Committee of the Whole

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 20, 2018 5:30 PM Council Chambers Committee of the Whole Mayor Lance Westcamp Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett & Marvin Stevens Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 20, 2018 I. Call to Order by Committee Chair Cleary at 5:30 p.m. Staff Present: Marsha Hall - Administrator, Kevin Shannon - Law Director, Jeff Green - Director of Finance, Dennis Moore - Public Works Superintendent, Stephen Moore - Chief Building Official, Tom Walker - Director of Golf, Kyle Lund - Recreation Center Director, Patty Storts - Community Affairs Director, Tom Byrne - Director of Parks & Facilities Management, Steve Farst - Engineer, Bob Dowler - Director of Transportation, Sue Wadley - Personnel Director, 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 Larry Hilbert led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. Roll Call Present: 6 - Cleary,Dildine,Hilbert,Hutson,Lockett, and Stevens V. Approval of Minutes Approved as submitted. #050-2018 COTW Minutes 11-20-17 Attachments: COTW Minutes 11-20-17.pdf VI. Business of Guests a. Madison Township Fire Interim Chief Fasone Madison Township Fire Interim Chief Jeff Fasone introduced himself to City Council, City department heads and the citizens present. As a Battalion Chief with the Madison Township Fire Department, Jeff Fasone has been named Interim Fire Chief to replace the former Interim Fire Chief Chris Pallos. He has been with the Madison Township Fire Department for 31 years. For 20 of those years, he has lived and owned City of Groveport Page 1 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 20, 2018 his house in the City of Groveport. He has raised his kids in Groveport and sent them through the Groveport Madison School District. In the past, Madison Township Trustees have hired new Fire Chiefs from outside the department. This past time the decision was made to hire within the department with the appointment of Chris Pallos as the new Interim Chief. After a few weeks Interim Chief Chris Pallos decided the job was not for him and he stepped down. The Trustees stayed with the decision to hire from within and named Battalion Chief Jeff Fasone as the new Interim Fire Chief of the Madison Township Fire Department. He looks forward to serving the citizens of Madison Township alongside the 50 professional firefighters/paramedics. He views his presence at the Groveport City Council meetings as the opportunity to share statistical information pertaining to Groveport and Madison Township in general and to be available to Council for any questions and/or concerns going forward. VII. New Business None. VIII. Unfinished Business None. IX. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings ORD. 18-003 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO ISSUE REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE MOST DESIRABLE COMPANY OR FIRM, TO ENGINEER, DESIGN, AND ESTIMATE CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO (2) ADDITIONAL TENNIS COURTS AT DEGENHART PARK Sponsors: Hilbert A. Chris Brown, 3731 Mulligan Drive, Carroll, Ohio 43112, runs the Groveport Tennis Academy through the Groveport Recreation Center. Mr. Brown has over 90 people playing tennis in his tennis academy. He has a recreation program and a competitive program, which includes juniors and adults. Two extra courts at Degenhart Park would allow the teams to play home matches in Groveport instead of at the Reynoldsburg High School where Mr. Brown is a teacher. He stressed the need for more tennis courts in Groveport. City of Groveport Page 2 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 20, 2018 B. Jim Beidler, 455 Naomi Court, addressed Council at the bequest of his wife who plays for Chris Brown. As Mr. Beidler petitioned to be on Groveport City Council, as well as when he left City Council, he has said it is important to look at Groveport through new eyes. When he goes out there and advocates for the City of Groveport, he learns that Groveport has an identity crisis. People don't understand or they don't know Groveport. The affiliations the public makes with Groveport are unfortunate in many circumstances. Such as; Groveport has a great golf course and people come back with "I hear it is always under water" or great soccer fields gets "I hear they are so sloped you can't even see the kid on the other side of the field". There are only three tennis courts, so matches can't be held in Groveport. Adding these two tennis courts to Degenhart Park is an opportunity for City Council to improve the image of Groveport across the entire Central Ohio area. He urges this Council to vote for this matter and take the initiative to fix this issue. C. Mila Sayre-Santos, 3475 Trenton Road, Columbus, Ohio 43232, addressed Council on the issue of pickleball which is currently the largest growing sport in the world. Court space is so sparse one has to reserve time slots to play on a court. Ms. Sayre-Santos stressed the amount of money that can be made with pickleball. Groveport Park already has parking for tennis/pickleball courts, whereas Degenhart Park will create parking problems. When crowds come into the City to play pickleball tournaments, many people will patronize the City's eating/business establishments. Tennis courts and pickleball courts are the same size. Groveport has many amenities in close proximity that could draw in hundreds of people for a tournament and make huge amounts of money. D. Charles Glaser, 173 Green Avenue, is not opposed to tennis or pickleball sports or to the City of Groveport spending money to build tennis courts. He is opposed to building two additional tennis court at Degenhart Park because there is just not enough space for them. If the City adds more courts, it will ruin the park. Most of the people who go to this park don't use the tennis courts. They go to walk, have their kids play and other recreational purposes. It makes sense to him to build the five tennis courts at Groveport Park. There is ample parking and space at Groveport Park for restrooms. Groveport Park is used for recreational sports and events, whereas Degenhart Park is used for recreation by the neighborhood; it is more of a neighborhood park. Council Member Lockett commented the City owns the big field at the end of Green Avenue, which could be incorporated as part of the park. Mr. Glaser understood there were plans to put a bike path through that field to connect to the Walnut Woods Metro Park path. Council Member Cleary is not aware of any plans to connect to the metro park path City of Groveport Page 3 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 20, 2018 through that property. There was talk about connecting at the north part of Groveport. Administrator Marsha Hall explained the property at the end of Green Avenue was donated to the City within the last five years. It was donated because additional housing or roadway could not be developed on the property because of the type of soil. At the time the City agreed to take the property, it was decided to leave it as greenspace. The property is not designated as a park, or part of Degenhart Park, it is just greenspace. Ms. Hall does not know if it would be feasible to build tennis courts on the greenspace. Mr. Glaser added the land is low and frequently floods. E. Karen Kanke, 5244 Zimmer Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43232, is associated with the Groveport Degenhart Park tennis team through Greater Columbus Tennis Association (GCTA). When they have home matches at Degenhart Park the start times have to be staggered. Five courts would allow for all the games to start at the same time. The pickleball lines on the tennis courts caused the tennis team to play one match at Pickerington because lines were distracting. There has been talk of taking the team to play elsewhere with the possibility of returning to Groveport's courts if the courts become playable because of the lines. Council Member Lockett supports in favor of the ordinance for a number of reasons, a lot of which have been presented here tonight. There has been a significant growth in pickleball. The Recreation Center has pickleball groups playing on Monday and Tuesday mornings, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and a small group on Friday mornings. Recreation Director Kyle Lund stated the pickleball teams at Groveport Recreation Center started in 2015 with 42 people; in 2016 there were 975 and 2017 dropped to 669 because when the courts were painted at Degenhart Park players started playing outside. These numbers are just the drop-in players (some of whom are paying members of the Rec Center) and do not include any numbers from the Rec Center's classes. Players are both members of the Rec Center and drop-ins who pay to come in and play. Mr. Lockett doesn't agree that Degenhart Park will lose its neighborhood park feel by adding two additional tennis courts. He agrees with Mr. Beidler that there is a lot of pride in what Groveport has to offer its residents. Mr. Lockett has heard the comment made that the high school is building five tennis courts. He does not really care what the high school is doing. He does not think that this Council makes its decisions based on what Groveport Madison School District does. He thinks Council needs to look at the City of Groveport and what it can offer its residents. He thinks the subject of these two tennis courts at Degenhart Park has been talked about and kicked around and he thinks the two courts should be built City of Groveport Page 4 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 20, 2018 and the subject put to rest. Council Member Cleary has no problem with five tennis courts but not at Degenhart Park. He thinks the amount of people coming and going with tennis and pickleball teams would overwhelm the neighborhood. He would agree with looking into the costs of building five tennis courts at Groveport Park. Groveport Madison High School is building five tennis courts and the program started at the high school. The City has a good relationship with the school district and the high school's tennis courts can be used when needed. Mr. Lockett does not have a problem with building five tennis courts at Groveport Park either. He thinks the relationship with the school district could change at any time. Mr. Cleary commented the high school uses the City's golf course for free. Council Member Hilbert interjected that she was the one who has been pushing for the two additional courts; she was the one who pushed to get the three tennis courts in at Degenhart Park in the first place. She played on a tennis team from 1978 to 1994 and found it embarrassing when people came to Groveport commenting that Groveport only has three tennis courts and not five. The ladies were great about staggering the start times but the matches were always played somewhere else. Five tennis courts will meet the needs of the tennis recreation group. Groveport has always met the needs of all the other recreational groups but never tennis. Council Member Hutson agrees that it would be a lot of money and she does not feel Degenhart Park is set up to accommodate additional courts. The City does have a lot of land at the Groveport Park and at Cruiser Park with parking. The high school will build its five new courts faster than the City can build new courts. If there is still a need to build new tennis courts after the five at the high school are in play, she would be more apt to look at the situation. At this point, she does not see a point in adding additional courts. Mrs. Hutson lives across the street from Glendenning Elementary and the tennis courts there were never used for anything except for people wanting to walk their dogs in a fenced in area. She can't see spending that kind of money especially at Degenhart Park. Mrs. Hilbert asked how much money Mrs. Hutson was looking at and Mrs. Hutson responded whatever the amount was on the assessment to build the two courts. Ms. Hall stated the cost estimate, with lights, was a little over $293,000, without lights $218,000, with an additional $30,000, or so, to move the sanitary sewer. Mrs. Hilbert noted that was less than $300,000 and the City spends more than that on everything else in this City. Council Member Dildine commented when people are passionate about something money is never an issue and vice versa. When someone is not passionate about the matter, then money becomes the issue. Mr. Dildine does not agree with adding tennis courts to Degenhart Park, City of Groveport Page 5 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 20, 2018 which has been his stance from the beginning. He lives on Green Avenue and he does not use the tennis courts. He is not opposed to five tennis courts at Groveport Park but he is opposed to the $600,000 to build those courts. There is talk of the City making money off tournaments but there is a big upfront cost and he thinks the City will have more pressing projects in the future that will need that money more than tennis courts. In forethought of the three courts at Degenhart Park, in the beginning they were set up for recreational play not match play. As some people discount playing at the high school tennis courts, two of the speakers talked about playing at a high school. He is 100% in favor of maintaining the courts at Degenhart Park and painting them with the proper pickleball lines and color. He is not in favor of building two additional tennis courts at Degenhart. Mr. Dildine does not agree with putting $250,000 into two tennis courts at Degenhart Park and he does not agree with putting $600,000 in tennis courts at Groveport Park, unless the City can find other funding. Mr. Dildine does not like the idea of disrupting the feel of Degenhart Park. Council Member Stevens would like to do a little more research on the park situation by going out to see exactly how the parks are situated now. Especially dealing with the traffic going in and out of the neighborhood. The increase in traffic can cause a lot of issues, like the noise. Council Member Hilbert asked to be excused from the rest of tonight's meeting to attend an opioid meeting. Mrs. Hilbert left the meeting at 6:22 p.m. Committee Chair Cleary read by title Ordinance No. 18-003. A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Lockett, to recommend approval to the City Council. The motion failed by the following vote: Yes: 3- Hilbert,Lockett, and Stevens No: 3- Cleary,Dildine, and Hutson B. 2nd Readings ORD. 18-004 AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A FRANCHISE TO OHIO POWER COMPANY, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, FOR THE RIGHT TO ACQUIRE, CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE IN THE STREETS, THOROUGHFARES, ALLEYS, BRIDGES, AND PUBLIC PLACES OF THE CITY OF GROVEPORT, STATE OF OHIO, AND ITS SUCCESSORS, LINES FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC ENERGY TO THE CITY OF GROVEPORT, AND ITS INHABITANTS THEREOF FOR LIGHT, HEAT, POWER, AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE SAME WITHIN, THROUGH, OR ACROSS SAID CITY OF GROVEPORT, STATE City of Groveport Page 6 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 20, 2018 OF OHIO Sponsors: Lockett Committee Chair Cleary asked Vice-Chair Lockett to read Ordinance No. 18-004 due to his having a conflict of interest. Mr. Cleary works for and is employed by the company this Ordinance pertains to and he wished to abstain from any discussion and/or vote on the matter according to Article IX, Section B. 1 of the Rules of Council. Committee Vice -Chair Lockett read by title Ordinance No. 18-004. A motion was made by Council Member Lockett, seconded by Council Member Dildine, to recommend approval to the City Council. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Hilbert Abstain: 1- Cleary Yes: 4- Dildine,Hutson,Lockett, and Stevens ORD. 18-008 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 15-002 (ADOPTED 2/9/2015) WHICH ESTABLISHED IN SEASON GOLF FEES FOR THE LINKS AT GROVEPORT GOLF COURSE Sponsors: Hutson Attachments: ORD. 18-008 Exhibit A 2018 Golf Rates.pdf Golf Director Tom Walker explained this ordinance is for Council to consider amending the rates on Saturday afternoons to allow fourteen and under accompanied children to play for free. Mr. Walker had gone to the PGA Show and learned there was a decline in the number of players, especially younger players coming into the game. He wants to take the opportunity to reach out to the younger players to encourage them to pick up the game of golf. After 1:00 p.m. was chosen to lessen the chances of slowing play down. There will be different sets of tees and the child needs to be accompanied by a paying adult. The free tee times are contingent on availability. Paying patrons, events and outings, etc. will always be accommodated. Committee Chair Cleary read by title Ordinance No. 18-008. A motion was made by Council Member Dildine, seconded by Council Member Hutson, to recommend approval to the City Council. The motion carried by the following vote: Excused: 1- Hilbert Yes: 5- Cleary,Dildine,Hutson,Lockett, and Stevens X. Financial Report City of Groveport Page 7 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 20, 2018 Finance Director Jeff Green informed Council the Financial Report will be in Council's packet next week. XI. Other Business None. XII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Lance Westcamp commented on the local entertainment coming up this weekend. "That's Entertainment" will be shown three times at the high school. It's an outstanding show of people from our community churches coming together. Mayor Westcamp thanked Chief Portier, Sgt. Adams and the Groveport Police Department. With everything going on in this country, they step forward and do their job very professionally. All the calls, emails and comments the City receives shows the pride the residents have in this police department. This community is behind Chief Portier and all the officers. Mayor Westcamp and Council really appreciate the wonderful job done by the department. B. Administrator - Marsha Hall Administrator Marsha Hall clarified that the $600,000 costs for five tennis courts at Groveport Park was estimated in 2010. The cost of five tennis courts today will be much higher. #038-2018 Admin Report to Council Attachments: Adm Report to Council - Feb 20.pdf C. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon Nothing further to report. D. Director of Finance - Jeff Green Nothing further to report. E. Chief of Police - Ralph Portier Chief Portier reported his department had a number of officers attend City of Groveport Page 8 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 20, 2018 the memorial services for the Westerville officers and he is proud of their representation of the City of Groveport. There were over 2000 cruisers from all over the United States to honor the fallen officers. Chief Portier and his department appreciate the daily support that Council, Mayor Westcamp and administration provide them. #039-2018 PD Council Report Attachments: PD Council Report.pdf F. Public Works Superintendent - Dennis Moore Nothing further to report. #040-2018 PW Council Report Attachments: PUBLIC WORKS.Feb.2018docx.pdf G. Chief Building Official - Stephen Moore Nothing further to report. #042-2018 B&Z Council Report Attachments: B&Z Council Report.pdf H. Director of Golf - Tom Walker Mr. Walker reported the back nine bridge was damaged when a large tree came through and got caught on the bridge. They are still in the process of evaluating the damage. I. Recreation Director - Kyle Lund Nothing further to report. Council Member Lockett reported the senior center group has requested more designated parking spaces for the Senior Center at the Recreation Center. Mr. Lockett asked Mr. Lund to forward the information to all of Council. #044-2018 REC Council Report Attachments: REC Council Report.pdf The Connection March 2018.pdf J. Community Affairs Director - Patty Storts City of Groveport Page 9 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 20, 2018 Nothing further to report. #045-2018 CA Council Report Attachments: CA Council Report..pdf K Director of Parks & Facilities Management - Tom Byrne Nothing further to report. #046-2018 P&FM Council Report Attachments: P&FM Council Report.pdf Energy Summary.pdf L. City Engineer - Steve Farst City Engineer Steve Farst reported that the advertising has gone out for the 2018 Street Maintenance Program. Top projects are Hanstein Place with the water improvements and finishing West Street. Mayor Westcamp wanted to know if the City has seen any improvement on the truck traffic. The wording on the signs is fine but they are too small. The sign on Pontius seems to work because there are not too many trucks sitting in the middle not knowing where to go. Businesses need to work with their carriers in letting them know their route. One building is not occupied right now. Two businesses will occupy it, each with one half of the building. Mr. Dildine would like to see the City keep on top of the potholes. There has been a lot of tire damage caused by potholes. #047-2018 ENG Council Report Attachments: ENG Council Report.pdf M Director of Transportation - Bob Dowler Director of Transportation, Bob Dowler reported Senior Transportation will be taking about six senior citizens to the performance of "That's Entertainment" on Saturday and one on Sunday. #048-2018 DOT Council Report Attachments: DOT Council Report.pdf N Personnel Director - Sue Wadley Nothing further to report. City of Groveport Page 10 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes February 20, 2018 #049-2018 HR Council Report Attachments: HR Council Report 2.15.18.pdf O. Clerk of Council - Ruthanne Sargus Ross Not present. P. Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett and Marvin Stevens Council Member Dildine praised the entire staff, from the seasonal / part-time to the administrator on how everything has been handled this winter. Dennis Moore’s crew with plowing roads, Tom Byrne’s workers and Kyle Lund’s staff getting the recreation center open at 5:30 a.m. and the sidewalk cleared. They all get nothing but praise on social media for the great jobs they do. Steve Farst has been very busy, Sue Wadley has been getting information out from Human Resources, people coming in and out of Town Hall for all that Patty Storts provides. Bob Dowler for the Senior Transportation services provided, Tom Walker for his staff always being on the ball every time it rains and the course floods and Stephen Moore with all that runs through the Building Department. He thanked Chief Portier and his department. He can’t thank the City’s employees enough for all they do for Groveport. XIII. Adjournment Council Member Dildine made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hutson to adjourn at 6:46 p.m. All in favor stated AYE, None Opposed. Motion passed. __________________________________________ Lance Westcamp, Mayor __________________________________________ 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 11