CITY OF PICKERINGTON

SERVICE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2006

 

REGULAR MEETING

7:30 P.M.

 

1.         ROLL CALL.  Mr. Hackworth called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., with Mrs. Hammond and Mr. Hackworth present.  Mrs. Riggs was absent.  Others present were: Judy Gilleland, Lynda Yartin, Lance Schultz, Ed Drobina, Brenda VanCleave, Jennifer Frommer, Bruce Englehart, Sean Casey, Bill Yaple, Kenn Taylor, Fayaze Siraj, Suraiy Siraj, Shirley Englehart, Pat Reade, William Yaple, Matt Peebles,  and others.

 

2.         A.        APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF March 9, 2006, Work Session regarding Access Management Plan.  Mrs. Hammond moved to approve; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth and Mrs. Hammond voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

B.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF March 9, 2006, Regular Meeting.  Mrs. Hammond moved to approve; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth and Mrs. Hammond voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

3.         COMMUNITY COMMENTS:  Mr. Hackworth stated he understood some residents from the Sheffield Subdivision were present this evening that would like to address the Committee.  Mr. Hackworth stated the JEDD on Wright Road issue was going to be tabled this evening, however, if anyone would like to speak they may do so at this time. 

 

 Mr. Bruce Englehart, 176 Knightsbridge Drive East.  Mr. Englehart stated he would like to provide Service Committee some thoughts and concerns regarding the proposed JEDD or development plan for the three acres next to the Sheffield development.  Mr. Englehart distributed a prepared statement to the Committee (Attachment 1 to these minutes).  Mr. Englehart stated the residents have highlighted several concerns referencing if the development was to be done what they would be looking at and what they felt should be reviewed by anyone planning either a JEDD or whatever.  He stated some major thoughts included security, design control, light and noise pollution, maintenance and management, and the leasing and tenant control.  He stated the Township does not have the authority or the ability to maintain the controls necessary for this type of development.  Mr. Englehart stated when the Service Committee and Council review this project they hoped they put a lot of thought in this because the end result was they, as the residents, will have to live with it.  He stated they want to make sure the best decision is made in their best interest. 

 

Mr. Bill Yaple, 160 Knightsbridge Drive East.   Mr. Yaple stated he is the other Bill Yaple here tonight and his home is approximately 100 yards from the proposed development.  He stated he is also against the development and when he moved into Sheffield he had no idea he would be so beat up with the Diley Road project and now this development.  Mr. Yaple stated he wondered what was next for this subdivision, and this development seemed to be a very strange use for this land.  He further stated the $40,000 per year that is being said would go to the school district from this development would make much of a dent in the school district.   He stated he was against this development and questioned where it would end for people living in that area. 

 

4.         PLANNING AND ZONING

 

A.        REPORTS:

 

                       (1)         BZA Report.  Mr. Schultz stated a parking variance at the Violet Township service Building and a setback variance for a landscape element in Shawnee Crossing was approved at the last meeting.  He stated the rear yard setback variance for 51 Homestead Drive was tabled until April.  Mr. Schultz stated at the April meeting along with the 51 Homestead Drive variance they will consider a setback variance for a deck in Windmiller Ponds. 

 

            (2)        Planning and Zoning Representative Report (Mrs. Hammond) Mrs. Hammond stated Planning and Zoning held a work session before their meeting on Tuesday to review the Commercial Design Guidelines, and will continue to do that in the future.  Mrs. Hammond stated at the meeting a preliminary plat for the Stone Creek Station commercial subdivision was approved and will be at Service Committee next month.  She stated the Commission also approved signs for the Fairfield Federal Bank, Best Western, and Hampton Inn.     

 

B.                 ACTION ITEMS: 

 

            (1)        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to rezone 35 West Church Street from R-4 (Residential District) to P-O (Planned Suburban Office) to be properly zoned for potential office space.  Mr. Schultz stated Planning and Zoning held a public hearing on this issue on March 14th, and at the regular meeting on March 14th, they approved the request with the condition that the site would be for office uses only.  Mr. Schultz stated there is a motion on tonight’s agenda to set the public hearing before Council.  Mr. Pat Reade stated he was the applicant and he would be happy to answer any questions.  Mr. Reade stated he owns an insurance agency and this property will be the home of his business.  Mr. Hackworth clarified that Mr. Reade may be able to get an agreement with Mr. Good to allow parking at his property.  Mr. Schultz stated the issue of permit parking came up regarding this site, and that would be addressed by Safety Committee as there will be businesses in this area rather than just residences.  Mr. Hackworth stated he understood the neighbors were in support of the rezoning for the property.  Mrs. Hammond moved to approve the draft ordinance and forward to Council; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth and Mrs. Hammond voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

            (2)        Review and request for motion to approve final plat for Ashton Crossing.  Mr. Schultz stated he would like to have this item continued on the agenda for the next meeting. 

 

            (3)        Review and discussion regarding approval for Violet Township Maintenance Building to use Fairfield County Water.  Ms Gilleland stated the Committee had been provided a letter from Greg Butcher, the Violet Township Engineer, addressing the water service to the property.  She stated there is County water available about 40 feet from their property on the north side.  Ms Gilleland stated the Township is requesting to be able to tap into the County water until such time as the City water is readily available, and then they will agree to tap into the City water.  Mr. Drobina clarified the County has no problem with them tapping into the County water.   Mr. Hackworth ascertained the City’s nearest water lines are in the area of Milnor and Meadows.  Mr. Drobina stated we will need to prepare an agreement stating they agree to disconnect from the County and connect to the City’s water lines when and if it becomes available.  Ms Gilleland stated if the Committee is okay with the concept, she will have a draft ordinance and agreement for the next Service Committee meeting. 

 

            (4)        Review and discussion regarding Impact Fees and Sanitary Sewer Fair Share for the Violet Township Maintenance Building.  Mr. Hackworth clarified the Township would bear the cost of bring the sanitary sewer up Center Street to serve this facility, and they were requesting that in the future if other users hooked into the line that they be reimbursed the tap fees.  Mr. Yaple stated the Township was also requesting a waiver of the impact fees on this facility.  Ms Gilleland stated an exemption would have to be granted by Council, and for governmental or school use the City “may” reimburse the impact fee fund.  She stated on an exemption for a private developer the City “must” reimburse the impact fee fund.  Mr. Schultz stated it appeared the impact fee would be between $.46 and $.69 per square foot and with the size of the facility this would be approximately $5,000 to $6,000.  Mr. Hackworth stated he would request the appropriate draft agreement and legislation be prepared for the next Service Committee meeting agenda for both the impact fee exemption and the fair share agreement with the Township.  Mr. Yaple stated the Township has also agreed to grant some right-of-ways and he has requested the legal description and appropriate documentation be prepared so they be transferred to the City. 

 

C.        ACCESS MANAGEMENT PLAN:  Mr. Hackworth stated a work session was held earlier on this issue, and Service Committee would hold another work session on May 11, 2006, 6:30 P.M.   

 

5.         SERVICE DEPARTMENT

 

A.        REPORTS:

 

            (1)        Utility Fees Review Committee Representative Report (Mr. Hackworth).  Mr. Hackworth stated the Utility Fees Review Committee met last Monday and they reviewed some proposed rate increases and the Committee will look at this again at their next meeting. 

 

B.         ACTION ITEMS: 

 

            (1)        Review and discussion regarding funding request for renovation of water tower in the old downtown.  Mr. Hackworth stated Mr. Good is not present this evening and he would request this be removed from the agenda.  Ms Gilleland stated if there is not the support to save the water tower she is concerned about the safety of it. 

 

            (2)        Review and discussion regarding capacity fee reimbursement for Mr. Ebright.  Mr. Hackworth stated Mr. Ebright was not present and he would request this item also be removed from the agenda.   

 

C.        WATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE. 

 

            (1)        Review and discussion regarding meter pit relocation.  Mr. Drobina stated at the last meeting this issue was discussed and he had our law director review the agreement.  Mr. Drobina stated the law director’s opinion was this should be treated as we treated the other utilities and the City should pay for the relocation, and the estimated cost is approximately $71,000.  Mr. Drobina stated the City would pay the actual bid cost for the meter pit relocation.  Mr. Peebles, of Canal Winchester, stated they did include this in their bid package that is out now with a bid opening date of April 28, 2006.  Mrs. Hammond clarified legislation was not required for this as it is a normal operation and maintenance project. 

 

                        Mr. Hackworth stated while Mr. Peebles is present, he would address the issue of consenting for Canal Winchester to provide sanitary sewer service.  Mr. Drobina stated the draft resolution provides for Canal Winchester to provide sanitary sewer service to the property at 10591 Joy Court.  Mr. Drobina stated per our agreement, in order for Canal Winchester to provide service, we must authorize it in writing.  Mrs. Hammond clarified this property is near Schoolhouse Road and is in the Township.  Mr. Hackworth stated we had the same situation with the Lighthouse Church in this same location last year.  Mr. Hackworth moved to approve and forward to Council; Mrs. Hammond seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mrs. Hammond and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

D.        WASTEWATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE.  Mr. Drobina stated he had nothing to report this evening.  

 

E.         STREET MAINTENANCE.  Mr. Drobina stated he had no report this evening.      

 

F.         STORM WATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE.  Mr. Drobina stated he had no report this evening. 

 

G.        TREE COMMISSION.  Update.  Mr. Drobina stated the Tree Commission has determined the tree planted at the Arbor Day celebration will be dedicated to Frank Wiseman.     

 

6.         ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS

 

A.        WASTEWATER

 

            (1)        Wastewater Plant Expansion - Update.  Mr. Hackworth stated another work session will be held on May 2, 2006. 

           

                        (2)       D-Line Interceptor Sewer Phase IIIB – Update.  Ms Frommer stated the property owners have been exceedingly patient during this property and a couple have asked that sod in the yards be considered rather than seed, and she felt that was a reasonable request.  She stated hopefully by this time next month the project will be complete.  

 

B.         TRANSPORTATION: 

 

            (1)        Courtright Drive. 

 

                        a.         Courtright Drive Extension Project, Phase III  – Update.  Ms Gilleland stated she has not heard back from the developer.       

 

(2)        Diley Road Improvements Project:

 

                        a.         MORPC/ODOT Project – Update.  Ms Frommer stated the next progress meeting will be scheduled in May and she will notify everyone when she knows the date.  Ms Gilleland stated we are beginning the right-of-way acquisition and Ms VanCleave has done some research on how other entities handle this situation.  Ms VanCleave stated she spoke with Dublin and they said that Council’s only two actions was to approve the acquisition of the land and to approve the final price; they do not have anything to do with the negotiations.  She stated the attorney works with the appraiser directly during the negotiations.  Mr. Hackworth stated he felt that was a good way to handle it and Mrs. Hammond stated she agreed with that procedure. 

 

                        b.         Review and discussion regarding Diley Road Traffic Signal Pre-Emption Devices (Chief Kenn Taylor).  Ms Frommer stated this came up when Chief Taylor was reviewing the Diley Road plans and notified Ms Gilleland that he did not see pre-emption devices included in the plans.  Ms Frommer stated this issue had been discussed with Service Committee regarding S.R. 256 corridor in mid to late last year.  She stated her only comment is that whatever is decided, it would be advantageous that a corridor be reviewed and not just specific to Diley Road.  Ms Gilleland stated the cost for the pre-emption devices is $8,000 to $10,000 per intersection, and there three signals on Diley Road.  Chief Taylor stated when the Diley Road project was being discussed initially he put in a request that pre-emption devices be considered because it is becoming more and more important to the Fire Department.  Chief Taylor stated the Township has included pre-emption devices in their portion of the project and the hope was that the City would also consider it.  Chief Taylor stated the device will turn all the lights in the intersection red except for the lane of travel for the emergency vehicle.  He stated the minute it no longer detects the emergency vehicle it turns the light back over to its normal operation and it resumes its normal signal.  Chief Taylor stated with the 3-M opticon system they have the ability to lock out people from being able to access this system.  Mr. Hackworth clarified that the 3-M opticon pre-emption devices are on the signals on S.R. 256 that are controlled by ODOT.  Chief Taylor stated they would request that same 3-M opticon system be installed so they could maintain the security of the system.  Mrs. Hammond clarified there is no scheduled routine maintenance required for this system.  Ms Frommer stated if pre-emption were put on all the lights on Diley Road up to S.R. 256 and out to where there are already pre-emption devices that would be nine lights.  Chief Taylor stated it is not just the fire department that would benefit, because the police department could be programmed into the system, and the transmitters are approximately $1,500 each.  Ms Gilleland stated it would be her preference to see how the Diley Road budget comes along knowing that this is at least $30,000 for the Diley Road signals.  Chief Taylor stated he just wanted to have the City consider this issue and Ms Gilleland stated it is a very important issue that needs to be looked at very seriously, however, if we can look at it retroactively that would be good.  Mr. Hackworth asked Ms Frommer to find out what the difference in cost would be if we installed the pre-emption device after the signals are installed rather than when they are initially installed.  Chief Taylor stated the system does work and it is very effective.  Mr. Hackworth stated we were going to submit an application for a safety grant at the Refugee Road/S.R. 256 intersection and questioned if funds for this system could be included in that. Ms Frommer stated she did not know, but she would check.  Ms Gilleland stated this was an issue that would continue to be reviewed. 

                                   

            (3)        Cover/Ebright Connector

 

                        a.         Pickerington Health Care Access Road – Update.  Ms Gilleland stated our law director is still waiting for a response from their attorney.    

      

            (4)        Traffic Signal Update.  Mr. Drobina stated we completed the conflict monitor certification this week.  Mr. Drobina stated he will be getting together with our engineer and traffic engineer and come up with the scope of work that we want to do.     

 

Ms Frommer stated she and Mr. Seaman had a preliminary meeting with ODOT regarding the grant application before it is actually submitted.  She stated the District 5 Safety Committee was very favorable toward this project.  She stated this project has two main needs, the capacity improvement and the accidents caused by or related to the access points in close proximity to the signal.  She stated the project would add a second through lane in both directions on Refugee Road from the second Giant Eagle access and out to the Windmiller light on Refugee.  She stated there would also be dual southbound left turn lanes and a single dedicated right turn lane.  So, on the north approach heading southbound, there would be dual lefts, two through, and a single right lane.  She stated the biggest issue, however, in order to address the accidents that are going on there, because they are mostly access point related, she felt this was an excellent applicant to put in a median.  She stated it would be a center median that would restrict left turns on the east approach, the west approach, and the south approach.  She stated there would be no median approach for the north approach.  Ms Frommer stated if the project were successful, the City’s share would be roughly ten percent.  Ms Gilleland stated, however, the right-of-way acquisition funds are capped at a certain amount.  Ms Gilleland stated she wanted to make sure that we understood the work that was involved and knew what we were getting into.  Ms Frommer stated roughly eight months after you submit the application you should know if you have been funded and then the funds are generally released a couple of months after that.  Mr. Hackworth clarified that Ms Frommer would check to see if these funds could be used for the pre-emption devices as well.  Ms Frommer stated ODOT Central Office likes to see a community going into the project knowing they have to put up ten percent, so if we put a letter on City letterhead in the application stating that we know we have to put up ten percent and it will be available at such time the grant funds are released that would help.  Mr. Drobina stated we will require legislation for the City Manager to accept the grant funds.  Ms Gilleland stated she was concerned about the right-of-way acquisition and knowing what the cost of that is.  Ms Gilleland stated she just wanted to ensure that ODOT is okay with us looking at the project in phases, and Ms Frommer stated that was confirmed to her by e-mail.  Ms Gilleland stated her concern is that we do not have all the information at this time and she will keep the Committee informed on this project. 

 

C.        WATER: 

 

            (1)        Review and request for motion to approve draft resolution to consent to the Village of Canal Winchester providing sanitary sewer service.  Mr. Hackworth stated this was dealt with earlier in the meeting. 

 

D.        STORMWATER.  Mr. Drobina stated he had nothing to report this evening.  .   

 

7.         CHAIRMAN.   

 

A.        Discussion regarding flooding issues in Willard addition.  Mr. Hackworth stated he had requested this be looked into.  Mr. Drobina stated he and Ms VanCleave looked at this property and it appears the stream is all on private property.  He stated there is erosion there, but that is natural with a stream.  Mr. Drobina stated Ms VanCleave was going to make a few calls to see if there is anything we can do, however, if it is all on private property we should probably not be up there.  Mr. Hackworth stated once we determine this, we should write a letter and let them know.  Ms Gilleland stated we would see if we can provide them with some resources for this issue. 

 

B.         Review and request for motion to set Public Hearing before City Council regarding rezoning of 35 West Church Street from R-4 (Residential District) to P-O (Planned Office District), for May 16, 2006, at 7:15 P.M.  Mr. Hackworth moved to set the public hearing in front of Council for this rezoning for May 16, 2006, at 7:15 P.M.; Mrs. Hammond seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mrs. Hammond and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

Mr. Hackworth stated he would like to have the Cherry Hill Retention Pond added to the agenda for next month under the Chairman’s section. 

 

8.         OTHER BUSINESS. 

 

A.        Review and discussion regarding proposed JEDD on Wright Road (Slingluff property).  Mr. Hackworth stated he would like this continued on the agenda for next month.  Ms Gilleland stated this is actually utility service for Wright Road property, and Mr. Hackworth stated he would like to have that on the agenda for next month.  

 

9.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mrs. Hammond moved to adjourn; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Mr. Hackworth and Mrs. Hammond voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 2-0.  The Service Committee adjourned at 9:45 P.M., April 13, 2006.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk