Committee of the Whole

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, April 15, 2024 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 & Jack Rupp Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes April 15, 2024 I. Call to Order Committee Chair Dildine called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Staff Present: BJ King - Administrator, Kevin Shannon - Law Director, Jason Carr - Finance Director, Michael Loges - Development Director, Casey Adams - Chief of Police, Seth Bower - Recreation Center Director, Mike Poirier - Chief Building Official, Mindy Kay - Clerk of Council Guests Present: The Guest Book is on file with the Clerk of Council. II. Moment of Silence Committee Chair Dildine asked everyone to join him in a moment of silence. III. Pledge of Allegiance Police Chief Adams led the Pledge of Allegiance. IV. Roll Call Present: 6 - Dildine,Hutson,Lockett,Rupp,Hilbert, and Cleary V. Approval of Minutes The March 18, 2024 City Council Minutes stand approved as submitted. #081-2024 March 18, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes Attachments: 2024.03.18 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes.pdf VI. Proclamation Mayor Westcamp read the Proclamation and presented it to Groveport Madison Schools Director of Special Education Mitzi Boyd and Elementary Special Education Coordinator Maggie Riley. Council Member Lockett stated Autism is a growing condition that requires a lot of help and is one of many handicapping conditions that we see the kids in our schools have. He expressed his gratitude for the monumental job the special education staff does and that he couldn’t be more proud of them.. City of Groveport Page 1 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes April 15, 2024 #080-2024 Autism Awareness Month Attachments: Autism Awareness Month.pdf VII. Business of Guests A. Madison Township Representative 1. Fire Chief Adams Madison Township Fire Chief Adams greeted Council and reminded everyone of the Shred Hunger event at Brobst Park on Saturday May 4th from 10:00-1:00. He said we will be providing free shredding services and electronic waste collection. There will also be a canned food drive. He then spoke about Madison Township’s partnership with Groveport Police and Groveport Madison Schools in upping our response tactics for worst-case scenarios. #082-2024 MTFD Monthly Report Attachments: MTFD Monthly Report.pdf B. Cam Lindsay Cam Lindsay thanked Council for their support this past season. He said he was able to compete in a traveling series and race in Michigan, Indiana, and here in Ohio. He finished in 4th place and won two championships at local tracks in Ohio. He expressed his gratitude for Council’s sponsorship and outlined his racing goals for the coming season. C. Jacque Lowry Groveport Heritage Society Trustee Member Jacque Lowry stated that she believes there are several non-profit organizations that would benefit from Town Hall having extended hours from 4:00pm-8:00pm for their regular scheduled meetings. She also expressed that it would be helpful for the museum at Town Hall, as people who work typically cannot make it to Town Hall by the time it closes. She also suggested the building be open to the community in the morning to mid afternoon on Saturdays. Administrator King explained how he appreciates her request; however, it would put a strain on our staff. He said he remembers a couple years back when the idea was circulating about the Heritage Society having volunteers to staff the museum, which we would certainly be willing to City of Groveport Page 2 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes April 15, 2024 accommodate, but we haven’t heard anything else about it. Mrs. Lowry expressed a few concerns about having access to the building and liability if something went wrong while they were there. Mr. King said he could put her in contact with our staff and stated his concerns about the safety of our female staff members being by themselves in the building at night. He and Mrs. Lowry further discussed how many people may regularly come to the museum. They agreed to set up a meeting and see if the Heritage Society has any volunteers for four months to see how much of a demand there is for the museum. Mrs. Hilbert added that the Town Hall doors are also open during community events. Council and staff discussed having it open during the Alumni Banquet. Mr. King and Mrs. Lowery further spoke about volunteers, having staff on call, and looking into our liability insurance policy. D. Jay Montgomery Jay Montgomery introduced himself as a former president of the Historical Society and stated that this past Apple Butter Day volunteered as a historian. He said that while volunteering, there was a lot of interest from people who are new to Groveport and that he will be speaking on the history of Groveport at a church luncheon this week as well. He expressed that there is an interest in Groveport’s history and a need for it to be available to the public. VIII. New Business IX. Unfinished Business X. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings B. 2nd Readings Ord. 2024-020 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH SPECTRA CONTRACT FLOORING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF WALL TILES IN THE LOCKER ROOMS AT THE RECREATION CENTER UNDER THE SOURCEWELL COOPERATIVE PURCHASE PLAN, THEREBY WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING PURSUANT TO GROVEPORT CITY CHARTER SECTION 9.02(B) Sponsors: Cleary Mr. King said that to his understanding the tiles are original and starting City of Groveport Page 3 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes April 15, 2024 to deteriorate. This replacement was part of the approved budget for 2024. Mrs. Hilbert asked if the square tiles are going to be replaced with bigger tiles. Recreation Director Seth Bower explained that they will be replaced with 12x12 tiles. Mr. Cleary recommended having the area checked for mold when they replace the tiles. A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to recommend approval to the City Council. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Dildine,Hutson,Lockett,Rupp,Hilbert, and Cleary XI. Financial Report Finance Director Carr gave highlights from the financial report, including income tax collections, our general fund balance, and investments. Council and staff further discussed details of the report. Mayor Westcamp informed Council that we have released the tax sharing check to Groveport Madison Schools. Mr. Carr added that the check was close to $1.2 million, very similar to what the amount was last year. #083-2024 Financial Report Attachments: Financial Report.pdf XII. Other Business XIII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Westcamp gave thanks to Mr. King, Community Affairs Director Jessica Wyke, and her staff for getting all Memorial Day preparations in order. He said the guest speaker will be Board of Zoning & Appeals member Greg Keller, and that we are trying to showcase local veterans who’d like to tell their stories. B. Administrator - BJ King C. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr Mr. Carr stated that the 2024 Audit started today and offered to get Council in touch with the auditors if they had any questions for them. City of Groveport Page 4 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes April 15, 2024 E. Chief of Police - Casey Adams Chief Adams reported that detective Sergeant Gilbert has just returned from a cyber security training in Alabama with the secret service, and that we will be receiving about $10,000 worth of equipment from the federal government for us to utilize while we’re part of the federal secret service task force. Mr. Rupp inquired about the larger network for our Flock cameras that was mentioned in Chief Adams’ report. Chief Adams explained that since we’ve networked with other cities, we’ve found other areas entering the City that we’d like to access. One of the main perks is being able to enter information on suspects and get instant alerts when individuals enter our City. Mr. Rupp confirmed with Chief Adams that there are about 2,000 Flock cameras in our region. Chief Adams added that because we’re networking with other cities, we can track the movements of subjects and work with other Police Departments to investigate or apprehend them. He and Mr. Rupp then spoke about how this system can also help us study crime trends. Mr. Dildine commended the Police Department for all the training they’re doing. #084-2024 PD Council Report Attachments: PD Council Report.pdf F. Economic Development Director - Michael Loges Development Director Loges recognized City Engineer Steve Farst for helping to respond to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan that MORPC completes every four years. He said it is vital for us to receive any federal funds for roadway improvements, active transportation projects, and pedestrian and bikeway improvements. Mr. Farst did a great job of providing our comments to MORPC and getting those integrated into the final product. #085-2024 EDEV Council Report Attachments: EDEV Council Report.pdf G. Public Services Director - Brian Strayer #086-2024 PS Council Report Attachments: PS Council Report.pdf H. Chief Building Official - Mike Poirier City of Groveport Page 5 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes April 15, 2024 Mr. Cleary inquired if the Groveport Madison High School has made any contact in reference to building the shelter house at Cruiser Park. Mr. Poirier said they had, and that they mentioned trying to get a hold of an architect to invite to a meeting with him to discuss the process. He and Mr. Cleary further discussed the project. #087-2024 B&Z Council Report Attachments: B&Z Council Report.pdf I. Director of Golf - Tom Walker #088-2024 GOLF Council Report Attachments: GOLF Council Report.pdf J. Recreation Director - Seth Bower Recreation Director Bower spoke about the underwater Easter egg hunt and congratulated Aquatics Manager Kelsey Valine and her staff for doing a tremendous job hosting it. He said just under 150 children participated and we have plans on hosting a pumpkin plunge for Halloween this year. Mr. Cleary asked if we are in good shape with having enough lifeguards this summer, to which Mr. Bower replied the Rec Center is well staffed for summer and ahead of schedule for opening. #089-2024 REC Council Report Attachments: REC Council Report.pdf K. Community Affairs Director - Jessica Wyke #090-2024 CA Council Report Attachments: CA Council Report.pdf L. City Engineer - Steve Farst #091-2024 ENG Council Report Attachments: ENG Council Report.pdf M. Director of Transportation / Senior Services - Bob Dowler City of Groveport Page 6 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes April 15, 2024 #092-2024 DOT Council Report Attachments: DOT Council Report.pdf N. Personnel Director / Human Resources - Joyce Myers #093-2024 HR Council Report Attachments: HR Council Report.pdf O. Director of Information Technology - Trevor Swackhamer P. Clerk of Council - Mindy Kay Q. Council Members - Jean Ann Hilbert, Ed Dildine, Shawn Cleary, Becky Hutson, Scott Lockett and Jack Rupp Mr. Rupp gave highlights from last week’s school board meeting, including the school taking a hard look at student’s math skills and how to improve their math program, particularly with algebra, to help keep students from falling behind. He said they also discussed how we are third behind Columbus and Whitehall for Absenteeism and how to improve attendance. Mrs. Hilbert asked when the bricks and sidewalks are going to be sprayed. Mr. King said he would find out and follow up with her. She then inquired if we are going to install French drains at the pickleball courts, as she had noticed a lot of standing water there after the rain. Mr. King said it will be a wet area, however, they are building up the area so that it is somewhat out of the floodplain. XIV. Executive Session A motion was made by Council Member Dildine , seconded by Council Cleary to go into executive session pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Sections 121.22(G)(1), 121.22(G)(2) and 121.22(G)(3) at 6:18 p.m. to discuss economic development matters and invited the Mayor, Council, Law Director, Administrator, Finance Director, Chief Building Official and Development Director. A motion was made by Council Member Cleary, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to come out of executive session at 7:31p.m. with no action taken. City of Groveport Page 7 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes April 15, 2024 XV. Adjournment Council Member Hilbert made a motion, seconded by Council Member Cleary, to adjourn at 7:31 p.m. All in favor stated AYE, None Opposed. Motion passed. __________________________________________ Edward Dildne, President Pro Tem __________________________________________ 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 8