CITY OF PICKERINGTON

                                           FINANCE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

                                               CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

                                                       MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2003

 

                                                          REGULAR MEETING

 

                                                                      7:30 P.M.

 

1.         ROLL CALL.  Mr. Wright called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mr. Wright and Mr. Parker were present.  Mr. Fox was absent.  Others present were: Joyce Bushman, Lynda Yartin, Linda Fersch, Bob Mapes, Susan Crotty, Ray George, Dale Kocaruk, and others.

 

2.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF May 22, 2003, Regular Meeting.  Mr. Wright moved to approve; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

Mr. Wright stated Mr. Kocaruk and Mr. George were present this evening to discuss items 7.A, and 7.B., so he would go to those items at this time. 

 

Mrs. Bushman stated Mr. Kocaruk and Mr. George, of R. D. Zande, were present to inform the Committee on where we were on Hickory Lakes project and to answer any questions the Committee members might have.  Mr. Kocaruk stated these are standard pro forma items for the Ohio Water Development Authority that will allow the City of Pickerington to take the first steps to secure funding, with respect to the Hickory Lakes project, which is essentially to be obtained later in the year in conjunction with the sewer plant and collection system loan through the Ohio Water Pollution Control Fund.  He stated it is recommended by the Ohio EPA that the City approach the Ohio Water Development Authority, and in many respects they are almost one and the same agency, as they would be in a better position to provide short term financing to allow this purchase agreement to be entered into.  Mr. Kocaruk stated the Ohio EPA and the OWDA are aware of what this loan is being used for, and it is often used for design, planning, and work relative to engineering services, and is being recommended as an excellent vehicle for short term financing.  Mr. Kocaruk stated further the balance of the planning loan would then be rolled into the Ohio EPA Water Pollution Control Loan Fund which would occur later this year.  He stated the first resolution is what they request as assurance to the OWDA that the City has a dedicated local source for repaying the loan, and the second is an ordinance that would allow the City to enter into a cooperative agreement with them.  He stated these are two pieces of legislation that they specifically ask for from each applicant before they go through the review with the executive board.  Mr. Wright stated this was basically stating the repayment would be through sewer revenues, and Mrs. Bushman stated that is correct.  Mrs. Bushman further stated that it is required that if for some reason we do not go through with the project, we still have to have a commitment to pay it back, and we would.  Mr. Wright clarified this was for planning, and Mrs. Bushman stated that was correct, this is the first step, it is called a planning loan and we will be asking for $800,000 and that will be rolled into the final WRRSP application.  Mr. Parker moved to approve the Resolution providing assurance to the Ohio Water Development Authority of a source of local funds for planning improvements in the City of Pickerington; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

Mr. Parker moved to approve and forward to Council the ordinance authorizing a cooperative agreement for planning of a sewer project between the City of Pickerington and the Ohio Water Development Authority; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright and Mr. Parker voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

3.         FINANCE DIRECTOR:

 

A.        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance amending appropriation ordinance 2002-142.  Mrs. Fersch stated a draft ordinance had been provided to the Committee requesting an increase of $30,000 for the Engineer’s Category B services, an increase of $20,000 for income tax refunds, and an increase of $8,000 for the planting of trees that were paid for by Shawnee Crossing permit fees.  Mr. Wright moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

B.         Reports:

 

            (1)        Health Department.  Mrs. Fersch stated she had provided a written report to the Committee, and the Board is still conducting interviews for a Commissioner.  Mrs. Fersch further stated she had received the City’s allocation for 2004, and there is a six percent increase, however, that could increase more at the end of the year.  She stated the City’s allocation is based on evaluation.  Mr. Wright stated he and Mrs. Fersch had discussed looking at other agencies in Central Ohio, such as the Franklin County system, that base their allocations on population and not evaluation to find out if we would be better off to contract with someone else.  Mrs. Fersch stated she would be monitoring that and toward the end of the year she would brief the Committee on her findings.  

 

            (2)        CORMA.  Mrs. Fersch stated she had nothing to report this month. 

 

4.         PERSONNEL: 

 

A.        Annual review of Workers’ Compensation Group Rating and request for motion to authorize payment of fee.  Mr. Wright stated the Committee had received a memorandum from the Personnel Director on this issue.  Mrs. Bushman stated in the past we have been in the OML program that is administered by Gates McDonald and they have always provided us with excellent services.  Mrs. Bushman stated Mrs. Sheikh has requested quotes from one additional company, however, they are unable to provide that information until June 30th, and our enrollment deadline is July 7th.  Mr. Wright clarified that Gates McDonald represents an estimated savings of $87,772.  Mr. Wright moved to continue with OML, and approve the enrollment fee with Gates McDonald unless the quote received from the Frank Gates Company reflected more significant savings; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

5.         DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT:

 

A.        Reports

 

            (1)        Chamber of Commerce Report.  Ms Crotty stated she was unable to attend the last meeting due to a conflict in scheduling, but she had asked that information regarding the ODOT public meeting on the U.S. 33 access management study be distributed.  She stated the Chamber was in support of the community’s position. 

 

            (2)        Rt. 33 S.E. Regional Growth Alliance Report.  Ms Crotty stated she had provided information she had received on the specific cost breakdown on putting the interchange at Allen Road versus Pickerington Road.  She stated the Alliance was requesting a little more detail on these costs.  She further stated the public meeting on this issue is scheduled for June 26th, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at the Peace United Methodist Church.  

 

            (3)        Fairfield County Visitor’s and Convention Bureau Report.  Ms Crotty stated they have not met since the last Finance Committee meeting. 

 

            (4)        Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Report.  Ms. Crotty stated she had provided detailed information on transportation projects and the upgrade of U.S. 33 is still a Tier II project.  She further stated MORPC had received a report on anticipated ozone non-attainment designation for Central Ohio and they are trying to take steps to reduce our days of non-attainment.  Ms Crotty stated there was also an interesting presentation on the Hayden Run Corridor where there is substantial development planned in an area that has been annexed by the City of Columbus.  She stated the densities in this area are around five units per acre.  Ms Crotty stated MORPC has been asked to do a study regarding transportation improvements in that area.  Mrs. Bushman added that they were looking at creating a Community Authority in Columbus for those homes so they can address transportation issues. 

 

B.                 Project Updates

 

            (1)        Business Retention and Expansion Study.  Ms Crotty stated a tentative meeting has been scheduled for July 1 to begin developing a program to address business needs and concerns. 

 

5.         CHAIRMAN:

 

A.        Monthly review of law director services.  Mr. Mapes stated he had not provided a report this month. 

 

B.         Review of Cost of Community Services Study.  Mrs. Bushman stated about a year ago a study was done by Dr. Prindle of Otterbein College for the County on two townships to get a feel of the cost of community services in those townships.  She stated there was some confusion because the study, as it related to townships, did not relate to how a city operated and how you judge the cost of community services for a city.  Mrs. Bushman stated as requested, staff had contacted Dr. Prindle and requested he do an evaluation of the cost of community services relative to how the city operates.  Mrs. Bushman stated she felt the study showed that we deliver services at a very reasonable rate.  Mr. Wright added that new information had been taken and that methodology was applied to calculating the cost of community services.  Mr. Wright stated in the past it had been stated that it cost the average city $1.15 in expenses for every $1.00 of revenue, and the City did not feel that was correct.  He stated this study shows that our expenses are around $.90 out of every $1.00. and the study further shows that the City of Pickerington is about 68 percent residential and 32 percent commercial.  Mr. Wright stated he would like to ensure that all of Council received a copy of this study for their review.  Mrs. Bushman assured Mr. Wright that the study would be distributed. 

 

6.         OTHER BUSINESS: 

 

            A.        Review and request for motion to approve draft Resolution providing assurance to the Ohio Water Development Authority of a source of local funds for planning improvements in the City of Pickerington.  Mr. Wright stated this was dealt with earlier in the meeting. 

 

            B.         Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance authorizing cooperative agreement for planning of a sewer project between the City of Pickerington and the Ohio Water Development Authority.  Mr. Wright stated this had also been dealt with earlier in the meeting. 

 

            C.        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement for the purchase of Hickory Lakes and adjacent Buccilla Acreage. Mr. Wright stated he would be requesting an executive session on this item.

 

            D.        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to amend ordinances 2000-139 and 2001-96 relative to Road and Bridge Levy Revenues to Violet Township.  Mrs. Bushman stated as this is related to litigation perhaps it should be discussed in executive session.  Mr. Wright stated he concurred with Mrs. Bushman. 

 

7.         MOTIONS:  

 

            Mr. Parker moved for an executive session under Section 121.22(G)(3), conference with law director regarding pending or imminent court action, and Section 121.22(G)2, purchase or sale of public property; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

Finance committee adjourned into Executive Session at 8:03 P.M., and reconvened in open session at 8:45 P.M.

 

            Mr. Parker moved to forward the ordinance to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement for the purchase of Hickory Lakes and adjacent Buccilla acreage to Council; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

            Mr. Wright moved to forward the ordinance to amend Ordinances 2000-139 and 2001-96 relative to Road and Bridge Levy revenues to Violet Township to Council; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

            Mrs. Fersch stated she had one additional appropriation she would like to have the Committee consider.  She stated she was requesting an increase of $15,571 in Transfers/Reimbursements for an interest payment on the TIF Cycle Way Debt Retirement and it would be reimbursed to the General Fund when we receive the money next year.  Mr. Wright moved to amend his prior motion on appropriations to include this increase; Mr. Parker amended his second to include this appropriation. Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

8.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mr. Parker moved to adjourn; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.   Mr. Parker and Mr. Wright voted "Aye."  Motion carried, 2-0.  The Finance Committee adjourned at 8:50 P.M., June 16, 2003.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

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Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk