CITY OF PICKERINGTON

                                             SAFETY COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

                                               CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

                                                   MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2003

                                                                      7:30 P.M.

 

                                                 REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

 

1.         ROLL CALL.  Mr. Fox called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with Mr. Wright  and Mr. Fox present. No members were absent.  Others present were:  Joyce Bushman, Lynda Yartin, Chief Mike Taylor, Steve Carr, Frank Wiseman, Sandy Whittington, Susan Crotty, Diane Shankland, Lyn Boetcher, and others. 

 

2.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF December 2, 2002, Regular Meeting.  Mr. Wright moved to approve; Mr. Fox seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright and Mr. Fox voting "Yea."  Motion passed, 2-0.

 

Mr. Wright clarified that since he is a temporary member of this Committee while we have two council vacancies, the Committee would not nominate a Vice Chairman, etc. until those appointments are complete and permanent members assigned to Safety Committee. 

 

3.         DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

 

A.        Parks and Recreation.

 

(1)        Reports

 

a.         Parks and Recreation Board Council Representative Report  (Mr. Fox). Mr. Fox stated the Parks Board had discussed the Skate Park at their last meeting and two members of the Parks Board are present this evening. 

 

(2)        Gazebo Park Landscaping Project - Update.  Mr. Carr stated much of the landscaping work is complete and we have received an extension from CDBG until the spring so we can have some additional grading done and sod installed within the original $12,000 grant amount.  Mr. Carr stated he has heard from the surrounding businesses that they are very happy with the project. 

 

            (3)        Review and discussion regarding the Parks Master Plan.  (TABLE, 7-01-02)

 

(4)               Review and discussion regarding Skate Park. 

 

                        a.         Review and request for motion to approve Requests for Proposals.  Mr. Carr stated the Committee had received a copy of the revised Request for Proposal in their packets and it has been reviewed by the City’s law director.  Mr. Fox stated one of the things the Parks Board had discussed was the location of the skate park.  Mrs. Bushman stated we have been doing an internal evaluation regarding locating the skate park at the new police station, because one of the concerns is that it should be located where the kids can get to it readily.  She stated we have been looking at some other potential sites that are easily accessible to the kids.  Ms. Shankland inquired if this would put the project back because their goal was to have it completed this summer. Mrs. Bushman stated it is a two and one-half month process after we bid the project and are recommending award of the contract, and we are looking at a construction start date in the summer.  Mrs. Bushman stated she hoped to have a site determined that would work for everyone by April.  Mrs. Bushman stated some of the concerns with the police station site are that it is not in an area that a lot of the kids can get to and that there is a possibility that site may be available for another facility that would bring some tax revenue into the city.  Mrs. Bushman stated we are looking at a potential land acquisition that she is not in the position to disclose as she does not want to affect the negotiations.  Chief Taylor stated he had a safety concern about having the skate park at the police station site because there is a 110-foot radio tower there and he would be afraid that some kids may try to climb it.  Mr. Fox stated if we have the opportunity to have the site by the police station used by a business that will bring tax revenue into the City, he felt that had to be weighed in deciding the location of the skate park.  Mr. Wright stated the Safety Committee had also stated they would be scheduling another public meeting as it got closer to the actual construction and he felt that would be the best mechanism to use to let the public know where we are at and what will be happening.  Ms. Shankland stated she did not want the fact that the site may change to put the project behind schedule.  Mr. Wright stated further this project did not involve a lengthy construction time, and if we have the land acquired and the site defined by April, once the contract is awarded there should be no delays.  Mr. Wright stated it is the duty of Council to do what is best for the City and there has been a company show interest in the land next to the police station that would bring tax dollars into the City.  He further stated a commercial endeavor at that site would be best for that location if they can make it work.  Mr. Fox stated he also had concerns about the park being more accessible to the city’s residents.  Mr. Wright moved to approve the Request for Proposals; Mr. Fox seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Fox and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

            (5)        Handicap Garden – Update.  No report

 

            (6)        Review and request for motion to award annual mowing contract.  Mr. Fox stated the Committee had received the recommendation for the mowing contract based on the bid opening.  Mr. Carr stated last year we did not bid Victory Park or the new police station, and they were added to the bid this year.  Mr. Carr stated the bid last year for total properties was $445 which did not include Victory Park as that was added later.  Mr. Carr stated the low bid this year of $450 did include the new police station and Victory Park.  Mr. Fox ascertained we have received several references for the Shining Company.  Mr. Fox clarified the contract is on an “as needed” basis.  Mr. Wright moved to award the annual mowing contract to the Shining Company; Mr. Fox seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright and Mr. Fox voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

B.         Police

 

            (1)        Chief’s Report.  Chief Taylor  stated the Committee had received his report in their packets and he would answer any questions. 

 

            (2)        Police Facility – Update.  Chief Taylor stated the Firing Range is about 95 percent complete and he hoped to have it up and operating by the end of February.  Chief Taylor further stated the contractor is continuing to take care of punch list items.   

 

                        a.         Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Cogent Systems for Livescan Fingerprint system.  Chief Taylor stated the Committee had received a copy of the proposal in their packet.  Chief Taylor stated this equipment will eliminate any possibility of a getting a bad print and will automatically send the print to BCI, the FBI, and Columbus to ascertain if there are any warrants or anything on the individual.   Mr. Wright stated Commander Annetts had briefed on this system in the past and it appeared this would be a great asset to the police station.  Mr. Wright moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Fox seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Fox and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

                        b.         Review and request for motion to approve draft resolution to support continued participation by the Pickerington Police Department in the Fairfield-Hocking Major Crimes Unit Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Mr. Fox stated he has discussed this with the other council members and everyone felt we should continue to support this project.  Mr. Wright moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Fox seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Fox and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

C.        BUILDING OPERATIONS. 

 

            (1)        City Web Site – Update.  Mrs. Bushman stated the site is supposed to go live tonight, and she felt everyone would be very pleased with it.  She stated we are still adding things to it and updating, but she felt it was going to be a very good site.  Mr. Wright stated he thought it was very polished, yet still simplified.  Mrs. Bushman stated we are still asking for ideas and ways to improve it as we go along. 

 

Mrs. Bushman stated further with the document imaging system all the new stuff coming into the Tax Department is imaged into the system and is electronically filed.  Mrs. Bushman stated we are also evaluating if the purchase order process can be linked to our computers so we can do purchase orders electronically.  Mrs. Bushman stated Mrs. Fersch is meeting with CMI to see how this can be done.  Mr. Wright asked if he could be notified when that meeting was scheduled as he would like to attend. 

 

Mrs. Bushman stated further we have almost completed the rehab of the old police station and we will be relocating the Building Department to that building.  She stated the building department personnel have done all the remodeling and it is looking really nice.  Mrs. Bushman stated later in the year we may be looking at replacing the block windows and we may have to put a new roof on the building.  Mr. Wright stated as he understood it, there will be a dedicated location for the Food Pantry in the old police building.  Mrs. Bushman stated that was correct, and she would ask this Committee to approve making space available for the Food Pantry.  She stated we were looking at letting them utilize the old jail cell area and the old photo room that have both been opened up and would be a very nice area for them.  Mr. Fox clarified this will allow them to go in and out and all.  Mr. Fox moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Food Pantry to utilize a portion of the old police station; Mr. Wright seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright and Mr. Fox voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

            D.        STREETS. 

 

            (1)        Tree Commission.  Mr. Wiseman stated the Tree Commission did not meet in January due to the lack of a quorum, but is scheduled to meet next week. 

