PICKERINGTON CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY,
JUNE 3, 2003
CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
REGULAR
MEETING AGENDA
7:30
P.M.
1. ROLL CALL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND INVOCATION. Council for the City of Pickerington met for a regular session Tuesday, June 3, 2003, at City Hall. Mayor Postage called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Roll call was taken as follows: Mr. Wright, Mr. Fox, Mr. Parker, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Sabatino, and Mayor Postage were present. Mrs. Riggs was absent due to illness. Others present were: Joyce Bushman, Lynda Yartin, Linda Fersch, Commander Mike Taylor, Bob Mapes, Susan Crotty, Jeff Kraus, Molly Schwartz, Frank Wiseman, Lenny Lewis, Susan Sheikh, Mike Maurer, Jennifer Wray, Kathy Lucas, Pastor Dave Shugert, Dave Huston, Tony Barletta, Steve Reade, Gail Oakes, Wes Monhollen, George Hallenbrook, Ed Laramee, Dennis Boruszewski, Jeanette Boruszewski, and others. Pastor Shugert delivered the invocation.
2. A. APPROVAL OF
MINUTES OF MAY 20, 2003, PUBLIC HEARING regarding proposed 2004 Tax
Budget. Mr. Wright moved to approve;
Mr. Maxey seconded the motion. Roll
call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Parker, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Wright, Mr. Fox,
and Mr. Shaver voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 20, 2003, REGULAR MEETING. Mr. Sabatino moved to approve; Mr. Wright seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Fox, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA. Mr. Fox moved to approve; Mr. Wright seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Fox, Mr. Parker, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Shaver voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
4. COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
A. Mr. Dennis Boruszewski, 542 Warwick Lane. Mr. Boruszewski stated he would like to know what constituted an emergency to our Council. He stated a fine example of emergency was the passage of the legislation to fix our leaking water tower. He stated that is an emergency. He stated an example of an abuse of emergency powers was to delay the growth plan. Mr. Boruszewski stated months of discussion and citizen input were tossed aside when the delay was put forth without the opportunity for public comment. Mr. Boruszewski stated to pass the delay as an emergency was an insult to the citizens of Pickerington. Mr. Boruszewski stated if Council ever wondered why the citizens of Pickerington have little or no faith in their elected officials they should look back at this. Mr. Boruszewski said enough of the back room meetings, bring the actions out in the open where they belong.
B. Mr. Tony Barletta, 671 Montmorency Drive. Mr. Barletta stated he was speaking this evening as a member of Community First, representing the Traffic Committee. He stated his committee is made up of citizens from the school district representing the City of Columbus, Violet Township, and the City of Pickerington. Mr. Barletta stated they met with the Mayor, Mrs. Bushman, and the City Engineer several weeks ago and they shared information on the road projects the City has on the drawing board. Mr. Barletta stated the discussions were very informative and he wanted to extend his gratitude for the time and effort they received. He stated he had also had a similar meeting with the Violet Township Administrator, Mr. Yeaple, and it was also a very good meeting. Mr. Barletta stated one of the topics discussed was ODOT’s plans to make Route 33 a limited access highway and locating an interchange in Violet Township. Mr. Barletta continued they learned both the local governments and the school district prefer the new interchange be located in the vicinity of Allen Road, and he was present this evening to encourage interested citizens to write ODOT in support of the Allen Road location. Mr. Barletta stated the Violet Township Trustees have put their position on the issue on a web page along with the name and address of a contact person at ODOT. He stated an Allen Road interchange provides great potential for large scale industrial and economic development within the Pickerington School District, and creating a greater commercial tax base for the school district is a priority for the community. He stated this area is an ideal location for commercial and industrial development on both sides of Route 33 as it is mainly surrounded by open land. Mr. Barletta stated this location would also minimize the impact on existing residents who live at Route 33 and Pickerington Road. He stated the location of the interchange at Pickerington Road would create an unacceptable traffic flow to the north into the historic downtown area of Pickerington. Mr. Barletta stated the area north of Route 33 is completely developed residentially and only limited commercial development would be able to locate in the area. Mr. Barletta stated he has heard the Pickerington Road interchange may be less expensive than the Allen Road site, but he believed the long term economic benefits outweigh the short term cost savings of the Pickerington Road site. He stated he would encourage interested citizens to visit the Violet Township web site and write a letter to ODOT.
C. Jeanette Boruszewski, 542 Warwick Lane. Ms. Boruszewski stated she has come to accept the fact that every square inch of Pickerington will have a home built on it. She stated her question to Council was who was going to keep the residents safe. She stated Pickerington Run and Cherry Hill has had someone going into homes and robbing them. She questioned how our over extended police department can keep watch over our rapidly expanding community. Ms. Boruszewski questioned how many new police officers the city planned on hiring to keep watch over the residents.
D. Mr. Steve Reade, 10416 Wright Road. Mr. Reade stated he has children in the Pickerington School District and that is what motivates him to be here tonight. Mr. Reade stated from what he has heard about a Home Rule Township he is in favor of it. He stated it sounds promising and it would enable the Township to be on more of an equal footing when making decisions around growth and how you control it. He stated the Township’s ability is pretty limited right now. He stated he felt Home Rule would allow them to interact better with the City to come up with solutions. Mr. Reade stated further there were several points he felt we should consider as we negotiate with the people putting together a Community Authority. He stated the first point would be the density, second would be a certain number of dollars that each home would generate as revenue regardless of the price of the home, third anyone who would annex into the City have a requirement to be a part of the Community Authority, and fourth that when negotiating we look at the incremental impact of the children that would come into the school district and not use the national average of .7 or .8. Mr. Reade stated he has heard the number of 22 mills for the Community Authority to be self-supporting and we have been talking about 6 or 10. He stated there is a big gap here and we need to work through this to come up with the right solution. He stated what we don’t need is to do something that will promote more growth that will hurt the schools even more. He stated whatever we do, it must help the schools and support itself. Mr. Reade stated he felt everyone in the community was willing to make up for the gap in the past, but they are not willing to make up more gap for stuff going forward. He stated this new Community Authority must be self-supporting.
5. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: There were no Consent Agenda items.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. SERVICE COMMITTEE. Mr. Parker stated Service Committee met on May 19th, and the minutes have been distributed. Mr. Parker stated he would be happy to answer any questions.
B. FINANCE COMMITTEE. Mr. Wright stated Finance Committee met on May 22nd, and those minutes had also been distributed. Mr. Wright stated he would answer any questions.
7. REPORTS:
A. MAYOR. Mayor Postage stated he had attended and spoken at the Memorial Day event the American Legion put on, and there was a very nice crowd present to honor our veterans. Mayor Postage stated he had also attended a ceremony for five young men being sworn in as Eagle Scouts. Mayor Postage stated he had also met with the Violet Township Trustees and the consultant has started the process on the joint zoning code and land use plan, and they would meet again on June 24th. Mayor Postage stated the Monthly Mayor’s Court Report had also been distributed.
B. LAW DIRECTOR. Mr. Mapes stated he had nothing to report, but would answer any questions. Mr. Shaver stated in light of Mr. Reade’s statement he would like to clear up that there is no negotiation going on with BIA, there is a set of minimum requirements for them presenting a Community Authority. He stated once they present the minimum requirements, there can be negotiation over whether there will be additional requirements or additional discussions. He stated right now, it is not a process of negotiation, they must meet the statutory requirements.
C. FINANCE DIRECTOR. Mrs. Fersch stated she had nothing to report, but would answer any questions.
D. MANAGER. Mrs. Bushman stated her report had been distributed, and she would like to note that MORPC made a presentation to Safety Committee on their Ride Solutions Program and we will be offering a link through the city’s web site if any of our residents would like to get information on that program. Mrs. Bushman stated the Movies in the Park start on Friday, June 13th, and the concert series will start on Sunday, June 15th. Mrs. Bushman stated she and Mayor Postage had also been invited to speak to the Hilliard Service Committee on a Community Authority, and we have also received calls from Obetz, another township, and another school district requesting information on a Community Authority. Mrs. Bushman stated she and Mayor Postage had also attended a meeting with our state senators, along with other representatives of Central Ohio mayors and managers, to discuss the state’s proposed cuts in local government funding. She stated it was a positive meeting and the senators were interested in trying to understand the effects on municipalities of any cuts in local government funds. Mrs. Bushman further stated information on closings was requested, and there have been 82 closings since the first of the year. Mr. Shaver inquired how many housing permits were issued, and Mrs. Bushman stated Mr. Shaver had received a memo with that information, there were 325 housing permits issued. Mr. Shaver stated the BIA had then pushed through over 200, and questioned how we got from 89 permits at the end of April to 325 permits now. Mrs. Bushman stated as Mr. Shaver was aware, we were at 135 permits approximately three weeks ago. Mr. Shaver stated he was tempted to do another emergency and make the effective date of our statute July 1st. Mr. Shaver stated he thought this was extreme bad faith on the part of the BIA as this is what everyone was afraid of, and if any action should be taken it is that this Council should make the effective date of the new statute by the next meeting. Mr. Wright stated he understood at the last meeting Mr. Shaver had negotiated with Mr. Hart that the better indicator was the amount of closings. Mr. Shaver stated he did not negotiate that, and Mr. Wright stated Mr. Shaver had written the legislation that was used at the last meeting. Mr. Shaver stated he would expect the people from the BIA to act in good faith, and this is nothing but bad faith in the extreme. Mr. Shaver stated he felt they should shut them down right now, but it would take two weeks to prepare new legislation which he was going to do. Mayor Postage stated he felt this was prompted by the legislation that was passed. He stated he doesn’t like it anymore than anyone else, but he felt that was what happened. Mr. Shaver stated he planned to propose shutting them down by the next meeting. Mr. Shaver requested Mr. Mapes to prepare legislation to that effect. Mr. Parker stated although the permits have been issued, the houses have not been built.
8. PROCEDURAL READINGS:
A. ORDINANCE 2003-49, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2003 APPROPRIATION, ORDINANCE 2002-142,” First Reading, Parker. Mr. Parker moved to adopt; Mr. Wright seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Wright, Mr. Fox, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
B. ORDINANCE 2003-50, “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PAY SOUTH CENTRAL POWER COMPANY FOR THE RELOCATION, UNDERGROUND, OF OVERHEAD ELECTRICAL SERVICE LINES FOR THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECT AND DECLARING AN IMMEDIATE NECESSITY AND EMERGENCY IN THAT THE PROJECT CANNOT PROCEED AS SCHEDULED WITHOUT THE RELOCATION OF THE ELECTRICAL UTILITIES,” First Reading, Parker. Mr. Parker moved to adopt; Mr. Wright seconded the motion. Mr. Parker stated this would move the power lines underground and keep the project moving on time and the cost was $22,287. Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
C. ORDINANCE 2003-51, “AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF $1,605,000 OF NOTES BY THE CITY OF PICKERINGTON, OHIO, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RENEWING NOTES PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING PART OF THE COST OF STREET IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING IMPROVING COURTRIGHT AND DILEY ROADS, REALIGNING EAST STREET AND WIDENING STREETS, CONSTRUCTING SIDEWALKS, CURBS AND GUTTERS ON REFUGEE AND HILL ROADS,” First Reading, Wright. Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Parker seconded the motion. Mr. Wright stated this is a renewal of existing notes. Mrs. Fersch clarified for Mr. Shaver that we are at approximately 7.7 mills on our 10 mill limit, and as we are paying some principal it will reduce the millage a bit and there will be a new certificate issued. Roll call was taken with Mr. Maxey, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wright, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Shaver voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
D. ORDINANCE 2003-52, “AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH STILSON CONSULTING GROUP, LLC, FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE DILEY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS (CIP NUMBERS 03-03-016 AND 04-03-012),” First Reading, Maxey. Mr. Maxey moved to adopt; Mr. Parker seconded the motion. Mr. Maxey stated this is the design engineering for the Diley Road widening and we will be applying for funds from the State Infrastructure Bank for this at a low interest rate. He stated he was asking for one reading tonight and by the time we get to the third reading he hoped that application will have been submitted. Mr. Maxey stated 80 percent of the funds for the construction of this project is a Federal grant from MORPC. He stated we want to start the design phase so we don’t get put at the back of the list. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Wright, Mr. Fox, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
E. ORDINANCE 2003-53, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2003 APPROPRIATION, ORDINANCE 2002-142,” First Reading, Wright. Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Fox seconded the motion. Mr. Wright stated this appropriation is to pay for the Community Authority Growth plan so we make sure we have the correct millage requirements, and that we have looked at the correct number of students per home, etc. He stated it also contains an appropriation for the City’s share of the consultant’s fees to develop a joint residential zoning code between Violet Township and the City of Pickerington. He stated Finance had signed a Committee Waiver on this appropriation as they did not want to hold it up until the next Finance Committee meeting. Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
F. ORDINANCE 2003-42, “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $3,500,000 OF BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING PART OF THE COST OF REFUNDING THE CITY’S WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SERIES 1994, DATED AS OF APRIL 1, 1994, AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SERIES 1995, DATED AS OF AUGUST 1, 1995, AND MATTERS RELATED TO SUCH BONDS,” Second Reading, Parker. Mr. Parker moved to adopt; Mr. Wright seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Fox, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
G. ORDINANCE 2003-43, “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE PICKERINGTON LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR EXTRAORDINARY POLICE SERVICES,” Second Reading, Sabatino. Mr. Sabatino moved to adopt; Mr. Fox seconded the motion. Mr. Sabatino stated this is the renewal of an existing agreement with updated figures. Mr. Wright stated it is basically our existing DARE program. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Fox voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
H. ORDINANCE 2003-44, “AN ORDINANCE DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH FAIRFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR JAIL SERVICES,” Second Reading, Sabatino. Mr. Sabatino moved to adopt; Mr. Wright seconded the motion. Mr. Sabatino stated this also renews our contract with Fairfield County for jail services. Mr. Shaver clarified this contract is for when we need jail services above and beyond what our jail can currently provide, and inquired when our jail would be ready for prisoners. Mr. Wright stated we are still awaiting certification on part of our jail services. Mr. Wright further clarified that this is not a negotiated contract as it is not based on anticipated usage, but on what rate Fairfield County has to pay for services provided. Mr. Wright further stated we want to continue this agreement because we want to make sure we would not be spending in excess of what we would spend on this contract on hiring additional police officers to man our jail facility as we would have to have an officer manning that facility during the entire time an overnight prisoner is there. Mr. Maxey stated we utilize this contract approximately 15-20 times annually. Mr. Mapes further clarified this only applies to charges that are filed under our ordinances, anything that is filed under State code they pay. Mr. Mapes stated any serious charge we usually charge under State code. Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Fox, Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Parker voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
I. ORDINANCE 2003-45, “AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $625,000 OF REVENUE NOTES BY THE CITY OF PICKERINGTON, OHIO, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RENEWING REVENUE NOTES PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING PART OF THE COST OF STREET IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CYCLE WAY AREA OF THE CITY,” Second Reading, Wright. Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Fox seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Fox, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Maxey voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
9. LEGISLATIVE READINGS:
A. ORDINANCE 2003-38, “AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE 150 HILL ROAD NORTH FROM C-3 (COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL) TO P-M (PLANNED GENERAL INDUSTRIAL) AND TO APPROVE THE FINAL PLAN,” Third Reading, Maxey. Mr. Maxey moved to adopt; Mr. Parker seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Fox, Mr. Wright, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Shaver voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
B. ORDINANCE 2003-39, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2003 APPROPRIATION, ORDINANCE 2002-142,” Third Reading, Parker. Mr. Parker moved to adopt; Mr. Wright seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Fox, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Wright, Mr. Parker, Mr. Maxey, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
C. ORDINANCE 2003-40, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 1440.02 OF THE PICKERINGTON CODIFIED ORDINANCES RELATIVE TO THE POSITION OF BUILDING OFFICIAL,” Third Reading, Parker. Mr. Parker moved to adopt; Mr. Maxey seconded the motion. Mr. Parker stated he would like to congratulate our building department and Mr. Lewis who is a recognized CBO. Mr. Shaver stated they apparently set speed records for approving building permits, and Mrs. Bushman stated that was not a fair comment. Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver, Mr. Fox, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
D. RESOLUTION 2003-07R, “A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE 2004 TAX BUDGET TO MEET THE JULY 15, 2003, DEADLINE AS SET FORTH IN THE OHIO REVISED CODE, SECTION 5705.28,” Third Reading, Wright. Mr. Wright moved to adopt; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Shaver, Mr. Fox, Mr. Maxey, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 6-0.
10. MOTIONS: There were no motions.
11. OTHER BUSINESS: No other business was brought forward.
12. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Sabatino moved to adjourn; Mr. Parker seconded the motion. Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Parker, Mr. Fox, Mr. Wright, Mr. Shaver, and Mr. Maxey voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 P.M., June 3, 2003.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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ATTEST:
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