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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-2025 Public Services ComDublin City Council Public Services Committee Wednesday, October 8, 2025 4:00 p.m. 5555 Perimeter Drive Council Chamber Meeting Minutes Ms. Kramb called the October 8, 2025 Public Services Committee meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Committee Members Present: Ms. De Rosa, Ms. Fox and Ms. Kramb (Chair). Staff Present: Mr. Barker, Ms. O'Callaghan, Ms. Blake, Mr. Ament, Ms. Willis, Ms. Rauch, Ms. LeRoy Approval of Minutes Ms. Kramb moved to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2025 Public Services Committee meeting. Ms. De Rosa seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Ms. De Rosa, yes; Ms. Fox, yes; Ms. Kramb, yes. Discussion Items: Food Truck Policy Kendel Blake from the Office of the City Manager presented background information on food trucks in Dublin, explaining that the City currently has code regulations specific to Historic Dublin that were established in 2021. These regulations arose from a business in the historic district that wanted to permanently park their food truck outside their business. The request for discussion on food truck policies came from two recently adopted strategic plans: the Community Events Roadmap and the Downtown Dublin Curbside Management Plan. Jennifer Rauch from Community Planning outlined existing regulations, explaining that the definition of a mobile food/beverage unit comes from the zoning code. On public property such as city parks or city-owned parcels, food trucks are typically permitted as part of city events. The city discourages overnight parking of any vehicles in parks. In the public right-of-way, there are some regulations in the Historic District Code, but generally vehicles cannot remain in the right-of-way for longer than 48 hours. For private property, commercial districts could have food trucks as long as they do not take up required parking spaces or conflict with permitted uses. In residential districts, commercial vehicle restrictions would apply. Council Member De Rosa asked about Food Truck Wednesdays, and Ms. LeRoy explained that it falls under the permitted program category where the City grants permission for them to be there. Similar permissions have been granted for pavilion rentals where family gatherings have had food trucks serving only that group. City Manager Megan O'Callaghan shared that there have been issues, particularly in Bridge Park, with complaints from residents about noise from generators, trucks staying in parking spots for multiple days, and trucks taking up multiple parking spots. She also mentioned Public Services Committee October 8, 2025 Minutes Page 2 of 4 complaints from restaurateurs primarily concerning competition when food trucks park outside their establishments. Ms. Blake presented benchmarking information from other municipalities, highlighting that Hilliard requires registration with the Central Ohio Food Truck Association, several communities have distance requirements, and many prohibit overnight parking. Common requirements include permit applications, state and health department licenses, specific zoning district regulations, and set hours of operation. Staff recommended regulations for consideration including annual permits, required licenses and registrations, fire code compliance, expanding historic district regulations to other areas like Bridge Street and Metro Center, distance requirements (25 feet from restaurants, 30 feet from intersections, 20 feet from crosswalks), independent power sources, prohibition of ancillary items like tables or signage, hours aligned with noise ordinance, and no overnight parking. The Committee discussed where food trucks should be permitted. Ms. De Rosa expressed being supportive of food trucks, stating they create variety and interest, and suggested being open to seeing how it goes with less restriction. She specifically mentioned wanting to see a food truck at the rec center on a consistent basis. Council Member Fox agreed, noting that food brings people together and food trucks make neighborhoods fun, cautioning against over-regulation until serious problems arise. Council Member Kramb suggested having designated spots in key areas such as the rec center, larger parks like Avery Park and Emerald Fields, and specific locations in Bridge Park and Historic Dublin. She expressed concern about food trucks taking up multiple parking spots, particularly in Historic Dublin where parking is already limited. Ms. Fox disagreed with designated spots, especially in the historic district, arguing that flexibility allows food trucks to go where events are happening or where energy is needed, comparing it to an ice cream truck that people gather around. She felt that until problems arise, the City should leave it open and see how it works out. The discussion turned to the 25-foot distance requirement from restaurants. Ms. Fox supported this. The Committee asked staff to create circle diagrams showing where food trucks could park if the 25-foot rule was implemented. Regarding permits, the Committee supported annual permits that would verify health code compliance, state licenses, and insurance. Ms. Fox emphasized her concern about health department licensing, wanting assurance that vendors are properly licensed. The Committee agreed on having a visible sticker showing the truck is permitted, similar to what is done for contractors. On hours of operation, Ms. De Rosa noted that residents have expressed wanting coffee or dessert options after 9 PM when restaurants are closed but parks remain vibrant in summer. The Committee discussed changing the hours from the proposed 7 AM to 9 PM to align with the 10 PM noise ordinance instead. Ms. O'Callaghan summarized the Committee's direction: continue allowing food trucks citywide as currently practiced, implement the 25-foot distance requirement from restaurants, require annual permits with health and safety verifications, and prepare circle diagrams showing Public Services Committee October 8, 2025 Minutes Page 3 of 4 available parking areas with the distance requirements. Staff indicated they would return to the Committee with draft policy language and the requested diagrams. Cemetery Regulations Mitchell Ament from the Office of the City Manager presented on cemetery regulations and guidelines. He began by explaining that the City has broad authority to regulate, maintain, and operate cemeteries, with City Council able to enact ordinances for cemetery management and the Director of Public Service overseeing cemetery layout and improvements. Mr. Ament confirmed that the City has regulatory flexibility to expand burials per plot and restrict plot sales to residents and their families. He noted that the Cemetery Commission has been inactive since approximately 1995, with no clear records of why it ceased operations. Council Member De Rosa asked about the commission's history, and staff indicated they research additional historical information. The Dublin Cemeteries Guide serves as the main resource for operation and management of all five city cemeteries: Dublin Cemetery, Indian Run, Mitchell, Sandy Corners, and Mount Zion. Only the Dublin Cemetery currently offers cremation niches and is available for burials. The cemetery comprises 7,913 plots, all of which have been sold, though 2,798 plots remain vacant (sold but not occupied). Staff presented several options to address limited cemetery space, all accounting for a potential land swap to acquire 0.63 acres adjacent to the Dublin Cemetery at the southwest corner. This swap would be with any developer interested in the Bridge Street/Monterey Drive site. Ms. O'Callaghan noted that conversations with a newer developer are ongoing, with an update expected for Council in November. The options presented included: e Restricting plot sales to residents and families: Currently, the City does not restrict sales. The Committee unanimously agreed this should be explored and implemented, especially with new columbarium walls being installed. e Amending burial restrictions: The current guidelines allow one full-size vault, one or two cremains vaults, or combinations with infant vaults per plot. Council Member Kramb suggested increasing the number of cremations allowed per plot from two to potentially four, noting this could free up space if families chose cremation and could consolidate into fewer plots. Council Member Fox strongly supported this, sharing a personal story about giving her plot to her sister and now having no space for herself or her children. She emphasized that allowing more cremation remains per plot would keep families together and create available space. e Adding columbaria: The current columbaria have 168 niches (all sold), with 4 more walls (96 niches) planned for October installation. Space remains for up to 6 additional walls with 144 niches expected by 2030. Council Member Fox expressed concern about the current location along a busy sidewalk where walkers interrupt those visiting loved ones, suggesting future additions might be better placed in more serene locations. e Installing a memorial garden: This would include options for scattering gardens and memorial walls or pavers for those who do not want traditional burials. Council Member Kramb described seeing successful examples with standardized bricks or plaques where Public Services Committee October 8, 2025 Minutes Page 4 of 4 families could engrave names and dates. The Committee expressed strong interest in this concept, with Council Member De Rosa calling it beautiful and in line with what we do in Dublin. Jay Anderson from Public Works mentioned they had visited Greenlawn Cemetery to research their scattering area, which features a pond and identical plaques for those scattered there. He emphasized any such feature would need to be uniform, consistent, and well-regulated through the cemetery guidebook. Ms. Fox raised the question of whether Washington Township has any responsibility to provide cemetery space for township residents, suggesting renewed conversations might be worthwhile, especially if Saint John's Lutheran Church's cemetery expansion could benefit from financial assistance to provide full burial options for Dublin residents. The Committee also discussed green or natural burials as an option, though staff noted space limitations make this challenging. Council Member Fox suggested exploring whether a memorial garden could incorporate sustainable stormwater management features, creating both a peaceful space and addressing development needs. Mr. Hartmann summarized the key takeaways: restrict plot sales to residents and families (to be implemented immediately for the new columbarium walls), increase the number of cremation interments allowed per plot, and develop a master plan for a memorial garden if the land swap proceeds. He emphasized that any memorial garden would need prescribed guidelines to ensure consistency and maximum capacity planning. Ms. O'Callaghan confirmed staff would draft recommendations for the items that could be implemented immediately, with the memorial garden concept to be revisited if additional land becomes available through development. There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:21 p.m. tl 3 Chair, Public SeryiéeS Committee DQ Bessert reeked Deguty Clark of Council