CITY OF PICKERINGTON

SAFETY COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 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. Wisniewski, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Sabatino present. No members were absent. Others present were: Mitch O’Brien, Judy Gilleland, Lynda Yartin, Chief Mike Taylor, Steve Carr, Frank Wiseman, John Gallagher, Shaun Taft, Woody Winfree, Gaye Chila, Chandni Vakil, Ryan McFadyen, and others.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF September 13, 2004, Regular Meeting. Mrs. Riggs moved to approve; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs abstaining, and Mr. Sabatino and Mr. Wisniewski voting "Yea." Motion passed, 2-0.

Mr. Wisniewski stated he would like to skip ahead to Item 5.B., Review and discussion regarding traffic calming devices as Mr. Gallagher would like to provide a presentation on this issue for the Committee.

Mr. Gallagher stated he did have a brief presentation regarding the various types of traffic calming devices. (Attachment 1 to these minutes) He stated traffic calming is generally thought of as speed bumps, however, there are three categories of devices. Mr. Gallagher stated these would be vertical devices which include humps/bumps, speed tables, and raised intersections. Next would be horizontal items such as chicanes and roundabouts, and, finally, other items that would include a combination of horizontal and vertical devices, enforcement, lane width reduction, speed trailers, complete street redesign and reconstruction, and road closures/partial closures. Mr. Gallagher stated stop signs are not traffic calming devices. Ms Gilleland clarified the City does have a speed trailer that we share with the City of Reynoldsburg. Mr. Wisniewski ascertained that painting on the roadway, such as the speed limit, does seem to work for a short time. Mr. Wisniewski stated we seem to be getting a lot of complaints regarding speeding in subdivisions and questioned if Mr. Gallagher would have any recommendations. Mr. Gallagher stated a recommendation would be on a case-by-case basis as he would need to know the characteristics of the traffic, the specific street, etc. He stated further an important part of traffic calming was that the public be involved in the process. Mr. Gallagher stated in some cities they have a policy that a certain percentage of residents on the roadway must sign off on the installing of the devices. Mr. O’Brien stated since our Transportation Improvement Plan is being reviewed, would it be possible to take into account the possibility of focusing on where we would rather see traffic go rather than where it is going now, or potentially look at improvements in areas where we do not want traffic to go. Mr. Gallagher stated that can certainly be done when designating the classification of roads. He stated once the Thoroughfare Plan is completed the Transportation Improvement Plan will be developed from that Plan and that is where you want to look at specific designations. Mr. O’Brien stated he wondered if it would be a good idea for the City to adopt some traffic calming measures into their approval process for plats when they come in for subdivision approvals. Mr. Wisniewski stated one of the big issues is the way plats are laid out with these straight roads, and he felt some of these design issues were not looked at well. Mr. Gallagher stated he would recommend the first thing to be done would be to develop some type of policy and warrants that must be met to qualify for the devices. He stated he felt the best method is to start slowly and try using the speed trailer or a couple of speed humps, and if that doesn’t work then try something else. Ms Gilleland inquired if Mr. Gallagher was familiar with intersection cameras that were used for speed or people running red lights or stop signs. Mr. Gallagher stated those have been used with great success, however, the cost is expensive. He stated the two companies that have those cameras right now do it themselves; they put up and maintain the equipment, they get the pictures, notify the police of the violation, and they charge the entity for all of that and the City only gets a small portion of the fines.

3. DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

A. Parks and Recreation.

(1) Director’s Report. Mr. Carr stated he had provided a written report and he would answer any questions anyone might have.

a. Parks Master Plan Survey - Update.

b. Skate Park Project – Update. Mr. Carr stated we should have the grading issues and restoration work around the concrete pad completed yet this year.

c. Handicap Garden – Update.

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

1. NatureWorks Grant Project (Sycamore Park Dam Repair) – Update. Mr. Carr stated this work should be completed this fall.

e. Sycamore Park Tennis Court Repair Project – Update.

f. Violet Festival Board Report. Mr. Woody Winfree of the Violet Festival Board provided a draft of the Festival’s financial statement for the Committee. Mr. Winfree stated the revenue from the rides was substantially higher this year, however, they did go into the red for the first time in the six years of the Festival. He stated this was mostly caused by the $8,000 in damage that was done to the school grounds because of the rain. He stated some trucks were stuck in the mud up to the axels. Mr. Winfree stated further their fireworks company went bankrupt, and they had to use another company at the last minute and that cost them an additional $3,700. Mr. Winfree stated they do have a claim against the original fireworks company and they are a secured creditor in their bankruptcy. Mrs. Riggs clarified the security costs listed went to pay our off duty police officers during the Festival. Mr. O’Brien ascertained the Festival Board does have a reserve in the bank so they do have enough to pay the insurance for next year and deposits for any entertainment that is scheduled for the next festival. Mr. Winfree stated they will be submitting their budget for next year to the City as they have done in the past.

B. Building Operations: No Report.

C. Service Department: Mr. Wiseman stated he received a call today from ODOT as they are getting ready to put the right turn in off of S.R. 256 into the Turnberry Shoppes and a number of businesses have objected. Mr. Wiseman stated he just wanted to make Council aware there are some objections, and that it is our intent that we were going to proceed with the right-in/right-out at that location. Mr. Sabatino stated he understood that was part of the plan. Mr. Wisniewski stated it was also his understanding that turn would be put in. Ms Gilleland stated we are also still working on eliminating the access on Tussing. Mr. Wiseman stated he would ask that all calls on this be directed to him so he can find out if there are specific problems the City may be able to help with. Mr. Wiseman stated the owner of the shopping center was aware of the plans, however, he did not know if he had passed that information on to the individual shops.

D. Code Enforcement: No Report.

4. POLICE:

A. Chief’s Report. Chief Taylor stated his report had been distributed and he would answer any questions.

5. CHAIRMAN.

A. Review and discussion regarding safety issues on East Street. Mr. O’Brien stated he would like to thank Mr. Wiseman for all the work that has been done and questioned if we knew the cost of what we have done. Mr. Wiseman stated it was basically the cost of the stone that we put in, the paint, and the man hours to do it. Mr. Wiseman stated everything that has been done, has been done by the City, there has been no help from the school. Mr. O’Brien stated that was his point, the schools have apparently decided not to make any attempt to work with us or to meet us in the middle. Mr. O’Brien stated he found that to be unacceptable and he felt the schools needed to take responsibility for their employee parking that is causing the problems on East Street. He stated he felt the schools needed to pave the grassy area; they have a bond issue before us in November that will build additions onto Harmon and Diley so it will take Heritage Middle School students out, so they won’t need that area for portables or whatever they are holding it for. Mr. O’Brien stated he felt it was important for the safety of the children and for the motorists to have that street freed up. Mr. O’Brien further stated the schools have done nothing whatsoever, despite repeated discussions, on the traffic problem at Ridgeview Junior High. He stated the traffic problems on Hill Road South are caused entirely by the school, and they are making no effort whatsoever to redirect the traffic on their property to get the cars off the street faster and get the busses off the street faster. He stated he felt that was also unacceptable. Mr. O’Brien stated discussion has been held in the past regarding setting up a meeting with the school board and he asked Ms Gilleland if she could get that set up. Mr. O’Brien stated he wasn’t sure it was school board issue, he found them to be non-responsive. Mrs. Riggs stated she felt we should go straight to the superintendent as we have come to the table on many issues with the schools lately, and she felt it was time for them to step up to the plate. Mr. Wiseman stated on East Street, southbound, there are two or three cars that still park off the pavement in someone’s yard. He stated this is in the right-of-way and is legal, but he would like to put up no parking signs in that area to keep people off where it is not stripped and there is no gravel. Mr. Wisniewski stated perhaps it is residents parking in front of their own houses, and Mr. Wiseman stated it is definitely school employees. Mr. Wiseman stated he would need a motion from Safety to approve no parking signs. Mr. Wiseman stated another option would be to do parking by permit only and if a resident wanted to park there they could get a permit from the Chief of Police. Mrs. Riggs stated she would prefer that so if the residents want to park there they could. Mr. O’Brien stated he felt the schools needed to understand that we do have options, we can put up 10 minute parking signs on the eastbound side, going north, so we are within our rights to do things that they may consider adverse to helping the situation, but they need to meet us somewhere in the middle. Mrs. Riggs stated they need to recognize these are safety issues and that is why we are taking the position that we are, and they should want to recognize that because of the safety of the children. Ms Gilleland stated she would set up a meeting with the school superintendent to discuss these issues. Mr. O’Brien stated the school does have an employee who deals with traffic issues and perhaps he should be included. Mr. Wiseman stated it seems that the principals have a lot of say in the operation of their schools, including the traffic, so the superintendent might be the best person to go through. He stated the superintendent could then disseminate whatever he wants to the principals and have them follow up. Mr. Wiseman stated he would need a motion if this Committee would like no parking or permit parking signs put up. Mr. Sabatino moved to amend the traffic control map to include Permit Parking Only on East Street, southbound, in unpaved areas; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Mr. Wiseman stated this would allow him some latitude on the placement of the signs and he would work with Chief Taylor on the placement of the signs. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.

B. Review and discussion regarding traffic calming devices. Mr. Wisniewski stated this was discussed earlier in the meeting.

C. Review and request to approve draft ordinance to amend Section 1080.03 of the Pickerington Codified Ordinances relative to proper disposal practices for garbage containers. Mr. Wisniewski stated this was discussed at the last meeting and Mr. Sabatino was doing some research. Mr. Sabatino stated he did not hear back from the refuse collection company. He stated there were small storage sheds that could be purchased by homeowners to screen the containers if they desired, however, we do have some sort of ordinance about storage sheds. Mr. Wisniewski stated that was correct, and also some Civic Associations have deed restrictions on sheds. Mr. Wisniewski clarified that he has received complaints about trash containers being stored in front of some homes during the week, and also complaints about trash being placed at the curb on Monday when pick-up isn’t until Friday. He also stated some individuals are placing the trash as far from their driveway as they can so their neighbor’s have to put up with the trash by their property. Mr. Wisniewski stated the draft ordinance received at the last meeting addressed the issue of not allowing trash to be put out at the curb any sooner than the day before collection and empty containers should be removed by midnight on the day of collection. He stated discussion also included not allowing containers to be stored in front of the house. Ms Gilleland stated she would recommend the ordinance be amended to include a statement that “containers should not be stored in the front yard.” She stated if we get into some property maintenance issues we will have our committee that will be looking at this. She stated she felt we should start out with not allowing the containers to be stored in the front yard along with the restriction about when you can put them out. She further stated Mr. Sabatino had a concern about someone being away for the weekend and not being able to remove them before midnight on the day of pick-up. Ms Gilleland stated she would also recommend we put some wording in “with consideration for special circumstances,” to cover those types of instances. Mrs. Riggs asked if we would define special circumstances, and Mr. Sabatino stated he felt that was something that should be left to the discretion of the people monitoring the situation, and leave a little latitude. Mr. O’Brien stated he saw this as more toward repeat or habitual offenders, not someone going away for the weekend. Mr. Sabatino stated he agreed with Mr. O’Brien and it is just a few people who are habitual offenders that necessitate legislation of this type. Mr. Sabatino stated the refuse collection company does provide containers for a small fee and when we negotiate the next contract perhaps we should include the requirement that those containers be used. Mr. Wisniewski stated he would also like some wording added to the legislation that when garbage is put out at the curb that it should be no more than 10 feet from your driveway. Ms Gilleland stated she would ensure these amendments were made to the ordinance. Mr. Wisniewski moved to forward the ordinance to Council with the amendments discussed this evening included; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Sabatino, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.

6. OTHER BUSINESS.

A. Review and discussion regarding speed limit on Hill Road South. Mr. Wisniewski stated now that 25 MPH speed limit signs have been posted, people are complaining that is much to slow in this area. Mr. Wisniewski stated when this property was in the Township the speed limit was 55 MPH, and when it was annexed to the City is became 25 MPH. Mr. Wiseman clarified that Hill Road, from Busey Road north, the east side of Hill Road is in the City. Mr. Wiseman stated this is another road that meanders in and out of the City, similar to Diley, so there are actually places where the east side of the road has one speed limit, and the west side, in parts, is another speed limit. Mr. Wiseman stated going southbound, just south of the wastewater plant, you go back into the Township to just past the Villages at Sycamore Creek where it comes back into the City for about four or five houses, and then goes back into the Township. Ms Gilleland stated this has caused confusion and people have been ticketed. Mr. Wisniewski clarified it is 55 MPH in the Township and 25 MPH in the City. Mr. O’Brien stated perhaps the Township would be amenable to discussing annexing the roads into the City in their entirety so we can control speed limits since they can’t. Mr. Sabatino inquired if staff has a recommendation. Mr. O’Brien stated you need to know the classification of the road and what the allowable speed limits are for that road, and then you can post the speed limit. Mr. Wisniewski asked Ms Gilleland to put together a recommendation for the speed limit on this road, and also speak to the Township about the City annexing the parts of the road that are not controlled by the City so we can have a standard designated speed on both sides of the road rather than this piece meal stuff. Ms Gilleland stated she would speak to the Township. Mr. Wiseman stated Diley Road, Hill Road, and Stemen Road all fall into this area.

B. Review and discussion regarding on street parking in the old village area. Mr. Sabatino stated it seems this situation has been taken care of since the business making this request will be relocating. Mr. Wisniewski stated this could be removed from the agenda.

C. Review of request for Stop Signs on Fox Glen Drive West and Longleaf Drive.

D. Review of request for speed bumps in alley behind Church Street between Trinity Church and W. Borland Street.

Ms Gilleland stated as we are getting several of these types of complaints she would recommend that they be forwarded to Mr. Gallagher, the traffic engineer with Stilson, so we can get his perspective. She stated perhaps we can get a system set up so he can report to the Committee on these issues. Mr. Wisniewski stated that would be fine with him and he would also like Mr. Gallagher to look at Cherry Hill Drive, Canteridge Drive in Preston Trails, Stonebridge between Preston Trails and Stonebridge, and also Colony Park Drive. Mrs. Riggs stated she would also like the entrance into Willow Pond to be looked at. Mr. Wiseman stated perhaps Mr. Gallagher could set up some criteria because stop signs are not a speed limit device and we cannot use them that way. Ms Gilleland stated she would have Mr. Gallagher work on this. Mr. Wisniewski stated these items could be removed from the agenda to allow Mr. Gallagher a chance to review the areas.

7. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mrs. Riggs moved to adjourn; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Mr. Sabatino, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Wisniewski voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 3-0. The Safety Committee meeting adjourned at 9:05 P.M., October 4, 2004.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

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Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk