gas, who said we could direct any questions to them. Law Director Kevin Shannon then stated that we are limited as to what we can do because Columbia Gas is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, but what we can do is be a squeaky wheel, which we have been. Mr. Cleary requested a follow up with a Columbis Gas representative at a Council meeting and spoke about the fencing and quality of materials around the building outside Founder's Bend. C. Angela Leist Angela Leist addressed Council with concerns about her water bill. She said her business has been in the same building for sixteen years and the water bills have gone from 6,000 gallons to 12,000. She said she’s not sure if the meter needs to replaced and that it is about thirty years old. She then asked if that is something she would need to pay to replace or if it is something the City takes care of, and how often the meters are supposed to be replaced. Mr. Strayer said we just upgraded the meters seven or eight years ago. Mrs. Leist insisted that she was told her meter is thirty years old. Finance Director Jason Carr explained that all of our meters are read electronically, and if her meter was thirty years old it would not be an electronic meter. It’s only going to read if the water goes through your meter, meaning if you have high readings, there is water being used someplace. Mrs. Hilbert suggested maybe there is a toilet leak. Mrs. Leist, Council and staff continued conversation on if it could be a possible leak, her rising bill, how to access and read her meter, and procedure for meter replacement. Mayor Westcamp suggested having some of our Public Services department staff come check for leaks. Mr. Carr confirmed that we have sent people out before, but will regroup with Mrs. Leist tomorrow. A. Proclamations #102-2024 2024 Municipal Clerks Week Attachments: 2024 Municipal Clerks Week.pdf #103-2024 2024 National Police Week Attachments: 2024 National Police Week.pdf VII. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings City of Groveport Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes May 13, 2024 Ord. 2024-020 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH SPECTRA CONTRACT FLOORING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF WALL TILES IN THE LOCKER ROOMS AT THE RECREATION CENTER UNDER THE SOURCEWELL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE PLAN, THEREBY WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING PURSUANT TO GROVEPORT CITY CHARTER SECTION 9.02(B) Sponsors: Cleary Mr. Strayer explained that the goal is to have this done at the same time as the summer shutdown in the second week of August. He said it will take longer than the shutdown but Recreation Director Seth Bower is ready to open up the pool restrooms for inside users. We will also be redoing the family restroom at a separate time than the men’s and women’s locker rooms. A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Dildine, Hutson, Lockett, Rupp, Hilbert and Cleary B. 2nd Readings Ord. 2024-022 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AS TO APPROXIMATELY 18.64 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, OF THE FOLLOWING TRACT OF LAND, LOCATED NORTH SIDE OF GROVEPORT ROAD, PARCEL NUMBERS 185-002772, 185-002773, 185-002774 AND 180-000921 OWNED BY, DAVID & DAWN ARLINGTON AND ROGER J. STUDLEY FROM RURAL (R) TO PLANNED INDUSTRIAL PARK (PIP). Sponsors: Dildine Attachments: Ord. 2024-022 Exhibit A.pdf Ord. 2024-022 Exhibit B.pdf This Ordinance was read by title C. 1st Readings Ord. 2024-024 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE ANNEXATION OF 1.94 ACRES, 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) City of Groveport Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes May 13, 2024 Sponsors: Hutson This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole Ord. 2024-025 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE RECODIFICATION, EDITING, AND INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES AS PARTS OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENT CODES OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF GROVEPORT, OHIO Sponsors: Lockett This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole Ord. 2024-026 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH THE GARLAND GROUP FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF EXTERIOR WALL PANELS AT THE RECREATION CENTER UNDER THE OMNIA COOPERATIVE PURCHASE PLAN, THEREBY WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING PURSUANT TO GROVEPORT CITY CHARTER SECTION 9.02(B) Sponsors: Rupp Mr. Strayer informed Council that this is to fix major leaks at the Rec Center. This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole Ord. 2024-027 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND PUBLIC SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ACCEPT GRANTS FROM THE OHIO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOR THE PURCHASE OF SNOW EQUIPMENT AND LEASE OF ROAD TEMPERATURE SENSORS, AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE ANY AGREEMENTS NECESSARY TO RECEIVE SAID GRANT FUNDING Sponsors: Hilbert This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole Ord. 2024-028 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH CLOUS ROAD PARTNERS LLC, OR AN AFFILIATED ENTITY, RELATED TO THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION OF FRANKLIN COUNTY TAX PARCEL 180-000921 AND THE REZONING AND DEVELOPMENT OF FRANKLIN COUNTY TAX PARCELS 185-002772, 185-002773, 185-002774 AND 180-000921 City of Groveport Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes May 13, 2024 Sponsors: Dildine This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole Ord. 2024-029 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND/OR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM(S) AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE S. HAMILTON ROAD (SR 317) AT FIREHOUSE LANE INTERSECTION PHASE TWO IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT Sponsors: Cleary This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole VIII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Westcamp reported he had the honor of attending the last DeMolay meeting with the installation of new officers. He said he was very proud to be there and that the newly elected Master Counselor Eli Williams is a Groveport resident. He then made a public announcement that the Grand Marshals for the Fourth of July parade are Larry and Jan Dowler. B. Administrator - BJ King C. Chief of Police - Casey Adams Chief Adams said it was a sad week in Law Enforcement. There were two shootings involving rifles in the City of Columbus, one just seven miles away from us, and a Euclid officer was ambushed and killed while responding to a scene. He then reported we had Light up Ohio Blue, which was pretty successful despite it being late coming through town, and the grant funding has supplied every officer with a med pack. These packs include tourniquets and blood stopping powders. We also have large backpacks that have about ten of those packs in them. He then showed Council one of the ballistic shields also provided by the grant and said the new radio system should be up and running citywide by the end of this week. Mr. Rupp added that the radio system allows us to communicate with other Police Departments if there is a failure in the 800 trunking system. Mr. Cleary stated that Columbus is putting a huge City of Groveport Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes May 13, 2024 emphasis on mental health and are even coming out with their own response team. He asked if our staff is being trained in mental health response. Chief Adams said crisis intervention is part of our basic training and as officers are placed, they will also go through the crisis intervention training that is put on by the Columbus Police Department. He added that our officers are also being trained in notice of death calls, and how to treat it like not just any other call and handle people’s emotions. Mr. Rupp confirmed with Chief Adams that our PD Chaplain will accompany officers on such calls. Administrator King then asked Chief Adams to touch on the wellness program that is being offered to every officer, including mandatory sessions with a Psychologist. D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr E. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon F. Development Director - Michael Loges G. Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett and Jack Rupp Mr. Rupp expressed his desire to have a member of the school board come to Council to explain their facility plan. Mr. King confirmed that they will be attending the next Committee of the Whole meeting. Mr. Cleary suggested naming the ball diamonds after local heroes and veterans. Council and staff discussed who to commemorate. H. Clerk of Council - Mindy Kay I. Standing Committees Mr. Dildine updated Council on discussion from the Trees and Decorations meeting that was held prior to this Council meeting. Mr. Cleary updated Council on discussion from the May 1st Cemetery Committee meeting. IX. Other Business X. Adjournment Law Director Kevin Shannon requested Council consider going into City of Groveport Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes May 13, 2024 executive session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Sections 121.22(G) (1), 121.22(G)(2) and 121.22(G)(3) at 7:03 p.m. to discuss economic development and the potential acquisition of property, to include the Mayor, Council, Administrator, Finance Director, City Engineer, Development Director and himself. A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, seconded by Council Member Dildine, to go into Executive Session at 7:33 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Dildine, Hutson, Lockett, Rupp, Hilbert and Cleary A motion was made by Council Member Rupp, seconded by Council Member Lockett, to come out of Executive Session at 8:27 p.m with no action taken. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Dildine, Hutson, Lockett, Rupp, Hilbert and Cleary Council Member Hilbert made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hutson to adjourn at 8: 27 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