SERVICE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

THURSDAY, JULY 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, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Hackworth present.  No members were absent.  Others present were: Judy Gilleland, Jeff Fix, Brian Wisniewski, Lynda Yartin, Lance Schultz, Ed Drobina, Brenda VanCleave, Jennifer Frommer, Jim Ebright, and others.

 

2.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF June 8, 2006, Regular Meeting.  Mrs. Riggs moved to approve; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Hackworth, and Mrs. Hammond voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

3.         COMMUNITY COMMENTS:  There were no community comments.   

 

4.         PLANNING AND ZONING

 

A.        REPORTS:

 

                       (1)         BZA Report.  Mr. Schultz stated in June the Board of Zoning Appeals approved three items, and there is a variance for a deck in the rear yard in the Sheffield subdivision on the July agenda. 

           

                        (2)        Planning and Zoning Representative Report (Mrs. Hammond) Mrs. Hammond stated at the June Planning and Zoning meeting they approved the rezoning of the two Ebright properties that are on tonight’s agenda.  She stated further, Planning and Zoning met on Tuesday night and there were two public hearings, an amended comprehensive sign plan for the Blue Moon Shoppes, and the rezoning and final development plan for the assisted living facility.  Mrs. Hammond stated during the meeting both of these items were approved as well as a ground sign for SkyBank.  Mrs. Hammond stated the Commission also had a presentation by Mr. Rick Krigbaum regarding signs.          

 

B.                 ACTION ITEMS: 

 

            (1)        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance rezoning approximately 6.23 acres (3 lots) from R-2 (Single Family Residential) to R-1 (Single Family Residential) located at 11460, 11438, and 11390 Milnor Road (Ebright property).  Mr. Schultz stated Planning and Zoning held a public hearing in May and forwarded this to Service Committee.  He stated this is essentially converting the Township zoning to the City equivalent zoning per the 362-acre annexation agreement that was approved in March 2005.  Mr. Schultz stated there are three single-family lots within this parcel.  Mr. Schultz stated the only condition was that the conditions of the pre-annexation agreement accepting the 362 acres shall apply.  Mr. Schultz stated during the public hearing at Planning and Zoning there were no objections from any surrounding properties.  Mr. Schultz stated a public hearing will be required before City Council for this item as well as the next one on tonight’s agenda.  Mr. Hackworth clarified in order to meet the notification requirements the public hearings before Council could not occur before the August 15th meeting.  Mr. Hackworth moved to schedule a public hearing before City Council on August 15, 2006, at 7:10 P.M. for the rezoning of these three lots and a public hearing on August 15, 2006, at 7:20 P.M., for the rezoning of 11360 Milnor Road; Mrs. Hammond seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mrs. Hammond, and Mrs. Riggs voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.  Mr. Hackworth clarified the utilities for the property is provided by the County.  Mr. Hackworth moved to approve the rezoning for 11460, 11438, and 11390 Milnor Road and forward to Council; Mrs. Hammond seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mrs. Hammond, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.

 

            (2)        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to rezone approximately 2.43 acres from R-2 (Single Family Residential) to PC-1 (Planned Neighborhood Commercial) located at 11360 Milnor Road (Ebright property).  Mr. Schultz stated this is the property where the Ebright’s have their landscape business and per the annexation agreement this would make it consistent with the City’s zoning.  Mr. Schultz stated this was recommended to be approved with four conditions per the annexation agreement, as well as, two conditions  that refer to buffering requirements that Mr. Ricketts and Mr. Ebright agreed upon to be included in the rezoning.  Mr. Schultz stated those buffering requirements are typical for a business that abuts a single-family development in the City.  Mrs. Hammond stated as she understood, the buffering was not required until the Ricketts property develops or Mr. Ebright constructs another building closer to the Ricketts’ property.  Mr. Schultz stated that was correct and was identified in Condition No. 6.  Mr. Hackworth moved to approve the rezoning and forward to Council; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mrs. Riggs, and Mrs. Hammond voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.  

 

            (3)        Review and discussion regarding Ordinance 2005-50, “An ordinance accepting the final plat for the Wellington Park subdivision – Section 1 (Virginia Homes),” referred to Committee from Council.  Ms Gilleland stated she had not heard anything from the developer on this item and she would recommend this be removed from the agenda until we hear from them.  Mr. Hackworth clarified this could be removed from the agenda; however, it would remain at the Service Committee level until we heard from the developer.  Mr. Hackworth stated he would like to have this removed from the agenda until such time as we have more information. 

 

C.        ACCESS MANAGEMENT PLAN:    Ms Frommer stated the Plan is before Council and she will not have the amended copies until the first Council meeting in August.  Mr. Hackworth stated this item can be removed from the agenda. 

 

5.         SERVICE DEPARTMENT

 

A.        REPORTS:

 

            (1)        Utility Fees Review Committee Representative Report (Mr. Hackworth).  Mr. Hackworth stated the Committee did not meet in June.  Ms Gilleland stated Finance Committee is reviewing this issue.      

 

B.         ACTION ITEMS: 

 

            (1)        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance approving the Violet Township Maintenance Building use of Fairfield County water.  Mr. Drobina stated he is still waiting to hear back from the Township on this issue.  Mr. Hackworth stated this item would remain on the agenda. 

 

            (2)        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Cargill Salt for road salt.  Mr. Hackworth stated the Committee had received a draft ordinance and contract.  Mr. Drobina stated we received three bids and Cargill was the low bidder.  Mr. Drobina stated the contract would be for two years with the ability to extend it for four years in two-year increments.  Mrs. Riggs moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Hackworth, and Mrs. Hammond voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

C.        WATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE:  Mr. Drobina stated the contractor has started on the Anita-Willard waterline project. 

 

D.        WASTEWATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE:  Mr. Drobina stated we do have a filter out of service, but we are working on that.  

 

E.         STREET MAINTENANCE.  Mr. Drobina stated he had no report this evening.  Ms Gilleland stated she would like to remind everyone that it looks like we won’t be doing any street resurfacing this year.      

 

F.         STORM WATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE.  Mr. Drobina stated we have done some ditch work on Pearl Lane and we will do a little more there. 

 

G.        TREE COMMISSION.  Update.  Mr. Drobina stated the Tree Commission is going to schedule a meeting with staff engineer and Mr. Schultz to look at some drainage problems at the condos at Fairfield Square as they want to remove some trees.    

 

6.         ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS

 

A.        WASTEWATER

 

            (1)        Wastewater Plant Expansion - Update.  Mr. Hackworth stated the Committee members had received a summary of all the meetings that have been held on the wastewater plant expansion, and some of the information that has been handed out.  Ms Frommer stated staff has received a draft report from Malcom Pirnie and we have been looking into what appears to be some of the more preferable options.  She stated she hoped this information would be ready by the next Service Committee meeting.  Ms Gilleland stated we are also waiting on the scope of services from Malcom Pirnie for the additional services.  Ms Frommer stated she has not received that as yet, but she hoped to have that for the next meeting as well. 

 

                        (2)       D-Line Interceptor Sewer Phase IIIB – Update.  Ms Frommer stated there are some minor punch list items yet and we are still working final financials with the contractor.  Mr. Hackworth stated he would like this to remain on the agenda for another month.         

 

B.         TRANSPORTATION: 

 

(1)        Diley Road Improvements Project:

 

                         a.        MORPC/ODOT Project – Update.  Ms Frommer stated the project is moving forward.  Mr. Drobina stated we have seven additional properties that have agreed to the easements, however, we have not received the legislation from the law director as yet.  Mr. Drobina stated to date 65 properties have been appraised, and 23 have signed.   

 

                        b.         Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance vacating 0.341 acres, more or less, of Old Diley Road located southwest of S.R. 256, and 0.685 acres, more or less, of Old Diley road located south of Windmiller Drive, City of Pickerington, County of Fairfield, State of Ohio.  Ms Gilleland stated she would request this item be continued on the agenda for another month. 

                                   

            (3)        Cover/Ebright Connector

 

                        a.         Pickerington Health Care Access Road – Update.  Ms VanCleave stated our attorneys are working with their attorneys.      

      

            (4)        Traffic Signal Update.  Mr. Drobina stated we are waiting for a price to put in video detection at the Columbus and Hill Road intersection as we get the most complaints on that signal. 

 

C.        WATER: 

 

            (1)        Review and discussion regarding Ebright water taps.  Ms Gilleland stated she had no report this evening.  Mr. Hackworth stated we need to address this issue as Mr. Ebright is waiting for our response.  Mr. Ebright stated he has been waiting since November of last year for the City’s decision.  Ms Gilleland stated we have paid Mr. Ebright for the tap fees, and Mr. Ebright stated he has not cashed that check because he did not want anything to come back that the check was for full payment.  He stated that check is void now because it has passed the 120 days, and he was waiting to get the lump sum.  Ms Gilleland stated she cannot promise him he will get full payment.  Mr. Ebright stated he would like something to be done.  Mr. Ebright stated the issue is interpretation, and if you asked for a water permit today you would pay $6,500, and that is what he paid the County and he has only been reimbursed for half of it.  He stated he got the affidavits from people saying what their intent was, and no-one has done anything with it.  Ms Gilleland stated she would have a report for Service Committee next month. 

 

D.        STORMWATER. 

 

            (1)        Discussion regarding Cherry Hill Retention Pond.  Ms VanCleave stated this pond is still needed for retention and she has met with Mr. Barletta.  Ms VanCleave he would still like to have a cement pad put in, and she explained to him that we have a long wish list for parks and after the Diley Road widening project happens we will be able to see a little more of what will happen in that area.  Mr. Hackworth stated this item can be removed from the agenda. 

 

7.         CHAIRMAN.    Mr. Hackworth stated he had nothing to bring forward this evening. 

 

8.         OTHER BUSINESS. 

 

            Mr. Hackworth stated he knew Safety Committee has been discussing the Diley Road/S.R. 256 intersection and questioned if there was anything planned for that area.  Ms Gilleland stated our attorney is writing a letter to the attorney who represents the owner of the development, and our Development Director, Mr. Hansley, is going to be taking over that project.  She stated staff has reached a consensus on what we feel is appropriate for the Drug Mart area.  She stated we are proceeding with making the southbound lane a right turn onto Diley Road.  Mr. Drobina stated we are putting together a list of tasks of what we have to do, such as striping out the other side of the intersection, changing the signal head and signage, retiming the signal, etc.  Mr. Hackworth clarified our intention is to give Drug Mart full access onto S.R. 256 where the right-in/right-out access currently is.  Ms Gilleland stated that was correct, but there is no good answer for this parcel as it exists today.  Mr. Wisniewski inquired if lowering the speed limit on S.R. 256 would lessen the accidents at this full access from Drug Mart.  Ms Frommer stated she would think that the lower speed limit would decrease the amount of damage in an accident, but she did not know if it would lessen the amount of accidents there.  Ms Gilleland stated we will continue to work on this issue. 

 

Mr. Hackworth stated the Committee had received a draft ordinance regarding acceptance of the 316-acre annexation.  He stated this is the result of a lawsuit and an annexation that goes back to 2001.  Mrs. Riggs stated Mr. Fix had indicated he would like to have this Committee table this issue so he can have some further conversation with the Township before we move this forward to Council.   Mr. Hackworth stated the Township has agreed to the City annexing this property.  Mr. Fix stated that by tabling this issue this evening, it would provide him with an opportunity to get some further work done on commercial economic development.  Mr. Fix stated he understood the two were not related, however, he would like to see this Committee table this issue.  Mr. Hackworth stated moving it out of Committee was not any kind of action other than sending it to Council, so he did not understand how tabling it would do anything.  Mr. Fix stated he cannot speak on behalf of the Township, however, it was his belief that our efforts to work cooperatively with them on economic development would be better served at this particular moment if this issue were not sent forward at this time.  He stated if it is sent forward from this Committee next month that would allow him the time to try and get some of the other issues regarding development put to bed, or at least put in front of Council.  He stated his concern was if this moved forward tonight, some of those efforts may not be able to be brought to fruition.  Mr. Hackworth stated he did not understand as the Township has already agreed to not oppose the City from annexing this property.  Mrs. Riggs inquired what the impact would be to the City if we put this off for another 30 days.  Ms Gilleland stated she has spoken to the landowners and let them know we plan on following through with the annexation, however, she did not give them any timeframe.  Mr. Fix stated the law director had indicated there would be no legal impact if we held off on this.  Mr. Hackworth stated he did not understand why the Township would be concerned on when we put this ordinance forward.  Mrs. Hammond stated she did not see how just moving this on to Council and letting full Council act upon it would influence anything one way or the other.  Mr. Hackworth stated he would be willing to move this out of Committee this evening, but not put it on the Council agenda until the first meeting in August.  Mrs. Hammond stated she agreed with Mr. Hackworth that there was no reason not to move this forward, but she would agree that it would not be put on Council agenda until the August 1st meeting.  Mr. Hackworth moved to approve and forward to Council at the August 1st meeting; Mrs. Hammond seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mrs. Hammond, Mr. Hackworth, and Mrs. Riggs voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.  

 

9.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mrs. Hammond moved to adjourn; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Mr. Hackworth, Mrs. Riggs, and Mrs. Hammond voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 3-0.  The Service Committee adjourned at 8:25 P.M., July 13, 2006.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk