RULES
COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2004
7:00 P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Mrs. Riggs called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mrs. Riggs and Mr. Hackworth were present. Mr. Wright was absent. Others present were: Mitch O’Brien, Lynda Yartin, and others.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF August 2, 2004, Regular Meeting. Mr. Hackworth moved to approve; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth and Mrs. Riggs voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 2-0.
3. SCHEDULED MATTERS:
A. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to enact Chapter 268 of the Pickerington Codified Ordinances to create the Utility Fees Review Committee. Mrs. Riggs stated basically this committee would study utility fees for the City’s water, waste water, and stormwater utilities. She stated the committee would consist of five members with the City Manager or her designee serving in an advisory capacity. Mrs. Riggs stated she felt a Council member should also be a member of this committee and she felt it should be a representative from the Service Committee. Mr. Hackworth stated he agreed that a council representative should be a member of the committee. Mrs. Riggs stated that person would serve as a liaison to Council. Mr. Hackworth stated Service Committee meeting in January will receive a briefing from our consultant on the utility fee study he has just completed. Mrs. Riggs clarified that a Council representative should be included in the membership stated in the ordinance. Mr. Hackworth stated he would request the ordinance be amended to include a member of Service Committee as a member of the Utility Fees Review Committee. Mr. Hackworth stated at the first meeting of each year when Council reorganizes, the Service Committee would appoint a representative to the Utility Fees Review Committee at the same time they appoint a representative to the Planning and Zoning Committee. Mrs. Riggs stated if that amendment is made to the ordinance she did not feel another draft ordinance would need to be brought back to Rules Committee. Mr. O’Brien clarified that the utility fee study would be taken into account when this committee is organized. Mr. Hackworth clarified that the first appointments would be staggered between one, two, and three years, with every appointment thereafter being for a three year term. He further clarified the volunteer positions on the committee would be advertised so citizens could apply as we do with all other boards and commissions. Mr. O’Brien ascertained that if an individual were already serving on a board or commission that would not preclude them from applying for this committee as well. Mr. Hackworth moved to approve the draft ordinance with the amendment of adding a council representative from Service Committee and forward to Council; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mrs. Riggs and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 2-0.
4. CHAIRMAN: Mrs. Riggs stated there is one term expiring shortly on the Personnel Appeals Board and Mrs. Yartin has advertised for volunteers since that individual has served a complete term on the Board. Mr. O’Brien pointed out that two appointments will be expiring in February on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mrs. Yartin stated normally at the first meeting of the year, Rules Committee will authorize her to advertise for vacancies throughout the year as necessary. Mrs. Yartin stated the policy in the past has been that if a person is appointed to fill an unexpired term, and they then wish to serve a full term, Rules Committee has recommended they be appointed to a full term. However, if a person has served a complete term, the vacancy is advertised and that individual may reapply along with any other individuals who wish to apply for the position. Rules Committee then interviews all applicants and recommends an appointment to Council.
5. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. O’Brien stated with regard to the Utility Fees Review Committee, in addition to the utility fee study, we will also have the Tischler study that can be coordinated with this. Mr. O’Brien further clarified that the City Manager or her designee would be a staff person to the committee not the Council representative. Mr. Hackworth stated he understood the desire was to find a volunteer with an engineering background and perhaps someone with an accounting background as well.
6. ADJOURNMENT: There being nothing further, Mr. Hackworth moved to adjourn; Mrs. Riggs seconded the motion. Mrs. Riggs and Mr. Hackworth voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 2-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 P.M., December 6, 2004.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk