SAFETY COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
REGULAR
MEETING
7:30
P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Smith called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mr. Smith and Mr. Sabatino were present. Mr. Wisniewski was absent due to a family emergency. Others present were Lynda Yartin, Chief Taylor, Steve Carr, Brenda VanCleave, Paul Lane, Mike Stacy, Dick Huntwork, Dale Huntwork, Betty Huntwork, Anne Huntwork, Mark Huntwork, Barbara Huntwork, and others.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF November 6, 2006, Regular Meeting. Mr. Sabatino moved to approve; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 2-0.
Mr. Smith stated as the Huntwork family were again present with regard to the skate park noise issue, if there were no objections he would move to that item on the agenda at this time. Mr. Carr stated he had provided a memo to the Committee regarding the sound demonstration. Mr. Carr stated they met at the skate park on Wednesday, November 15th, and the Huntworks had the opportunity to observe how the materials were installed and conduct their own experiment. Mr. Carr stated he believed there was a noticeable reduction in sound level, however, he did not recommend installing additional materials at an estimated cost of $8,500 if the Huntworks will not be satisfied with that solution.
Mr. Dick Huntwork stated they found no difference in the noise. He stated the only thing it did was take a little of the ring out of it. He stated they did not feel that the material worked. Mr. Carr inquired if they had noticed any difference since there have been skaters on the ramps, and Mr. Huntwork stated they had not noticed any difference. Mr. Carr stated he would like to point out that only two of the ramps have had the material installed on them. Mr. Huntwork stated with regard to the loud thump, like hitting the top of a barrel, there is no difference. Mr. Dale Huntwork distributed a written statement that he requested be made a part of the record. (Attachment 1 to these minutes) Mr. Huntwork stated in their opinion the only solution is for the skate park to be closed or moved.
Mr. Smith stated with the consent of the other Committee members he would ask the Acting City Manager, Chief Taylor, to have Mr. Hansley, the City’s Development Director, come up with a comprehensive recommendation that Safety Committee can consider at their next meeting. He stated he did not want this to drag on, but he wanted to have a resolution for this issue. Mr. Smith requested Mr. Carr work with Mr. Hansley to provide this Committee with a comprehensive recommendation. Mr. Smith stated that would provide a resolution and then Mr. Huntwork could make a decision on what to do next. Mr. Sabatino stated he felt this was the next logical progression in this issue and he felt Mr. Hansley would be the best qualified to make a recommendation.
3. DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Mr. Carr stated he had provided a written report to the Committee and he would be happy to answer any questions.
A. Parks and Recreation:
(1) Director’s Report. Mr. Carr stated the winter program brochure will be mailed to the public on December 15th, with registration beginning on December 18th for City residents and December 20th for non-residents. The programs will be commencing after the first of the year.
a. Parks Master Plan.
1. Mr. Carr stated the Master Plan is currently on the Council agenda.
2. Joint Parks District – Update. Mr. Carr stated he had no update this evening.
b. NatureWorks Grant Project – Update. Mr. Carr stated he had no report this evening.
(2) Review and discussion regarding Skate Park noise complaint and potential options. Mr. Smith stated this was dealt with earlier in the meeting.
Mr. Smith inquired if the City had a representative attend the meeting on a Recreation Center, and Mr. Carr stated Fiona Spears attended that meeting. He stated she had given him a memo on the meeting, however, he just returned from vacation today and has not had a chance to review it. Mr. Carr stated on a similar note, Canal Winchester will be having some community meetings and he will have a staff person attend those meetings. He stated we are continuing to do research and collect data. He stated he hoped to have a report for this Committee at their January meeting.
B. Building Regulations Department:
(1) Building Department Report (Mr. Lane) Mr. Lane stated his report had been distributed, and impact fees total $916,606.70 to date this year, with $122,662.70 from commercial and $793,944.00 from residential. He stated further in the year-to-year comparison, as of November 29, 2005, we had 271 residential permits, and as of November 29, 2006, we are at 220.
Mr. Lane stated he had distributed a cost comparison for residential permit and plans examinations fees along with the proposed fee adjustments. He stated the overall goal is for the City of Pickerington’s fees to be in the high middle area of the surrounding communities. Mr. Lane stated in talking with the ten other communities he surveyed, a large portion of them are raising their rates as well. He stated for a Residential Permit we are currently charging $760 and he is proposing increasing that fee to $950, for Plans Examination an increase from $126.50 to $150 and $100 per hour for resubmittals; and Permit and Plans Examination from $886.50 to $1,100. Mr. Smith inquired how we arrived at the new amounts as he would like to ensure that our fees cover our expenses. Mr. Lane stated we would be covering the cost of the staff from taking in the applications through the multiple inspections that occur through the building process. Mr. Sabatino clarified the plans examination fee included Mr. Stacy’s fee, as well as, an administrative fee for the permit clerks. Mr. Smith stated he would like to know if all of the revised fees, added together, would fully fund the building department, and Mr. Lane stated he would have to check with the Finance Director to get that answer. Mr. Sabatino clarified some fees were adjusted in 2001, however, he did not know specifically which ones were included in that adjustment. Mr. Sabatino stated he agreed that it was time to review our fees to see that we are covering our costs. Mr. Smith stated when the entire fee schedule is introduced at Finance Committee, he would like to see what the budget impact would be from this increase. He stated if the fees approximate the total cost of the department; that did not cause him anxt as much as it would if they were turned into a profit center. Mr. Sabatino stated he concurred, that the purpose of the fees was to cover the cost of doing the service. Mr. Smith stated what he was looking for was if you total all the fees, what is the gross amount? He stated he understood this had to be done with assumptions, and using the basis of a 4,000 square foot single family home, and 50,000 square foot commercial. He stated he would like to see the figures from last year to this year, based on his projections. Mr. Smith stated he was not looking for a dollar for dollar match, he just wanted to ensure we cover our costs. Mr. Lane stated the proposed fees for commercial were based on a 50,000 square foot building.
(2) Chief Building Official’s Report (Mr. Stacy) Mr. Stacy stated he had provided a written report and would be happy to answer any questions. Mr. Sabatino stated it looked like things were slowing down on the residential side. Mr. Stacy stated that was correct and he felt that was as a result of the impact fees, design standards, and the slow down of the economy.
C. Service Department:
(1) Traffic Engineer.
a. Review and discussion regarding Drug Mart Access issues. Ms VanCleave stated staff has met with the property owner and during that meeting a solution came up that was probably a better solution at a lower cost. She stated the engineers have gone back to reevaluate the cost and she hoped they would meet in the next week to get this moving. Mr. Sabatino stated he has heard that the tenants of that development are not very happy with the entire thing. Ms VanCleave stated at the meeting with the tenants they agreed this was a safety issue and something needed to be done. She stated she has not heard directly from any of the tenants if they were concerned or not. Mr. Sabatino ascertained that if the tenants have concerns they should contact Ms VanCleave. Mr. Sabatino stated he knew there was no good solution for this situation, but he did not think we would accomplish anything other than moving the problems from Diley Road to S.R. 256. Mr. Smith stated he agreed there is no good solution.
b. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to authorize the City Manager to submit a grant application to the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to Schools program. Ms VanCleave stated the purpose of this program is to encourage students to walk or bike to school. Mr. Smith stated this would then be good sidewalks, and Ms VanCleave stated it could be sidewalks or softer type things like better signage, crossing guards, funding for police, education, and that type of thing. She stated we have a pretty good team formed and every team has a school they are evaluating and putting together recommendations. Mr. Sabatino stated the Manor House subdivision area has a fair amount of pedestrian traffic and he would urge Ms VanCleave to look at this area as one of the high priorities. Ms VanCleave stated that area has been identified already. Mr. Smith clarified to submit the application we need to identify issues, and from there we will work to generate a plan to develop solutions. Mr. Smith moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 2-0.
D. Facilities Operations:
(1) Update of City Hall Renovation Project. Mr. Smith ascertained the renovation project was on schedule.
4. POLICE:
A. Chief’s Report. Chief Taylor stated he had provided his report to the Committee and he would be happy to answer any questions.
5. CHAIRMAN:
A. Review and discussion regarding Peddlers and Solicitors Regulations. Chief Taylor stated he is working with the law director to prepare an amendment for this regulation and he hoped to have something to bring forward after the first of the year.
6. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Sabatino stated he understood the liquor licenses were renewed at this time of year and it seems we have one particular location that generates a lot of calls to the Police. He inquired if Chief Taylor was looking at objecting the reissue of the license for that particular establishment. Chief Taylor stated there is a hearing process he can attend, and which he plans to do. He stated he plans to advise the Liquor Control Board of the number of calls we have had at this establishment in the past year, and the type of activity we have had. He stated he hoped that would persuade them not to renew the permit. Mrs. Yartin stated the City and Chief of Police are sent a notice at the time of renewal, and we then notify the Liquor Control Board if we request a hearing. She stated at that time we would then be notified of when a hearing has been scheduled. Mr. Smith stated he concurred with Mr. Sabatino that he felt we should object to the renewal of that particular liquor permit. Mr. Sabatino clarified that Chief Taylor did not object to the renewal of the permit for any other establishment. Mr. Smith stated he would make himself available to attend the hearing with Chief Taylor and he felt other members of Council would be willing to attend as well. Mr. Sabatino requested the notice of hearing be placed on the Safety Committee agenda when it is received.
Mr. Sabatino stated he has spoken with both the City Manager and the Development Director about how we account for our bed tax here in the City. He stated Mr. Hansley was going to have staff prepare some suggested amendments for this legislation and he would like to have it added to the next Safety Committee if the Chairman concurred. Mr. Smith stated he concurred and would like this added to the next agenda. Mr. Sabatino stated we have community groups that look to the City for funding of certain types of things, and some cities allow for a percentage of these funds to be used by staff for things relative to the type of activities identified in the ordinance. Mr. Sabatino stated he felt this would allow a better way to identify the responsibility for handling these funds.
7. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Sabatino moved to adjourn; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Mr. Smith and Mr. Sabatino voted "Aye." Motion carried, 2-0. The Safety Committee adjourned at 8:30 P.M., December 4, 2006.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
________________________________