CITY OF PICKERINGTON

SAFETY COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, MAY 3, 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, Steve Carr, Ed Drobina, Susan Lentz, Tim Giradina, and others.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF April 5, 2004, Regular Meeting. Mrs. Riggs moved to approve; Mr. Sabatino 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. Mr. Carr stated he had no update tonight.

b. Skate Park Project – Update. Mr. Carr stated we did receive information from our insurance company that if we were to permit bikes in the park at the same time as the skaters our premium would go up a minimum of $2,500 annually. He stated there is a lengthy form we would have to submit and based on that information they would set the premium. He further stated the other communities in our pool that have skate parks do not allow bikes, and if we did we would probably have to have Board approval from the pool. Mr. Carr stated there have been some instances where he has had to ask bikers to leave the park, and he has received two phone calls from parents who stated their children were clipped by bikers while they were on their skate boards. He stated he has not received any calls from parents of bikers. Mr. Carr stated the park has been open approximately 30 days and it is getting a lot of use. Mr. Carr stated he would recommend that we continue not allowing bikes to use the park. Mr. Carr stated he felt we might place a post in the opening or a gate offset to further discourage bikes from entering the facility. Mr. Carr stated further he has noticed no vandalism in the park at all so far. Mr. Carr stated we have some benches that we have received but have not been installed as yet, we need to put an asphalt walkway from the lane to the park, and he is still checking into a security light. Mr. Carr stated we may want to consider widening Covered Bridge Lane because with people parking on the side the lane is getting crowded. Mr. Wisniewski ascertained that the benches and the asphalt walkway can be done on the current appropriation. Mr. Carr stated he has not gotten a cost on the security light as yet and the cost of installing a pole or offset at the gate will be minimal. Mr. Carr stated if we decide to widen the lane, we would have to do an appropriation for that.

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 we are working to resolve issues regarding the dam evaluation report with ODNR.

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 waiting for a response to the City’s offer to purchase.

e. Sycamore Park Tennis Court Repair Project – Update. Mr. Carr stated he is trying to coordinate a visit to the facilities that have installed the new surface to evaluate it.

B. Community Outreach:

(1) Violet Festival Board Report. Mr. Carr stated he had attended his first Board meeting on April 27^th, and plans for the festival are well underway.

(2) Olde Pickerington Village Business Association Report. Mr. Wiseman stated we are not attending the meetings at this time, however, if the Chairman wanted to leave it on the agenda we may do so in the future.

(3) Fourth of July Report. Mr. Carr stated the City is assuming the responsibility for the organization of the July Fourth activities this year. He stated as the Fourth falls on a Sunday we have pushed things back to accommodate church services. He stated the park will open at 4:30 P.M. with rides, concessions, and entertainment, then the parade will be at 6:00 P.M., there will be a band from 8:00-10:00 P.M., and fireworks will be at 10:00 P.M.

C. Building Operations: Mr. Wisniewski stated there is no report, however, the Committee received a memorandum regarding installing new doors at the front of the building and a new alarm system. Mr. Wiseman stated he had provided the information for the Committee to review, and if we change the alarm system we will do both of those projects at the same time. He stated he would ask that these items be added to the next Safety agenda.

D. Service Department:

(1) Review and discussion regarding two year extension of Waste Management refuse collection contract. (TABLED, 04/05/04) Mr. Sabatino moved to remove from the Table; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0. Mr. Drobina stated at the last Safety meeting the Committee had requested information regarding the total weight of recycling and that had been provided in their packets. Mr. Wisniewski stated it appears that out of the 45,000 tons it looks like we have about 7.5 percent for recycling. He inquired if that were a good percentage. Mr. Tim Giradina stated he is the Senior District Manager and that is actually a good average for recycling using this method. Mr. Giradina stated further there is a drop off recycling dumpster at the Township garage and residents take advantage of that. Mr. Wisniewski inquired if the residents could provide a better average for recycling if they would bundle papers together or that sort of thing. Mr. Giradina stated that would allow more of the papers to be recycled. Mr. Wisniewski inquired if it would be possible to include tips on how to get more out of the recycling in the City’s newsletter or out to the public in some manner, because it was his feeling that a lot of residents don’t even realize that we are providing this service. Mr. Sabatino stated he has spoken to some residents to see if there were any concerns about the service we have been getting from Waste Management and everyone seems to be very happy with them. Mr. Wisniewski moved to recommend the two year extension of the Waste Management contract and forward to Council; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.

Mr. Drobina stated he had contacted the Health Department regarding the abandoned house on Steiger Court. He stated they have visited the site and taken pictures, but they have been unable to find out if this is a foreclosure or locate the owners. He stated they are continuing to work on this and he will keep the Committee informed on what action is being taken. Mr. Drobina stated there is also another abandoned home in Sycamore Creek that they are working on as well.

E. Code Enforcement:

(1) Nuisance Abatement Board.

a. Nuisance Abatement procedures regarding sign at 18 E. Columbus Street – Update. Mrs. Yartin stated this item is on the Planning and Zoning agenda to begin the Nuisance Abatement procedures. Mrs. Yartin stated she would provide Safety Committee with copies of all the information provided to Planning and Zoning.

4. POLICE:

A. Chief’s Report. Chief Taylor stated his report had been distributed and he would answer any questions. Chief Taylor stated he has received approval to purchase the radio equipment with Homeland Security funds. He stated the City’s share of the grant will be $151,000.

5. CHAIRMAN.

A. Review and discussion regarding safety issues on East Street. Mr. O’Brien ascertained Mr. Wiseman has not had any further discussion with the school on this issue. Mr. O’Brien stated there is a gentleman at the school district who is the transportation director or facilities administrator. He stated he felt we may have to speak to him to get this issue going. Mr. O’Brien stated it appears the school is not willing to discuss the traffic issue on Hill Road at the junior high until they feel we are doing something about the situation on East Street. Mrs. Riggs stated she felt it may be necessary for Council members to attend the School Board meeting and get the issue into their records. Mr. O’Brien stated he felt that might be the next step to be taken. Mr. Wiseman stated the only thing the City can do is change East Street to a one-way street, and the Police Department is against that action as it would interfere with emergency vehicle responses. Mr. Sabatino inquired if the City can send a letter to the school board. Mr. Wiseman stated he could, on behalf of the City, send a letter to the School Superintendent regarding the issues and see what response we would get from that. Mr. O’Brien stated the problem on East Street is that the school needs to get the vehicles that belong to the school on to school property. The Committee concurred that Mr. Wiseman correspond with the School Superintendent to see what can be done.

6. OTHER BUSINESS.

A. Review and discussion regarding raising the speed limit on portions of East Columbus Street, Lockville Road, and Long Road. Mr. O’Brien stated the section of East Columbus Street he is concerned with is the portion after you head out of town, over the tracks, at the top of the hill and past the cemetery. He stated the other streets are portions of Long Road and Lockville Road. Mr. O’Brien stated these streets are considered minor arterials and can be posted between 35 and 50 miles per hour. Mr. O’Brien stated the portion of East Columbus Street is currently 35 MPH and he is asking it be raised to 45 MPH. He stated he has received requests from residents in the area, such as Simsbury and Shadow Oaks. Mr. O’Brien stated further, very soon we will start construction on Hill Road at Diley and at S.R. 204 and I-70. He stated this increased speed limit would encourage people to take alternate routes. Mr. O’Brien stated the portion of Lockville Road he was considering he has mentioned to residents in the area and they are a little concerned because there are no sidewalks and the kids do walk to school. He stated the last issue would be on Long Road, west of the Monebrake property. This road is currently designated as a major collector and he would request it be redesignated as a minor arterial which would allow the speed limit to be raised to 40 MPH. Mr. O’Brien stated he felt you do not control traffic by slowing it down or stopping it with lights, you need to help it flow. Chief Taylor stated he would be leery of raising the speed limit on Lockville Road because of the kids walking there. Mr. Wiseman stated he would like to check with the engineer regarding East Columbus Street to ensure that the lane widths would allow the higher speed limit. Mr. Wisniewski stated he would like to have the draft legislation prepared for the next Safety meeting to increase the speed limit on the subject portions of East Columbus Street and Long Road, but no change on the speed limit on Lockville Road.

B. Review and discussion regarding posting of reduced speed signs at city entrances. Mr. O’Brien stated coming into the City at several locations you go from a 55 to a 35 MPH or a drop in speed limit without much warning. Mr. O’Brien stated since he first mentioned this he has noticed places where there are reduced speed signs, but he felt we should look at all the entrances to the City and put up signs where the speed limit drops radically. Mr. Wiseman stated he does have permission from Violet Township to post those signs, however, he has not received permission from Fairfield County to put signs up in their right-of-way. He stated he did not feel he would have any problem getting that permission, he just has not received it yet. Mr. Wiseman clarified that this Committee can authorize, by motion, an amendment to the Traffic Control Map to post these signs. Mr. Wisniewski moved to authorize an amendment to the Traffic Control Map for reduced speed signs at the City entrances contingent upon approval of the right-of-way entities; Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.

Mr. Wisniewski stated there have been several issues concerning congestion at the S.R. 256/S.R. 204 intersection lately. He stated there has been a real problem with vehicles blocking the intersection. Mr. Wisniewski further stated if the right turn on red from S.R. 204 onto S.R. 256 were restricted that might help alleviate this problem. Chief Taylor stated it was his opinion that might help clear the intersection during the heavy traffic times. Mr. Sabatino stated he concurred with this action as people making that right turn are taking up the space traffic on S.R. 256 needs to clear the intersection. Mr. Wisniewski moved to amend the Traffic Control Map to reflect “No right turn on red from 6:30 A.M. to 9:00 A.M., Monday through Friday;” Mr. Sabatino seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.

Mr. Wiseman stated he had provided the Committee with a proposal for FairCats to handle our handicap transportation. He stated he would like to have the Committee review this information and it would be on the agenda for the next meeting.

Mr. Wiseman further stated he would like to notify the Committee that we are re-bidding the lot the City owns at Windmiller Square. He stated we had originally thought we might put a salt barn on that property, but it is not feasible to do that. Mr. Wiseman stated we did put this property out for bid last year and we did not get any responses on it, however, we now have an individual very interested and we are required to re-bid it before we can sell it. Mr. Sabatino clarified this is the .889 acre parcel by the Credit Union.

7. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Wisniewski moved to adjourn; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Wisniewski voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 3-0. The Safety Committee meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M., May 3, 2004.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

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Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk