City Council

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, July 8, 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 July 8, 2024 I. Call to Order Mayor Lance Westcamp called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Staff Present: Kevin Shannon - Law Director, Jason Carr - Director of Finance, Casey Adams - Chief of Police, Michael Loges - Development 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 Absent: 1 - Jack Rupp Present: 5 - Edward Dildine, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett, Jean Ann Hilbert, and Shawn M. Cleary A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to excuse Council Member Rupp from tonight's meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Dildine, Hutson, Lockett, Hilbert and Cleary V. Approval of Minutes The June 24, 2024 City Council Minutes stand approved as submitted. #129-2024 June 24, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Attachments: 2024.06.24 City Council Meeting Minutes.pdf VI. Business of Guests A. Angela Leist Angela Leist greeted Council and spoke highly about the new pickleball courts. She then commented on how great the Fourth of July celebration City of Groveport Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes July 8, 2024 was and how she preferred this year’s schedule to last year’s. VII. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings B. 2nd Readings Ord. 2024-030 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A MODIFICATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR 5630 SALTZGABER ROAD, PARCEL NUMBER 185-002996 Sponsors: Hutson Attachments: Ord. 2024-030 Exhibit A.pdf Law Director Shannon informed Council that the applicant had withdrawn their application and will be resubmitting. He asked that Council make a motion to postpone this ordinance indefinitely. A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, seconded by Council Member Dildine, to postpone indefinitely . The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Dildine, Hutson, Lockett, Hilbert and Cleary C. 1st Readings Ord. 2024-031 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART ONE - ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, CHAPTER 143, EMPLOYEES GENERALLY OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GROVEPORT, OHIO Sponsors: Lockett Attachments: Ord. 2024-031 Exhibit A revised.pdf Mr. Shannon requested this ordinance be referred to the Committee of the Whole, where we can address not only the sick leave changes, but to make sure we have the most current holiday schedule and to add language requested by Mr. Dildine to include any future adopted federal and state holidays. This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole VIII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp City of Groveport Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes July 8, 2024 Mayor Westcamp shared his appreciation for Larry Dowler, as he was the grand marshal in the Fourth of July parade. He then thanked Angela Leist for her feedback on the new schedule for the Fourth and commented on how great the band was, how pleased he was with the large crowd, and that the food vendors did an excellent job. Mr. Cleary commented that after the fireworks, people didn’t leave. They hit the food trucks again and each truck had a sizeable line. Mayor Westcamp added how happy he was that employees could spend time with their families after the parade because of the new schedule. He and Council all agreed the new schedule is preferable and that the City will stick with it. B. Administrator - BJ King C. Chief of Police - Casey Adams Chief Adams reported on how uneventful and smooth the Fourth went for the Police Department. He said the crowd and the atmosphere were much different than last year and that everyone was happy and smiling. He added that there were no issues during the parade as well, and that traffic moved in and out pretty quickly. There were complaints and dispatched calls about residents setting off fireworks, especially in Hickory Grove, Elmont, Degenhart Park, and on College Street. He went on to inform Council that legislation will need to be passed, as the Police Department has received $54,000 in State Violent Crime Reduction Grant money. The Police Department wishes to apply those funds to another camera trailer. He concluded by stating that there have been a lot of complaints on panhandling and that he is working with Economic Development Director Michael Loges to set up meetings and accomplish what Canal Winchester has done with their shopping center. They have signs posted that say no panhandling and that criminal trespassing charges can be filed by the property owners. Mr. Dildine commented that the signs work and he’s noticed the number of panhandlers in that area decrease significantly. Chief Adams warned Council that there are two men claiming to be from AT&T going door to door and happened to knock on his while off duty. The two men became combative when he asked for identification and a permit. Chief Adams said he called the duty sergeant and at that point the men ran to their vehicle and left. He informed Council and staff that no soliciting permits have been issued to AT&T and that those two men had reportedly been aggressive trying to get people’s information. Chief Adams and Council spoke briefly about the importance of keeping residents informed. Angela Leist commented that panhandlers come to her business all the time without a permit and Chief Adams advised her to call the police immediately. Mr. Cleary told a City of Groveport Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes July 8, 2024 story about how he once picked up a panhandler while on patrol and discovered he was wanted for homicide out of Florida. The topic of discussion moved to the interviews of three candidates for the Police Department. D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr Finance Director Carr gave highlights from the Financial Report, including details of the Auditor of State’s annual financial indicators and Senate Bill 91, which became effective March 28th. He said a link will be sent out to all City employees with a mandatory eight minute video about fraud. #130-2024 Finance Director Report Attachments: Finance Director Report 7.8.2024.pdf 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. Lockett expressed how pleased he was with the Fourth of July celebration and how smoothly the new parade lineup system went. Mayor Westcamp agreed and added that Development Director Michael Loges did an excellent job as announcer for the parade. Mrs. Hutson agreed that Mr. Loges was a great announcer and gave her account on how nice the Fourth celebration was. Mayor Westcamp commented that the City will make more room in the budget for next year so it can be even bigger and better. Mr. Cleary commented on the excellent entertainment provided by Crush Bon Jovi and how much better this year was for the City employees because they were able to get an afternoon off to spend with their families. Mrs. Hilbert said this year was probably the most relaxed Fourth of July and agreed how great is was that the employees were able to have the time off with their families. Mr. Dildine stated that this is the first time in a long time he spent all day City of Groveport Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes July 8, 2024 at the event and that the company we used this year was excellent to work with. He said they had everything covered and protected from the rain and got everything set up rather quickly. He spoke about using the same company again and how pleased he was with their safety standards. H. Clerk of Council - Mindy Kay I. Standing Committees Mr. Dildine filled Council and staff in on details from the Trees and Decorations Committee meeting that was held just prior to City Council. He said it was a quick meeting and the topics of discussion were military banners, Apple Butter Day, the Haunted Park, and the street tree inventory list. IX. Other Business Mr. Cleary mentioned that in his neighborhood some of the ramps had “grass” written on them, and clarified for the record that there will be construction done to make them more ADA Compliant. He said a lot of people were asking him what “grass” meant and suggested the City post this to Facebook to make the public more aware. Chief Adams made a quick announcement that the second Mega Load will be coming through town this weekend. X. Adjournment Council Member Cleary made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hilbert to adjourn at 7: 01 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 5 City Council Meeting Minutes July 8, 2024 City of Groveport Page 6