Committee of the Whole

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, August 19, 2019 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 & Chad Grashel Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes August 19, 2019 I. Call to Order by Committee Chair Cleary at 5:30 p.m. Staff Present: Marsha Hall - Administrator, Kevin Shannon - Law Director, Jason Carr - Director of Finance, Jeff Green - Asst. Admin. / Development Dir., Dennis Moore - Public Works Superintendent, Stephen Moore - Chief Building Official, Tom Walker - Director of Golf, 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 Chief Portier led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. Roll Call Absent: 1 - Dildine Present: 5 - Cleary,Grashel,Hilbert,Hutson, and Lockett V. Approval of Minutes - July 15, 2019 Approved as submitted. #187-2019 COTW Minutes 7.15.19 Attachments: COTW Minutes 7.15.19.pdf VI. Business of Guests a. Madison Township Interim Fire Chief Fasone Interim Fire Chief Fasone reported that the department is training with the Groveport Police Department on "Active Violence Incidents". The department has been working with Groveport's City Engineer Steve Farst on the traffic signal on South Hamilton Road at Firehouse Lane. He is working with Ed Dildine on the upcoming September 11th ceremony. City of Groveport Page 1 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes August 19, 2019 #188-2019 MTFD Monthly Report Attachments: MTFD Monthly Report.pdf b. Kim Marsee Kim Marsee, 590 Main Street, expressed her concerns with the ordinance recently passed regarding the overnight parking of commercial vehicles. She wanted some clarification on the new statute that she opposed in part. She appreciates that big vehicles shouldn’t be parking in the street obstructing the path of emergency vehicles and residents. Not being able to park your work truck or work vehicle on your own property is a violation and will be very difficult for some small businesses to manage, or survive, consequences of the new law. Having to park a vehicle on another property, pay for rented space and insurance to cover theft and/or vandalism and losing time getting to and from the vehicle could cause an unnecessary hindrance and/or hardship on some small business owners. She questioned if someone drives a company vehicle home from work and parks it in their own driveway would the same weight limitation of 10,000 pounds or less apply. She and her neighbors live in a business/residential zone (Community Commercial); the weight limitation does not apply to CC zoned districts? She would like Council to revisit the ordinance. Council Member Hutson commented the neighbor’s vehicle referred to is likely not over the weight limit. Council Member Lockett commented he wished Council Member Dildine was present tonight because he sat on the committee that made some of the decisions on the new legislation. Council had extended the matter several times and had wanted people from the community to show up so their opinions and concerns could weigh in on the final decision making. The Southeast Messenger ran articles encouraging Groveport residents to show up at Council meetings to have some input on the matter. No one ever came to a meeting to express concerns against the ordinance. One resident did address Council regarding his opposition to big trucks parking in residential areas. Council carefully considered large trucks and/or vehicles that are used as personal vehicles when raising the weight limit. The committee had categorized vehicles by type more than weight and had brought many factors back to Council for consideration. Law Director Kevin Shannon advised this ordinance applies to specific residential districts as defined by the City’s Zoning Code, e.g. the Founders Bend subdivision is a residentially zoned area. The City of Groveport Page 2 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes August 19, 2019 prohibition would apply to anyone seeking to park such a vehicle, a commercial vehicle, as the City has defined it, in that residential subdivision. On Main Street there are mixed zoning classifications. So depending on a parcel itself, if it is zoned CC (Community Commercial) there would not be any prohibition as far as a truck parking on the property, as it is not a residentially zoned parcel. As far as a 7:00 p.m. appointment, Council’s intent was to discourage overnight parking of commercial trucks. If a vehicle pulled in front of any property, an officer would have to be certain if the parcel was residentially zoned or commercially zoned, before issuing a citation. Being temporarily parked for an evening appointment is something the City could look into on a case by case basis, if there was ever an issue. Semi-trucks would still be prohibited from parking overnight on City streets. Council Member Hilbert drove around City neighborhoods and observed a lot of company vehicles parked in driveways. There is no prohibitions on those vehicles if they are under 10,000 pounds. In regards to revisiting the Ordinance, typically the way a citizen would redress an ordinance, is to seek a referendum of the legislation within 30 days of passage. This being a traffic code situation, staff wanted the ability to do direct enforcement. Staff had started the process of this Ordinance in January; it went through three readings, a committee referral and then was shelved. A subcommittee was formed that included Council Member Cleary, Council Member Dildine and Captain Blevins. Captain Blevins did a lot of research on types of vehicles and looked at other jurisdictions as to what they were permitting as far as actual prohibitions of these vehicles. After the committee had gone through the process and determined that this was the best way to go, Council passed the Ordinance as emergency legislation, making it go into effect that night. Therefore, citizens are not able to do a referendum on this Ordinance. The only way to address this matter now is if a Council Member or the Mayor sought to introduce legislation to amend or repeal this Ordinance. There are other factors besides aesthetics in the matter of these types of vehicles being parked in residential areas. Factors include, but aren't limited to, easy access for emergency vehicles and neighborhood streets not being designed, nor constructed, for heavy vehicles like highways. c. Tony Gullett Tony Gullett, 185 Green Avenue, addressed Council on his truck that does exceed the weight limit. His truck weighs 14,100 pounds. He parks the truck in his driveway and uses it for his own commercial / City of Groveport Page 3 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes August 19, 2019 residential remodeling business. The truck does have commercial tags for this purpose. He keeps a lot of tools in the truck so he can’t just park it anywhere. It wastes a lot of time loading and unloading tools and going back and forth. His concern is that it is on his own driveway/property and rarely parked on the street. Council Members and the Mayor want the Ordinance readdressed and directed Kevin Shannon to draw up a draft with new language to be addressed at the next regular City Council meeting. A motion to suspend the enforcement of this Ordinance can be made at the next regular City Council meeting. Council Member Lockett suggested the City consider a permit option for parking certain vehicles on private properties, on a case by case basis. Chief Building Official Stephen Moore wants the zoning code to match the traffic to avoid any conflicting codes. There are several ways Council can address this issue, such as, implementing a permit parking process, amend language that commercial vehicles can't be parked on streets opposed to driveways in residential areas, or reconsidering weight limits. Law Director Kevin Shannon was directed to address the language pertaining to "on public streets" and "private driveways" for better clarification and draft an amendment on this legislation for the next regular City Council meeting. VII. New Business None. VIII. Unfinished Business None. IX. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings ORD. 19-034 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 WEST BIXBY ROAD PAVEMENT REHABILITATION (PHASE II) PROJECT Sponsors: Lockett City of Groveport Page 4 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes August 19, 2019 Administrator Marsha Hall commented that this is an OPWC grant application that the City applied for a couple of years ago for this same project but were unsuccessful. Administration wanted to submit another application with better scoring abilities this year. Chair Cleary read by title Ordinance No. 19-034. A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Lockett, to recommend approval to the City Council. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Cleary,Grashel,Hilbert,Hutson, and Lockett ORD. 19-036 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 SOUTH HAMILTON ROAD / HIGGINS BOULEVARD / DIRECTORS BOULEVARD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT (PHASE II) PROJECT Sponsors: Dildine Administrator Marsha Hall commented that this is an OPWC grant application for the Pizzuti development project requirements. Any local match or loan required would be paid by the developer; it has to be a City initiated project. Chair Cleary read by title Ordinance No. 19-036. A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to recommend approval to the City Council. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5- Cleary,Grashel,Hilbert,Hutson, and Lockett B. 2nd Readings None X. Financial Report Finance Director Jason Carr pointed out some of the new data and information added to the financial report. #189-2019 Finance Report Attachments: Finance Report.pdf XI. Other Business City of Groveport Page 5 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes August 19, 2019 a. 2019 Groveport Projection Finance Director Jason Carr went over suggestions for the City's Debt Service Fund. The City's current income tax allocation (after the allocation to the Rainy Day Fund) is split 80/20 between the General Fund and the Debt Service Fund. Finance is estimating a Debt Service Fund balance of 5,000,000 by the end of 2019 which is about 2.5 times 2019 debt service payments. Mr. Carr offered some suggestions for future planning which may be brought before Council for the 2020 budget related to changing the income tax allocation. Possibly using some of the money allocated towards debt service for capital improvements. It would help alleviate the debt burden the City may have for new projects. Even with deciding what the allocation should be, the City would still have sufficient fund balance carryover at the end of the year of 2020. #190-2019 2019_Groveport_Projection_Report Attachments: 2019_Groveport_Projection_Report_FINAL.pdf XII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Lance Westcamp complimented the Greater Groveport Food Pantry on the annual golf outing. The Food Pantry did a wonderful job getting the people and businesses involved in their efforts. Mayor Westcamp and Chief Ralph Portier were judges at the first annual Shawtomotive Car Show. There was a very good turnout. The Mayor thinks maybe the City should get involved with this event next year. He thinks there is a need in Groveport for a car show. One couple, who saw the show’s announcement on a website, drove their two cars from Cincinnati to participate in this show. A lot of locals participated in the event as well. Mayor Westcamp and Council Member Scott Lockett attended TurnPoint Church on Sunday to thank all the volunteers who help to make the City’s 4 of July Celebration great every year. B. Administrator - Marsha Hall Nothing further to report. #191-2019 Adm Report to Council - Aug 19 City of Groveport Page 6 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes August 19, 2019 Attachments: Adm Report to Council - Aug 19.pdf C. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon Nothing further to report. D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr Nothing further to report. E. Chief of Police - Ralph Portier Chief Portier commented one thing he got out of the car show was that he now knows that is a project he will never start. He was amazed at the amount of money, time and effort that goes into getting those cars looking the way they do. #192-2019 PD Council Report Attachments: PD Council Report.pdf F. Asst. Admin. / Development Dir. - Jeff Green Nothing further to report. #193-2019 ECOD Council Report Attachments: ECOD Council Report.pdf Nothing further to report. G. Public Works Superintendent - Dennis Moore Public Works Superintendent Dennis Moore updated Council on the curb painting project. He has been working with the Engineering Department. The project will be broken down into grids showing Council what the area would look like and how many parking spots will be lost before the actual painting starts. The traffic lights on SR 317 in front of Groveport Madison High School being in sync with the traffic lights on the US 33 overpass will be addressed once the traffic light/intersection improvements on SR 317 are completed. ODOT will have their own intersection improvements to deal with on the overpass with the off ramp needing additional lanes, the right turn to go east on US 33 needs a drop lane, etc. ODOT will try to assign as much green light time as possible on South Hamilton Road but the off ramp during the City of Groveport Page 7 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes August 19, 2019 peak hours will have to let traffic off of US 33. Otherwise, it causes problems. #194-2019 PW Council Report Attachments: PW Council Report.pdf H. Chief Building Official - Stephen Moore Nothing further to report. #195-2019 B&Z Council Report Attachments: B&Z Council Report.pdf I. Director of Golf - Tom Walker Nothing further to report. #196-2019 GOLF Council Report Attachments: GOLF Council Report.pdf J. Recreation Director - Kyle Lund Not present. #197-2019 REC Council Report Attachments: REC Council Report.pdf The Connection.pdf K. Community Affairs Director - Patty Storts Not present. #198-2019 CA Council Report Attachments: CA Council Report.pdf L. Director of Parks & Facilities Management - Tom Byrne Nothing further to report. #199-2019 P&FM Council Report City of Groveport Page 8 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes August 19, 2019 Attachments: P&FM Council Report.pdf M. City Engineer - Steve Farst City Engineer Steve Farst updated Council on the East Bixby Road Improvements project. An unforeseen soil condition revealed a need to alter the mix design for base reconstruction. More time is needed for completing the base reconstruction. Thus, the roadway closure will need to be extended to allow for work to be completed and to ensure safety for workers. Public is being advised of the closure extension. The project completion date is not expected to change. Additional signage has been posted to better direct traffic. City website shows project information. #200-2019 ENG Council Report Attachments: ENG Council Report.pdf N. Director of Transportation - Bob Dowler Nothing further to report. #201-2019 DOT Council Report Attachments: DOT Council Report.pdf O. Personnel Director - Sue Wadley Nothing further to report. #202-2019 HR Council Report Attachments: HR Council Report.pdf P. Clerk of Council - Ruthanne Sargus Ross Nothing to report. Q. Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett and Chad Grashel Council Member Shawn Cleary commented on the matter of placing a permanent podium at the Groveport Cemetery which was discussed at a previous meeting. The Cemetery Committee wants to construct a permanent podium in the area of the flag poles. He welcomes any City of Groveport Page 9 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes August 19, 2019 ideas and suggestions from staff that he will take back to the Cemetery Committee. XIII. Adjournment Council Member Huston made a motion, seconded by Council Member Lockett, to adjourn at 6:29 p.m. All in favor stated AYE, None Opposed. Motion passed. __________________________________________ Shawn Cleary, President Pro Tem __________________________________________ Ruthanne Sargus Ross, CMC 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