CITY OF PICKERINGTON

                                             SAFETY COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

                                               CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

                                                        MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2005

                                                                      7:30 P.M.

 

                                                 REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

 

1.         ROLL CALL.  Mr. Wisniewski called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Sabatino present. No members were absent.  Others present were:  Judy Gilleland, Lynda Yartin, Commander Steve Annetts, Steve Carr, Frank Wiseman, John Gallagher, Lance Schultz, George Parsley, Keith Smith, Brian Bosch, and others. 

 

2.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF March 7, 2005, Regular Meeting.  Mrs. Riggs moved to approve; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino and Mr. Wisniewski abstaining, and Mrs. Riggs voting "Yea."  Motion failed, 1-0.  Mr. Wisniewski asked for the minutes to remain on the agenda for approval at the next meeting. 

 

Mr. Wisniewski stated Mr. Bosch is present to give the Committee a briefing on the S.R. 256/I-70 signage issue and if there were no objections he would have Mr. Bosch give that briefing at this time.  Mr. Bosch stated he would like to brief on the outstanding issues with the S.R. 256/I-70 widening project.  Mr. Bosch stated the cantilevered support that needs to be installed for the directional was installed today and the sign should be installed sometime this evening.  He stated the I-70 westbound directional signs for the northbound, left turn on 70 west, will be placed over the left turn lanes on an overhead span bar between the eastbound on-ramp and the S.R. 204 intersection.  He stated these will have the Interstate 70 Shield, with West on them, and they are still in fabrication.  He stated as soon as they come in the contractor has been notified they can be put up.  Mr. Bosch stated the striping contractor has assured ODOT that by the end of April the necessary changes that have been agreed upon will be done.  He stated some of these improvements are for the southbound left turn lane, at the merge point where you go from three lanes back to two, there will be another set of the left only arrows to draw that back another 400 feet or so, so you will have about twice the amount of distance of advance notice than you do now.  He stated they will be adding the dashes through the intersections for both the northbound left and southbound left at S.R. 204/Tussing intersection to help guide those people around, they will go from centerline to centerline.  He stated the other item on striping was to add some transfer striping for the wide pavement at the eastbound on-ramp.  Mr. Bosch stated other than that, there are some issues with the emergency vehicle preemption and on April 19th they will be at the intersections physically installing the equipment in the cabinet and that afternoon they will have training at the Violet Township Fire Department with them and ODOT’s people.  He stated he understood the equipment has already been installed on the fire vehicles.  Mr. Bosch stated he would answer any questions.  Mr. Wisniewski clarified one signal is still on flash and they will be hooking that one up as the weather gets warmer.  He stated they are still working on the timing of the signal at S.R. 204 to set the times so they are not affecting the morning rush, but are still able to accommodate the schools, etc. 

 

Mr. Wisniewski stated Mr. Schultz was present to address the Committee regarding the Property Maintenance Task Force.  Mr. Schultz stated the Task Force has been working on some revisions to the Zoning Code with regard to Home Occupations, and Mr. Keith Smith, the Chairman of the Task Force, is present to answer any questions.  Mr. Schultz reviewed the proposed changes to the home occupation section.  Mr. Sabatino clarified that the revision would allow only family members residing in the home and one non-family member to be employed by the home business.  Mr. Wisniewski stated he felt that item (3) restricted someone from putting an office in their home.  The committee stated they felt the item should read, “…to accommodate the home occupation that changes the residential character of the dwelling unit.”  Mr. Schultz stated he would have that change made to the proposed revisions.  Mr. Smith stated the Task Force had used the Home Based Business Council’s website, the City of Dublin’s Code, and also the City of Columbus’ Code, when making their recommendations.  Mrs. Riggs clarified that if someone had a home office, although they had no public visiting and they were not selling anything, it would still be considered a home occupation, but would be permitted.  Mr. Sabatino stated in that case why would someone be required to get a Certificate of Zoning Compliance.  Mr. Schultz stated it would be required to ensure they do comply with the Code.  Mrs. Riggs stated she felt the intent was to regulate the businesses that put signs up, etc.  Mr. Sabatino stated he did not feel everyone who has an office in their home should be required to get a Certificate of Compliance.  Mr. Sabatino stated he would like to have further language exempting home office businesses that do not draw public to the location, and do not employ someone from outside the home, included in the revisions.   Mr. Wisniewski asked Mr. Schultz to work with Mr. Sabatino to include this language and bring the recommended revisions back to this Committee. 

 

3.         DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

 

A.        Parks and Recreation.

 

(1)        Director’s Report.  Mr. Carr stated he had provided a written report and he would answer any questions anyone might have. 

 

                                    a.         Parks Master Plan – Update.  Mr. Carr stated today was the deadline for firms to submit Statements of Qualifications and nine firms had submitted Statements.  Mr. Carr stated those will be reviewed and staff and the Parks and Recreation Board will interview the top three firms on Wednesday, April 20th. 

 

                                                1.         Joint Parks District – Update.  No Report.   

 

                                    b.         Handicap Garden – Update.  No Report.   

 

                              c.         ODNR/NatureWorks Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Projects.  Mr. Carr stated it appeared we were the only entity from Fairfield County to apply for Twelfth Round NatureWorks funding.  He stated we should get funding for our project. 

 

                                    d.         Sycamore Park Tennis Court Repair Project – Update.  Mr. Carr stated the engineer’s are reviewing bid specifications for that project and he hoped to go out for bid yet this spring.  He stated it appeared with our budget we would be able to get the synthetic surface with the fifteen year warranty.  

 

                                    e.         Violet Festival Board – Update.  Mr. Carr stated he had no update this evening. 

 

            B.         Building Operations:  No Report.    

 

            C.        Service Department: 

                        (1)        Traffic Engineer

                                    a.         Review of recommended speed limit on Hill Road South.  Ms Gilleland stated we had received some information late on Friday and she would like to continue this on the agenda until the next meeting. 

 

                                    b.         S.R. 256/I-70 Signage – Update.  Mr. Wisniewski stated this had been dealt with earlier in the meeting.  

 

            D.        Code Enforcement:  Update. 

                        (1)        Review and discussion of proposed revisions to codified ordinances for Home Occupations.  Mr. Wisniewski stated this was dealt with earlier in the meeting. 

 

4.         POLICE:   

 

            A.        Chief’s Report.  Commander Annetts stated the Chief’s report had been distributed and he would answer any questions.  

 

            B.         Emergency Preparedness/Disaster Plan:  Update.  Commander Annetts stated the department is in the process of upgrading the generator to allow for additional rooms to be operational during a power outage.   

 

            C.        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance enacting Section 660.17 regulating the storage of liquefied petroleum gasses requiring vehicle impact protection.  Mr. Wisniewski stated the Committee had received a draft ordinance on this issue.  Mr. Sabatino stated he felt the ordinance should be more definitive on the type of protection that is required, such as concrete poles, barriers, etc.  Mr. Sabatino further stated businesses currently handling propane will not be grandfathered in by this legislation, so it will apply to everyone who deals with selling propane.  Mr. Wisniewski stated he felt language should be included that provides for a grace period to allow the businesses to comply with this requirement after it passes.  Mr. Sabatino stated he agreed that a 90 day grace period would be reasonable.  Mr. Wisniewski requested these changes be made to the ordinance and presented at the next Safety Committee meeting. 

 

            D.        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Fairfield County Commissioners for jail services.  Mr. Wisniewski clarified this is the renewal of a contract that we currently have in place.  Mr. Wisniewski further clarified the cost per day remains at $60.00.  Mr. Sabatino moved to approve and forward to Council; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Wisniewksi, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

5.         CHAIRMAN.   Mr. Wisniewski stated residents had received correspondence from Waste Management regarding increased fees the State was trying to impose on solid waste.  He stated he would like to have our contract reviewed to see if the costs can be increased during our current contract.  Mr. Wiseman stated he would look into this.   

 

Mr. Wisniewski stated he had been contacted by a resident who was concerned about the ditches that have been dug on Long Road, and possible safety issues with the width of the road.  Mr. Wiseman stated the ditches were put in as part of the mitigation of the storm water problem, and were actually safer than having water across the road.  He stated this was a short term solution, and we are still working on a long term solution to the problem.  Mr. Wisniewski stated perhaps we can put signage along the road such as “No shoulder” or something along those lines that will alert people about the drop off, and requested Mr. Wiseman let the Committee know at the next meeting what can be done. 

 

6.         OTHER BUSINESS. 

 

Mrs. Yartin stated a letter was received from PYAA requesting a time extension for the lights at the PYAA Baseball complex for June 10th and June 11th.  She stated they are requesting the lights be allowed to remain on until midnight on both of those nights for a tournament.  Mr. Wisniewski moved to approve the request to allow the lights to remain on at the PYAA Baseball Complex until midnight on June 10, 2005, and June 11, 2005; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.  

 

7.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mrs. Riggs moved to adjourn; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion.  Mr. Sabatino, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Wisniewski voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 3-0.  The Safety Committee meeting adjourned at 8:25 P.M., April 4, 2005. 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk