CITY OF PICKERINGTON

SERVICE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2004

 

REGULAR MEETING

7:30 P.M.

 

 

1.         ROLL CALL.  Mr. Hackworth called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Parker, and Mr. O’Brien present.  No members were absent.  Others present were:  Mike Sabatino, Judy Gilleland, Frank Wiseman, Lynda Yartin, Lance Schultz, Bob Mapes, Jerry Dailey, Josh Lieb, Matt Schneider, Terry Walburn, Rex Myer, Paul Smith, bill Ratliff, John Darby, Cindy Darby, and others.

 

2.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF August 12, 2004, Regular Meeting.  Mr. O’Brien moved to approve; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker abstaining, and Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0.

 

3.         COMMUNITY COMMENTS: 

 

A.        Rex Myer, 261 Pearl Lane.  Mr. Myer stated his concern was with the ditches on Pearl Lane.  He stated Mr. Wiseman had told him that it was the property owner’s responsibility to drain the ditches, and since they put the water line in it is worse because the inspector did not have them fill the ditches up.  Mr. Hackworth stated this Committee did address this issue, and in the spring after the ground has had a chance to settle, those ditches will be regraded and seeded.  Ms Gilleland stated Mr. Wiseman had sent a letter to Mr. Myer regarding the maintenance of the ditches, and it is the property owner’s responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance and the major maintenance is up to the City.  Ms Gilleland stated we do not have the staff to maintain them on an annual basis, but we will be looking at programs like that.  Ms Gilleland stated where the new water line was laid, the contractor will be coming back this fall and any settlement, filling-in, and reseeding will be done, and we will do that again in the spring.  Mr. Myer stated he was also concerned about the dead water on Pearl Lane and Florence.  Mr. Wiseman stated we do have some dead end lines in the City and the water department does a very good job of making sure we flush those lines so we do not have dead water and we meet the EPA guidelines. 

 

B.         Terry Walburn, Marie Avenue.  Mr. Walburn stated he would add that in his area, during the past three years, a number of wells have gone dry and it seems to be an on-going problem.  Mr. Walburn stated when one of his neighbor’s well went dry they found their tap was between their driveway and the other neighbor’s driveway.  To resolve the problem they would have to go under their driveway; go all the way to the back of their house and around their patio.  He stated he had suggested they speak to the City about having a saddle put on because this was a mistake by the people who installed the line.  Mr. Walburn over the years the residents in his area have tried to get water and were told they couldn’t do it.  He stated they were not asking to have the fees waived, but they did have problems with paying the lineal footage because it was indicated to them that once the water was brought down their street for Manchester, that the Manchester developers would pick up that fee.  Mr. Walburn stated he felt there should be some consistency and a standard of inspection.  Ms Gilleland asked Mr. Walburn if he would provide her with the name of the individual whose tap was not in the right place and Mr. Hackworth stated he would get her that name.  

 

4.         PLANNING AND ZONING

 

A.        REPORTS:

 

                       (1)         BZA Report.  Mr. Schultz stated there were no cases in August and there are none scheduled for September.       

 

            (2)        Planning and Zoning Representative Report (Mr. O’Brien) Mr. Schultz stated Planning and Zoning Commission will meet next Tuesday. 

 

B.         ACTION ITEMS: 

 

            (1)        Review and request for motion to approve temporary access to allow development at the Luse/Zane property.  Mr. Schultz stated this has been discussed with legal counsel and the land covenant executed in 1992 is legally binding.  Mr. Schultz stated staff would recommend a right-in/right-out curb cut be approved until the access plan from Drug Mart to the railroad tracks is completed.  He stated that plan will determine access points for that corridor.  Mr. Schultz continued Mr. Luse is on the Planning and Zoning agenda for a single building, and he will access the site from the existing curb cut at Pickerington Medical Complex.  Mr. Hackworth inquired if an island will be put in the right-in/right-out, and Mr. Schultz stated he felt we would likely do that, however, the engineer would have to review that.  Mr. Hackworth clarified the access at the Medical Center is a full access.  Mr. Parker clarified the developer is not requesting that location at this point as they will use the existing one.  He stated the right-in/right-out access he is talking about is located across from the PYAA’s access, and they are not installing the roadway at this point.  Mr. Hackworth inquired if this should be approved now since they are not going to be constructing the road.  Mr. O’Brien clarified at some point in the future they may put in the road.  Mr. Schultz stated the ultimate build out of this development will be 10 buildings with 52,000 square feet of office space.  Mr. Schultz stated the current agreement is that they have the right to build the road, and they will close the southern access point.  Ms Gilleland stated the bottom line is, we are obligated to allow that northern access.  Mr. Parker stated he felt this is a temporary access and if it is approved tonight it will allow the development to get started.  Mr. Parker moved to approve a temporary right-in/right-out access on the Luse/Zane development; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. O’Brien, Mr. parker, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

            (2)        Review and discussion regarding the McDonald’s S.R. 256 access agreement.  Mr. Schultz stated staff met with McDonald’s last month and they have agreed to limit the northbound left-hand turn into McDonald’s until November 15th.  He stated after that time the City will permit the full movement and any future issues pertaining to that curb cut, the City would study per the agreement signed in 1998.  Mr. O’Brien clarified if the left-turns block traffic on S.R. 256, the City and McDonald’s will meet to remedy the problem.  Mr. O’Brien stated the Refugee intersection is already failing and then we have a curb cut 300 feet or less from the intersection.  Mr. Schultz stated McDonald’s has agreed to temporarily close that curb cut after the discussion at this meeting.  Mr. O’Brien questioned if there is any way we can determine if that curb cut is a benefit or a detriment to that intersection.  He stated we are just shifting the cars elsewhere until November 15th.    Mr. Wiseman stated McDonald’s was not opposed to what we want to do, he would just like some data to justify it.  Ms Gilleland stated McDonald’s were not interested in closing the access on a permanent basis, they were very willing to close it on a temporary basis during the construction, but they wanted further discussion before it would be closed permanently.  Mr. Hackworth clarified the agreement specifies that when traffic turning into McDonald’s precludes vehicles from advancing to the left turn lane at the intersection, the City and McDonald’s will meet to remedy the problem, which may include but is not limited to:  no left-in at specified times; off-duty police to direct traffic; adjust traffic light timing; or no left-in.  Mr. Hackworth stated while the access is closed temporarily we will get a better idea of what the effect will be.  Mr. Sabatino stated he concurred with Mr. O’Brien that this access is a very short distance from the intersection and even a right-in heading southbound will impede the smooth flow of traffic through the intersection.  Mr. Schultz stated he would recommend further discussion with McDonald’s regarding a permanent closure of the access.  Mr. O’Brien requested Mr. Schultz thank McDonald’s for their cooperation in temporarily closing the access during this trying time of construction, and let them know it will be looked at further.  Mr. Schultz stated he would notify McDonald’s regarding the City’s appreciation for the temporary closure and he would work with them on a final solution.  

 

            (3)        Review and request for motion to approve draft resolution to authorize the correction of certain street names on various plats.  Mr. Schultz stated it has been brought to his attention that we have five street names that were platted with an original name, and for whatever reason, the street signs have another name.  He stated the County Auditor has requested this be corrected for 9-1-1 purposes. He stated the last street listed is called Loving Way and the developer has requested it be Jamie Lynn Street because there is a Jamie Lynn Circle within the subdivision and it makes sense to have consistent street names.  Mr. O’Brien clarified there are no addresses on Loving Way and there would be no impact on services to anyone.  Mr. Hackworth stated he felt there were a couple of other streets where the name was not the same as the one on the street signs, such as Theron Drive or Avenue in Preston Trails.  Mr. Schultz stated he would check to see if that sign is correct or not.  Mr. O’Brien moved to approve the draft resolution and add the correct designation for Theron if that was necessary; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth; Mr. O’Brien, and Mr. Parker voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

5.         SERVICE DEPARTMENT

 

A.                 WATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE. 

 

            (1)        Water services to Pearl Lane and Florence Drive (CIP# 98-01-002) – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated we have had four or five residents take advantage of paying the fee over the ten year period, and two or three residents have paid outright, so we have seven or eight homes on the system now. 

 

                        a.         Review and discussion regarding assessment process.  Ms Gilleland stated Schottenstein Zox & Dunn has done some research on this issue, and there is another way we can work with the owners on the fees, which would be through a voluntary assessment.  Ms Gilleland distributed a memorandum to the Committee that she had just received.  Ms Gilleland stated the Fairfield County Auditor’s office has been contacted and they are fine with this procedure.  Ms Gilleland stated she would get a letter out to the residents in the next few days outlining the procedures and offering them this choice, and if there is anyone who has gone through with the mortgage she would check to see if they can change to this option.  Mr. Hackworth stated with regard to other residents in the City that are not on the water system but have it available, would we make this option available to them as well.  Ms Gilleland stated there were other factors to be considered for those residents, and she felt it would be appropriate to handle that separately from the Pearl Lane residents.  Mr. Wiseman stated he would like to clarify that hooking onto the City water is voluntary, no-one can be forced to do it.  Ms Gilleland stated if the Committee wanted to offer this option to the residents, a motion moving it to Council would be necessary.  Mr. Parker stated he felt the gesture of offering this to all residents was a good suggestion, however, he agreed with Ms Gilleland that it should be looked into further.  He stated he felt it might be best to go ahead and offer the assessment option to the Pearl Lane residents now and after looking into all the details see if it is something we can offer to anyone left in the City who is not currently on City water and wishes to hook in.  Ms Gilleland stated she agreed with Mr. Parker and she did not know if she was entirely comfortable with opening this up city-wide as yet.  Mr. Hackworth stated he would like to have it defined that this offer would be to homes that have a water line already installed, this is not new installs.  Ms Gilleland stated she would continue to research this issue and she would like to bring a draft ordinance to Committee at their next meeting.  Mr. Hackworth moved to offer the option of a ten-year voluntary assessment to residents on Pearl Lane and Florence Drive for the payment of water capacity fees that must be exercised within a six-month period from the effective date of the ordinance; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Mr. Hackworth stated this would be an option in addition to the mortgage option or they could pay the fee in full.  Mr. Parker stated he would suggest the exact dollar figure for that capacity fee be included in the ordinance so there is no confusion.  Ms Gilleland stated she would like to send correspondence out to the residents, but she was not sure she should do that until the ordinance is in place.  Mr. Hackworth stated he did not see a problem with including emergency language in the legislation so it did not hold everyone up that wanted to use this option.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. O’Brien voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.

 

B.         WASTEWATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE. 

 

            (1)        Review and discussion regarding tertiary sand filter replacement.  Mr. Wiseman stated they have the parts ordered to repair the tertiary filter on the east side, and staff will be doing the repair work and putting it back in operation.  He stated when that is complete, they will begin on the west side.   

 

C.        STREET MAINTENANCE. 

 

            (1)        Annual Street Repaving Project – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated Shelly will be signing the contract next week and he has had discussion with them on how to best handle the repair work on Columbus Street.  Mr. Wiseman stated during that repair instead of closing the street for a day, at the request of the school bus operator, it will be done over a two day period and traffic will be maintained.  Mr. O’Brien stated it seems the schools are out of session several days during October and if it could be done at that time perhaps the work could be done in one day without interfering with the school busses.  Mr. Wiseman stated that was a good idea and he would  check to see if that could be coordinated.  Mr. Wiseman stated the streets to be repaved and the dates it will be done will be posted on the web site.    

 

D.        STORM WATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE. 

 

            (1)        Long Road/Bowen Road Stormwater Study – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated the study is on Council floor and Mr. Hartman has been requested to do a quick engineering for us to do the short term fix.  He stated we are also proceeding with the application to the Army Corps of Engineers for the long term solution.     

 

E.         TREE COMMISSION.  Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated the Tree Commission has completed the final draft of their brochure and he would make sure Council received it so they could review it, and provide any input they felt should be completed.       

 

F.         SCIP (Formerly Issue II Program) – Application Date:  October 1, 2004.  Mr. Wiseman stated the application will be submitted prior to October 1st. 

 

6.         ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS

 

A.        WASTEWATER

 

            (1)        Wastewater Plant Expansion (CIP# 02-03-005) – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated he had received comments from the EPA on the stress test and he was working with R.D. Zande to proceed with the test taking into account those concerns and questions.  Mr. Wiseman stated the EPA had no opposition to the overall scope of the process. 

 

B.         TRANSPORTATION: 

 

                        (1)        Cycle Way/Freedom Way (CIP# 02-03-013) – Update.  Mr. Dailey stated he had nothing new to report this evening.      

 

            (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 they are watching the project closely to ensure it is completed before winter weather.          

 

                        (B)       Diley Road/S.R. 256 Intersection Improvement Project, Phase III – Update.   (Ordinance 2004-42 effective 8/19/04).  Mr. Dailey stated the right-of-way issues are still being worked. 

 

(4)        Diley Road Improvements Project:

 

                        (A)       MORPC/ODOT Project (CIP#98-03-005 and 03-03-005)   Mr. Dailey stated they are in the process of preparing responses to the residents on the project. 

 

                        (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 he had nothing to report this evening. 

 

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

 

                        (A)       Pickerington Health Care Access Road – Update.  Mr. Dailey stated he had no update on this issue.   

 

            (7)        I-70/S.R. 256 Joint Improvements Project with Reynoldsburg and ODOT – Update.  Mr. Dailey stated they are also watching this project and it is scheduled to be complete before winter weather. 

 

            (8)        Traffic Signal Update.  Mr. Dailey stated he had not report on this issue this evening.         

 

            (9)        Traffic Improvement Plan (TIP) – Update.  Mr. Dailey stated he would have something for the Committee to look at prior to the next meeting so they can see where we are based on their comments to this date.   

 

C.        WATER: 

 

            (1)        Wellfield Investigation – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated he hoped to have an update for the Committee at their next meeting. 

 

            (2)        Review and request for motion to recommend award of contract for the Pickerington Hills Water Main Loop, Contracts A and B.  Mr. Wiseman stated two bids were received, and he would recommend the contract be awarded to McDaniel’s.  Mr. Wiseman stated this would eliminate two dead ends and would provide better flow into the Simsbury area and the east side of the City.  Mr. Hackworth clarified Contracts A and B were two different loops, but they were connected in the parking lot of the park.  Mr. Dailey stated McDaniel’s does have experience in this area.  Mr. Hackworth moved to approve and forward to Council legislation to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with McDaniel’s Construction Company for the construction of the Pickerington Hills Water Main Loop Project; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Parker voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.  

 

D.        STORMWATER.  No Report. 

 

7.         CHAIRMAN.   

 

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

 

 B.        Review and discussion regarding the parking lots in the old downtown area.  Ms Gilleland stated this was in reference to paving the lots she had discussed before.  She stated we would be paving the parking lot at BJ’s Bouquets as part of the gazebo project and we had discussed about paving the grass strip just to the east of it and working with Grissini’s and Heitmeyer about getting an easement for the parking spaces there and getting that whole portion paved with the stipulation that if we do the paving that parking will be available to anyone, and not dedicated to that business.  She further stated she had discussed this with Mr. Heitmeyer and he was fine with that.  Mr. Wiseman stated the original bid was for all of the gravel area behind there, and since we are not doing all of that there will be enough money to do BJ’s and Grissini’s.  He stated the remaining funds will go into the Columbus Street repair.  Mr. Wiseman stated we will be doing some sort of stormwater collection in BJ’s parking lot.  Mr. Hackworth clarified we will not be paving the lot at the dentist’s office or Mulberry Lane.  Mr. Sabatino clarified BJ’s has given an easement to the City and Grissini’s would be doing the same thing.  Mr. Wiseman stated in his discussions with the other business owners they have not been willing to open their parking lots up to public parking.  Ms Gilleland stated she would like to talk about that to the whole downtown area as our budget allows.  Mr. O’Brien stated his concern would be drainage before we pave everything down there.  He stated further he would not want to see hopscotch paving if one business would want to have their lot paved, and the next one did not.   Mr. O’Brien ascertained that if the parking lot is dedicated for public parking, we will be responsible for plowing it.  Mr. Wiseman stated plowing and maintaining it would not be a problem, and would be the same as the public parking lot we did as part of the streetscape. 

 

8.         OTHER BUSINESS. 

 

Mr. O’Brien stated on the north side of Long Road, about mid-way down, there is a spot where the road is crumbling on the side and there is a pothole.  He further clarified the punch list for the downtown streetscape project is not 100 percent complete. 

 

Mr. Parker stated whenever there is an event in the downtown, all that traffic is routed over to Church Street.  He stated now with the Center Street bridge closed, that traffic is coming into town and cutting across Church Street back up to Hill Road.  Mr. Parker stated you can see the curb on the northeast corner of Church and Hill has been pushed down from the trucks going down on top of there.  He stated there was an accident there as well last week.  Mr. Parker stated the traffic on this street is out of control, and that is why the so-called by-pass was started several years ago.  He stated we need an east/west corridor to keep the traffic from going through that downtown area and he felt we should take the time to look and see what can be done. 

 

Mr. O’Brien stated the portion of Stemen Road that is within the City has not stripping and he questioned if there were any plans to do that.  Mr. Wiseman stated Stemen Road is part of our agreement with the Township where we would take care of Diley Road and Hill Road, and they would take care of Stemen Road.  Mr. Wiseman stated he would contact the Township and see what their intentions were about stripping that road. 

 

Mrs. Darby stated there was a bad accident near Diley Road and Long Road, and there have been comments that they did not see the stop sign.  She stated you cannot see the stop sign if there is a large vehicle or truck or something, and she would like to see something done to let people know there is a stop sign ahead.  Mr. Hackworth stated discussion regarding the stop signs on Diley Road is on the Safety Committee agenda for their meeting on September 13th. 

 

9.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mr. Parker moved to adjourn; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Parker, and Mr. O’Brien voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 3-0.  The Service Committee adjourned at 9:20 P.M., September 9, 2004.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk