PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

FEBRUARY 13, 2006

 

 

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Reams.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Mark Reams, Dan Fogt, Ed Pleasant

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Kathy House, Phil Roush, Dick Noland, Bill Kelley, Ryan Horns

 

AGENDA:

 

1)     Organization (elect Chairman)

 

Mr. Fogt was nominated and elected Chairman.

 

2)     Traffic Study

 

Mr. Reams stated Edwards & Kelcey updated a traffic study, which had been done in the past.  They updated the fees for the last five years.  They used an inflationary rate by looking at the last five-years contract award costs and came up with an inflation figure of 6.3% compounded annually. So that impacts the cost of constructing a roadway.  That’s how they arrived at the new number.  The rest of the study they went through and applied that to the previous study in terms of what was recommended in terms of a fee per unit on new construction.  This all is to reflect the cost impact of this new construction on the city’s traffic infrastructure needs.  In other words, if you build 1000 homes, you will have that much worth of road work that needs to be done throughout the city in that general area of development in order to accommodate that kind of traffic. 

 

Page 2 shows a breakdown.  Mr. Pleasant asked about quadrants.  He said Beaver Creek was broken down into quadrants mainly because most of their development was in one particular area.   Need to talk to a legal expert to see if Marysville could be broken down into quadrants. 

 

Ms. House commented that the Mayor has a concern about having one impact fee that covers a variety of services rather than a specific fee for a specific purpose.  Mr. Roush noted the one impact fee that exists in Marysville is Parkland fees. 

 

A fire station was mentioned as a use for the funds.  Funds could be used to build a new fire station or build a second fire station.  Impact fees can only be used for capital expenses, not operational expenses. 

 

It was agreed that everyone was in favor of a single zone rather than multiple.  Need to have the law director address legality of a quadrant. 

 

Further studies would be needed in order to do something similar to the roadway impact fee.  Need to determine what level of service we need to be providing then determine that cost per resident.   Need to find out the calculation i.e. one fire station per X sq. mi. or X number of business or residents, to see at what point a new fire station is needed. 

 

Mr. Fogt asked if we should proceed with an impact fee for just traffic.  Mr. Roush read a section of the Roadway Impact Fee System Methodology Report, Page 5.  “Correction of Existing Deficiencies.  An important issue that must be dealt with when considering an implementation of an impact fee system is that of pre-existing deficiencies in the system.  Impact fees must not be used to correct pre-existing deficiencies in the roadway system.   The Marysville Transportation Infrastructure Study identified locations on the fee-eligible system or the recommended level of service standard is currently not met.  Prior to enacting an impact fee ordinance, the City must establish a method for correcting those level of service deficiencies.  It is therefore recommended that the City establish a capital improvement program that stipulates how and when these improvements will be made prior to enacting an ordinance.”

 

Mr. Pleasant stated Council made a commitment several months ago that they were going to have growth take care of growth.  Would like see a comprehensive program.  Look at all the options discussed.  He believes studies will be needed to justify and verify it.  Would like to move towards this and would like to look at a comprehensive program, fire station and all the other things that both Delaware and Franklin County are looking at. 

 

Using Home Depot as an example, 120,000 sq. ft., $2,061 per unit, one unit is 1,000 sq. ft,; $2,000 x 100 = $200,000 just for roadway.  Need to look at examples in all categories. 

 

Committee philosophically agrees.

 

Fee breakdown.  Need to look at the detail how we account for TIF’s and the improvements a developer may make in the area to be sure it’s nailed down.

 

3)     Trunk Interceptor Program/Water Reclamation Facility Progress

 

The Trunk Interceptor Program/Water Reclamation Facility is in limbo until the Millcreek Township Trustees act on a resolution regarding Adelsberger Road.  We hope to be ready for bids in March or April for the Trunk Interceptor line.  The sewage plant continues to be in the engineering phase.  We are waiting on an EPA report.

 

4)     Water Master Plan Implementation

 

The Water Master Plan was presented to Council in December.  The City is implementing improvements at the current plant, as suggested in the Master Plan.  This will prolong the life of the current plant and make it more efficient.  In 2007, design will probably begin on a new water plant.

 

5)     Third Frontier Grant Program and possible project.

 

Ms. House handed out initial guidelines for this program from the Ohio Department of Development.  Issue 1 passed last year and incorporated the Ohio Public Works Commission Funding with the Third Frontier initiative.  This is the resulting program.  There will be a limited number of grants available to all counties in Ohio up to $5M worth of funding to purchase and ready properties for commercial and industrial economic development.  Mr. Phillips is working with the City and the County Commissioners to come up with a project best suited for our County.  Will keep the Finance Committee posted as choice is refined.  Mr. Roush added there are two rounds of funding for this year, $30M for first round and $30M for the second round.  Divide that by five and that’s only 12 projects for the whole year for the whole State of Ohio.  There will be just one round the following years.  The Department of Development is partnering with Ohio Public Works Commission for project review and prioritization.  Each of the OPWC districts will review the submittals in that district and rank them.  Marysville is in District 11.  There are 8 counties in our district.  Ms. House added there is a 25% local match, so there will be some funding commitment on the City’s part. 

 

6)     Recycling Program

 

Mr. Reams recalled a gentleman from the Solid Waste Authority coming to discuss recycling.  Decided to contact them and ask a representative to come to a Public Service meeting.  Committee is interested in promoting voluntary recycling, especially at apartments and businesses.  Mandatory recycling would add much time and cost and the enforcement would be very difficult.

 

7)     2006 Goals

 

Continue working on the traffic study – refer to earlier discussion.

 

Continue to work on the Town Run in conjunction with URT and Stormwater.

 

Sidewalk maintenance … voluntary, consider setting up an account of matching funds.  Mr. Burke may have an interest in this topic and have suggestions.

 

Stormwater – No flooding reported lately.  The improvements made in storm drains, etc. have seemed to help the flooding and have reduced the amount of storm water going to the sewage plant.

 

Street paving – The concrete portion of Collins Avenue will hopefully get done in 2007.

 

Water and sewer projects – refer to earlier discussion

 

Explore a comprehensive impact fee – refer to earlier discussion

 

           

Meeting adjourned.