CITY
OF PICKERINGTON
FINANCE
COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
THURSDAY,
MAY 18, 2006
REGULAR
MEETING
7:30
P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Hackworth called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Fix, and Mr. Smith were present. Mr. Wisniewski arrived at 7:37 P.M. No members were absent. Others present were Judy Gilleland, Cristie Hammond, Lynda Yartin, Linda Fersch, John McGory, Steve Grasbaugh, Dan Horne, Robin Harris, and others.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 20, 2006, Regular Meeting. Mr. Smith moved to approve; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Fix, and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
3. FINANCE DIRECTOR:
A. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance amending the 2006 appropriation, Ordinance 2005-98. Mrs. Fersch stated she had no appropriations for this evening’s meeting.
B. Finance Director’s Report: Mrs. Fersch stated she had provided a report to the Committee and she would be happy to answer any questions. Mrs. Fersch stated she would report next month regarding the health insurance of the City. She stated she hoped to have some quotes from other insurance companies, and in September we must decide if we are going to renew for another three years with the Central Ohio Health Care Consortium. She stated at the last Consortium meeting they are discussed looking into raising the deductible amounts.
(1) Impact Fee Report. Mrs. Fersch stated a report had been distributed to the Committee and through April our total amount received in impact fees is $376,026.48.
(2) Investment Report. Mrs. Fersch stated interest rates are still rising and we are earning interest on the funds in our checking account. She stated at this point we are ahead of our interest earnings last year.
(3) Review of Vendor Report. Mrs. Fersch stated the report had been provided to the Committee in two formats and she would be happy to answer any questions.
4. PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT:
A. New Employee Update. Mrs. Fersch stated her report had been distributed and she would be happy to answer any questions.
B. Annual review of Workers’ Compensation Group Rating and request for motion to authorize payment of the fee. Mrs. Fersch stated it is time to renew our agreement with Gates McDonald for administering our Workers’ Compensation program. She stated we are in a group rating program with the Ohio Municipal League, and this year our projected savings by remaining in the pool is approximately $73,000. She stated our enrollment fee is $6,235, however, when she spoke with one of their representatives he indicated that could be reduced between four and five percent. She stated she has not received the actual amount, but if this Committee would authorize remaining with Gates McDonald and payment of the fee in the amount not to exceed $6,235, she would be able to make the payment when the actual amount does come in. Mrs. Fersch stated she had received one quote from another company, but our savings would not be as good as staying with Gates McDonald. Mr. Wisniewski moved to renew our agreement with Gates McDonald for the Workers’ Compensation Program and authorize payment of the enrollment fee not to exceed $6,235; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Fix, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.
5. DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT: Update.
A. Review and discussion regarding Cover TIF. Ms Gilleland stated she has not received the TIF documents as yet as our attorney is out of town. She stated she hoped to have the staff review early next week and have them ready for a special meeting of Finance either next week or the week of Memorial Day. She stated we are doing everything we can to meet Equity’s deadline. Mr. Horne stated they hoped to have at least two readings of the legislation completed in June. Ms Gilleland stated if Council is comfortable with doing two readings at the first meeting in June and the final reading the second meeting in June, it would then take effect 30 days after that. She stated she would not recommend passing this by emergency. Mr. Wisniewski stated he would like to review the documents before he made any decision in that regard. Mr. Fix clarified this is a non-school TIF so the schools still get their taxes, and the only entities that would not get their taxes would be the fire department, the police department, and the County. Mr. Fix asked if we had any idea how this affected those entities, and Ms Gilleland stated we could get that information, but she did not have it available at this time. Mr. Fix stated he understood that this would be an estimate, and not actual figures. Mr. Wisniewski clarified these entities would lose 75 percent of the incurred cost, and they would still receive taxes on the land that is there now. They would not receive anything on the increased value of the land itself or on the appraised value. Ms Gilleland stated the County Auditor’s office is very happy with this TIF. Mr. Wisniewski stated we are still required to give the schools a 30-day notice, and Mr. Hackworth inquired if that notice was given after the final reading or the first reading. Ms Gilleland stated she was not sure, but she would get that information.
6. CHAIRMAN: Mr. Wisniewski stated he had nothing to bring forward this evening.
7. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Wisniewski stated Ms Harris was present and would like to address the Committee regarding the purchase of her property for the Diley Road project. Ms Harris stated her property was a complete take and she would like to thank the City for all of their efforts to this point. Ms Harris stated she understood there was a process to be followed in the purchase of her property, however, she has found a new home and she is scheduled to close on June 15th. She stated they were requesting any help this Committee could provide in expediting this process for them. Mr. Wisniewski stated he felt the Council members would like to help as much as possible, but there are certain procedures that we are required to follow. He stated he would be more than willing to consider this legislation at a Special Finance Committee meeting so it can be forwarded to Council. Ms Gilleland stated she would like to point out that we have over 100 parcels involved in this project and we are receiving requests from several people to expedite their property. She stated we do intend to package the parcels in groups. She stated by law we must accept the right-of-way and that requires the three readings at Council and the 30-day period before it is effective, unless Council would declare an emergency action. Ms Gilleland stated Ms Harris’ property is a total take and not just a right-of-way. Mr. Wisniewski stated he did not see a problem with expediting the process for this purchase as he felt it was a special circumstance since we were taking the entire home. Mr. Wisniewski stated if we have the legislation and all of the documents, he would like to have this legislation included on the agenda for the Special Finance Committee meeting when we consider the TIF legislation.
8. MOTIONS:
A. Motion for Executive Session under Section 121.11(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. Mr. Wisniewski stated no executive session was necessary this evening.
9. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Hackworth moved to adjourn; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Fix, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Wisniewski voted "Aye." Motion carried, 4-0. The Finance Committee adjourned at 8:30 P.M., May 18, 2006.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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