Committee of the Whole

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org Meeting Minutes Monday, September 21, 2015 6:30 PM Council Chambers Committee of the Whole Mayor Lance Westcamp Council Members - Ed Rarey, Jean Ann Hilbert, Donna Drury, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary & Becky Hutson Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 21, 2015 I. Call to Order by Committee Chair Cleary at 6:30 p.m. Staff Present: Marsha Hall - Administrator, Kevin Shannon - Law Director, Jeff Green - Director of Finance, Stephen Moore - Chief Building Official, Patty Storts - Community Affairs Director, Steve Farst - Engineer, Dennis Moore - Public Works Superintendent, Kyle Lund - Parks and Recreation Director, Tom Walker - Director of Golf, Tom Byrne - Director of Facilities Management, Bob Dowler - Director of Transportation, Ralph Portier - Chief of Police Guests Present: The Guest Book is on file with the Clerk of Council. II. Moment of Silence Committee Chair Cleary asked everyone to join him in a moment of silence. III. Pledge of Allegiance Chief Portier led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. Roll Call Absent: 1 - Council Member Hilbert Present: 5 - Council Member Cleary, Council Member Dildine, Council Member Drury, Council Member Hutson, and Council Member Rarey V. Approval of Minutes - August 17, 2015 Approved as submitted. #189-2015 COTW Minutes 8-17-15 Attachments: COTW Minutes 8-17-15.pdf VI. Business of Guests a. Madison Township Fire Chief Bates - Monthly Update Chief Bates updated Council on the August 2015 monthly fire department report. He noted the department kept busy with 547 runs in August. Chief Bates commented on the investigation of the homicide occurring in the area of the Recreation Center roadway. City of Groveport Page 1 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 21, 2015 The Madison Township Fire Department is working with the Groveport Police Department. The training the fire department has received was utilized well that morning in extracting the one patient involved who survived the incident. He reported on the collision involving the fire department's truck. Engine 182 was involved in a head on collision on Groveport Road on September 3, 2015. The insurance company has preliminarily informed the department the unit is going to be totaled. Madison Township is working on a replacement for the unit. The Engine Spec Committee was working on the specs for the new truck to be ordered in January 2016, but this loss has moved up that time table. The Medic Spec Committee is waiting for final pricing and are to make their submittal by 5:00 p.m. on October 1st or October 2nd. The department expects to be presenting something to the Madison Township Trustees in October to order a new medic. Chair Cleary asked about injuries due to the accident. Chief Bates reported only minor injuries and one Lieutenant was transported to a hospital but was released a short time later. The investigation of the accident seems to show the truck went airborne, which is mostly why the truck was totaled. The Fire and EMS Expo is being held downtown at the Convention Center this month and the Fire Academy has reached out to the department to put the truck on display. The Fire Academy wants to use it to push out the message "Here is why you wear your safety belt". #200-2015 MTFD August 2015 Monthly Report Attachments: MTFD August 2015 Monthly Report.pdf VII. New Business a. G.R.E.A.T. Program Update Director of Transportation Bob Dowler gave a presentation on the Groveport Rickenbacker Employee Access Transit (G.R.E.A.T.) Program. Months ago Council was confronted with an issue after Administrator Marsha Hall and Finance Director Jeff Green met with a major employer with staffing problems. Companies were asking themselves if Groveport was the best place for them to be doing business. It has been proven to the local companies, with Council's actions, that Groveport is the place to do their business. Mr. Dowler quoted Franklin D. Roosevelt "One thing is sure. We have to do something. We have to do the best we know how at the moment. If it doesn't turn out right, we can modify it as we go along." This is the point in which staff has been operating. Something needed to be done and staff started with what they did know. If something needs fixed at a later date, it can be done. The presentation showed how City of Groveport Page 2 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 21, 2015 the G.R.E.A.T. Program is going to help Groveport employers get, and keep, the 20,000 jobs in the Rickenbacker area filled. The City has partnered with Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) and Parking Solutions, Inc. (PSI). This partnership will provide the last mile, door-to-door services to the industrial parks that are not currently served by COTA. The City wanted a service that was free to the employees who already buy a COTA pass. City staff has been working with the employers asking for their participation financially, both in upfront costs and daily operating costs. The City wanted to partner with Obetz to provide service to their area. Down the road the City will explore connections with Pickaway and Fairfield Counties with the US33 and SR23 corridors bringing in ready work forces. Alex Beim, Senior Planner from Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) commented COTA has been incrementally increasing service with demand to reach job centers in the Groveport / Rickenbacker area. Even with the increase in COTA service, their large buses are unable to provide door-to-door service with the layout of the industrial parks parking lots. Working with Bob Dowler and the other Groveport staff in picking up that last mile and getting employees to the individual businesses has been great. COTA has enhanced its schedule to run every half an hour instead of the four hour schedule, thus making it more accessible to anyone's work schedule. Rudy Touvell with Parking Solutions, Inc. (PSI) went over the three routes and their challenges. PSI is the company that will manage the shuttle bus operations (drivers, etc.). Bob Dowler thanked COTA, PSI, MORPC, Village of Obetz and the Groveport area businesses. He thanked the Mayor, City Council and all the City staff who had a part in making this new program happen. Council Member Dildine commented the thanks goes to Marsha Hall and Jeff Green who have worked with this project from the beginning and brought it to Council. The progress made in such a short amount of time is just amazing. Mayor Westcamp stated what Mr. Dildine said was absolutely true and once again it proves the City of Groveport stepped up to the plate with this administration, along with this Council, to get this project done. He personally thanked Council. Council Member Cleary inquired about advertising the program. Mr. Dowler went over all that is being done to get word of the G.R.E.A.T. Program out to the public. City of Groveport Page 3 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 21, 2015 Council Member Drury thanked everyone for making the project happen, it has been a long time in coming to Groveport. b. “Nuisance Properties” Chair Cleary raised the matter of nuisance properties, i.e. the burnt house on Westport Drive and a house on Shaffer Drive. Mr. Cleary wanted to make sure we keep our City cleaned up of any unappealing structures. He had asked Ms. Hall and Law Director Kevin Shannon to look into the new laws and rules so the City can take measures against property owners to require the necessary improvements. Groveport will not have these buildings out there looking the way they look. Administrator Hall had a schedule of the procedures staff has attempted to do and referred the matter over to Chief Building Official Stephen Moore. Mr. Moore advised they had until today to submit for permits to either tear down the burnt portion of the house or remodel. He will verify permits have been submitted. If there have not been any submitted, a demolition order will be put out tomorrow to the company hired to manage the property. The problem with this house on Westport Drive is no one is claiming ownership and there was no home insurance on the house. Staff has been meeting with Law Director Shannon to make sure procedures are being followed. If Building & Zoning does not get any cooperation from someone in regards to this property, the City will move towards demolition of the structure. They did mow the grass in the front of the house when told the grass was getting too high, but the City went in to mow the back yard and clean up a lot of junk. The things the City has had to go in and do will be put back on the property taxes for collection. Council Member Dildine asked if there was anything the City needed to look at to shorten the time frame to deal with such situations. Mr. Shannon commented Building & Zoning staff have been on top of this situation from the start. Courtney Shisler, Property Maintenance Inspector, has been on the actual company, that was hired by the bank, to come in and do the remediation on the property. Ms. Shisler had given the company a timeline of the things to be accomplished. The company came back with a proposal to have things completed by September 20, 2015. Administrator Hall indicated the Mayor had a great deal of concern with this matter as he had been in the area of the property and wanted to know the status of the issue. Ms. Shisler immediately updated Administration by indicating there was a September 20th deadline. She also notified the company and the property owner (according to the most current records available) and indicated to them that it is the City's intent to move forward with City of Groveport Page 4 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 21, 2015 demolition. The City will clean the property immediately since the deadline has not been met. Under the City of Groveport's Property Maintenance Section, it is clear the City has the ability to go forth with the demolition. In Mr. Moore's opinion, it can be upheld that the property is a threat to the public safety. VIII. Unfinished Business None. IX. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings None B. 2nd Readings ORD. 15-057 AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING AND DEDICATING AS A PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH NEWPORT VILLAGE SECTION 4 Sponsors: Dildine Chair Cleary read by title Ordinance No. 15-057. The Committee of the Whole recommended approval. Yes: 5 - Cleary, Dildine, Drury, Hutson and Rarey ORD. 15-058 AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING PARKING AND AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF NO PARKING SIGNS ON MADISON STREET IN THE CITY OF GROVEPORT Sponsors: Hutson Administrator Hall stated this Ordinance deals with the parking issue on the west side of Madison Street between the exit drive of the post office and Main Street. This legislation would authorize the placing of "no parking" signs on the west side. In regards to the east side of Madison Street, as part of the Madison Street Project "no parking" was approved on the east side of the street. The east side of the street is "no parking" for the entire length. Chair Cleary read by title Ordinance No. 15-058. The City of Groveport Page 5 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 21, 2015 Committee of the Whole recommended approval. Yes: 5 - Cleary, Dildine, Drury, Hutson and Rarey RES. 15-004 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GROVEPORT TAX INCENTIVE REVIEW COUNCIL RELATING TO VARIOUS CITY OF GROVEPORT TAX INCENTIVES Sponsors: Hilbert Attachments: RES. 15-004 attachment TIRC August 12, 2015 Minutes.pdf Finance Director Jeff Green advised this legislation is an annual occurrence involving the Tax Incentive Review Council. Chair Cleary read by title Resolution No. 15-004. The Committee of the Whole recommended approval. Yes: 5 - Cleary, Dildine, Drury, Hutson and Rarey X. Financial Report Finance Director Jeff Green referred Council to the submitted Finance Report and was available to answer any questions. #190-2015 Finance Report August 2015 Attachments: Finance Report August 2015.pdf XI. Other Business XII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Westcamp thanked President Pro-Tem Shawn Cleary for presiding over the September 14, 2015 City Council meeting in his absence. He also thanked the Groveport (Southeast Franklin County) Chamber of Commerce and Community Affairs Director Patty Storts for Saturday's Car Show. The Mayor felt the event went well, with the number of cars registered and the good attendance. Mayor Westcamp congratulated the Groveport Cruisers on the football game against Canal Winchester...he held up the trophy he gets to hold on to for a year. B. Administrator - Marsha Hall City of Groveport Page 6 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 21, 2015 Administrator Marsha Hall addressed the Founders Bend neighborhood park. Representatives of the Founders Bend Home Association attended the last Committee of the Whole meeting to request Council consider a neighborhood park being on a parcel of land on Landmark. The track of land in question is a part of a much larger tract that runs at the rear of some properties along Landmark Road. The parcel is approximately 40' wide and this neighborhood park is included in the 2008 Master Park Plan that was adopted by Council that year. Ms. Hall had submitted documentation on the associated costs and ideas for the park as part of that master plan. In 2008 the associated costs were $238,000. Within the Park Master Plan, there are several other neighborhood parks discussed in other residential subdivisions. Founders Bend is the only City-owned neighborhood park included in the Master Park Plan that still remains to be constructed. There are a few neighborhood parks that are owned by the homeowners' association or the development that haven't been developed which are included in the Park Master Plan. There are some open-space type parks indicated in the plan. There are some items included in the 2008 cost estimate that the President of the Founders Bend Homeowners' Association does not think have to be included in the park. One item would be a drinking fountain that is indicated on the plan but not necessary. It was discussed to bring in the homeowners’ association to assist in the planning of neighborhood parks. Staff recommends setting aside an amount, possibly $75,000., annually for a Park Development Plan, such as what the City does for the sidewalk program. Then, prioritize the list of items in the Master Park Plan and work with the neighbors to make it a joint effort. They can help in the planning of the parks and the City can get some of the playground equipment through grants by some of the vendors. Staff can work with the developers to help the City put that together and build the park. It will be a true community park that everyone has ownership in and allows the construction of the park to be done at a lower cost. #191-2015 Adm Report to Council - Sept 21 Attachments: Adm Report to Council - Sept 21.pdf Founders Bend Neighborhood Park Concept Plan msg.pdf Founders Bend Neighborhood Park Costs.pdf C. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon Nothing further to report. D. Director of Finance - Jeff Green City of Groveport Page 7 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 21, 2015 Finance Director Green reminded Council of the October 13th "2016 Budget Workshop" starting at 8:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers. October 14th will be the G.R.E.A.T. launch at the Eddie Bauer facility outside of their offices at 10:00 a.m. Mr. Green invited everyone to enjoy cake and coffee in celebration of tonight's G.R.E.A.T. presentation. E. Chief of Police - Ralph Portier Nothing further to report. Report will be submitted at the next regular City Council meeting. F. Public Works Superintendent - Dennis Moore Nothing further to report. #192-2015 PW September 2015 Council Report Attachments: PW September 2015 Council Report.pdf G. Chief Building Official - Stephen Moore Nothing further to report. #193-2015 B & Z September 2015 Attachments: B & Z September 2015.pdf H. Director of Golf - Tom Walker Nothing further to report. #194-2015 GOLF Report to Mayor and Council Attachments: GOLF Report to Mayor and Council 9-16-15.pdf I. Parks & Recreation Director - Kyle Lund Parks & Recreation Director Kyle Lund reported the outdoor pool bottom is being painted and re-caulked and should be done by the end of the week. The roof project is about two weeks behind schedule. The company hopes to work on Fridays and weekends to get back on schedule. A week or so ago there was a leak that caused damage to some drywall, ceiling tile and some of the wood City of Groveport Page 8 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 21, 2015 flooring in the group fitness studio. The contractor will be paying for all the repairs caused by the leak. The Columbus Parent Magazine rated the Groveport Aquatic Center first runner-up in the outdoor municipal pools. Groveport shares the distinction with Dublin. The Highlands Water Park in Westerville took first place honors. He acknowledged Stephanie Bernard who had a 5k recently in the park. Benefits of the "Kids on the Move" event went to Nationwide Children's Hospital. Stephanie had 70 participants. #195-2015 Rec Ctr Council Report Attachments: Rec Ctr Council Report.pdf Oct 2015 Connection.pdf J. Community Affairs Director - Patty Storts Community Affairs Director Patty Storts reported on the Classic Car Show held Saturday at the Aquatic Center parking lot. There were 40 cars and 40 motorcycles registered for the event. Participants liked the new location; it was more accessible and easier to park their car. The afternoon concert did not do as well due to the rain. After the first band performed the rain came in and the concert had to be shut down. The equipment was getting wet and some people were getting shocked. Ms. Storts and Mr. Lund will get together to re-think the event for next year. #196-2015 CA Council Report - September 2015 Attachments: CA Council Report - September 2015.pdf K. Director of Facilities Management - Tom Byrne Nothing further to report. #197-2015 FM&P 9-15-15 status Attachments: FM&P 9-15-15 status.pdf L. City Engineer - Steve Farst Nothing further to report. #198-2015 Engineers Council Report_9_16_15 Attachments: Engineers Council Report_9_16_15.pdf City of Groveport Page 9 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 21, 2015 M. Director of Transportation - Bob Dowler Nothing further to report. #199-2015 DOT Council Report for 092115 Attachments: DOT Council Report for 092115.pdf N. Clerk of Council - Ruthanne Sargus Ross Nothing to report. O. Council Members - Ed Rarey, Jean Ann Hilbert, Donna Drury, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary and Becky Hutson Nothing to report. XIII. Adjournment Council Member Dildine made a motion, seconded by Council Member Rarey, to adjourn at 7:26 p.m. All in favor stated AYE, None Opposed. Motion passed. __________________________________________ Shawn M. Cleary, President Pro-Tem __________________________________________ Ruthanne Sargus Ross, 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 10