CITY OF PICKERINGTON

                                             SAFETY COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

                                               CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

                                                  MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 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:  Lynda Yartin, Chief Mike Taylor, Steve Carr, Sandy Whittington, LeeAnn Whaley, and others. 

 

2.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF November 3, 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 Committee meetings are less formal than Council, and if there were no objections, the Committee would move out of the agenda and hear the comments Mrs. Whaley would like to make to the committee.   

 

LeeAnn Whaley, 640 Long Road.  Mrs. Whaley stated she was present this evening to address a speeding issue on Long Road.  Mrs. Whaley stated vehicles disregard the 25 mile per hour speed limit on Long Road, and many vehicles exiting the Colony Park subdivision accelerate rapidly when turning onto Long Road.  Mrs. Whaley stated she had spoken to the Police Department and asked that the radar unit showing the speed be placed in the area when possible.  Mrs. Whaley stated if the police would like to monitor the situation they are also more than welcome to sit in her driveway.  Mrs. Whaley continued she is concerned about the problem as there are a lot of children in the neighborhood and she is afraid someone is going to be hurt.  Mr. Fox stated the police department is very effective and quick to respond to these types of problems, however, our manpower does limit the amount of time spent in one area.  Chief Taylor ascertained Mrs. Whaley did not feel the speeding occurred at specific times of the day, but at all times.  Chief Taylor stated we do share the speed trailer with the City of Reynoldsburg and we have the use of it the first two weeks of the month.  He stated further with the owner’s permission a patrol car can sit in a driveway and clarified that Mrs. Whaley would give her permission for that.  Chief Taylor also stated when a problem is brought to his attention he can address it and monitor the situation.  He thanked Mrs. Whaley for bringing this to his attention and further stated he would have the speed trailer placed on Long Road when he can. 

 

3.         DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

 

A.        Parks and Recreation.

 

(1)        Director’s Report

 

                              a.         Parks Master Plan Survey - Update.  Mr. Carr stated he should have the survey results for Safety Committee at the January meeting. 

 

                              b.         Skate Park Project – Update.  Mr. Carr stated the concrete slab was poured on November 10th and both the contractor and our engineer recommended a two week waiting period to allow the concrete to cure.  He stated initially we planned on having the equipment assembled during the week of December 24th, however, because of inclement weather that will be rescheduled.  Mr. Carr stated the fence construction did begin today and we will have an eight foot fence around the facility.  Mr. Sabatino inquired if it would be better to wait until the spring to assemble the equipment.  Mr. Carr stated that is a possibility, however, he has done some research and more departments keep their facility open year round rather than closing them for the winter.  Mr. Carr stated this is a new venture for most communities in Central Ohio, so everyone is trying different things to see what works best.  Mr. Sabatino further stated he understood that the city has limited liability as it is a “skate at your own risk” facility.  Mr. Carr stated that is correct, as long as we do not supervise it.   Mr. Carr further stated the facility is located in Sycamore Park and we do close the gate to Covered Bridge Lane when there is snow because it is used for sledding and we do not want cars coming in.  Mr. Carr stated we do need to decide if we are going to close for the winter or be open year round.  Mr. Fox stated he felt we should put funds in the budget for security cameras in the park, and Mr. Carr stated with a camera we would also need a security light.  He stated we did not want enough light that would encourage skating at night, but we would need enough to allow the camera to operate.  Mr. Fox stated in general that park is closed at night anyway, and Mr. Carr stated that was correct other than when we have the “Movies in the Park” program during the summer.  Mr. Sabatino stated he would recommend that we not install the equipment until the spring and then see how it goes, how the behavior is, etc., and then make the decision about the hours, lighting, etc.  Mr. Carr stated we would have the official grand opening of the facility in the spring even if it is open during the winter. Mr. Fox stated he felt we should use this opportunity to put cameras in the park because he can foresee someone not being able to get into the skating facility and using the putting green.  Mr. Carr clarified it was the recommendation of this Committee to delay the opening of the skate park until spring.  Mr. Fox, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Sabatino stated that was correct. 

 

                              c.         Handicap Garden – Update.  Mr. Carr stated he had no update this evening. 

 

                              d.         Water Tower/Simsbury Park Clean Ohio Conservation Program Grant Project – Update.  Mr. Carr stated the Committee had received a copy of the official notification that we did not receive this grant.  Mr. Fox stated this item should be removed from the agenda.   

 

                              e.         ODNR/NatureWorks Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Project – Update.  Mr. Carr stated he is still waiting for the dam evaluation report from the State, and this project will not be completed before the spring at the earliest.       

 

                  (2)        Parks and Recreation Board Council Representative Report  (Mrs. Riggs). Mrs. Riggs stated she had nothing further to add that Mr. Carr had not covered.    Mr. Carr stated he would add that the Parks and Recreation Board will not meet in December due to the holidays. 

 

B.                 Community Outreach:

 

            (1)        Violet Festival Board Report.  Ms. Whittington stated the Jack Bowman had replaced John Gambino as the OPVBA representative on the Board, and they, as well, will not meet in December.  

 

            (2)        Olde Pickerington Village Business Association Report.  Ms. Whittington stated they are preparing for the next Shoppe Hop and the Victorian Holiday event.  Ms. Whittington stated they had also appointed new board members at their last meeting.  

 

C.        Building Operations:  No report.

 

Mr. Sabatino stated it seemed like all of the retention ponds we have that are open create safety concerns.  He questioned if the city had ever thought of doing something about restricting access or whatever.  Mr. Carr stated regarding the ponds that have been accepted as parkland, restricting access could be a problem.  He stated the City did install some guardrails around the pond in Willow Pond.  Mrs. Riggs stated that pond also has signage stating there is no boating or skating, but she still sees kids out on the pond skating.  Mr. Sabatino stated he is more concerned about the ponds that are right by the right-of-way, and kids playing by them.  Mr. Fox stated he felt this might be an issue that Service Committee should review as a joint issue with Safety and Service.  Mr. Sabatino stated he was thinking that Planning and Zoning may have to create some type of restrictions or whatever.  Mr. Fox requested Mrs. Yartin to have the Planning and Zoning Director and the Law Director review this issue and provide a report, with recommendations, back to this Committee.

 

D.        Streets:

 

            (1)        Tree Commission.  No report. 

 

            (2)        Fall Street Tree Planting – Update.  No report. 

 

E.                  Code Enforcement:

 

(1)               Nuisance Abatement Board.

 

                        a.         Nuisance Abatement procedures regarding sign at 18 E. Columbus Street – Update.  Mr. Fox ascertained that Mr. Mapes had not provided a report to the Committee.  Mrs. Yartin stated due to the Thanksgiving holiday the packets had gone out earlier than they usually would have.     

 

4.         POLICE:

 

A.        Chief’s Report.  Chief Taylor stated his report had been distributed and he would answer any questions.  Mr. Fox ascertained there were no questions for Chief Taylor. 

 

5.         CHAIRMAN.   Mr. Fox stated he had nothing to bring forward. 

 

6.         OTHER BUSINESS.  No other business was brought forward.      

 

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 8:00 P.M., December 1, 2003. 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk