Agenda

Worthington City Council met remotely in Regular Session on Monday, February 1, 2021, via Microsoft Teams videoconference. President Michael called the meeting to order at or about 7:30 p.m.

Members Present: Peter Bucher, Rachael Dorothy, Beth Kowalczyk, Scott Myers, David Robinson, Doug Smith and Bonnie Michael

Member(s) Absent: None

Also Present: City Manager Matt Greeson, Assistant City Manager Robyn Stewart, Assistant City Manager Economic Development Director David McCorkle, Law Director Tom Lindsey, Director of Finance Scott Bartter, Director of Service & Engineering Dan Whited, Director of Planning & Building Lee Brown, Director of Parks & Recreation Darren Hurley, IT Director Gene Oliver, Chief of Police Robert Ware, Chief of Fire & EMS Mark Zambito, Clerk of Council D. Kay Thress

President Michael invited all to stand and join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

There were no visitor comments.

MOTION: Mr. Smith moved, seconded by Mr. Myers a motion to insert in Section 1. an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Forty-Six Thousand Five Hundred dollars ($246,500) and in Section 2. the firm of Mark Haynes Construction.

The motion passed unanimously by a voice vote

Mr. Greeson described how this project has been in the works for quite a while, and retrofitting the Huntley Bowl is a component of our stormwater strategy in that waterway.

Mr. Whited explained how there was a study completed identifying how to address some of the down stream concerns. We are planning to retrofit the Huntley Bowl by doing some grading and reconfiguration of the inlet and outlet structures to allow for a different flow, lessening the erosivity and increasing the ability for the channel to stabilize itself. This is a relatively simple project with a lot of earthwork involved. There is an alternate within the project allowing us to use a hoist to access the structure, which is a safety issue added to the project. There is also 10% included for construction contingencies. We hope to start this project within six weeks, and the project should take around two months. Consistent with this, we are hoping at the next meeting to get permission to bid an additional project on Rush Run to do some bank stabilization downstream along McCoy Avenue.

Ms. Dorothy mentioned how Huntley Bowl was always meant to be a retention basin, but it has never really functioned that way. She asked if we will have any additional signage put in place, because if we do have water in there for a time period, people may be concerned. Mr. Whited replied that it will have an effect on our recreational use of that area. It will have more frequent water in it, and it may be a good idea to put some signage up in the event that occurs. Ms. Dorothy stated that our hope with this is stream stabilization, but she wanted to confirm that we are anticipating that the plans will also include plants to stabilize the bank and wondered if we will be planting anything. Mr. Whited explained that the approach is to take the flow rates back to what they would be naturally and redistribute some of the sediment so natural vegetation will reestablish, which will be much more stable than what has been occurring out there.

Mr. Robinson asked about the awarding of bids, stating that this was the low bidder for the project. He wondered if the City is always going to select the low bidder, and what other factors are taken into account when deciding who to hire for certain projects. Mr. Whited replied that we select what is called the "lowest and best" bidder, we check references on these contractors to make sure they have an appropriate reputation and are able to complete the work. Mr. Robinson asked for confirmation that we have the ability to pay more for a better product. Mr. Whited responded that has been known to happen, it is difficult but possible.

Mr. Robinson brought up that the phrasing here was to appropriate from the CIP unappropriated balance, and asked for clarity about appropriated and unappropriated balances, and the distinction between this and the General Fund. Mr. Bartter replied that is a common term we use to make funds available for a certain purpose that are currently in the fund balance. For example, Council appropriated funds for SwimInc at the last meeting, which were unappropriated, and we made them available in an appropriation from the General Fund unencumbered balance to pay them. Mr. Robinson asked when we use that phrasing, whether we can assume it has been budgeted for this general usage and if there is a distinction when something pops up that might not have been budgeted for. Mr. Greeson described how in the CIP it is planned, but not appropriated. The only thing appropriated out of the CIP as part of the budget process is equipment and projects that are under the bid threshold. Projects like this are planned in the CIP, but the funds are not appropriated until we go through this process we are going through now. Mr. Robinson recalls the bid threshold is $50,000. Mr. Greeson confirmed that is correct.

There being no additional comments, the clerk called the roll of Ordinance No. 04-2021 (As Amended). The motion carried by the following vote:

Vote Results: Ayes: 7 / Nays: 0

MOTION: Ms. Dorothy moved, seconded by Mr. Robinson a motion to insert in Section 1. an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Thirty-Two Thousand Dollars ($232,000) and in Section 2. the firm of Setterlin Construction.

The motion carried unanimously by a voice vote.

Mr. Greeson described how the windows and doors at the Municipal Building and Griswold Center need replacing, as they are original to the buildings. These replacements were planned within the five-year Capital Improvement Program and Council approved the solicitation of bids. Now we are asking for the appropriation of funds as planned within the budget that was allocated.

Mr. Whited explained how this projects was started in 2019 when the buildings were evaluated to see what would need to be done to mitigate the doors and windows that are in bad shape. This will also help with energy efficiency. The project consists of 34 windows and at least two doors. This project is estimated to begin within two months, and would be completed in a similar timeframe. He is not certain of the lifecycle, but he would estimate that it would be longer than the current materials. The project bids came in much lower than estimated, and we are pleased to have a good contractor at a good price.

Ms. Dorothy asked if we have data about the before and after of how our buildings are doing after these energy efficiency projects. Mr. Whited replied that we do have some data provided by ABM on the performance at the Community Center, indicating that the improvements are close to what ABM predicted. When asked by Ms. Dorothy if we have definitely seen energy usage go down, Mr. Whited confirmed that was correct. Ms. Dorothy asked if we anticipate energy usage go down after the replacement of all these windows and doors. Mr. Whited stated that was correct.

There being no additional comments, the clerk called the roll of Ordinance No. 05-2021 (As Amended). The motion carried by the following vote:

Vote Results: Ayes: 7 / Nays: 0

Mr. Greeson explained that this ordinance needs to be tabled due to the lack of bids.

Mr. Hurley described how staff knew it would be a challenge to get bids, this is a very "mom and pop" venture to resurface swimming pools, with few firms that do this type of work. We have some time to complete this, so staff will keep Council posted and are confident we will find a way to get this done.

MOTION: Mr. Bucher moved, seconded by Ms. Kowalczyk to table this ordinance for lack of bidders.

The motion to table Ordinance No. 06-2021 passed unanimously by a voice vote.

Resolution No. 04-2021 was introduced by Mr. Smith.

MOTION: Mr. Myers moved, seconded by Ms. Dorothy to adopt Resolution No. 04-2021

Mr. Greeson stated that last year we began a process of designing a potential Corporate Hill Drive extension. There were some services including right-of-way acquisition that we did not move forward with the initial scope. At this point we need those services and this is appropriating $20,000 in funds that are in the Heights TIF. Those funds have to be used in that specific area, such as this type of public infrastructure improvement.

There being no additional comments, the motion to adopt Resolution No. 04-2021 passed unanimously by a voice vote.

Resolution No. 05-2021 was introduced by Mr. Robinson.

MOTION: Mr. Bucher moved, seconded by Ms. Kowalczyk to adopt Resolution No. 05-2021

Chief Zambito explained that this amendment covers several parcels along Riverside Drive that were actually City of Columbus. They had been de-annexed and Upper Arlington Fire is much closer, and it makes sense for them to provide protection. Part of this amendment will give 100% of the collected monies to the City of Upper Arlington and will allow Mr. Greeson to sign this amendment.

Mr. Myers asked how many parcels we are talking about. Chief Zambito replied that he believes it is four parcels. Mr. Greeson described how the rest of the contract describes that Upper Arlington provides services to Perry, but we just divide 81/19. We want to treat these parcels a little differently than the rest of the contract.

There being no additional comments, the motion to adopt Resolution No. 05-2021 passed unanimously by a voice vote.

Ms. Dorothy described how there is a WIFA book club coming up. The cemetery is still going slowly on updating the Flint Road office and that is still being bid out.

Ms. Kowalczyk extended an invitation to the Reframing Aging presentation she is providing to the CRC, staff, and other board and commission members. She has had the privilege of being trained by the Gerontological Society of America on this initiative which is about how to communicate aging and promoting positive aging. This came out of discussions that the CRC were having and also we have begun work with the Age Friendly Worthington initiative, which has been meeting about every two weeks. She is very excited and hopes to see everyone there on February 23rd. The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging has been fielding questions about helping people sign up for vaccinations and identifying transportation. If anyone reaches out with questions they can be referred to the COAAA.

Mr. Greeson mentioned that he was asked to serve on the school facilities task force meeting. They had their first meeting last week and will have one almost every month over the course of the next year. He will share the PowerPoint with Council along with a memo discussing what they were talking about.

MOTION: Mr. Smith moved, Mr. Myers seconded a motion to go into Executive Session to consider the appointment of a public employee or official.

The clerk called the roll on Executive Session.

Vote Results: Ayes: 7 / Nays: 0

Council recessed at 8:21pm from the Regular meeting session.

MOTION: Ms. Dorothy moved, Ms. Kowalczyk seconded a motion to return to open session at 8:40 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote:

Vote Results: Ayes: 7 / Nays: 0

MOTION: Mr. Bucher moved, Ms. Kowalczyk seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously by a voice vote.

President Michael declared the meeting adjourned at 8:41.