UniversityAreaCommission.Info

University Area Commission
21 May 2008
Meeting Summary (To be approved)

Call to order: President Ian MacConnell called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM at the Northwood/High Building, Community Room, 2231 North High.

Call to order: President Ian MacConnell called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM at the Northwood/High Building, Community Room, 2231 North High.

Members present: Richard Allen (arrived 6:38 PM), Grayson Atha (left 8 PM), Elan Daniel, Ahmed Ebady, Catherine Girves (arrived 6:55 PM), Seth Golding (arrived 7:45 PM), Bill Graver, David Hegley, Joyce Hughes, Ron Hupman, Ian MacConnell, Richard Talbott, Doreen Uhas Sauer, Lisabeth Warncke, Tom Wildman (arrived 8:15 PM), Sharon Young. Excused: Sean Cunningham, Joaquin Serantes. Absent: Robert Caldwell. Seat vacant: Emily Foster.

Approval of minutes, Doreen Uhas Sauer: Please note correction—Code and Enforcement Committee should be changed to Code and Environment Committee.

Motion to approve minutes from March and April 2008. Graver (sec. Talbott). Motion approved unanimously by voice vote.

Treasurer’s report, Seth Golding: Balance currently at $796.86. (See Executive Committee report for information on proposed budget/MOA)

Reports:

• District 1 Report: Joaquin Serantes was absent

• City of Columbus Code Enforcement, Debra Van Dyke: Many of the listings on the Code Enforcement report from April, 2008, are in status quo at present with the following updates on others—Sales One properties going to sheriff’s sale; a foundation at Findley Avenue was not to code and has been completely redone; Stillwater property has completed electrical work; open orders at Jack’s bar on signage and must comply with Urban Commercial Overlay; there are issues with Jimmy Guava’s (North High) signage and zoning for work with no permits; contact has been made with the church on East, issues with unapproved graphics on Panda Express (North High); and issues with work at Sloopy’s in Old North Columbus

• City of Columbus Neighborhood Liaison, Steve Soble: Pictures from commissioners’ meeting with the Mayor last fall were handed out for each commissioner who was present and were personalized by the Mayor. Report given on curfew and truancy with literature for posting or passing out. Literature is aimed at parents/adults info sheet and a postcard size piece for students explaining reasons behind enforcement of curfew and penalties for noncompliance. $37,000 allocated for publicity campaign. Will start on June 5^th and go through August 24^th and is in effect from midnight until 6 AM for ages 17 and under. Questions from commissioners included: what happens if no one comes forward to pick up young person at downtown YMCA. Answer: they will be taken to Juvenile Detention facility. Soble also offered free file cabinets and delivery for the UAC; however, the commission decided files needed cleaning more than additional storage, thanked Soble for his generous offered, but declined the offer.

• Campus Partners, Steve Sterrett: Report handed out with following highlights: theft from autos and burglaries were down significantly over spring quarter as a result of safety initiatives by Columbus Police, University Police, and Community Crime Patrol, and safety messges from USG and Off-Campus Student Services. New videos on University Police website have also been effective. New Community Liaison offer for 4^th Precinct is Officer Scott Chamberlain. His email is schamberlain@columbuspolice.org and phone number is 614.645.1404 and fax is 614.645.4111. On May 29^th, Mayor Michael Coleman and City Councilwoman Maryellen O’Shaunghnessy will join University District civic leaders at 10 AM in the parking lot of United Dairy Farmers (2424 North High) to mark beginning of roadway construction from Lane to Arcadia. Water, sewer, and streetscape improvements are planned. Weinland Park festival will by August 16^th; volunteers interested in helping to plan should contact Joyce Hughes, president of Weinland Park Community Civic Association at jhughes005@columbus.rr.cm or 614.291.0723. Street sweeping has returned for June 12 and 13. University District Code Enforcement Task Force meets June 10 at 1:30 PM in room 100, Northwood and High. Special bulk pickup dates have not yet been set. Wex (Wexner Center) Drive-In Outdoor Film Fest on the plaza at High and 15^th will be June 19, July 17, August 21—with vintage films, free snacks, free admission, and a cash bar.

Public Comments and Announcements:

• Jerry Leard from Wyandotte/Indianola neighborhood inquired about street sweeping procedures if area is outside core campus. Streets are swept but with no notification, cars do not move. There is a schedule posted on city’s website but it is standard procedure of city to clean all city streets at least twice a year; campus area systematic sweeping was started in 1996-97 in order to move cars which would never move in order to sweep streets more than just down the middle. President MacConnell asked Richard Allen, Community Relations, to follow up with possible other answers and ideas.

• Ramlow Alley residents requested help regarding their parking situation. They have begun to park in front of their houses, an area not posted for any parking restrictions, but have recently all had tickets. They can go on-line to challenge tickets; however, because of the unusual circumstances of area in regard to empty lot across from their houses, Steve Soble was asked if he might have additional thoughts on resolution of issue. Sloopy’s has expressed interest in helping residents with parking.

• Catherine Girves, on behalf of the UAEA, presented President Ian MacConnell with an award for his work in juvenile restitution work with graffiti offenders.

Presentations: Old North Columbus Capital Improvements

Michael Lynch, Project Manager and contractor for capital improvements in Old North Columbus (614.645.8455), reported on the timetable and scope of the work to be undertaken in the next 18 months, ending late autumn 2009.

Highlights of the presentations are as follows:

• Project is part of Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization program (NCR) to revitalize and support older commercial areas and includes sewer separation and water-line work on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities. Improvements include new traffic signals, curbs and sidewalks, streetscape amenities, pavement overlay, storm drain and upgrades and removal of overhead electric lines

• Scope of work is from Lane to Arcadia on High; and all side streets up to the first alley: Dodridge to Neil and north on Neil to Glen Echo Ravine, Hudson from Neil to East. Widening of intersection of Hudson and High will add additional turn lanes. Sewer and separate sanitary flow from storm water in compliance with EPA. Cost is $12 million in contract; $13.5 million including inspection

• Work starts on Tuesday, May 27^th though utilities are working in area at present

• Field office to be at Dodridge and Ramlow on present vacant lot, and all assurances are in place that this will be a temporary use of lot and will not result in a permanent parking area. The area is to be re-seeded and returned to use as green field at conclusion of project

• Thursday, May 29^th, 10 AM is official opening of project with Mayor and other dignitaries and public is invited

• There will be a temporary curb cub at Dodridge to facilitate contractor’s office and storage of equipment on site

• Two office trailers will be on site at Dodridge; this is a field office at which neighbors and businesses can come with concerns; work ends each day at 5:30 PM.

• Plans in place to keep area as free of dust, dirt, mud as possible; all part of code.

Committee Highlight Reports:

• Zoning Committee, Ron Hupman:

• 253 East 12^th Avenue (Zettler site) Background: the UAC previously recommended approval of the CPD for an apartment development on the site. The Urban Commercial Overlay applies to this location, but there are pending revisions to the UCO and other related zoning code changes that are awaiting action by City Council in early June. The city has advised the developer to seek an application with regard to the property since the application and the CPD language has been approved by the Development Commission but it will most likely not come before City Council until other changes to UCO have already been approved. Request: developer, Tim Welsh of proposed East Village project, is seeking to modify the CPD so that it will include variances to the forthcoming new requirements (principally, parking on the 1^st floor in C4 zoning) so that the development will not be a non-conforming use under the revised code. Zoning Committee notes that this is a technicality that does not in any way alter the plan that the UAC has previously approved; however, they do not have a recommendation from committee. Commissioner questions included: reasons why 1^st floor parking in CPD generally not approved, use of 2^nd floor over parking, and hesitancy to approve change which is predicated on proposed changes which may not pass City Council. Motion to approve request to modify CPD language to include variances to allow 1^st floor parking at the proposed East Village development (the former Zettler lot) with the understanding that this approval would constitute a “grandfathering in” of a previous UAC-approval but should not, in anyway, be seen as setting a precedent for other such requests, Daniel (sec. Hughes) Yes: Allen, Atha, Daniel, Girves, Hegley, Hughes, Hupman, MacConnell, Talbott, Warncke. No: Graver, Uhas Sauer, Young. Abs. 0. Motion passes 10-3. (Commissioner Ebady was out of room and did not vote.)

• Planning Committee, Elan Daniel:

Presentation by Bob Nickley for Buckeye Reality regarding renaming of east/west alley between Wall Street and Neil Avenue which was requested of the city in 2003. Several names were suggested by developer at the time, Wayne Garland, who was building 4 properties at time near Tompkins and needed addresses for building permits. Breco Lane was approved from the list by Dave Perry, City of Columbus, on 4/20/03 but never acted on. Commissioner discussion: though request is over 5 years old, name of alley could have been chosen to be more reflective of area’s history.

Motion to approve request and create name of Breco Lane for previously unnamed east/west alley from Wall to Neil, Daniel (sec. Hughes). Yes: Allen, Atha, Daniel, Girves, Hegley, Hughes, Hupman, MacConnell, Talbott, Warncke. No: Wildman. Abs. Graver. Motion passes 11-1, 1 abs. (Commissioner Ebady was out of room and did not vote.)

Work and scope of Planning Committee activities to a new chair since this would be his last official meeting.

• Community Relations Committee, Richard Allen: Report next month.

• Governance Committee, David Hegley: Second Reading for by-law change to Article V, Section 10 to eliminate following wording: “Any commissioner may attend meeting of any committee as an ex officio member.” Reasoning behind the change is it would permit committees to do the heavy work of formulating a position to bring to full commission and allow all commissioners to vote in committee could derail this work. Change would still allow full debate and provide chairs the stability of set membership to determine is a quorum of the committee is present. If motion passes, related changes necessary. Commissioner concerns: there has not been a problem to-date; does help to determine quorum for voting; ex officio voting rights of all commissioners has worked in the past.

Motion from committee to accept the by-law change as presented and eliminate the ex-officio status of commissioners on committees to which they are not assigned. Yes: Atha, Girves, Golding, Hughes, Hupman, Uhas Sauer, Warnecke, Wildman, Young. No: Allen, Daniel, Graver, Hegley, MacConnell, Talbott. Abs. 0. Motion fails (10 votes or 2/3 of commissioners present required for passage) 9-6 (Commissioner Ebady was out of room and did not vote.)

• Code & Environment Committee, Tom Wildman: Block Party and Street Closure Guidelines were reviewed by committee (comments from other commissioners appeared on the UAC blog). Several letters to be sent to a variety of city departments which deal with quality of life issues in the district were presented for approval at commission. If letters are approved, it will be the role of the Corresponding Secretary, with help from the Committee, to finalize letters for signatures and send offs.

• Motion from Committee to send a letter to Department of Transportation, 311 Connect, requesting all street and alley potholes be filled throughout the University District boundaries presently and each spring. Discussion centered on: did other area commissions did in fact have a procedure in place which allowed larger potholes area to be replaced without calling in individual locations; did this negate the role of commissioners/citizens to bring it to the attention of the city; and could or would this be the role of city to report all work to be done. Yes: Allen, Ebady, Golding, Hegley, Hughes, MacConnell, Uhas Sauer, Warncke, Wildman. No: Daniel, Girves, Graver, Hupman. Abs. 0. Motion passes 9-4 (Commissioner Talbott was out of room and did not vote.)

• Motion from Committee to send a letter to City Forester and 311 Connect requesting all UIRF street trees that have died or been removed to be replaced throughout the University District presently and each spring. Discussion center on whether replacement from UIRF funds might affect budget and/or other requests from UAC for future UIRF funding; commissioners’ roles in being proactive and not putting work on city; and city’s vs. citizen knowledge as to which are UIRF trees. Yes: Allen, Ebady, Golding, Hughes, Uhas Sauer, Warncke, Wildman. No: Daniel, Girves, Graver, Hegley, Hupman, MacConnell, Talbott, Young. Abs.: 0. Motion defeated 7-8

• Motion from Committee to send a letter to City Engineer/Electric Division and 311 Connect requesting all street and alley lights to be checked and replaced as need throughout the University District presently and each autumn, in addition to regular maintenance. Motion passed by voice vote. Yeas: 12. Nos: 2 ( Daniel and Hughes). Abs: 0.

• Motion from Committee to send a letter to Keep Columbus Beautiful and 311 Connect requesting all graffiti and stickers be identified and removed throughout the University District presently and monthly, with special emphasis on cable boxes, utility poles, street signs and poles, COTA stops, city right-of-way retaining walls, railway overpasses and crossing, bridge overpasses and abutments, refuse containers, fire hydrants, and sidewalks and curbs. Discussion centered on whether it was possible to do this without specific addresses; experiment in Old North Columbus which was successful; advice of city and Keep Columbus Beautiful which advised this could be done. Motion passed by voice vote. Yeas: 12. Nos: 2 (Daniel and Warncke). Abs: 1 (Young)

• Motion to send a letter to Rumpke and 311 Connect requesting all recycling containers have sealable lids (snap down) to prevent wandering recyclables as paper, cardboard, and plastics onto city streets, sidewalks, and alleys and onto private property within the University District. Discussion centered on present delivery system and increased costs if lids were required on current totes.

Motion defeated by voice vote. Yeas: 9. Nos: 4 (Ebady, Wildman, Talbott, Golding). Abs: 0

• Block Party Guidelines as proposed by Code and Environment Committee. Discussion at UAC and through commissioner comments on blog centered on a 2/3 required passage by UAC as excessive; requirements of other community groups to weigh in as excessive; whether guidelines on advertising infringe on free speech rights; and need for clear guidelines for recycling, alcohol use, noise, toilet plans, cleanup plans. Motion to table and return to Committee, MacConnell (sec. Golding). Motion passed by voice vote. 1 Abst. Wildman. MacConnell and Wildman urged all commissioners to review and comment by blog or attendance at next committee meeting.

Special Reports:

• Nick Uhas was introduced and will be the new USG representative to the UAC. This is the last meeting for Commissioners Lisabeth Warncke and Elan Daniel who were thanked for their many contributions by President MacConnell.

• Executive Committee Report:

• Approval of UAC budget and MOA with City

Presentation by Seth Golding for annual budget approval. Since the proposed budget for 1

January 2007 to 31 December 2007 seemed to be an accurate prediction of how monies were actually spent in that fiscal year, the 2008 budget will mirror those proposed expenditures and would be divided as follows: Administrative and Special Project Services (proposed $250.00); Space Costs and Rental (proposed $150.00); Travel and Registrtion (proposed $200.00); Consumable Supplies (proposed $1000.00); Banking Fees (0); Miscellaneous Expenses (proposed$400.00) for a total of $2000.00.

Motion from Committee to approve budget as proposed for 2008 (sec. Graver). Motionapproved unanimously by voice vote.

• UAC Blog for posting on-line

Blog has been used by several commissioners to-date for testing and training. If approved, additional training will take place in committee.

Motion from Committee to approve creation and use of UAC blog for posting on-line comments. Motion approved by unanimously by voice vote. Abs.: Tom Wildman and Joyce Hughes.

Commissioner Uhas Sauer thanked the commission for their support and understanding and, especially, Sharon Young for 2 months of note taking during Uhas Sauer’s absence.

Adjournment:

Motion to adjourn, Graver (sec. Talbott). Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Meeting was adjourned 8:40 PM

Repectfully submitted:

Doreen Uhas Sauer, Secretary

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