CITY OF PICKERINGTON

SERVICE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2004

 

REGULAR MEETING

7:30 P.M.

 

1.         ROLL CALL.  Mr. Hackworth called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., with Mr. Parker, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. O’Brien present.  No members were absent.  Others present were:  Mike Sabatino, Frank Wiseman, Lynda Yartin, Jerry Dailey, Bob Mapes, Lance Schultz, Ed Drobina, Tony Dill, Matt Schneider, Buzz Portune, Doyle Hartman, Tony Barletta, Dale Kocarek, Arlene Stoyer, John Darby, Lacinda Darby, Phil Eicnhorn, Chuck Hardin, Betty Hardin, Mackenzie Fry, and others.

 

2.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF April 8, 2004, Regular Meeting.  Mr. O’Brien moved to approve; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker abstaining, and Mr. Hackworth and Mr. O’Brien voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0.

 

3.         PLANNING AND ZONING

 

A.        REPORTS:

 

                       (1)         BZA Report.  Mr. Schultz stated the Board approved one case last month and there are four cases on the agenda for May. 

 

                       (2)         Planning and Zoning Representative Report (Mr. O’Brien) Mr. O’Brien stated Planning and Zoning met earlier this week and have forwarded an amended ordinance regarding storage sheds for this Committee to consider this evening.  He stated the amendment deleted the words “or structure” in Section 1296.03 relative to foundations.  Mr. Schultz stated this clarified other sections of our Code.  Mr. Hackworth clarified that storage sheds would remain a conditional use in office and commercial areas and would require them to also meet commercial design guidelines for materials.  Mr. Schultz further stated this limits the number of storage sheds in residential districts to one.  Mr. Schultz stated most Homeowner’s Associations in newer subdivisions have deed restrictions regarding storage sheds. 

 

B.         ACTION ITEMS: 

 

            (1)        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance amending the Pickerington Codified Ordinances regarding storage building regulations.  Mr. O’Brien stated this was the item just discussed.  Mr. O’Brien moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Mr. Parker stated this ordinance will clarify the guidelines for the Commissions that approve these and for the enforcement of the Code as well.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Parker, and Mr. O’Brien voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

  4.       SERVICE DEPARTMENT

 

A.                 WATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE. 

 

                        (1)        Water services to Pearl Lane and Florence Drive (CIP# 98-01-002) – Update.  Mr. Drobina stated the main is in and the service taps have been run across the road.  He continued they still need to tie into the line on Long Road and Diley Road then disinfect and flush the system.  Mr. Parker clarified that all of the comments by residents at Council meetings have been addressed and that resident is now happy with the project.   

 

B.         WASTEWATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE.  No report.   

   

C.        STREET MAINTENANCE.  Mr. Drobina stated the annual street repaving project is out to bid and the bid opening will be on May 26, 2004.  Mr. Parker ascertained that potholes are being taken care of as soon as the City is made aware of them.    

 

D.        STORM WATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE. 

 

            (1)        Long Road/Bowen Road Stormwater Discussion.  Mr. Hartman stated at this Committee’s request he had prepared three alternatives on what could be done on Long Road.  He stated these included an open ditch on the south side of Long Road that would go all the way along the properties to Georges Creek.  He stated in some areas it would need to be four feet deep, and he really did not like to recommend this.  Mr. Hartman continued another alternative would be to put in a conduit all the way down along the south side and the pipe sizes would range from 42 inches on the west end, a 30 inch pipe in the intermediate area, and a 24 inch pipe on the east end.  Finally, the third alternative would be a combination of those two items.  Mr. Hartman stated he had done some rough checking on the prices of these alternatives and Alternative 1 would run somewhere around $125,000; Alternative 2, somewhere around $225,000; and Alternative 3, somewhere around $175,000.   He stated these are just ballpark prices.  Mr. Sabatino ascertained the cost of any right-of-way acquisition was not included in these ballpark prices.  Mr. Hackworth clarified if we used the conduit alternative, it could be put in without any additional right-of-way.  Mr. Wiseman inquired if this would meet the new Phase II Storm Water Regulations we have to meet with the EPA, which he thought was a 20-year storm event, and Mr. Hartman stated he would have to check on that.  Mr. Hartman stated at the last meeting he was also asked how we might expand the study due to some federal funding that may be available.  He stated he had provided a sheet to the Committee members listing various things we might consider, and the second page is a map where the numbers correspond to that listing.  He stated in terms of expanding the study, and in talking with the residents on Long Road, they have almost as many problems at the rear of their lots as they do at the front, particularly where it abuts against Pickerington Ponds.  He stated he had the plans for what Pickerington Ponds was supposed to have done, and he thought that could be looked at to see if improvements could be made there as a part of the expanded study.  He stated further the Long Road drainage study could go all the way to the watershed dividing the South Fork Georges Creek.  He stated right now we are concentrating on the western end of all that.  Mr. Hartman stated the area immediately north of Long Road is tributary to Pickerington Ponds, and Pickerington Ponds is developing the wetlands in that area using federal funding for wetland development.  He stated we may want to look at what kind of water quality and quantity will be generated from that area and entering Pickerington Ponds in the future.  Mr. Hartman stated for other clients he has done some flood studies along South Fork Georges Creek, and the flood insurance study for South Fork Georges Creek ends at the Franklin and Fairfield County borders.  He stated he did not know if there would be any interest from the City to have that better defined within the City limits.  He stated he was just looking for some kind of direction from the Committee on what they would like.  Mr. Wiseman stated this Committee could authorize the City Manager to submit an application to the Corps of Engineers for grant funds.  Mr. Parker moved to authorize the City Manager to submit a grant application to the Corps of Engineers; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. O’Brien, and Mr. Parker voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.  Mr. Wiseman stated he would work with Mr. Hartman on preparing the application. 

 

Mr. Schneider stated at an earlier meeting the Committee had addressed a large amount of dirt that was being dumped on the Goldman property that was creating a problem with the drainage.  He stated the dirt was supposed to be removed by the property owner and in the last two or three days there has been a constant flow of dump trucks in there dumping fresh dirt on the property.  Mr. Schneider stated the water used to flow to the east and then back to the north and it is no longer doing that because of all the dirt.  Mr. Wiseman stated he would have Mr. Drobina look at that tomorrow.  Mr. Wiseman stated the owner can put soil in there as long as they create a way for the water to get through, and it seems to have been completely blocked off. 

 

E.         TREE COMMISSION.  Mr. Drobina stated the Tree Commission did not meet due to the lack of a quorum.  He stated the City has planted 159 trees for the spring tree planting and the Tree Commission is still working on the tree brochure.  Mr. Drobina stated the Arbor Day celebration was held on April 30th and a tree was planted at the arboretum.  

 

F.         SCIP (Formerly Issue II Program) – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated we do not have the application date as yet, and we do plan on submitting the application for the Long Road/Diley Road intersection work.  Mr. Wiseman stated he was going to attend a meeting on May 21st for District 17, and that may be on the agenda. 

 

G.        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to authorize the City Manager to write off uncollectible water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater charges.  Mr. Hackworth stated he would like to continue this item on the agenda for the next meeting as he had just received some information this evening and has not had time to review it. 

 

H.        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to amend the Pickerington Codified Ordinances by adding a new Section 1050.011 and Section 1060.011 requiring landlords to co-sign their respective tenant’s water and sewer applications.  Mr. Hackworth stated this was in the same area as the previous draft, and they had just received the information this evening.  Mr. Hackworth asked for this item to remain on the agenda for the next meeting. 

 

5.         ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS

 

A.        WASTEWATER

 

            (1)        Wastewater Plant Expansion (CIP# 02-03-005) – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated he had distributed a proposal from R.D. Zande to start a process to determine what capacity our current sewer plant can actually reach.  He stated right now we are rated at 1.2 million gallons per day and we want to see if we can take it up to 1.8, 2.0, or whatever that might be.  He stated R.D. Zande would put together a program to present to the EPA for their approval and once they approve it, he will come back with a proposal on the cost to implement that plan.  Mr. Wiseman stated the cost of this study is within his contract authority, but he was just asking for input from this Committee.  Mr. Hackworth clarified this proposal is just for the study to determine if the EPA will approve the plan.  Mr. Wiseman stated that was correct because without the EPA approval we do not know how large the project will be.  Mr. O’Brien stated he felt this was a good idea.  Mr. Parker stated he was all for this because once these findings come back it should give us a clear cut idea on what direction we need to take.  Mr. Parker stated we need to make some improvements to the plant and this should point us in the direction we need to go.  Mr. Hackworth moved authorize the City Manager to proceed with the Stress Testing of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Bioreactor System Plan of Study with R.D. Zande; Mr. O’Brien seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. O’Brien voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

B.         TRANSPORTATION: 

 

                        (1)        Cycle Way/Freedom Way (CIP# 02-03-013) – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated we have made the application to the Army Corps of Engineers for the storm water permit and we are awaiting the written confirmation that permit has been accepted. 

 

            (2)        Courtright Road. 

 

                        (A)       Courtright Road Extension Project, Phase III (CIP#s 03-03-011 and 03-03-012) – Update.  Mr. Dailey stated he had no update at this time.       

 

            (3)        Diley Road Realignment:

 

                        (A)       Diley Road/256 Intersection Improvement Project, Phase II – Update.  Mr. Dailey stated the project was awarded, the schedule was turned in by the contractor, and the project will start May 24th and end November 1st if there are no problems.  Mr. Dailey stated traffic will be maintained the entire time.    

 

                        (B)       Diley Road/S.R. 256 Intersection Improvement Project, Phase III – Update.  Mr. Dailey stated this project is being advertised and the scheduled bid opening date is May 28th.  

 

 (4)       Diley Road Improvements Project:

 

                        (A)       MORPC/ODOT Project (CIP#98-03-005 and 03-03-005)   Mr. Dailey stated the project schedule calls for the City, after having the public hearing and receiving comments, to reaffirm the designation of a preferred alternative in order to stay on schedule for funding.  Mr. Dailey stated the comments had been provided to all of Council, and the widening about the centerline is still the least expensive and still impacts the fewest properties.  Mr. Wiseman stated the Committee had been provided a draft resolution to reaffirm the preferred alternative tonight, and in order to keep the project on schedule he would request this Committee forward it to Council.  Mr. Dailey stated there are some things that cannot occur until ODOT receives this resolution.  Mr. Hackworth stated we have received public comments, but is there some point where we can include the public input in the project.  He stated his concern is that he has not seen any plans other than the ones that were at the public meeting.  Mr. Dailey stated there will be no further detailed plans prepared than are already available until they know the alternative the City has selected.  Mr. Dailey stated the next stage for the engineer will be to do final engineering plans.  Mr. Hackworth stated if this resolution is forwarded to Council, it will still have three readings and a 30 day period before it is effective so there can still be some changes.  Mr. Dailey stated in order to receive the funds for fiscal years 2005 and 2006, we must have the right-of-way acquired and construction started, and fiscal year 2005 starts on July 1st of this year.  Mr. Sabatino stated Council has already passed this resolution once, and questioned why it must be done again.  Mr. Dailey stated what was done before was a preliminary decision so at the public meetings the public knows where we plan to go.  He stated Council is now required to reaffirm their selection. 

 

Ms Arlene Stoyer stated she lives on Diley Road and this project has her very upset.  She stated she purchased her property last June and she was not informed of this project.  She stated she moved from a five lane highway and she does not want to reside by another one.  She continued that her property value will be zero.  She further stated she is not saying the City does not need the expansion, but she felt the City should buy the homes that are affected.  Ms Stoyer stated there are three homes right there that would have 25 feet between their homes and a five lane highway with a six inch curb to protect them. 

 

Mr. Chuck Harden, 280 Diley Road, stated he will be left with a 25 foot driveway that he cannot get in and out of.  Mr. Dailey stated provisions will be made for turnarounds to be included where it is feasible.  Mrs. Harden stated then the rest of their front yard would be taken for a turnaround. 

 

Ms Stoyer stated she wanted the Committee to realize the residents will have semis keeping them awake all night, they will never be able to open their windows and have fresh air, they will have exhaust fumes, and she has asthma.  She stated they just can not live like that.  Ms Stoyer stated the avoidance plan went around many properties and she did not understand why that was not selected.  Mr. Sabatino stated if the City is going to do this as five lanes, people will be impacted, it was just a matter of how it is done and who is impacted.  He stated the City should mitigate those instances where possible.  Ms Stoyer clarified that full Council will make the final decision on the preferred alternative. 

 

Mr. Parker stated this road was identified back in 1993 that it would have to be widened.  He stated over the past several years steps have been taken to get to this point, and there may still be changes to the project.  Mr. Parker stated Council will review and evaluate the comments and make a decision on what will be done. 

 

Mr. Hackworth stated we need to do this project as this road is projected to have 24,000 cars moving on it every day in 20 years, but we need to do what we can to lessen the pain.  Mr. Hackworth inquired if the engineer could come to Service and provide the alternatives, especially north of Long Road to the railroad, and provide costs for that portion of the road being moved.  Mr. Dailey stated on a roadway of this classification it is not conducive to snake around everyone’s property.  He stated  they would see if better use can be made of the right-of-way that is available.  Mr. Hackworth stated he would like to see if Service Committee can hold a work session or open meeting to review all of the alternatives prior to the first Council meeting in June. 

 

Mr. Parker moved to schedule a Service Committee Work Session/Public Meeting for May 24, 2004, at 6:00 P.M.; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. O’Brien voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

Mr. O’Brien stated he felt the open meeting was a good idea, but he would like to move this resolution to Council for a first reading so the project is not held up at all.  Mr. O’Brien moved to forward to Council the draft resolution to reaffirm Council’s designation of a preferred alternative for the Diley Road Widening Project; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Parker voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.  

 

                        (5)        Downtown Revitalization Project Phase III, IV, and V and West Columbus Street Public Parking Lot (CIP#s 02-06-001, 03-06-001, & 03-06-003) – Update.  Mr. Dailey stated we are into the last scheduled closure, Center and Church Street, and it should last another week.  Mr. Dailey stated the project is still scheduled to be complete by June 1st.    Mr. Sabatino stated a business owner in the construction area had called and said the contractor was parking dump trucks on his private parking lot and even after he asked them to move they came back again.  Mr. Dailey stated at any time that happens, the business owner just has to call him and it will be taken care of. 

 

            (6)        Cover/Ebright Connector (CIP#02-03-010)

 

                        (A)       Pickerington Health Care Access Road – Update.  Mr. Mapes stated he still has to follow-up on his last conversation with the doctor’s attorney. 

 

            (7)        I-70/S.R. 256 Joint Improvements Project with Reynoldsburg and ODOT – Update.  No Report.

 

            (8)        Traffic Signal Update.  Mr. Dailey stated this was discussed at a work session earlier this evening.    

 

            (9)        Traffic Improvement Plan (TIP) – Update.  Mr. Dailey stated this was also discussed at the work session. 

 

C.        WATER

 

            (1)        Additional. Water tower – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated he has no update at this time and if the Committee agreed this could be removed from the agenda and brought back on when he has more information.  Mr. Hackworth stated this item should be removed from the agenda. 

Mr. Dailey presented a slide presentation regarding the water system computer model that was done in 1995 and updated in 2002. 

 

D.        STORMWATER.  No Report. 

 

6.         CHAIRMAN.   

 

A.        Review and discussion regarding Community First requested traffic study.  Mr. Hackworth stated he would like to have this remain on the agenda. 

 

7.         OTHER BUSINESS. 

 

Mr. Hackworth stated the Committee had received a draft resolution to consent to sanitary sewer service being provided to The Lighthouse Free Methodist Church, off of Schoolhouse Road, by the Village of Canal Winchester.  Mr. Mapes stated Canal Winchester says they have the ability to serve this property, however, they feel it is in the area of our water/sewer service agreement where the City must give written consent for them to do so.  Mr. Mapes stated the EPA has indicated they do not have an opinion as to who should serve this property, and the City does not desire to serve this property.  Mr. Hackworth moved to approve the draft resolution to consent to the Village of Canal Winchester providing sanitary sewer service to The Lighthouse Free Methodist Church and forward to Council; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. O’Brien voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

Mr. Hackworth stated the next item for Other Business was a draft ordinance he had requested regarding the extension of the moratorium on building permits.  Mr. Mapes stated a draft ordinance had been provided to the Committee.  Mr. Hackworth stated he felt we needed to extend the moratorium for another year until the Comprehensive Land Use Plan is completed and the issue regarding the wastewater plant is resolved.  Mr. Hackworth stated there are approximately 300 building permits still out there.  Mr. Sabatino stated a good portion of those should have already expired or be at the point they are going to expire.  Mr. Wiseman stated he did not know how many had expired, but there is a provision that if something is done on the property the permit can be extended for another six months.  Mr. O’Brien moved to forward the draft Ordinance to enact a revised growth management plan for the issuing of housing permits to Council; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Mr. Parker stated he would vote against this because the reason the City had done this last year was so the Township would do the same thing.  He stated over 2,000 acres of residential development has come into the Township, and the growth is moving from the City to the Township.  Mr. Parker stated this is a bad plan, and until the Township gets on board to do something with us, he will not vote for it.  Mr. Sabatino stated he had supported the last action because of the community authority element of it.  He stated that not only is the development occurring in the Township, but he also understands they want to put in a development at the R-4 density level.  Mr. Sabatino stated he would not support this on Council floor.  Mr. Hackworth stated he did feel some things were happening in the Township, such as the hearings on Home Rule, but he could not do much about what the Township does.  Mr. Sabatino stated that was his position originally, we cannot make the Township do anything.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker voting “Nay,” and Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

8.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mr. O’Brien moved to adjourn; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Parker, and Mr. O’Brien voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 3-0.  The Service Committee adjourned at 9:34 P.M., May 13, 2004.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

________________________________

Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk