CITY OF PICKERINGTON

SAFETY COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2008

7:30 P.M.

 

REGULAR MEETING

 

 

1.         ROLL CALL.  Mr. Smith called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with Mrs.  Sanders and Mr. Smith present.  Mr. Sabatino was absent due to illness.  Others present were: Brian Wisniewski, Tim Hansley, Chief Taylor, Ed Drobina, Steve Carr, Paul Lane, Stacey Bashore, Carol Carter, Lee Gray, Don Phillips, Tim Jardina, John Hepp, Susan Lent, and others.

 

2.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF January 7, 2008, Regular Meeting.  Mrs. Sanders moved to approve; Mr. Smith seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mrs. Sanders and Mr. Smith voting "Yea."  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

3.         COMMUNITY COMMENTS.   Ms Carter stated she was coming before Safety Committee to follow up on signage for Lockville Road for the kids walking from Ra-mar subdivision to the Junior High.  She stated she was representing her neighbors and she had also spoken with the Schools.  Ms Carter stated the children will be cutting through  Victory Park and they would like to have signs that say "Children at Play" or something to warn drivers that there are kids walking ahead.  She stated that the drivers coming from 33 are not slowing down in this area.  She also requested that a light be placed in Victory Park so they are not walking there in the dark.  Mr. Gray stated that he was under that impression that signs related to traffic issues are the City's responsibility, but if there was any misunderstanding, he was there to take information back to the school board.  Mr. Drobina stated that we can put up signs and asked if the transportation director at the school requested more signs.  Mr. Gray stated he was unable to talk with him and unfortunately he doesn't speak for the board.  He stated that generally their belief is anything that makes it safer for the kids is the best thing.  Mr. Drobina stated that we can put up "Children at Play" signs and in the past the approval has come through the City Manager.  Mr. Smith clarified that it is not a school zone.   Mr. Wisniewski stated that we can check into the lighting issue because there are also costs with running the lines.  Mr. Drobina stated he would contact the transportation director with the schools.  Mr. Smith stated his own personal concern was whether signs would really slow the cars down and he didn't want it to become a false sense of security.  Ms Carter asked if it was a school zone sign would the fees be higher if drivers were speeding and Mr. Drobina stated that he didn't think it could be made into a school zone because there is not a school on Lockville Road.  Mr. Wisniewski stated that the various signs can be looked into.  Mr. Smith stated he felt that the City Manager would have the authority to approve the signs.  He stated that he hoped that by the next meeting there would be a report on what has been done.  Mr. Hansley stated that he felt there could be signs placed and will work with the schools to come up with some kind of solution.  Mr. Smith stated the other issue with putting a light in Victory Park is the park closes at dusk and he was afraid if there was a light there it may encourage activity at night.  Mrs. Sanders stated that could be something that could be worked out with the schools because the teachers are concerned and that area is very dark in the morning.  Mr. Hansley stated that we can work with the School Board and figure out a plan on it. 

 

4.         COMMUNITY SAFETY CONCERNS:  There were none.

 

5.         DEPARTMENT REPORTS

 

            A.        Parks and Recreation:

 

                        (1)        Director's Report- Mr. Carr stated he had provided a written report and would answer any questions.  He stated that on the Victory Park project he wanted to clear up any confusion from what was in the newspaper.  He stated that we received a Nature Works grant for $18,500 and we are planning to enlarge the playground to 5000 square feet.  He stated that we purchased a piece of equipment to serve older elementary kids that is current being stored and we were able to purchase it at a great discount because it was a model from the annual conference.  Mr. Carr stated that we are planning on getting a new unit that is similar to the existing unit because there are new safety guidelines.  He stated that with the Nature Works Grant and the balance of the impact fee funds we will have enough to pay for this project.  Mr. Carr stated that the start of the project will be based on timing around park activities

 

Mr. Carr stated that we opened bids last Wednesday for contract mowing and after review of the bids he is recommending that the City split the bid and the award go to two contractors.  He stated that Buckeye State Lawn Service would have six property groupings and the Shining Company would be awarded the other six property groupings.  He stated that this would be the most economical way to go on this project.  Mr. Smith clarified that the Committee concurred with the recommendation of the Parks Director to award the mowing contract to Buckeye State Lawn Service for six properties and the Shining Company for the remaining six properties. Mr. Smith moved to forward the appropriate legislation for the two mowing contracts to Council; Mrs. Sanders seconded the motion.     Roll call was taken with Mr. Smith and Mrs. Sanders voting "Yea."  Motion passed, 2-0.

                                   

            B.         Code Enforcement:  No report.

                       

            C.        Building Regulations Department:

                       

                        (1)        Building Department Report (Mr. Lane) Mr. Lane stated he had provided a written report and would answer any questions.  He stated that the total residential impact fees for January were $35,990.72. 

           

                        (2)        Chief Building Official's Report (Mr. Phillips)  Mr. Lane introduced Mr. Phillips to the Committee.  Mr. Phillips stated he had provided a written report and would be happy to answer any questions.  He stated that we are now enforcing the radon standards effective January 1, 2008. 

 

            D.        Service Department:

 

                        (1)        Review and discussion regarding Waste Management Pilot Recycling Program    Mr. Drobina stated the Waste Management representatives were there to give a presentation on the Pilot Recycling Program that was held last fall.  Susan Lent with Waste Management introduced John Hepp and Tim Jardina.  Ms Lent gave an overview of the Pilot program that was held last fall in Windmiller Ponds and Ra-mar Acres.    She also reviewed surveys that went out to all of the residents after the pilot program ended.  Ms Lent stated that they received 42% of the surveys back which was very helpful.  She stated that she and Mr. Drobina met and analyzed the surveys and grouped them into separate categories.  Ms Lent stated that additional recycling for 1 year would be an increase of 102.31 tons per year for the City.    Mr. Smith asked if we put recycling in as a bid specification is there an increase in costs to the City or to the residents.  Ms Lent answered that there is an increased cost to any recycling program you would implement because of the increase of fuel, labor and equipment.  Ms Carter stated that she was one of the residents that participated but she would like to know the costs it would bring to them.  Ms Lent stated that will depend on what services the City decides to put in their bid specifications and this contract hasn't been bid for five years so the increase in cost will be noticed whether or not people choose to recycle or not.  Mr. Wisniewski asked if people would be allowed to opt out of the program and Mr. Hepp stated it would be up to the bid specifications, but it is very difficult to do.  Mrs. Sanders stated that we have states that this is not an option.  Mr. Smith stated that offering recycling to our residents reflects the values of our community.  Ms Lent stated that no one would be forced to recycle, but there would be a service charge whether or not they chose to use it.  Mr. Hansley stated that we are in a competitive market so there will be some market reflection in that and we will bid the recycling in a two or three stage tier to have something to choose from.  Mr. Smith asked about automated calls prior to holidays and Mr. Hepp stated that it was a pilot to see if it would help alleviate calls to their call center.  Ms Lent stated that they would use it for weather delays or anything out of the scope of normal service.  

 

                        (2)        Review and discussion regarding refuse collection contract bidding.     Mr. Drobina stated that the contract expires on September 30th and we have been looking at specifications to advertise for bid sometime in April or May.

 

 

 

6.         POLICE:

           

            A.        Chief's Report- Chief Taylor stated he had provided a written report as well as their Annual Report and would be happy to answer any questions. 

                                               

7.         CHAIRMAN:  No report.

                       

8.         OTHER BUSINESS:    No other business was discussed.  

           

9.         ADJOURNMENT.   There being nothing further, Mrs. Sanders moved to adjourn; Mr. Smith seconded the motion.   Mrs. Sanders and Mr. Smith voted "Aye."  Motion carried 2-0.  The Safety Committee adjourned at 8:30 P.M on February 4, 2008.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

                                                                       

Stacey L. Bashore, Deputy Municipal Clerk