CITY OF PICKERINGTON

SAFETY COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2003

7:30 P.M.

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Fox called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with Mr. Sabatino, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Fox present. No members were absent. Others present were: Joyce Bushman, Lynda Yartin, Chief Mike Taylor, Steve Carr, Bob Mapes, Ed Drobnia, Sandy Whittington, and others.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF August 4, 2003, Regular Meeting. Mr. Sabatino moved to approve; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Sabatino voting "Yea." Motion passed, 3-0.

Mr. Fox stated Mr. Mapes was present to discuss the legislation regarding preservation of notable structures that was tabled at the last Council meeting.

Mr. Fox stated Mr. Sabatino had originally requested a procedure be included showing how this information would be given to the affected parties, and as he read the attachment to the ordinance, he felt it did give a procedure. Mr. Mapes stated it was his understanding this Committee was worried about demolition, and under that procedure for anyone wanting to demolish an historic structure there is a waiting period of up to one year where the parties can try and work something out to save the structure. Mr. Mapes stated this is not an absolute prohibition, but a waiting period. Mr. Sabatino clarified that waiting period is provided for in the Codified Ordinances at1478.09. Mr. Mapes stated there are two ways to handle this. He stated one is depending on the staff capabilities, we could go out and survey the whole city and identify the structures we think have historical significance. He stated we could then contact the owners and ask if they would like to be listed and if they agree, it would be added to our listing. He stated the second way would be as each of these things come up, you deal with it on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Mapes stated anyone applying for either a building permit or a demolition permit would be given a copy of this section of the Code so they would know what is there. Mr. Sabatino stated his concern is that the City would be trampling on a property owner’s rights. Mr. Fox stated the intent of this ordinance is to protect notable structures when property is being developed as a subdivision. He stated he felt the best approach might be to make a separate Chapter in the codified ordinances to deal with this specific situation. Mr. Mapes stated he would draft an ordinance creating a separate chapter, even though we are using the same criteria. Mr. Fox stated again his intent is that the chapter will take effect and be applicable to all structures outside the downtown village which meet one or more of the listed criteria, and, where the demolition of the notable structure is to be a part of a subdivision development. Mr. Fox further stated the current section of the codified ordinances deals with individual property owners, and he was not trying to prevent those owners from doing whatever they want with their property. Mr. Mapes stated he would draft legislation for Mr. Fox and this Committee to review.

Mr. Fox stated the next item he would like to address deals with the purchase of property and Mr. Mapes is present to address the Committee on this issue. Mr. Fox stated an Executive Session on this issue was necessary.

Mrs. Riggs moved for Executive Session under Section 121.22(G)(2), Purchase or sale of public property; Mr. Fox seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Fox voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.

Safety Committee adjourned into Executive Session at 7:50 P.M., and reconvened in open session at 8:30 P.M.

Mr. Sabatino moved to have the law director continue with his negotiations on the purchase of park land discussed in Executive Session, and the agreement, in principal, to the sale of naming rights so long as the City is not guaranteeing those dollars; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Fox, and Mrs. Riggs voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.

3. DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

A. Parks and Recreation.

(1) Director’s Reports

a. Discussion regarding Parks Master Plan. Mr. Carr stated a status report on the Master Plan had been provided to the Committee.

1. Review and discussion of questionnaire distribution to Township. Mr. Carr stated the questionnaire had been distributed with the City Newsletter to the city residents. Mr. Carr stated Mrs. Riggs had requested a discussion on if the questionnaire should also be distributed to Township residents. Mrs. Riggs stated we know city residents are not the only ones using the parks, so she questioned if families that are in the Pickerington School District and are using the parks should receive the survey as well. Mrs. Riggs stated she did not think we would receive a true and accurate account on the survey based on the usage of the parks just by the city residents. Mr. Sabatino stated he felt the city residents are the ones that fund the parks and they should be the ones that determine how we should use our resources in them. He stated further he felt we should be concerned about how we are dealing with the needs of our own citizenry and not the peripheral users that do not contribute to funding. Mrs. Bushman stated the survey is geared not toward programming but what we want to do physically with our parks, such as what people want to see done with their neighborhood parks, which is only pertinent to the residents of Pickerington. She continued the survey asks what kind of facilities they want in the parks, do they favor passive parks or recreation parks, and the purpose is to get an idea of the trend of popular activities. Mrs. Bushman stated it also talks about some larger potential facilities such as a swimming pool, a sports complex, etc. Mrs. Bushman stated the goal is to identify the types of facilities the residents want. Mrs. Riggs stated she was only looking at the fact that it is more than just city residents that use the parks. Mrs. Bushman stated perhaps we could ask the Township to print the survey in their newsletter, however, we do not want the numbers skewed because we have a responsibility to our taxpayers to provide the amenities that they want. Mrs. Bushman stated she did not feel it would hurt to get the input of Township residents, and we could keep the responses separate. Mr. Fox stated if we sent the survey to Township residents, then we would have to pay postage, and he did not feel we should do that. He stated if the Township were willing to print the survey and send it out, he would be interested to see what the responses were. Mr. Sabatino stated he felt the people who pay for the services should have the say on how their money is being spent, and he is opposed to getting input from the Township. Mrs. Riggs stated she agreed the residents should have the say on the parks and facilities, but if the information was kept separate and Township responses not used when putting together a parks budget it might give a clearer idea of what people in the area want. She stated we may get more usage of the parks because we may have more Township usage than anticipated. Mr. Sabatino stated if that occurred, then the park facilities may not be available for the people who are paying for them. Mr. Fox stated if the Township Trustees want to send the survey out in their newsletter he did not have a problem with that. Mrs. Bushman clarified it was the Committee’s direction to ask the Township Trustees if they would like to print the survey in their newsletter as we would like to hear the opinions of others in our community that use our parks. Mrs. Riggs stated she felt it might be better to make the survey available to the children and families in the school district. Mrs. Bushman stated to pick up the Columbus portion of our school district, we would just need to distribute the survey to Tussing Elementary School, and everyone else would be covered by the township newsletter. Mr. Fox stated as long as the City did not expend any money it would be this Committee’s direction to distribute the survey to Tussing Elementary School and inquire if the Township Trustees wanted to print it in their newsletter.

b. Skate Park Project – Update. Mr. Carr stated a preconstruction conference is scheduled with the contractor on the concrete pad on September 19^th. He stated it was still anticipated the project will be completed this fall.

c. Handicap Garden – Update. Mr. Carr stated a meeting is scheduled with R.D. Zande and Mr. Biggus to review conceptual drawings, and then they will begin working on the construction drawings.

d. Water Tower/Simsbury Park Clean Ohio Conservation Program Grant Project – Update. Mr. Carr stated the City had applied for funds to be used for development of the 24 acres at the S.R. 256 water tower. He stated that project would include bike trails, some grading, and site clean up. Mr. Carr stated the City’s share of the project would be 25 percent and the total project is estimated at $183,000, therefore, the City’s portion would then be approximately $45,000.

e. ODNR/NatureWorks Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Project – Update. Mr. Carr stated we applied under the Land and Water Conservation Fund for a development project for Sycamore Park. He stated this is a 50/50 match and the total project would be $169,000. He stated the major portion of the grant application is for walking trails around the pond, a boardwalk, an overlook pier, some playground equipment, additional parking, and upgrading the current restrooms. He stated this would be the handicapped fishing pier and the grant awards should be announced in the spring.

(2) Parks and Recreation Board Council Representative Report (Mrs. Riggs). Mrs. Riggs stated she had nothing further to report.

B. Community Outreach:

(1) Violet Festival Board Report. Ms. Whittington stated the Board did not meet in August and would meet later this month to begin preparations for the 2004 Violet Festival

(2) Olde Pickerington Village Business Association Report. Ms. Whittington stated the Pet Fest held on September 5^th was very successful, and the proceeds from that event will go to the Fairfield County Humane Society.

C. Building Operations: No Report.

D. Streets:

(1) Tree Commission. No Report. .

(2) Review and request for motion to award Fall Street Tree Planting Contract (Bid opening: September 3, 2003.) Mrs. Bushman stated Mr. Wiseman had a family emergency and Mr. Ed Drobnia our new Assistant Service Director was present this evening. Mrs. Bushman stated Mr. Wiseman had provided a recommendation to award the contract to Pickens Tree Farm who submitted the low bid. Mrs. Bushman stated we have not dealt with this firm in the past, however, we do not anticipate any problems. Mr. Sabatino moved to award the Fall Street Tree Plant Contract to Pickens Tree Farm; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Fox voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.

E. Code Enforcement:

(1) Nuisance Abatement Board.

a. Nuisance Abatement procedures regarding sign at 18 E. Columbus Street – Update. Mrs. Bushman stated Mr. Mapes is working on this issue and she did not have anything to report this evening.

(2) Containment of Developer Trash. Mr. Fox ascertained there have been no recent complaints.

4. POLICE:

A. Chief’s Report. Chief Taylor stated his report had been distributed and he would answer any questions.

B. Police Facility – Update. Chief Taylor the problem with the heating and cooling has been identified and should be corrected within a month. Chief Taylor stated all other issues have been resolved. Mr. Fox stated this item can be removed from the agenda.

C. Tornado Sirens/Weather Alert Monitors. Chief Taylor stated Mr. Wiseman was still working this issue.

5. CHAIRMAN.

A. Review and request for motion to approve draft Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for 2003-2007. Mrs. Bushman stated the Parks Board reviewed the CIP at their last meeting. Mrs. Bushman further stated we have included our annual equipment improvements, our annual facility improvements, the payment on the S.R. 256 land purchase, and the grant projects that we will receive funding on next year. Mrs. Bushman stated the monies we receive for the DeWolfe property and the acquisition of Hickory Lakes, if it happens, should be added to the CIP. Mrs. Bushman stated when we do the CIP next year it will probably be greatly amended as we will have the Parks Master Plan completed and we will know what we want to do and we will start programming the projects in the different parks. Mrs. Bushman stated the CIP is a very good planning tool when we are in the budgeting process each year. Mr. Sabatino moved to approve with the additions stated by Mrs. Bushman; Mr. Fox seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.

6. OTHER BUSINESS. Mrs. Bushman stated the Committee had received a document from Chief Taylor regarding new police officers. She stated the document details what we are looking at as far as statistics and what it costs to hire a new officer for the City. She stated this does not require action this evening, but when we begin the budgeting process we will be making decisions about adding new officers in the next year. Mr. Sabatino clarified we were looking at adding two new officers, which would put our ratio to about 2.4 officers per 900 people. Mr. Fox asked that Chief Taylor provide the Committee with the numbers showing what the addition of two officers would mean.

7. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Sabatino moved to adjourn; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Mr. Sabatino, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Fox voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 3-0. The Safety Committee meeting adjourned at 9:10 P.M., September 8, 2003.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

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Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk