PICKERINGTON CITY COUNCIL

                                               TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2003

                                         CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

 

                                           REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

                                                                7:30 P.M.

 

1.         ROLL CALL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND INVOCATION. Council for the City of Pickerington met for a regular session Tuesday, March 18, 2003, at City Hall.  Mayor Postage called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.  Roll call was taken as follows:  Mr. Maxey, Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Parker, Ms. Riggs, Mr. Sabatino, and Mayor Postage were present.  Mr. Fox arrived at 9:00 P.M.  Others present were: Joyce Bushman, Lynda Yartin, Bob Mapes, Linda Fersch, Chief Mike Taylor, Susan Crotty, Jeff Kraus, Steve Carr, Molly Schwartz, Lance Schultz, Lenny Lewis, Mike Maurer, Jennifer Wray, Kathy Lucas, Kirk Richards, Sue Cook, Marguerite Root, Pat Shaver, George Hallenbrook, Brian Wisniewski, Lisa Reade, Larry Rausch, Charlotte Rausch, Tony Barletta, Dave Houston, Rhonda Angel, Chris Angel, George Surgeon, Jason Heitmeyer, Diane Shankland, Harry Myers, Stephanie Brobst, Rita Ricketts, Ted Hackworth, Carolyn Safranek, Betty Lynch, Frank Davis, Ken Kerns, Bruce Rigelman, Dan Oakes, and others.  Mr. Surgeon delivered the invocation.  

 

2.         A.        APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 4, 2003, PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PROPOSED REZONING OF 78 W. COLUMBUS STREET.  Mr. Wright moved to approve; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker abstaining, and Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, and Ms Riggs voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 5-0. 

 

B.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 4, 2003, REGULAR MEETING.  Mr. Wright moved to approve; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Parker, Ms Riggs, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0. 

 

3.         APPROVAL OF AGENDA.  Mr. Wright moved to approve; Mr. Maxey seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Maxey, Mr. Parker, Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, Ms Riggs, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0.  

 

4.         COMMUNITY COMMENTS:    

 

A.        Dennis Boruszewski, 542 Warwick Lane.  Mr. Boruszewski stated the citizens of Pickerington were watching council because the people who live and vote here are the people who have to live with the consequences of their actions, so please vote to control rampant growth in our community.  He stated our schools need this action and it is imperative that we take control of our community and save our schools. 

 

B.         Diane Shankland, 800 Diley Road.  Ms Shankland stated she had a copy of a growth management plan developed by Hudson, Ohio, and gave one to Mayor Postage.  Ms Shankland stated some of the more important points in that agreement was a ten year growth management plan that has a one and one-half percent growth, senior citizens housing and individual housing on a lot purchased before the passage of this plan were exempt.  She stated to do this an allotment plan must be developed for issuance of building permits and it must be based on a proportional basis.  She stated the City must proceed with this plan regardless of what Violet Township does.  She stated all commercial development and non-residential properties should also be exempt.  Ms Shankland stated upon final approval of the growth management plan, the housing moratorium would be lifted and housing permits and sewer taps would be issued as prescribed in the approved plan.  Ms Shankland stated the Hudson, Ohio, plan was legal and had been all the way through the Ohio 6th District Court of Appeals, so we would not have to worry about law suits from anyone.  Ms Shankland asked Council to consider this instead of, or along with, a moratorium.  Ms Shankland also asked if a copy of what a Community Authority does, or is, were available.  She further asked if the Community Authority was complete.  Mayor Postage stated Ms Shankland could get a copy of the fact sheet provided, and the Community Authority is not completed yet. 

 

C.        Tony Barletta, 671 Montmorency.  Mr. Barletta stated he and his family have resided in Pickerington for six years, and they chose to live here because of the schools, proximity to work, and a home available in his price range.  He stated he had heard from someone who lived here in the early 90s that the only bad thing about Pickerington was that there was only one way in and one way out.  Mr. Barletta stated the way in has been addressed with the new exit ramp to S.R. 204, but the morning rush hour traffic has gotten steadily worse in the six years he has lived here.  He stated on S.R. 256, at 7:30 a.m., with good weather and no accidents it can take 20 to 30 minutes to get past I-70 and into Reynoldsburg.  He stated one accident, weather, or slow traffic on the interstate means you will be waiting and not moving fast.  He further stated a ten mile commute, avoiding the highway, should not take him 30 minutes or more, half of which is spent getting out of Pickerington.  Mr. Barletta stated he had read that with the Tussing Road detour 37 percent of the volume of traffic has been reduced.  He stated although a lot of people have been inconvenienced by the detour, the other 63 percent have benefited.  Mr. Barletta stated, however, when the Tussing Road bridge is replaced, and with the addition of new homes to the community, the commute can only get longer.  Mr. Barletta stated with the air of cooperation between the township and the city we should be working together to get another way across the interstate into Reynoldsburg, and an additional entrance ramp onto I-70 west would also help if the highway can take the traffic.  Mr. Barletta stated the reputation of Pickerington schools seems well deserved and he is pleased with the education his children are getting.  He stated what he is not pleased about is the property taxes as since 2000 his property taxes have gone up 23 percent and his wages are not increasing at that rate.  Mr. Barletta stated we can expect additional increases in taxes to support the schools should the voters choose to pass the levy.  He stated he has voted for levies in the past as he felt the schools were the greatest asset this community has, and there is nothing more important than our children receiving a good education.  He further stated the schools are used to sell homes in the community, but the tax payers are getting fed up with the constant tax increases.  Mr. Barletta stated 72 percent of the voters in the November election voted in favor of slower growth, as that would allow the tax increases for the schools to be slowed and allow necessary infrastructure to be built in the community to support future growth.  Mr. Barletta stated it is the realtors and builders saying slow growth is bad, and that is what he would expect to hear, as that might cut into their profits.  Mr. Barletta continued our Mayor is working with the builders to create a Community Authority that would generate millions of dollars to be used for our schools.  Mr. Barletta asked why Violet Township was not included in that plan, how long would it take for the money to get to the schools, and who did they think would pay in the meantime.  He stated he believed the Community Authority was a Trojan horse holding a bunch of growth and not a lot of benefits for the taxpayers or community.  He stated the elected officials have a duty to their constituents, and they work for him – a taxpayer who votes.  He stated the builders, realtors, and others who are pro growth are a minority of the population and he felt their motives were profit and they cared very little about our schools, our children or our community.  Mr. Barletta stated he expected council to pass this growth management plan tonight, if they did not they would have proved to him that they do not represent the best interests of this community or the majority of the citizens, and it would give him great pleasure to work with the slow growth proponents to see each one of them removed from office and replaced with someone who puts the will of the community above the special interests. 

 

D.        Tim Roehrenbeck, 10344 Wright Road, Canal Winchester.  Mr. Roehrenbeck stated last spring a clear message was sent by the city residents to this council that reckless and unplanned growth must stop.  Mr. Roehrenbeck stated in his view this message was ignored and attempts continue to circumvent the will of the voters.  He stated although the Mayor’s plan for impact fees is a step in the right direction, he did not believe it was a solution in itself, particularly if new residential construction is not limited for at least two to three years until the schools, infrastructure, etc., can catch up.  Mr. Roehrenbeck stated, as a township resident, who pays taxes in the Pickerington school district, he is being directly affected by the city’s actions or lack of actions.  He stated in recent years the overcrowding in schools, traffic, and influx of higher density developments have had a definite effect on the quality of life and property values for long term residents such as himself, as he has lived here for 17 years.  He further stated there are a number of roads that are falling apart under the weight of increased traffic, such as Diley Road, Wright Road, and Long Road among others.  He stated these roads were built for rural, low traffic use, and are unsuitable to carry the increased load of traffic.  Mr. Roehrenbeck stated there have been three fatalities on Wright Road in the past two years, and it has become such a concern that he and other residents have contacted the sheriff and requested the speed limits and other traffic laws be strictly enforced in hopes of curbing these accidents.  He stated he resents the fact that an unimproved county road is being used as a freeway by those living in the new subdivisions in the area of Wright and Diley Road and the Ponds.  Mr. Roehrenbeck stated in his mind if the city is going to sanction or permit rapid growth, then the city needs to make the necessary infrastructure improvements before issuing building permits.  He further stated that any new development will bring construction traffic down both city and township roads, and that meant that narrow, unimproved county roads will be handling 70,000 to 80,000 pound dump trucks and concrete mixers.  He stated the argument that it was a township road and not the city’s problem was not acceptable if the traffic is accessing property within the city limits.  Mr. Roehrenbeck stated at the last council meeting there was a group of realtors, builders, and contractors who attempted to convince council that any reduction in growth would have dire consequences for themselves and the city, but he felt that was nonsense.  He stated they had one interest, and that was to make money.  He stated council’s oath of office was to the residents, not to the builders, realtors, etc., and he urged council to move forward with the proposed growth management ordinance without further delay.  He stated he also urged city and township residents to hold the elected officials accountable on these issues. 

 

E.         Sue Cook, 1149 Michigan Ave., Columbus.  Ms Cook stated she had spoken at the last council meeting against the moratorium.  She stated her great-great-great-great-great grandfather was Abraham Pickering who founded this city.  She stated she and her mother are partial owners of 98 acres situated on Hill Road that due to unfortunate circumstances and her grandmother passing away, they need to sell at this time.  Ms Cook stated the moratorium could be devastating to their family and any other families that might be in the same situation.  Ms Cook stated she came tonight to thank council for stepping back and allowing time to consider options other than the moratorium because she felt that was wrong. 

 

F.         Lisa Reade, 10416 Wright Road.  Ms Reade stated she has done a lot of soul searching and research this past two weeks and there are a few things that have become apparent to her.  She stated she is not an expert in school funding, but then neither is the Mayor, Manager, or council.  She stated you don’t always have to know the answers, but the right questions to ask and who to engage to get the right answers.  She stated as currently structured the Community Authority only provides 25 percent of the funding needed to build the required schools from 3,000 homes and 4,500 children.  She stated each incremental child that comes into the district puts the school system about $2,000 further into the hole per year in operating expenses, and our State funding will only go down.  Ms Reade stated our solution needs to start at home.  Ms Reade stated she did not believe the school district would benefit from two separate Community Authorities, and although Mayor Postage has stated he wanted Violet Township to come to the table, and so did she, she has found out that Mayor Postage has not involved Violet Township in the Community Authority at all.  She stated this is the first opportunity for both entities to be at a level playing field where the rules aren’t different for the city and township, however, the city has chosen to participate without the township.  She stated to her it seemed the motive was to require schools to be built in the city so they could control significant income tax revenue from the employees of the schools.  She stated our schools desperately need our support, but we need to know there is a plan for the future that accommodates and enhances our school system.  She stated this council continues to act in bad faith with the growth plan as they publicly pray for solutions and then change their minds once out of public light.  They stage press conferences and profess solutions that aren’t real or are poorly planned and do not represent the actual needs of the schools and do not have the support of the overall community or the schools.  Ms Reade stated she felt structured properly a Community Authority can co-exist with a growth plan and give breathing room while planning is done.  Ms Reade stated she did not feel by definition a Community Authority needs to be a ticket for unlimited growth.  Ms Reade stated the initial steps taken by the Mayor and Council were promising, but they have reverted to business as usual with the way the Community Authority is structured now as it does not address the emergency of today and only a small portion of the problems of tomorrow, and it gives council and the builders significant control of the very schools they have placed in this emergency situation.  She stated it is because of these reasons that she does not support the current structure or path being taken here and she urged people who support our schools to oppose it as well.  She stated to move forward she asked that the growth plan be passed, that Violet Township be involved in the structuring of the Community Authority, and get real numbers about school funding and develop a growth strategy that is complimentary to this community that we live in.  She stated if they did that they would do a job everyone could be proud of.

 

G.        Stephanie Brobst, 7020 Blacklick Eastern Road.  Ms Brobst stated at the last council meeting she had overheard comments between the developers, construction workers, and realtors that were here.  She stated she had heard comments that these were some of the same issues other communities have.  She stated she did not feel we had to be the same as other communities, we do not choose to be that and the difference is that other communities have a larger commercial tax base than we have.   Ms Brobst stated this is Pickerington’s opportunity to say what they want to be like and you cannot afford to plan as you go.  You must plan now what you want to look like in the future and if you squander this chance it is over.  Ms Brobst stated she would encourage council to approve the growth management plan and give us some breathing room, tackle the Community Authority, and it is imperative that Violet Township be included in the Community Authority.  Ms Brobst stated she is the Chairman of the Northeast Violet Township Civic Association.  She stated the property that is Hickory Lakes lies within their civic association boundaries, and it has been brought to their attention that the city is purchasing Hickory Lakes.  Ms Brobst stated she understood good faith money has been paid to the owners, and she is curious to know what the city’s intentions are with regard to that property and who and when this was authorized as she has never seen anything publicly about it.  Ms Brobst stated she had also read a comment in the paper that Mrs. Bushman said the money from the Community Authority would be used to make improvements to what will be Central High School to meet the standards of North High School.  She stated it was her understanding that North High School was built to be equal with the existing high school, and she was curious to know how they were not equal. 

 

H.        Bruce Rigelman, 12768 Ardine Court.  Mr. Rigelman stated the only way to deal effectively with growth is to agree on a common vision on how we want our community to be and carefully manage the rate, density, and composition of growth to realize that vision.  He stated the proposed Community Authority is no substitute for these measures, and as presently conceived, could only worsen our problems.  He continued that the idea is that because the homeowners who live in the Community Authority would pay for their own schools we could turn the builders loose.  Mr. Rigelman stated you can’t even make a Community Authority work that way.  He stated the 1,000 acres proposed for the Community Authority, if all density restrictions were lifted, could easily yield 3,000 new homes, and at 1.5 children per home that would mean 4,500 additional students, and with no growth rate restrictions we could see those students soon and we have no room for them.  He stated further the proposed special assessments would yield only 30 to 40 million dollars over the Community Authority’s 20 year life, and some of that would be used for streets, sidewalks, and recreational facilities.  He stated even if the schools got it all, it would cover barely 1/4th of the required building costs.  He stated 4,500 students would fill 2-1/2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 80 percent of a junior high school and high school, and financed at 6 percent for 20 years, this would cost at least $150 million.  He stated it would take ten times the $200-$300 collected per home per year, and at current tax rates the additional operating revenue the district collected each year would cover less than half the additional operating expense.  Mr. Rigelman stated with no additional commercial development, homeowners would have to pick up more than 90 percent of these costs.  Mr. Rigelman continued the only way to solve these problems is to introduce the very growth control measures the Community Authority is supposed to replace; reduce density and reduce the number of children per household.  He stated in the school district as a whole, the average is .8 and we are talking about 1.5.  Mr. Rigelman stated also you should lengthen the build out period, the longer the build out period the less millage will be required to pay for the new schools.  He stated he felt a target would be to add $100,000 of commercial property to the tax role for each $200,000 of additional residential property.  Mr. Rigelman stated an effective school district will have a tax base that is at least 1/3 commercial and ours is 16 percent commercial and going down, and you also should increase the average home price.  Mr. Rigelman stated if you implemented these measures you might be able to make a Community Authority work, and they would work even better if applied generally throughout the community and not just in a Community Authority.  He stated there are so many problems for a Community Authority that it probably is not a good idea to even go there.  He stated what we really need is a general plan for managing and controlling growth such as Hudson, Ohio, has done successfully.  He stated that plan has stood up in court, and that is what we need and we need it now. 

 

I.          Brian Wisniewski, 659 Theron Drive.  Mr. Wisniewski stated being in the computer industry he has heard some wild claims, something that sounds good and sometimes looks good on paper, but can’t stand on its own.  Mr. Wisniewski stated he thought this applied to the Community Authority.  He stated he would like to know the political impact of future school levies when you have 6,000 people paying 6 more mills of property taxes than everyone else in the area.  He stated he felt you would have 6,000 people saying no more taxes.  He stated the reality is more houses equals less money, and building more houses in Pickerington is not the answer to cure our school issues.  He stated in 1995 Pickerington enacted a moratorium and businesses did not pull out of Pickerington, home values did not decrease, and builders did not go out of business.  He stated tonight will prove whether or not city council listens to their constituents.  He stated now is the time for council to chose the right answer for the residents of Pickerington and he hoped they would pass this ordinance tonight. 

 

Mayor Postage stated there were no further community comments.  He also stated if anyone would like a copy of the Community Authority break down it is available if you stop by city hall.  He stated the figures used for the Community Authority came from the school district based on the number of homes in subdivisions.  He stated if a Community Authority is not a good thing he will no longer pursue it.  Mayor Postage stated he would also like to note that the money from the Community Authority is available immediately as once it is enacted the board can borrow the money.  He stated if it is not a workable thing for Pickerington then maybe we should look for another project. 

 

5.         APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:  Mayor Postage stated there were no items on the consent agenda this evening. 

 

6.         COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

 

            A.        SERVICE.  Mr. Parker stated he had provided a briefing of the Service Committee at the last council meeting, however, the minutes had not been completed.  Mr. Parker stated as the minutes have now been distributed, he would answer any questions anyone might have on that meeting. 

 

            B.         FINANCE.  Mr. Wright stated the minutes have been distributed and he would be glad to answer any questions from the Finance Committee meeting.  Mr. Wright stated prior to tonight’s council there was a Special Finance meeting and items 8.C, D, and E came out of that meeting.  Mr. Wright stated he understood Mr. Shaver had a conflict on these items and would be abstaining on these pieces of legislation.  Mr. Wright stated Mr. Fox is detained this evening and will be arriving to this meeting late.  He stated if Mr. Fox has not arrived when we arrive at those items on tonight’s agenda he would ask that we pass over those ordinances and review them when Mr. Fox arrives. 

 

            C.        SAFETY.  Mr. Wright stated the minutes from the Safety meeting have been distributed and he would answer any questions. 

 

            Mr. Wright stated further he would like to make a motion to assign Ms Riggs and Mr. Sabatino to the Safety Committee of Council and remove himself from that Committee; Mr. Maxey seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Ms Riggs, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Wright, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0. 

 

7.         REPORTS:

 

A.        MAYOR.  Mayor Postage stated on March 7th a meeting was held with the schools that was attended by the assistant superintendent, the President of the School Board, Ms Reade, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Wright, Mrs. Bushman, and members of the BIA were there, as well as, some realtors.  He stated the meeting discussed the Community Authority for Pickerington and tried to make sure everyone understood exactly what it was about.  Mayor Postage stated he felt it was a very good meeting and gave everyone a very good understanding of what could be accomplished.  Mayor Postage stated a final meeting with ODOT would be scheduled in the next few weeks to finalize the plan on the improvements to S.R. 256 going into Reynoldsburg.  He stated ODOT has also agreed to put together a corridor study on I-70 from 310 to 270 because he felt it would show we do need another on ramp to the freeway, etc.  He stated he felt this was very important and he hoped the improvements to 256 would be completed by the end of the year.    Mayor Postage stated he had also met with the Self-Determination Group, which is a group of young people from Pickerington who work at Fairfield Industries.  He stated currently to have meetings they have to travel to Lancaster and they are trying to create a group here.  Mayor Postage stated Mrs. Wright is working with them as their advisor, and he appreciated all of her work with this group.     

 

B.         LAW DIRECTOR.  Mr. Mapes stated the items Mr. Wright had referred to earlier deal with the purchase of 10023 Wright Road by the City.  Mr. Mapes stated we have a very narrow window of opportunity to address this property coming available and we will need this property in the future to complete the widening of Diley Road.  Mr. Mapes stated Mr. Shaver does have a conflict due to representing one of the individuals involved with the property at one time, and it will require six people to vote for this as it must be done with a suspension of rules and as an emergency.  Mr. Mapes stated due to the needs of the seller it must close by April 4th, and as it is a good thing for the City he would ask Council to act on it tonight.  He stated he would answer any questions anyone might have. 

