CITY OF PICKERINGTON

SERVICE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2005

 

WORK SESSION

DISCUSSION OF TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN (TIP)

 

6:30 P.M.

 

1.         ROLL CALL.  Mr. Hackworth called the Service Committee Work Session to order at 6:30 P.M., with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Parker, and Mr. O’Brien present.  No members were absent.  Others present were Judy Gilleland, Lynda Yartin, Lance Schultz, Frank Wiseman, John Gallagher, Jennifer Frommer, and others.

 

Mr. Gallagher stated he had provided the Committee members with the first draft of the Transportation Improvement Plan.  He stated the roads are the same as on the Thoroughfare Plan, however, this has the shading on the non-city areas.  He stated the Thoroughfare Plan dictates 99 percent of what improvements are desired, and the Transportation Improvement Plan breaks them down into individual projects and puts them on a sort of timetable.  Mr. Gallagher stated anything on the Thoroughfare Plan that is designated as a minor arterial is shown on the Transportation Improvement Plan as something that would likely be widened to five lanes, and a minor collector is two to three lanes.  Mr. Gallagher stated major collectors can be three to five lanes and there are only two projects he would recommend go to three lanes.  He stated all the projects that he has put in the one to five year category and the five to ten year category are only projects within the City of Pickerington except for one project on S.R. 204 and that one involves a little bit of the City of Columbus and a little bit of Violet Township.  He stated it just did not make sense to do a widening of 204 just within the City limits, so that would probably have to be a joint ODOT, City of Columbus, Pickerington project.   He stated he would like to know if the Committee agreed with the projects and the categories he has put them in.  Ms Frommer stated Diley Road is a minor arterial and questioned how we got into the three lane possibility when the street classification states four or more?  Mr. Gallagher stated the Thoroughfare Plan is what the City wants it to be in the future, it does not mean that Diley couldn’t be three.  Ms Gilleland stated the wording in the legend on the map states “approved annexations” and she felt it should reflect “pending annexations” since they have not been approved as yet.  Mr. O’Brien stated the current classification on Hill Road is minor collector and he questioned if the classification has to be changed to substantiate the raising of the speed limit.  He stated by the minor collector definition shown on the map there is parking allowed on one side, and we currently do not allow parking on either side there.  Mr. Wiseman stated the definition of the classification is a standard definition and not unique to Pickerington.  Mr. Wiseman further stated he felt you could set the speed limit on certain roads by ordinance, no matter what the classification is.  He stated he thought that might be the way to handle the speed limit issue on Hill Road rather than reclassifying the entire road.  Mr. Gallagher stated he thought some of the definitions may be incorrect on the legend and he would check that before the final copy is made.  Ms Gilleland stated this is just a plan of where we want to be and it does not require us to do anything.  Mr. Hackworth clarified that the future extension of Fuller’s Way is within the City limits. Mr. Schultz stated that it is in the City, but it is right on the Franklin and Fairfield County Line.  He stated the property west of our police station is in the City, but is in Franklin County.  Mr. Gallagher stated the projects he had listed in the one to five year category included the widening of Refugee Road from Hines Road to S.R. 256, widening S.R. 256 from Drug Mart to Courtright Road, the Courtright Road/Stemen Road Connector, the Stonecreek extension to Fuller’s Way, and an intersection improvement at Refugee Road and S.R. 256.  In the category of five to ten years he had included the widening of Tussing Road from Hines Road to Taylor Road, the Hill Road/East Columbus Street connector, widening Hill Road from the Pickerington Road/Hill Road connector to Basil-Western, a future extension of Longview Street, and widening Hill Road from Columbus Street to the Pickerington Road/Hill Road connector.  Mr. Parker stated he felt projects MaC-4 and MaC-11 should be moved further up on the priority list.  Mr. Wiseman stated when the Good property develops it will increase the necessity to widen S.R. 256 to at least three lanes.   Mr. O’Brien stated he agreed with Mr. Parker and he also felt we needed to look at the big picture and perhaps some of the projects can be combined.  Mr. O’Brien clarified that as far as funding, the Capital Improvements Plan reflects if the developer will be required to fund some of the projects. 

 

Mr. Hackworth summarized the Committee felt the Stonecreek extension to Fuller’s Way could be removed from the one to five year category, the Longview Street extension should be moved to the one to five year category, the MaC-4 and MaC-11 projects should be moved ahead, and also the intersection improvements on Refugee and 256.  Mr. Hackworth stated he would like to have a new draft showing these changes at the next Service Committee, and then perhaps have a work session with all of Council. 

 

2.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mr. Hackworth closed the work session at 7:28 P.M., March 10, 2005.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk

CITY OF PICKERINGTON

SERVICE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2005

 

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:  Judy Gilleland, Lynda Yartin, Lance Schultz, Frank Wiseman, Jennifer Frommer, John Gallagher, Phil Hartmann, and others.

 

2.         A.        APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF February 10, 2005, Work Session.  Mr. O’Brien moved to approve; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. O’Brien, and Mr. Parker voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0.

 

B.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF February 10, 2005, Regular Meeting.  Mr. O’Brien moved to approve; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. O’Brien voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

3.         COMMUNITY COMMENTS:  None.

 

4.         PLANNING AND ZONING

 

A.        REPORTS:

 

                       (1)         BZA Report.  Mr. Schultz stated the Board had two cases in February; Seton Parish received a set back variance for a fence along Courtright Drive and the Giant Eagle variance request was Tabled.  He stated in March the Board has three cases; the Giant Eagle variance request, a rear yard set back for a deck in Shawnee Crossing, and a minimum dwelling size for a house on North Center Street.          

 

            (2)        Planning and Zoning Representative Report (Mr. O’Brien) Mr. O’Brien stated Planning and Zoning met on Tuesday and approved the site plan, and a conditional use permit for the drive thru for Sky Bank.  Mr. O’Brien continued the remainder of the meeting dealt with the Giant Eagle project.  He stated the building materials were approved with some changes that were requested by the City.  He further stated there was discussion on some changes to the site plan and since that meeting he understood staff has met with the developer and worked out those issues.  Mr. O’Brien stated the Commission will consider these issues at their next meeting or at a special meeting if necessary.  He further stated the Commission received notification of a demolition of the old freezer building at the old creamery in the downtown area.  He stated the Commission will hear that request at the next meeting. 

 

B.         ACTION ITEMS:  Mr. Schultz stated he had nothing further for the Committee this evening. 

 

5.         SERVICE DEPARTMENT

 

A.        ACTION ITEMS:  None.

 

B.         WATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE. 

 

            (1)        Pickerington Hills Water Main Loop Project – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated this project is scheduled to start March 23rd.  

 

(2)        Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Neptune Equipment Company for the purchase of water meters.  Mr. Wiseman stated this is an annual request to spend the money budgeted for water meters. He stated Neptune is the meter that is compatible with our meter reading system.  Mr. Hackworth clarified the ordinance would authorize an amount not to exceed $151,000.  Mr. Wiseman stated that was correct and included the purchase of meters for new builds, both residential and commercial, and for the meter change out program.  Mr. Parker moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. O’Brien seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

(3)        Review and discussion of utility billing.  Mr. Wiseman stated he has been reviewing some changes to our utility billing system, however, he does not have all of the information to bring to the Committee at this time.  He stated he had received some further information today about another system that he needs time to review before making a recommendation.  He stated he hoped to have the information complete by the next meeting. 

 

C.        WASTEWATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE. 

 

            (1)        Sewer back-up issues - Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated Fairfield County has been accepted by the State for personal reimbursement of property loss.  He stated FEMA has indicated it would be in the resident’s best interest for the City not to pay them anything at this time as it could interfere with their ability to get funding from FEMA.  He stated he will be notifying the residents of this and provide them the information from FEMA.  Mr. Wiseman stated he will continue to monitor this issue and help the residents through the process. 

 

D.        STREET MAINTENANCE.  Mr. Wiseman stated they are continuing to pick up limbs, although this is winding down.  Mr. O’Brien stated in the old downtown on the westbound lane of Columbus Street, it is starting to crumble.  He inquired if this was something we could repair, and Mr. Wiseman stated that would need a base repair, and will be included in our evaluation of street repairs we are going to do for the year. 

 

E.         STORM WATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE. 

 

            (1)        Long Road/Bowen Road Stormwater – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated our engineer is working with Mr. Hartman to expand the scope of his engineering study to meet the requirements that the Army Corps of Engineer has asked for.  He stated the Corps has been working with us to ensure we provide them the information that will best put us in a position to receive funding.  Ms Frommer stated Mr. Hartman’s proposal should be ready for the April Service Committee meeting. 

 

F.         TREE COMMISSION.  Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated Arbor Day is April 29th and we will have a ceremony at the arboretum. 

 

6.         ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS

 

A.        WASTEWATER

 

            (1)        Wastewater Plant Expansion (CIP# 02-03-005) – Update. 

 

                        a.         Wastewater Treatment Plant Stress Test Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated he had provided copies of our response to the EPA to the Committee members this evening.   

 

B.         TRANSPORTATION: 

 

            (1)        Courtright Drive. 

 

                        a.         Courtright Drive Extension Project, Phase III  – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated we are still in a negotiation stage on this project.  Mr. Hartmann stated there are some outstanding issues regarding the relocation of the roadway and the developer has not gotten back with him on that.  Ms Frommer stated the street issue will not hold up the developer, and Mr. Schultz stated the developer submitted construction drawings last week and he wants the review process to proceed.  Mr. Schultz stated he will ultimately need plat approval, which requires Planning and Zoning Commission, Service Committee, and Council approval.  Ms Frommer stated she is in the process of arranging a meeting with the developer to deal with these issues.  Mr. Wiseman stated we do have an agreement proposed by the County for them to provide utility service to the area at the pre-annexation cost.  Mr. Wiseman stated that agreement will be coming through Service Committee and Council for approval.  Ms Gilleland stated no decision was required from the Committee this evening, she was just keeping the members aware of what was going on. 

 

            (2)        Diley Road Realignment:

 

                        a.         Diley Road/256 Intersection Improvement Project, Phase II – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated our inspection staff will be looking at the current pavement and show the deviation from the City of Columbus acceptance standards to push to have the entire road ground down and repaved. 

 

                        b.         Diley Road/S.R. 256 Intersection Improvement Project, Phase III – Update.   Mr. Wiseman stated construction is scheduled to start April 18th and we are winding down on the right-of-way acquisition.  We have either rights-of-entry or have come to an agreement on most everyone.  He stated three items are on the agenda which continue our process should we need to go eminent domain, however, he anticipates we will be able to reach an agreement on two of these three pieces of property    

 

(3)        Diley Road Improvements Project:

 

                        a.         MORPC/ODOT Project – Update.  

                                    1.         Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a modification of the original agreement for engineering services with Stilson Consulting Group, LLC, for additional scope of services and funding request.  Mr. Wiseman stated this was for the same reason the change in scope was approved for the R.D. Zande contract.  He stated this would cover the revised alignments that were engineered, anticipated extra engineering costs for right-of-way acquisition, and all of the changes that have been made in the last year.  Ms Frommer stated there are also additional costs as a result of requirements that ODOT placed on the project that are included in this modification, and also a budget increase based on the tone of right-of-way acquisitions.  Mr. O’Brien moved to approve and forward the ordinance to Council; Mr. Parker seconded the motion.  Mr. O’Brien stated in looking at the Stilson contract from October 24, 2003, the project description states the project is for the improvement of Diley Road from the southern terminus to the S.R. 256/Diley Road intersection improvements, and these improvements will provide a five-lane roadway section with curb, gutter, and sidewalk.  Mr. Hackworth stated the original contract was for $1,614,000 and now we are adding another $236,700 to that.  Ms Gilleland stated as it was pointed out, we may not need this additional money, but it was her desire to get it taken care of to the extent that we can and present the worse case scenario.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. O’Brien, and Mr. Parker voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 3-0. 

 

                                    2.         Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to appropriate a fee simple interest consisting of 0.147 acres, more or less, from Joseph Harr and Ruth A. Riemenschneider, in property located at 790 Diley Road, City of Pickerington, County of Fairfield, State of Ohio, and declaring an emergency.  Mr. Wiseman stated we need a very small piece or we may be able to avoid them altogether with the Phase II project and pick them up with the widening project.  Mr. Hartmann stated the property owners have been out of town for 30 days and they are aware of this legislation. 

 

                                    3.         Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to appropriate a fee simple interest consisting of 0.482 acres, more or less, from Giacomo Giorgi, in property located at 840 Diley Road, City of Pickerington, County of Fairfield, State of Ohio, and declaring an emergency.  Mr. Wiseman stated the Giorgi’s have been on vacation and are very willing to negotiate with us.  Mr. Hartmann stated he does have a meeting scheduled with them next week.  Mr. Hartmann stated the property owners are aware of this legislation and that it is being put on the agenda because of the timing issue and they completely understand that. 

 

                                    4.         Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance to appropriate a fee simple interest consisting of 1.478 acres, more or less, from Francis Partlow and Evelyn L. Partlow, in property located at 860 Diley Road, City of Pickerington, County of Fairfield, State of Ohio, and declaring an emergency.  Mr. Hartmann stated he has had extended conversations with the property owner’s attorney and they are working through some issues that he has raised. 

 

Mr. Hartmann stated he would request an Executive Session at Council to discuss this issue and he can answer any questions at that time.  Mr. Hartmann stated we must have the right-of-way cleared so we don’t incur any possible late charges with KoKosing by April 15th.  He stated in order to do that, he has written these with emergency language.  He stated in the meantime, we may be able to settle these and not need to move forward with this legislation.  Mr. Hartmann stated to summarize, we need to have these in place just for the timing issue.  Mr. Parker stated if we have more time to work these issues out, he would prefer to wait and schedule a special meeting if necessary to move them out.  Mr. Parker stated he did not want to offend any of these property owners by starting the eminent domain.  Mr. Hartmann stated the Giorgi’s are completely aware that we are going through this process, and they understand it is a timing issue since they are out of town.  He stated the Harr’s are also out of town and he has not have conversations with them.  He further stated the Partlow’s are very aware of what is going on and he has spoken with their attorney.  Mr. Hartmann stated he would like to have these moved to Council in case we cannot pass them by emergency in one meeting.  Mr. O’Brien clarified that if the legislation did not pass as an emergency, there would still be the 30-day waiting period before it is effective.  Mr. Parker stated he would vote to forward the Partlow ordinance to Council, but he felt the other two would be resolved and the legislation would not be necessary. 

 

Mr. Hackworth moved to approve and forward the draft ordinance to appropriate a fee simple interest consisting of 0.147 acres, more or less, from Joseph Harr and Ruth A. Riemenschneider, in property located at 790 Diley Road, City of Pickerington, County of Fairfield, State of Ohio, and declaring an emergency; Mr. O’Brien seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker abstaining and Mr. Hackworth and Mr. O’Brien voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

Mr. Hackworth moved to approve and forward the draft ordinance to appropriate a fee simple interest consisting of 0.482 acres, more or less, from Giacomo Giorgi, in property located at 840 Diley Road, City of Pickerington, County of Fairfield, State of Ohio, and declaring an emergency; Mr. O’Brien seconded the motion.  Roll call was taken with Mr. Parker abstaining, and Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.”  Motion passed, 2-0. 

 

Mr. Hackworth moved to approve and forward the draft ordinance to appropriate a fee simple interest consisting of 1.478 acres, more or less, from Francis Partlow and Evelyn L. Partlow, in property located at 860 Diley Road, City of Pickerington, County of Fairfield, State of Ohio, and declaring an emergency; 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. 

 

Mr. Wiseman stated with regard to the Diley Road project, staff was requesting a recommendation from Service Committee to Council on the noise wall they preferred as the side facing the roadway.  Ms Frommer stated Council did have a work session on this issue and they were provided with the various options that were available.  Ms Frommer stated from the staff level the top three options were the dry stacked rock, the brick, and the stone.  Ms Gilleland stated once the stone is selected, staff will be able to match the color to the other brickwork up and down Diley and in various other sections of the City.  Mr. Parker stated he felt the brick looked nice, it was just that he felt it would look old very quickly.  Mr. Hackworth stated he liked the stone, but he would like to have all three options go to Council for a final determination.  Ms Frommer stated a date for a public meeting must be set and Ms Gilleland stated staff would be working through all the details and would set a date for the public meeting. 

 

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

 

                        a.         Pickerington Health Care Access Road – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated our attorney is working with the attorney representing the owners of the property.  He stated he hoped some type of resolution could be reached on this issue.      

 

            (5)        I-70/S.R. 256 Joint Improvements Project with Reynoldsburg and ODOT – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated ODOT is waiting for the arm to put the signs up and the proper weather to do the stripping.  He stated they would like to do all the work at the same time.  Ms Gilleland stated ODOT has indicated they will try and give us the schedule as soon as possible.   

 

            (6)        Traffic Signal Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated these projects will happen when the funding is available. 

 

            (7)        Traffic Improvement Plan (TIP) – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated this was discussed earlier in the meeting. 

 

C.        WATER: 

 

            (1)        Wellfield Investigation – Update.  Mr. Wiseman stated this dealt with the issue of if our wells had any impact on Pickerington Ponds, and that investigation is just getting underway. 

 

Mr. Wiseman stated he and Mr. Schultz have been working with the County on the GIS program.  He stated the County laid the groundwork for the program, and it is now where the City wants to expand the program and add things specific to us.  He continued it would be much less expensive for us to pay the County to do the work than to hire a consultant to do it.  He stated they were discussing having a joint meeting to set standards and set up a program for a county-wide system. 

 

D.        STORMWATER.  No Report. 

 

7.         CHAIRMAN.    Mr. Hackworth stated he had nothing to bring forward. 

 

8.         OTHER BUSINESS.  No other business was brought forward. 

 

9.         ADJOURNMENT.  There being nothing further, Mr. O’Brien 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 9:10 P.M., March 10, 2005.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk