[00:00:06]
GOOD EVENING. WELCOME TO THE GROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING. IF AT ANY TIME THIS EVENING YOU WISH TO ADDRESS THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND SIGN THE SPEAKERS LIST FOUND HERE AT THE LECTERN. WE DO KEEP DECORUM. CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? I FEEL LIKE I'M SCREAMING BECAUSE I CAN'T HEAR IT BACKWARDS. WE DO KEEP GOOD DECORUM. EVERYBODY HAS THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. WE HAVE THIS FANCY LITTLE MACHINE RIGHT HERE THAT WILL HELP YOU. PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES SO THAT WE CAN HEAR FROM EVERYBODY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SIGN IN. OKAY.
LET'S. WE SHOULDN'T BE OUT HERE NOW. THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T GET A WATER. SHOULDN'T.
HAVE TO. OCEAN GROVE CITY COUNCIL IS NOW IN SESSION. PLEASE STAND AND JOIN ME FOR A
[Call to Order]
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. MAY I HAVE MISS KELLY CALL THE ROLL? BURROWS.HERE. ANDERSON. HERE. WILSON. HERE. HERE. HOLT. HERE. HERE. HERE. ALL RIGHT. AND I WOULD
[Approval of Minutes]
LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF OUR LAST MEETING AND APPROVE THEM AS WRITTEN. THAT IS OUR MAY 5TH, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING. SECOND, MISS BURROWS.YES. ANDERSON. YES. WILSON. YES. YES YES YES, YES. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. WELCOME, EVERYONE, ON
[Welcome & Reading of Agenda]
THIS BEAUTIFUL EVENING. WHAT A GOOD CROWD. AND IT IS SO NICE OUTSIDE THAT WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO MAKE THIS AS EFFICIENT AS WE POSSIBLY CAN THIS EVENING, AND, BUT ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT[Presentation Forge Biologic Recognition; Meredith Wickham - Library Report ]
WE CAN DO AT THE BEGINNING OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING, I THINK, TO ALL OF US, IS KICK OFF WITH A PRESENTATION, AND WE HAVE TWO ON THE AGENDA FOR THIS EVENING. MAYOR STAGE, ARE YOU GOING TO LEAD US OFF? I BELIEVE MR. SAFETY DIRECTOR IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE FIRST ONE. VERY GOOD, MR. TEDFORD. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. MEMBERS OF COUNCIL AND MAYOR STAGE, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO A QUICK PRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF BUILDING SAFETY MONTH. LAST YEAR, WE STARTED IN COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL HAS STARTED RECOGNIZING THOSE INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT CONTRIBUTED MOST TO BUILDING SAFETY. AND THIS YEAR, THIS YEAR'S RECOGNITION IS FORGED BY LOGIC FORGE TO DEVELOP A SOUND SAFETY CULTURE. AND THEY ARE COMMITTED TO EMPLOYEE AND LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT AND SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAMS IN THE BIOPHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY. FORGES MAINTAINED AN EXCELLENT TRACK RECORD IN BUILDING SAFETY AND FROM SPEAKING TO OUR STAFF AND MIKE BOZO'S OFFICE, THEY ARE INCREDIBLE TO WORK WITH. FROM THEIR SAFETY PLANNING IN THE FOREFRONT TO THEIR PLANS, THEIR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION PLANS, AND TAKING OUR ADVICE AND CONSULTATION ON DURING INSPECTION. IT'S JUST BEEN A GREAT RELATIONSHIP. AND SO HERE TONIGHT TO ACCEPT THE 2025 BUILDING SAFETY MONTH AWARD ON BEHALF OF FORGE BIOLOGIC IS DOROTHY KLINGER, THE SENIOR COORDINATOR. AS I CALL YOUR NAME. WE JUST WANT YOU TO COME ON UP. DOROTHY IS ALSO A MEMBER OF OUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY SAFETY COUNCIL, AND IN JULY, SHE WILL BECOME THE VICE CHAIR OF THAT COUNCIL. AS WE WORK THROUGH THAT PUBLIC PRIVATE COOPERATION, KEVIN IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF FACILITIES AND ENGINEERING. KEVIN, THANK YOU. RON SHANTONG, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATION. RON, THANK YOU. AND I THINK JOHN IS HERE. JOHN MCKINSEY IS HERE SOMEWHERE AND[00:05:06]
JOHN'S IN MARKETING. HE'S TAKING THE PICTURES. THANKS, JOHN, FOR TAKING TAKING CARE OF US. MAYOR STAGE HAD A COUPLE OF COMMENTS TO MAKE AND WE'LL AWARD THE PRESENTATION. WELL, FIRST, JUST AS A CORPORATE CITIZEN, YOU'VE BEEN INCREDIBLE. NOW, I'M NOT WEARING THIS MASK BECAUSE I GO INTO YOUR CLEAN ROOM. BUT I HAD COVID EARLIER THIS, WELL, MONDAY OF LAST WEEK AND BUT AND YOU.BUT WHEN FORGE CAME INTO TOWN, IT WAS JUST JUST HAVING THAT KIND OF A TALENT AND THAT BASE WHEN YOU HAVE SCIENTISTS ROLE I, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, GOT YOU GOT SOMEONE'S ATTENTION. BUT IN THIS CASE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THAT THEY'VE ADDED AND THE PROFESSIONALISM IN HOW THEY'VE STEPPED INTO THE INTO THE NEXT WAVES OF THEIR PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT AND SO FORTH IS NOTHING BUT A COMPLIMENT TO US. AND IT'S CERTAINLY A COMPLIMENT TO THE BUSINESS INDUSTRY THAT THAT YOU REALLY HAVE FULFILLED EVERYTHING YOU SAID. AND THE GOOD PART ABOUT IT IS I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE GOING TO DO MORE EXPANSION WITH SOME ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES. SO MY HAT'S OFF. LOVE THE SAFETY PART, BUT ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR THAT ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU MAYOR. IF ANYONE'S EVER HAD A CHANCE TO GO SEE THE TOUR, WHAT'S INCREDIBLE IS THIS HOW THEY TAKE CARE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AND ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET. IT'S NO WONDER THEY WERE VOTED THE BEST PLACE TO WORK. AND THANKS FOR BEING PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE TWO MORE PEOPLE. MIKE BOZZO, OUR CHIEF BUILDING INSPECTOR, AND ALSO JEFF CAHILL. JEFF, WHY DON'T YOU GUYS, YOU AND MIKE COME UP AND WE'LL TAKE A QUICK PICTURE WITH THE PRESENTATION OF THE AWARD. MIKE, BEHIND YOU RIGHT THERE EVERYBODY. SO ONE. GREAT. ONE MORE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND CONGRATULATIONS TO FORGE. I YOU KNOW, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO A TOUR AND BUT I KIND OF ECHO THE MAYOR'S SENTIMENT, BUILDING ON THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT SAFETY. ENJOYED SO MUCH TALKING TO YOUR STAFF AND HOW POSITIVELY THEY TALKED ABOUT THE CULTURE AND HOW THE SURROUNDING BUSINESSES THAT ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS HAVE REALLY COMMENTED ABOUT HOW MUCH VALUE YOU PLACE ON COMMUNITY. AND SO OBVIOUSLY, THE INVESTMENT, THE PART OF THAT YOU PLAY IN OUR LOCAL ECONOMY THAT THE MAYOR ADDRESSED WITH YOUR BUSINESS AND YOUR PRESENCE HERE. FANTASTIC. BUT MORE SO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY. I THINK THAT THE VALUE AND THAT IS SELF-EVIDENT. SO THANKS SO MUCH. SECOND, ON OUR AGENDA THIS EVENING IS A PRESENTATION FROM MEREDITH WICKHAM FROM SOUTHWEST PUBLIC LIBRARIES. MEREDITH, IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME FORWARD, I WOULD AND IF IT'S OKAY, I CALLED AHEAD OF TIME. CAN I BRING MY FISCAL OFFICER UP WITH ME AS WELL? I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF YOU DIDN'T. OKAY, YOU GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE INTRODUCTION.
FANTASTIC. YES. THIS IS DEBBIE BLAIR, OUR FISCAL OFFICER. THERE ARE A LOT OF FISCAL IMPACTS OF THE QUESTION IN FRONT OF US, SO I BROUGHT HER WITH ME. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. SO WE'RE GOING TO BE ADDRESSING TONIGHT THE IMPACT OF OHIO BILL HOUSE BILL 96. IT IS NOT LAW YET. WE HAVE A WAYS TO GO. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE HAVE UNTIL JUNE 2ND BEFORE WE SEE WHICH WAY THE SENATE BILL IS, IS GOING. AND OF COURSE, WE'LL BE ADDRESSING SOME OF THE THINGS IN THE BILL THAT WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT, SPECIFICALLY WITH RELATION TO THE GROVE CITY LIBRARY. FIRST, BEFORE WE MOVE ON ON THE SLIDES, I DO ALSO WANT TO SAY A HUGE THANK YOU TO THIS COMMUNITY AS REPRESENTED IN THIS ROOM. WE HAVE INCREDIBLE SUPPORT FROM THIS COUNCIL AND FROM THE MAYOR AND THE CITY AS A WHOLE. AND WE ARE SO, SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE ENJOYED THAT ALL THESE YEARS AND ESPECIALLY NOW WHEN IT'S KIND OF CHALLENGING. IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGING SEASON. AND JUST TO KNOW YOU'RE IN OUR CORNER HAS BEEN VERY MOVING AND VERY, VERY INSPIRING AND MOTIVATING FOR US.
SO THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. IF YOU WANT TO MOVE TO THE NEXT SLIDE. OHIO HOUSE BILL 96 PROPOSES MAJOR CHANGING CHANGES TO OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY FUNDING STRUCTURE, WHICH HAS REMAINED
[00:10:05]
PRETTY CONSTANT FOR ALMOST 100 YEARS NOW AND WILL AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS IF IT GOES INTO EFFECT. AS WRITTEN, OUR LIBRARY, AS YOU KNOW, IS ALREADY FACING A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL SHORTFALL THANKS TO THE 2023 BUDGET THAT WAS PASSED BY THE STATE. AND THIS PRESENTATION WILL OUTLINE THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS, BUT ALSO WHAT WE'D ASK OF YOU. AND IF YOU WANT TO. OKAY, PERFECT. HOUSE BILL 96 PROPOSES MAINTAINING OUR FUNDING FOR 2026 AND 2027 AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME LEVEL WE RECEIVED IN 2024, WHICH WAS THE LOWEST IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. THIS MEANS THAT OUR STATE FUNDING IS STUCK AT THE SAME LEVEL WE RECEIVED IN THE YEAR 2000, EVEN THOUGH COSTS HAVE RISEN DRAMATICALLY. YEAH, SO ONE OF OUR MAIN CONCERNS ABOUT HOUSE BILL 96 IS THAT IT CHANGES THE STRUCTURE OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY FUND FROM A PERCENTAGE OF THE GENERAL REVENUE FUND TO A LINE ITEM ALLOCATION LINE. ITEM FUNDING IS HISTORICALLY UNSTABLE. IT CAN BE CUT ANY YEAR. THIS WOULD PUT US IN A POSITION TO BE FIGHTING FOR WHAT IS EXISTENTIAL FUNDING FOR US, SINCE IT IS ALMOST 62% OF OUR FUNDING. EVERY SINGLE TIME THAT THE BUDGET COMES UP FOR CONSIDERATION EVERY TWO YEARS, REPRESENTATIVE JACK DANIELS SPOKE VERY EXPLICITLY IN SUPPORT OF THIS SHIFT, AND SAID IT WAS LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR LIBRARY CONSOLIDATION. ALL LIBRARIES IN THE COUNTY UNDER ONE SYSTEM IS THE VIEW THERE IN AN OPEN HOUSE SESSION ON APRIL 9TH. SO WE KNOW THIS IS THE CONSIDERATION THAT'S GOING ON IS CONSOLIDATING ALL LIBRARY SYSTEMS WITHIN A COUNTY. OF COURSE, AS YOU KNOW, YOUR COUNTY CURRENTLY HAS SEVEN LIBRARY SYSTEMS, OF WHICH WE ARE ONE. AFTER 20 2024, STATE INCOME TAX CUTS REDUCED THE GENERAL REVENUE FUND. LESS MONEY FLOWED INTO THE PUBLIC LIBRARY FUND IN RESPONSE. WE'VE ALREADY HAD TO MAKE TOUGH CHOICES. WE REDUCED OUR OPERATING HOURS BY ABOUT 30%. WE ELIMINATED STAFF POSITIONS BY ABOUT THE SAME PERCENTAGE. WE SCALED BACK SOME OF OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THESE DIFFICULT CUTS ARE NECESSARY TO STAY SOLVENT, AND ADDITIONAL UNFUNDED MANDATES WILL ONLY WORSEN THAT SITUATION. IS THIS YOU? INFLATION HAS INCREASED OPERATING COSTS SINCE 2000.SALARIES, UTILITIES, MATERIALS, TECHNOLOGY, EVERYTHING COSTS MORE TODAY. AT THE SAME TIME, OUR COMMUNITY HAS GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY, INCREASING DEMAND FOR LIBRARY SERVICES. DESPITE THESE PRESSURES, OUR FUNDING HAS NOT KEPT PACE, PUTTING ENORMOUS STRAIN ON OUR ABILITY TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS. AND THIS IS JUST A VISUAL TO DEMONSTRATE THE CHANGES OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS.
IMPACTING OUR LIBRARY SERVICES. WE SEE POTENTIAL REDUCTIONS IN EARLY LITERACY AND YOUTH PROGRAMS, WHICH IS A FORMER CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN. IF ANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD ME SPEAK BEFORE, YOU KNOW IT'S VERY, VERY CONCERNING TO ME WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT, BECAUSE THAT HAS GENERATION WIDE EFFECTS, RIGHT? IF YOU CONTINUE DOING THAT FOR LONG, TECHNOLOGY AND DIGITAL ACCESS, ADULT EDUCATION, JOB SEEKING SUPPORT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND THEN FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN HOURS AND STAFF, THERE JUST ISN'T A LOT OF SPARE FAT IN THE BUDGET ANYMORE.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO START TAKING FROM, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIAL SERVICES, AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT. SO ALSO IN HB 96, AND I WILL NOT GET INTO THIS IN DETAIL TODAY BECAUSE IT IS VERY COMPLEX. IT RESTRICTS MINORS VISUAL ACCESS. SO BEING ABLE TO EVEN SEE THAT THE BOOK IS IN THE BUILDING TO MATERIALS THAT HAVE ANY THAT RELATE TO. SO A VERY BROAD MANDATE ON GENDER IDENTITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND ANOTHER WORD WHICH REMAINS UNDEFINED. AND IT REQUIRES LABELING, SEGREGATION AND MONITORING OF THESE MATERIALS, THREATENING INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM AND PATRON PRIVACY. AND THE COST IS SUBSTANTIAL. I'LL LET DEBBIE ADDRESS THAT. HOUSE BILL 96 DOES MORE THAN PROPOSE RESTRICTIONS. IT CREATES A HEAVY FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES WITHOUT OFFERING ANY FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THOSE CHANGES TO COMPLY WITH THE BILL CENSORSHIP
[00:15:03]
REQUIREMENTS, WE WOULD FACE SEVERAL CHALLENGES. FIRST, WE WOULD NEED TO ADD STAFF AT OUR ENTRANCES AND NEAR RESTRICTED AREAS TO MONITOR THE AGE OF PATRONS AND ENFORCE ACCESS CONTROLS. IF POSITIONS WERE ADDED, IT WOULD COST US 150,000 PER YEAR IN WAGES AND BENEFITS.SECOND, THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE US TO REVIEW EVERY BOOK AND MATERIAL IN OUR COLLECTION TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT'S REFERENCED GENDER IDENTITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND THEREFORE MUST BE RESTRICTED. THIS WOULD COST US APPROXIMATELY 300,000 ANNUALLY, AND SALARIES AND BENEFITS. FINALLY, THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE US TO REMODEL PARTS OF OUR FACILITY TO PHYSICALLY SEPARATE AND RESTRICT ACCESS TO THOSE MATERIALS. THIS ONE TIME INFRASTRUCTURE COST IS ESTIMATED AT $100,000 PER LOCATION IN TOTAL. THAT'S AN UNFUNDED ANNUAL BURDEN OF 450,001 TIME INVESTMENT OF 200,000. SO OUR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT JUST A HIGH LEVEL REVIEW, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'LL HAVE TO GET TO YOUR BUSINESS TODAY, IS THAT WE SUPPORT AS LIBRARIES, JOB SEEKERS, SMALL BUSINESSES, WORKFORCE READINESS. WE'RE DOING THIS EVERY DAY. YOU KNOW THAT WE'RE OPEN. WE'RE SEEING PEOPLE COME IN ALL THE TIME THAT NEED ASSISTANCE WITH THESE THINGS AND WEAKENING OUR CAPACITY TO DO THAT WEAKENS OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. NOT EVEN GETTING INTO EARLY LITERACY, MAKING LIFELONG READERS AND LEARNERS, AND HELPING KIDS SUCCEED IN SCHOOL. WE ALSO OFFER MEETING ROOM SPACE FOR CIVIC GROUPS, ENTREPRENEURS, COMMUNITY EVENTS. WE'RE DOING A LOT THAT I THINK YOU WOULD UNFORTUNATELY LOSE OUT ON IF SOME OF THESE THINGS HAD TO BE IMPLEMENTED, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT SUPPORT. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THESE MANDATES. LET ME OUR CALL TO ACTION IS IF YOU SPEAK TO SENATORS OR SENATORS THAT ARE DECIDING ON THE BILL THAT WILL GO FORWARD FROM THE SENATE, WE ASK THAT THEY ADD, WE ADVOCATE FOR RESTORING THE PUBLIC LIBRARY FUND TO A PERCENTAGE, NOT A LINE ITEM. AND WE ASK FOR THAT TO BE 1.75% OF THE GENERAL REVENUE FUND. IT'S CURRENTLY 1.7%. THE GOVERNOR HAD PUT INTO HIS BILL 1.75. WE THINK THIS MODEST INCREASE IS TOTALLY JUSTIFIED, GIVEN THE FACT THAT OUR FUNDS HAVE NOT KEPT PACE WITH INFLATION AND THE BURDEN IS INCREASINGLY BEING PASSED TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. SO WE'RE ASKING FOR THAT 1.75. WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU OPPOSE SHIFTING LIBRARY FUNDING TO A LINE ITEM WHEN YOU TALK TO THEM, AND THAT YOU REJECT UNFUNDED CENSORSHIP MANDATES AND THEN SUPPORT STRONG LIBRARY SERVICES. WE THINK THAT THE BEST WAY TO ADVOCATE FOR LIBRARY IS TO TELL YOUR LIBRARY STORY, RIGHT. TELL WHAT THE LIBRARY HAS MEANT TO YOU. WE'VE HEARD HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF THESE STORIES OVER THE COURSE OF THIS SEASON. AND IT'S AMAZING.
AND I THINK IT'S REALLY HARD TO PUSH BACK AGAINST THAT ONCE YOU REALIZE WHAT IT MEANS TO A COMMUNITY TO HAVE A STRONG LIBRARY. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO US TONIGHT. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MAYOR STAGE, GO AHEAD. I JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE BACKGROUND. I'VE TALKED TO TWO SENATORS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THIS ITEM PLUS EMINENT DOMAIN, WHICH WE CAN TALK ABOUT LATER. MY RECOMMENDATION, SINCE WE DON'T MEET AGAIN UNTIL JUNE 2ND, IS THAT THE COUNCIL GIVES THE AUTHORIZATION TO ICE MILLER TO FROST BROWN. SORRY TO DEB HAGEDORN TO DRAFT A LETTER THAT WE'RE AS POINTED OUT BY THOSE FOUR POINTS THAT WERE IN OPPOSITION TO THOSE AND GET IT OUT RIGHT AWAY. BUT IT THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION THAT THE COUNCIL DO THAT THE TWO SENATORS I'VE TALKED TO, ONE OF THEM GETS IT. THE OTHER ONE THINKS THAT LIBRARIES SHOULD NOT BE DOING YOGA CLASSES. THEY SHOULD NOT BE DOING COOKING CLASSES AND A WHOLE LINE OF THINGS THAT IS PERCEIVED. I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARILY REALITY. WASTE OF MONEY, BUT IT'S URGENT BECAUSE WE'VE GOT TO GET SOME KEY PEOPLE INVOLVED. CENTRAL HIGH MAYOR MAYOR'S ALLIANCE HAS PUT TOGETHER A LETTER AND I SENT IT OUT TO. BUT IT INCLUDES THREE OTHER ITEMS. OKAY. I WOULD SUPPORT DOING THAT. YES. EVERYONE IN AGREEMENT? YES. YES. SO WE WILL PUT TOGETHER A LETTER AND MAKE SURE THAT IT GETS OUT THERE WITH US. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT'S AMAZING. IF YOU NEED ME FOR ANYTHING, YOU KNOW HOW TO REACH ME. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE YOUR TAG TEAM OPERATION THERE. YEAH, I, I THIS LIBRARY CONVERSATION IS ONE. GO
[00:20:03]
AHEAD. I WANT TO ALSO MAKE A POINT THAT, YOU KNOW, BEING A HAVING DONE BUDGETS AT THE STATE LEVEL FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS WHEN I WORKED THERE. YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING THAT THE GOVERNOR, OUR GOVERNOR, PUT IN THE REQUEST HE DID WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET WAS, WHAT, THREE, I FORGET HOW MANY PAGES COMPARED TO THE HOUSE VERSION 600, 600 PAGE DIFFERENCE. ALL RIGHT. AS THEY TRIED TO LEGISLATE HIS WAS 600 PAGES. THE HOUSE VERSION IS 5000 PLUS. OH, WELL, THERE YOU GO. THERE'S QUITE A DIFFERENCE. SO IN THE PROCESS OF LEGISLATING SOMEBODY MORALITY, WHATEVER THEY WANT TO CALL IT, I MEAN I MEAN I LOOK AT THE LIBRARIES, I, I LIVED IN THE LIBRARY WHEN I WAS A KID, SO I NEVER REMEMBER THERE BEING A PROBLEM WITH WHAT WAS IN THE LIBRARY. YOU KNOW, MY MOM, EVERY TIME I WOULD COME HOME, SHE'D LOOK AT MY BOOKS. WE'D TALK ABOUT THE BOOKS THAT I, THAT I SELECTED. WE'D HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? AND THAT'S HOW THAT'S HOW WE DID THINGS IN OUR HOUSE. WE LET THE PARENT, YOU KNOW, BACK IN THE DAY, WE LET THE PARENT HELP THE CHILD UNDERSTAND. BUT MY MOM WAS NOT AFRAID OF ANY SUBJECT AT ALL. I MEAN, MATTER OF FACT, SHE REALLY APPRECIATED AT 91, THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW HER, SHE LOVES CONVERSATIONS LIKE THAT. SHE LOVES PEOPLE THAT BRING CONVERSATIONS AND TOPICS AND TALK ABOUT THEM. AND THAT'S HOW WE GREW UP. AND, YOU KNOW, TO CENSOR STUFF IN A LIBRARY IS JUST RIDICULOUS. I MEAN, PARENTING NEEDS TO HAPPEN. SO UNLESS YOU'RE YOU NEED TO BE YOU NEED YOU NEED TO BE OUT THERE WITH YOUR CHILD UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY'RE READING, HELP THEM WITH IT, LET THEM UNDERSTAND IT AND EVERYTHING. SO THIS WHOLE THING WITH CENSORSHIP AT ALL BOTHERS ME GREATLY. BUT, YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS LOOKED AT THE LIBRARIES AS THE GREAT EQUALIZER. YOU KNOW, WHETHER YOU WERE AT THE HAVE OR THE HAVE NOTS, IT DIDN'T MATTER. I COULD GET A CLASS IN, IN IN YOGA, I DON'T KNOW, WE DON'T OFFER THAT.BUT I COULD GET A CLASS IN COOKING. I COULD, YOU KNOW, IT'S THE THINGS THAT WE ALL THINK ARE COMMON THAT WE LEARN AT HOME. NOT EVERY KID GETS GETS EXPOSED TO THAT. AND SO I ALWAYS LOOKED AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY LIKE, PUBLIC EDUCATION IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? IT BASICALLY ENABLES, YOU KNOW, CITIZENS TO HAVE THE SAME RESOURCES AS SOMEBODY ELSE OR ATTEMPT TO I MEAN, THERE'S OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTRY THAT ARE MUCH MORE AFFLUENT, BUT I JUST THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'RE DOING WITH AS LESS AS I KNOW, YOU GUYS ARE REALLY WORKING HARD, CUTTING HOURS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. AND, AND I, YOU KNOW, YOUR STORY'S A GOOD STORY, AND WE JUST NEED TO KEEP HARPING. WELL, I, I WOULD SAY THAT I CONSTANTLY GO TO THIS CONVERSATION OF LIBRARIES ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST THE BOOKS. AND THEY THEY ARE COMMUNITY CENTERS. AND THEY WERE COMMUNITY CENTERS BEFORE WE HAD COMMUNITY CENTERS. THEY ARE BUSINESS INCUBATORS, AND THEY WERE BUSINESS INCUBATORS BEFORE SOMEONE EVER COOKED UP THE IDEA OF A BUSINESS INCUBATOR. AND SO I THINK THAT THERE ARE MANY STORIES IN MANY HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS THIS COMMUNITY ABOUT THE ROLE THAT OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS PLAYED. MY KIDS WERE GOING TO THE ONE ACROSS THE STREET AND THAT'S WHERE THEY BUILT FRIENDSHIPS, AND THAT'S WHERE I BUILT FRIENDSHIPS IN OTHER MOMS THAT HAD CHILDREN THE SAME AGE. LIBRARIES BUILD COMMUNITY AND THE THEIR WORK IN CHILDHOOD LITERACY IS FOUNDATIONAL TO OUR COMMUNITY AND THE GROWTH OF FUTURE LEADERS. AND SO I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT YOU HAVE OUR ADVOCACY. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THAT BRINGS US TO THE CONCLUSION OF OUR PRESENTATIONS FOR THIS EVENING. AND WE WILL MOVE ON AND READ THROUGH OUR AGENDA TONIGHT UNDER LANDS WE HAVE ORDINANCE C, 1825, RESOLUTION CR 1925. UNDER SAFETY, WE HAVE RESOLUTION CR 2025. UNDER FINANCE, WE HAVE ORDINANCE C 1925 AND C 2025. IF THERE ARE NO OBJECTIONS, THIS AGENDA IS APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT AND HEARING NONE, I TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO MISS BARBARA
[Ordinance C-18-25 Approve the Use for an indoor kids play facility for Kidz Dig It LLC located at 3454 Grant Avenue. First reading.]
WITH LANDS. THANK YOU. THE FIRST ITEM UNDER LANDS THIS EVENING IS ORDINANCE C 1825 TO APPROVE THE USE FOR AN INDOOR KIDS PLAY FACILITY FOR KIDS DIG AT LLC, LOCATED AT 3454 GRANT AVENUE.THIS IS A FIRST READING. THE SECOND READING IN PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 2ND. THE
[Resolution CR-19-25 Approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the demolition of nine structures for Broadway Live located on Broadway and Columbus Streets in the Historical Preservation Area.]
NEXT ITEM UNDER LANDS I WILL NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FOR, AND I WILL HAVE MR. WILSON HANDLE THIS ITEM FOR ME. THANK YOU, MRS. BURROWS. I HAVE RESOLUTION KR DASH 19-25 TO APPROVE THE CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS TO DEMOLISH NINE STRUCTURES. NINE STRUCTURES FOR BROADWAY LIVE. WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. MR. TIM KOSKI. IF I BUTCHERED YOUR NAME, I APOLOGIZE. I'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT. I'VE BEEN PRACTICING. YES. YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS,[00:25:01]
PLEASE. TIM KOSKI, I'M THE PROPERTY OWNER AND DEVELOPER. 159 EAST LIVINGSTON, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215. SO I GUESS I WAS JUST GOING TO SPEAK TO KIND OF GIVE SOME CONTEXT BASED ON THE PLANNING. I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO READ THAT THE PREVIOUS APPROVAL OR JUST GIVE YOU EVERYONE CONTEXT. WE PASSED PLANNING WITH RECOMMENDATION OF PLANNING TO PROCEED WITH THE DEMOLITION THAT WE'RE PROPOSING. CURRENTLY, THE PROPERTIES ARE BECOMING PRETTY TOUGH TO MAINTAIN, AND THEY'RE WITHIN OUR TOWN CENTER. SO WE'RE LOOKING TO KIND OF ACCELERATE AND START MOVING FORWARD WITH OUR PLANS TO BRING BROADWAY LIVE, WHICH THIS BODY AND HOPEFULLY THE PUBLIC HAS SEEN. AND IN DOING SO, WE'RE IN THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION AREA. AND SO ONE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION ASKED IS THAT WE WOULD WORK WITH THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PEOPLE. IS IT SOUTHWESTERN? YES, FRANKLIN COUNTY, YES. SO I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THEM. WE WALKED THE BUILDING TODAY. THERE'S ONE BUILDING IN PARTICULAR, 3306 COLUMBUS STREET, THAT THEY WERE INTERESTED IN SEEING IF THERE WAS ANYTHING SALVAGEABLE BEFORE IT COMES DOWN BECAUSE OF ITS HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE. IN OUR WALK TODAY, WE FOUND TWO COLUMNS AND ONE HAND-HEWN BEAM THAT WE'RE GOING TO WORK TO PRESERVE IN SOME FASHION AND HAND OVER TO THEM THROUGH THE DEMOLITION PROCESS. IF APPROVED, THEY DO NOT CARE WHETHER THEY ARE INTACT OR CUT. THEY JUST WANT THE OPTION TO PRESERVE THOSE ITEMS. AND THEN I THINK THAT WAS THEIR INTEREST. AND THE CITY MAY HAVE OTHER INTERESTS, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO KIND OF HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. SO THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO SAY FOR THE RECORD.THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL? ALL RIGHT. THIS RESOLUTION HAS HAD ITS READING AND PUBLIC HEARING AND I MOVE IT BE APPROVED. SECOND. MISS ANDERSON. YES. MR. WILSON? YES, YES. HOLT. YES, BARRY. YES. DUE. NO. MADAM PRESIDENT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
[Resolution CR-20-25 Continue the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area upon the regulations set forth in Exhibit A.]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND THAT BRINGS US TO SAFETY, MISS ANDERSON. ALL RIGHT. SO TONIGHT WE HAVE RESOLUTION CR 2025. IT IS TO CONTINUE THE DESIGNATED OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT AREA UPON THE REGULATIONS SET FORTH IN EXHIBIT A. SO WE HAVE MADE AMENDMENTS TO THIS OVER THE YEARS. ALL THE MAPS HAVE BEEN CHANGED NOW TO GO ALONG WITH THE AMENDMENTS. AND THIS IS PRETTY MUCH A HOUSEKEEPING WHERE WE HAVE TO BRING THIS BACK FORTH FOR APPROVAL. DOES DOES ANYONE DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC SPEAKERS ON THE. OKAY. THANK YOU. SO NO PUBLIC SPEAKERS. THANK YOU. DOES ANYONE ON COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR THOUGHTS? ANY COMMENTS? I'LL JUST SAY, YOU KNOW, THE CITY HAS DONE SEVERAL INTERVIEWS OF BUSINESSES AND MR. TYPEKIT AND SAFETY HAS CHECKED AND THERE'S BEEN NO INSTANCES OF PROBLEMS OR NON-SUPPORTIVE DORA FROM THE BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN. SO GENERALLY IT'S SEEN AS A POSITIVE THING FOR THE DOWNTOWN AREA, AND WE'LL MOVE IT FORWARD.MOST RECENTLY WE EXPANDED IT TO SUNDAY. SO I THINK THAT WAS THE LAST CHANGE. SO. YEP, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT INFORMATION FORWARD. SO AT THIS POINT, THIS RESOLUTION HAS HAD ITS READING AND PUBLIC HEARING AND I MOVE IT BE APPROVED. SECOND. MR. WILSON, YES, YES, YES, MARY. YES, YOU.
YES. BURROWS. YES. ANDERSON. YES. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, MR. HOLT, WITH FINANCE. THANK YOU,
[Ordinance C-19-25 Amend Chapter 192.021 of the Codified Ordinances titled Imposition of Tax pursuant to Ohio R.C. 5739.09. First reading. ]
MISS ORDINANCE C 1925. AMEND CHAPTER 192 .021 TITLED IMPOSITION OF TAX PURSUANT TO ORC 5739.09. SO THIS IS A FIRST READING. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I WOULD JUST BEFORE WE JUST MOVE ON, JUST SAY THIS IMPROVES AND CHANGES THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU WHO RECEIVE FUNDS. SO THAT'S FIRST READING ORDINANCE C 2025[Ordinance C-20-25 Authorize the City Administrator to enter into an agreement with the Grove City Area Convention and Visitors Bureau dba Visit Grove City. First reading.]
AUTHORIZES CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE VCP. THIS ORDINANCE HAS, AT ITS[00:30:04]
FIRST READING, SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE 6225. AND THAT'S IT FOR ME, MISS HOUK.THANK YOU, MR. HOLT. SO BOTH OF THOSE ORDINANCES UNDER FINANCE WILL HAVE THEIR SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON JUNE THE 2ND. WE WILL TALK ABOUT THOSE FURTHER AT THAT TIME. AND THAT BRINGS US TO THE CONCLUSION OF OUR BUSINESS AGENDA THIS EVENING. IF THERE IS ANY NEW
[Call for New Business ]
BUSINESS TO BE BROUGHT TO COUNCIL'S AT THIS EVENING, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO SO. AND I DO HAVE ONE PERSON SIGNED UP, SANDRA HOOKER. HOW ARE YOU DOING? GOOD. HOW ARE YOU? OKAY, I'M BACK. AND EVEN THOUGH WE ALL KNOW YOU, PLEASE TELL US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. FOR THE RECORD, YOU MIGHT WANT TO PULL THAT MICROPHONE DOWN A LITTLE BIT. ALRIGHT. MY NAME IS SANDRA HOOKER. I'M FROM GROVE CITY ON WOODGROVE DRIVE. I'M HERE FOR TWO REASONS FOR THE UPDATE REPORT. ORDINANCE C 2021, 24 MAY 20TH, 2024 AND ANY OTHER SECTIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE.THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME. TO ME. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO MY HEARTFELT ARGUMENTS AGAINST AIRPORT DRIVERS WHO CAUSED CATASTROPHIC PARALYZATION AND DEATH INJURIES. I AM TALKING ABOUT HIGH LEVEL INJURIES SUCH AS TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES, LOSS OF LIMBS, AND INTERNAL INJURIES CAUSED BY CAUSED BY DISTRACTED DRIVERS WHILE DRIVING, NOT PAYING ATTENTION WHILE DRIVING. THESE INJURIES ARE SEVERE AND CAUSE LONG TIME CARE AND HARD ON FAMILIES. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CROSSWALK IN GROVE CITY TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE WHO USE THE CROSSWALK, BECAUSE THERE WERE NO ORDINANCE. WHEN MY SON WAS INJURED WITHIN THE CROSSWALK CROSSING THE STREET ONTO THE OTHER SIDE IN 2023, I AM STILL ADVOCATING FOR TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR VIOLATORS WHO CAUSE BODILY HARM TO ANY CROSS OR ANYONE CROSSING THE STREET. VIOLATORS ARE STILL GETTING AWAY WITH A SLAP ON THE WRIST, AND MY MINOR MISDEMEANOR, A SMALL FINE OF $150 IN COURT COSTS. THESE DRIVERS SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS BEHIND THE WHEEL. NOW. IT HAS BEEN ONE YEAR, THE ANNIVERSARY. THAT'S WHY I'M HERE. ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDINANCE C 2120 4TH MAY 2024. ALLOWS AND AMEND VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE ORDINANCE TO INCREASE PENALTIES FOR DISTRACTED, DISTRACTED DRIVING AND CROSSWALKS. WE GOT WE GOT THE LAW ON THE CROSSWALK, WHICH IS VERY GOOD FOR ME. I'M VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT. AND AGAINST VIOLATORS. PENALTIES WERE AMENDED TO RAISE, I MEAN PENALTIES WAS AMENDED TO RAISE, RAISE AND GROW CITY TO $750. NOW $750, ALL IN FOR SECOND DEGREE MISDEMEANOR AND $1,000 MISDEMEANOR FOR THE FIRST DEGREE TOWARDS DEATH AND PARALYZATION IN GROVE CITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS ISSUE. THESE INJURIES ARE LONG, TEDIOUS, AND HARD HEALING FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL IN THE SITUATION. THERE IS NO JUSTICE IN THIS LEVEL OF INJURIES BY TRAFFIC VIOLATORS THAT CAUSED THOSE THESE TYPE OF INJURIES. THE LAWMAKERS NEED TO DO BETTER FOR THE SAFETY AND THE NEEDS TO PROTECT PEDESTRIANS AND TRAVELING ON FOOT BY WHEELCHAIRS, BY MOBILITY AIDS. PLEASE DON'T PUSH THIS ISSUE ON A SIDE UNDER THE RUG. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND UPDATE ON C 2124. THANK YOU AND MISS HOOKER, HAVE YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW THE CAMPAIGN RELATED TO VULNERABLE ROAD USERS? ROAD SAFETY STARTS WITH US. HAVE YOU SEEN SAY THAT AGAIN? ROAD SAFETY STARTS WITH US. ROAD SAFETY US NO, I HAVEN'T DONE NOT HAVE NOT.
WELL, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE YOU THE FULL UPDATE ON THAT. MR. TIFFORD. AND I KNOW WE HAD, I THINK, AN OPPORTUNITY JUST TODAY FOR A SPEAKING. YEAH. SO IF YOU DON'T MIND, PRESIDENT
[00:35:01]
HOUCK, I CAN JUST SHARE. SO THERE RIGHT NOW IS A CONFERENCE GOING ON AT THE OHIO UNION IS CALLED THE OHIO TRAFFIC SAFETY SUMMIT. IT IS A TWO DAY CONFERENCE. IT BRINGS IN ADMINISTRATIONS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, OTHER LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE TO COME TOGETHER FOR A TWO DAY CONFERENCE. THERE'S ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS. AND DIRECTOR KEVIN TIFFORD AND MYSELF BOTH PRESENTED TODAY ABOUT SAFETY, DRIVING SAFETY INITIATIVES, FORWARD CONNECTIONS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND COUNCIL. MISS MONTGOMERY WAS THERE AS WELL. SO YOU AND MISS MONTGOMERY WERE BOTH SPOKEN ABOUT IN TERMS OF YOUR ADVOCACY AND BRINGING THAT FORWARD? I WAS GOING TO THIS MORNING. YES, YES, I WAS ON MY WAY, BUT I HAD A CALL MY SON TO SIT BACK IN THE HOSPITAL. SO I HAD A CHOICE TO MAKE. MY SON ORDERED. YES, BUT I'M PLANNING TO BE THERE TOMORROW. YOU WERE THERE IN SPIRIT TODAY, AND IT WAS. IT WAS A GREAT CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ADVOCACY THAT CITIZENS BRING, THE CONNECTIONS AND THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION. I'M JUST LETTING THE CITY COUNCIL KNOW THAT I HAVE NOT STOPPED FIGHTING FOR THIS CAUSE, BECAUSE I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE SERIOUS OF THE COSTS. WHEN PEOPLE GET HIT BY AUTOMOBILES. IT IS A LONG TIME. IT'S TEDIOUS WHEN YOUR LOVED ONE IS INJURED, AND THEN YOU GOTTA TAKE ON THE ABILITY TO KEEP HIM, YOU KNOW, SAFE AND BETTER AND HEALTHY AND HEALED. AND IT TAKES A LOT. AND EVERY TIME MY SON GETS SICK, IT REALLY HURTS MY HEART THAT HE WAS THRIVING, YOU KNOW, DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME. AND THEN NOW HE'S BEDRIDDEN. AND NOW HE GOT A URINARY INFECTION ALL THE TIME I HAVE BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL. I KNOW HOW MANY TIMES. SO EVERY TIME HE GETS SICK, I IT MAKES ME WANT TO FIGHT EVEN MORE. SO I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP BECAUSE YOU DON'T SEE ME. I AM GOING TO OTHER YOU KNOW, LOOKING OUT FOR THESE TYPE OF PROJECTS THAT'S GOING ON. SO I'M AWARE OF THAT ONE. I PLAN TO BE THERE I HOPE TOMORROW. YES. AND I THINK, YES, I THINK WHAT MADAM PRESIDENT WAS ALSO ASKING, YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAVE SEEN THE ROAD SAFETY STARTS WITH US AND THAT'S WHAT YOUR ADVOCACY HAS LED TO.DON'T NOBODY TELL ME NOTHING. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW, THAT THE IMPACT CONTINUES EVEN WHEN YOU'RE NOT HERE WITH US. BUT WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TO RECOGNIZE THAT SINCE WE BEGAN. MISS BROTHER T. YEAH. HE'S NOT. I THINK HE STEPPED AWAY. YES, I'M SURE THAT YOU GET CONNECTED. WE WILL CONNECT YOU. I WANT TO SAY GIRL CITY. I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AROUND TRYING TO FIND SOME KIND OF PROBLEM THAT WE MAY HAVE. AND, MAYOR, YOU ARE REALLY TAKING CARE OF THIS CITY.
AND I WANT TO THANK YOU. SIGNS UP T FOR IS REALLY DOING HIS JOB. SO I, AS A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY, I AM VERY PROUD OF Y'ALL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
WELL, I FOUND ONE. THERE'S AN ACTUATOR MISSING AT KINGSTON AVENUE AND HORTON ROAD FOR THE JC SUMMER BUILDING. SO I FOUND ONE. WE GOT TO FIX IT. ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER NEW BUSINESS THIS EVENING? THAT BRINGS US TO YOU, MAYOR STAGE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. NO FINANCIAL REPORT THIS EVENING. I WILL SAY THIS. OTHER THAN ME GETTING SICK, WE HAD AN EXTREMELY FRUITFUL TWO WEEKS SINCE THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING. THE FIRST THING WAS WE HAD A FACE TO FACE MEETING WITH ONE OF THE TOP AIDES FOR SENATOR MARINO HERE IN THE CITY HALL, TALKED A LOT ABOUT A NUMBER OF SUBJECTS. BUT THE THING THAT IS TIMELY IS THE FACT THAT THE BUDGETS BEING WORKED ON FOR FISCAL YEAR 27 UNDER TRANSPORTATION, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE BRIDGE OVER SYDNEY ONE AND THE 800 ACRES AND ALL THAT. SO THE GENTLEMAN IS VERY DOWN TO EARTH, UNDERSTAND SMALL TOWNS.
AND IT WAS A PLEASURE DISCUSSING EVERYTHING WITH HIM. WE ALSO MET WITH. REPRESENTATIVE KERRY'S TWO TOP PEOPLE HERE IN CENTRAL OHIO AND, AND HAS SOME OF THE SAME DISCUSSIONS. WE MET WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IN THE TREASURE ABOUT ALL OF OUR CONTRACTS AND SOME OF THE PLANS THAT THEY'RE MAKING, WHAT THEIR TAKE IS ON THE BUDGET, CASH FLOW WISE, ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO THE BALLOT AND A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS? BUT WE DID TALK ABOUT OUR MOST FAVORITE SUBJECT, BROOK PARK. AND LAST FRIDAY WE GOT A NOTE FROM THE TREASURER. PLEASE ACCEPT THIS EMAIL AS
[00:40:06]
NOTICE OF OUR INTENT TO OCCUPY THE OFFICE OF CAFETERIA. AREAS OF BROOK PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL EFFECTIVE JUNE 1ST, 2025, FOR STUDENT ENROLLMENT CENTER. AT THIS TIME, WE DON'T HAVE AN END DATE IN MIND, NOR DO WE HAVE AN ALTERNATE LOCATION. WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON ANY FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. ON ANOTHER NOTE, THIS IS PRETTY KEY BECAUSE WE HAD PLANNED ON DOING THIS. WE PLANNED TO SEAL, COAT AND STRIPE THE ENTIRE PARKING LOT. AND IF YOU REMEMBER RIGHT IN THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE AGREEMENTS WE HAVE WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, THERE IS A BIG SECTION OF THAT PARTICULAR PARKING LOT. THAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO THE BIG SPLASH AGREEMENT. SO THEY HAVE AGREED TO GO AHEAD AND COMPLETE THAT. THE THING THAT ALSO WAS DISCUSSED, WE HEARD SOME COMMENTS ABOUT TILES FALLING OFF ON THE SECOND FLOOR AND SOME OTHER THINGS. AND WHEN WE HAD THE PERSON IN THERE WHO DOES A MAINTENANCE, HE SAYS, YEAH, WE GOT ONE TILE OR TWO TILES, THAT'S A PROBLEM. AND THEY'RE GOING TO FIX THAT, AND THEY'RE GOING TO FIX SOME OF THE THINGS AROUND THE CAFETERIA. SO WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO'S USING OUR BUILDING AND DOING IT AT NO COST TO US, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME SIDE BENEFITS AS A RESULT OF THEM, THEM DOING THAT. SO THAT WAS THAT WAS A VERY FRUITFUL MEETING. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT THEIR FUTURE PLANS. CHUCK ATTENDED THE TRUSTEE MEETING LAST TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY. THEY ARE GOING TO PUT THEIR LEVY ON THE BALLOT, BE DISCUSSION ABOUT IS THIS A RENEWAL OR IS THIS A REPLACEMENT, HOW MUCH ARE YOU GOING TO GET? AND SO FORTH. I THINK CHUCK SHARED SOME GOOD, GOOD POINTS WITH THEM. I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR HIM, BUT IT WAS FROM WHAT HE DESCRIBED TO ME, IT WAS A DISCUSSION, BUT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A VALIDATION ON NOVEMBER WE MET WITH SWACO AND HAD A VERY, VERY FRUITFUL MEETING WITH THEM ABOUT THEIR ACREAGE, THE 300, SOME ACRES AND SOME FUTURE PLANS. AND AGAIN, CHUCK AND KYLE GOT RIGHT DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY AND WAS ABLE TO GET A CONSENSUS ON WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT WE CAN GET SOLVED WITH THEM ON THE ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. SO MY LAST POINT IS WE STILL HAVE A VERY ROBUST HOUSING MARKET. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU GET THE WEEKLY AUDIT REPORT, AUDITOR REPORT OF TRANSFERS, AND 4.3123 FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 30TH THROUGH MAY 4TH. I THINK IT WAS 12 BILLION, $12,900,000 WORTH OF TRANSFERS. THE NEXT WEEK IT WAS 7.7 MILLION, WHICH MEANS IN TWO WEEKS WE HAD OVER $20 MILLION WORTH OF TRANSFER PROPERTIES IN THE CITY. AND NONE OF THEM ARE INDUSTRIAL. AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS, THESE ARE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. AND THE OTHER THING IS WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF BROUGHT INTO A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. I WAS INTERVIEWED BY A REPORTER TWO WEEKS AGO, AND IT WAS MOSTLY ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND I POINTED OUT TO THE REPORTER THAT, NUMBER ONE, WE TRACK AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE HAVE A NOTEBOOK THAT SHOWS ALL THE DIFFERENT APARTMENTS THAT ARE AFFORDABLE, SECTION EIGHT APARTMENTS IN GENERAL HOUSING AND SO FORTH, WHICH HE WAS VERY, VERY IMPRESSED WITH. BUT THERE WAS AN INTERESTING ARTICLE IN THE BUSINESS FIRST, AND IT SHOWS THE HOUSING UNITS IN CENTRAL OHIO AND OUTSIDE OF COLUMBUS BEING A BIG DOG, WE WERE NUMBER ONE AND NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS THAT WERE MADE ACROSS ALL SCOPES OF HOUSING, BEING APARTMENTS AND SINGLE FAMILY. THE ONE THAT CAME IN AS THE SECOND BIG DOG WAS OR DELAWARE. AND OF COURSE WE KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON UP IN THAT AREA. SO JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS AND I KEEP THESE RECORDS TO SHOW THAT, IN MY OPINION, WE'RE DOING MOST OF THE THINGS WE OUGHT TO BE DOING IN THE WAY OF HOUSING. SO JUST AN FYI. ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. THANK YOU MAYOR. ON THE HEELS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, I ALWAYS FEEL LIKE IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AS IT BECAME KNOWN HISTORICALLY, IT IS A MISNOMER. TODAY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS NOW MUCH MORE OF A CONVERSATION ABOUT OFFERING DIVERSE TYPES OF HOUSING AT EVERY PRICE POINT, MEANING THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOUR HOUSEHOLD BUDGET IS, THAT HOUSING IS AFFORDABLE TO YOUR HOUSEHOLD. AND SO THAT THAT CONVERSATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING REALLY HAS EVOLVED OVER THE COURSE OF HISTORY TO MEAN THAT WE REALLY NEED TO TALK ABOUT DO WE OFFER HOUSING AT ALL PRICE POINTS BECAUSE THERE IS A FAMILY THAT[00:45:04]
NEEDS A MATCH, OR AN INDIVIDUAL THAT NEEDS A MATCH, OR A SENIOR THAT NEEDS A MATCH, AND THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS AFFORDABLE, JUST DEPENDING ON WHAT YOUR HOUSEHOLD LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT YOUR HOUSEHOLD INCOME LOOKS LIKE. SO THANKS FOR BRINGING THAT UP, MAYOR. MR. BOWSER WAS GIVING ME THE HIGH SIGN AND SO I AM GOING TO GO TO HIM RIGHT NOW. I THINK THAT FORGE WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS AFTER GETTING YOUR AWARD. OKAY. I THOUGHT YOU WERE BEING VERY CONSCIENTIOUS STICKING IT OUT, SO THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR. GO AHEAD AGAIN. MY NAME IS KEVIN COSKEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF FACILITIES AND ENGINEERING AT FORGE BIOLOGICS. IT'S A TRUE PLEASURE TO BE HERE IN GROVE CITY. I MOVED HERE IN OCTOBER OF 2022 FROM ALABAMA UP TO OHIO, AND IT'S BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE. I BROUGHT MY WIFE AND MY SON HERE AND JOINING FORGE BIOLOGICS WHEN I WALKED IN THEIR FIRST DAY. AND THAT YOU ALSO SEE AS WELL TO THE PEOPLE, THE ENGAGEMENT, THE CAMARADERIE AND THE MISSION THAT WE HAVE TO CURE PATIENTS THAT ARE SUFFERING. AND WE'VE MAINTAINED THAT MOMENTUM TODAY, AND WE WANT TO GROW THE COMPANY IN THE ORGANIZATION THE OVERALL. AND I WANTED TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING PART OF THAT, BEING PART OF OUR GROWTH.AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT PROGRESSING IT AS WELL OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. SO I JUST WANTED TO THANK EVERYBODY ONCE AGAIN FOR ALL THE SUPPORT AND ALL THE THAT YOU'VE GIVEN TO US AT FORGE. YEAH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK. ALL RIGHT, MR. BOZO, MAYBE JUST A FOLLOW UP TO THE MAYOR'S COMMENTS IN TERMS OF THE TOWNSHIP'S RENEWAL OF THEIR FOUR MILL LEVY THAT WAS PASSED IN 2000, WHAT THAT EQUATES TO NOW WITH THE REAPPRAISAL THAT HAPPENED, THAT FOUR MILLS NOW IS ABOUT 2.55 MILL. SO JUST ON A HOUSE THAT IS $350,000 HOUSE, IT EQUATES TO APPROXIMATELY $310 A YEAR. SO THAT'S THAT'S WHAT THEY PASSED AT THEIR LAST MEETING. ALSO, WE CONTINUE TO BE IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE AND THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES. HOPEFULLY, WE'LL HAVE A PACKAGE TO YOU.
BOTH THOSE UNIONS HERE SHORTLY. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS KELLY, I HAVE NOTHING. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. MR. SMITH, I HAVE NOTHING. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. COUNCIL IS GOING TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION THIS EVENING. BUT BEFORE I MAKE THAT MOTION, BECAUSE EFFECTIVELY, WHEN WE COME BACK OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE MAY HAVE ONE OTHER ITEM OF BUSINESS. SO
[Call for Dept. Reports & Closing Comments]
WE WILL GET TO CLOSING COMMENTS. BUT I WANT TO GET TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DEPARTMENT REPORT. AND I BELIEVE MISS FITZPATRICK IS ON DECK. GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.THANKS FOR GIVING ME A MOMENT HERE. I WANTED TO PROVIDE YOU GUYS AN UPDATE WITH OUR HOOVER ROAD SHARED USE PATH PROJECT THAT WE'VE HAD UNDER DESIGN. IF YOU RECALL, WE WERE GOING TO REDUCE THAT FROM A THREE LANE SECTION DOWN TO A TWO SO THAT WE CAN HAVE ADEQUATE PEDESTRIAN BICYCLE FACILITIES ACROSS THAT BRIDGE WE COMPLETED, OR WRAPPING UP THE DESIGN NOW AND WOULD BE READY TO GO TO CONSTRUCTION. BUT WITH CODA'S BALLOT INITIATIVE THAT PASSED IN THE FALL, WE HAD DEVELOPED A CIP AS PART OF THE US TSE INITIATIVE, AND THAT A BRIDGE IS ON THAT CIP. IT WAS SLATED FOR CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS IN 2027. WE'VE RECENTLY SUBMITTED UPDATES ON ALL OF THE CIP PROJECTS, AND SHARED THAT WE'RE READY TO GO TO CONSTRUCTION IN AS SOON AS 2026, WHEN FUNDING BECOMES AVAILABLE, AND IT'S LOOKING LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT SOME PROJECTS AROUND WITH WHERE OTHER PROJECTS CAME IN OR WHAT STATUS THEY'RE CURRENTLY IN, AND MOVE THOSE CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS TO 2026 FOR US. WE HAVE A MEETING NEXT WEEK THAT WILL FINALIZE THAT. EXCUSE ME, BUT THAT WOULD GIVE US $1.7 MILLION TOWARDS THAT PROJECT. AND SO SEEMS LIKE A REASONABLE REASON TO DELAY CONSTRUCTION OF 2026 INSTEAD OF THIS CONSTRUCTION SEASON. BUT JUST WANTED TO MAKE YOU ALL AWARE, WE DO ALSO HAVE FOUR OTHER PROJECTS ON THAT CIP THAT WILL RECEIVE FUNDING IN VARIOUS FORMS OF PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, FROM PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING THROUGH DESIGN IN. ALSO, WE HAVE FUNDING FOR MCDOWELL ROAD PROJECT THAT WE RECEIVED OPWC FUNDING IN 2026 AS WELL. SO WORKING WITH MORSE AND CODA TO GET THOSE AGREEMENTS COMING FORWARD, BUT WANTED TO PROVIDE YOU GUYS THOSE QUICK UPDATES. THANK YOU. EXCELLENT NEWS. YEAH.
THANK YOU, MR. BOZO. THANK YOU. JUST TO CONTINUE WITH THE BUILDING SAFETY MONTH CAMPAIGN.
AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO FORGE ON A WELL-DESERVED AWARD. WORKING WITH THEM IS SUCH A PLEASURE. AND TO SEE A WAREHOUSE THAT WAS VACANT AT ONE TIME AND SEE ALL THE ACTIVITY OVER THERE.
AND YET IN SUCH A SHORT TIME, THEY'RE GOING TO BE EXPANDING ON THAT. AND IT'S VERY EXCITING TO
[00:50:03]
SEE SOMEBODY INVEST SO MUCH IN THE GROVE CITY. THIS WEEK WE'LL BE DOING THE LEGO INSPECTIONS.THESE WILL BE IN THE CLASSROOMS IN THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, WHO WILL BE OUT THURSDAY AND FRIDAY TO INSPECT THEIR BUILDINGS AND CRITIQUE, CRITIQUE THEM TO SEE IF THEY'VE MET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR SAFETY, FROM EGRESS WINDOWS TO DOORS AND OTHER ITEMS. SO IT'S GOING TO BE EXCITING TO DO THAT. AND THEN AGAIN, WE STILL HAVE THE CONTEST FOR THE COLORING FOR THE LEGO THAT WILL BE COMING BACK AT THE FIRST MEETING IN JUNE WITH THE STUDENTS. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH AND YOU'RE ALL WELCOME TO JOIN IF YOU'D LIKE. WELL, LOOK FORWARD TO THAT. THANK YOU. MR. HAMMOND'S. GOOD EVENING. MEMBERS OF COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION. I JUST WANT TO REPORT THAT WE HAD A FANTASTIC TOUCH OF TRUCK EVENT ON SATURDAY. I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY PEOPLE THERE. I WOULD SAY IT'S SAFE TO SAY A COUPLE THOUSAND KIDS AND ADULTS. WE HAD MORE THAN 20 STAFF MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN MAKING THAT DAY WONDERFUL. WE HAD MORE THAN 25 PIECES OF EQUIPMENT, EVERYTHING FROM BUCKET TRUCKS TO PLOWS, GATORS, MOWERS, BACKHOES, YOU NAME IT. WE HAD IT. IT WAS THERE AT LEAST ONE VERSION OF SOMETHING. WE HAD ALL KINDS OF STATIONS FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY, KIDS. WE HAD SAND FOR THEM TO BUILD, TO EXCAVATE IN. WE HAD A STOP AND GO RACE. IT WAS JUST A LOT OF FUN. FIRST TIME I'D HAD A CHANCE TO WITNESS IT IN PERSON AND IT WAS EXTRAORDINARY. SO I JUST WANT TO REPORT THAT IT WAS COULDN'T HAVE GONE BETTER. IT WAS A LITTLE BIT WINDY. ONE OF THE GIVEAWAYS THAT WE HAD WAS A PINWHEEL, SO THAT WAS QUITE ACTIVE DURING THE DAY. SO ONE OF THE KIDS APPRECIATED THE PINWHEEL. BUT I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW IT WAS A GREAT EVENT AND I WAS REALLY PRIVILEGED TO TAKE PART IN IT, AND MY STAFF WAS JUST NOT MY STAFF. OUR STAFF WAS INCREDIBLE AND I THINK THEY HAD AS MUCH FUN AS THE KIDS DID.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT'S EXCITING. THANK YOU SO MUCH. NOTHING LIKE WHEN THE WEATHER MAKES A PINWHEEL AN AMAZING CHOICE AS A GIVEAWAY. ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS IN THE ROOM.
OKAY, AND CLOSING COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL BEFORE WE WOULD GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. MR. DO, THIS FRIDAY STARTS THE LONG LABOR DAY OR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, WHICH IS GOING TO MEAN MORE PEOPLE OUT ON THE ROADS AND FAMILIES AND FRIENDS GETTING TOGETHER. I JUST URGE EVERYBODY TO SLOW DOWN, PAY ATTENTION AND ARRIVE SAFELY. AMEN. THANK YOU, MR. BERRY. I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE ADMINISTRATION NOW INSTEAD OF WAITING UNTIL JULY 4TH VIA SOCIAL MEDIA TO START TALKING ABOUT OUR FIREWORKS LAW, BECAUSE I'M STARTING TO HEAR FIREWORKS NOW, AND PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE THAT, YOU KNOW WHAT THE LAW IS IN THE CITY AND HOW, YOU KNOW, ROOFS CAN CATCH FIRE AND HOW INCIDENTS DO HAPPEN, WHICH WE DID HAVE, WHAT, FOUR YEARS AGO, FIVE YEARS AGO, A MAJOR INCIDENT WHERE WE HAD A FIRE THAT CAUGHT ON. SO IF WE START EDUCATING NOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. THANK YOU, MR. HOLT. NO FURTHER COMMENTS. THANKS. THANK YOU, MISS BURROUGHS. JUST WHAT MR. DU SAID. JUST HAVE FUN THIS WEEKEND, BUT BE SAFE. YEAH. THANK YOU, MISS ANDERSON. THANK YOU AGAIN. JUST A SMALL CALL OUT. THE OHIO TRAFFIC SAFETY SUMMIT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.
DIRECTOR TEAFORD HAD A GREAT PRESENTATION PUT TOGETHER. I THINK WE WERE ABLE TO PRESENT A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION THAT JUST SHOWED THE COLLABORATION THAT WE'VE REALLY WORKED HARD TOWARDS. SO KUDOS TO KEVIN T FORD AND IT WAS A GREAT EVENT. THANKS. THANK YOU, MR. WILSON.
YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, NEXT WEEK IS MEMORIAL DAY AND WE SHOULD NOT FORGET TO THINK ABOUT THE SERVICE MEMBERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES SO THAT WE CAN ENJOY THE FREEDOMS THAT WE HAVE. AND THAT'S THE TRUE MOMENT FOR US TO REALLY REFLECT AND REALLY PAY HOMAGE TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALLOWED US TO STAND AND PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG. SO TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE TRAVELING SAFE TRAVELS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY, ENJOY IT AND JUST BE SAFE. THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO BORROW YOUR FAN. SO WE GOT THESE IN OUR FOLDER. IT'S A HANDY REFERENCE. YEAH. THESE WILL THESE WILL BE OUT AND ABOUT. BUT TO KICK THINGS OFF THIS WEEKEND, THE GROVE CITY COMMUNITY WINS CONCERT IN THE TOWN CENTER PARK ON FRIDAY EVENING, THE 23RD FROM 7 TO 830. GROVE CITY COMMUNITY WINS. NEVER A DISAPPOINTMENT. IF YOU HAVE TIME ON FRIDAY EVENING, MAKE TIME TO DO THAT. THAT'S A GREAT KICKOFF TO THE WEEKEND. ECHO EVERYONE'S SENTIMENT. ENJOY
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YOUR TIME TOGETHER, BE SAFE AND STOP FOR A MOMENT AND THINK OF THOSE WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR THE FREEDOM THAT WE ALL ENJOY. I WOULD LIKE TO NOW. OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE JUNE THE 2ND. SO THAT WE TOUCH ON THAT BEFORE WE PART WAYS. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO[Additional Item]
GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER OHIO REVISED CODE, SECTION ONE 2120 2G1 TO CONSIDER THE APPOINTMENT AND EMPLOYMENT OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? HOW? YES YES YES YES YES. ANDERSON. YES. WILSON. YES. ALL RIGHT. AND YOU ARE FREE TO CARRY ON. AND WE ARE GOING TO ADJOURN TO THE COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM, AND WE WILL COME BACK IN BEFORE WE PART WA