CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
THURSDAY,
OCTOBER 19, 2006
REGULAR
MEETING
7:30
P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Wisniewski called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Fix were present. Mr. Smith was absent. Others present were Judy Gilleland, Lynda Yartin, Linda Fersch, Ed Drobina, Tim Hansley, Sean Casey, Deblin Jennings, and others.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF September 21, Regular Meeting. Mr. Hackworth moved to approve; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Fix, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
3. FINANCE DIRECTOR:
A. 2007 Budget Request Presentation by Olde Pickerington Village Business Association. Ms Deblin Jennings stated she was present this evening to address the Committee regarding their funding request for 2007. She stated she would like to thank the City for their support this past year and distributed a copy of the OPVBA 2006 and 2007 budget. Ms Deblin stated their request for next year was in the amount of $7,000. Mr. Wisniewski ascertained that the OPVBA did not receive donations from other entities, and their revenue sources were from the member dues and from the vendors at the various events. Mr. Wisniewski clarified the Township is not a contributor as far as donating funds. Mr. Fix clarified the membership dues were $75 annually. Mr. Wisniewski stated in 2006 the City donation was $5,000 and it had been $10,000 a few times in the past. Mr. Wisniewski stated he appreciated all the work put in by the OPVBA and the events they put on.
B. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance amending the 2006 appropriation, Ordinance 2005-98. Mrs. Fersch stated she had no appropriation requests for this month; however, she would have some for the November meeting.
C. Finance Director’s Report: Mrs. Fersch stated she had provided a report to the Committee and she would be happy to answer any questions.
(1) Impact Fee Report. Mrs. Fersch stated a report had been distributed to the Committee showing we have collected $816,328.05 in impact fees. She stated in December we will be paying $185,000 on our police lease using the impact fees. Mr. Fix clarified that we are pretty much on target with what we estimated so far this year.
(2) Investment Report. Mrs. Fersch stated our interest earnings to date this year are up over last year at this same time.
(3) Review of Vendor Report. Mrs. Fersch stated the report had been provided to the Committee and she would be happy to answer any questions.
(4) Health Insurance Update. Mrs. Fersch stated two representatives from Medical Mutual and our Broker held meetings on October 12th to meet with all employees and explain the two options and answer any questions they may have. She stated the enrollment forms were distributed and are due by October 20th. Mrs. Fersch stated later on the agenda is a contract with Meritain Health to administer to run out claims, and with everyone’s cooperation she hoped this would be a minimal amount.
D. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into a one-year contract with Delta Dental of Ohio for dental insurance for City employees. Mrs. Fersch stated Delta Dental reduced their price from $70.55 to $67.72, and this is a one year contract. Mr. Wisniewski clarified there were no changes to the plan that we currently have. Mr. Fix moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Fix voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
E. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with the Local Government Services Division of the Office of the Auditor of State to assist the City in preparing General Purpose Financial Statements and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Mrs. Fersch stated the cost is the same as last year and we have never reached the not-to-exceed amount. Mrs. Fersch stated this is not the audit, but is the preparing of our report. Mr. Wisniewski clarified we could hire a private firm to do this, however, the Auditor of State is much less expensive. Mr. Fix moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Fix, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
F. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Meritain Health for administration of health insurance run out claims occurring after January 1, 2007. Mrs. Fersch stated this is the contract she spoke about earlier, and any bill that is incurred but not paid by our current insurance before the end of the year will be handled by this contract. Mr. Wisniewski stated, as he understood it Meritain will be processing the claims and we will be reimbursing them for those claims. She stated she has included $60,000 in the budget for this, however, with everyone’s cooperation she hoped it would not be that much. Mr. Wisniewski moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Fix, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
4. PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT:
A. New Employee Update. Mrs. Fersch stated Sharon Leisure was hired as the Utility Billing Clerk. She stated one police officer and one dispatcher resigned, and a part-time dispatcher will move into the full time slot. Mrs. Fersch stated we will then fill the part-time position.
5. DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT:
A. Development Director’s Report. Mr. Hansley stated he had provided a report to the Committee and he would answer any questions anyone might have.
(1) Rt. 33 Alliance – Update. Mr. Hansley stated he had provided recent information on the way this alliance will be organized, funded, etc. He stated this is a very productive group and very much a partnership. Mr. Hansley stated he would strongly urge that staff be allowed to participate and offer financial assistance. Mr. Hansley stated they are requesting that we provide $2,000 this year and $6,000 each year for the next five years. Mr. Fix moved to approve the financial support of $2,000 this year and $6,000 per year for the next five years for the Rt 33 Alliance; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Fix, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
Mr. Hansley stated our current impact fee legislation allows Council to reduce or waive impact fees for economic development reasons, and we have had two requests. He stated the first deals with a project that was built and paid the impact fee, but then noticed the allowance for a waiver or reduction, and has requested we consider that. He stated the second request is from an existing medical office type building that is proposing to relocate in the new Equity TIF area. He stated they are also looking at locations in the Groveport and Reynoldsburg areas. Mr. Hansley stated his question is what policy Council has as to when or if the fees would be reduced. Mr. Wisniewski stated in his opinion the impact fee waiver was for unique or extreme circumstances that would bring significant development to the area that might not otherwise come if they had to pay the impact fees. Mr. Hansley stated he would almost request a motion that states that something that is pre-existing and did not request this incentive does not quality based on the definition in the ordinance. Mr. Fix stated he would like to have Mr. Hansley prepare his assessment of the project and recommendation for Finance Committee so they will have the information to make a decision. Mr. Wisniewski stated he agreed with that, but he also felt we should have some sort of policy that Mr. Hansley can refer to when some of the requests come in that clearly do not meet the criteria for a waiver or reduction. Mr. Hansley stated as he understood it then, this Committee would like to have his department prepare a draft policy that articulates what they think the ordinance says for them to consider and adopt. Mr. Hackworth stated since the City has to reimburse the funds he would like to know what amount we are talking about. Mr. Hansley stated the second project would be a two to three story building and would be fairly substantial with a minimum of something like 40 people. Mr. Fix stated he would like more information for the next meeting so the Committee can review it along with Mr. Hansley’s recommendation.
Mr. Wisniewski clarified that we are getting very close on the Ashton Crossing project. Mr. Hansley stated the draft mitigation agreement has been reviewed by EPA, and as soon as it is physically signed off on, work will begin.
Mr. Wisniewski inquired if progress has been made on the Drug Mart access on Diley Road, and Mr. Hansley stated we have been meeting with the developer and the tenants and he hoped that we will come to a resolution shortly. Ms Gilleland stated we are going to talk further about restricting the access and if they don’t move it, we will go ahead with putting up the barriers.
6. CHAIRMAN:
A. Discussion regarding Economic Development Agreement. Mr. Wisniewski stated this has been moved to Service Committee and request it be removed from the agenda.
B. Review of Legal and Engineering services invoices. Mr. Wisniewski ascertained there were no questions regarding the invoices.
7. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance amending Ordinance 2006-45 authorizing hiring of Lepi Enterprises as the prime contractor for the addition and necessary renovations to the Pickerington City Hall. Ms Gilleland stated the original ordinance did not contain a contingency amount in case there were change orders. She stated we do have a change order for the revised insulation requirement, and this ordinance will provide for the five percent contingency should other change orders occur. Mr. Wisniewski moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Fix, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
B. Notice of Impact Fee Exemption. Ms Gilleland stated this exemption was for the City Hall expansion and a governmental exemption does not require the pay back. Mr. Fix clarified if we did not exempt it, the funds would just go from one account into another. Ms Gilleland stated no action was necessary; she was just making the required notification.
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.
Mr. Wisniewski stated for the next Finance Committee meeting he would be bringing forward an amendment to the issue of reimbursing the Township for the Road and Bridge Levy, and requested this be added to the agenda. He stated he felt whoever received the road and bridge levy should be responsible for the maintenance of the roads.
9. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Fix moved to adjourn; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Fix, and Mr. Wisniewski voted "Aye." Motion carried, 3-0. The Finance Committee adjourned at 8:45 P.M., October 19, 2006.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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