SERVICE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
CITY HALL,
REGULAR MEETING
6:30 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Mr.
Wisniewski called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M., with Mr. Fix, Mr.
Wisniewski, and Mr. Sauer present. No
members were absent. Others present
were: Bill Vance, Lynda Yartin, Ed Drobina,
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF October 20, 2010, Regular Meeting. Mr. Fix moved to approve; Mr. Sauer seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sauer, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Fix voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
3. COMMUNITY COMMENTS: No comments.
4. DEVELOPMENT:
A. Development Director’s Report. Ms Crotty stated she had provided a written report and she would be glad to answer any questions.
(1) Annexation – Update. Ms Crotty stated the annexation petition was
filed on October 22nd and she expected the
(2) Development Process – Update. Ms Crotty stated she had no update this evening.
(3) Economic Development Marketing Plan – Update. Ms Crotty stated she continues to move forward with the marketing plan.
(4) Business Retention Project – Update. Ms Crotty stated she had hoped to get this project done by the end of November, but it is labor intensive and she does not have the staff to devote a lot of time to the updates. She stated she does have information from City databases, but it is not in the same format that she needs. Mr. Fix stated in looking toward 2011, what success would look like for Ms Crotty’s department, how would she determine if we had a good year, a great year, or whatever. Ms Crotty stated that is hard to measure because what she is trying to do is establish an environment that is good for expanding and attracting business. She stated especially with the economy the way it has been, that has a big impact on what she does, and it is hard to quantify. She stated her ultimate goal is to increase income tax revenue for the City.
(5)
(6) Implementation of the
5. PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT:
A. Planning and Zoning Representative Report (Mr. Sauer) Mr. Sauer stated the Planning and Zoning Commission had addressed the awnings at the Huntington Bank and a sign request for Village Crepe. Mr. Sauer stated Volunteer Energy was also requested to go back and put in a water ledge of brick that was supposed to go across the front of the building and for some reason was not done.
Mr. Wisniewski asked Mr. Vance to address the issue of the research report regarding the City’s sign regulations. Mr. Vance stated this is basically a report to the Service Committee on the results received on the survey of Chamber members to get feedback on our existing sign regulations. Mr. Wisniewski stated as he understood it, 448 surveys were sent out, 129 of those were opened, and 6 people responded. Mr. Vance stated that was correct. Mr. Vance stated when he arrived this past summer it seemed that sign regulations were a significant issue so he wanted to tackle the issue and provide the opportunity for feedback. Mr. Vance continued once that opportunity was provided; the feedback did not come in abundance so it seems the majority of people are happy with what we have on the books. Mr. Vance stated Mr. Heitmeyer was present this evening and he did have some sign regulation comments.
Mr. Heitmeyer stated he had submitted his comments and thoughts to the City Manager. He stated he did not know why only six responses were received, but there were a lot of businesses that have made comments and have had complaints about the sign regulations. He stated his comments were mostly related to banners and text signs, and he has a couple of businesses in downtown Pickerington. Mr. Heitmeyer stated this is a Catch 22, it is hard to get people downtown and so it is hard to get businesses here and keep them here since we can’t get people here. He stated when we do get a business in the downtown they should be able to advertise special events, promotions, or whatever they are doing. He stated to have regulations for banners saying you can only put them up three times a year for a 30-day period. He stated J’Nichols, for example, runs specials all the time and they would like to be able to put banners up more often. He stated he would suggest that instead of a 30-day period, perhaps there could be 15-day periods, where they could put a banner up for 15 days, take it down, and do this six times a year. Further, if there was a special deal for Christmas or something, be allowed to put up a banner for 30 days. Mr. Heitmeyer stated it is amazing the amount of business they generate from banners and that translates into employees being busy, making money, and paying taxes. Mr. Heitmeyer stated he also felt that sandwich board signs, as long as they are done tastefully, add to the downtown cozy environment that downtown Pickerington showcases. Mr. Wisniewski stated he felt Mr. Heitmeyer had some valid comments and asked if Ms Crotty could work with Mr. Heitmeyer to see what changes would be reasonable and business-friendly.
B. ACTION ITEMS:
6. SERVICE DEPARTMENT
A. Service Manager’s Report. Mr. Drobina stated he had provided a written report and he would answer any questions. Mr. Wisniewski stated he noticed the cool weather did not necessarily get us within compliance on our TDS and questioned if we have made any progress with the EPA since we are planning for the reverse-osmosis treatment. Mr. Drobina stated we had a very good meeting with the EPA and he did not feel they would be enforcing any actions since we are moving forward with the reverse-osmosis.
B. WASTEWATER
(1) Wastewater Plant Expansion – Update. Mr. Drobina stated the expansion is complete. Mr. Wisniewski stated this item can be removed from the agenda.
a. TDS – Update. Mr. Wisniewski stated this was discussed earlier.
b. Review and request for motion to
approve draft ordinance authorizing an increase in payment to URS Corporation
for construction management services for the City of
C. WATER. No report.
7. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
A. Engineer’s Report. Mr. Bachman stated he had provided a written report and would be happy to answer any questions. Mr. Wisniewski stated as he read Mr. Bachman’s report, it would cost $50,000 to $75,000 to do ACS for one signal, and Mr. Bachman stated that was correct. Mr. Fix asked if there were grants available for ACS lights and Mr. Bachman stated for one signal probably not.
Mr.
Bachman stated the early procurement of reverse-osmosis equipment procurement
is out to bid with an engineering estimate of $1.3 million. He stated the bid opening is scheduled for
November 30th, and if Service Committee is willing to grant a wavier
of Committee action he would try to bring a bid award recommendation to
B. ACTION ITEMS:
(1) Water Master Plan and Sewer Master Plan - Update. Mr. Bachman stated these projects are nearing completion.
a. S.R. 256 Safety Improvement Project - Update. Mr. Bachman stated he will meet December 1st with the Fairfield County Transportation Improvement District to present the project to them and try and get a letter of recommendation from them to go with our safety application.
C. TRANSPORTATION
(1) Review and discussion regarding ODOT controlled traffic signals. Mr. Bachman stated he had no further update on this issue.
(2) School Speed Zone Study – Update. Mr. Bachman stated he had no update this evening.
8. CHAIRMAN. Mr. Wisniewski stated he had nothing to bring forward this evening.
9. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Update
on proposed solar panel project at the water treatment plant. Mr. Vance stated he expected a draft contract
within the next week or so and perhaps we could have some sort of presentation
at either the December or January Service Committee on what we are looking to
accomplish and to answer any questions
Mr. Wisniewski stated Mr. Drobina was requesting approval of a draft ordinance
authorizing the City Manager to apply for Water Pollution Control Loan Funds
for the reverse-osmosis project at the water treatment plant. Mr. Drobina stated
we have been fast-tracking the project, but we have not talked about
financing. Mr. Drobina
stated this would be the same type of loan we have for the wastewater plant,
and he would try for WPCLF funds first, and if we cannot get that then applying
for OWDA funds would be his next choice.
Mr. Wisniewski moved to approve
and forward to
10. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Wisniewski moved to adjourn; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Sauer and Mr. Fix voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 3-0. The Service Committee adjourned at 7:15 P.M., November 17, 2010.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
________________________________
Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk