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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-10-2024 Public Services Com. MinutesDublin City Council Public Services Committee Wednesday, April 10, 2024 5:00 p.m. 5555 Perimeter Drive Council Chamber Meeting Minutes Ms. Kramb called the April 10, 2024 Public Services Committee meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Committee Members Present: Ms. Kramb (Chair), Ms. De Rosa and Ms. Fox. Staff Present: Mr. Hammersmith, Mr. Hendershot, Ms. Willis, Mr. Rayburn Approval of Minutes Ms. Kramb moved to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2023 Public Services Committee meeting. Ms. De Rosa seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Ms. Fox, yes; Ms. Kramb, yes; Ms. De Rosa, yes. Discussion Items: Public Water Utility and Sanitary Sewer Utility Extensions to Existing Developed Property Policy — Study Update Mr. Hendershot reviewed the goals of the Public Water Utility and Sanitary Sewer Utility Extensions to Existing Developed Property Policy, which are to: provide properties with reasonable access to safe drinking water and centralized sewage disposal and to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the Dublin community and minimize potential threat to public health and welfare that may be associated with private home sewage treatment systems (HSTS). The Policy outlines a process by which the City will identify, prioritize, program and implement the design and construction of public utility service extensions. He explained that as part of the 2024-2028 CIP process, staff and Council identified a need to further study the implementation and programming of the Policy through a comprehensive study. In January 2024, the City contracted with Burgess & Niple to perform the following services as part of this study: e Preliminary Engineering of unserved areas; e Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Construction costs; e Mapping for the utility areas; e Coordination with Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District and Franklin County Public Health; and e Public Engagement. The study is anticipated to be completed in May 2024, so the information will be available as preparations begin for the 2025-2029 CIP. As part of the work, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with Franklin County Public Health, has mapped the known HSTS and private wells within the City of Dublin, and has provided updated health risk assessments. Public Services Committee April 10, 2024 Minutes Page 2 of 5 Mr. Hendershot noted the importance of the public engagement portion of the study. Survey letters were sent to approximately 360 property owners (which consists of over 500 parcels). As of April 10, 2024, Burgess & Niple has received 151 responses (45% overall response rate). Of the 88 responses received from property owners with a private well, 49 are in favor of connection to the public water distribution system (56%). Of the 135 responses received from property owners with an HSTS, 68 are in favor of connection to the public Sanitary sewer collection system (50%). Staff conducted in-person public meetings on March 27 and 28, 2024, to discuss the Policy and Study with interested residents. Twenty-five (25) residents attended the March 27, 2024 meeting and twenty-one (21) residents attended the March 28, 2024 meeting. Additionally, Staff will conduct a virtual public meeting later this evening (April 10, 2024), from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm to further engage residents. Next Steps Mr. Hendershot outlined next steps in the study process as well as when the study is complete. e Study Findings and Recommendations will be finalized in May; e Staff will provide a recommendation regarding a revised implementation plan for the Policy as part of this year’s CIP update process; and e The City will communicate the Policy implementation to residents. He shared the study website: https://telldublin.dublinohiousa.gov. Ms. Fox stated that the public engagement is great and it is great to hear that so many are interested in services. She stated that cost was an issue in the past for people. She asked if staff had updated cost numbers and if those numbers shared as part of the survey. Mr. Hammersmith stated that cost information was not only part of the survey but also part of the public meetings. Ms. De Rosa stated that the City has removed our (Dublin’s fee) cost regarding connectivity. She asked if staff had reached out to Columbus to see if any part of the fee could be reduced or waived. Mr. Hammersmith stated that staff did reach out to Columbus and they are not willing to waive any or all of the fees. Ms. Fox asked about grant funding opportunities. Mr. Hammersmith stated that it is part of Burgess & Niple’s scope as well to research any grant funding opportunities. He stated he doesn’t believe there are a lot of opportunities out there. Ms. Kramb stated that the grant opportunities she heard about through the EPA last year were very low in funding and the criteria was difficult to overcome. She thought the first round of surveys was confusing, but the second was much clearer. She stated it is encouraging to see the numbers back on the survey so far. She is looking forward to seeing the final numbers. She requested that the recommendations regarding this policy be brought back to the Public Services Committee for review before it goes to Council for inclusion in the CIP. Mr. Hammersmith will discuss timing and discussion opportunities for the Committee with the City Manager. Ms. Kramb stated that it would be fine to review it in draft form in June or August. Public Services Committee April 10, 2024 Minutes Page 3 of 5 Ms. De Rosa reiterated that, even if it is not a polished policy, if staff knows the areas that will be included in discussion, the Committee could provide feedback on those. Mr. Hammersmith stated that he would discuss that with the City Manager. Ms. Fox asked if the survey responses could inform or impact the prioritization. Mr. Hammersmith stated that it will be helpful to know where the surveys are coming from so staff can determine how many will be served. He stated the survey responses will be a consideration, although he cannot say for certain how it will be considered. COTA Bus Shelters Improvement Program Update Mr. Rayburn provided a summary regarding the feedback that was received from the last discussion. Five areas were chosen which are: 1. Sawmill and Bright Roads; 2. Sawmill and Hard Roads; 3. Sawmill and Snouffer Roads; 4. Sawmill Road and E. Bridge Street; and 5. E. Bridge Street and Dale Drive. He reviewed the Bus Stop Improvement Package which includes: e Aconcrete pad, Bench, Trash receptacle, Two bike racks, and Canopy structure. Ms. De Rosa asked about lighting, and specifically, solar lighting as part of the package. She asked if that was still being considered. Ms. Willis stated that the lighting will be contemplated in the detailed design. She stated she does not know what impact that will have on the budget, but it will be evaluated. Ms. De Rosa stated that it is important for safety. If there are solar options, the Committee would be interested in learning the cost. Ms. Kramb stated that there is street lighting at Sawmill and Hard Roads. Ms. Willis mentioned that there is ambient light from the nearby businesses in some of these locations as well. They will bring back different styles and options of amenities to the Committee once it is known how it impacts budget. Ms. Kramb noted that the items at each stop will be movable as well, so if the bus stop is ever moved, we can accommodate that except for the concrete pad. Ms. Willis responded affirmatively. Mr. Rayburn reviewed each location, their current condition and what is planned for improvement. e Sawmill Road and Bright Road: This location will be undergoing construction and improvements as part of the Mount Carmel development, so staff will coordinate the improvements to this bus stop after the planned improvements have been completed; Ms. Kramb asked about the pieces of missing sidewalk in this area and when that will be filled in. Ms. Willis stated that the sidewalk will be completed in one of two ways. She explained that the parcels impacted by the incomplete sidewalk are currently under a development proposal. The sidewalk will either be taken care of as part of the development agreement or it will be completed as part of the contract for the bus stop improvements. Public Services Committee April 10, 2024 Minutes Page 4o0f 5 Sawmill Road and Hard Road: This location will experience the full package improvements as proposed. Sawmill Road and Snouffer Road: This location is adjacent to the Germain Honda dealership. Staff would like for this bus stop location to also include a sidewalk to nearby destinations such as the Food Pantry. Mr. Rayburn noted that Germain Honda, as part of the final development plan approval, agreed to put a sidewalk along Sawmill Road. Corporate branding has changed for Germain, so they do not intend to go forward with the sidewalk until they come back with a plan to update the branding. Staff will work with Germain on reimbursement for the sidewalk that gets installed, given that it was part of their obligation. In response to Ms. Kramb’s question regarding location of the sidewalk, Mr. Rayburn stated that the sidewalk will be on Sawmill from Dublin Center Drive all the way down to Bridge Park Drive. Ms. De Rosa asked if there was lighting in this area. Mr. Rayburn stated that there is lighting across the street, but not on the poles that are along this area. She stated that lighting is important for safety. Ms. Willis stated that staff will look at the different options for lighting and will make a recommendation. Ms. Fox clarified that Germain may or may not want to proceed with the improvements. Ms. Willis responded affirmatively that it is on-hold right now until they get the branding worked out. She added that staff does not want to make the residents wait any longer for the sidewalk. Staff will advance the sidewalk improvements and will work with Germain on reimbursement. Sawmill Road and East Bridge Street: This site is challenging due to the space constraints with the right-of-way. Staff is exploring moving this site further away from the intersection. Mr. Rayburn stated that moving this location would provide an opportunity to make the upgrades. Ms. Willis stated that there are street lights in that area. East Bridge Street and Dale Drive: This location has ample right-of-way and will provide the improvements closer to the Bridge Park area. The next steps for this project include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Staff will continue to work with Dynotec to select the styles of canopy structure and bus stop furnishings and analyze construction options. Staff will coordinate with COTA the review and selection of proposed shelter and furnishing options. Staff will bring all recommendations back to the Public Services Committee. Staff will work with Stantec to study the other service models as proposed by the Committee at the October meeting. Staff will continue to coordinate with Germain Honda regarding the previously approved sidewalk to connect the bus stop to the existing sidewalk. Ms. Kramb asked about the Dublin Connector stop on Sawmill and whether or not there would be an opportunity of combining stops on Sawmill Road near the apartments and Hard Road. Ms. Willis stated that it could happen organically, but getting people across Sawmill Road safely may be a challenge. The Dublin Connector is on-demand currently. Ms. Willis stated that staff Public Services Committee April 10, 2024 Minutes Page 5 of 5 can certainly think about those possibilities in this area and work with SHARE to focus their attention at this stop. In response to Ms. Kramb’s question regarding LinkUS and whether or not the stops on SR161 would need to be moved, Ms. Willis stated that the services will be different; there shouldn’t be an overlap. Ms. De Rosa stated that the bus stop shelter on Third Street appears to have solar. Ms. Willis stated that she will continue to look at that as far as cost implications and what is possible. In response to Ms. Fox’s question regarding the total budget for these stops, Ms. Willis responded that it was approximately $25,000 per stop and about $25,000 for the design. Ms. Fox shared some examples of bus stops she found online that had solar, USB charging stations, etc. She suggested incorporating some elements of sustainability and charging amenities could be fun. Ms. De Rosa pointed out that they need to be COTA approved. Ms. Kramb clarified that there is not exclusivity at the bus stops that they must be COTA. Ms. Willis responded affirmatively. The Dublin Connector stops at COTA bus stops. Ms. Fox stated that getting these bus stops with shelter and possible amenities show the public that COTA is moving forward. There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:49 p.m. Ch ir, Publics hives C Committee GL 0 Gierk of founcil