City Council - Regular Meeting

in order of the Canal Winchester City Council work session for January 20th. Roll call, please. Miss Aik, present. Mr. Bennett, here. Miss Deweiler, here. Mr. McGofflin, here. Mr. Moore, here. Mr. Payne here. Mr. Shet, I'm present. Also in attendance, we have Bill Sims, uh, Amanda Jackson, Matt Peoples, Joe Steer, Thad Bogs, and Lucas Hair, and Andrew Moore. Sorry, Andrew. And, uh, we're going to start off with reports of city staff, Mr. Sims.

Thank you, Mr. Moore. There we go. Uh the water reclamation project uh is continuing. Um so we have now officially started to build things up. So uh last Friday they poured the uh base slab for the wet well portion, the deepest portion of the structure. Uh that went well and they're currently um working on the base slab for the uh the screen channels uh which they'll pour next week. So it'll be continuous uh for porm for p form four for porm over the next uh probably couple months at this point. So um [clears throat] so things are moving along. Um Winchester Boulevard is still down um and you know probably be uh late spring before we get uh back to uh working on the roadway there. Green Gate Boulevard uh is uh is still closed. Um here in the last couple of weeks, we did have the uh street lighting was installed when the poles came in. So the poles are up out on the road now. Uh East Water Street storm sewer uh relocation uh right on the outside the building here. They uh will wrap up all the pipe work this week. Um, so we're essentially we'll be then down to work that we need to need to complete when the weather is better in the spring. So, um, once they leave here, it'll probably be down until, uh, mid spring, something of that nature. Maybe mid, uh, you know, mid-Marchch to 1st of April, I would expect. Um, and then McGill Park phase 2B. Um, we had the pre-construction meeting with uh Tucson a week ago. Um, you know, currently we're kind of getting started into the submittal review process. They're not anticipating being on site for

construction until the first week of March at this point, but that's all right. We have a fair number of things to get uh taken care of before they're ready to to build stuff. So, um you'll see uh that work get started then uh in March on uh the grading and the parking lot and things of that nature uh with the stream restoration to begin uh right around July 1st. Um so try to get that done during the drier part of the summer. Um and then a uh like October 5th completion date at this point. and we are uh been working on the 2026 street program uh as you know and uh we've kind of got it paired down to um uh what we want to accomplish and we've included a few things that we might be able to add in if the prices are good. Um so I'll run through this for you. Please stop me if you have questions. Um um so we're going to be focusing on Deetsz Drive. um the portion from Gender Road to uh Greens View Villa's entrance just east of Thrush Drive. Um so it'll be a similar uh treatment as the center portion of the drive we did a couple years ago. We're going to remove the old pavement, stabilize the subgrade, put the road back uh on top of it. Um there's a lot of moisture issues under that road, poor drainage conditions. So, um, [clears throat] we, uh, that hopefully will take care of that, um, which I'm sure it will. It's been very effective in other places. Um, we'll have to do the road in halves, basically, a north half and a south half. Uh, so that we can maintain some form of traffic. It'll be one way basically during during the work. Um but we'll be able to keep you know folks you know each half of the road in that are

driveways basically with the shortest interruption versus a full closure. Um [clears throat] uh we also one of the uh add-ons we have is uh to resurface a portion of thrust drive adjacent to that the first few hundred feet. Um so we'll see how the prices come in. If we can do that we'll we'll try to catch that too this time. Otherwise we'll work it in in the next year or two. Um, another area we're working on, primary area is North Trin Street. Um, so from the railroad tracks to Fairfield Street. Um, you know, the, uh, if you've been up through there, I mean, the road doesn't look the prettiest. Uh, it's there's a lot of cracking. Um, it's pretty solid overall. I mean, there's not a lot of ruting or things of that nature within the pavement, but, uh, definitely the surface is has lived its life for sure. Um so we'll be uh um resurfacing uh that all that section of TR street. Um we are also going to be making improvements at the high street Columbus Street intersection. Um so our desire there is to convert that from a three-way stop to a four-way stop. Um which has been talked about for a fair amount of time. Um, one of the issues associated with doing that is being able to place the stop sign in for the southbound traffic in a location that is going to be reasonable and visible. Uh, the current situation, if you placed it behind the curb there, it'd be well off the travel lane. Uh, fairly difficult [clears throat] to see. Um, so we're actually going to put some bumpouts in at the radiuses there in the entire intersection. Uh, kind of neck that down a little bit. Um, now you'll have a four-way stop there. You won't have the speed. You want the turning, you know, uh, where you can't see very well. For instance, if you're on East Columbus trying to to get across there, you know, cars continually coming and

they're difficult to see. Um, now with the stop, that won't be an issue. Um, so that's an improvement I think folks have been kind of waiting on for a while. Um, [clears throat] so we're going to get that done. Um, and then we have a couple alleys. Uh so Blosser Alley, which is uh kind of behind the pool, and uh Cherry Alley between High Street and Trine Street, we're going to be resurfacing that. Um about half of it needed resurfacing. It was in our plan to start with and then we had the Storm Stewart project come up. So uh now the other half needs it as well. So that worked out all right for us to go ahead and do the entire length of the alley. Now, um we also have a myriad of citywide items that we do typically every year as far as we do sidewalk program. Um we'll be concentrating in portion of Westchester this year, Fox Hill, Hemingsford Drive area on sidewalk program. Um we're going to be doing curb replacements as well. while we have some to finish up in Westchester. Um to kind of take care of the the worst areas of curbs um we've got uh crack fill program we'll do on a variety of streets in the city. Um rejuvenator that we put down on uh streets that were paved typically the prior year. Um and then a various just pavement repairs is necessary, concrete work that's necessary that the street department's identified of needing repairs. Um some [clears throat] various striping work as well. Uh and then some of the alternates I did touch on one the thrust drive work by deets that would be an alternate. Um, additionally, uh, adjacent to the TR street project, we would look at doing Fairfield Street as well. If the that's on our list here to have been paved in the next couple years, if we can catch it while we're

right there in that area, we'll do that. Um, and uh, also on uh, Try Street, that's [clears throat] a very wide road. Um, you know, we're looking at 36 foot wide pavement there. Uh, not very high. traffic volumes are pretty low. Uh we were looking at maybe doing some necking down. We actually looked at shrinking the whole road. Cost was prohibitive from being able to do that just to reduce the amount of pavement that's there. But um we we did have an alternate to maybe do some some bumpouts midblock, you know, basically to help create some traffic calming. Um so we'll we'll see how the numbers roll in if that's something we want to pursue or not. um we just you know we've included it so we can see what it would be to make that happen. So um all in all we're pretty much right at a million and a half dollars for this year's program um which is that was our goal. So um you know we're looking forward to getting that out on the street uh advertise it next week. uh open bids uh early part of February and have something before council for the first meeting in March. Any questions?

I have a quick question. Um on the high street, um converting that three-way to a four-way, which I think everybody will appreciate and great news. Um is that going to lose any um on street parking with having to do the the curb bumpout or anything? So, um, [clears throat] we will not in the sense that first of all, on West Columbus Street, we already have the bumpouts there. Um, we already have it striped as a bumpout basically on High Street on the north half of the intersection. Um, there won't be any real change on East Columbus Street. Uh, the way we blend in there, I would say if there's a a reduction and it would be pretty minor. So, I don't know we're losing any spaces. It just is starting to space a little further back is on the uh east side of South High Street. Okay.

Um if we bring that curb around, um really we're not losing much of anything because there's already basically a no parking zone. You know, it has to be a set distance from the stop bar and the stop sign and the crosswalk. So, you know, we're basically filling that in now. We're bringing the curbs out and and then back in again. So, perfect. Well, appreciate it either way cuz it's great to for the safety. Um, and the other thing is the curb replacements. Um, I I know that you didn't mention it, but is do you know the timeline um when the neighborhood across the street from the high school is going to when that's going to fall in? And if you don't know off hand,

sure. So, Washington like Powder Horn on. Yes. Yes. So we looked at that pretty extensively uh you know at the direction of no uh and so we did look at that really closely this year because I was looking to start trying to work in there. The amount of curb work necessary is considerable. Yeah. Yeah. It's pretty rough over there. There there's kind of a point where you it it maybe doesn't make sense to do uh spot repairs anymore. it would actually be more efficient to go in and and slip form all new curb in in the neighborhood. So, um so we kind of backed up because that's a pretty big number. Yeah.

Um so we're going to look at it for next year if maybe not the whole neighborhood but maybe do it in two phases. Um you know maybe we can do you know the two courts and powder horn or something like that and then catch the the bigger length of the circle on the second year. Perfect. Thank you. Yes. So, it's coming. Cool. How big was the number uh quantitywise or dollar-wise? Dollar-wise. Oh, so yeah, [clears throat] we're looking at probably over $200,000 in curves. Okay.

In there. So, but you know, the repair number was extensive. When you reach about 30% roughly, if you're repairing 30% of it, you might as well just go ahead and replace it. Otherwise, you'll be left with 30% new curb. within 10 years, you literally have to come in and start doing the repairs on the other areas. So, I have a question.

Um, on sorry on the TR street narrowing. Um, I'm I'm sure that me members who have already been here might have already heard the details, but can you talk about what uh some of the thoughts were on how you were going to narrow it? Are there any thoughts about creating a walkway or an extended shoulder because there are a lot of pedestrians who use that street?

Um, so the narrowing we would basically construct uh bumpouts from the existing curb into the roadway about 8 ft or so. Um, and the thought there is really about vehicular traffic. Um, you know, if you can create things like medians or or bumpouts like that, um, you know, it can provide some means of traffic calming because, you know, people start going from this space to that space. They're slightly more cautious. So, um, so that was kind of the the idea. Uh, and we were looking at midblock um ideas there. We did look at RA uh the intersections and the radiuses there, but with the storm sewer and the grading of the roadway, it was become a massive expense. Uh the geometric just did not work in the intersections with with the grades that we have out there. So, um, you know, we did talk about the sidewalk situation in relationship to the o an overall narrowing of the roadway. In the current situation, the rightway is very tight to Try Street. There's only about 3 ft of rightway behind the curb, not even enough room to literally place the sidewalk. Um, so, you know, there'll be property acquisition. There's a lot of great issues. Um we're looking at re reconstructing driveways, front yards, retaining walls, things of that nature. Um but you know, looking at the narrowing of the roadway might provide room to get sidewalk in on one side without you know property acquisition. Um, and you know, one of the benefits of reducing the road is essentially in the long run, it's less pavement to maintain in the future to salt and plow and things of that nature over the life of the road.

Uh, but you know, any cost savings associated were blown out of the water with the cost of reducing the roadway width. Again, the geometry of the road as such is fairly high in the center. is that is if you move in, you have to pick everything up if you want to keep the road.

Um, if you're trying to fix the grade, stay with the curbs at the grades they are, you pretty much have to remove the road completely. Then at that point, you're you're building an entirely new road versus just milling the surface off, moving the curbs in and repaving it. Um, so cost became a giant factor. is like, well, as much as you like that, we're spending a lot a lot of money to uh to to take care of this road with minimal traffic, I guess, on it really, you know, as in comparison to other collector streets. Um, so that's where we're at. No, thank you. That is very enlightening. Thank you. You're welcome. Any other questions? Yes.

How's the head works going?

Good. So, as we are starting to build up now, so they poured uh the base slab for the wet well, the deepest part of the building uh last Friday. Um they're currently forming for uh the screener channels. [snorts] Um we'll pour those next week. So, you know, it's it's we're in a good spot because you kind of turn a corner when you're you're kind of done messing around all the existing stuff uh and you're actually starting to build things back. Um, so we've got a lot of that to do. Uh, further on in the project, we do have some, uh, sections of trunk sewer and so forth associated with it have to be replaced to come into the new building, but but that's down a little ways. But, so we're kind of done excavating for for, you know, I don't know, a year or so anyway at this point. So,

very good. Thank you. Yeah. Anyone else? Thank you, Mr. S. You're welcome. and we'll uh move on to request for council action. Uh first we have resolution 26-001. Clerk, will you read a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract for indigent defense representation in the Franklin County Municipal Court with the Franklin County Public Defender on behalf of the city of Canal Winchester Mayor's Court. Miss Jackson.

Thank you, Mr. Moore. Uh this is an annual agreement that we bring to city council in regards to cases that are heard in our mayor's court. Um if a defendant were to request a public defender, we are required to provide that service. Uh we do that through contract um with the Franklin County Mun well with actually I think it's the city of Columbus and Franklin County Public Defender together. Um so this contract allows us to do that. It they charge us I think it said $26 a case. We spend probably somewhere between $750 and $1,000 a year on this contract. So, it's not a huge contract, but we are required to bring it to you for approval.

Questions? Motion to move resolution 2601 to uh full counsel. I'll second it. Motion made by Mr. Sheay, seconded by Mrs. Aik. Roll call, please. Mr. Sheay, yes. Miss A. Yes. Mr. Mr. Bennett. Yes. Miss Deweiler, yes. Mr. Mclofflin, yes. Mr. Moore, yes. Mr. Pank, yes. Thank you. Uh, next we'll move on to resolution 26-002. Clerk, will you please read? A resolution approving the mayor's appointment of Denise Matias to serve a 4-year term as a member of the Landmarks Commission expiring on December 31st, 2029.

Uh, Mr. Hair. Thank you. This is a resolution that will allow us to appoint Denise Mias to serve a four-year term as a member of Learch's commission. Um that term was previously filled by uh Linda Henry Boing. Um she has elected not to continue to serve in that. Her term is expired and so we're requesting um Miss Matias as a business owner in the in the downtown area be appointed to that commission. Uh, any questions? Yes. Does Mrs. Matias is Mrs. Matias a resident of the municipality?

She is not. Does Mrs. Matias own any property within the municipality? I am unaware of property that she owns or not.

Today, just if I could answer your question, I did talk to Mrs. Matias today um just to ask those same questions. Um I was the one that actually recruited her to apply for landmarks commission. Um we have been struggling to find a business owner to serve one of the key roles for the landmarks commission almost the entire time I've been with the city. Um, in addition to finding someone that fits part of that criteria, it's another challenge is finding someone that wants to put in the time to be on the commission. Um, very intensive voluntary board. Um, so when looking for potential applicants to fill Mrs. Henry's seat after she elected not to fulfill that position, um, I actually reached out to Mrs. Matias to um try to be a hard working asset to that committee. Um so if you guys have any specific questions about her um application process, feel free to ask me because I'm probably the one that convinced her to throw her name into the hat.

Um I I guess I do have a question then. Um how was that? I I know it's a hard position to recruit for. Um how did we advertise um for that position? So, we have an open application process for all of our boards and commissions all year every year on our website for someone to throw their name in to apply for. Um, the seats are revolving terms, so they expire every four years with I believe three out of the four years there's always at least one position available. Um, so we get applications very infrequently for that commission. um planning and zoning commission gets much more kind of um interest from the general public. Uh part of the challenge with the landmarks commission is the um codified ordinances that city council put together to create that board have a very rigorous set of requirements to be on that board. As Mr. Shay noted the first two are either you're a resident or a property owner but even beyond being a resident and a property owner we require so many design related professionals so many uh business or or property owner so many people that own properties in the um historic district itself. So when you start to stack all of those together it becomes extremely challenging to fill those seats. Um, we've done a really good job on figuring out creatively how to do that in the past and this is kind of another attempt to creatively figure out how to fill a seat with someone um who I thought would would put in a lot of effort um in that position.

Past practice, we've had a number of people that are non-residents and property owners that have served on that commission. Micah, who um was the head of the historical society, served for a number of years, was non-resident, didn't own property here. uh Joe Abbott um the same served on that commission for a number of years and didn't um wasn't a resident, didn't own property at the time he was appointed. So um with respect to the ordinance, it's pretty pretty clear and I understand the plight of filling that position. Um and this is the you know the it's not about a candidate, it's about what this particular ordinance says. Would it be your thought that at some point we should work to change this ordinance if we're allowing nominations under this ordinance?

So, one of the things that we've been um looking at with the zoning code update is how to make our process not only better from the administrative level, but better for, you know, city council, the boards that serve on them, and just the general public as a whole. Um the criteria for being on the landmarks commission, like I said, is very stringent. Um we require so many design professionals, so architects, landscape architects. Um we've had to basically beg an architect to stay on the board for a long time. And so replacing them with another design professional hits a criteria is going to be extremely difficult. So we are looking to make that process a little more um general while still hitting kind of the same idea. Um same with um kind of our other practices with you know other boards and commissions making them much more applicable to actually getting people that would serve on them while still hitting the mark of getting someone credible and not just filling the seat for the sake of filling a seat. If I could [clears throat] if I could add to Mr. Moore's um statements about the ordinance more generally, this is uh an ordinance that's created by council and the membership criteria are not set forth in your charter. And so as a creation of council, it would be my opinion and and evidently um has occurred in the past that the council's confirmation of a person um to that seat would operate as a waiver of that council created criteria as well if that's what the will of the body is. So, I guess my only question is, and once again, this isn't about the candidate, because I do agree. I think I mean, Denise is an engaged person, and I I think that she would work hard at it.

There's there's no question in my mind about that. But my my concern is where does it stop? So, next year when a term is up or two years from now, whenever the term is up, are we going to potentially put more people in place that don't live or own property in the city? And then when a planning and zoning position comes up and we don't have cuz that doesn't say that in the charter either that there's residency requirements. Um so then all of a sudden are we filling filling our boards and commissions with who are making decisions inside the city who don't live in the city who don't own property in the city. So my concern is we're setting a precedent. Um and maybe that's already been set but not in my time and not in the current time where you know all seven members right now of that board either own property in canal or a residence. So that's that's my concern about the whole thing

there. There remember there is a criteria that she or that they have a business in the city. So she does meet that. So, she doesn't because the the qualifications and I mean we could probably argue this until we're blew in the face, but the only two qualifications that shall be met are owning four or five of the residents or people have to be residents. The other ones have to be residents or property owners. The qualifications that keep getting referenced there should that would be ideally this is how the board should consist of that is written there. Um, and I obviously I'm not a lawyer, but I think shall a lot more of a confirmation word than should,

right? Those are the talents that they should it would be nice to have on this board if

Yeah. Right. when whenever possible for the those additional criteria. Um versus the the ordinance says five shall be re residents of the municipality and the remaining two members shall be residents or property owners within the municipality. But that being a council created, yeah, it, you know, it remains um within council's authority in this confirmation role to allow that type of appointment. I think that to your question about where does it end? Um if council if collectively there's a revisiting of these boards and commissions in the zoning code update, you might you might have different criteria for different boards. As Mr. Moore said, planning and zoning commission seems to get ample interest from residents. Um, this is a little bit of a different situation in terms at least of the interest interest that's drawn, but you could um, you know, say, and I'm just [clears throat] brainstorming here, but you could say resident, property owner, business owner, taxpayer, you know, something that creates a nexus so it's not just someone coming in to um, you know, build a resume. and you you have the checks still not only of council confirmation but ultimately that the mayor is selecting somebody um asking you to confirm them too.

And I guess my I'll ask this question one more time and I'll leave it be I get that you can go online and apply for a position. How did we advertise it? How did we promote it? If it's if it's something that's hard to fill, whether it's that position or whether it's a position with my company or your company or your company, if it's hard to fill, you go out and promote it. You get it online. I mean, did we do any of that? I I just And maybe we did, but I didn't see it. So, that's that's where I'm asking. It seems like we did not. Okay. It's a it's an open application. Yeah. Is there any engagement with the existing landmarks commission?

Say that question. Yes, we often try to get them to help recruit people. The challenge being that people don't want to upset their neighbors. Yep. That they live beside when they live in Oldtown area or people don't want to compromise their own business interests that they have in the Oldtown area. Yep. By, you know, they have a number of applications that they bring before the commission. So, it's it's a challenge because it's a small geographic area. Mr. Moore, if I may. Yes.

Um, having lived in the Oldtown [clears throat] historic district and having the experience of serving on landmarks myself, it is I would say so understand um we've sort of bypassed maybe some of the criteria in the past and maybe that's what we're looking to do again today. But I would say even as a business owner, I would say as think of yourself as an applicant going to that board, you live in that district, right? Would you rather it just be a resident who lives anywhere in the Canal Winchester area telling you how you have to maintain the historical standards or would you rather it be someone else who is somewhat familiar, somewhat obligated, whether it's business related or not, who has to also comply with the same rules that you're being asked to comply with. You see what I'm saying? Like my point of view is if I'm coming in as as someone who lives in the historic district and I'm asking, can I paint my house blue and you are some other resident who says, "Nope, can't do it." Who doesn't have to comply with all those other rules that I do? It's a tougher pill to swallow. But if you are at least a business owner who is somewhat restricted by those same restrictions, we can at least commiserate over, yeah, blue is not really a color, but green is allowed. Or you know what I'm saying? So

I I I definitely understand what you're saying. The only thing is that person technically doesn't have to deal with that because it would be the property owner that is having to deal with. Well, does the property owner? Yes and no. Because if I rent a I I mean, yes and no. If I rent a place, can I come to Landmarks and ask them to read

signage? They have the I mean, as business owner, I would be responsible for the signage interior and exterior. Like, there are certain codes that even as a business owner, you're going to have to comply with even though you're not the building owner. That's fair. So, there are still standards that you're going to have to help maintain as a part of that collective. You see what I'm saying? Like, you're part of the group collective when you live in that district as opposed to not. And I think when Mr. Moore says it's easier to get people for planning and zoning. You're you're dipping from a wider pool honestly. And um I guess my point of view is I would say yes, the recruitment is tough. I've been in I've been on that board. I've been asked to stay on that board. I was like, "Guys, I'm out." Like it's it's tough to get someone and to your point, I had when I was on the board, I had a neighbor who had installed Windows. This was a big issue at the time. They didn't follow the process and I had to vote against a neighbor to say, "No, you have to spend x thousands of dollars to remove the windows that you installed and reinstall wood windows.

It's a tough situation to be in. Um, so serving on that board does take

a little bit of, you know, it it's not as easy as not everybody signing up for that." And I get that maybe there was an opportunity to do a little bit more recruitment maybe. But I feel like a lot of those things, a lot of the boards, they do end up sort of uh it's who you know. It's that recruitment. I think we have been pushing though, I think, to do more of that. I think that's why we put the forms on the website. It's how we got our appointment for sustainability commission. It had to be sort of advertised and promoted. But again, it goes back to there. We still had a person apply who was not a resident. How many of the people who would apply would fit the do you live in the historical district? Because honestly, I'd rather someone who's not just a city resident, not just a city property owner. I would want someone who actually lived in the historical area or had to comply with those same rules. So, in general, I would rather Miss Matias as a business owner in the area as opposed to me who doesn't live in the historical downtown. Okay,

that's my point of view. No, did I hear you volunteering for landmarks outside? I'm outside that window. That's what I said. Mr. Bogs, I'm sorry. Can you um dumb this down a little bit for me? Because if I vote a certain way, I'm sort of breaking my oath that said that I would uphold the codified ordinances of the city of Canal Winchester. So talk a a little bit more. Bring it down for me about the charter and this codified ordinance.

Sure. So the charter talks about council's ability to create certain boards of commissions. Planning and zoning commission is in there um as one that has to be created. It's created by charter but its roles its membership are spelled out by council ordinance and resolution other legislative action of council. Um the charter says council may create other boards and commissions and define their membership and duties. And that's where this landmarks commission falls. It's something that council has created with its own general authority. It has created the membership criteria that are spelled out in the codified ordinance. And council is the body that has created those criteria has the ability to change or to wave those because it's the same body that created them. And ultimately, if council were to uh approve this confirmation, it would be do so in the form of a resolution that would be signed by the mayor. So it have all of the action of just a legislative change or a legislative action that in this case has implicitly waved that legislative criteria. Would it be appropriate to given the fact that a precedence has already been set I don't know how many times over um would it be appropriate to suggest that this particular ordinance should have a wording change? I I think so. And I think that that is definitely on the to-do list um already under the zoning code. And so I think it's a question of I don't know what our actual timeline for that part of the zoning code is. But certainly before we get another round of appointments to that landmarks commission, it seems like it would be

appropriate to change this and make it more fitting to the challenges that it presents.

Agreed. Mr. Moore, can you speak to will we see that zoning code in the next three months, a year? What what what are you thinking at this point? At this time, I don't have any anticipated timeline that I could confidently give you. I was hoping we would have this draft in [snorts] December. And I've looked at myself probably 10% of the code um in a good kind of second round draft format and 50% of it in a first round draft format. So I don't want to give false hope that you'll see something, you know, in the in the near future and I disappoint you.

Thank you, Mr. Hair. [laughter] I don't want to I don't want to get hopes high and I don't want to disappoint. As you can imagine, it's a it's an enormous undertaking summer endeavoring on. So

I did not volunteer for that particular group because that's a massive undertaking. I I think that, you know, there's the balance of filling this commission and having it function um versus ensuring that as that zoning code rewrite is done, we don't end up with an inconsistency by having or having to go back and redo things by making a a change in the ordinance now. and then having something else uh suggested in the zoning code and having to marry those things up.

I guess the question would be will we see the zoning code changes before the next situation occurs? When did you say that? I hope so. [laughter] More than likely unless somebody quits. Yeah. I mean, our intent is to have an an updated zoning code that's ready for adoption, you know, this year for sure. Definitely. I I would like to have it this summer, but it'll definitely be this year. And, you know, we're not intending to bring anyone back for reappoint unless there's some, you know, unanticipated vacancy that arises. Yeah.

If I may make a motion to move resol resolution 26-002 to full counsel. I second that. Uh motion made by Mr. Bennett, second by Miss Deweiler. Roll call, please. Mr. Bennett? Yes. Miss Deweiler? Yes. Mr. McGofflin? Yes. Mr. Moore? No. Mr. Payne? No.

Mr. Shay? No, Miss Amit. No.

Uh, we'll move on to the next uh resolution 26-003. A resolution approving the mayor's appointment of Matthew Peoples to serve a two-year term as a trustee of the Canowester Industry and Commerce Corporation expiring on March 22nd, 2028. Mr. Hair,

thank you, Mr. Moore. Uh, Mr. Peoples currently serves on the Canal Winchester Industry and Commerce Corporation as a type A trustee. Um, so there are two type of trustees. There's type A which are appointed or elected officials of the city of Canal Winchester and type B which are are not affiliated with the city. And so council the mayor appoints the two type A trustees which council then confirmed. So both this and the next resolution um are related to that. There are um two-year terms. Somehow we got off schedule with Miss Amik's term. So, I'm asking for her to be renewed as a one-year term to get us back on schedule. They're intended to be staggered. I think when Mr. Clark left city council, we appointed for a two-year term when it should have been unexpired one year. So, we got off schedule. So, I'm trying to get us back on the schedule where we have staggered terms. So, uh Mr. Peoples, we're recommending for a two-year term, Miss Aik for a one-year term um to continue on the Canal Winchester Industry and Commerce Corporation. I move uh to take 2603 to full counsel.

Motion made by Mr. Sheay, seconded by Mr. Mclofflin. Roll call. Mr. Sheay, yes. Mr. Mclofflin, yes. Mr. Moore, yes. Mr. Payne, yes. Miss Ame, yes. Mr. Bennett? Yes. Miss Deweiler? Yes. Can I just go ahead and make a motion on resolution 2604 to move to full counsel since we kind of talked about it already, Mr. Parliamentarian. Do we need to Well, can we have the roll call first? Right, Mr. or not roll call, but uh read it. Read it. Sorry.

A resolution approving the mayor's appointment of Lori Aik to serve the remainder of an unexpired two-year term as a trustee of the Canow Chester Industry and Commerce Corporation expiring on January 23rd, 2027. And do we need to amend that to a one-year? No, the expiration date's accurate on that. Okay, perfect. Uh, I move resolution 2604 to full counsel. Second. Second. Um, motion made by Mr. Sheay. Second by Mr. McGlaughlin. Mr. Sheay, yes. Mr. Mclofflin, yes. Mr. Moore, yes. Mr. Payne, yes. Miss Ame, yes. Mr. Bennett, yes. Miss Stew. Yep.

All right. Uh, move on to resolution 26-005. a resolution approving an amendment to Winchester Ridge residential community final development plan. Uh Mr. Hair, thank you. Um Winchester Ridge, uh this is the Redwood community off of DY Road and do you want to do the presentation, Mr. Moore, or do you want me to just go through this quickly? Doesn't matter. It's it's

Yeah, that's a minor change. So, um, that community was built, uh, essentially with two phases south of what is now Greengate Boulevard and one phase which is north or two phases north of Greengate Boulevard. They were developed separately because the property the north was never anticipated to be developed for um, you know, apartment community. It was bought by a church. The church then decided they didn't want to move forward. They was C3. they acquired um the other church here in town and didn't decide to move forward. So then they sold that property. Uh we acquired the rightway as part of that project and then the developer contributed to build the Green Boulevard roadway between those developments. So we held that money um until this year when we constructed the roadway. Um so what you're seeing on the screen now, the two red arrow arrows are the design connection points for those communities. Um because they had not anticipated access to the north, the uh access point on the south side of Green Gate Boulevard was in the center of the site. Um what they would like to do is change their approved final development plan to allow the access to be amended to move um to the west to line up with the access to the north. So you'd have two access drives um lining up with each other. And so they're currently they have a maintenance drive or they had a maintenance drive until we cut it off when we built the roadway that ran between those two communities across that rideway. Um so they they have some benefits from an access standpoint to get their maintenance crews back and forth across there and just connectivity and and traffic movement. We think it makes the most sense for them to line those up. Um so what you're seeing on the screen in front of you is the the access points lining up. That's on the on the left side of your screen. And then on the right side of your screen is the uh revised landscaping and signage. And so the signage is just a reduced

version of the signs that they have on Buy Road and DY Road. Uh so it's just a smaller scaled version of that with similar landscaping. And then they would install um the photograph there that you see with the the red diamonds. um they would just move those um from their existing location to that that street stub that they would not be connecting. And so you would have that barrier and that signage and then that area would just be used for additional resident parking. And just to clarify the exhibit on the right hand side of the screen that is not a zoomed in version of that intersection. Those roads will not be skewed like that. that exhibit is to caption the landscaping with the entry drive. So those those drives do line up. Just everything shrinks when you start to try to line those up to show the landscaping. So ignore um you those look it looks like that's Greengate Boulevard separating the two and it's it's that's not how it's constructed.

Yes. So, planning and zoning reviewed this at their their last meeting and recommended that council approve the final development plan as presented. Thank you, Mr. Hair. Any questions? Um, so just so I understand, I had the opportunity to to I was delivering some things back in that neighborhood and when I went to go to another address on Finch, I think it was, um, I couldn't just go straight through. This will allow a driver to go straight through. now is that correct? Yes. So when we, you know, when the second phase went in, we anticipated that the access point would be relocated there uh when that roadway was connected. So we did name that road the same road name

uh which has created challenges from emergency responders and things like that in the intern, but you know eventually it's going to make a lot of sense when you know now that the roads there and those will connect. That is super confusing. So I'm glad to see this. I have questions. Um, when I'm looking at this picture, how far in off of DY is are these driveways? 700 ft maybe. Oh, this is going to be after Kroger and behind Kroger. Yes. Okay. Cuz I was worried about it being close to Tally. All right. Thank you.

Questions turn into question. Anyone else? Uh chair motions to move resolution I lost my resolution 2605 26-005 to full counsel second uh motion by the chair second by Mr. Payne roll call please Mr. Moore yes Mr. Payne yes Mr. Shay yes Miss Aig yes Mr. Bennett yes Miss Deweiler yes Mr. Mr. McGlin. Yes. All right. And we will move. Sorry. Losing 26-6.

I uh can't get can't get connection right now. Um so yes, uh resolution 26-006. Clerk, will you please read a resolution approving a final development plan for sub area A of the Miller Farms Plan unit development. [snorts] Mr. Hair, Mr. Moore, not sure what Mr. Moore is going to go ahead and present the the final development plan.

So the application um for tonight's uh discussion is the final development plan 25-011 which is reviewed by planning and zoning commission last Monday. Uh this is for the 36.2 acres of the subject property for Miller Farms known as sub area A which is to approve 118 single family lots. um within that Miller Farms development. Sub area A is approximately the interior of that red bounding box up on the screen. Uh sub area A um for those that recall is split into kind of two halves. You have the north half um of Lyall Ditch which has 48 lots. You have the south half of Lyall Ditch which is a second phase for 70 additional lots. Uh when looking at the um northern half um the development uh plans dictate minimum lot sizes, setbacks, building envelopes. Um that's kind of what you're looking at on the screen is uh your final development plan confirming all the dimensions for the lots meets the um preliminary plan and zoning text requirements. Um, with this sub area a uh the development text also commits to a series of improvements multi-use path along Hayes Road, Oregon Road, uh, Lethopoulos Road. There is interior connecting paths um through the green space that connect sub area A, B, and C together. Um, each sub area has a responsibility for the kind of their section of those improvements. Uh this screen also shows part of the wet detention basin that will be necessary for the half north of Lyall ditch. Uh when looking at uh phase two of sub area

A, this is south of the ditch. Again, this is uh 70 lots. Um this has uh kind of the same type of exhibit showing um you know the lot sizes confirming they meet all the minimum requirements within the development text that city council approved. Uh, one of the items, um, during staff's review, again, it's just to make sure all the lot sizes, all the roadway designs, everything meet kind of our minimum standards for approval. Um, within the development text for this community, uh, what the the road stub I have circled, that is a connector street that connects sub area B, the multif family section to the, um, single family section. This is a public roadway stub that would just connect to the private roadway stub of that development. Um, this stub is only showing a sidewalk on one side of the street. All the dome plans intended for sidewalks on both sides. This will be a public road, so it'll be required to have sidewalk on both sides. And the multifamily development showed a sidewalk stub on the uh west side that would lead into this. So, little graphical error from the applicants, but um one worth mentioning that for a planning and zoning commission of approval just to have the sidewalks line up and match the approved drawings. Um secondly, the the kind of smaller circle in the middle of the roadway here. Um when looking at our subdivision regulations, um we required the curbing to be 30 ft face to face. These plans, all the drawings should 27 ft. So one of the conditions for the final development plan approval was that the curbing beum increased in size. It all fit within the existing or excuse me, the proposed 60oot rideway. Again, it's a, you know, more or less a graphical error that can be corrected without modifying any of the drawings. Uh, the development plan um requirements require showing how utilities are served the subject property. Um, the utilities

to get to the northern half of sub area A are essentially the same utility extensions that sub area B requires. That's what city council just reviewed and approved a couple meetings ago. Um that's the dashed kind of line work in the middle of the the map. Um sub area B provides the utility extensions into uh sub area A phase 2 um or the 70 lot south of L ditch. Um so this graphic is confirming they have the utility capacity and extensions uh per the approved preliminary plans uh for the landscaping plan. Um this development is very landscape intensive. Uh they are required to replace trees for trees that are being removed on the site. A total of 157 trees will be planted um just for the trees being removed for this development. Um in addition, our um the standards that were adopted for this project will require one tree for every 500 um ground floor gross square footage of a residential home. So, for example, if you build a 2,000 foot home, you have to plant four trees on your lot. Um, so as these plans for these homes get submitted for administrative review, um, one of the checks that staff will do is taking a look at the size of the home, verifying the number of trees they have on their plot plan matches the size of their home. Um, so some of these items for landscaping are done on the back end from the initial end. Um, 157 trees will be planted before a single home is constructed um, within this development. Uh when looking at some of the other commitments uh the developer made um with the um ordinance to approve the preliminary plan, there is some landscaping treatment fencing details mounding to screen uh this residential

sub area from both Hayes and Oregon Road. exhibit is showing that um when looking at the um signage, mailbox, kiosk, fencing exhibits, the pavilion, all these were commitments the developer had for kind of putting a brand behind the neighborhood. Um all the signage between all the sub areas is designed to be the same. um all the fencing between all the sub areas to kind of provide a front yard treatment from the public ride ofway into the development is this black crossbook fence. Um it's all the same same with the architectural columns, things of that nature are really making this a plan district which is what it was designed to be. Uh Rockford Homes is the applicant that is looking to build um within the sub area. Um they provided me with just a 16 slide example of homes that they build. Um these are kind of examples to show um the types of product they'd be building within the sub area. Um these images are not meant to replace any requirements within the development text for minimum architectural standards. Um, again, one of the administrative checks that we'll do is every single home pulls a permit to build for new construction. Um, I'm going to review every elevation of every house that goes in to make sure it meets the development text um that was adopted by city council um for this project. Uh, planning and zoning commission recommended FTP 25009 be approved with [snorts] the following conditions. Um many of these are kind of housekeeping items. Um I believe most of them are the same as what were approved for sub area

B. But to read them off um number one in the development text line 7X um had some language that staff wasn't comfortable with. It didn't quite match what city council required for the development. Uh so item number one is line 7X for the architectural standards uh be worded front porches shall be a minimum of 7 feet in depth and project a minimum 4 ft out past the living space. Uh number two um again is that sidewalk stub on both sides of stub street leading to sub area B shall be provided. Number three, the applicant completes the widening of Oregon Road along the frontage of sub area A south of L ditch prior to any building permits being issued for phase two of sub area A again south of L ditch. Number four, a public access easement be recorded on the open space pass amenities to allow for public access as specified within ordinance 24-034. Number five, additional road ride ofway is dedicated in Oregon Road and Hayes Road as shown in the plans prior to any building occupancy. Number six, that public access easement is recorded in all proposed multi-use paths along Oregon Road and Hayes Road prior to building occupancy. Number seven, the applicant cooperates in the establishment of the TIFF as well as the NCA um as specified with ordinance 24-034. And finally, number eight, that all roadways be a minimum of 30 ft in width as specified in chapter 11:15.03 of the subdivision regulations. Uh, so most of these in this recommendation for approval is general housekeeping items and keeping things consistent within the sub areas. Um, really the only thing that makes this sub area different would be condition number one, two, and eight um from sub area B.

I know that was quick, but um this process is really meant to be quick. Um the final development plan process is confirming you're meeting all the zoning text that was adopted with the zoning ordinance. Um this is really supposed to be an administrative review that the lot sizes they're going to be creating meet um the development standards. um kind of next steps from this process just to get you familiar and how this really you know this works in time is after they get um the final plan approved. Again, that's typically done by only planning and zoning commission. Um then the applicant submits civil engineering drawings to construct the roadways and utilities. They install the roadways and utilities. that goes back to planning and zoning commission for a plat to subdivide the property to create the lots. Once the plat has been recorded, then they can submit building permits. So, this is really an administrative step in a number of steps to actually start construction.

Thank you, Mr. Moore. Questions? Just have um Mr. where this is and and I'm sure the answer is going to be I'm going to go duh. On sub area A phase one, if you look at page 56, there's like an al cove and it says mail. Mhm. What What is that? It's in the middle of the subdivision. So, the um United States Postal Service does not permit any new residential growth within any state of the United States to have mailboxes in front of homes anymore. They require all new development to have cluster mailbox units, which are those localized units. Isn't that how Connor is too?

So, if you look at any development that has been done in the last 5 years in the city limits, they all have CBU units. So, um an example of an area that in my mind makes no sense to implement this change is uh Connor Cormarant Drive in the villages of Westchester. It's the last section of development in a series of streets that have already been built for the last 30 years. And the postal service required those last 40 homes to have this cluster mailbox unit. Um, so this is new. We haven't had a whole lot of new residential growth in the city to really visualize it yet. Um,

Greengate has it, but Greengate Cove has it. uh the um villages of Westchester, the gardens of villages of Westchester, Wilson Drive that has it. Um one section in um the main villages of Westchester has it and then uh the Dr. Wharton [snorts] project, Canal Cove, the newer phases um the latter two of the latter of the newest four phases have it. So it's you'll start to notice it more and more as things get built. The nice thing is no one's going to park in front of your mailbox.

So, yes. So, one of the things that we require locally is those cluster mailbox units um have to be outside of the public rightway. Um the post office wants them in the rightway. Basically, where you put a normal mailbox, very big obstruction in our view of being, you know, right in the public rightway. So, we require them to be outside of the rightway. And we also um have required all developments that have been forced to do these besides one section of Westchester uh to do off streetet parking to actually have a place to pull in park to go get your mail rather than having a line of cars parked along the um in front of someone else's house to get the mail.

Great. Thank you, Mr. Moore. I was totally not aware of that. So, thank you very much. The the only other question I have is um Rockford when in our conversations with them they promote themselves as a semicustom home builder and um I understand some of the options that may be available on the interior. Are there options? I guess I'm answering my own question because if the options that are presented to a a potential buyer meet our code, I guess it doesn't really matter what that custom the only thing I'm going to be looking at is if it meets our code or not when they submit for the building permits. Yeah.

If it does not, I'll reject it and tell they need to make modifications to to meet the minimum standards. Okay, great. Thank you. So they could have the same architectural design. I apologize. Um the same architectural design like in a row of five. So the in our code that you can't do that, right? Correct. So the preliminary development plans that um council adopted have a set of standards for architectural diversity, right? Um so they have to meet those minimum standards. Does that include color as well when like you can't have five white houses in a row? Could you could

um it's really about the same model of home right next to each other. We do the code section that was adopted has um you know within the same model you can make so many changes to it to make it architecturally different. Um but our local code does not have anything as specific as you know so many color of homes next to each other. Typically the builders have their own set of architectural separation standards that they also add on um in my experience with any other kind of project that's happened in the last 11 years in the city.

Mr. I'm looking at drawing number one of 13. Um I don't know what that is, but what I'm concerned about and when we were originally talking about this um phase was the traffic on Hayes Road. And I see that we have two streets intersecting with Hayes Road. And if this scale is accurate, it is less than 600 ft to the first intersection. And then I'm showing it at like about 1,000 ft to the second one. That's a really busy road there at Hayes and uh Lethopoulos. There's a lot of traffic that goes through there. in the morning and in the evenings and I think we are creating a potential safety hazard having two ingresses and egresses from that especially with the proximity to that intersection. Was that discussed at all?

So traffic study was performed during the preliminary development plan and that traffic study had this identical roadway network presented on it. Um, this plan actually hasn't differed at all from the original drawings city council looked at. Um, that traffic study did not show any uh improvements necessary on Hayes Road given the number of lots and the uh separation [clears throat] and frequency of access drives.

We also have spacing requirements for any access points and from spacing from an access from intersection. So I I think even on our largest streets uh in this configuration we would be at 450 ft would be the the minimum spacing from Lifeopoulos Haze Road intersection. Um and that's all in our thoroughfare plan and we lay out all the classifications of each roadway in Canal Winchester and then the access spacing requirements based on both the roadway classification and the speed limits and and in fact Mr. Um, hair, didn't the original traffic study included the commercial piece that has since been mixed? It did, but that also changed some of the improvements that they required,

right? Yeah. Oh, okay. I see. Well, I mean, it may work now. My concern is is 20 years from now when that whole area has just blown up like it's going to, um, that we're going to be creating the bottleneck of the future there. Yeah. I think when you're when you're looking at roadways, this was recently changed to a 35 mile per hour roadway and that significantly changes the traffic patterns and improvements that would be necessary. I don't like it. Thank you.

Any other questions? Uh, chair motions to move resolution 26-006 to full counsel. I'll second it. Uh, motion made by Mr. Moore. Second by Miss A. Roll call. Mr. Moore. Yes. Miss Am. Yes. Mr. Bennett? Yes. Miss Deweiler? Yes. Mr. McGofflin? Yes. Mr. Payne? Yes. Mr. Sh? No. And uh we'll move on to resolution 26-007. Clerk, can you read a resolution approving the mayor's appointment of Lauren Pimp to serve on the sustainability commission? Mr. Peeles.

No. Uh yes. Uh thank you, Mr. Moore. Miss Amy can counsel. Hopefully this is a less uh stressful appointment for you. Uh Lauren comes with a lot of experience that we need on the young uh sustainable Sustainability Commission. Um we feel that her credentials are very good for this appointment and she does live in the city of Canal Winchester. I think she's here with us tonight. Do you have any questions for her? And that's all I have. Any questions?

Motion to move the 2607. Motion made by Mr. Shay, second by Mr. Mr. Shay, yes. Mr. McGofflin, yes. Mr. Moore, yes. Mr. Payne, yes. Miss Aik, yes. Mr. Bennett, yes. Miss Deweiler, yes. And uh we'll move on. Any old or new business? Um actually old old business 26-001 2026 capital improvement plans.

Anyone?

That's all right. Uh included in the packet is the the CIP. Um as for the new members, this is a kind of a living document uh that we have uh put some um [snorts] some projects that uh that Mr. Sims had described earlier as well as some projects that we have uh on our radar for the next 5 years. Um uh this changes uh rather frequently. Um and we just put it on there for a discussion item. Um just to uh to get any feedback on that. Um we do not have a pending uh application for OPWC uh which typically would uh uh require us to do to adopt this by uh by resolution. Um so we've kind of foregone that this year. We we may end up with something later on in uh 2026 for that application cycle. Uh but at this time this is just a maintenance of the document. Would it would it be okay with council if everybody has two weeks to just review it and come back with any questions? Um I know this is new to a few members on here so probably the first time you're seeing this document.

I got a quick question though real quick. What Winchester I thought was road rehabilitation is that the bridge going out towards Miguel? It's the entire road from Columbus Street all the way out to uh Ashbrook Road. Okay. We have I'm going to say roughly 40% of the road is in Canal Winchester. Uh the 60% is in Fairfield County. Uh we've been working with them on a partnership project uh to share the cost for that. Okay. And does that cover the bridge too or is Franklin involved in that? The bridge is Franklin. That this doesn't have anything to do with the bridge. Okay.

Mr. Peoples, LA, at the last council meeting, I um asked about the cross reference between the action items in the community plan and the capital improvements list. And I think that the response was there that's always top of mind that someone I don't know that somebody did a cross reference line item by line item, but it's always uh top of mind to make sure that there's a match there. Is that correct?

Correct. Yeah. Mr. Hair and I went through the uh the CIP and the um the community plan uh and we kind of did do a line by line. uh the community plan on the on the projects they were uh mainly our larger projects that are capitalized or captured on here. Uh some of them are I will tell you tell you are not going to be 5 years out but we still included them on the list uh just to keep them uh going. Bixby Road for example I don't believe is going to be a 5year [snorts] um we're hoping it's right outside of that window. I'm sorry the Bixby Road interstate. Um [cough and clears throat] but um that is something that we want to make sure that we capture on here and identify. Okay. Yeah, I was kind of just focused on that near-term for now. So, okay.

All right. Thank you. You're welcome. Any other questions? Ash the Ashbrook drainage improvements. That's for the the flooding that has occurred and correct on Crosset Court. Yeah. Yeah. We have uh and design uh we're working through right now on that. um the property owner on the farm just to the south east east but somewhere over that way just adjacent uh to cross court uh they were in agreement with an an easement through there uh so we're moving forward very good thank you welcome I don't see a new pool on here there's not a new pool in there you didn't miss it [snorts]

uh any other older new business splash beds in there though yeah Next. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? Second. Sure. Motion to adjurnn. Second. Motion made by Mr. Shay, second by Mr. Moore. Roll call, please. Mr. Shay, yes. Mr. Moore, yes. Mr. Payne, yes. Miss Aick, yes. Mr. Bennett, yes. Miss Deweiler? Yes. Mr. Mclofflin? Yes. Right. Timeout 7:13. Uh, your regular council session will uh start at 7:23.

Good evening. This is the call to order for the Canal Winchester City Council meeting for Tuesday, January 20th, 2026. The pledge of allegiance this evening will be led by Mr. Bennett. I pledge algiance 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. Thank you, Mr. Bennett. Roll call, please. Miss A, present. Mr. Bennett, here. Miss Dweiler, here. Mr. Mclofflin, here. Mr. Moore here. Mr. Payne

here. Mr. Shay, I'm present. Thank you. The approval of minutes is next for MIN26-00001. This would be the January 5th organizational meeting minutes. Is there a motion to approve? So moved. Second. Motion made by Mr. Moore, second by Mr. Sheay. Roll call, please. Mr. Moore. Yes. Mr. Shay? Yes. Miss EC? Yes. Mr. Bennett? Yes, Miss Deweiler. Yes, Mr. Mclofflin. Yes, Mr. Payne. Yes. Thank you. The next item is approval of minutes 26-002 for January 5th, 2026 city council meeting minutes. Is there a motion to approve?

So moved. Second. Motion made by Mr. Moore, second by Mr. Sheay. Roll call, please. Mr. Moore, yes. Mr. Sheay, yes. Miss Ame, yes. Mr. Bennett? Yes. Miss Statweiler? Yes. Mr. Mr. Mclofflin, yes. Mr. Payne, yes. Thank you. Regarding communications and petitions, um, we have the Madison Township Police statistics for December 2025. Those are contained in your packet. Uh, we also have Chief Robinson here. Uh, Chief, do you have anything you'd like to add?

Yes. Good evening, Mayor, members of council. Pleasure to be here. Happy 2026. Uh, first meeting. uh Madison Township. Uh we're here tonight just representing the township as a whole. Um first and foremost, we want to congratulate Miss Deweiler, Mr. Payne on your uh nominations to council. We look forward to working with you. Um we pride ourselves between the township and the city of having a good working relationship and and building those pillars and and not working in silos. So, we're looking forward to that opportunity. Uh looking forward to a successful 2026. I know we're already working with some of the folks in the city on on various projects and and community engagement. So, we're looking forward to that and thank you for those opportunities. Also wanted to introduce our new trustee uh Mr. Chris Andrews. Uh he's fulfilling the new spot for a four-year term and uh we're happy to have him as well and just wanted to formally introduce him. Uh from my understanding, I think he's uh going to be making more appearances at meetings as well. So, not only will you have a member of, you know, police or fire or administration, but looking for some of our trustees to be in attendance as well. So, with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions. If you don't have anything for me, I'll I'll let him say a brief moment here. Good.

Okay. Thank you, Chief. [clears throat] Well, I just want to say it's awesome to be here and yes, congratulations. Uh that was a fun fun ride in life and I just really congratulate you on that uh such a milestone to serve your community. I am really looking forward to representing Madison Township and uh being over here being present as I can as often as I can and anything that I can be available to help you guys with uh to coordinate. Really look forward to doing that. And so yeah, it's good to see you all. Thank you, Mr. Andrew. Congratulations. Congratulations. All right, let's do technology.

The [snorts] next item under communications and petitions is COOM-26-00002, the Franklin County Board of Elections, Hannah Francis. Thank you so much for your time, letting me come speak tonight. My name is Hannah Francis. I'm the pole worker recruitment coordinator at the board of elections. Uh Matt Peoples gave me time tonight to share that in Canal Winchester specifically, we always struggle to have enough pole workers serve at your guys's four local precincts every election. Upcoming is the May 5th primary election and we're already trying to prepare for our need for pork workers again in Canal Winchester. So, I just wanted to share to the public and anybody interested in spreading the news. I did lay flyers um out by the door there if you're interested in sharing um with anybody who you know would be interested that we need pole workers for the May 5th election of all party types. They get paid for serving trained uh they might be able to ask their agency where they work at currently um if they get the day paid off. For anybody who's a lawyer um or a therapist, it um is credits towards their continuing education credits they need. So, that's a great way for being a coworker. Um, and it's a great way to serve your neighborhood. We're always looking for help in Canadaw Winchester specifically. Thank you so much.

Thank you very much, Miss Francis. Mr. Peoples, is is it possible to send out a blur or have Hannah send out a all hands on deck or asking for for support for that? I I've done this multiple times except when I was running and [snorts] it makes for a wonderful day. You get to see a lot of your friends and neighbors and it's it's easy work and it just is a it makes for a great day. So, as long as you have tennis shoes, it makes for a great day. [laughter] The next item is public comments. Is there anyone who would wish to address the council with public comments this evening? [clears throat and cough]

Okay. The next item is reports of city officials and staff. The first item is the mayor's report. And thank you, Miss Ms. Aik and city council. I'd like to start with the mayor's court report. [clears throat] It is in your packet. And uh it looks like we're um year to date. We are um this is through the end of December. So we're up a little bit from last year. The report's there. If you have any questions on it, we feel free to to ask us anything regarding that. Approve mayor's court. Pardon. Is there a motion to move the uh approve the mayor's court report for December 2025? He motioned. Okay.

I seconded. Motion made by Mr. Sheay. Second by Mr. Moore. Roll call, please. Mr. Shay, yes. Mr. Moore, yes. Mr. Payne, yes. Miss Aick, yes. Mr. Bennett, yes. Miss Deweiler, yes. Mr. McAfflin, yes. Apologies, mayor. We got excited and you're good. That's the order of business. Thank you, Mayor Steer. The next item I do have a few more items. Yes, please. No problem. [laughter]

Um, you guys also have in your packet um the uh consultants um report with our partners. I'm sure you've had time to read through that. If you haven't, um give it a read. If you have any questions, you come come back to us. Some of the recommendations um were that we communicate better with all all the partners together to try to get us all under one umbrella a little bit better and working together. Um so we have you know we've worked that into the round table that we were already doing with um uh Altha and and the uh human services. So uh we have met uh two weeks ago we met to forge a path and communicate on the upcoming year. Um and then that was one of their recommendations. Another one was to for um destination to bring different parts of the city into the organization and relieve some of our of the partners being on the board. uh they were initially on the board for better communication and we're going to be doing that through these meetings now. So we've extended uh or the board has changed their bylaws to um to bring in hotel. So we're going to have a representative from the hotel. This this will be new a representative from DY Road and from Gender Road. Uh those are our new members added that uh downtown will only have one representative now instead of uh two. The restaurants will be out, but they'll communicate through the round table. Uh I was added as a board member. Uh we'll we'll have um David Payne will be there as a representative from the council as you know as you know, but I'll be a non

non- voting member. Uh as we move forward um next week we are going to uh staff is going to meet the director's meeting and um look at the next phase of what we uh want to do which is a more branding and marketing for the city through destination and we're going to we've got some um consultants and people interested in those positions. Um, Miss Amy, we've talked about that and so we're going to look at the process for that next week and and get that process going. We have four interested parties right now in that for branding and marketing. So that's our next phase of that study. Um, I don't are there any questions regarding that? As we move forward, we will keep you all informed. And and then speaking about the um the meeting that we're going to have next week, we're also going to look into the mayor's retreat again for this year. I know that uh last year it was not very well attended. The goal that I have as mayor for the mayor's retreat is to involve you guys in the vision of the city. and I'd like to do that through um our comprehensive report from 2023. It's a lot more than a land use plan. It is it's actually got a lot more information in there. Um I know after talking to THAAD and some other people that other cities sat down at the beginning of the year or sometime in the winter and uh get three two to three strategic plans that they would like to do for the year. I think that this the community plan is the place to do it. Um where we could all get together and decide together. I I can't form a vision for

the city without you guys. I mean I need you guys to do it. So your input and buy in is critical. So, if we could try to find a time when we can, you know, get some input to to where it be the best time that we can all get together and go through this with Lucas again and go through the community plan and together pick out some some goals for the year so we can start accomplishing some things more than just a land use plan. So, that's kind of our goal with that. So, we'll be talking about that more. Maybe send out some emails and get some ideas of when you guys are available when you could take a half a day to to come in and go over that. And other than that, I think that's all I have

questions for Mayor Steer. Okay. Hearing none. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. The next item is city administrator, Mr. Peoples. Thank you, Miss Hammock. Um just uh one thing to highlight from my written report uh is the uh flock cameras. We are adding two of those and we got that moving a little bit early. Uh saved a little bit money by getting into it uh in the agreement u early and uh those are under permitting right now with um uh we hope to have those up by spring.

Thank you. Mr. Peoples questions. I think from a report we got at the end of the year, the flock cameras according to Sergeant Strawn have been extremely beneficial. So yeah, they have quite a few stories of of uh the highlights that they have been able to find people and uh capture them and keep other harm and and they we worked with Sergeant Strong and his crews um to for the locations of that. So they're the ones who recommended that. So those two. Thank you, Mr. Peoples. You're welcome. Um I don't see Sergeant Strong this evening. Are you speaking for him or do you have anything you'd like to report?

Okay. Um anything for Sergeant Strong? I do. Mr. Um the number of tickets that you guys wrote on your report for December is abysmal. Um considering the way traffic flows around here. Looking at your October numbers, you wrote 75 tickets and in December you guys wrote 34 tickets. So, I don't know if you're busy with the snow and stuff. I'm not trying to second guess you, but like yes, we're busy with the snow and other things that were happening when I All right. Thank you. It was a Christmas season. You're very generous. Anything else for the folk county sheriff?

Thanks for what you do. Yes. Okay. The next item is law director, Mr. Bogs. Thank you, Mrs. Amic. I don't have uh a request for executive session this evening. I'm happy to answer any questions though that the council may have. Did you say no request or you do have a request? No request for executive session. Anything for Mr. Fox? Okay. Moving on. Uh finance director, Mrs. Jackson.

Thank you, Mrs. Aik. The only thing I wanted to point out from my written report this evening is that I finally got the um approval of our 2023 2024 audit from the auditor of state's office. Um I have zero idea what the holdup was. Our auditor said that they had about a half dozen audits that they had submitted that they just sat on somebody's desk for multiple months. Um there was nothing wrong with the audit. Uh we were just waiting for them to give their stamp of approval. Um, I don't have an official publication date just yet, but everything is um, approved by the state, so we're good to go for another couple years.

Thank you, Mrs. Jackson. For as long as I've been sitting in this seat, it's always a nothing to report uh, kind of report from you. So, thank you very much for your hard work on that. Okay, the next item, Mr. Hair, development director.

Thank you, Mrs. Amic. Uh, we did have an application filing deadline for planning and zoning today. Uh we did receive two applications in a resoning for the northeast corner of US 33 and Bowen Road. Uh that was most recently Specialty RV. Um prior to that was Riker. Um had a number of different operations there throughout the years. Um they are proposing to reszone that from general commercial to um LM which is limited manufacturing. Um they have a automotive repair business that's going into the front building there and res has received a conditional use. Uh but the rear building has an electrical contractor that would like to go in there which doesn't fit within the GC zoning. So that'll be before planning and zoning at their next meeting. And then also we had a site development plan filed for um the corner of Bellen Road and Robinet Way um proposing a new 210,000t industrial building on that site. um if you recall they did a resoning a few years ago for that property um that came through council and so it's the next phase of uh canal points development and then um also we have a vacancy on landmarks commission so if any of you know anyone that would like to apply for that and is qualified to do so please have them reach out um we'll send that out to all the residents to hopefully get people um and generate some interest in that but we've failed to do so only having one application in the last uh four or five years since we've started doing this process.

Maybe as the communication goes out, we kind of document that particular ordinance and make sure that people don't apply that may not meet those criteria. I I think we'll try to cast the net as as wide as we can. Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Hair? Okay. The next item is uh moving on to resolutions. The first item is resolution 26-00001. Clerk, will you read the resolution, please?

A resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract for indigent defense representation in the Franklin County Municipal Court with the Franklin County Public Defender on behalf of the city of Canawa Chester Mayor's Court. Thank you. The sponsor is Mr. Sheay. I move to adopt resolution 26-001. Second. Motion made by Mr. Sheay. Second by Mr. Moore. Roll call, please. Mr. Shed, yes. Mr. Moore, yes. Mr. Payne, yes. Miss Ame, yes. Mr. Bennett, yes. Miss Stweiler, yes. Mr. Mclofflin, yes.

Thank you. Resolution 26-002 did not move to full counsel. So that takes us to resolution 26-003. Clerk, will you read the resolution, please? A resolution approving the mayor's appointment of Matthew Peoples to serve a two-year term as a trustee of the Canowester Industry and Commerce Corporation expiring on March 22nd, 2028. Thank you. The sponsor is Mr. Sheay. I move to adopt resolution 26003. Uh second by uh motion made by Mr. Sheay, second by Mr. Payne. Roll call, please. Mr. Sheay, yes. Mr. Payne, yes. Miss A. Yes. Mr. Bennett?

Yes. Miss Deweiler? Yes. Mr. Gofflin? Yes. Mr. Moore? Yes. Thank you. The next item is resolution-26-004. Clerk, will you read the resolution, please? A resolution approving the mayor's appointment of Lori Aik to serve the remainder of an unexpired two-year term as a trustee of the Canowchester Industry and Commerce Corporation expiring on January 23rd, 2027. Thank you. And just for clarification, it's a one-year term, but the expiration date is correct on this um agenda. Correct, Mr. Hair? Yes.

Uh the sponsor is Mr. Shay. Move to adopt resolution 26-004. Is there a second? Second. Motion made by Mr. Sheay. Second by Mr. Payne. Roll call, please. Mr. Sheay, yes. Mr. Payne, yes. Miss A. Yes. Mr. Bennett. Yes. Mr. Miss Stewer. Yes. Mr. McGlaughlin. Yes. Mr. Moore. Yes. Thank you. The next item is resolution 26-00005. Clerk, will you read the resolution, please? A resolution approving an amendment to Winchester Ridge residential community final development plan.

Thank you. The sponsor is Mr. Moore. Motion to adopt resolution 26-005. I'll second it. Motion made by Mr. Moore, second by Mrs. Am. Roll call, please. Mr. Moore, yes. Miss Am. Yes. Mr. Bennett? Yes. Miss Deweiler? Yes. Mr. Mr. Mclofflin, yes. Mr. Payne, yes. Mr. Sh, yes. Thank you. The next item is resolution 26-006. Clerk, will you read the resolution, please? A resolution approving a final development plan for sub area A of the Miller Farms Planned Unit development. Thank you. The sponsor is Mr. Moore.

Motion to adopt resolution 26-006. I'll second it. Motion made by Mr. Moore. Second by Mrs. Amit. Roll call, please. Mr. Moore, yes. Miss Amit, yes. Mr. Bennett, yes. Miss Deweiler, yes. Mr. Mclofflin, yes. Mr. Payne, yes. Mr. Shay, no. The next item is resolution- 26-00. Uh, clerk, will you read the resolution, please? A resolution approving the mayor's appointment of Lauren Kemp to serve on the sustainability commission. Thank you. sponsors. Mr. Sheay, Mrs. Aik. Yes.

Uh, on this one, could we have, just to clarify a a typo, uh, a motion to amend section one to replace uh, reference to Susan Potter with reference to Lauren Kemp? Yes, thank you for reminding me. Is there a motion to amend the document in the packet for section one to remove the name Susan Potter and replace it with the name Lauren Kemp? So moved. Second. Motion made by Mr. Moore. Second by Mr. Sheay. Roll call, please. Mr. Moore. Yes. Mr. Shay, yes. Miss Ame, yes. Mr. Bennett, yes.

Miss Deweiler, yes. Mr. McGofflin, yes. Mr. Pay, yes. Thank you. Now the motion uh the sponsor is Mr. Shea to approve resolution 26-007. I move to adopt resolution 26-007. Second. Motion made by Mr. Sheay, second by Mr. Payne. Roll call, please. Mr. Sheay, yes. Mr. Payne, yes. Miss Amit, yes. Mr. Bennett, yes. Miss Stweiler, yes. Mr. Mclofflin, yes. Mr. Moore. Yes.

Thank you. That takes us to ordinances. And for this evening, there are no first, second, or third reading readings for ordinances, which takes us to council reports. Um, upcoming for the month of February. The work session and city council meeting will be Monday, February 2nd at 6 p.m. Following that work session and council Tuesday, February 17th at 6:00 p.m. And following that work session, city council meeting for Monday, March 2nd at 6:00 p.m. There are a number of council connect meeting dates. Um the first one coming up this Wednesday at 6:30. Mr. Mo and I will be hosting that and I can't recall if if there was anybody else that had a last minute sign up for that. Um that will be here in council chambers although there may be some uh relocating of the council connect meetings in the f future. Uh we'll keep you posted and hopefully get uh some communication out from the city should the location change. But for this Wednesday at 6:30 the meeting will be here in council chambers. And then the following dates, February 21st, uh, 9:00, March 18th at 6:30, April 18th at 9:00 a.m., May 20th at 6:30 p.m., June 20th at 9:00 a.m. July 15th at 6:30, August 15th at 9:00, September 16th at 6:30, October 17th at 9:00, and November 18th at 6:30. Um, for anyone who has not yet signed up on the um, council connect uh, workbook that Mr. Bennett created, if you would please do so and then we'll get some meeting notices out uh, on your calendars. That takes us to the report for Canoan Chester Human Services. Mr. Shay,

let's see here. All right. Still getting used to my new computer. Forgive me. All right. Human services. I have nothing new to report here. Patrick, do you would you like my um one minute, please? [clears throat]

Well, I don't want to delay, but I um I have a report for you that she's trying to do at some point. Well, I'm looking at it. It's the same one I got a couple weeks ago. Okay. All right. Um, that's fine. Okay. The next item is the CWIC. Uh, the next meeting will be [clears throat] Wednesday, February 25th here in C council chambers at 11:30 a.m. Uh, the Canow Winchester joint recreation District, Mr. Bennett and Mr. Moore.

All right. Um well, we welcomed our new board members last meeting. Um so we we're set there, which is nice. Um all the spring sport registrations are out. Um we did officially add golf um on there. We've already had uh I don't know about half the availability um signed up already. So that's nice to see that the new sport has taken off pretty quickly. Um other than that, things are running smooth and uh we'll uh update you next meeting. Mr. Do you have anything? Nothing to add. No. Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen. The next item is destination canal Winchester. Uh Mr. Payne, welcome to um the liaison for that group.

Yeah. Uh thank you, Mr. Sam. I do have some updates from uh the new executive director of Destination Canal Winchester, Lacy Craner. Um they are in full swing with Planned for the Art on the canal art stroll and are actively securing artists. Um they currently have 16 artists that are confirmed. So if you or someone you know are interested um they are still actively securing those artists. Um they're also excited to welcome back the Canal Winchester Steel Drum Band once again under the direction of Todd Phillips. Um they're also lining up performers for Summer Sundays at Stradley Park and are hoping to bring in some new bands that will attract great audiences. Planning's underway for blues and rifest. They're looking forward to a very successful year of events. Um, finally, don't forget our second winter farmers market is taking place Saturday, February 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the community center. And if you haven't already, download the Canal Winchester Destination Canal Winchester app. That's all I have.

Thank you, Mr. Payne. Well done. Goes to Steve. Yep, that's right. Goes to Steve. Um the next item is the Canow Winchester Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Mclofflin.

Okay. I've got a few things to report, a little bit longer winded than normal. Um first, I want to start by announcing to council members and to everybody that annual sponsorships increased by 183%. Uh in 2026 uh for the chamber, uh Elizabeth Woods clearly been working very hard to engage our, you know, our businesses, our community. Um so kudos to her. Um so that's good news. She's expanding um different programs as well. One of them being that a uh the new leadership CW program that's going to be launching this fall. Uh so stay tuned for that. That'll be for chamber members. Um there'll be more details to come there. Um additionally, the chamber wants to welcome its newest member, MCAT Solutions. Um, and then join us for Sunrise Social on Friday, January 30th from 7:30 to 8:30 at Hampton Inn. Filmmaker Jason Flakes. Uh, Visual 14 will lead an interactive session on creating effective video testimonials in planning uh, social media content. You also learn one way uh, one way to maximize your chamber membership. Members and non-members are welcome. Uh, this event is free and includes breakfast. Um, also our annual awards night is on Friday, February 27th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Brew Dog. Uh, limited tickets are available, so go ahead and register for the event at canowwester.com. And lastly, I want to congratulate all of the uh, Chambers 2026 annual award uh, nominees. I'm going to go ahead and list them off uh, they deserve recognition. So, uh, for business of the year, Bellwood Farms, Columbus Metropolitan Library, the Canal Winchester branch, the Goddard School of Canal Winchester, Homestead Tap Room and Kitchen, MG Abbott Electric, Primrose

School of Canal Winchester, Redwood Canal Winchester, South Central Power in the Wagels Library. Nominees for the business person of the year. Joe Abbott of MG Abbott Electric, Sarah Chin, sorry, Sarah Chin Jones of Coffee on High, Christy Prince of Redwood Living, Terry Roberson of Canal, the Canal Wigwam and Ryan Rose of Rose Plumbing. And lastly, the nominees for Pillar of the Community are Joe Abbott, Kathy Benner, Arnetta Davis, Mary Heistister, Christy Johnson, [snorts] Chelsea Smith, our fearless leader, Joe Steager, Karen Styles, and Robert Wood. Thank you.

Congratulations to all those people. That's great. Thank you, Mr. Mclofflin. The next item is the sustainability commission and thank you to Mrs. Deweiler for leading that commission. Now, I don't have too much to report as I'm just starting my transition into the commission, but um we are working on getting um kind of two signature events going this year. There will be more information to come. Um, and then some just uh housekeeping changes to how things will be reported. Wonderful. Thank you.

Okay. Any old or new business? Okay. Hearing none. Is there [snorts] a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Second. Motion made by Mr. Moore. Second by Mr. Sheay. Roll call, please. Mr. Moore. Yes, Mr. Sheay. Yes, Miss Amy. Yes, Mr. Bennett. Yes, Miss Deweiler. Yes, Mr. Mclofflin. Yes, Mr. P. Yes. Thank you. Time out. 7:53 p.m.