City Council

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Tuesday, May 27, 2025 6:30 PM Council Chambers City Council City Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2025 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, 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: 7 - Edward Dildine, Edward Dildine, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett, Jack Rupp, Jean Ann Hilbert, and Shawn Cleary V. Approval of Minutes The May 12, 2025 City Council Minutes stand approved as submitted. #113-2025 May 12, 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes Attachments: 2025.05.12 City Council Meeting Minutes.pdf VI. Business of Guests A. Bill Lewis Mr. Lewis thanked Council and staff for the progress on the demolition of the condemned property near his house. He said it has lead him to wonder why it took so long for anything to happen at that property and that he started thinking about other properties in the neighborhood. He added that one in particular has many vehicles, engine blocks, trash, and oil in the yard. It made him question how many cars we're allowed to have in front of our houses, and why nothing has been done about it. He said he'd like to see some of these other homes in the community more closely looked after. He said a neighbor of his received a notice to clean up their yard after they had torn down a chicken coop and didn't quite get to clearing the materials in a timely manner, however, nothing seems to City of Groveport Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2025 have been done with the house with multiple vehicles in the yard. He said he thinks someone from the City should really take a look into it. Mrs. Hilbert encouraged Mr. Lewis to continue bringing any concerns about possible violations to Council and the City's Code Compliance Officer's attention. B. Della Dawson Mrs. Dawson expressed her concerns about standing water in the basement of the condemned property. Finance Director Carr spoke about it becoming ground water. He said the City had reached out to the Ohio EPA, Franklin County Health Department, and the demolition company. There were no concerns raised by any entity. Mrs. Dawson further spoke about the emptying of the rat traps that had been placed at neighboring homes, her thoughts on communication from the City about the condemned property, and reiterated her concern for soil contamination from the fumigation. Mr. Carr replied that the water would dissipate into the soil and assured her that it is not contaminated, therefore would not contaminate the soil. He added that once the area is cleared there will be clean fill put on top of it, and it will be compacted. She inquired about the trees and shrubs, to which Mr. Carr said they would also be cleared and walked her through the process and timeline of clearing the lot. Mrs. Dawson further expressed her concerns over rats that have migrated from the property after its demolition and fumigation. Mr. Carr said that he would be at the property first thing in the morning to oversee the rest of the demolition and that it has already been conveyed to the contractor to contact the City if they see more rats coming out, so the City can call the pest control company to come out immediately. Council addressed Mrs. Dawson's further concerns about communication, how to place a complaint, pest control, and the types of chemicals used in the fumigation. Mr. Carr said he would follow up with the pest control company to make sure rat traps are being checked and emptied. Mayor Westcamp told Mrs. Dawson that we share her concerns and asked Mr. Carr to also reach out to the EPA to see if a representative can come out to the property and speak to the neighbors. VII. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings Res. 2025-003 A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE OFFICIAL INTENT AND REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF THE CITY OF GROVEPORT ON BEHALF OF THE STATE OF OHIO (THE BORROWER) FOR THE CITY'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE City of Groveport Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2025 CC01AB/CC02AB, PORT ROAD PHASE II PROJECT WITH THE PROCEEDS OF TAX EXEMPT DEBT OF THE STATE OF OHIO. Sponsors: Hilbert A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Cleary, to adopt. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Dildine, Hutson, Lockett, Rupp, Hilbert and Cleary Ord. 2025-019 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: Cleary Law Director Shannon requested Council consider making a motion to postpone the third reading of this ordinance to the June 9th City Council meeting, in order to comply with the required time frame for public notice in the Daily Reporter. A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to postpone to the June 9th City Council Meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Dildine, Hutson, Lockett, Rupp, Hilbert and Cleary B. 2nd Readings C. 1st Readings Ord. 2025-020 AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE POSITION OF FULL TIME COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, ACCEPTING THE POSITION DESCRIPTION AND PAY GRADE THEREFORE Sponsors: Lockett Attachments: Ord. 2025-020 Exhibit A.pdf This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole Ord. 2025-021 AN ORDINANCE SETTING COMPENSATION FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND FURTHER CONTINUING THE OPTION OF OBTAINING FAMILY VISION, DENTAL INSURANCE, AND LIFE INSURANCE FRINGE BENEFITS Sponsors: Dildine City of Groveport Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2025 A motion was made by Council Member Dildine, seconded by Council Member Rupp, to amend the language of Section 1. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Dildine, Hutson, Lockett, Rupp, Hilbert and Cleary This Ordinance was referred to the Committee of the Whole VIII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Westcamp recapped on the Memorial Day ceremony and recognized the Community Affairs staff for another job well done putting everything together. B. Administrator - BJ King Finance Director Carr reported in Administrator King's absence. He reiterated that he will be at the demolition site first thing in the morning and that he will send updates to Council and Mayor Westcamp. He added that his contact at the EPA may not be available to come out before the demolition, but he will reach out with questions about contamination of ground water and seek recommendations from them. He suggested we still proceed with the demolition as scheduled and keep the neighborhood updated. Mr. Dildine suggested asking the EPA if they would recommend periodic soil testing. Mrs. Hilbert suggested also reaching out to the pest control company. Mr. Carr agreed and said he would try to get a schedule for when they will empty the traps. Mr. Rupp inquired if staff will be creating a report on expenses and steps taken for future reference, to which Mr. Carr replied that it has been discussed internally. he moved on to report that the outdoor pool at the Rec Center has opened, we found the leak, and it has been sectioned off for repair. C. Chief of Police - Casey Adams Chief Adams updated Council and staff on the Police Department's drone program. He is hopeful the new drone will arrive and be ready to go on three to four weeks. Mr. Cleary said the drone would also be great for aerial photos of construction projects to put on our website. Chief Adams agreed and said he and City Engineer Farst had spoken about it as well. He said the FAA will be out at Bolton Field Airport in late June to conduct aircraft crash training and we will be sending officers there. D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr City of Groveport Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2025 Finance Director Carr reported that the 2024 Audit is reaching its end and will most likely be released in late July or early August. 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 spoke about how nice the Memorial Day ceremony was and gave highlights from the last school board meeting. H. Clerk of Council - Mindy Kay I. Standing Committees Mr. Cleary filled in Council and staff on discussion from the last Cemetery Committee meeting. IX. Other Business Mr. Carr reminded all about the special meeting tomorrow night with Choptank owner Meg Mannion and her staff to discuss branding for the City. X. Adjournment Council Member Cleary made a motion, seconded by Council Member Dildine to adjourn at 7: 18 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