 

C.        FINANCE DIRECTOR.  Mrs. Fersch stated with regard to the appropriation related to the purchase of 10023 Wright Road, when Council authorizes the borrowing of money for a project, the money must also be appropriated so she can pay the bills for that project.  She stated $196,000 has already been appropriated for the Diley Road improvement and since we are combining the $150,000 issue in order to save money on the cost of borrowing that needs to be added to the appropriation so it will equal the full amount of the borrowing. 

 

D.        MANAGER.  Mrs. Bushman stated she would like to announce our Building Regulations Administrator, Leonard Lewis, has received the designation of Chief Building Official, which is the highest designation you can receive in the building regulations field.  She stated it required ten years of experience and an extensive testing program to achieve this designation.  Mrs. Bushman stated she had also participated in the meetings Mayor Postage briefed on and she would like to note that she hoped all the planning would be complete on the S.R. 256 improvements by the time they meet again.  Mrs. Bushman stated during this process the Township was invited to participate and did attend the meeting and she felt there might possibly be some sharing on the funding of the improvements.  Mrs. Bushman stated ODOT has allocated $800,000 in this year’s funding cycle to assist with those improvements.  Mrs. Bushman stated she would also like to welcome Ms Riggs and Mr. Sabatino. 

 

Mr. Shaver stated he would like to have Mrs. Bushman clarify what was going on with Hickory Lakes, if there were negotiations, if there was any agreement, and if so on whose authority.  Mrs. Bushman stated the city had paid $15,000 to Hickory Lakes, which is in her contract authority, to give us the opportunity to evaluate the site.  She stated that site is a significant storm water resource that holds a lot of storm water for the entire watershed.  She stated further at the time of the evaluation Hickory Lakes had an offer by a developer who wanted to build houses, and the City recognized it was a storm water issue and asked them to take it off the market so we could evaluate it.  Mayor Postage stated the city was looking at purchasing this though an EPA program that uses the interest we pay on our sewer plant to pay for the site.  Mayor Postage stated it is one of the most beautiful places in the area and he hoped it would not be developed into condos or houses.  Mrs. Bushman stated there is no contract to purchase or anything, there is only an agreement to have them take it off the market so we can evaluate it.  Mr. Shaver stated it was deplorable he had to learn of this from his constituents and not from the administration. 

 

8.         PROCEDURAL READINGS:

 

A.        ORDINANCE 2003-17, “AN ORDINANCE ENACTING A GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN ON THE ISSUING OF HOUSING PERMITS FOR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNITS FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR,” First Reading, Shaver.  (TABLE, 3-4-03)  Mr. Shaver stated he was agreeing to leave this on the table for an additional two weeks as the BIA is working with the builders to put together some sort of proposal.  Mr. Shaver stated there is no written document or official proposal from the BIA as yet but he did feel they were working in good faith.  He stated working in good faith did not mean there will be an agreement, however, he did not have a problem leaving this on the table for two weeks to see if they can put together a proposal.  Mr. Shaver stated he did want everyone to understand there is an urgency as a very crucial election for our schools is coming up in May.  He stated he felt it was imperative that some action be taken at the first and second meetings in April, and that might require more than one reading at a meeting.  Mr. Shaver stated he did appreciate the builders coming to the table, but he would point out to them that the possibility remains that in the next month there will be a controlled growth ordinance passed.  He stated that did not mean the end of discussion, it meant growth would be controlled for a brief period of time.  Mr. Shaver stated in light of the situation of our schools, a failure to act affirmatively in some direction on the part of this council would be disastrous to the upcoming levy. 

 

B.         ORDINANCE 2003-24, “AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT THE BID OF KELLER FARMS FOR THE CITY’S LANDSCAPING NEEDS FOR 2003,” First Reading, Wright.  Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Maxey seconded the motion.  Mr. Wright stated this is the annual contract for the maintenance of the city’s parks and seasonal flower program. Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker, Ms Riggs, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0. 

 

C.        ORDINANCE 2003-25, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2003-02 PASSED FEBRUARY 18, 2003, PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOTES BY THE CITY OF PICKERINGTON, OHIO, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING PART OF THE COSTS OF CONSTRUCTING IMPROVEMENTS TO DILEY ROAD IN THE CITY, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND IMMEDIATE NECESSITY IN ORDER TO PROCURE REAL PROPERTY NECESSARY FOR ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY AT THE TIME THE PROPERTY HAS COME UP FOR SALE THEREBY AVOIDING ADDITIONAL COSTS TO THE CITY,” First Reading, Wright.  Mayor Postage stated as explained earlier this would be dealt with at the time Mr. Fox arrived.  

 

D.        ORDINANCE 2003-26, “AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF 10023 WRIGHT ROAD FOR NECESSARY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR THE DILEY ROAD WIDENING AND THE DECLARATION OF IMMEDIATE NECESSITY AND EMERGENCY IN ORDER TO PROCURE SUCH PROPERTY FOR ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY AT THE TIME THE PROPERTY HAS COME UP FOR SALE, THEREBY AVOIDING ADDITIONAL COSTS TO THE CITY,” First Reading, Parker.  Mayor Postage stated as explained earlier this would be dealt with at the time Mr. Fox arrived.  

 

E.         ORDINANCE 2003-27, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2003 APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 2002-142,” First Reading, Wright.  Mayor Postage stated this was the final piece of legislation that would be dealt with at the time Mr. Fox arrived.  

 

F.         ORDINANCE 2003-18, “AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE REZONING OF 78 WEST COLUMBUS STREET (KERN PROPERTY) FROM R-4 (RESIDENTIAL) TO C-2 (CENTRAL BUSINESS/MIXED USE),” Second Reading, Maxey.  Mr. Maxey moved to adopt; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Ms Riggs, Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0. 

 

G.        ORDINANCE 2003-19, “AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF $1,075,000 OF NOTES BY THE CITY OF PICKERINGTON, OHIO, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RENEWING NOTES PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING PART OF THE COST OF ACQUIRING AND CONSTRUCTING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WATER SUPPLY AND WATERWORKS SYSTEM OF THE CITY,” Second Reading, Wright.  Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Maxey seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, Ms Riggs, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0. 

 

H.        ORDINANCE 2003-20, “AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $1,010,000 OF REVENUE NOTES BY THE CITY OF PICKERINGTON, OHIO, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RENEWING REVENUE NOTES ISSUED TO PAY PART OF THE COST OF STREET IMPROVEMENTS,” Second Reading, Wright.  Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver, Mr. Maxey, Ms Riggs, Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Parker voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0. 

 

I.          ORDINANCE 2003-21, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2003 APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 2002-142,” Second Reading, Parker.  Mr. Parker moved to adopt; Mr. Maxey seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Ms Riggs abstaining, and Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 5-0. 

 

J.          ORDINANCE 2003-22, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2003 APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 2002-142,” Second Reading, Fox.  Mr. Maxey  moved to adopt; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Ms Riggs abstaining, and Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 5-0. 

 

K.        ORDINANCE 2003-23, “AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE A CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF LAND TO EXPAND THE CITY’S WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY,” Second Reading, Parker.  Mr. Parker moved to adopt; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Ms Riggs, Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0. 

 

9.         LEGISLATIVE READINGS:

 

A.        ORDINANCE 2003-15, “AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH HARTMAN ENGINEERING FOR THE JANICE LANE, LONG ROAD, AND DILEY ROAD STORMWATER STUDY,” Third Reading, Parker.  Mr. Parker moved to adopt; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Ms Riggs, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Wright, Mr. Parker, Mr. Maxey, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0. 

 

B.         ORDINANCE 2003-16, “AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ACCEPT THE BID OF CLARK LAWN AND HOME SERVICES, LLC, FOR THE CITY’S SPRING TREE PLANTING,” Third Reading, Wright.  Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Maxey seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver, Mr. Maxey, Ms Riggs, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0. 

 

10.       MOTIONS:  Mr. Maxey moved to recess until Mr. Fox arrived; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Ms Riggs, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Wright, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Parker voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0.  

 

Council recessed at 8:40 P.M., and reconvened in open session at 9:02 P.M. with Mr. Fox now present. 

 

ORDINANCE 2003-25, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2003-02 PASSED FEBRUARY 18, 2003, PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOTES BY THE CITY OF PICKERINGTON, OHIO, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING PART OF THE COSTS OF CONSTRUCTING IMPROVEMENTS TO DILEY ROAD IN THE CITY, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND IMMEDIATE NECESSITY IN ORDER TO PROCURE REAL PROPERTY NECESSARY FOR ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY AT THE TIME THE PROPERTY HAS COME UP FOR SALE THEREBY AVOIDING ADDITIONAL COSTS TO THE CITY,” First Reading, Wright.  Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion.  Mr. Wright stated this is the first of the three ordinances being acted upon this evening so we can complete the purchase of the property at 10023 Wright Road.  Mr. Wright stated he would be asking for three readings this evening so the purchase can be completed.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver abstaining, and Mr. Maxey, Ms Riggs, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Fox voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0.  Mr. Wright moved to suspend the rules for the purpose of three readings; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wright, Mr. Fox, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Maxey, and Ms Riggs voting “Yea.”  Suspension of rules passed, 7-0. Second Reading.  Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver abstaining, and Mr. Maxey, Ms Riggs, Mr. Fox, Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Parker voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0.  Third Reading with emergency.  Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver abstaining and Mr. Fox, Mr. Maxey, Ms Riggs, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0, with emergency. 

 

ORDINANCE 2003-26, “AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF 10023 WRIGHT ROAD FOR NECESSARY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR THE DILEY ROAD WIDENING AND THE DECLARATION OF IMMEDIATE NECESSITY AND EMERGENCY IN ORDER TO PROCURE SUCH PROPERTY FOR ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY AT THE TIME THE PROPERTY HAS COME UP FOR SALE, THEREBY AVOIDING ADDITIONAL COSTS TO THE CITY,” First Reading, Parker.  Mr. Parker moved to adopt; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver abstaining, and Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wright, Mr. Fox, Mr. Parker, Ms Riggs, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0.  Mr. Wright moved to suspend the rules for the purpose of three readings; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Ms Riggs, Mr. Parker, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Wright, Mr. Fox, Mr. Shaver, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.”  Suspension of rules passed, 7-0.  Second Reading.  Mr. Parker moved to adopt; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver abstaining, and Ms Riggs, Mr. Wright, Mr. Fox, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0.  Third Reading with emergency.  Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver abstaining, and Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Fox, Mr. Wright, Mr. Maxey, Ms Riggs, and Mr. Parker voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0, with emergency.

 

ORDINANCE 2003-27, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2003 APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 2002-142,” First Reading, Wright.  Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion.  Mr. Wright stated this was the final ordinance in the series and would place the money into the appropriate fund.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver abstaining, and Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wright, Mr. Fox, Mr. Parker, Ms Riggs, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0.  Mr. Wright moved to suspend the rules for the purpose of three readings; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Ms Riggs, Mr. Parker, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Wright, Mr. Fox, Mr. Shaver, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.”  Suspension of rules passed, 7-0.  Second Reading.  Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Fox seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver abstaining, and Ms Riggs, Mr. Wright, Mr. Fox, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0.  Third Reading.  Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver abstaining, and Ms Riggs, Mr. Fox, Mr. Wright, Mr. Parker, Mr. Maxey, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 6-0. 

 

11.       OTHER BUSINESS:  No other business was brought forward. 

 

12.       ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Maxey moved to adjourn; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.  Mr. Maxey, Mr. Fox, Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, Ms Riggs, Mr. Sabatino and Mr. Parker voted “Aye.”   Motion carried, 7-0.  The meeting adjourned at 9:14 P.M., March 18, 2003.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: 

 

 

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Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk

 

ATTEST:

 

 

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Louis V. Postage, Mayor