CITY
OF PICKERINGTON
FINANCE
COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
THURSDAY,
APRIL 21, 2005
REGULAR
MEETING
7:30
P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Mrs. Riggs called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Wright, and Mrs. Riggs were present. Mr. Wisniewski was absent. Others present were Judy Gilleland, Lynda Yartin, Linda Fersch, and others.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF March 17, 2005, Regular Meeting. Mr. Hackworth moved to approve; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright abstaining, and Mr. Hackworth and Mrs. Riggs voting “Yea.” Motion failed, 2-0.
3. FINANCE DIRECTOR:
A. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance amending the 2005 appropriation ordinance 2004-81. Mrs. Fersch stated she had one appropriation request and that was to increase the legal department by $75,000. She stated these funds were needed for various items in the legal department. Mr. Wright stated he would like the figures on the ordinance clarified to reflect the actual legal department figures in lieu of the General Fund. Mr. Hackworth moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Wright seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
B. Finance Director’s Report: Mrs. Fersch stated she had provided a written report to the Committee and she would be happy to answer any questions.
C. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with the Fairfield County and Lancaster City Health Districts to form the Fairfield County Combined General Health District pursuant to ORC 3709.07. Mrs. Fersch stated she was presenting what she felt was a good contract for all the entities involved in a joint Board of Health District. Mrs. Fersch stated further the contract sets a meeting for the District Advisory Council to go over a proposed budget from the Board of Health in November, and clarifies the requirements for pulling out from the Board of Health agreement. Mr. Wright stated this is something that needed to be looked at and he was very glad to see it coming forward. Mr. Wright moved to approve the draft ordinance and forward to Council; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
D. Review and request for motion to approve draft resolution to adopt the 2006 Tax Budget to meet the July 15, 2005, deadline as set forth in the Ohio Revised Code, Section 5705.28. Mrs. Fersch stated it is a requirement of the State to file a tax budget and it must be passed by July 15th. She stated she put this budget together using a three percent increase for department budgets, and projects that are in the CIP that we may possibly have to borrow for. Mrs. Fersch stated she has also included a debt schedule and this budget will be about three percent higher than the current budget as it stands today. Mr. Hackworth clarified this is our best guess considering it is only March. Mr. Mr. Hackworth moved to approve the draft ordinance and forward to Council; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Wright, and Mrs. Riggs voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
E. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance adopting new debt policy for the development and implementation of the City of Pickerington’s Debt Program. Mrs. Fersch stated the draft presented this evening includes the request of this Committee that we will not exceed the 7.5 mills of the City’s taxable assessed valuation except in temporary emergency situations and that we would seek the approval of the County prior to issuing general operation debt for emergency situations. Mr. Wright inquired what would constitute a temporary emergency and Mrs. Fersch stated that would be something like having to borrow for operating although we have never had to do this type of borrowing. Mr. Hackworth inquired what would happen if someone else had an emergency. Mrs. Riggs stated she would like to see communication between all entities and Mr. Wright stated that was his concern. He would like to make sure we are not limiting ourselves, and there is some mechanism in place where we are watching what the other entities are doing. Mrs. Fersch stated we would have to inquire on a regular basis. Mrs. Riggs stated she felt a meeting with the County Auditor would be appropriate to request some kind of policy on how they will communicate to the other entities when some one is using part of the millage. Mrs. Riggs stated we are trying to be a good neighbor, and she would like to see them hand back and communicate to all the municipalities. Mr. Wright stated that was precisely what he would like to see happen. Ms Gilleland stated she would like to work on establishing some formal policy. Mr. Wright stated he thought the wording under Tax Increment Financing stating developers will be required to secure…, he thought that should be developers may be required. Ms Gilleland stated she has talked about that and some other language similar to that. She stated perhaps the wording should be something showing approval for exceptions will be made by the Finance Committee. She stated she and Mrs. Fersch will work on this wording and bring the draft policy back to the next Finance Committee meeting.
4. PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT: No Report.
5. DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT: Ms Crotty stated she had not provided a written report this month. She stated she would like to remind everyone that Chris Cullinan from Tischler Bise will provide a power point presentation on the Impact Fee on Monday, April 25th, at 6:00 P.M. during the Council Work Session.
B. Review and discussion regarding JEDD Memorandum of Agreement with Violet Township. Ms Crotty stated the Committee had received a Memorandum of Understanding, and she wanted to make it clear this does not lock the City into anything for the JEDD. She stated this document will reaffirm our commitment to work toward this and sets up a committee that is intended to be just representatives from the Township and the City. Ms Crotty stated the Township is ready to go forward with this memorandum, and this is the way to get started and get focused on what needs to be done. Mr. Hackworth inquired how Council would know what was happening, and Ms Crotty stated Finance Committee could get a report each month on the status and the progress of the Committee. Mr. Wright clarified this Committee would only make recommendations. Mrs. Riggs stated she like the idea of having Finance Committee receive a report. Mr. Wright moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
6. CHAIRMAN:
A. Law Director Search – Update. Mrs. Riggs stated we are in the process of scheduling interviews within the next two weeks although we don’t have a firm date as yet. Ms Gilleland stated we are attempting to do all of the interviews in one evening if possible.
B. Review of Ordinance 2004-94, authorizing the City Manger to enter into a contract with the City of Lancaster for the provision of prosecution services for Pickerington misdemeanor cases in Lancaster Municipal Court. Ms Gilleland stated she would like to have this continued until the next meeting.
C. Review of Ordinance 2004-95, authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with the City of Lancaster for the provision of prosecution services for Pickerington’s Mayor’s Court. Ms Gilleland stated she would like to have this continued until the next meeting as well.
7. OTHER BUSINESS: None.
8. MOTIONS:
A. Motion for an Executive Session under Section 121.22(G)(1)(b), Matters involving an employee’s or public official’s employment, Section 121.22(G)(2), Purchase or sale of public property, Section 121.22(G)(3), Conference with law director regarding pending or imminent court action, and Section 121.22(G)(4), Matters involving bargaining sessions with public employees. Mrs. Riggs stated no executive session was necessary this evening.
9. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Wright moved to adjourn; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Wright, and Mrs. Riggs voted "Aye." Motion carried, 3-0. The Finance Committee adjourned at 8:15 P.M., April 21, 2005.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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