 

                        a.         Review and request for motion to approve award of contract for street trees (Bid Opening: 02-03-03).  Mr. Wiseman stated the bid opening was held today and we received 11 bids.  Mr. Wiseman stated he would recommend accepting the bid from Clark Lawn and Home as they were the low bid.  Mr. Wiseman stated he has not worked with this company in the past, however, they are a growing company and with Mr. Ellis overseeing the installation of the trees he felt they would be done correctly.  Mr. Wright moved to approve award of the contract for street trees to Clark Lawn and Home and forward to Council; Mr. Fox seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright and Mr. Fox voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

E.         Code Enforcement.

 

            (1)        Nuisance Abatement Board.  No report. 

 

            (2)        Weather Alert Monitors – Update.  Mr. Wright stated he had provided information on the requirements to receive a Storm Ready certification to Chief Fuller.  He stated if the Chairman concurred, he would ask to have this remain on the agenda until Chief Taylor had a chance to review it.   Mr. Fox stated he would have this remain on the agenda. 

 

4.         COMMUNITY OUTREACH:

 

A.        Violet Festival Board Report.  Ms. Whittington stated the Board met on January 28th and they believe they are on target.  She stated they plan on expanding the arts and crafts and the family fun day.  Ms. Whittington further stated this year the Miss Violet Festival pageant will be held during the festival.  She stated they will then hold a Miss Pickerington pageant in January and that winner will advance to the Miss Ohio pageant.  She further stated the Board is working on getting their web site updated, and the dates have been changed on the Welcome sign.  Mr. Wright clarified the dates of the festival this year are July 23 through 26.   

 

B.         Olde Pickerington Village Business Association Report.  Ms. Whittington stated  the Association’s Shoppe Hop for February will be on February 7th and is the “Sweetheart Stroll.”  She stated they also discussed their Olde Pickerington Village Brochure and these brochures can be obtained here at City Hall, at the Chamber of Commerce, in new resident packets, and in the hotels.  Ms. Whittington stated they will update the brochure quarterly. 

 

C.        Handicapped Transportation Project.  Ms. Crotty stated she is having trouble getting drivers for the van.  She stated this will be a part-time position and the driver is not required to have a CDL license.  Ms. Crotty stated we do need to get the van on the road as soon as possible.  She further stated she is looking at having a ribbon cutting or kick off event prior to Council on February 18th. 

 

5.         CHAIRMAN.   Mr. Fox stated he had nothing to bring forth this evening. 

 

6.         OTHER BUSINESS. 

 

            A.        Review and request for motion to approve Adopt-A-Road renewal for the Monebrake Family.  Mr. Wright moved to approve renewal of the application; Mr. Fox seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Fox and Mr. Wright voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

            Mrs. Bushman stated she would like to check into the possibility of perhaps having an “Adopt-a-Natural Scenic Area” type program and have people volunteer to clean up the areas like the creek by Wendy’s and McDonald’s.   Mr. Wright stated we have other areas as well, such as by the hotel, the entrance to the freeway, and Marcus Theater.  Mrs. Yartin stated she would check into the requirements and adding that to the Adopt-a-Road program. 

 

            Mrs. Bushman stated she and Mayor Postage have been meeting with Fannin Builders and the BIA in discussions regarding the Parade of Homes that is coming up.  She stated the City has space reserved on the clock tower for an electronic sign so we can put messages up, and when we last priced it, that sign would be about $24,000.  Mrs. Bushman stated the BIA has agreed if the City pays $10,000, they will pay the rest of the cost for this sign.  She stated it would be a great thing to have right there at the freeway.  Mr. Wright inquired if that price was for a one color LED as it has been discussed to look at some of the newer signs where you can get a full color range.  Mrs. Bushman stated she would check into that because she did not recall what the price quote was for.  She stated she would look into it and get some price quotes for this Committee to review. Mr. Fox stated we had also been looking at putting the city logo on the clock face and Mr. Wright stated he agreed it would be a good thing to combine those two projects.  Mrs. Bushman stated she would bring more information to the Committee at the next meeting. 

   

7.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mr. Wright moved to adjourn; Mr. Fox seconded the motion.  Mr. Wright and Mr. Fox voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 2-0.  The Safety Committee meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M., February 3, 2003. 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk