John Matuszak: Bexley wants grant for College Ave. repairs.

The city of Bexley wants to go back to College - with "tuition" at $2.5 million.

On Aug. 25, Service Director Bill Harvey held a meeting to discuss a grant proposal for replacing water lines and pavement along College Avenue. The funding request to the Ohio Public Works Committee would include a $1.1 million grant and a $1.1 million zero-interest loan. The city expects to contribute $300,000 of its own money. The city's portion and the loan would be repaid through water service fees to residents.

Harvey said Capital University is being asked to fund part of the project, as well.

There have been numerous water line breaks in the area in the last couple of years, according to engineer David Koch, and he anticipates more frequent problems as the pipes continue to age. Those breaks can cost up to $10,000 to repair, and the engineer expects those costs to rise. Eventually the pipes will be too damaged to fix. The age of the pipes is also affecting water quality in the area.

The planners want to replace the six-inch lines with 12-inch pipes that will pump up the flow for fire hydrants and accommodate future growth at Capital.

The pavement on College is too thin to handle the 10,000 vehicles a day that travel the road, Koch added. The avenue has been repaved about every six years since 1993, and was last resurfaced in 2006. Koch said this resurfacing should last for 20 to 25 years.

The plans also call for replacing hydrants and street light poless, installing new curb ramps and improving pedestrian crossings.

If the funding is obtained, construction could begin by August, 2010, and would take a minimum of four months to complete. Work would proceed block by block, and traffic would be diverted to neighboring streets.

The larger lines would increase water flow, but would not create addd pressure that could put stress on the lines going to residences, Koch said. He likened the larger-diameter lines to adding lanes to a highway.

To improve the chances of being awarded the funding, the city is asking residents on College Avenue to submit letters of support for the project. Form letters are available, or residents can write their own. The deadline for submitting a letter is Sept. 2. Bexley is competing with other communities in the district for an $8 million pool of funds, and Harvey said public support will have an impact on the final decision.

The OPWC is the main funding source for the work now under way on Sheridan and Francis avenues.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.

John Matuszak: Bexley seeks to nix texting and driving.

Exit the Information Superhighway before traveling our roadways.

That's the message Bexley City Councilman Jed Morison wants to send as he introduced an ordinance banning texting while driving in the suburb.

"It's a tool to say 'it's against the law to text and drive'" in Bexley, Morison explained at the July 28 council meeting. "If your hands are off the wheel and your eyes are off the road, it's a disaster waiting to happen."

A recent study published in the New York Times stated that drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to have an accident - a greater risk that drinking and driving.


Morison wants the ordinance to be more educational than punitive, and he isn't looking to create a greater burden for police.

"My hope is that parents and family members and friends will be the chief educators and enforcers" of the ordinance, he said.

Some 14 states and several Ohio cities have entacted similar prohibitions, but Bexley is among the first central Ohio communities to take on the issue. Around 100,000 vehicles pass through Bexley every day.

City Attorney Lou Chodosh pointed out that Bexley already has a law against "driving while distracted," but that the texting ban would be more specific.

While some residents are questioning whether council should spend time on the ordinance, others are supportive, and the effort is drawing attention from outside the city.

Gahanna resident Sharon Montgomery spoke in favor of the move. Nine years ago her husband was killed and she was seriously injured in an accident involving a driver using a cell phone.

For 12 years, the state legislature has been trying to pass a bill banning cell phone use while driiving, without success, Montgomery said.

"So, if you want people to be safe in Bexley, you're going to have to take matters into your own hands," she said.

Morison acknowledged that this legislation could lead to a discussion of banning cell phone use while driving, but he wanted to get the texting law passed before getting hung up on that issue.

While teens do the majority of texting, Morison noted that the ordinance is not directed solely at them. In fact, since adults are less proficient at sending text messages, it's probably more dangerous when they text and drive, he added.

The ordinance will have additional readings when council returns from its summer recess in September, and the city is looking for public input on the issue before it votes, Morison said.

In other business, at council's service committee meeting, Councilman Rick Weber reported that residents could see an increase in their trash bills under a new contract with Rumpke Waste Haulers.

Bexley has been negotiating with the hauler it has used for seven years, along with a consortium of communities including Reynoldsburg, Gahanna and New Albany. The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio has also been part of the talks.

Under the proposed contract, the cost for most residents would increase from $60 to $72 per quarter for 2010, Service Director Bill Harvey said. Costs for senior citizens would jump from $40 to $66 per quarter.

Harvey wants to revisit how the city extends the senior citizen discount.

Weber said that these costs would be fixed for the length of the five-year contract, but that Rumpke could increase charges to the city if fuel costs or recycling fees go up.

The trash contract has to be approved by Oct. 1. A service committee meeting with a Rumpke representative will be scheduled in September.

In other news, council:

Approved an ordinance ending a moratorium on hiring union-represented employees without council's approval, as long as the salaries are in the current budget. Council retains the ability to approve hiring of non-union employees.

Introduced an ordinance to purchase property adjacent to the city's community garden near Sheridan Avenue for $22,000. The purchase would provide easements to other city-owned lots and secure land for future development, Mayor John Brennan explained.

Introduced a resolution allowing the mayor to accept a $475,000 state grant for interior renovations at Jeffrey Mansion. Parks and Recreation Director Mike Price said the work would cover heating and cooling systems, floors and other repairs, and not expansion of mansion facilities.

Scheduled a meeting of the Land Use Master Plan Committee for Aug. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Torah Ehmet synagogue on Main Street. The plan covers future development in areas including Livingston Avenue, Mayfield/Ferndale and North Cassady Avenue, according to Councilman Ben Kessler.



Announced that the Labor Day block party would be held at Jeffrey Park Sept. 6 from 3-6 p.m. with games and activities for kids, a yard sale, a Bexley Meadow Band concert and barbecue dinners for $5.


HELP BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO UPGRADE ITS ANTENNA. SEND YOUR MONEY PROMPTLY. BE GENEROUS.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.

John Matuszak reports: Bexley City Council member wants deeper budget cuts.

Bexley City Councilman Ben Kessler wants to cut as much as $500,000 from next year's budget to keep available reserves from dipping to a dangerously low level.

Kessler presented his ideas during an Oct. 21 finance committee meeting. He emphasized that his proposals are "talking points" to get the debate going on achieving real savings in 2009.

The city is projected tp spend $2.1 million more than it takes in for 2009. That would take the year-end general fund balance down to around $200,000. That's in contrast to this year's expected balance of $1.9 million.

Kessler says the $200,000 balance projection scares him, and if the city has a bad year for income tax or estate tax collections - its main sources of revenue - it could find itself "over the edge."

One of Kessler's suggestions is to reduce the amount of money going to the parks and recreation department from the general fund by $200,000. This could be achieved by making the administration of the department more efficient, reducing unprofitable programs and raising some rates.

Kessler has also suggested reducing the transfer to the street fund by $150,000.

Auditor Larry Heiser pointed out that cutting those transfers would affect personnel in those departments.

Council is also looking at a new health care package that could cut costs by reducing the number of claims made by employees.

The representatives are banking on the recommendations of a newly formed economic advisory task force for guidance, while conceding that they can't wait until next year to take action.

Heiser said the 16-member task force is expected to hold its first meeting some time after election day. The group was formed by Mayor John Brennan to study the city's budget situation and make recommendations on ways to cut expenditures and increase revenue - including a possible tax issue on the fall ballot.

The task force is being modeled on a similar effort by the school district before it requested the passage of an income tax.

Councilman Jeff McClelland said that the task force should have a written mission statement to provide guidance, and its proceedings should be open to the public.

Service Director Bill Harvey added that the task force should realize that city officials are looking to make major changes in the millions of dollars, and not just minor adjustments, to its budget picture.

A report is expected by April or May, to give council enough time to decide on a possible ballot issue. Harvey said the task force should have a firm deadline to submit its report.

The next finance committee meeting to discuss the budget will be held Monday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m. Council has its next regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m.

Reported by John Matuszak for Bexley Public Radio.

WCRX-LP Editorial Collective
Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.

John Matuszak reports: Bexley council wrestles with budget, police bids

Is the starting gun ready to fire on construction of a new Bexley police station?

And could a tax increase request be on the horizon?

On the police station, it's "Ready - aim - wait."

As it moved achingly close to approving a bid on the long-anticipated station, council members last night opted to wait at least one more week before giving the green light to the $7.6 million project.

In the meantime, representatives are agonizing over next year's budget and appear anxious about whether they can even afford to build the new station.

At the Tuesday finance committee meeting, council members Rick Weber and Mark Masser argued that the public should be given one more chance to speak out about such a large expenditure - even though the public has been mostly mute over the 10 years the project has been debated.

On the table is an ordinance that would okay spending an additional $850,000 on the construction of the station. The ordinance received its first reading at a special council meeting after the finance committee discussion.

It is expected to have a second reading and a possible vote at the October 14 meeting.

The added expenditure became necessary when the first round of bids came in $1 million over the architect's original estimate, which has since been revised upward.

In the second round of bidding, Thomas and Marker Construction came in with the lowest offer of seven companies with a bid of $5,424,400.

Finance Director Beecher Hale has included the almost $500,000 in debt payments on the financing of the full project in next year's budget.

That budget estimates $11.5 million in spending through 2009, and $9.2 million in revenue, for a budget deficit of $1.6 million.

That scenario would deplete the city's fund balance, taking it from this year's $2.1 million to a little over $400,000 by the end of next year.

The city also has a $1 million rainy day fund for emergencies.

Hale blamed the persistent spending gap on tax revenues that have remained flat over the last several years, coupled with increasing labor, health care and other costs.

He pointed out that Mayor John Brennan and members of the administration have reduced spending requests for 2009 by a little over $600,000 in comparison to the current budget.

That might not be enough, some council members said.

Councilman Ben Kessler suggested that the administration should continue to tighten its belt until the projected fund balance for next year is at $1 million.

Mayor Brennan responded that he might be able to squeeze the budget a little more and get the year-end balance close to $500,000, but doubted the city could reach the $1 million mark.

"I think I've skinned the cat pretty well," Brennan said.

Councilman Weber interjected that the city could improve its bottom line by having residents vote on a tax issue to pay for the police station.

Councilwoman Robyn Jones floated the idea of requiring a balanced budget, but Brennan said that would be a mistake and would require laying off employees, including police officers.

Councilman Jed Morison suggested revisiting the budget in six months, but Kessler is worried that the city doesn't have six months before the global financial crisis worsens.

The budget picture ultimately affects large projects such as the police station, and the current fiscal crisis has officials questioning whether this is the best time to borrow.

Part of Brennan's plan to improve the city's financial standing is to convene a task force of citizens who would study the budget situation and make recommendations on cutting spending and boosting revenue. Those interested can get more information on the city's web site.

This could include a tax increase request next year. Brennan said he would prefer to ask for the increase before the school district places an issue on the ballot in 2010.

Councilman Masser expressed his approval of having a citizens' task force and added that the city needs to find a way to increase its revenue. Masser has been an advocate of a "tax equalization" plan that would bring the income tax rate paid by people who work in Bexley with residents who work outside the city.

WCRX-LP Editorial Collective
Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.

The Sidewalk Debates . Bexley, Ohio.

Tripping the light fantastic on the sidewalks of Bexley by the most sensitive man in Bexley, Simon Doer.

New York, we are not, nor are we Hyde Park, near sister city Bexley, England, yet we take sidewalk debates seriously, … even literally.

Perhaps the Englishman, William Shakespeare, said it best when Ariel, in The Tempest, lightly alludes to this even before the advent of sidewalks in the new world and to candidates being slip-shod when he replies to Prospero's command, 'Before you can say "come" and "go", and breathe twice, and cry, "so, so," each one, tripping on his toe, will be here with mop and mow.'

Okay so what has that to do with this issue and, the example of a student this sensitive resident knows, who while rushing to school with a backpack came face to face with the issue?

Bexley's City Service Department has evaluated city sidewalks needing replacement and repair and Bexley’s City Council approved an ordinance this summer to place financial responsibility on city residents for the repair and replacement of defective sidewalks. Yet, there has been constant debate as to whether the city or residents should bear the cost of fixing damaged sidewalks.

Precedent is with the city avoiding the cost of repairs as a 1948 ordinance placed the burden on each adjacent property owner to maintain the sidewalk abutting their property, until the city took over the responsibility in 2004. Concern with the infrastructure and continuing deterioration of sidewalks led to discussion of whether the city or the residents should be in charge of fixing the sidewalks.

A sidewalk is considered unsafe when there is a one-inch or more gap in between sidewalk squares that could result in someone tripping (and perhaps seeing the light fantastic at that time).

Ah, but what is a property owner to do? Legal liability could well face owners who do not take an active role in their sidewalk maintenance while cities may be able to claim some governmental immunity.

In the 2004 Court of Appeals Eighth District of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, of Bentley versus Collins, the Ohio duty and liability of a landowner abutting a public sidewalk to a pedestrian injured on it was reexamined. Under Ohio law, it is a generally accepted principle that “an owner of property abutting a public sidewalk is not, generally, liable for injuries sustained by a pedestrian. However, there are three exceptions to this general rule where a property owner may be held liable:
“(a) a statute or ordinance imposes on such owner a specific duty to keep the sidewalk adjoining his property in good repair;
“(b) by affirmative acts such owner creates or negligently maintains the
defective or dangerous condition; or,
“(c) such owner negligently permits the defective or dangerous condition to exist for some private use or benefit.”

Many joggers use the streets of Bexley rather than our sidewalks.

Is that a slap at the care we have given our sidewalks?

In April 30, 2008, This Week contributor Gail Martineau reported in an article titled “Service committee supports homeowner-funded sidewalk repairs,” that Rick Weber, council member and service committee chair supported the measure because he said the city has been falling behind on road improvements and needs to free up money.
Bexley has money coming from a 2.5-mil continuing levy passed by residents in 2002 "for the purpose of constructing, reconstructing, resurfacing and repairing streets, alleys, sidewalks and other similar improvements."

The levy produces a little over $850,000 each year. It costs residential property owners $56.47 per $100,000 of assessed property value; that to repair our roadways and throughfares.

Wasn’t that levy really to repair the infrastructure of Bexley’s roadways and to provide wheelchair and other access to the sidewalks, rather than to repair the sidewalks in front of property owner’s residences?

That was not the argument in 2004 when resident Nancy Duffy proposed a resolution altering the 1948 ordinance and the City agreed to repair all sidewalks.

According to the This Week reporter, City Attorney Lou Chodosh said the current debate centers on determining whether the levy was considered a tax or an assessment for city sidewalks. He said he interpreted the levy as an assessment because it was created for the specific purpose of "replacements or repairs of streets, alleys and sidewalks," rather than for the city's general fund.

In 2004, resident Nancy Duffy persuaded council to pass a resolution to pay for all sidewalk-related costs because that use was listed in the levy ballot language. She said to continue to assess residents would be double taxation.

In the same article by Gail Martineau, she referred to Cathy Della Flora, who lives on North Merkle Road, who said residents should not be responsible for repairing their own sidewalks. Della Flora said it was the city's responsibility to figure out how to pay for them.

"You cannot tax someone for something and double dip and ask them to pay for it," she said. "You overspent. It's not my problem."

Martineau wrote that Duffy said the city made poor choices in paying for repairs such as with driveway aprons, the large concrete slabs where the driveway meets the curb.

"Spending public money on private property is a very expensive decision," Duffy said.

Again according to the This Week article, Council member Mark Masser said he supports assessing residents for their sidewalks.

"We are falling further and further behind," he said. "This is one way to finally find some more money."
Martineau further reported that Frank Kass, who lives on North Parkview Avenue, said residents should fund their own sidewalks.

"I feel that the infrastructure in our city is deteriorating faster than we can fix it," he said. "It's our own responsibility to fix our property. We have to keep our infrastructure great."

Suburban News Publications’ writer Sara Johnson reported on September 5, 2008 in an article “Assessment of sidewalks gives
Bexley leaders things to think about” that according to the Service Department, employees assessed the area north of Broad Street, considered as north Bexley, to find 470 sidewalk squares and 10 driveway squares in need of repair for a total of $88,200 as the city's responsibility.

Bexley will be in charge of repairing a sidewalk if damage is the result of a city-owned tree.

Sara Johnson reported that Bill Harvey, City Services Director, identified sidewalks considered for residential responsibility included 430 sidewalk squares and 30 driveway squares for $86,300. [That is similar to the 50 50 arrangement some cities share in the repair of sidewalks with property owners.]

Sara reported that the city discovered that central Bexley, the area between Main and Broad streets, had between 1,200 and 1,300 sidewalks squares that required work and that the area south of Main Street, south Bexley, needs work on around 2,000 sidewalk squares.

She reported that the city spends around $700,000 from the budget on streets, sidewalks and alley repairs.



As to the student with the backpack, there was a double impact when tripping over a public sidewalk the backpack created a second impact with the sidewalk. So whatever the debate, this sensitive resident observes that this is more an issue about the safety of our sidewalks for the users rather than who is to pay for their repairs. Having paid $1,200 to repair all of the sidewalks squares in front of this sensitive resident’s Bexley home, without benefit of the funds of other property owner taxpayers, this writer could be callous to the pleas of the Nancy Duffy’s of Bexley, but is not.

Is this really a debate about who pays for sidewalk repairs? Don’t property owners pay one way or another, either through taxes or direct repairs? Wouldn’t direct repairs be more equitable for all property owners, each paying for the repairs for the sidewalk defects adjacent to their property?

Isn’t this really about protecting that student with the backpack? Aren’t property owners more likely than the city services department to be aware of ongoing issues with the sidewalks adjacent to their property?

The city of Bexley will still cover the cost of repairs caused by the trees they plant.

Do we really need other taxpayers to pay for our sidewalk repairs and us for their repairs? Should I cover the cost of the sidewalk repairs for a large corner lot when my frontage is in the range of thirty or fifty feet? Should all property owners provide for the repairs of the sidewalks in front of Bexley’s largest homes, which reap their market value in ultimate sales – even in this hopefully temporary declining home value market cycle?

This is one sensitive man’s opinion. What’s yours?

Contact:

The Most Sensitive Man In Bexley
WCRX-LP Editorial Collective
Bexley Public Radio Foundation operating as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation operating as WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

"The Most Sensitive Man in Bexley" is a style owned by Bexley Public Radio Foundation.

Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation.