FINANCE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

                                               CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

                                                   TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2004

 

                                                          REGULAR MEETING

 

                                                                      7:30 P.M.

 

1.         ROLL CALL.  Mrs. Riggs called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Wisniewski were present.  No members were absent.  Others present were:  Mike Sabatino, Bill Wright, Frank Wiseman, Lynda Yartin, Linda Fersch, Susan Crotty, Bob Mapes, Jessie Hochschwender, Rachel Strait, David Jennings, Mark Landes, and others.

 

2.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF December 10, 2003, Regular Meeting.  Mr. Hackworth moved to approve; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion.  Mr. Hackworth and Mr. Wisniewski stated they would vote to approve the minutes as they had read them and had no questions, however, they were not members of Finance Committee at that time.  Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs abstaining, and Mr. Hackworth and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

Mrs. Riggs stated as Mrs. Fersch was not present at this time, she would move ahead on the agenda to the Development Department.  Ms. Crotty stated she had provided a written report and she would answer any questions.  She stated she had provided an update on the activities of the various organizations we participate in, and updates on development projects are typically included in the Manager’s Report.  She further stated the Mid Ohio Planning Commission has been undertaking a program called “Regional Connections” and it is an effort to coordinate planning in the region.  She stated they are having Stakeholder meetings in each county and she will participate in that.  She stated the meeting for Fairfield County is scheduled for February 5, 2004, from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. at the Liberty Center.  Ms. Crotty stated anyone who would like to attend is welcome, however, they would appreciate an RSVP so they know approximately how many people will be there.   She stated if anyone would like to attend, if they let her know she will take care of that. 

 

3.         FINANCE DIRECTOR:

 

A.        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance amending appropriation ordinance 2003-97.  Mrs. Fersch stated the Committee had received a draft appropriation ordinance this evening.  Mrs. Fersch stated she was requesting an appropriation of $390,000 for the borrowing on the bus barn property.  She stated she was borrowing only for the purchase of property and not for the engineering.  Mrs. Fersch further stated she was requesting an appropriation of $3,500 for the dog shelter and $500 for the YMCA, and these were included in the initial budget, but due to some changes at the end were not included in the appropriations total.  Mrs. Fersch stated she would ask the Committee consider requesting three readings at Council on appropriation ordinances as most times she needs to get things taken care of.  Mr. Wisniewski moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Hackworth, and Mrs. Riggs voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.  

 

B.         Finance Director’s Report:

 

            (1)        Health Department.  Mrs. Fersch stated she had provided a written report to the Committee and she would be happy to answer any questions.   

 

            (2)        CORMA.  Mrs. Fersch stated she had no report this evening. 

 

C.        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance providing for the issuance of $2,170,000 of notes by the City of Pickerington, Ohio, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, for the purpose of renewing three series of notes previously issued for the purpose of paying part of the costs of constructing improvements to Diley Road in the City, street improvements known as the Courtright Road Realignment, including constructing streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and street improvements in the downtown area of the City of Pickerington.  Mrs. Fersch stated she had provided a history of this note issue and summarized that $150,000 was originally borrowed in 2001 for the Courtright Road improvement and we have paid $40,000 on the principal to date.  She stated we were taking the $346,000 we borrowed for Diley Road, the $110,000 remaining for Courtright, and the $1,800,000 we borrowed for the downtown streetscape that is currently being done and adding them together we would pay a part of the principal of $86,000, reducing the notes to a total of $2,170,000 that we need to renew.  Mrs. Fersch stated these notes are due March 13th and as it is a renewal issue she would request three readings at Council so it would be effective in time for the renewal.  Mrs. Fersch stated by combining these issues the City would save the attorney fees for issuance and also give ourselves the opportunity to get a better rate since you get more bidders on a larger amount.  Mr. Hackworth moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

D.        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance providing for the issuance of not to exceed $322,500 of revenue notes by the City of Pickerington, Ohio, for the purpose of renewing revenue notes previously issued for the purpose of paying part of the costs of street and traffic signal improvements in the State Route 256/Stonecreek Drive area of the City of Pickerington.  Mrs. Fersch stated this was a TIF issue and we will be renewing it with U.S. Bank.  Mrs. Fersch stated the renewal date is March 26th, and she had provided a history of this borrowing in the Committee’s packets.  Mrs. Fersch stated a portion of this borrowing was for the engineering and the remainder for the construction of the road and traffic signal by the Pickerington Health Care Center.  Mrs. Fersch stated she is not paying any principal on this issue because the school district is contesting the TIF.  Mrs. Fersch stated there is money there, but we will not receive it until the appeal is completed.  She stated, therefore, we need to renew the notes with the bank.  Mr. Hackworth clarified the road is complete and we are negotiating access issues with the Mt. Carmel facility.  Mr. Wisniewski moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mrs. Riggs voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

E.         Review and request for motion to approve draft resolution creating a Hill Road Connector Fund.  Mrs. Fersch stated this would be for the $390,000 note issue we will be borrowing. She stated it is a capital fund and is being set up in order to keep better track of the monies as they come in.  Mrs. Fersch stated it is also a requirement that you have the money separated when you have a construction project.  Mr. Hackworth moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

Mrs. Fersch stated the Committee had been provided with two draft resolutions this evening to authorize her to request advance distribution of tax monies of the 2.3 mill General Operating Levy, and 5.5 Police Operating Levy from the Fairfield County Auditor.  Mrs. Fersch stated these resolutions are done each year and it is beneficial because we do not have to use our income tax money to supplement the police department until the tax monies come in, and we can also earn a little interest on the money.  Mr. Wisniewski moved to forward the resolution to request advance distribution of tax monies of 2.3 mill General Operating Levy from the Fairfield County Auditor pursuant to Section 321.34, Ohio Revised Code, and the resolution to request advance distribution of tax monies of 5.5 mill Police Operating Levy from the Fairfield County Auditor pursuant to Section 321.34, Ohio Revised Code, to Council; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

Mrs. Fersch stated the State Auditors Office conducts Performance Audits, and several communities are having these done.  She stated these audits can focus on different areas such as your police department, services, staffing, etc.  Mrs. Fersch stated if this Committee would like she can have a representative come out and give a presentation to the Committee.  All of the Committee members stated they would be interested in having this presentation prior to a Council or Finance Committee meeting, and Mrs. Fersch stated she would check with other municipalities and find out what areas they have been focusing on.  Mrs. Riggs stated she would request Mrs. Fersch contact the Auditors Office and schedule this presentation.  The Committee stated, if possible, they would like to have the presentation prior to a Council meeting so it would be easier for all of Council to attend. 

 

4.         PERSONNEL: 

 

A.        Review and request for motion to approve draft resolution clarifying “pick-up” and pre-tax contributions to The Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund.  Mr. Mapes stated this is a housekeeping item as the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund had sent this mailing to all the communities and they want everyone’s legislation adjusted to have the new language.  Mr. Mapes stated this picks up some of the changes that have been made on the State level and it is just reaffirming that if you do “pick-up,” which we do, that we will comply with all the state rules in terms of that pick-up.  Mr. Wisniewski move to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

5.         DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT:  Mrs. Riggs stated this section was covered earlier in the meeting. 

 

A.        Development Director’s Report: 

 

            (1)        Chamber of Commerce Report. 

            (2)        Rt. 33 S.E. Regional Growth Alliance Report. 

            (3)        Fairfield County Visitor’s and Convention Bureau Report. 

            (4)        Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Report. 

 

B.                 Project Updates

 

            (1)        Business Retention and Expansion Study. 

 

6.         LEGAL DEPARTMENT:

 

A.        Monthly review of law director services.  Mrs. Riggs ascertained the Committee had received a copy of Mr. Mapes’ monthly report and there were no questions.  Mr. Mapes stated he provides this report each month to Finance to give them a break down of where things are happening. 

 

7.         CHAIRMAN:  Mrs. Riggs stated she had nothing to bring forward. 

 

8.         OTHER BUSINESS:    No other business was brought forward. 

 

9.         MOTIONS:  

 

A.        Mrs. Riggs moved for an Executive Session under Section 121.22(G)(1)(b), Matters involving an employee’s or public official’s employment, Section 121.22(G)(2), Purchase or sale of public property, Section 121.22(G)(3), Conference with law director regarding pending or imminent court action, and Section 121.22(G)(4), Matters involving bargaining sessions with public employees; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Hackworth, and Mrs. Riggs voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.   

 

Finance Committee entered Executive Session at 8:13 P.M., and reconvened in open session at 10:15 P.M.

 

Mr. Wisniewski moved to authorize the City Manager and Law Director to extend the date of the contract for the purchase of the bus barn property for 45 days; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.  

 

Mr. Hackworth moved to approve and forward to Council the contract agreement between the City of Pickerington, Ohio, and the Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City Lodge No. 9; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Hackworth, and Mrs. Riggs voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

Mr. Hackworth moved to authorize the City Manager to amend the State Infrastructure Bank Loan application to authorize the pledge of storm water fees as a source of repayment in addition to the income tax; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

10.       ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mr. Hackworth moved to adjourn; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion.  Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mrs. Riggs voted "Aye."  Motion carried, 3-0.  The Finance Committee adjourned at 10.25 P.M., January 27, 2004.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk