Committee of the Whole

City of Groveport 655 Blacklick St. Groveport, OH 43125 614.830.2052 www.groveport.org . Meeting Minutes Monday, September 16, 2024 5:30 PM Council Chambers Committee of the Whole Mayor Lance Westcamp Council Members - Shawn Cleary, Jean Ann Hilbert, Scott Lockett, Abdullah Ansar-Barsa, Karen Fraser, Jamie Hise Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 16, 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, Steve Farst - City Engineer, Michael Loges - Development Director, Brian Strayer - Public Services Director, 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 Committee Chair Dildine 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: 6 - Dildine,Hutson,Lockett,Rupp,Hilbert, and Cleary V. Approval of Minutes The August 19, 2024 City Council Minutes stand approved as submitted. #171-2024 August 19, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes Attachments: 2024.08.12 City Council Meeting Minutes.pdf VI. Business of Guests A. Madison Township Representative Police Chief York extended a special thank you to Council Member Dildine for his continued efforts in coordinating the 9/11 event at Motts Military Museum. He said the hard work and effort that goes on behind the scenes is very much appreciated. He then announced that the Madison Township Fire Department will be hosting their annual open house at Station 182 in Canal Winchester on Sunday, October 6th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. B. Constitution Week Proclamation City of Groveport Page 1 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Mayor Westcamp read aloud the Constitution Week proclamation and presented it to Jill Hawse, member of the Elizabeth Sherman Reese chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. #172-2024 Constitution Week Proclamation 2024 Attachments: Constitution Week Proclamation 2024.pdf C. Carla Cramer Carla Cramer spoke on behalf of the Groveport Heritage Society and thanked Council and staff for their cooperation in the new signage being placed around the City's historical landmarks. She showcased one of the new signs for all to see. VII. New Business VIII. Unfinished Business IX. Ordinances and Resolutions A. 3rd Readings Ord. 2024-037 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PART NINE - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GROVEPORT Sponsors: Cleary Attachments: Ord. 2024-037 Exhibit A.pdf Administrator King said that at this time he’d like to move forward with the 2024 Groveport Rate Study presentation, as it relates to several ordinances on the agenda. He expressed the need for a rate increase due to it being several years since the last increase and with our utility rates being enterprise funds that should be self-sufficient. Finance Director Carr walked Council through the 2024 Groveport Rate Study and explained the goals the City would like to accomplish, including providing additional revenue to cover increasing costs. He said we have not increased our water rates since 2017 and storm water has never been increased since its adoption by Council in 2010, despite inflation and seeing our maintenance costs increase. Council and staff continued through the rate study presentation and discussed the rate increase at further length. 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 City of Groveport Page 2 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 following vote: Yes: 6- Edward Dildine,Becky Hutson,Scott Lockett,Jack Rupp,Jean Ann Hilbert, and Shawn Cleary Ord. 2024-038 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING BILLING RATES FOR WATER, SEWER, CLEAN RIVER AND STORMWATER UTILITIES Sponsors: Hutson A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, seconded by Council Member Rupp, to recommend approval to the City Council. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Edward Dildine,Becky Hutson,Scott Lockett,Jack Rupp,Jean Ann Hilbert, and Shawn Cleary Ord. 2024-039 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COLUMBUS SEWER MAINTENANCE FUND Sponsors: Dildine A motion was made by Council Member Hutson, seconded by Council Member Lockett, to recommend approval to the City Council. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Edward Dildine,Becky Hutson,Scott Lockett,Jack Rupp,Jean Ann Hilbert, and Shawn Cleary ++Ord. 2024-040 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 15-083 AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COLUMBUS WATER MAINTENANCE FUND Sponsors: Hilbert A motion was made by Council Member Hilbert, seconded by Council Member Hutson, to recommend approval to the City Council. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Edward Dildine,Becky Hutson,Scott Lockett,Jack Rupp,Jean Ann Hilbert, and Shawn Cleary B. 2nd Readings Ord. 2024-042 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2005-090 AUTHORIZING A CASH BENEFIT FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE HEALTH INSURANCE AND CHOOSE NOT TO RECEIVE SAID COVERAGE Sponsors: Lockett Mr. Carr referenced his report and explained the potential cost savings City of Groveport Page 3 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 if employees choose not to take the City’s health insurance. He said increasing the stipend could be a way to get more employees to obtain insurance through a spouse and opt out of taking insurance through the City. A motion was made by Council Member Lockett, seconded by Council Member Rupp, to recommend approval to the City Council. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6- Edward Dildine,Becky Hutson,Scott Lockett,Jack Rupp,Jean Ann Hilbert, and Shawn Cleary X. Financial Report Mr. Carr gave highlights from the Financial Report. #173-2024 Financial Report Attachments: Financial Report.pdf XI. Other Business XII. Reports A. Mayor - Lance Westcamp Mayor Westcamp spoke about the 9/11 ceremony and commended all those involved. He expressed how smoothly Kidsfest and the Pickleball tournament went as well. B. Administrator - BJ King Mr. King reported that the striping at the Rec Center will be done on Thursday. He said KidsFest was a huge success and that he was so proud to see how busy the park was. He added that we’ve had a tremendous year at the Golf Course with almost 29,000 rounds played, as well as the Senior Center, which is now maxed out at over 600 members. He added that the outdoor pool yielded 5,000 more day passes this year and that he looks forward to building on our success with everyone. He gave kudos to all our staff for creating such a welcoming and safe environment for our residents. C. Director of Law - Kevin Shannon D. Director of Finance - Jason Carr Mr. Carr announced that our new IT Director Chris Snyder will be City of Groveport Page 4 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 starting on the 26th, and that we have submitted grant applications through the State of Ohio Cyber Security Program. He said he will keep Council updated if we receive the grant. Mr. Cleary commended Mr. Carr on an excellent job putting all of tonight's reports together. #170-2024 2024 Groveport Rate Study, Addendum#1, & Addendum#2 Attachments: 2024 Groveport Rate Study, Addendum#1, & Addendum#2.pdf #185-2024 2024 Comprehensive Water Sewer and Storm Water Presentation Attachments: 2024 Comprehensive Water Sewer and Storm Water Presentation.pdf #184-2024 Finance Director Report Attachments: Finance Director Report.pdf E. Chief of Police - Casey Adams Chief Adams updated Council on Apple Butter day preparations such as traffic control and parking. He commended Lieutenant Short, Sergeant Westhoven, Officer Herrera and Administrative Assistant Wilson on all their hard work and involvement in planning Apple Butter Day, KidsFest and the upcoming Haunted Park. Mr. Cleary mentioned that there have been several more accidents at the intersection at Bixby and Ebright. City Engineer Farst stated that we have reengaged with our traffic engineers to have them update the traffic study they did in 2020, to look at the more recent three years of crash history. He said when the study was received, we met with the County Engineer about it. The recommendation was to establish an action plan and look toward making some changes in traffic control measures. He added that there will be a presentation at next month’s Committee of the Whole meeting. Council and staff continued to discuss the intersection, long term and short term solutions, traffic patterns, and upcoming changes on US 33. #174-2024 PD Council Report Attachments: PD Council Report.pdf F. Economic Development Director - Michael Loges Economic Development Director Loges spoke about real estate listed for sale in downtown Groveport. He then reported he had been consulting with Kupperman Location Services out of Chicago. Kupperman is a nationally known real estate evaluation advisory firm. City of Groveport Page 5 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 He said we have several sites that he thinks would be well suited for food and beverage manufacturing and is working on attracting such businesses to Groveport. He then spoke about conversations he’s had with OHM advisors, who are working with us to execute the southeast Franklin County area plan for area C. He said he received a preliminary housing study that he will make available to Council. Mrs. Hilbert inquired about one of the buildings Mr. Loges mentioned earlier that is up for sale. Mr. Loges and Council briefly discussed potential for that site. #175-2024 EDEV Council Report Attachments: EDEV Council Report.pdf G. Public Services Director - Brian Strayer Public Services Director Strayer filled Council in on current renovations at the Rec Center, including the locker rooms and exterior wall panels. He said they have encountered several challenges and are working toward having everything completed by the end of the year. He then spoke about his collaboration with Franklin County Engineers, the American Public Works Association, MEMA (Municipal Equipment Maintenance Association), and the Ohio EPA to make sure equipment is calibrated to navigate snow and ice and dispense the appropriate amount of salt. #176-2024 PS Council Report Attachments: PS Council Report.pdf H. Chief Building Official - Mike Poirier #177-2024 B&Z Council Report Attachments: B&Z Council Report.pdf I. Director of Golf - Tom Walker #178-2024 GOLF Council Report Attachments: GOLF Council Report.pdf J. Recreation Director - Seth Bowers #179-2024 REC Council Report City of Groveport Page 6 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Attachments: REC Council Report.pdf K. Community Affairs Director - Jessica Wyke #180-2024 CA Council Report Attachments: CA Council Report.pdf L. City Engineer - Steve Farst City Engineer Farst went over highlights from his report, including the ODOT Project for the widening of US 33. Council and staff further discussed the project and its potential effects to Groveport traffic patterns. #181-2024 ENG Council Report Attachments: ENG Council Report.pdf M. Director of Transportation / Senior Services - Bob Dowler #182-2024 DOT Council Report Attachments: DOT Council Report.pdf N. Personnel Director / Human Resources - Joyce Myers #183-2024 HR Council Report Attachments: HR Council Report.pdf O. Director of Information Technology - Chris Snyder 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 shared insights from the Groveport Madison school board meeting and expressed how much he enjoyed KidsFest and the Pickleball tournament. Mr. Lockett also commented on the success of the weekend’s events. He recognized Mr. Strayer and his staff for their hard work setting City of Groveport Page 7 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 everything up. Mr. Cleary stated that he and Mr. King are collaborating on the planning of the shelter houses. Mr. Dildine thanked everyone for their continued support and attendance at the 9/11 memorial event. XIII. Adjournment Council Member Cleary made a motion, seconded by Council Member Hilbert, to adjourn at 7:00 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