CITY OF PICKERINGTON

SAFETY COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2004

7:30 P.M.

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Wisniewski called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mrs. Riggs present. No members were absent. Others present were: Mitch O’Brien, Frank Wiseman, Lynda Yartin, Chief Mike Taylor, Bob Mapes, Steve Carr, Ed Drobina, Susan Lentz, and others.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF March 1, 2004, Regular Meeting. Mrs. Riggs moved to approve; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mrs. Riggs voting "Yea." Motion passed, 3-0.

3. DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

A. Parks and Recreation.

(1) Director’s Report.

a. Parks Master Plan Survey - Update. The facilities inventory should be completed this spring.

b. Skate Park Project – Update. Mr. Carr stated the park is 95 percent complete, and should open within the next few days. Mr. Carr stated we are required to post rules for the skate park and a final decision has not been made as to whether bikes will be allowed in the skate park. Mr. Carr stated he has surveyed other communities and of those he contacted, three allow skate boards and bikes at the same time, and the remaining do not allow bikes at all. He stated further, our insurance carrier was going to check to see if allowing bikes would be a problem, however, the three other communities that are in our insurance pool that have skate parks do not allow bikes. Mr. Sabatino clarified that the communities that allow bikes, allow bikes and skate boards at the same time. Mr. Carr stated if we decide not to allow bikes, and they are found on the skate park, it could be enforced as a trespass situation. Mr. Sabatino stated he felt we should use this as a skate park, as originally intended, and see if we get any comments. Mr. Wisniewski inquired if we had received any phone calls requesting bikes be allowed, and Mr. Carr stated some kids have come into his office and asked if bikes will be allowed and he has told them no decision had been made at that time. Mr. Carr stated he felt the possibility of someone on a bike running into someone not on a bike could be dangerous. Mr. Mapes clarified that the park was designed towards skate boards and in line skates. Mr. Mapes stated there has been no expectation created that the park would be for bikes. Mr. Carr stated also that bikes can be harder on the equipment. Mr. Carr stated he felt it would be easier to open the park not allowing bikes, and add them later if it is deemed appropriate. Mr. Wisniewski stated he felt we had to many unanswered questions, especially regarding our insurance, to allow bikes at this time. Mr. Wisniewski moved to limit the use of the skate park to skate boards and in line skates, and not allow bikes at this time; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.

c. Handicap Garden – Update. Mr. Carr stated we should be notified of any grant award sometime this summer.

d. ODNR/NatureWorks Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Projects

1. NatureWorks Grant Project (Sycamore Park Dam Repair) – Update. Mr. Carr stated he had no further update at this time.

2. Land & Water Conservation Fund Project (Sycamore Park Renovation) – Update. Mr. Carr stated this grant will probably not be funded at this time.

3. Clean Ohio Conservation Grant Project – DeWolfe Property) – Update. Mr. Carr stated the City is negotiating the purchase with the owner.

e. Sycamore Park Tennis Court Repair Project – Update. Mr. Carr stated he has received two cost estimates ranging from $39,000 for repair using asphalt, and one for $56,000 which would be using a new technology that is guaranteed for 15 years. Mr. Carr stated there are some installations in the Dayton/Springfield area that have used this new method that he planned to visit. Mr. Carr stated any council member is invited to accompany him to look at these facilities. Mr. Wiseman inquired if the courts in Lancaster that were just repaired had used this new method and Mr. Carr stated he did not know, but he would check that out.

B. Community Outreach:

(1) Violet Festival Board Report. Mr. Carr stated he was appointed to the Violet Festival Board by Mayor Shaver, however, the Board will not meet until the end of this month.

(2) Olde Pickerington Village Business Association Report. No report.

C. Building Operations: No Report.

D. Service Department:

(1) Tree Commission. Mr. Drobina stated the City Arborist has completed trimming the trees in the Shadow Oaks area. He further stated we hope to begin the Spring Tree Planting project next week. Mr. Drobina stated City staff will be planting the trees this year rather than contracting it out. Mr. Wiseman stated while we are on this subject, the Tree Commission reported to Safety Committee because it was under the Parks Department. He stated that since they are now under the Service Department, he would like to have Mr. Drobina report on the Tree Commission at Service Committee. Mr. Wisniewski stated that he concurred with moving this report to Service Committee.

(2) Review and discussion regarding two year extension of Waste Management refuse collection contract. Mr. Wiseman stated when this contract was bid last time there was a clause in the contract allowing the contractor to request a two year extension. Mr. Wiseman stated Mr. Mapes had researched this subject, and he feels we are within our rights to extend the contract. Mr. Wiseman stated Susan Lentz from Waste Management is present this evening to answer any questions the Committee may have. Mr. Wiseman further stated we are not getting any complaints regarding refuse collection from the residents. Mr. Wiseman stated the increase in price for this two-year extension is nominal. Mr. Wisniewski inquired if we had put this contract out for bid as yet, and Mr. Drobina stated he had not done that. Mr. Drobina stated he had requested authorization to bid at the last meeting, but at that time he was not aware of the option of the two-year extension. Mr. Sabatino clarified the senior discount was for residents who show proof of age with a Golden Buckeye Card. Mr. Wisniewski stated the age to receive that card is 60. Ms Lentz stated those residents receive a $1.00 per month discount, and many residents take advantage of that discount. Mr. Wisniewski clarified that our current contract expires on September 30, 2004. Mr. Wiseman stated another advantage with Waste Management is that they do the recycling at their plant and we have actually visited the plant and watched them do that. He stated this means our residents do not need to put out a second recycling container. Ms Lentz stated with the recycling done at the plant it saves having two trucks going around, one picking up recycling and one picking up trash. Mrs. Riggs ascertained that Mr. Wiseman felt it would be in the best interests of the residents to extend this contract. Mr. Wiseman stated the Committee does not need to make a decision tonight, he just wanted them to have the opportunity to discuss this option. Mr. Wisniewski inquired if the Township and the City were under the same contract, would there be a price break and Ms Lentz stated if the service provided were the same, there could be a lower price. Mrs. Riggs inquired how much of the cost for the recycling we now have was built into the price quoted. Ms Lentz stated to have curbside recycling it would be approximately an additional $3.00 per month for each resident. Ms Lentz stated their extension offer was for a three percent increase over the current rate. Ms Lentz stated a percentage of the price is for a processing fee, however, she did not have those figures with her this evening. Mr. Mapes stated the price quoted is still lower than what the residents of the Township are currently paying. Mr. Sabatino clarified that under this contract the City facilities receive refuse collection at no cost. Mr. Wisniewski inquired if it would be possible to get an estimate of the materials that go through the sorting for recycling get pulled out. Ms Lentz stated she did not have that number with her, but she could provide a report on that. Mr. Wisniewski stated he would like to have that information before the next Safety meeting. Mr. Wisniewski stated he would also like to know the types of materials they recycle, such as paper, plastic, metal, etc. Mr. Wisniewski moved to Table this item; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0. (TABLED)

E. Code Enforcement:

(1) Nuisance Abatement Board.

a. Nuisance Abatement procedures regarding sign at 18 E. Columbus Street – Update. Mr. Mapes stated this case has been turned over to the Planning and Zoning Commission. He stated the Commission has a very heavy agenda this month, so the hearing on the issue of the abandonment of this sign will be held in May. Mr. Mapes stated Mr. McMillen has been told he will be able to present his case to the Commission and if they determine the sign was abandoned, he would then have the option to appear before the Nuisance Abatement Board.

Mr. Wisniewski inquired if Mr. Mapes had an update on the abandoned home in Willow Pond, and Mr. Mapes stated he had not received an update from the Building Department. Mr. Wiseman stated he would provide the information to this Committee as soon as he gets it.

4. POLICE: Mr. Wisniewski stated he would like to have Chief Taylor pass his congratulations on to Officer Simcox for the DARE program and the graduation he had attended. He stated this is a wonderful program and Officer Simcox is doing a great job. Mr. Wisniewski ascertained that we will have a second officer serving as a DARE officer at the end of this week. Mrs. Riggs and Mr. O’Brien both stated they concurred with Mr. Wisniewski, the program was something that we need. Mr. Wisniewski asked what would be required to expand this program, to include lower or higher grades, and Chief Taylor stated with two officers we could probably still do it. Mr. Wiseman stated currently the DARE program funds one and one-half officers, and the State is looking at reducing that funding.

A. Chief’s Report. Chief Taylor stated his report had been distributed and he would answer any questions. Chief Taylor stated he was pleased to report that the department would receive $27,000 from the Fairfield/Hocking Major Crimes Unit for the city’s participation in this organization. Chief Taylor further stated the City will also be receiving some funds from the Homeland Security program. He stated these funds will be used to upgrade our radio room to have interoperability with the Lancaster police and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office.

5. CHAIRMAN.

A. Review and discussion regarding safety issues on East Street. Mr. Wiseman stated he had met with the School Superintendent and the principal of Heritage Elementary concerning different solutions. He stated he had made some suggestions and he has not heard back from them if there will be any action on those suggestions. Mr. Wiseman stated the traffic issues at the junior high school appear to be the result of the way the traffic is routed on the school’s property. He stated the school had not commented on that issue. Mrs. Riggs stated if the school would change the traffic pattern that would help.

6. OTHER BUSINESS.

A. Review and request for motion to approve lighting curfew extension for PYAA Baseball Fields 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 until midnight on June 11 and June 12. Mr. Wisniewski stated this extension was requested for the Junior League Travel Tournament. He stated this type of request has been granted for other tournaments in the past. Mr. Sabatino moved to allow the lighting curfew on PYAA Baseball Fields 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7, to be extended until no later than midnight, if necessary, on June 11, 2004 and June 12, 2004; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.

Mr. O’Brien stated he had sent an e-mail to Safety Committee members requesting they address the issue of reduced speed limit signage as you enter the City, and three potential areas where the speed limit could be raised. Mr. O’Brien stated when you are coming into the City on S.R. 256, the speed limit drops from 55 to 35 mph with no warning, and also at most locations coming into the City there is very little announcement that the speed limit is about to drop. Mr. O’Brien further stated he would like this Committee to consider raising the speed limits on the three locations identified in his e-mail. Mr. Wisniewski stated he would request Mrs. Yartin put these issues on the agenda for the next meeting.

7. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Sabatino moved to adjourn; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Wisniewski voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 3-0. The Safety Committee meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M., April 5, 2004.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

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Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk