[00:00:01]
OF TIME.[CALL TO ORDER]
WILL CALL THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 20TH, 2025 TO ORDER.JENNY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLE VICE MAYOR LUDO? HERE.
[ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION]
MAKE THE MOTION TO ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSES OF PERSONNEL MATTERS CONSIDERING THE EMPLOYMENT OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE AND TO CONSIDER CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION RELATED TO A REQUEST FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE THAT INVOLVES PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN WHICH EXECUTIVE SESSION IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE POSSIBLE INVESTMENT OR EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO BE MADE IN CONNECTION WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.JENNY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLE MR. ROSA? YES.
I WILL REMIND THE VIEWING PUBLIC THAT WE WILL RECONVENE THIS MEETING IN THIS LOCATION AT 7:00 PM THANK YOU.
[RECONVENE (7 P.M.)]
WILL RECONVENE THE MONDAY, OCTOBER 20TH, 2025 REGULAR DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MEETING.UH, AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR.
[CITIZEN COMMENTS ]
US TO THE CITIZEN'S COMMENTS PORTION OF OUR AGENDA.THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO COMMENT ON ANY TOPIC THAT IS NOT ON THIS EVENING'S AGENDA.
UH, IF YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN IN, WE WILL HEAR THOSE FIRST AND THEN WE WILL CALL IF THERE ARE OTHER PRESENT.
LINDSAY, DID WE HAVE ANYBODY SIGN IN? GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, ANGELA GRIFFIN SIGNED IN.
IF YOU WOULD PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS INTO THE RECORD, AND WE WELCOME HEARING YOUR THOUGHTS.
OH, THERE'S A LITTLE BUTTON THERE.
AND I WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
FIRST, UM, THERE ARE MANY REASONS MY HUSBAND AND I CHOSE TO MOVE TO DUBLIN.
UM, THE FORETHOUGHT AND PLANNING AND THE PROMISE THAT IT'S GREENER HERE WERE SOME OF THOSE TOP CHOICES.
DUBLIN'S ALWAYS PRIDED ITSELF ON BEING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY, AND I UNDERSTAND THERE'S ALSO AN INITIATIVE TO BE A LEADER IN INNOVATION, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THESE TWO VALUES COLLIDE? DOES BEING INNOVATIVE MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO SACRIFICE BEING GREEN? THAT'S WHAT BRINGS ME HERE TONIGHT.
I'M ASKING FOR YOUR HELP IN PROTECTING OUR BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY, NOT ONLY IN THE WEST INNOVATION DISTRICT, BUT THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
I'M ASKING THAT YOU NOT ALLOW ANY MORE DATA CENTERS IN DUBLIN.
THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY ADVERSE EFFECTS FOR ME TO COVER IN THREE MINUTES, SO I'M PLANNING TO SEND YOU AN EMAIL LATER.
BUT I DID WANNA SAY THAT I HOPE YOU FOLLOW THE LEAD OF JEROME TOWNSHIP AND CONSIDER A MORATORIUM SO YOU CAN CONTINUE TO RESEARCH THE IMPLICATIONS THIS WOULD CAUSE, UM, OR BETTER YET, PROHIBIT THEM ALL TOGETHER THROUGH ZONING ORDINANCES.
I WANNA TRUST AS OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, YOU'LL REPRESENT THE RESIDENTS OVER BEING INNOVATIVE AND RESIST THE PRESSURES FROM OUTSIDE DEVELOPERS THAT WOULD LITERALLY MAKE OUR COMMUNITY LESS GREEN.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE PRESENT THIS EVENING THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO SOMETHING THAT IS NOT ON THIS EVENING'S AGENDA? PLEASE COME FORWARD.
IF YOU WOULD PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS INTO THE RECORD.
I LIVE AT 58, UH, 45 GLENDA PLACE IN RE AND I WANTED TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE RELATED TO ENVISION DUBLIN AND SPECIFICALLY THE WESTERN INNOVATION DISTRICT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE BALL TRAY AND HOCHER ROAD RESIDENCE.
SINCE THE APRIL 7TH CITY COUNCIL MEETING WHERE REZONING OF THE WESTERN INNOVATION DISTRICT WAS DISCUSSED AND SUBSEQUENTLY TABLED, THE WID RESIDENTS HAVE CONSISTENTLY ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY TYPE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS DONE TO UNDERSTAND THE FINANCIAL INPUTS REQUIRED TO GENERATE WHAT LEVEL OF REVENUE.
THE PURPOSE OF THE REQUEST WAS TO UNDERSTAND HOW CITY COUNCIL AND STAFF BALANCE THE FINANCIAL INPUT OF THE FINANCIAL OUTPUT VERSUS THE IMPACT TO THE WID RESIDENTS IN RELATION TO ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC CONGESTION, PROPERTY VALUES, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, AND THE IMPACT TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF WHERE WE LIVE.
ADDITIONALLY, WE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT OTHER ZONING OPTIONS
[00:05:01]
OR ALTERNATIVES WERE CONSIDERED THAT WOULD LESSEN THE IMPACT TO THE WID RESIDENTS WHILE STILL SUPPORTING SOME ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO THE CITY.WE WERE REPEATEDLY TOLD BY MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF STAFF AND MAYBE CITY COUNCIL, I DON'T REMEMBER THAT ANALYSIS DOES NOT EXIST.
WE DON'T KNOW, OR IT'S TOO EARLY TO TELL.
WELL, THANK GOODNESS FOR THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.
A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST WAS SUBMITTED ON JULY 31ST REQUEST REQUESTING ANY TYPE OF FISCAL MODELING FOR ENVISION DOUBLING AND SPECIFICALLY THE WID.
FINALLY, ON SEPTEMBER 3RD, I RECEIVED A SUMMARY BY TISCHLER BI ONLY BY SUBMITTING A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST DID SOMEONE FINALLY RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST.
OVER A 27 YEAR PERIOD, DUBLIN WOULD SPEND ROUGHLY 1.12 BILLION IN OPERATING IN CAPITAL COST TO GENERATE ROUGHLY 1.14 BILLION IN REVENUE.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE BENEFIT OF ROUGHLY $670,000 A YEAR OVER 27 YEARS, OR A 0.4 POSITIVE IMPACT TO THE CITY BUDGET, I'M NOT SURE MANY BUSINESS WOULD BUSINESSES WOULD SPEND THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO GENERATE A 0.4% RETURN.
ANOTHER PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST WAS MADE ON SEPTEMBER 15TH TO UNDERSTAND THE DETAILS OF HOW THE CALCULATIONS WERE MADE.
AGAIN, ANOTHER MONTH PASSES AND ON OCTOBER 14TH, I FINALLY GOT A RESPONSE.
NONE OF WHAT I ASKED FOR WAS INCLUDED.
I WAS TOLD THAT THE CONSULTANT WHO THE CITY PAID $70,000 TO HAD GIVEN THE CITY EVERYTHING.
THERE HAS TO BE SOME DETAILED CALCULATIONS.
OTHERWISE, HOW CAN THEY ESTIMATE THE INPUTS OF 1.12 BILLION OR OUTPUTS OF 1.14 BILLION? I'M REALLY STRUGGLING TO SEE THE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
IT SEEMS THAT ONLY BY SUBMITTING A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST CAN QUESTIONS GET ANSWERED AND RESIDENTS CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES.
HOPEFULLY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE IMPROVED GOING FORWARD AS IT APPEARS MANY RESIDENTS ARE UPSET ABOUT THINGS GOING ON IN THE CITY AND WITH SCHOOLS.
FINALLY, WE WERE TOLD BY COUNCIL THAT STAFF WOULD BE UPDATING THE ZONING CODE AND THERE WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO COLLABORATE.
UH, I UNDERSTAND FROM THE EX, UM, BUT THAT'S NOT HAPPENED TO DATE, AND WE'RE NOT SURE WHEN THAT PROCESS BEGINS AND HOW WE ARE TO BE COLLABORATING WITH THE REZONING.
I UNDERSTAND FROM THE, UH, EXPECTATIONS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE.
THIS IS NOT A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION, BUT WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING AND WE'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT PROCESS IS AND HOW DO WE ENGAGE.
I ALSO UNDERSTAND THE NEW CITY COUNCIL MEETING EXPECTATIONS ABOUT NO CHEERING OR SWEARING, NAME CALLING OR DEROGATORY COMMENTS, BUT HOPEFULLY THIS IS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO LIMIT ANYBODY'S FREE SPEECH OR THE ABILITY TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES.
I BELIEVE, UH, MAYBE SOMEONE FROM THE PLANNING STAFF CAN, UH, REACH OUT WITH YOU AND LET YOU KNOW ON SOME OF THOSE TIMELINES.
ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT? PLEASE COME FORWARD.
STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND WE WELCOME YOUR THOUGHTS.
I'M THE CEO OF SENTARA, AND I'M HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF SENTARA.
OUR AGENCY ADDRESS IS 2 9 9 KRAMER CREEK COURT.
UH, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT AN ISSUE THAT'S DEEPLY IMPORTANT TO ME.
I'M HONORED TO SERVE, SERVE AS CEO OF SENTARA, WHICH IS A COMMUNITY NONPROFIT, UH, MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION HERE IN DUBLIN.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UPCOMING ADAM H. LEVY, WHICH WILL BE ON THE FRANKLIN COUNTY BALLOT AS ISSUE ONE THIS NOVEMBER.
THE ALCOHOL DRUG ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH BOARD IS THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SAFETY NET FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY, ENSURING THAT VITAL MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO RESIDENTS ACROSS ALL NEIGHBORHOODS.
WHILE MOST ADAM MH FUNDED SERVICES SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED, MANY PROGRAMS INCLUDING 24 7 CRISIS SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS IN 16 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND AGING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES BENEFIT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
MORE THAN 75% OF ADAM H FUNDING COMES FROM A SINGLE PROPERTY TAX LEVY THAT WILL EXPIRE IN DECEMBER, 2026.
MEANWHILE, THE NEED FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES CONTINUES TO GROW, AND STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING REMAINS UNCERTAIN EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC RATES OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE USE WERE RISING.
AND THOSE CHALLENGES HAVE ONLY DEEPENED.
ONE IN FOUR FRANKLIN COUNTY ADULTS WILL EXPERIENCE A MENTAL ILLNESS THIS YEAR.
THESE ARE NOT JUST STATISTICS.
THEY'RE OUR FRIENDS, OUR NEIGHBORS, OUR COWORKERS, OUR TEACHERS, AND OUR FAMILY MEMBERS.
SUICIDE DEATHS ARE INCREASING, ESPECIALLY AMONG TEENS, OLDER ADULTS AND MEN.
OVERDOSE DEATHS HAVE DECLINED SLIGHTLY SINCE 2020, BUT REMAIN AT HISTORIC HIGHS, STILL ABOVE STATE AND NATIONAL AVERAGES.
AS OUR COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW, MORE RESIDENTS WILL RELY ON ADAM H FUNDED SERVICES IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
THIS LEVY PROVIDES STABILITY AND CERTAINTY IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, ENSURING THAT WE MAINTAIN THE SERVICES THAT KEEP OUR COMMUNITY HEALTHY AND SAFE.
THE ADAM H BOARD IS SEEKING A RENEWAL LE LEVY OF 2.85 MILS WITH A MODEST 0.5 MIL INCREASE, WHICH THE INCREASE EQUATES TO ABOUT A DOLLAR AND
[00:10:01]
46 PER MONTH FOR EACH A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS OF HOME VALUE.THAT SMALL INVESTMENT WILL HELP TO SUSTAIN OVER COMMUNITY AGENCIES OVER 50 COMMUNITY AGENCIES LIKE SENTARA TO DELIVER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN EVERY ZIP CODE ACROSS FRANKLIN COUNTY.
250 CRISIS HOTLINE CALLS PER DAY THROUGH 9 8 8 AND OTHER CRISIS LINES AND MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTIONS PROGRAMS THAT HAPPEN IN 16 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
IN TOTAL, 88% OF ADAM H DOLLARS FLOW DIRECTLY BACK TO COMMUNITY SERVICES, SUPPORTING CRISIS PREVENTION, TREATMENT RECOVERY, HOUSING, AND FAMILY SUPPORTS.
SUPPORT FOR THE ADAM H. LEVY IS A FOUNDATIONAL INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY'S WELLBEING.
IT STRENGTHENS PUBLIC SAFETY, SUPPORTS OUR SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HELPS FAMILIES GET THE CARE THEY NEED WHEN THEY NEED IT.
THIS BRINGS US TO THE CONSENT AGENDA PORTION OF OUR AGENDA.
IS THERE A REQUEST TO MOVE AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 6TH, THE 16TH, AND THE EXCUSE OF COUNCIL MEMBER REINER ON OCTOBER THE SIXTH? OH, I'M SORRY.
OH, DID YOU WANT TO COME SPEAK AS WELL? YES.
WHEN I ASKED BEFORE THOSE TWO RAISE, RAISE THEIR HAND.
I LIVE AT 83 43 NI MAIN LOOP, DUBLIN.
THE REASON I'M HERE IS, UH, LAST OCTOBER, UH, ULTRA FIBER, UH, CAME IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEY DIG IT OUT IN MY BACKYARD.
AT THAT TIME, EVERYTHING WAS FINE, BUT THEY DAMAGED MY BACKYARD ELECTRICAL LINE AND, UH, SLOWLY, SLOWLY MOISTURE WENT IN AND IN SOMEWHERE IN JUNE, UH, MY HOUSE, I LOST ELECTRIC POWER.
THEN IT STARTED UP AND DOWN IS SURGING UP, SURGING DOWN.
ONE OF OUR NEIGHBOR ALSO BEEN THROUGH SAME THING.
SO HE TOLD ME THAT, WHY DON'T YOU CALL TO ULTRA FIBER? I CALLED THEM.
THEY CAME, THEY FIXED THE ISSUE.
BUT THE, DURING THAT THING, I LOST MY MICROWAVE OVEN AND, UH, OVER WHOLE UNIT.
AND, UH, I LOST TWO REFRIGERATOR FOOD.
UH, WE HAVE TO LIVE, UH, MANAGE FOOD OUTSIDE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ELECTRICITY FULLY, VERY UP AND DOWN.
AND NOW THEY'RE NOT RESPONDING ME ANYTHING.
AND I SEE LEFT AND RIGHT IN A DUBLIN, EVERYWHERE DIGGING IS GOING ON.
SO MANY PEOPLE MUST BE GOING THROUGH LIKE ME.
CITY OF DUBLIN, THE IAN PICTURED, HE HELPED ME OUT.
HE FORWARD THE REQUEST TO THE ULTRA FIBER CINCINNATI, BUT CINCINNATI OFFICE, THEY DO BY CONTRACTOR.
SO CORONER CABLE COMPANY IS THE DIGGING OUT THE WHOLE THINGS.
NOW, NO ONE IS HELPING ME OUT.
I'M LOOKING FOR MY DAMAGE MONEY, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO, SO CITIES SHOULD, YOU KNOW, LIKE I'M SURE THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WENT GOING THROUGH LIKE ME.
WHATEVER DAMAGE THEY FIX IT UP FOR FUTURE.
ALSO, THAT SAME PLACE, IF I'M THERE IS SOMETHING HAPPEN, THEY HAVE TO FIX IT UP.
AND HOW TO, UH, CITY CAN HELP ME.
I'M LOOKING FOR A HELP IN, UH, THIS MATTER.
UM, IF YOU COULD GIVE YOUR, UH, I THINK KENDALL WILL MEET YOU OUT BACK.
SHE WILL TAKE ALL OF YOUR INFORMATION AND START HANDLING THAT FOR YOU.
AND AGAIN, UH, ON THE ISSUES OF ENTRE, UH, JENNY RAUSCH IS HAPPY TO CONNECT WITH THE, WITH EACH OF YOU.
ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK BEFORE WE MOVE ON? OKAY.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA, IS THERE A REQUEST TO MOVE ANY ITEM FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTING OF THE OCTOBER 6TH AND 16TH? COUNSEL, UH, MEETING MINUTES AND THE OCTOBER 6TH ABSENCE OF JOHN REINER.EXCUSE, HEARING NONE, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS CONSENT AGENDA AND I WILL SECOND JENNY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? MR. KEELER? YES.
[Ordinance 42-25 ]
READING, PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCES ORDINANCE 42 DASH 25, AMENDING CHAPTER 35 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES TO REVISE THE FEE AND SERVICE CHARGE REVENUE COST COMPARISON SYSTEM, AND ESTABLISHING A SCHEDULE OF FEES AND SERVICE CHARGES FOR THE CITY OF DUBLIN SERVICES.AND OUR STAFF REPORT WILL BE BROUGHT
[00:15:01]
FORWARD BY DOUG IC THIS EVENING.THERE ARE NO PROPOSED CHANGES TO THIS ORDINANCE AND STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 42 25.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS? VERY GOOD, THANK YOU.
IS THERE ANYONE PRESENT THIS EVENING FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK RELATIVE TO THIS LEGISLATION? HEARING NONE.
JENNY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL MAYOR AROSE GROOMS? YES.
[Ordinance 43-25]
BRINGS US TO ORDINANCE 43 DASH 25, AMENDING CHAPTERS 51 AND 52, ESTABLISHING USER FEES AND CAPACITY CHARGES FOR THE SANITARY SEWER AND WATER SYSTEMS. HONOR, DO SO.AND OUR STAFF REPORT WILL BE BROUGHT FORWARD THIS EVENING BY MATT RABINO.
UM, THIS ORDINANCE SEEKS TO AMEND THE WATER AND SEWER RATES FOR NEXT YEAR.
AND PART OF THE CIP PROCESS PLANNING PROCESS IS TO EVALUATE BOTH THE WATER AND SEWER FUND RESOURCES AS WE PLAN FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND THEN TRY TO CORRELATE THE RATES FOR THE COMING YEAR WITH THE PLAN BOTH OPERATIONAL AND CAPITAL NEEDS FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND.
SO WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING IS TO INCREASE BOTH THE WATER AND SEWER RATES USING A SIMILAR APPROACH AS PRIOR YEARS.
UH, WE'RE LOOKING TO SEEK A 1% INCREASE FOR THE WATER RATE TO $3 AND 34 CENTS A 1% INCREASE.
AND FOR THE SEWER RATE OF 5% INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR OR THIS YEAR RATHER GOING INTO 2026 TO $16 AND 88 CENTS, THE FLAT RATE FOR DELAWARE COUNTY, UH, CUSTOMERS WOULD BE $18 AND 70 CENTS.
THE RATES HAVE VARIED FOR EACH OF THE TWO FUNDS.
THIS IS JUST A GRAPHIC REPRESENTATION.
CLEARLY THERE'S A LOT MORE PRESSURE, COST PRESSURE ON THE SAN TERRY SEWER FUND THAN THE WATER FUND.
THE WATER FUNDS REMAIN RELATIVELY STABLE, LESS THAN A 10% INCREASE IN THE PAST 10 YEARS IN TOTAL.
SANITARY, UM, ON THE OTHER HAND, HAS SEEN INCREASES OF RATES, UH, THAT COINCIDE WITH THE CAPITAL NEEDS AND OPERATING NEEDS OF ABOUT 45%.
AND THAT'S WHAT THAT CHART UH, REPRESENTS.
SO THE WATER FUND NEEDS ARE, ARE DIFFERENT NOT AS PROJECT INTENSIVE.
THERE ARE CAPITAL PROJECTS IDENTIFIED IN ADDITION TO THE OPERATING, UM, BUDGET FOR THE COMING YEAR, ABOUT ONE POINT I THINK $6 MILLION IN TOTAL FOR NEXT YEAR SEWER FUND.
AGAIN, MORE INTENSIVE, UH, LARGER CAPITAL NEEDS AS THIS DEMONSTRATES.
THESE ARE PROJECTS THAT ARE IN THE CIP RIGHT NOW.
UH, 14 MILLION OF THEM ARE UNFUNDED IN THE CURRENT CIP, BUT THERE IS CLEARLY A LARGER NEED AND THE NEED TO INCREASE RATES OR AMEND THE RATES FOR NEXT YEAR.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS? THIS IS ACTUALLY I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT SLIDE.
UH, THE PRESENTATION ON AMENDING THE RATES.
WE'VE BEEN CONTINUING WITH THE SAME APPROACH, SMALL INCREMENTAL ADJUSTMENTS TO BOTH THE WATER AND SEWER RATES, HIGHER INCREASES FOR, FOR SEWER, OF COURSE, BASED ON THE POTENTIAL CAPITAL NEEDS.
WE'RE GOING TO DO OR PROPOSE DOING A RATE STUDY NEXT YEAR FOR BOTH FUNDS AND REALLY DO A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT BOTH THE OPERATING AND MOST IMPORTANTLY PROJECTED CIP NEEDS AND CORRELATE THOSE MORE EXACTLY WITH THE RATES.
IT'S NOT JUST SETTING THE RATES FOR IN PARTICULAR YEARS, BUT MAPPING OUT THE RATES FOR THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS BASED ON THAT RATE STUDY.
LAST RATE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN 2020 AND LOOKING BACK AT THAT STUDY AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE ACTUALLY FAIRLY CLOSE WHERE WE SHOULD BE AS FAR AS RATES COVERING ANTICIPATED CAPITAL, CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND OPERATING EXPENDITURES.
UH, BUT UPDATING AND REFRESHING THE RATE STUDY WOULD BE HELPFUL WITH A REALLY MORE, I THINK, COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE PLAN.
CIP, ESPECIALLY THOSE LARGER PROJECTS.
UM, THE SANITARY SEWER FUND, UM, CONTINUED.
WHAT GOES WITH THAT IS A CONTINUED LOOK AT THE, THE MIX OF BOTH CASH FUNDING AND DEBT FINANCING FUNDING FOR WATER AND SEWER.
AND THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE STUDY.
IN ADDITION TO THOSE TWO THINGS, UM, BEGINNING NEXT YEAR, ONE OF THE TOPICS IN THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS GONNA BE LOOKING AT ENTERPRISE FUND POLICIES.
THESE TWO FUNDS, THE WATER AND SEWER FUND, ARE BOTH ENTERPRISE FUNDS.
THEY'RE MEANT TO BE SELF-SUPPORTED WITH FEES AND OTHER SOURCES, INCLUDING PROCEEDS FROM DEBT ISSUANCE.
SO LOOKING AT THE CITY'S CURRENT POLICY AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING SELF-SUPPORTED ENTERPRISE FUNDS FOR WATER AND SEWER IN PARTICULAR.
AND AGAIN, UH, CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF EXTENSION OF UTILITIES INTO THE UNSERVED OR NEWLY DEVELOPED AREAS OF THE CITY AND ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS THAT ARE INCORPORATED INTO CIPS, HOW DO THOSE MATCH UP WITH THE POTENTIAL RATE, RATE MAP OR A RATE PLAN FOR THE TWO FUNDS GOING FORWARD.
SO IF HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I CAN TAKE THOSE NOW.
IS THERE ANYONE PRESENT FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK RELATIVE TO THIS LEGISLATION? HEARING NONE COUNCIL QUESTIONS, DISCUSSION?
[00:20:01]
I JUST HAVE, UM, ONE QUESTION.SO I UNDERSTAND NEXT YEAR WE'RE GONNA DO THIS STUDY AND WE'LL MAP IT OUT FOR FOUR OR FIVE YEARS? YES.
DO WE HAVE THOUGH ANY IDEA, UM, FOR 2027, LIKE I JUST DON'T, IF WE THINK THAT IT'S GONNA BE 10% THAT WE'RE GONNA NEED IN 27 TO PUT IT UP, WHATEVER PERCENT I ALREADY FORGOT, FOUR, 5%.
NOW, DO WE HAVE ANY PROJECTIONS FOR THAT? NOT YET.
BUT I WOULDN'T SUSPECT THERE WOULD BE A DOUBLE DIGIT INCREASE.
THE FUND BALANCES ARE ADEQUATE, UH, TO MAINTAIN THE ONGOING PROJECTS.
IT'S THESE LARGER PROJECTS, BUT I THINK A LOT OF THAT IS NOT JUST RATE SETTING.
IT'S WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE CITY'S USE OF DEBT FINANCING TO ACCOMPLISH SOME OF THESE LARGER PROJECTS.
AND IT BASICALLY ATTACH THAT FUNDING TO THE LARGER PROJECT GOING FORWARD.
SO IT'S NOT JUST SETTING RATES.
THE RATES IS MORE OF A GUIDE, BUT AGAIN, LOOKING AT, AS I MENTIONED AN EARLIER SLIDE, THE MIX OF BOTH USING EXISTING RESOURCES, CASH AND A A MAYBE IT MIGHT BE END UP BEING A MORE ROBUST PLAN OF FINANCE USING, UM, BORROWING, WHETHER IT'S THE CITY ISSUING DEBT OR OTHER SOURCES, LOANS FROM THE STATE AND OTHER SOURCES TO ACCOMPLISH PROJECTS THAT FALL BACK OR FALL TO THE FUNDED PORTION OF THE CIP IN FUTURE YEARS.
ONE OTHER, ONE OTHER BENEFIT TO THE RATE STUDY? I THINK IT'S SIMILAR IS DOES THE CITY, WE DO THIS STUDY, THERE'S AN OPTION OR A POTENTIAL THAT WE COULD SET RATES EVERY TWO YEARS RATHER THAN ONCE A YEAR MAKING INCREMENTAL CHANGES.
I THINK ONCE WE HAVE A MORE LAID OUT PLAN, POTENTIALLY WE COULD COME TO COUNCIL EVERY TWO YEARS OR EVERY THREE YEARS IF WE KNOW WHAT THE RATES, WHERE THE RATES, WHAT THE TRAJECTORY THE RATES SHOULD BE AS WELL.
UM, SO THIS PARTICULAR DISCUSSION WAS BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
AND WE MADE SOME DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN BUILDING NEW INFRASTRUCTURE RATHER THAT'S WATER, SEWER, LARGELY SEWER CONVERSATIONS, RIGHT? YES.
BUT WATER AND SEWER OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE AND, AND SORT OF DISSECTED THOSE BECAUSE WHAT WE FOUND IS WE WERE, UM, CONFLATING DIFFERENT FUNDING STRUCTURES AND DIFFERENT NEEDS.
SO IN THE RATES, WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO RECOVER? WE'RE, ARE WE TRYING TO RECOVER THE ONGOING ANNUAL OPERATIONS? IS THAT WHAT'S COST RECOVERY VERSUS ARE WE BUILDING OR MAINTAINING? AND IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS, ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT AND, AND I KNOW IS IN THE CIP THIS YEAR IS SOME DEDICATED FUNDING FOR ONGOING FUTURE NEEDS BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET THE RATES BIG ENOUGH TO COVER.
IT CANNOT BE SELF-FUNDED TO COVER THE ONGOING BUILDING AND STUFF TO THAT WE NEED.
SO WHEN WE'RE DOING THAT STUDY, I THINK IT WOULD BE QUITE HELPFUL TO HAVE US THINK ABOUT THE BUILDING, THE OPERATING, AND THEN THE MAINTENANCE.
AND, AND I, AT THE END OF THE DAY, MAYBE THEY ARE COMBINED IN SOME WAY, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY USEFUL WAY FOR US TO THINK ABOUT IT.
AND AS WE HAVE DEDICATED PARKLAND FUNDS AND, AND SOME OF THOSE OTHERS, YES, THAT DEBT FINANCE IS ONE, BUT HOW DO WE THINK ABOUT, UM, BUILDING AND MAINTAINING THAT INFRASTRUCTURE? SO I THINK THOSE THINGS WOULD BE INCREDIBLY USEFUL.
AND AGAIN, WE HAD JUST HAD SO MUCH DIALECT.
I, I'M LOOKING AT AMY, SHE RUNS THAT COMMITTEE.
UM, WE JUST, AND, AND JANE'S ON THAT COMMITTEE, WE JUST HAVE HAD SO MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.
I THINK WAYS TO HELP US THINK ABOUT WHAT IS IT WE'RE TRYING TO POLICY WISE, IT THAT WOULD, WOULD BE QUITE HELPFUL.
AND SO I, I APPLAUD THAT AND LOOK FORWARD TO THAT DISCUSSION.
THAT'S, THAT'S A HELPFUL POINT AND IT WILL BE WHEN WE, WE SAY COMPREHENSIVE, IT'S THE THREE THINGS YOU MENTIONED, OPERATING MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL AND A LOT OF CAPITAL MAINTENANCE IS IN THE CIP.
ARE WE EXPANDING ENOUGH ON THE MAINTENANCE SIDE IN ADDITION TO, UM, EXPANDING THE SYSTEM OR ADDING NEW, NEW, UM, LINES? AND IF I COULD CHIME IN, WE WILL ALSO BE HAVING A COMPREHENSIVE DISCUSSION WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ABOUT ENTERPRISE FUNDS AND THE USE OF ENTERPRISE FUNDS AND HOW THOSE ARE INTENDED TO OPERATE IN CONSISTENT WITH GFOA BEST PRACTICES.
UM, AND THE TIMING FOR THAT FIRST QUARTER, FIRST OF THE YEAR, FIRST QUARTER.
SO THAT'S VERY RELEVANT TO THIS CONVERSATION.
UM, ALSO WHEN WE DO THAT STUDY, UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DISCOVERED IN OUR PUBLIC SERVICES, UH, COMMITTEE WAS BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO SERVE ALL THOSE UNSERVED ONES NOW, WE'RE ALSO FINDING THAT MANY PEOPLE DO NOT WANNA HOOK UP BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME EXPENSE OF HOOKING UP.
SO IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT MEANS THAT MAKE THAT AN AFFORDABLE OPTION BECAUSE WE COULD SPEND ALL OF THESE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO GET THE SERVICE THERE.
BUT IF THE PEOPLE DON'T WANT THE SERVICE 'CAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE SERVICE, IT'S A WASTE OF OUR MONEY.
I THINK IT'S A HAND IN HAND, UH, STUDY THAT WE NEED TO FIND WAYS TO MAKE THAT AN AFFORDABLE OPTION, WHETHER THAT'S PUTTING A, UM, UH, ABILITY TO PAY OVER 20 YEARS
[00:25:01]
ON THEIR TAXES OR THEY DO THAT IN SOME AREAS.SO IT'LL BE WORTH PUTTING THAT PART OF THE CONSULTANTS' WORK.
I HAD ONE MORE, I FORGOT TO SAY.
I APPRECIATE THE WATER AND SEWER DISCOUNT.
THE CITY OF COLUMBUS FLYER THAT YOU PUT IN THAT WAS IN OUR PACKET, AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT FLYER TO MAKE SURE IT'S AVAILABLE FOR THE HOA MEETING NEXT YEAR, UM, WEEK, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S EVER BEEN SHARED.
UM, I KNOW I'M CERTAINLY GONNA SHARE IT WITH MY GROUP OF PEOPLE.
UM, BUT, UH, THAT, THAT MAYBE HAVE SOME ACTUAL FLYERS AT THE MEETING OR PUT IT IN THIS PRESENTATION SOMEWHERE.
I THINK IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL TO PEOPLE.
IF I FORGOT TO MENTION COUNSEL, WE'RE SEEKING APPROVAL AT THE NEXT MEETING, BUT THANK YOU.
SO WE WILL HAVE SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER THE THIRD.
SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT BRINGS US TO ORDINANCE
[Ordinance 44-25 ]
44 DASH 25, ADOPTING THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 2026, AND THE 2026 THROUGH 2035 YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM.AND WE WILL STAY WITH MATT RUBINO FOR THE STAFF REPORT.
ACTUALLY, I'M GONNA KICK IT OFF AND THEN HAND IT OVER TO MATT.
UM, SO TONIGHT WE ARE PRESENTING THE PROPOSED 2026 OPERATING BUDGET AND THE 20 26 20 THROUGH 2035 YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CITY CHARTER.
THIS EVENING'S AGENDA IS SHOWN ON THE SCREEN, SO WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE 2026 OPERATING BUDGET.
WE'LL TALK THROUGH THE SCHEDULE THAT WE FOLLOWED.
MATT WILL PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE REVENUES AND FUNDS, UM, EXPENDITURES, BUDGET VARIANCE AND POLICY COMPLIANCE.
AND THEN WE'LL WRAP UP WITH THE 2026 THROUGH 2030.
UH, CIP, THE PROPOSED BUDGETS REFLECT A BALANCED AND STRATEGIC APPROACH TO MANAGING CITY RESOURCES.
THEY SUPPORT DAILY OPERATIONS.
THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT FOCUS ON MAINTAINING AND REINVESTING IN EXISTING ASSETS AND ALSO ADVANCING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL PROJECTS.
UH, ALL IN ALIGNMENT WITH ADVANCING CITY COUNCIL'S ESTABLISHED GOALS AND THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK THAT WAS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL.
WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK COUNCIL FOR YOUR TIME AND THOUGHTFUL REVIEW OF THE BUDGET MATERIALS? I KNOW THAT WE PROVIDED A LOT OF INFORMATION AND WE WERE DISCUSSING A LOT OF, UM, PROJECTS AND BUDGET REQUESTS IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
APPRECIATE ALL THE FEEDBACK THAT YOU PROVIDED DURING THE WORK SESSIONS.
UM, YOUR ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP WERE INVALUABLE IN SHAPING AND STRENGTHENING THIS PROPOSAL.
IN ADDITION TO THE PROPOSED BUDGETS, WE'VE INCLUDED DETAILED FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO THE FEEDBACK THAT WE'VE RECEIVED DURING THE SEPTEMBER 29TH WORK SESSION, ALONG WITH NUMEROUS SUPPORTING REPORTS AND ANALYSES TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CONTEXT AND TRANSPARENCY.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO EXTEND MY APPRECIATION TO MATT RUBINO WHO JOINED THE CITY RIGHT AS WE WERE KICKING OFF THIS PROCESS.
HE DOVE RIGHT IN AND BROUGHT VERY VALUABLE PERSPECTIVE TO THE DISCUSSIONS AND ANALYSES AS WE WORKED THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
AND I TRULY APPRECIATE ALL OF HIS PARTNERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS IN MOVING THE PROCESS ALONG, WHICH WAS A NEW PROCESS FOR, UM, THE STAFF AND COUNCIL.
AND I BELIEVED THAT IT, UH, WENT WELL AND WAS VERY EFFECTIVE.
AND FINALLY, I JUST WANNA THANK ALL OF THE CITY STAFF FOR INNOVATION, COLLABORATION AND DEDICATION.
THEY REALLY EMBRACED THE CHANGE WITH THE PROCESS, UM, AND EMBRACED THE PROCESS, IMPROVE IMPROVEMENT AND THEIR HARD WORK IN INTEGRATING OUR BUDGET PROCESSES RESULTED IN A MORE COHESIVE, TRANSPARENT AND DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH IN MY OPINION.
AND ALL OF THAT CULMINATES IN THE BALANCED PROPOSAL THAT'S BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING.
UM, JUST A RECAP OF THE PROCESS THAT WE FOLLOWED, UM, THIS ROUND.
SO EARLY IN AUGUST, WE STARTED WITH A BUDGET KICKOFF PRESENTATION.
UM, WE THEN FOLLOWED UP WITH THE FIRST COUNCIL WORK SESSION, AND THEN WE HAD A WORK SESSION SEPTE SEPTEMBER 29TH, WHICH WAS THE WORK SESSION TWO.
AND THEN THIS EVENING WE HAVE THE FIRST READING OF THE PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET AND CIP.
SO THE FULL BUDGET SUBMISSION INCLUDES THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET REPORTS, THE CLEAR DOCS PUBLICATION, AND THE PROPOSED CIP MATERIALS FOR COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION.
UM, THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS MEASURE WILL BE PRESENTED SEPARATELY FOR APPROVAL AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING.
AND WITH THAT I'M GONNA HAND IT OFF TO MATT RUBINO TO PRESENT THE BUDGET OVERVIEW.
AND WE ALSO HAVE THE ENTIRE TEAM OF DIRECTORS HERE TO HA HELP ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE, UM, WITH THIS FIRST READING.
SO, UM, WITH THAT, I'M GONNA TURN IT OVER TO MATT.
THANK YOU AND THANK YOU AGAIN, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
I'LL GO THROUGH THE BUDGET THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED TO YOU OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS.
JUST TOUCH ON SOME OF THE HIGH LEVEL POINTS, TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES ON THE OPERATING SIDE, AND A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED CIP AS IT'S, AS IT'S PROPOSED TONIGHT.
START WITH REVENUE OPERATING REVENUE OF 119 AND A HALF MILLION IS ESTIMATED FOR NEXT YEAR.
AND OF COURSE THAT'S ALL OPERATING
[00:30:01]
REVENUE IN THE 13 OR SO FUNDS THAT WE INCLUDE IN THE CITY'S OPERATING BUDGET.AND THERE, THEY'RE RIGHT THERE ABOUT A 5% INCREASE, UM, COMPARED TO THE 2025 BUDGET IS ESTIMATED FOR THE 26 OPERATING BUDGET, GENERAL FUND BEING THE LARGEST.
WE TALK ABOUT THE GENERAL FUND OF THAT 119.5 MILLION.
UH, LOOK AT INDIVIDUAL SOURCES, LOCAL TAXES, OF COURSE, 75% TO THE POINT WE'VE, UH, MENTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING OUR PRESENTATIONS.
THE CITY IS HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON INCOME TAX REVENUE IN PARTICULAR, AND THAT SHOWS UP IN THIS GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION.
UH, THE GENERAL FUND SHARE OF INCOME TAX ESTIMATED FOR NEXT YEAR IS 86.9 MILLION.
SOME TREND INFORMATION ON ON INCOME TAX, UH, ESTIMATES FOR NEXT YEAR TOTAL, BOTH THE GENERAL FUND AND CAPITAL PORTION.
WE HAVE A BUDGET ESTIMATE OF 115,000,875 AND TO, TO REITERATE THE PROCESS WE USE OR THE PRACTICE WE HAVE USED FOR BUDGETING INCOME TAX REVENUE HAS BEEN TO USE THE 2025 OR, OR THE CURRENT YEAR BUDGET IS THE BASE OR STARTING POINT FOR, FOR THAT ESTIMATE.
AND THEN TO APPLY A RATE OF CHANGE IN THIS CASE, IN THE MOST CASES, AN INCREASE OR PROJECTED INCREASE FOR THE COMING YEAR.
UM, IT'S A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO REVENUE AND SOME OF THAT IS PUR PURPOSEFUL.
OVER THE PAST YEAR AS WE'VE USED THIS, IT DOES PROVIDE AND PRESENT SOME FLEXIBILITY FOR COUNCIL GOING INTO THE NEXT YEAR.
UM, IF THERE ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, PRIORITIES, INVESTMENTS THAT WEREN'T NECESSARILY CONTEMPLATED IN THE OPERATING OR CAPITAL BUDGETS.
THIS APPROACH OR THIS PRACTICE HAS PROVIDED THAT, THAT ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY OR CAPACITY IN THE APPROVED BUDGET.
AND IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO PROMOTE, UH, THE, THE CITY'S 2% INCOME TAX RATE.
LOOK AT SOME OF OUR COMPARABLES AND WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO WITH THAT VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF, OF REVENUE.
UM, THAT 2% REVENUE OR 2% INCOME TAX.
MOST OF IT ABOUT 90% IS COMING FROM BUSINESSES LOCATED IN THE CITY.
AND OF COURSE, AS WE ALL KNOW, 75% IS ALLOCATED TO GENERAL OPERATING AND THE OTHER 25% GOES INTO CAPITAL TO BOTH SUPPORT CAPITAL PROJECTS AND, UH, DEBT FINANCING OF CAPITAL PROJECTS.
TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE, UM, OPERATING EXPENDITURE SIDE OF THINGS.
TOTAL PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET OF 119, UH, JUST UNDER 119.5 MILLION, 4% INCREASE AS COMPARED TO THE 25 APPROVED BUDGET.
AND THESE ARE, AGAIN, THE OPERATING FUNDS, GENERAL FUND BEING THE LARGEST OF THE OPERATING FUNDS.
2% INCREASE, UH, YEAR TO YEAR, YEAR OVER YEAR FOR GENERAL FUND.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BUDGETED EXPENDITURES AMONGST THE OPERATING FUNDS, THE GENERAL FUND IS APPROACHING TWO THIRDS OF THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CITY AT 63%.
AND THAT IS A FAIRLY TYPICAL REPRESENTATION YOU WOULD SEE IN A, A MUNICIPALITY OF THE SIZE OF DUBLIN.
UH, THE REMAINING 37% ARE ALLOCATED TO OTHER OPERATING FUNDS FOR SAFETY ROAD MAINTENANCE, RECREATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF HOTEL MOTEL TAX AS WELL.
THIS IS A CHART THAT WAS PRESENTED AT THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
YOU CAN SEE THE, UH, DIFFERENT EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES REPRESENTED IN THE BAR CHARTS.
4% INCREASE FROM 25 TO 26, AND WE'VE HAD YEAR OVER YEAR MODERATED GROWTH.
UH, THERE WAS THAT LARGER INCREASE FROM 23 TO 24.
A LOT OF THAT'S RELATED TO INVESTMENTS THE CITY MADE AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.
NOW WE'RE GONNA LOOK AT INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES AND JUST TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE CHANGES, UH, COMPARED TO 25, GOING INTO TO 26, UM, WITHIN THESE VARIOUS OPERATING EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES.
SO THAT TOTAL BUDGET OF 4.6 MILLION OR 4% INCREASE OVER THE 25 OPERATING BUDGET, AND MAJORITY OF THAT IS COMING FROM, UH, THE PERSONNEL SIDE.
SALARIES AND BENEFITS CITIES ARE PEOPLE DRIVEN AND IT'S LARGEST PORTION OF OUR BUDGET.
SO WHEN WE ADD STAFF OR HAVE, UH, ALLOCATIONS FOR WAGE INCREASES, THAT SHOWS UP IN, IN THE BUDGETED NUMBERS.
OPERATING EXPENSES A 3.4% INCREASE.
SALARY EXPENDITURES, UH, THIS BUDGET PROVIDES FOR 430 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.
AS YOU RECALL, THERE ARE ADDITIONAL SEVEN UH, POSITIONS.
THREE COMMUNICATION TECHNICIANS, THREE POLICE OFFICERS, AND AN AQUATICS COORDINATOR.
UH, UNION INCREASES ARE PER RATIFIED CONTRACTS AND THERE IS AN AVERAGE OF A 4% INCREASE FOR NON BARGAIN EMPLOYEES.
SO IT'S NOT A 4% ACROSS THE BOARD, IT'S UP TO 4%.
IT'S AN AVERAGE IN A SENSE BASED ON, UH, THE EMPLOYEES AND OTHER FACTORS.
FRINGE BENEFITS A $19 MILLION BUDGET ABOUT A 4.5% INCREASE.
WE HAVE SOME INFORMATION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SLIDE THAT SHOWS OUR, UH, PROJECTED COST FOR SINGLE AND FAMILY COVERAGE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE FOR NEXT YEAR.
ANOTHER BIG PIECE OF THAT WOULD BE THE CITY AS EMPLOYER.
[00:35:01]
TO THE STATE PENSION FUNDS, BOTH PRS AND OPNF ARE INCLUDED IN THAT FRINGE BENEFIT BUDGET.HERE WE HAVE JUST A BREAKOUT OF THE MAIN CATEGORIES WITHIN FRINGE BENEFITS.
THE BIGGEST PIECE BEING HEALTH INSURANCE AT ALMOST $11 MILLION TO PROVIDE, UM, HEALTH INSURANCE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.
AND THEN PENSION COST AT 6.7 MILLION.
THE EMPLOYER PORTION CITY'S CONTRIBUTION TO MEDICARE TAXES AND OTHERS, WHICH INCLUDES, UH, UNIFORM ALLOWANCE AND TUITION REIMBURSEMENT, OPERATING EXPENDITURES.
SO NON-PAYROLL RELATED EXPENDITURES.
UH, 1.8 MILLION OR 3.4% INCREASE.
BIGGEST PIECE BEING CONTRACTUAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
ALMOST, UH, 29 AND A HALF MILLION, UM, ALLOCATED TO FUND THE CITY'S USE OF CONTRACTUAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO ACCOMPLISH OUR VARIOUS OPERATING, UM, PROGRAMS AND NEEDS SUPPLIES THAT JUST UNDER 11 MILLION AND OTHER CHARGES AND EXPENDITURES AT 13 AND A HALF.
UH, WE'RE LOOKING AT CONTRACTUAL SERVICES.
IN PARTICULAR, A $758,000 INCREASE OVER 20 25, 2 0.6% INCREASE INFORMATION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SLIDE JUST PROVIDED TO SHOW YOU SOME OF THE CHANGES UP AND DOWN TO OUR, UH, DIVISIONAL BUDGETS.
SAME INFORMATION, JUST SOME ADDITIONAL DETAIL.
OTHER CHARGES AND EXPENDITURES.
YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE OTHER INCREASES, 1.4% OR 185,000 FROM 25.
SO MODERATED, UM, INCREASES IN OUR, OUR NON PAYROLL EXPENDITURES IN THE PROPOSED 2026 BUDGET CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.
SO THESE ARE REALLY CAPITAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS THAT ARE STILL IN THE OPERATING BUDGET.
THERE'S NOT MUCH THERE, SO THERE WAS A DECREASE.
WE DID SHIFT A FEW THINGS OUT OF OPERATING, EITHER ACCOMPLISH THEM THIS YEAR OR MOVE THEM INTO THE CAPITAL BUDGET.
AND AGAIN, THIS REALLY ENDS UP BEING A LOT OF THE DAILY MAINTENANCE ITEMS THAT ARE CONSIDERED CAPITAL OUTLAY OR CAPITAL MAINTENANCE THAT ARE EMBEDDED IN OPERATING BUDGETS.
SO IT'S, IT'S NOT A SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF THE CITY BUDGET.
SO ACTUAL VARIANCE IF YOU, OVER TO THE RIGHT, AGAIN, THE CITY HAS A POLICY OF ADOPTING BALANCED BUDGETS, HAVING ONGOING RESOURCES, UM, ANTICIPATED IN THE BUDGET YEAR EXCEED OPERATING EXPENDITURES.
IN THIS CASE, UH, THE PROPOSED BUDGET HAS JUST UNDER $62,000 OPERATING, UH, POSITIVE OPERATING RESULT PLANNED.
IF THIS PROPOSED BUDGET IS ADOPTED A LITTLE BIT ON GENERAL FUND POLICY COMPLIANCE, HOW DO WE MATCH UP AGAINST THE CITY'S 50%, UM, GENERAL FUND BALANCE PROCESS OR POLICY RATHER.
UH, THE BUDGET AS PROPOSED END UP WITH A 53.7%, UH, BALANCE TO EXPENDITURE RATE.
AND THAT'S SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR.
THE LAST TWO ROWS IN THIS CHART, 25 AND 26 ARE BUDGETED NUMBERS.
TYPICALLY, THE CITY ENDS THE YEAR IN THE MID SIXTIES TO 70%, UH, PERCENTAGE RANGE WHEN IT COMES TO THE POLICY.
SO EVEN THOUGH THE BUDGET LOOKS CONSERVATIVE, UH, WE END IN REALITY TYPICALLY IN A, ONCE ACTUALS ARE, ARE COMPLETE FOR THE YEAR, WE END UP BEING MUCH HIGHER OR, OR SOMEWHAT HIGHER THAN WHAT THE BUDGET ANTICIPATED.
AS FAR AS GENERAL FUND BALANCE COMPARED TO THE CITY'S POLICY, IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO PROMOTE, UH, THE CITY'S FINANCIAL PRACTICES AND POLICIES.
THESE ARE NOT JUST FINANCE DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC, THE ENTIRE CITY.
EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM, UM, HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN THE WARDS THAT WE RECEIVE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
THE REPORTING WE DO, THE RATING AGENCY REPORTS THAT WE RECEIVE, UH, MAKING SURE WE'RE MAINTAINING CLEAN AUDITS AND GETTING THE AUDITOR OF STATE, UH, BOARD WITH DISTINCTION.
UM, THIS ACTUALLY DOES LINK BACK TO THE DISCUSSION OF WORK SESSION LAST WEEK.
THE, THE THINGS WE DO, THE FINANCIAL PRACTICES, THE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ARE VERY IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO EXHIBITING THE CITY'S STRONG FINANCIAL FOOTING IN STEWARDSHIP OF, UH, TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CIP AGAIN, DEVELOPED IN FURTHERANCE OF COUNCIL'S GOALS.
THE UPDATED PROPOSED FIVE YEAR CIP IS JUST UNDER 375,000,100 20 MILLION OF THAT IS FUNDING FOR MAINTENANCE.
AND THE 2026 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM BUDGET IS 72.1 MILLION IN TOTAL PROJECT REQUESTS FOR NEXT YEAR.
IT'S A MIX OF PROGRAM, UH, OF, UM, CAPITAL PROGRAM SOURCES.
SO THE CITY HAS A DIVERSIFIED SET OF REVENUE WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING CAPITAL PROJECTS.
IT'S NOT JUST INCOME TAX, IT'S INCOME TAX REVENUE, PROPERTY TAX REVENUE, TIFF DEBT PROCEEDS, GRANTS, CASH RESERVES ALL COME TOGETHER TO FUND THE PROPOSED CAPITAL PLAN.
UH, ALL OF THE PROPERTY UN VOTED PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE IS DEVOTED TOWARDS, UH, THE CIP AND SPLIT OUT, UM, IN THE FUTURE YEARS.
AND WE HAVE ANTICIPATED DEBT ISSUANCE OF 12.9 MILLION,
[00:40:01]
UM, FOR 2026.AGAIN, I, I KIND OF VIEW THAT AS A NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT, IT MIGHT BE LOWER, BUT RIGHT NOW WE BELIEVE AS AN ESTIMATE, THE CITY MAY ISSUE AN ADDITIONAL 12.9 MILLION FOR NEXT YEARS, UH, PROPOSED CAPITAL PROJECTS.
AND WHERE ARE WE ALLOCATING THE FUNDING FOR THE CIP? YOU CAN SEE IT RIGHT HERE.
MOST OF IT IS, UH, GOING TOWARDS TRANSPORTATION STREETS AND PARKING.
54% FOR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS IN GENERAL.
UH, 10% TO UTILITIES, WATER AND SEWER, WHICH WE JUST SPOKE ABOUT EARLIER.
UH, 12% INVESTED IN PARKS IN THE REMAINING 1220 4% REALLY SUPPORTS DIRECTLY THE OPERATIONAL NEEDS OF THE CITY FLEET, UM, FACILITIES AND OTHER THINGS, TECHNOLOGY THAT THE CITY NEEDS, UH, TO CON CONTINUE OPERATIONS TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS.
AND WITH THAT, I CAN TAKE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL IF YOU HAVE THEM.
TAKE A MOMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
IS THERE ANYONE PRESENT THIS EVENING FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK RELATIVE TO THIS LEGISLATION? HEARING NONE COUNCIL QUESTIONS, DISCUSSION? I HAVE A QUESTION.
UH, IT WAS IN THE MEMO CONCERNING THE, UH, PARKING TICKETS, THE $250,000 FOR THE CONSULTANT.
UM, I'M JUST IN LOOKING AT THAT.
UM, I WONDER IF, UM, WE WANT TO DECRIMINALIZE PARKING TICKETS, BUT IF WE DON'T ACTUALLY GIVE THEM, THEN IS THERE REALLY A REASON TO DECRIMINALIZE THEM? I GUESS I'M THINKING IF WE DON'T ACTUALLY, UH, WRITE TICKETS FOR PARKING, THEN IT SEEMS AS IF WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ABOUT DECRIMINALIZING THEM.
AND WHEN I THINK OF A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS AND HOW ELSE IT MIGHT BE USED, UM, I, I CAN'T HELP BUT GO BACK TO THE DUBLIN, UM, UH, WELLNESS ALLIANCE RIGHT NOW.
I THINK OUR COMMUNITY IS STRUGGLING WITH, UM, ISSUES THAT CREATE A LOT OF STRESSES IN THEIR LIVES.
AND I GUESS IF I HAD A BUCKET OF MONEY, UM, $250,000, I MIGHT, I MIGHT THINK ABOUT NOT WORRYING ABOUT THE PARKING TICKETS SO MUCH.
UM, AND MAYBE USING THAT IN A BETTER WAY.
SO THAT'S JUST A COMMENT I HAVE.
I'M GONNA CHIME IN BECAUSE I SAID LA AT OUR WORKSHOP THAT I WAS AGAINST THE 250,000.
I STILL AM AGAINST THE 250,000 FOR THAT PROJECT.
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD DO THAT PROJECT.
BOY, YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT DRINKING THROUGH THE FIRE HOSE? I THINK YOU WERE HERE A WEEK WHEN THIS STARTED, RIGHT? OR MAYBE IT WAS THE DAY IT WAS BEFORE.
IT WAS BEFORE I STARTED ACTUALLY.
YOU STARTED BEFORE YOU STARTED.
UM, I, I JUST WANNA COMPLIMENT YOU AND THE TEAM.
A TREMENDOUS JOB AND IT'S A HUGE LIFT EVERY YEAR AND THIS YEAR BY BRINGING THE TWO TOGETHER, UH, I'M SURE IT SOUND FABULOUS AT THE TIME, BUT IT HAS BEEN A, A PILE OF WORK.
BUT IT, IT MAKES I THINK FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, A VERY NICE PRESENTATION.
AND SO I WANTED TO, TO THANK YOU AND THE TEAM, 'CAUSE I KNOW IT'S THE TEAM THAT DOES THAT.
UM, I HAD, UH, COMMENT AND THEN, UH, THREE QUESTIONS.
FIRST COMMENT IS, UM, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE BALANCED BUDGET.
I THINK THIS IS YEAR THREE THAT WE'RE DOING THAT.
AND SO I SINCERELY APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE THEN WE SAY WITH CONFIDENCE THAT WE HAVE REVENUES TO COVER THE EXPENSES WE'RE APPROVING FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
UM, MY QUESTION IS GONNA, I'M GONNA GO BACK TO THE QUESTION I ASKED AT THE WORKSHOP ABOUT REVENUE GROWTH.
MATT, YOU KNOW, WE COVERED THAT.
OUR OPERATING EXPENSES ARE GOING UP 3.4%.
OUR SALARIES ARE GOING UP 4.6% AND WE'RE KEEPING REVENUES FLAT.
WE HAD A POLICY ON COUNCIL, WHICH WAS ONE OF OUR STRATEGIC GOALS AS I MENTIONED A FEW YEARS BACK, THAT WE NEEDED A REVENUE GROWTH TO MATCH AT LEAST INFLATION.
AND AT, UM, THE WORKSHOP, WE, THE REQUEST FROM ME WAS CAN WE HAVE SOME RIGOR TO THE, HOW WE'RE ARRIVING AT THAT REVENUE NUMBER? YOUR, YOUR COMMENT ABOUT, UM, WE'RE GONNA USE THE SAME POLICY WE DID BEFORE, WHICH IS SORT OF LEAVE IT FLAT.
I I KNOW MATT, THAT COMING IN, IT'S DIFFICULT TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.
MY REQUEST THEN IS THAT NEXT YEAR, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAVE SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WE NEED TO KEEP THE REVENUE GROWING TO COVER THE EXPENSES, OTHERWISE WE'RE CONTINUING TO DETERIORATE OUR, OUR ABILITY TO DO PROJECTS UNDERSTOOD AND DO THOSE THINGS.
AND I KNOW WE UNDERSTAND THAT.
SO WHAT I'M ASKING FOR IS, THIS YEAR WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET, FINE, BUT NEXT YEAR I THINK WE, WE NEED TO GET THAT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE AND ASK OURSELVES WHAT POLICY AND, AND HOW DO WE DO THIS? BECAUSE WE'D SET AN AGREEMENT, UM,
[00:45:01]
AND SOME, SOMEHOW WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO, HOW TO ACCOMPLISH IT.SO THAT WOULD BE, UM, AN ONGOING, UM, REQUEST AND THEN A QUESTION, UM, EXPENSE UTILIZATION.
I KNOW, UM, IN PRIOR YEARS, THERE WAS A LARGER GAP THAN A 90% EXPENSE EXPENSE UTILIZATION TO BUDGET, RIGHT? WE EXPECTED A HUNDRED DOLLARS, WE SPENT 90, IT GIVES US, UM, WHAT ARE WE EXPECTING FOR 2025.
AND DOES THAT ROLL FORWARD INTO 2026 PLANNING? I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME WORK DONE AGAINST THAT.
AND I WOULD BE, I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO BE ON THE SPOT.
IF YOU, YOU CAN WELL, I CAN GIVE YOU FOR, FOR 2025.
WE BELIEVE OVERALL IN THE LOW NINETIES, UTILIZATION BETWEEN 90, 92, 90 3%, GENERALLY SPEAKING FOR DEPARTMENTS DOESN'T MEAN EVERY DEPARTMENT WILL HIT THAT.
BUT WE, WE HAVE, UH, I WOULD SAY RELENTLESS FOLLOW UP WITH, WITH DIVISIONS WE MEET AND TALK ABOUT WHERE WE'RE AT UTILIZATION, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE EXPECTED AND CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION WELL INTO, INTO THE YEAR.
I MEAN, SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS.
SO THAT'S, CONTINUE MONITORING IS, IS IMPORTANT IN REPORTING WHEN IT COMES TO UTILIZATION.
NOW THE QUESTION OF DOES THE MONEY ROLL OVER IF FUNDS ARE OBLIGATED IN A, IN A CONTRACTOR OR AGREEMENT, THEY, THEY WOULD, BUT NOT, I DIDN'T MEAN MECHANICALLY, I MEANT PHILOSOPHICALLY.
I MEAN, THAT'S OUR POLICY AND I THINK THAT'S QUITE AN IMPROVEMENT FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.
AND AGAIN, THAT THAT HELPS US SAY THIS IS A BUDGET THAT IS EXPECTED REVENUE, EXPECTED EXPENSES.
SO I DIDN'T MEAN THE MECHANICS, I MEANT SORRY, PHILOSOPHICALLY, SO THAT'S GOOD.
THAT'S THE LOW NINETIES IS EVEN BETTER THAN 90 BECAUSE THAT SAYS WHATEVER EXPENSES WE'RE, WE'RE LOOKING TO SAY WE'RE BUILDING ONTO THE NEXT YEAR, WE HAVE A, WE HAVE A SOLID BASE.
SO I, AGAIN THAT IS CORRECT WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE DO WANT SOME UNUTILIZED CAPACITY FOR OTHER THINGS.
WE WANT FLEXIBILITY NOT JUST FOR DEPARTMENTS, BUT FOR COUNCIL AND POTENTIAL NEW PRIORITIES.
YEAH, BUT 10% AND A HUNDRED MILLIONS A A GOOD BUCKET OF FLEXIBILITY.
IT'S, THAT'S A $10 MILLION POSSIBLY.
SO, SO MY REQUEST IS FOR THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ARE TO, TO LOOK, UM, AT THE REVENUES GO FORWARD.
AND AGAIN, I, UH, APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.
AND I WOULD AGREE WITH AMY AND JANE ABOUT THE SPENDING OF THE MONEY ON THAT.
WE CAN FIND A BETTER USE FOR THAT.
SO IF I COULD ADD, JUST IN FOLLOW UP ON WHAT MATT SAID ABOUT FOLLOWING UP WITH STAFF.
A COUPLE YEARS AGO WE DID IMPLEMENT QUARTERLY BUDGET CHECK-IN MEETINGS.
SO WE GATHER ALL OF THE DIRECTORS CITYWIDE INTO A CONFERENCE ROOM AND WE GO THROUGH EACH OF THEIR BUDGETS AT A HIGH LEVEL, JUST WHERE ARE THEY WITH SPENDING, WHAT ARE THEIR PROJECTIONS FOR THE NEXT QUARTER? IS THERE ANYTHING THAT THEY'RE NOT GONNA BE NEEDING SO THAT WE CAN IDENTIFY AVAILABLE FUNDS THAT COULD BE REPURPOSED, PURPOSED FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
SO THAT PROCESS, I BELIEVE HAS BEEN WORKING VERY WELL AND KEEPING EVERYBODY APPRISED OF WHERE WE ARE CITYWIDE WITH, UM, OUR EXPENDITURES AND UTILIZATION.
SO THERE'S DEFINITELY BEEN A FOCUS ON UTILIZATION THE PAST FEW YEARS.
ANYTHING ELSE? JUST WANNA THANK YOU, MATT, BECAUSE I MEAN, WE SPEND ENDLESS HOURS ON THIS AND COMMITTEE, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME MAYBE THE PUBLIC GETS TO SEE IT AND, UH, YES, IT'S BEEN CHEWED THROUGH, CHOMP THROUGH AND BEAT TO DEATH, SO THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
ANYONE ELSE? I, I THINK THIS IS GREAT.
THIS IS, I MEAN, WE'VE GONE THROUGH SO MANY ITERATIONS OF HOW WE DO OUR BUDGET OVER THE YEARS.
THANK YOU FOR HOPPING RIGHT IN.
THANKS TO YOUR STAFF AND ALL THE DIRECTORS, EVERYONE'S DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB.
UM, AND I, I AGREE WITH WHAT KATHY'S SAYING, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT CONVERSATION IN THE COMING YEAR.
UM, I, I DON'T REALLY FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT KEEPING THE STUDY FOR DECRIMINALIZING TRAFFIC TICKETS IN HERE.
I WOULDN'T SAY THAT WE DON'T GIVE TICKETS, THEY GIVE TICKETS, BUT, UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE, THE PARKING TICKET SITUATION, IF, IF THERE'S SOMETHING WE CAN BETTER USE THAT MONEY FOR, WE SHOULD.
I DON'T THINK IT'S SUCH A HUGE DEAL THAT WE, I MEAN, IF IT WAS LIKE A $20,000 STUDY, I'D BE LIKE, YEAH, LET'S GET IT DONE.
LIKE, LET'S JUST WRAP THIS SUCKER UP AND PUT IT TO BED.
I, IT'S NOT, IT'S KIND OF EXPENSIVE FOR, FOR THAT KIND OF A STUDY.
SO IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT STAFF WOULD BE LOOKING TO TAKE OUT, I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF REMOVING IT.
ANYTHING ELSE? I HAVE ONE LAST ITEM.
UM, SO I HAD ASKED SOME QUESTIONS THAT WERE BUDGETARY IN NATURE RELATIVE TO POLICING.
WE WERE ADDING THREE NEW POSITIONS TO THIS BUDGET.
AND AS WE CONSIDER ADDITIONAL MIXED USE DISTRICTS, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE COST OF POLICING, UH, IN THE VARIOUS DISTRICTS, THE IMPLICATIONS OF OUR ACTIONS.
UM, SO, UM, I, I READ IN THE MEMO, AND THANK YOU FOR THE MEMO.
IT'S REALLY WELL WRITTEN AND IT'S, IT'S CLEAR YOU PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO THAT.
UM, BUT IT TALKS ABOUT, UM, GETTING A, THE UPDATE IN THE Q4 COUNCIL BRIEFING FROM POLICE IN NOVEMBER OF 2025.
I'M NOT INTERESTED IN TALKING ABOUT THE POLICING SIDE OF THAT.
WE WANT TO GIVE CHIEF THE RESOURCES THAT
[00:50:01]
HE NEEDS TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE.MY QUESTION IS ABOUT BUDGETING AND THE BUDGET MOVING FORWARD.
SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT WHEN WE COME FOR NEXT READING, WE'LL HAVE SOME INFORMATION RELATIVE TO WHAT, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? WHAT, WHAT IS, UM, YOU KNOW, IF WE LOOK AT IN OUR CAPITAL, UM, BUDGET, IF WE LOOK AT ADDING, REALLY PURSUING AND LEANING IN ON METRO, RIGHT? AND SO THAT WOULD BE A MIXED USE WALKABLE DISTRICTS YES.
SIMILAR TO BRIDGE PARK DISTRICT.
SO WHAT, WHAT IS THE ASSOCIATED IMPLICATIONS WITH THAT ON OUR POLICING COSTS IN THAT? IS IT SIMILAR TO MORE OF THE SAME? IS IT DIFFERENT? BECAUSE I, I THINK WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THAT THERE'S A DIFFERENT COST IN POLICING IN THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT THAT WE HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY.
SO MY QUESTION, IT, IT WASN'T ABOUT WHAT ARE THE POLICE DOING AND WHERE ARE THEY SPENDING THEIR TIME? I, I, I HAVE FULL FAITH IN, IN THAT PORTION OF IT, MY QUESTION IS, IS WHAT DOES IT COST RELATIVE TO THE TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT THAT WE PURSUE? OKAY, THANK YOU.
WELL, IF THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER, UH, WE WILL HAVE SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER THE THIRD.
AND EVERYONE ON THE TEAM, YOUR, UM, EFFORTS TO BRINGING THIS BUDGET FORTH IS, IT IS A SIGNIFICANT UNDERTAKING AND SO WE APPRECIATE THE COLLECTIVE WORK ON THAT.
[Ordinance 45-25]
US TO ORDINANCE 45 DASH 25, AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF ORDINANCE 15 DASH 17.AND OUR STAFF REPORT WILL BE BROUGHT FORWARD BY JENNIFER METI AND SOME HELP.
SO WELCOME, GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
I WANT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO HEIDI MILLER, WHO'S FROM CLEMENS NELSON AND ASSOCIATES TO KICK US OFF.
UM, AS JENNIFER SAID, I AM HEIDI MILLER.
I AM THE REGIONAL MANAGER AND A DIRECTOR THAT SPECIALIZES IN COMPENSATION WITH CLEMENS NELSON AND ASSOCIATES.
THE CITY ENGAGED OUR FIRM TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE MARKET STUDY EVALUATING BOTH SALARY RANGES AND FRINGE BENEFITS AGAINST THOSE OFFERED BY COMPARABLE MUNICIPALITIES THROUGHOUT CENTRAL OHIO.
THIS MULTI-STEP ANALYSIS INCLUDED REVIEWING PEER DATA, VERIFYING ACCURACY FROM BENCHMARK CITIES AND ASSESSING TOTAL COMPENSATION ELEMENTS BEYOND BASE PAY TO ENSURE A MEANINGFUL AND EQUITABLE COMPARISON.
THIS STUDY WAS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THE CITY'S PAY AND BENEFITS REMAIN COMPETITIVE, ARE ALIGNED WITH MARKET TRENDS AND SUPPORT CURRENT AND FUTURE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION GOALS.
THE ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENHANCEMENT, WHICH JENNIFER WILL OUTLINE IN HER PRESENTATION.
IMPLEMENTING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL HELP THE CITY MAINTAIN ITS GOAL OF BEING AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE IN THE CENTRAL OHIO REGION, AND ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT GOAL AS OTHER PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS IN THE REGION CONTINUE TO ADJUST THEIR COMPENSATION AND BENEFIT STRUCTURES.
MEMBERS OF COUNCIL AS OUTLINED IN THE MEMO IN YOUR PACKETS.
AND AS YOU'VE JUST HEARD FROM HEIDI, THE CITY ENGAGED WITH CLEMENTS NELSON'S TO COMPLETE THE BIENNIAL REVIEW OF THE NON-UNION SALARY PAY GRADES.
ADDITIONALLY, CLEMENS NELSON WAS ALSO ASKED TO COMPLETE THE FRINGE BENEFIT REVIEW, SOMETHING THAT HASN'T BEEN DONE FOR OVER 10 YEARS.
AS A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE MATERIALS IN YOUR PACKET, I WANTED TO REVIEW THE KEY UPDATES, SORRY, EXCUSE ME, I COULDN'T FIND MY MOSS, EXCUSE ME.
IS RECOMMENDED BY CLEMENS NELSON.
UM, THE WAGE AND SALARY STRUCTURE HAS BEEN UPDATED REFLECTING THE CHANGES OF THREE EXISTING POSITIONS, ALONG WITH A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ALL POSITIONS FLSA OR THE FAIR LABOR STANDARD ACT CLASSIFICATIONS OF EXEMPT OR NON-EXEMPT.
ALL THE SALARY BANS HAVE INCREASED REFLECTING CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS AND KEEPING WAGES ALIGNED AND COMPETITIVE.
AS RECOMMENDED BY CLEMENTS NELSON, THE INSTANT BONUS PROGRAM WAS UPDATED TO INCLUDE A PERCENTAGE OF SALARY WITH A CAP OF $5,000.
MOVING FORWARD, WE WILL INCLUDE THIS AREA OF THE COMPENSATION PLAN.
WHEN WE COMPLETE THE BIENNIAL REVIEW OF OUR SALARY RANGES, WE ARE PROPOSING THE ADDITION OF THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING AS A NEW CITY HOLIDAY.
THIS RECOMMENDATION WAS DEVELOPED THOUGHTFULLY AND IS SUPPORTED, IS SUPPORTED BY CONSISTENT EMPLOYEE FEEDBACK GATHERED THROUGH OUR ENGAGEMENT CHECK-INS AND OUR CITYWIDE SURVEYS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.
THE ADDITION OF THIS DAY RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF REST, FAMILY CONNECTION, AND WORK LIFE BALANCE DURING A MAJOR HOLIDAY PERIOD.
VALUES OUR EMPLOYEES CONSISTENTLY EXPRESS AS IMPORTANT TO THEM
[00:55:01]
FROM AN OPERATIONAL STANDPOINT.YOUR MEMO OUTLINES THE MINIMAL RESIDENT INTERACTION IS TRACKED AT CITY BUILDINGS.
THESE CHANGES REFLECT HOW THE CITY FUNCTIONS WITH MANY EMPLOYEES USING LEAVE DUE TO MINIMAL PUBLIC INTERACTION OR SERVICE REQUESTS.
IF A WEATHER EVENT OR AN EMERGENCY OCCURS, EMPLOYEES WOULD STILL BE CALLED UPON TO SERVE RESIDENTS AS NEEDED.
ALIGNING OUR HOLIDAY SCHEDULE WITH COMPARABLE MUNICIPALITIES OUTLINED IN THE MEMO FURTHER SUPPORT OUR COMPETITIVENESS AS AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE.
BY MAKING THIS ADJUSTMENT, WE ARE CONTINUING TO STRENGTHEN EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION, REINFORCE OUR COMMITMENT TO WELLBEING, AND ENSURE DUBLIN REMAINS A LEADER IN ATTRACTING AND RETAINING TOP TALENT.
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED TO REMOVE THE LANGUAGE THAT ALLOWS EMPLOYEES WHO RESIGN FROM THE CITY TO CASH OUT THEIR SICK LEAVE.
THOSE WHO ARE RETIRING WILL STILL REMAIN RETAIN THIS BENEFIT.
THE REASON WE CHANGE THAT IS SO THAT WE ARE NOT INCENTING FOLKS TO LEAVE THE CITY OF DUBLIN BY PAYING OUT THEIR SICK LEAVE.
IT IS PROPOSED TO INCREASE ANNUAL SICK LEAVE CONVERSION FROM 28 HOURS TO 40 HOURS PER CALENDAR YEAR.
EMPLOYEES ARE PERMITTED TO AUTOMATICALLY ROLL OVER THAT SICK LEAVE BALANCE INTO THEIR HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT, SOMETHING WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO.
THESE TWO CHANGES RESULT IN A NET NEUTRAL COST BECAUSE AS ONE GOES UP, ONE GOES DOWN, IT IS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM CARRYOVER OF VACATION HOURS FROM 240 TO 480 HOURS FROM ONE PAYROLL CALENDAR TO THE NEXT FOR EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE 20 OR MORE YEARS OF SERVICE.
WHILE THIS COST WON'T BE REALIZED FOR SEVERAL YEARS, THE 2026 PROPOSED OPERATING OPERATING BUDGET WILL BE ABLE TO ABSORB ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS IN THE COMING YEAR.
WE ARE ALSO RECOMMENDING THE ANNUAL VACATION LEAVE CONVERSION INCREASE FROM 40 HOURS A YEAR TO 80 HOURS PER YEAR FOR NON DIRECTOR LEVEL EMPLOYEES WITH 11 OR MORE YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
THIS IS ONE OF SEVERAL CONSULTANT RECOMMENDATIONS THAT DIRECTLY ALIGN WITH FEEDBACK GATHERED FROM THE EMPLOYEES.
THROUGH OUR SURVEYS AND OUR ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS, IT IS PROPOSED TO REMOVE THE THREE EQUAL PAYMENTS INTO THE EMPLOYEE'S HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT AND DEPOSIT ALL CITY AWARDED FUNDS INTO ONE DEPOSIT IN JANUARY.
CURRENTLY, THE POLICE AND N REC COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNITS ALREADY RECEIVE ALL OF THEIR FUNDING IN JANUARY.
SO THIS WILL ENHANCE OUR ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY AND BRING CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE CITY.
AS YOU HAVE NOTICED IN THE MEMO IN YOUR PACKET, IT OUTLINES THE PLAN CHANGES THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED AS PART OF THE OPERATING BUDGET AND THE ADDITIONAL COSTS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THAT AS WELL.
THE ADDITION OF THESE CHANGES, INCLUDING THE MAVEN PROGRAM OF FAMILY PLANNING, WAS SHARED AT THE OCTOBER 6TH COUNCIL MEETING DURING THE HR BRIEFING.
THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF RECOMMENDATIONS THAT DIRECTLY ALIGN WITH FEEDBACK GATHERED FROM EMPLOYEES THROUGH SURVEYS AND ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS.
AND FINALLY, IT IS PROPOSED TO RENAME OUR TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM TO TUITION AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.
THIS CHANGE COMES ABOUT NOT ONLY FROM EMPLOYEE FEEDBACK, BUT ALSO TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS ACROSS THE ENTIRE CITY.
SOME AREAS OF THIS CITY REQUIRE CERTIFICATIONS FOR THEIR POSITION, WHILE OTHERS DO NOT.
THIS PROGRAM STREAMLINES THE APPROVAL PROCESSES, ALLOWING ALL UPFRONT FUNDING OF THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, AND ALLOWS FOR UP TO TWO PAID TESTING CYCLES BY RECOMMENDING THESE CHANGES TO COUNCIL LEADERSHIP AIMS TO STRENGTHEN EMPLOYEE TRUST, REINFORCE ENGAGEMENT, AND CONTINUE BUILDING A POSITIVE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE.
IT REFLECTS LEADERSHIP'S ONGOING COMMITMENT TO LISTEN, RESPOND, AND TAKE ACTION.
BY APPROVING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE A STRONG POSITIVE MESSAGE WITH OUR EMPLOYEES ABOUT THE CITY'S DEDICATION TO CONTINUE IMPROVEMENT AND TO BEING AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE.
LASTLY, STAFF RECOMMENDS ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 45 25 AT THE SECOND READING ON THE NOVEMBER 3RD, 2025 MEETING.
AND WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
I WANNA TAKE A MOMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
IS THERE ANYONE PRESENT HERE THIS EVENING FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK RELATIVE TO THIS LEGISLATION? HEARING NONE COUNCIL QUESTIONS, DISCUSSION? I JUST HAVE A GENERAL QUESTION.
UM, THE, A LOT OF CORPORATIONS HAVE JUST GONE TO PAID TIME OFF AND DON'T DIFFERENTIATE.
WHAT, WHAT IS THE REASON FOR KEEPING THE TWO SEPARATE? IS IT ACCRUAL RATES ARE DIFFERENT.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST REASONS IS THAT THE OHIO REVISED CODE MANDATES SICK LEAVE.
AND SO VACATION AND COMP AND PERSONAL ARE KIND OF USED AS PTO ALREADY SICK LEAVE IS NOT AND CANNOT, AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT ABILITY.
SO IT
WE WOULD LOVE TO, WE HAD HAD MANY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THAT, HOW COULD WE DO THAT? I FIGURED THERE WAS A REASON.
I JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS.
'CAUSE IT JUST SEEMS AT THIS POINT IN
[01:00:01]
AGE, YOU CAN'T REALLY ASK LIKE, WHY ARE YOU SICK? LIKE, WHAT ARE YOU NOT? YOU KNOW? SO JUST THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTION.WE AGREE, BUT, UH, THE STATE OF OHIO HAS SOME OTHER THOUGHTS.
UH, THANK YOU JENNIFER FOR AND TEAM FOR THE WORK ON THIS, UM, THE, THE SPOT BONUS PROGRAM.
WHAT IS IT NOW? 'CAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE ONE.
WHAT ARE WE CHANGING IT FROM? RIGHT NOW IT'S UP TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS.
SO WE TYPICALLY AWARD ANYWHERE BETWEEN 250, 500, 7 50, OR A THOUSAND DEPENDING ON THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT.
SO IT'S LIMITED, LIMITED AS TO THAT.
AND WHEN WE LOOKED AT OUR COMPARABLES, WE NOTICED THAT A LOT OF OTHER CITIES WERE DOING A PERCENTAGE OF SALARY AND THEN OBVIOUSLY CAPPING IT, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE MORE YOU MAKE, THE MORE THAT PERCENTAGE COULD BE.
SO WE WANTED IT TO BE MORE REFLECTIVE OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN FROM OTHER ENTITIES.
SO POTENTIALLY EVERY EMPLOYEE COULD GET A $5,000 BONUS.
SO WHAT IS THE TOTAL BUDGET FOR THAT? WELL, WE HAVE SOME PRETTY STRICT CONTINGENCIES ON WHAT IT TAKES TO RECEIVE A BONUS.
AND SO IN YEARS PAST ALL OUR, OF OUR YEARS PAST, WE HAVE NEVER HAD TO ASK FOR AN APPROPRIATION DUE TO THE BONUSES THAT PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED.
BECAUSE ONE OF THE PIECES THE DIRECTORS HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT THEIR BUDGET TO SEE IF THEIR BUDGET CAN ABSORB THE COST OF THAT AND IF NOT, FURTHER CONVERSATION IS HAD WITH THE CITY MANAGER.
SO THAT 4% PERSONNEL BUDGET INCLUDES THIS? YES, IT DOES.
SO, UM, ALL THE BENEFITS YOU LISTED, I THINK ARE NICE.
WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST OF ALL OF THOSE BENEFIT ADDITIONS TO THIS? THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION, AND MATT, IF I MAKE A MISTAKE, PLEASE COME UP AND CORRECT ME.
SO IN YOUR MEMO, WE OUTLINED SOME OF THEM, SOME OF THEM ARE GOING TO HAVE A LONG-TERM IMPACT, BUT BASED ON THE ONES WE USE, 2020 FOURS CASH OUT AND PROJECTIONS, AND I THINK WE ARE AT A TOTAL OF JUST SHY OF 61,000 FOR 2026, WHICH IS WHY WE CAN ABSORB THOSE.
SO THAT INCLUDES THE, THE VACATION DAY PAYOUTS, THOSE, ALL OF THAT IS ONLY COSTING THE CITY $61,000.
WELL, THAT'S, THAT'S AN ESTIMATE BASED ON PRIOR EXPERIENCE.
SO WE, WE BELIEVE WE HAVE CAPACITY NEXT YEAR TO ABSORB THESE CHANGES.
SO NEXT YEAR IS GONNA BE A LEARNING YEAR WHERE WE LOOK AT THE EXPERIENCE AND DECIDE, DO WE NEED TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE NEXT BUDGET 2027, TO ACCOMMODATE THESE CHANGES NOW THAT WE HAVE A FULL YEAR OF EXPERIENCE, BUT FOR 2026, WE'RE CONFIDENT THAT THERE'S CAPACITY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENTAL BUDGETS BECAUSE IT'S 60,000 POTENTIALLY SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE CITY, ALL THE CITY DEPARTMENTS.
IT'S NOT MATERIAL TO WHERE WE THINK WE HAVE TO MAKE SPECIFIC BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS FOR THIS PROPOSED BUDGET.
WE WILL LOOK AND, AND LEARN FOR NEXT YEAR AND THEN SEE DO WE HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS GOING INTO 27 FOR THESE CHANGES IF THEY'RE APPROVED.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND IT.
SO IT, IT'S, IT'S 60,000 IN TOTAL OR 60,000 ABOVE THE CURRENT, BUT I, I'M NOT SURE OF MY UNDERSTANDING.
THAT'S A, IN TOTAL, THAT'S A POTENTIAL COST FOR THE ENTIRE PACKAGE THAT'S BEING PROPOSED.
AGAIN, LOOKING AT PAST YEAR EXPERIENCE AND MAKING ASSUMPTIONS ON WHO WOULD ADOPT CERTAIN OR, UM, TAKE CERTAIN BENEFITS AND WHAT THE, UM, TRENDS WOULD LOOK LIKE.
I THINK THAT IS, UH, QUITE A NICE, UM, BENEFIT TO EMPLOYEES FOR $60,000.
THAT SEEMS LIKE A VERY GOOD USE OF $60,000 IF IN TOTAL.
AND IF THE, IF THOSE OTHER BUDGETS ARE WITHIN, WITHIN THE DEPARTMENTAL BUDGETS, ET CETERA, SO FORTH.
I I THINK THOSE ARE SOME, THOSE ARE SOME GOOD RECOMMENDATIONS AND I APPRECIATE THAT ANALYSIS.
AND IF I COULD WITH REGARD TO THE INSTANT BONUS, I MEAN THAT A THOUSAND DOLLARS THRESHOLD HAS BEEN IN PLACE AS FAR BACK AS WE COULD DETERMINE.
SO IT'S BEEN A THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY MOONS AT THIS POINT.
AND IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ONE OF THE CHANGES THERE WAS AN OFFSETTING COST, UM, IMPACT AMOUNT WITH THE SICK LEAVE CASH OUT FOR THOSE THAT ARE DEPARTING THE CITY, UM, FOR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AS OPPOSED TO RETIRING.
SO THAT WAS A COST, UH, OFFSETTING AMOUNT FROM THE OTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR EXISTING EMPLOYEES.
AND LASTLY, I THINK ONE OTHER THING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE IS THIS IS THE NON-UNION COMPENSATION PLAN FOR NON BARGAINING EMPLOYEES.
SO BARGAINING IN EMPLOYEES WOULD HAVE TO BARGAIN THAT IN DURING THEIR CYCLES, WHICH WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO OF THEM RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS WHY THOSE COSTS DON'T REFLECT THOSE FOLKS.
I, I THINK IT'S REALLY WISE SOME OF THE DECISIONS THAT YOU MADE HERE.
UM, UH, I, I THINK THAT YOU, YOU'RE IN VERY GOOD HANDS WITH HEIDI.
UM, I THINK THESE BRING THE CITY MUCH MORE IN LINE WITH SOME INDUSTRY STANDARDS RELATIVE TO PUBLIC SECTOR, UM, AGENCIES.
UM, JUST A QUICK, THIS IS JUST AN ACCOUNTING QUESTION.
SO IN REMOVING THE, UM, SICK LEAVE FROM BEING PAID OUT, DOES THAT NOT REMOVE A LIABILITY FROM YOUR BOOKS AS WELL OVER TIME IT COULD REDUCE THAT LIABILITY? THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
AND WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE THE CITY, THEY HAVE THAT O WAIT, CURRENTLY THEY HAVE THE OPTION OF CASHING OUT OR TAKING IT WITH THEM.
SO THEY WILL STILL RETAIN THE ABILITY TO TAKE IT WITH THEM, TAKE IT WITH, FOR UP TO 10 YEARS WITH THEIR NEXT EMPLOYER.
I WAS GONNA ASK YOU THAT AS WELL.
UM, THIS IS REALLY GREAT WORK, SO THANK YOU.
[01:05:02]
I JUST TO TAG ON KATHY'S QUESTION THEN, SO I UNDERSTAND THAT THE, YOU SAID EMPLOYEES THAT HAD 11 OR MORE YEARS SERVICE GOT THE ADDITIONAL WEEK OF VACATION, IS THAT RIGHT? TO CASH OUT? SO IT'S NOT INCREASING THEIR BANKS? NO.BANKS ARE INCREASING, BUT IT'S THE ABILITY TO CASH IT OUT.
OH, THE AMOUNT THAT THEY COULD CA EXACTLY.
SO ONCE YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME, IF YOU HAVEN'T USED THAT AMOUNT OF TIME, RATHER THAN LOSE IT AT THE END OF THE YEAR, WE'LL JUST ROLL IT OVER FROM 40 HOURS TO 80 HOURS.
SO IT'S JUST MORE THAT THEY CAN CORRECT.
UM, SO WHEN, UM, JUST WHEN YOU COME BACK NOVEMBER 3RD, UM, IT MIGHT BE ACTUALLY NICE FOR US TO KNOW HOW MANY EMPLOYEES FALL INTO THOSE BUCKETS.
UM, IT JUST, IT JUST HELPS US TO CONCEPTUALLY UNDERSTAND IT.
UM, AND MAYBE JUST BRING A REMINDER OF WHAT OUR AVERAGE YEARS OF SERVICE ARE FOR OUR FOLKS.
UM, FOR THE NEXT MEETING OR MAYBE BEFORE THAT, UM, IS IT POSSIBLE ON THIS, ON THE, THE BONUS, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THAT IT WAS USED IN THE PAST, BUT UM, BY INCREASING IT, AND YOU SAID IT'S 60,000 AND IT CAN GO UP TO FIVE, DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THAT.
UM, I'M JUST CURIOUS AS TO WHAT THE CRITERIA ARE, HOW OFTEN IT'S PASSED OUT BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO IMPROVE THE, UM, BENEFITS AND MAKE PEOPLE FEEL VALUED.
I'M JUST WONDERING HOW THAT WOULD WORK AND WHAT THE NUMBER WOULD BE AND WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT.
YOU SAID THERE'S A CRITERIA FOR SOMEONE TO STRIVE FOR.
UM, SO THE CRITERIA IS LISTED OUT IN THE COMP PLAN, WHICH YOU HAVE A RED LINE VERSION OF IT.
BUT IF YOU GO TO THAT PARTICULAR SECTION, YOU CAN READ, THERE'S THREE VERY SPECIFIC CRITERIA THAT HAVE TO DO WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE IMPACT TO RESIDENTS AND SOMETHING THAT'S COULD BE INCREDIBLY INNOVATIVE.
THERE'S MORE DETAIL WITHIN IT, BUT THAT IS THE GUIDANCE THAT IS GIVEN TO ALL THE DIRECTORS.
AND WE ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE YEAR OF LIKE, KEEP PAYING ATTENTION TO THOSE ON YOUR TEAMS WHO ARE DOING THESE THINGS THAT TRULY GO ABOVE AND BEYOND AND THAT MEET THE CULTURE PLAYBOOK AND THEN BRING THOSE EXAMPLES FORWARD.
WE HAVE A FORM ONLINE THAT THEY CAN FILL OUT AND SUBMIT HUMAN RESOURCES REVIEWS THAT TO MAKE SURE IT ALIGNS WITH OTHER PAST, UM, BONUSES THAT HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SO THAT WE'RE BEING CONSISTENT ACROSS THE CITY.
I CAN TELL YOU WHEN I COME BACK NEXT TIME, THE EXACT AMOUNT WE'VE DONE THIS YEAR AND PROBABLY THE, I MEAN WE'VE TRACKED IT FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME, BUT, UH, WELL THAT'S NOT TRUE, BUT AT LEAST THE LAST 10 YEARS WORTH OF DATA I HAVE
SO IN THE PACKET NEXT TIME, CAN YOU JUST DOUBLE CHECK THE ONE THAT WE HAVE IN OUR CURRENT ONE HAS NO RED LINES, SO JUST I FIGURED IT OUT.
WE CAN REMEDY THAT BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE A RED LINE VERSION TIME VERSION, SO YOU CAN EASILY SPOT THOSE OUT FOR NEXT TIME.
ANYTHING ELSE? ALRIGHT, WELL, UH, WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER THE THIRD.
APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS ON THAT.
[Ordinance 46-25]
BE ORDINANCE 46 DASH 25, CREATING TWO TAX AND INCREMENT FINANCING INCENTIVE DISTRICTS DECLARING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARCELS WITHIN THE INCENTIVE DISTRICTS TO BE A PUBLIC PURPOSE AND EXEMPT FROM REAL PROPERTY TAXATION, REQUIRING THE OWNERS OF THOSE PARCELS TO MAKE SERVICE PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES.ESTABLISHING A MUNICIPAL PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT TAX INCREMENT EQUIVALENT FUND FOR THE DEPOSIT OF THOSE SAVINGS PAYMENT SERVICE PAYMENTS, SPECIFYING THE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS THAT BENEFIT OR SERVE PARCELS IN THE INCENTIVE DISTRICTS AUTHORIZING COMPENSATION PAYMENTS TO THE DUBLIN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE TOLLS CAREER AND TECHNICAL CENTER.
IN OUR STAFF REPORT, WE WILL GO BACK WITH MATT RUBINO AND HE'LL BE JOINED BY GREG DANIELS.
ORDINANCE YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU IS APPROVAL OF, UH, TIFF FOR THE REGISTRY DISTRICT J BLOCK PROJECT.
THAT PROJECT, UH, INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR BUILDINGS, UM, 109,000 SQUARE FEET OF OFFICE SPACE, TWO CONDOMINIUMS AND 508 SPACE PARKING GARAGE.
THAT DEVELOPMENT PLAN WAS APPROVED ON APRIL 21ST OF THIS YEAR, UM, UH, BY COUNCILS BETWEEN THE CITY AND CRAWFORD HOING DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS THE DEVELOPER.
IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A, A, A SEPARATE AGREEMENT, UM, AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, UM, WHICH INCLUDED PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES, UH, FOR INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING FOR CENOVUS, WHO IS PLANNED TO BE OCCUPYING, UH, A GOOD PORTION OF THE PLANNED OFFICE BUILDING.
SO THAT'S JUST A RELATED ORDINANCE, UM, TO THIS PROJECT.
SO THE TIP ORDINANCE ITSELF, UM, IT AUTHORIZES THE CREATION OF TWO INCENTIVE DISTRICTS, ONE FOR EACH OF THE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, UM, BEING CONSTRUCTED IN TWO DIFFERENT PHASES.
UH, THE PARKING GARAGE IS A PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S SERVING THE DISTRICTS, UM, ANNUAL SERVICE PAYMENT REVENUE ESTIMATED TO GENERATE ABOUT 74.9 MILLION
[01:10:01]
OVER 30 YEARS.AND THAT SERVICE PAYMENT REVENUE IS GONNA BE USED TO FUND FINANCING OF THE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE GARAGE.
AND POTEN, THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR APPROXIMATELY 21 MILLION IN EXCESS REVENUE THAT COULD FLOW BACK TO THE CITY OVER THE TERM OF THE, UH, THE TIF AGREEMENT.
UM, THESE INCENTIVE DISTRICTS ARE BEING CREATED, UM, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BRIDGE STREET DISTRICT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN DUBLIN CITY SCHOOLS AND THE CITY OF DUBLIN.
UM, THE CITY WILL CONTINUE TO REMIT THE ANNUAL PAYMENTS, UH, TO THE SCHOOLS AS IS LAID OUT IN THE AGREEMENT.
UH, DUBLIN CITY SCHOOLS IS NOT TECHNICALLY, UH, REQUIRED TO BE NOTIFIED, BUT WE DID REACH OUT TO THEM DIRECTLY AND NOTIFY THEM OF THE CREATION OF THE NEW INCENTIVE DISTRICTS IN BRIDGE PARK.
AND WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE AT THE SECOND HEARING ON DECEMBER 8TH.
THERE'S A REQUIRED 30 DAY PERIOD BETWEEN THE FIRST HEARING AND THE SECOND HEARING AND AND APPROVAL.
SO THE NEXT COUNSEL DATE WOULD BE DECEMBER 8TH.
AND WITH THAT WE CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS.
I ALSO HAVE, UH, MR. DANIELS HERE CAN ALSO, UM, ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE THEM.
IS THERE ANYONE PRESENT THIS EVENING FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK RELATIVE TO THIS LEGISLATION? HEARING NONE COUNCIL QUESTIONS, DISCUSSION? I HAVE A GENERAL, UH, CAN YOU EASILY, I GUESS, SUMMARIZE WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PHASE TWO, THE OTHER CONDOMINIUMS NEVER GET BUILT? IT'S NOT GOOD FOR THE FINANCING PLAN FOR THE GARAGE.
UM, THERE'S, UH, THE PLAN IS FOR AN INTERIM FINANCING UNTIL THOSE PHASE TWO, UM, CONDOMINIUM BUILDING GETS BUILT.
UM, THE DEVELOPER'S GONNA HAVE TO LARGELY GUARANTEE THAT IN ORDER TO MAKE IT WORK, THERE'LL BE A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY LEFT OVER FROM THE FIRST PHASE IN THE OFFICE, BUT THEY REALLY NEED TO BUILD THAT IN ORDER TO, UM, YOU KNOW, PROVIDE THE CASH FLOW FOR THAT AND TO GET OFF THEIR GUARANTEE THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO PROVIDE IT.
SO IF THEY, LET'S SAY THEY DON'T BUILD IT, OR I MEAN, COULD THEY, THEY COULD SELL IT OFF AND HAVE SOMEONE ELSE BUILD IT AND OR WE'D HAVE TO REDO THIS WHOLE AGREEMENT.
I'M JUST WONDERING 'CAUSE THERE'S, I GUESS HOW FAR OUT IS THAT PHASE TWO PROJECT AND HOW MUCH DOES THAT IMPACT THE OVERALL? YEAH, WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT THAT AND UM, ALL INDICATIONS ARE IS IT WILL TRAIL BY ABOUT 18 MONTHS.
SO PART OF IT IS THEY NEED THAT PHASE TWO GROUND FOR LAY DOWN FOR OFFICE CONSTRUCTION AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF PHASE ONE IN THE PARKING GARAGE.
UM, BUT BECAUSE IT'S AN INTEGRATED FINANCING PLAN, THEY REALLY CAN'T WAIT VERY LONG GET SO THEY ARE FINANCING IT ALL AT ONCE.
IT'S JUST THE CONSTRUCTION IS SLIGHTLY STAGGERED, RIGHT? YEAH.
AND THEY HAVE TO GET TO THAT SECOND PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION AGAIN TO GET OFF THE GUARANTEE THAT THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO GIVE THE BOND HOLDERS.
SO AGAIN, THE, THE FINANCING FOR THIS GOES THROUGH THE FINANCE AUTHORITY.
IT'S NOT CITY DEBT, THE CITY'S NOT ON THE HOOK IN ANY WAY, BUT BECAUSE OF THAT PHASED APPROACH, THE DEVELOPER'S GONNA HAVE TO PUT SOME GUARANTEES IN PLACE TO RIGHT.
'CAUSE THEY, THEY DON'T, THEY'RE PHASING IT EVEN WITH OUR PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, LIKE THEY DON'T HAVE A BUILDING APPROVED OR ANYTHING.
IT GETS A BLANK SPOT ON THEIR FINAL DEVELOPMENT.
YEAH, I I THINK BEFORE THEY GET TO A FINANCING, THEY'LL HAVE TO GET ALL THEIR DUCKS IN A ROW FOR THAT.
'CAUSE I, I THINK THE, UM, THE, THE BOND HOLDER'S GONNA LOOK AT IT AND SAY, WE GET WHY, YOU KNOW, JUST FROM A PHYSICAL SITE LAYOUT IT HAS TO BE DELAYED.
BUT WE WANT ALL OTHER INDICATIONS THAT THIS IS GONNA BE BUILT AS SOON AS YOU'RE DONE WITH THE PHASE, UH, ONE OF THE THE PROJECT.
'CAUSE I KNOW WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING FOR THE OTHER SPOT AND I JUST WASN'T NO TIMING WISE, IF WE'RE SEEING THIS BACK IN DECEMBER 8TH, THEN WE APPROVE THIS.
THEY HAVEN'T EVEN, THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A CONCEPT OF WHAT'S GOING IN THAT ASPECT.
THEY STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THAT BEFORE THEY'LL REALLY BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY EXECUTE BEFORE THAT EXECUTE ON THE PROJECT.
SO THIS DOESN'T EX IF WE DO THIS IN DECEMBER, THIS DOESN'T EXPIRE IN LIKE SIX MONTHS OR SOMETHING IF THEY STILL NO, NO, THIS IS, UM, WITH ALL THESE AGREEMENTS AND PROJECTS, THERE'S AT LEAST A DOZEN STEPS KIND OF LEADING UP TO GETTING TO START, UM, SITTING THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN PLACE IS ONE OF 'EM.
THERE'S FINANCING PIECES, THERE'S THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVAL PIECES.
SO THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY STEPS THAT WE'RE JUST TRYING TO KNOCK OUT IN ORDER.
SO GREG, THIS SORT OF FOLLOWS THE ORIGINAL BRIDGE STREET PROGRAM, RIGHT? YEAH, THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.
AND AS YOU PROBABLY REMEMBER, FOR THE ORIGINAL SET OF BRIDGE STREET BLOCKS, THERE WAS AN INCENTIVE DISTRICT TIFF THAT COVERED ALL THAT PROPERTY, UM, TO CAPTURE THE RESIDENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT WERE THERE.
SO BECAUSE THIS WAS OUTSIDE OF THAT FOOTPRINT, WE JUST NEED TO DO A NEW ONE TO COVER THIS FOOTPRINT.
IT'S, IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE DOUBLE AND CITIZENS TO BE HUNG OUT ON THIS PROJECT, RIGHT? YEAH.
I MEAN, AND THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED YEARS AGO AND THAT'S THE WAY IT'S CONTINUING.
IT'S NOT EVEN THE CITY'S DEBT.
[01:15:02]
OKAY, WE WILL, UM, THIS IS SCHEDULED FOR SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEARING ON DECEMBER THE EIGHTH.SO THERE WILL BE A, A GAP BEFORE WE HEAR THIS AGAIN.
[Resolution 51-25 ]
INTRODUCTION, PUBLIC HEARING VOTE RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION 51 DASH 25 REQUESTING THE DELAWARE FRANKLIN AND UNION COUNTY AUDITORS TO DRAW MONEY THAT MAY BE IN THE COUNTY TREASURY TREASURIES TO ISSUE A DRAFT TO THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN FOR ANY MONEY THAT MAY BE IN THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE CITY OF DUBLIN.ONE, ONE FINAL TIME FOR TONIGHT.
UH, THIS IS A ANNUAL APPROVAL ROUTINE.
UM, WE'RE SEEKING TO HAVE PROPERTY TAX ADVANCES PAID TO THE CITY, UM, APPROXIMATELY THREE ADVANCES IN ADDITION TO THE TWO SEMI-ANNUAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF PROPERTY TAX FROM ALL THREE, UM, COUNTIES NEXT YEAR.
SO WE DO REQUIRE TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT PROGRAM AND RECEIVE THE ADVANCES.
WE DO NEED A LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL FOR ALL THREE COUNTIES.
THIS IS THE BENEFITS OF THE CITY BECAUSE IT DOES HELP WITH CASH FLOW RATHER THAN WAITING.
UM, FOR EACH HALF YEAR DISTRIBUTION.
WE'RE GETTING, UH, TWO ADVANCED DISTRIBUTIONS THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR AND AN ADDITIONAL DANCE THE SECOND HALF A YEAR IN ADDITION TO THE, UH, TWO SEMI-ANNUAL DISTRIBUTIONS.
SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR, UH, APPROVAL OF THIS RESOLUTION AT TONIGHT'S MEETING.
I'LL TAKE A MOMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
IS THERE ANYONE PRESENT THIS EVENING FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK RELATIVE TO THIS LEGISLATION? HEARING NONE COUNCIL QUESTIONS DISCUSSION.
JENNY, WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLE MS. FOX? YES.
[STAFF COMMENTS]
US TO THE STAFF COMMENTS PORTION OF THE AGENDA, AND I WILL TURN IT OVER TO OUR CITY MANAGER, MEGAN O' CALLAN.GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
WE RECENTLY MET WITH CODA LEADERSHIP TEAM AND HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET DORINDA MCCOMBS.
SHE IS CODA'S NEWLY HIRED CHIEF PROGRAM MANAGER.
SHE'S GONNA BE RESPONSIBLE FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING, PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION, POLICY DEVELOPMENT, AND OVERSIGHT OF THE LINKAS PROGRAM.
UM, MS. MCCOMBS, SHE HAS VERY SIGNIFICANT, UH, AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN IMPLEMENTING BUS RAPID TRANSIT ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
SHE'S VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HER AS THE NORTHWEST BRT UM, CORRIDOR CONTINUES TO DEVELOP THROUGH THE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
ALSO WANTED TO SHARE THAT STAFF SUBMITTED A LETTER OF INTEREST TO CODA FOR THE CODA PLUS EXPANSION ZONE FOR DUBLIN.
THIS IS A NEW COMPETITIVE PROCESS THAT WAS ROLLED OUT BY CODA STAFF AND THEY INDICATED IN OUR MEETING THAT THEY EXPECT TO HAVE A DECISION REGARDING NEW, UH, CODA PLUS EXPANSIONS IN THE UPCOMING COUPLE OF MONTHS.
SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO A RESPONSE ON THAT.
UH, THIS NEW PROCESS ISN'T MEANT TO STANDARDIZE THE CODA AGREEMENT AND POLICIES SURROUNDING HOW CODA PLUS OPERATES ACROSS CENTRAL OHIO AND THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH IT FOR COMMUNITIES.
THERE'S CURRENTLY EXAMPLES IN GROVE CITY AND WESTERVILLE OF CODA PLUS.
SO THEY WANTED TO STANDARDIZE, UM, THE PROCESS FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH REGIONAL EXPANSION.
UM, THEY ALSO SHARED THAT THE SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN UPDATE IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY.
THE LAST TIME THAT THIS OCCURRED WAS DURING COVID, SO THERE'S BEEN A LOT THAT'S CHANGED SINCE THEN.
AND I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THE PLAN INCLUDES A NEW FIXED ROUTE SERVICE, WHICH IS CALLED LINE 30, AND THAT CONNECTS DUBLIN TO THE OSU MAIN CAMPUS AND MEDICAL CAMPUS, WHICH IS GREAT NEWS.
UM, THE STOP LOCATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING FINALIZED AND SERVICES EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER OF NEXT YEAR, MORE ON TRANSIT.
UM, WITH REGARD TO LINKAS, SPECIFICALLY, STAFF EXPECTS TO RECEIVE THE CITY'S FIRST TRANSIT SUPPORTIVE INFRASTRUCTURE AGREEMENT FROM CODA FOR THE BLAZER PARKWAY SHARED USE PATH EDITION AND BUS STOP IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN NOVEMBER.
UM, SO THAT'LL BE PASSED ALONG FROM CODA FOR SIGNATURE ON OUR END AND THAT WILL ENABLE THE DETAILED DESIGN WORK TO BEGIN IN 2026.
UM, SIMILARLY, THE WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP SPONSORED SHIRE RINGS ROAD SHARED USE PATH PROJECT FROM IMAN ROAD TO COS GRAY ROAD IS A IS ALSO PROGRAMMED TO ADVANCE TO ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION.
WE WERE, UM, ALIGNING THAT PROJECT WITH OUR CAPITAL BUDGET.
UM, THIS WILL, OR WITH THE, WITH THE RECEIPT OF THESE FUNDS, EXCUSE ME.
UM, THIS WILL FILL IN THE GAP OF SHARED USE PATH ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF SHIRE RINGS ROAD THAT'S LOCATED IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
SO BOTH OF THOSE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN COORDINATED WITH THE RECEIPT OF LINUS FUNDING AS WELL AS, UM, WITH OUR CIP.
AND THEN LASTLY, UM, I WANTED TO, UH, SHARE A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE HARD ROAD NOISE STUDY.
WE PLAN TO FOLLOW UP WITH A, UH, FULL STUDY RESULTS AND DRAFT NOISE CODE UPDATES, UM, WITH
[01:20:01]
COUNSEL ON NOVEMBER 17TH.AT YOUR MEETING AT THAT TIME, WE WILL HAVE THE CULT CONSULTANT THAT PERFORMED THIS STUDY HERE, UM, PRESENT TO REVIEW THEIR FINDINGS WITH COUNSEL.
IN THE MEANTIME, I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A HIGH LEVEL UPDATE ON THAT.
UM, OUR GOAL ALL ALONG HAS BEEN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE BEST DATA POSSIBLE FOR BRINGING, UM, FORWARD RECOMMENDATIONS.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK DONE.
UM, INITIALLY WE HIRED BURGESS AND NIEL TO UPDATE A STUDY THAT HAD BEEN PERFORMED BACK IN 2011, AND WE USED THAT INFORMATION AS A BASELINE.
UH, WE ALSO ASKED THEM TO TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT NOISE LEVELS IN THE RIVERSIDE WOODS NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE QUESTION THAT WE WERE LOOKING TO ANSWER WAS, HAS TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY TRUCK TRAFFIC, MADE THINGS NOTICEABLY LOUDER? AND DO THE CURRENT NOISE LEVELS MEET THE STATE OR FEDERAL THRESHOLDS FOR ABATEMENT OPTIONS? UM, NOISE READINGS WERE TAKEN AT TWO CONSISTENT LOCATIONS, ONE ALONG HARD ROAD AND ONE WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
OVER FOUR SEPARATE SESSIONS BETWEEN LAST AUGUST AND THIS PAST MAY.
THE RESULTS FROM THAT STUDY SHOW THAT NOISE LEVELS ARE GENERALLY UNCHANGED SINCE 2011.
AVERAGE READINGS NEAR HOMES REMAIN WELL BELOW THE FEDERAL THRESHOLD OF 67 DECIBELS, MEANING THAT NO ADDITIONAL ABATEMENTS RECOMMENDED AT THIS TIME.
FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, UM, WHILE TRUCK TRAFFIC HAS INCREASED MAINLY IN THE MONTHS WITH CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AS WELL AS SCHOOL BUSES, UM, IT HASN'T CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT RISE IN NEIGHBORHOOD NOISE AS MEASURED BY THE STUDY.
THE WOODED AREA BETWEEN HARD ROAD AND THE HOMES CONTINUES TO BUFFER MUCH OF THAT SOUND.
THE STUDY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE LOUDEST NOISES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TEND TO COME FROM LAWN CARE, MACHINERY, GARBAGE COLLECTION, AND LOCAL TRAFFIC, WHICH IS INSTEAD OF HARD ROAD ITSELF.
UM, SO IN ADDITION TO THIS WORK, WE'RE TAKING THAT INFORMATION ALONG WITH OTHER, UM, INCIDENTS OF NOISE UNCOMFORTABLENESS ACROSS THE CITY.
UM, AND WE HAVE REVIEWED THE CODE STAFF HAS REVIEWED THE CODE, UH, THE NOISE REGULATIONS MORE BROADLY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH POLICE AS WELL AS OUR LEGAL TEAM AND STAFF FROM VARIOUS DIVISIONS.
AND WE HAVE DRAFT CODE AMENDMENTS THAT ARE PROPOSING CLEAR MEASURABLE THRESHOLDS FOR VEHICLE AND ENGINE NOISE.
AND THOSE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WOULD REMOVE A LEVEL OF SUBJECTIVITY OR THE REASONABLE PERSON STANDARD, WHICH HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO, UM, MANAGE.
AND WE'RE PROPOSING A NEW SECTION PROHIBITING ENGINE BRAKING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
AND THAT NEW SECTION OF CODE WOULD ALLOW US TO POST NO ENGINE BRAKE SIGNS ALONG HARD ROAD RIVERSIDE DRIVE AND OTHER PROBLEM AREAS IN THE FUTURE.
SO JUST WANTED TO GIVE THAT HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW.
MORE TO COME ON NOVEMBER 17TH WHEN WE HAVE THE CONSULTANT PRESENT WITH US.
AND THAT CONCLUDES MY STAFF COMMENTS.
[COUNCIL REPORTS ]
BRING US TO THE COUNCIL REPORTS PORTION OF OUR AGENDA AND WE WILL START WITH COMMITTEE REPORTS WITH PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE REPORT.AND MS. GRAHAM, I ACTUALLY HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT ON WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
THEY WILL BE PART OF THE HOA MEETING, UM, TABLES.
I, THAT'S THE ONLY THING I HAVE FOR THEM.
THEM AND THE A RB MEETING FOR THIS WEEK HAS BEEN CANCELED AND NOTHING ON THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE.
I DO HAVE SOMETHING ON PUBLIC SERVICES.
SO PUBLIC SERVICES MET ON OCTOBER 8TH.
ONE WAS THE FOOD TRUCK POLICY, THE OTHER WERE CEMETERY REGULATIONS FOR FOOD TRUCK POLICY.
BASICALLY WE WENT OVER SOME BENCHMARKING AND SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FROM STAFF, UH, FOR SOME POTENTIAL CODE CHANGES THEY'RE GONNA MAKE, UM, THE CHANGES IN, LIKE THEY'RE GONNA COME BACK WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS TO ALL OF COUNCIL.
AND THEN REGARD, AND LIKEWISE WITH THE CEMETERY REGULATIONS, WE, UH, TALKED ABOUT DIFFERENT OPTIONS, UH, THAT ARE AVAILABLE UNDER, UM, CURRENT REGULATIONS.
WE TALKED ABOUT RESTRICTING PLOT SALES JUST TO RESIDENTS, UM, AND THAT IN ADDITION PLOT SALES AND THE NICHES AS WELL.
UM, WE TALKED ABOUT AMENDING THE BURIAL RESTRICTIONS TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF BURIALS ALLOWED IN PEOPLE WHO OWN EXISTING PLOTS.
UH, WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT, UM, THE CURRENT ADDITIONS THAT ARE COMING ON TO THE EXISTING NICHES THAT ARE THERE, AND THEN THE POSSIBILITY OF A MEMORIAL GARDENER, A SCATTERING GARDEN OR SOMETHING TO THAT EXTENT.
SO STAFF IS, UM, LOOKING INTO AMENDING SOME OF THOSE REGULATIONS AND AGAIN, GOING TO BRING IT BACK TO ALL OF COUNCIL FOR REVIEW.
AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN FOR EITHER OF THOSE, BUT STAFF WILL BRING IT BACK TO EVERYONE.
UH, NOW LIAISON REPORTS, AND WE'LL START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ROSO ON THE 33 CORRIDOR AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.
SO THE 33 CORRIDOR MET ON OCTOBER 10TH
[01:25:01]
IN PLAIN CITY.UM, AS YOU KNOW, WE MEET EVERY OTHER MONTH AS A GROUP.
UM, SINCE WE'VE CHANGED SORT OF THE CADENCE, THE AREAS THAT WE FOCUS ON ARE INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORTATION, AND LAND USE.
AND WE HAD, UM, QUITE ROBUST DISCUSSIONS THIS TIME ABOUT, UM, TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.
WE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT DATA CENTERS AND WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DIFFERENT REGIONS, SO WE HEARD THAT COME UP THIS EVENING.
SO WE ARE TALKING WITH OUR COLLEAGUES AND NEIGHBORS ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED.
UM, AND ALL I CAN REPORT IS I, I KNOW I'M A BROKEN RECORD HERE, BUT THE AMOUNT OF GROWTH UP AND DOWN THAT REGION JUST CONTINUES, CONTINUES TO CON CONTINUE.
SO IT'S A GOOD DIALOGUE AND A GOOD EXCHANGE AND, UM, UH, YOU KNOW, HOPEFUL TO HAVE SOME CONTINUED POSITIVE, UH, COORDINATION OUT OF THAT.
UM, PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.
I I CAN JUST SAY THE AMOUNT OF APPLICATIONS THAT THE COMMISSION IS GONNA SEE OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE MONTHS IS SIGNIFICANT.
SO, UM, THE, THE, THE GROUP CONTINUES TO LOOK AT BOTH MIXED USE HOUSING AND, UM, OTHER DEVELOPMENTS, BUT, UH, THE WORK IS, IS PICKING UP, SO THANK YOU.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER FOX, THE 33 CORRIDOR AS WELL AS BOARD OF EDUCATION.
KATHY REPORT ON THE 33 CORRIDOR.
THERE'S A MEETING, UM, THIS COMING TUESDAY, I THINK FOR THE DUBLIN LIAISON.
UH, MR. KEELER, BOARD OF EDUCATION, LOGAN UNION, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION.
SO RIGHT, THE DUBLIN BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING IS THIS WEDNESDAY AND THE LOGAN UNION, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION, UM, GLACIER POINT OUT THERE OFF OF, UM, MITCHELL DET 98 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.
UH, THE, THE PRELIMINARY PLAT WAS CONDITIONALLY APPROVED FOR THAT, AND THAT'S IN THE DUBLIN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
WELL, THE, UH, DUBLIN ARTS COUNCIL PULLED IT OFF AGAIN WITH A, UH, BRILLIANT, UH, INTRODUCTION OF AN ARTIST INTO OUR COMMUNITY, MANO GONZALEZ.
HE RECEIVED THE TWO, THE 2025, UH, NATIONAL PRIZE IN VISUAL ARTS, THE HIGHEST AWARD HE COULD BE GIVEN.
I HOPE SOME OF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO SEE HIS EXHIBIT AND GET OUT TO MEET THIS GENTLEMAN.
UM, WHAT WAS INTERESTING IS HE WORKED WITH A LOT LOCAL ARTIST, ADAM HERNANDEZ, FOR CREATING A TEMPORARY MURAL AT RIVER CROSSING PARK WITH THE STUDENTS FROM DUBLIN CITY SCHOOLS.
UM, 40, UH, A 40 PERSON PANEL MET TO DISCUSS THE INTERSECTION OF ART AND COMMUNITY AT THE DUBLIN BRANCH LIBRARY.
AND ATTENDANCE WAS THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF CHILE AND MANY OTHER DISTINGUISHED ARTISTS AND ACADEMICS, THE GREAT MASTER JAPANESE CERAMICIST MEIA.
HIS EIGHTH VISIT TO DUBLIN WILL BE NOVEMBER 15TH.
UH, THE OPENING WILL BE 11 TO TWO.
IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY INTERESTED IN CERAMICS, YOU WANT TO SHOW UP ON NOVEMBER 22ND AT 11 O'CLOCK FOR HIS DEMONSTRATION.
HE WAS TRAINED BY KOKA, UH, WHO WAS CONSIDERED A NATIONAL TREASURE IN THE COUNTRY OF JAPAN.
AND, UH, YOU GOTTA GET THERE TO BUY HIS ART EARLY ON BECAUSE IT SELLS OUT REALLY FAST.
IT'S SORT OF AN, A BEST, UH, PATTERN TO IT.
AND, UM, JUST A REALLY WONDERFUL COLLECTIBLE.
UH, MS. CRAM, YOU DID THE WASHINGTON TOWN ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD.
ANYTHING TO ADD THERE? NO, UM, I WILL MORSE.
UM, AS MEGAN INDICATED, WE HAD OUR MORSE COMMISSION MEETING, UH, ON THE OCTOBER THE NINTH, AND PROJECT I AND M WHICH WAS THE WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, UH, SHOWER RING SHARED USE PLAN, AND THE BLAZER PARKWAY BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS WERE PASSED AT THAT MEETING.
SO THOSE WERE THE, THERE WERE 31 PROJECTS, 32 PROJECTS THAT GOT APPROVED FOR THIS ROUND OF TSI FUNDING.
UH, AND THOSE WERE THE TWO THAT WOULD BE OF MOST INTEREST TO US.
[COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE]
THAT, WE WILL, UH, GO TO COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE AND I WILL START DOWN HERE ON MY FAR RIGHT.I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION, MEGAN, THIS IS ACTUALLY FOR YOU, UM, ON THE NOVEMBER 17TH MEETING ABOUT THE HARD ROAD STUFF.
SO ARE THEY, ARE WE GONNA SEE THE CODE, DRAFT CODE CHANGES AT THAT MEETING, OR DO WE HAVE A PROPO? IF NOT, DO WE HAVE A PROPOSED TIME FOR THOSE YET? THE CURRENT PLAN IS TO PROPOSE THOSE OR TO SHARE THOSE UNDER AN OTHER TOPIC ON THE 17TH.
AND THEN, UM, ONE ADDITIONAL THING, MAYBE JUST, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF WE COULD GET THE SLIDES FROM YOUR STAFF COMMENTS MAYBE ADDED TO BOARD PACK LATER, JUST FOR REFERENCE.
NO, JUST WANNA REMIND PEOPLE THAT, UM, THE DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION DAY IS COMING UP AS ON OCTOBER 25TH,
[01:30:02]
SATURDAY.AND THAT ALSO, UM, THAT'S AT THE DUBLIN FLEET COMPLEX CENTER, AND THAT AT THE JUSTICE CENTER IS ALSO THE DRUG TAKE BACK DAY.
HEY, GOTTA SAY, UH, MANY THANKS TO, UM, ALLISON LAROI AND HER STAFF FOR SPECTACULAR.
AGAIN, IT WAS A GIANT HIT, GREAT WEATHER.
WHY DO WE HAVE SPOOKTACULAR ON STEROIDS? YEARS AGO, WE THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S MOTHER'S DAY, THERE'S FATHER'S DAY, BUT THERE'S NO KIDS TODAY.
LIKE IN JAPAN, THERE'S A DAY FOR CHILDREN.
SO INSTEAD OF CREATING A CHILDREN'S DAY, WE DECIDED TO EXPAND SPOOKTACULAR INTO WHAT IT IS.
SO WHOEVER THOUGHT THAT KIDS WOULD EAT 2000 PIECES OF CANDY ON ONE DAY, AND THE NEXT DAY
THAT'S WHEN IT TOOK, UH, WHAT, FOUR HOURS TO GIVE AWAY 2000 PIECES OF CANDY.
SO THANK YOU ALLISON AND THE TEAM.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK STAFF FOR THEIR WORK ON THE NOISE ORDINANCE.
I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE THAT, UM, IT'S PROBABLY NOT A DAY THAT OR WEEK THAT GOES BY THAT WE DON'T HEAR FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT THE NOISE ON TWO 70, THE NOISE IN, UM, BRIDGE PARK, THE NOISE IN THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
AND IF YOU'RE OUT TRYING TO EITHER HAVE DINNER WITH YOUR SPOUSE, A SPECIAL DINNER DOWN THERE, OR WE'RE HAVING AN EVENT AND WE'RE SPEAKING, UM, THE, THE ENGINE NOISE IS REALLY ANNOYING.
SO, UM, IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT AND, UH, I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY ENFORCE THAT'S LESS SUBJECTIVE AND, UM, WORD WILL GET OUT THAT THIS ISN'T THE PLACE TO BE OBNOXIOUS AND LOUD.
AND, UM, I'M SURE IF THIS COMES UP AT THE HOA DISCUSSION AS WELL, I KNOW IT'S NOT FINALIZED, BUT A HEADS UP, I THINK THERE'LL BE APPLAUSE.
UM, TOP OF THE PLEASE FIX LIST.
UM, AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF FOR A NICE MEETING AT THE EXCHANGE LAST WEEK AND GOOD DIALOGUE AND, UM, CONTINUED, UM, ENGAGEMENT WITH OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY AS THE, UM, PLANNING CONTINUES.
UH, THANKS, DITTO ON THE NOISE STUDY.
I THINK IT'LL BE REALLY INTERESTING TO HEAR ABOUT THAT.
AND THEN, UM, JUST A REMINDER THAT HALLOWEEN IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, SO LET'S TAKE THESE SLOW DOWN DUBLIN SIGNS SERIOUSLY AND KEEP ALL OF OUR KIDDOS SAFE.
UM, TIME FOR THEM TO RUN AROUND AND GET EVEN MORE CANDY, JOHN.
AS I INDICATED ON THE NINTH WAS OUR MORSE COMMISSION MEETING, AND THAT EVENING WAS THE BUCKEYES IN THE CITY.
SO WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO, UM, HEAR SOME OF THE, UM, NEW VISION ITEMS FROM THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, AND THEY GAVE TRUDY BARTLEY AN AWARD THAT EVENING, WHICH WAS WELL DESERVED, UM, FOR HER YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY.
UH, I WANNA THANK THE, THE ORGANIZERS OF THE MOON FESTIVAL ON THE OCTOBER THE 11TH WAS HELD IN BRIDGE PARK AND THEY HAD WONDERFUL DANCING AND SINGING AND ALL KINDS OF PERFORMING ARTS, UM, RELATIVE TO ASIAN CULTURE, AND IT WAS REALLY WELL ATTENDED AND, UH, THEY DID A FANTASTIC JOB PUTTING IT ON.
ALSO, WANNA THANK, UM, THE FOLKS THAT ORGANIZED THE DIWALI CELEBRATION THAT EVENING WITH FIREWORKS AND, UH, HAD WONDERFUL CULTURAL DANCING AND THEY HAD, UM, A VERY RICH DISPLAY OF, UM, OF INDIAN GOODS, OF FOOD AND, UH, CRAFTS AND, AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS.
SO I WANNA WISH ALL, UH, ALL THOSE WHO CELEBRATE DIWALI IN THE CITY, DUBLIN, A VERY HAPPY DIWALI, AND, UM, THANK THEM FOR PUTTING ON THAT CULTURAL CELEBRATION FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY TO ENJOY.
ON THE 13TH, WE HAD THE CIC MEETING, UH, AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY MEETING WAS ON THE 14TH, AND THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT AT THE MUIRFIELD MINGLE.
I THINK THEY HAD AROUND 82 REGISTRANTS FOR THAT EVENT.
AND, UH, IT WAS, IT WAS A REALLY FUN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE.
UM, ONE OF THEM WAS, UH, SPORTS OHIO AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SPORTS COMPLEX.
TALKED ABOUT PASSENGER RAIL, UM, TALKED ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BOGEY SITE, UH, AND SOME OTHER THINGS.
SO, UM, THANK, THANK THE MUIRFIELD MINGLE FOLKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT.
UM, ON THE 15TH, UH, THERE WERE SOME FOLKS FROM THE CITY THAT WERE PARTICIPATING IN LEADERSHIP DUBLIN, THIS LEADERSHIP DUBLIN CLASS, AND WE HAD THE KICKOFF ON OCTOBER THE 15TH.
AND, UM, GOT TO MEET THOSE FOLKS IN, IN WISH THEM, UH, A RICH EXPERIENCE AS THEY NAVIGATE THAT ON THE 16TH.
UH, AS JOHN MENTIONED, THE SPOOK SPOOKTACULAR, IT WAS SO MUCH FUN TO PASS OUT CANDY AND, UH, WE HAD SOME OF OUR OWN STAFF MEMBERS COME THROUGH WITH THEIR LITTLE ONES, AND THAT IS ALWAYS CERTAINLY A JOY.
[01:35:01]
UM, THAT DAY.WE, I ALSO HAD THE OHIO MAYORS ALLIANCE, UM, MEETING.
ONE OF THE MAJOR TOPICS THERE WAS PROPERTY TAX AND TO START DEVELOPING A STRATEGY FOR CITIES AROUND THE STATE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, UM, IF THAT WERE TO GET ON THE BALLOT AND PASS.
SO, UH, THOSE STRATEGIES WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND, UH, AS THEY GET MORE AND MORE REFINED, UH, HAPPY TO, TO SHARE, UM, THEIR, WHAT THEIR EFFORTS ARE GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD.
THAT SAME DAY, I ALSO HAD AN ITC COMMITTEE MEETING FOR THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES, UM, THAT WAS LARGELY AROUND THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND HOW TO COMMUNICATE URGENT NEEDS, UH, OF YOUR MUNICIPALITY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND, UH, WHAT VEHICLES MIGHT BE AVAILABLE IN THE MIDST OF THE SHUTDOWN.
UH, THAT EVENING, THE DUBLIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTED CANDIDATE NIGHT, UH, MANY OF YOU PARTICIPATED IN THAT AND IT WAS WELL ATTENDED.
SO THANKS TO THE CHAMBER FOR PUTTING THAT ON AND THANKS TO ALL OF THE CANDIDATES FOR COMING AND PARTICIPATING.
UH, AND THEN TODAY HAD A MORSI HOUSING COALITION MEETING.
YOU PRO YOU MAY RECALL, UM, THE CITY OF COLUMBUS AND, UH, THE COLUMBUS PARTNERSHIP PUT OUT A HOUSING COALITION, UM, RESULTS AND STUDY.
AND SO, UH, MORSEY IS LOOKING AT, WE RECENTLY COMMITTED, UH, COMPLETED THE REGIONAL HOUSING STUDY OF WHICH THE CITY OF DUBLIN TAGGED ONTO THAT WITH OUR OWN HOUSING STUDY.
AND HOW DOES THIS COALITION STUDY PICK UP ON THE DATA THAT WAS GLEANED FROM THAT AND WHAT IT WILL MEAN MOVING FORWARD.
SO APPRECIATE MORSEY FOR HOSTING THAT CONVERSATION AND BEING A CONVENER SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND, UM, THE HOUSING STRATEGIES THAT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS AROUND THE REGION.
UM, SO WITH THAT, IF THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER, UH, THANK YOU ALL FOR, UH, YOUR WORK IN PUTTING THIS EVENING TOGETHER.
AND WITH THAT WE WILL STAND ADJOURNED.