RULES
COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2004
7:00 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Mrs. Riggs called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Hackworth were present. No members were absent. Others present were: Michael Sabatino, Mitch O’Brien, Bob Mapes, Frank Wiseman, Lynda Yartin, Mike Maurer, Tony Dill, and others.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF March 1, 2004, Regular Meeting. Mr. Hackworth moved to approve; Mr. Wright seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Wright, and Mrs. Riggs voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
3. SCHEDULED MATTERS:
A. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to enact Chapter 250 of the Pickerington Codified Ordinances relative to an ethics policy for elected officials and employees of the City. (TABLED, 03/01/04) Mr. Wright moved to remove from the Table; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
Mrs. Riggs stated she had reviewed the revised draft ordinance provided with the change requested by this committee. She stated the major change was that the voluntary filers would be required to complete the entire form rather than only the questions council is required to answer. Mrs. Riggs stated this was due to the fact that the city employees salary was higher than $16,000 per year. Mr. Mapes stated that was correct and the questions deal with gifts, travel, meals, and things of that nature. Mrs. Riggs stated she would like to move this forward to Council and perhaps tie it with a presentation from the Ohio Ethics Commission. Mrs. Riggs stated the Ohio Ethics Policy is already provided to all new hires by the Personnel Director, but she felt even though this is a state wide policy, we take it seriously enough to adopt it into our codified ordinances. Mr. Mapes clarified this did not actually affect council, they are already required to file this form, it would affect the City Manager, the Law Director, the Finance Director, and the city engineer if that position is ever made a city employee. Mrs. Riggs inquired if other communities pay the filing fee for the council members, and Mr. Mapes stated he did not know. He stated he did not see anything wrong with the city paying that fee as they pay for training, etc. Mr. Wright stated he would be interested in knowing if other communities do reimburse their council members for the filing fee. Mr. Mapes stated this draft legislation states that the city will reimburse the voluntary filers for the fee, and he would check to see how other communities handle this. Mr. Sabatino clarified that disclosing any confidential information, such as that obtained in an executive session or regarding the settlement of a lawsuit, that was learned by the nature of your position would be a violation of the Ohio Revised Code. Mr. Sabatino stated when he was appointed to Council he did not receive a copy of the ethics law, and Mr. Mapes stated we do that with city employees and it would be a good idea to provide it to council as well. Mrs. Riggs stated again she would like to tie this with a presentation to all of council. Mr. Wright moved to approve and forward this legislation to Council; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
B. Review and request for motion to approve draft resolution appointing an individual to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mrs. Riggs moved to appoint Frederick “Rick” Wright to this position; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Mr. Wright stated he would like to make it clear that he is no relation to Mr. Wright. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
C. Review and request for motion to approve draft resolution appointing an individual to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mrs. Riggs moved to appoint Susan Strup to this position; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
D. Review and request for motion to approve draft resolution re-appointing Diane Shankland to the Parks and Recreation Board. Mr. Hackworth moved to re-appoint Mrs. Shankland; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Wright, and Mrs. Riggs voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
4. CHAIRMAN: Mrs. Riggs stated she had nothing to bring forward.
5. OTHER BUSINESS: No other business was brought forward.
6. ADJOURNMENT: There being nothing further, Mr. Wright moved to adjourn; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Hackworth voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 P.M., April 5, 2004.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
________________________________
Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk