CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2006

7:30 P.M.

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Smith called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with Mr. Smith, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Sabatino present. No members were absent. Others present were: Judy Gilleland, Cristie Hammond, Ted Hackworth, Jeff Fix, Lynda Yartin, Commander Mike Taylor, Steve Carr, Ed Drobina, Paul Lane, Mike Stacy, Brenda VanCleave, Eric Vannatta, John Edsall, Dave Rossman, and others.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 1, 2006, Regular Meeting. Mr. Wisniewski moved to approve; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wisniewski and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.

3. DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

A. Parks and Recreation.

(1) Director’s Report. Mr. Carr stated he had provided a written report and he would be happy to answer any questions. Mr. Carr stated we do have a noise issue with the skate park. He stated Mr. Huntwork, the owner of Huntwork Gardens apartments, has contacted the City staff with regard to noise. Mr. Carr stated he is researching ways we might reduce the sound and he has not found a cost effective method as yet, and he will continue to research this issue. Mr. Sabatino ascertained we have not tested sound levels at this point, and we have received no complaints from any of the other neighbors. Mr. Carr further stated the skate park opened in April 2004, and this complaint was first brought to the City’s attention in March of this year. Mr. Carr stated in almost two years, this is the first complaint and it is not about the kids yelling, etc., but the noise the skateboards make hitting the transitional plates. Mr. Carr stated he would keep the Committee informed on this issue. Mr. Carr further stated the Parks and Recreation Department will co-sponsor the art festival with the Olde Pickerington Village Business Association and also the health and fitness fair next spring. He stated most of our involvement will be providing staff, etc. Mr. Carr stated we will also bring our Halloween event that is normally held in the park, to Columbus Street in the old downtown. Mr. Sabatino stated he felt that was an excellent approach.

a. Parks Master Plan. Mr. Carr stated Mr. Edsall was present to brief the Committee on the Parks Master Plan. Mr. Edsall provided a briefing on the improvements they were recommending for each of the seven parks, and a cost estimate to accomplish the improvements in each park. Mr. Edsall stated the report was being finalized at this time and he would like to have input from the Committee. Mr. Edsall stated further, in order to fund these improvements, a park levy might be an option. Mr. Wisniewski stated he felt a cost of over $7,000,000 was not reasonable at this time. He further stated he hated to be a realist, but we have trouble passing a school levy and he could not see a park levy or a dedicated income tax as an option. Mr. Edsall stated this plan is an overall vision. He stated the cost could be pared down, but the question would be if that was what you wanted to strive for. Ms Gilleland stated she and Mr. Carr have had extensive discussions about this, and Mr. Edsall urged us not to limit ourselves. She stated as Mr. Edsall stated, this is a vision, it is not something that we will accomplish in the next year or even five years, it is a long term plan. Ms Gilleland stated the original costs have been cut significantly to get to the $7,000,000 figure. Mr. Carr stated in the next ten years we calculate we will bring in $2.5 million in impact fees. Ms Gilleland stated if the Committee desired, staff could work on bringing the costs down more. Mr. Hackworth stated he was shocked when he saw the bottom line cost. He stated he did not see where some of the parks would be used to the extent that would justify this cost. Mr. Wisniewski stated he understood this was a long-range plan, but he did not see any new parkland acquisition in the plan, and then we have maintenance costs to maintain these parks. Ms Gilleland stated staff has discussed earmarking a portion of the impact fees received to go toward park development, a portion to go toward bike path development, and another portion to go toward open space acquisition. She stated we need a general guideline so we can keep acquiring new open space, and she felt that was very important in our community. Mr. Wisniewski stated he understood that, but this plan, and the costs associated with it, does not take anything that Ms Gilleland just mentioned into account. Mr. Smith stated he felt this was a vision rather than a plan that we were going to get to in the next ten years. Mr. Smith asked if the final report would include some recommendations of projects that we can accomplish. Mr. Edsall stated you need to look at the plan and determine what steps you want to take. Mr. Sabatino stated he did not view this as something that needed to be funded immediately, but it was more like planning for retirement; you were not going to fund it in one year. Mr. Sabatino further stated he looked at this more as a concept rather than a funding objective at this point. Ms Gilleland stated this is Council’s opportunity to provide feedback on the plan and if they would get with her or Mr. Carr regarding what else they might want to see, what they would like to have cut, whatever they would like included in the plan. Mr. Smith stated he agreed with Mr. Hackworth’s concerns, especially in some of our larger parks, about vehicular traffic for maintenance and police services, and he would like to see that included. Mr. Smith clarified the final report would include some tangible things we can do over the next two or three years with funds we know will be available. Ms Gilleland stated she wanted to make sure Council has time for reaction and feedback before we get into the written report, the final product. She stated if the Committee would like Mr. Edsall to come back, if they would like a work session with Council, whatever, just let her know and we can get that taken care of. Mr. Wisniewski stated he would like to see an estimated cost of maintenance of the parks as developed.

1. Joint Parks District – Update. Mr. Carr stated he had nothing to report this evening. .

b. NatureWorks Grant Project. Mr. Carr stated he had nothing to add to his report this evening.

c. Sycamore Park Tennis Court Repair Project – Update. Mr. Carr stated this project should be completed this month.

B. Building Regulations Department:

(1) Building Department Report (Mr. Lane). Mr. Lane stated he had provided a written report to the Committee and he would be happy to answer any questions. Mr. Lane stated as of June 1, 2006, impact fees collected for the year total $476,798.50. He stated of that, $81,672.50 was for commercial and $395,126 was for residential. Mr. Lane stated further he had provided the Committee with a breakdown on 2006 permit and applications for 2006 with a comparison for the same timeframe in 2005.

(2) Chief Building Official’s Report (Mr. Stacy). Mr. Stacy stated he had provided a report to the Committee and he would be happy to answer any questions. Mr. Smith inquired if we had received a resolution from the Residential Construction Advisory Committee reviewed our building design standards and recommended to the Ohio Board of Building Standards for their meeting on June 2^nd. Mr. Stacy stated the Residential Construction Advisory Committee determined that the 7/16^th inch OSB requirement as stated in the residential construction guidelines is in conflict with the Residential Building Code and is not necessary. Mr. Hackworth clarified that if the Board of Building Standards agrees with this recommendation, the municipality is notified they cannot enforce that provision. Ms Gilleland stated when we receive that notification we will have our attorneys review it.

(3) Review and discussion regarding Maintenance Bonds. Ms Gilleland stated the BIA had requested we examine the Maintenance Bond requirement and staff has done a great deal of research on this issue. She stated our current requirement is 100 percent of the total construction costs, and most of the surrounding communities have a 10 to 20 percent requirement. Ms Gilleland stated staff feels comfortable recommending a 20 percent requirement for two years. She stated she hoped to have the draft legislation for the Committee at their next meeting.

C. Service Department:

(1) Traffic Engineer. Mr. Drobina stated a traffic count is scheduled for next week at the S.R. 256/S.R. 204 intersection. He stated they will process and analyze that information and then set new timing at that signal by the end of the week. Mr. Drobina stated he had provided a memorandum to the Committee just informing them of some traffic concerns he has received from residents. Ms Gilleland stated staff would provide recommendations to the Committee once we have reviewed them and any action is required.

D. Facilities Operations:

(1) Update of City Hall Renovation Project. Ms Gilleland stated the bid opening for the project was on May 15^th, and the prices are good for 60 days, however, we can request they be extended. She stated our budget was $275,000 from last year’s CIP and an additional $110,000 from this year’s CIP. She stated we are recommending that we approve the base bid of $148,000 plus Alternates 2 and 3, which would replace the ceiling tile in the existing building and putting new tiles in the new addition, and then replacement of the City Hall roof. She stated there would be some money left for carpet replacement, an upgrade of the sound system for Council Chambers, some painting, replacing hardware, networking and cable re-routing, upgrading the fire alarm, and replacing the front doors. Ms Gilleland stated to take advantage of the 60-day prices and to try and get started as early in the construction season as possible, there are several options. Ms Gilleland stated if Council agreed, since they are not meeting the first Tuesday in July, perhaps we could have all three readings at the second meeting in July. Ms Gilleland stated Eric Vannatta is present to answer any questions the Committee may have. Mr. Wisniewski inquired if we have looked into going all wireless in the City and Mr. Vannatta stated he has not reviewed that. Mr. Wisniewski clarified the cable re-routing involved relocating the main line to the new addition of the building. Mr. Sabatino moved to forward legislation to Council awarding the contract to Lepi Enterprises, and to include Alternates A and B; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.

4. POLICE:

A. Chief’s Report. Chief Taylor stated his report had been distributed and he would be happy to answer any questions. Chief Taylor stated he would like to clarify that Officer Wilson is replacing Officer Hartley, he is not a new officer being added to the force.

5. CHAIRMAN.

A. Review and discussion regarding Hill Road/Diley Road intersection. Mr. Sabatino clarified this was referring to the Drug Mart intersection. Mr. Smith stated he had asked Ms Gilleland to consider where the two lanes come into the intersection at the light, going south on Hill Road, to have the right hand lane being right-turn only so the traffic doesn’t go straight through and have the very short merge. Ms Gilleland stated she would like to wait one more month as we have a proposal out to the developer right now for a right in, but no right out onto S.R. 256 at the Schaffner property near Diley and S.R. 256. She stated that might make the right turn only a little more convenient, and we are waiting to hear from the developer on this proposal. Ms Gilleland stated we are considering some changes with the access to Drug Mart on S.R. 256 that may help the situation and she will keep the Committee informed on any recommendations.

B. Review and discussion regarding speed limit on Hill Road, south of Diley Road intersection. Mr. Wisniewski stated he would like to see the speed limit on S.R. 256 lowered to 35 MPH from Diley Road south on S.R. 256 down to Meadows, where it goes down to 35 MPH anyway. Mr. Wisniewski further stated with regard to the PYAA/PYSA access on S.R. 256, he would like to get that taken care of. He stated if there is no resolution from PYAA/PYSA to move their entrance by August, he would be making a motion in this Committee to make that a right-in/right-out only on S.R. 256. Mr. Wisniewski stated our officers are put at risk directing traffic for people to get in and out of that facility. He stated they have the ability to access off of Courtright, and use a signalized intersection on S.R. 256, and he feels this should be taken care of. Mr. Smith stated he would like to see the speed limit changed to 35 MPH on S.R. 256 from Refugee Road all the way south on Hill Road. Mr. Smith stated he felt the 50 MPH speed limit is dangerous. Mr. Sabatino stated he felt, depending on the proposed changes to the Drug Mart access on 256, a lower speed limit might be necessary. Ms Gilleland stated she will have staff look into what is required to lower the speed limit and report back to this Committee.

C. Review and discussion regarding access to Hill Road between Diley Road and the railroad tracks during specific events. Mr. Smith stated this item was for discussion regarding the PYAA and PYSA access point and that has been discussed earlier. He stated he would like to have this continued on the agenda.

6. OTHER BUSINESS.

A. City Hall Renovation update. Mr. Smith stated this was covered earlier in the meeting.

Ms Gilleland stated if the Committee has no objection, she plans to send a letter regarding ODOT’s removal of the light at U.S. 33 voicing the City’s concerns. All of Safety Committee concurred with Ms Gilleland on this issue.

Mr. Smith stated Council has determined they will not meet for the first meeting in July as it falls on July 4^th. He stated the regular Safety Committee meeting would fall on July 3^rd, and as that is a long weekend and people plan to be out of town, if there were no objections from the Committee members, he would request that the regularly scheduled Safety Committee meeting be rescheduled for July 10, 2006, at 7:30 P.M. All members concurred.

7. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Wisniewski moved to adjourn; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion. Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Smith voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 3-0. The Safety Committee meeting adjourned at 9:50 P.M., June 5, 2006.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

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Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk