HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-2006 Mechanical CommitteeMECHANICAL COMMITTEE
SPECIAL MEETING PUBLIC WORKS, WATER & SEWER
50 North 4te Avenue, City of Canton
Tuesday February 7, 2006 - 6:15 p.m.
Idermen in attendance: Jim Hartford, Joe Berardi, Rick Reed, Eric Schenck.
ther Aldermen in attendance: Larry Sazff, Craig West, Les Carl, Kevin Meade.
there in attendance: Mayor Rodney Heinze, City Clerk Nancy Whites, City Treasurer
athy Luker, City Attorney Jim Elson, Economic Development Director Mazk Rothert,
dice Chief Donald Edwards, Fire Chief John Stanko, Public Works Director Clif
'Brien, Keith Plavec from Maurer Stutz Inc., Wastewater Treatment Supt. Joe
azruthers, Water Treatment Supt. Greg Pollitt, Zoning Director Clark Wilson, Street
upt. George Spahn, Video Services of Joe Ginger. Others in audience were news media
F Daily Ledger Linda Woods, Democrat Bill Mitchell, WBYS Mark Bixler, & Journal
tar Brenda Bowen. Dave Pickel, Rocky Kampling, Leonazd Barnard, 3 representatives
om Wal-Mart.
Public Works, Water & Sewer
Alderman Joe Berazdi, Chairman
Alderman Eric Schenck questions pertaining to zoning of Wal-Mart. Alderman
Berazdi stated that he would like to clazify the questions that both he and Alderman
Schenck had. Our concerns have been of how Wal-Mart's proposal has come to us.
Within the last 30 days we have been given information their project could be anywhere
from 12 million dollazs to 14 million dollars. And we thought this was so fast, and the
Public Works, Water & Sewer Committee was not involved in it, and the city was not
involved in it.
We again met with Wal-Mart representatives and we were given some 30 minutes to an
hour fora 14 million project. My concerns are what Planning & Zoning met and
discussed, was just changing the zoning from agriculture to business. I have never
experienced that type of presentation when your dealing with urban growth boundazies,
reviewing the local Comprehensive Plan, and looking at land development regulations.
We have not talked about any kind of permits, have not talked about ground run off and
the affect it will have in our town. Even thought I have come out publicly and said, " I
don't care if Wal-Mart comes here or not." I do not think that Wal-Mart will change our
way of living if they don't come here. And I thought we should be in a better situation to
make sure we have a working relationship because of the burden that's going to be put on
us when Wal-Mart comes here. The point was, the Planning & Zoning Board did not
take in to consideration (1) the local Comprehensive Plan, (2) what did our previous
Aldermen and citizens ask for the city? And in what way aze we going to grow? Those
question were never answered. So what happened is that Wal-Mart is not wagging the
city's tail, we are the City of Canton.
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Mechanical Committee Special meeting 2-07-06
Alderman Eric Schenck mentioned that he sent 5 questions to the mayor who had been
identified as the lead on this process, to help provide some answers to these questions.
Then we had a meeting with Wal-Mazt officials today, and they helped with the
questions. The 5 questions I ask were (1) Whether or not there had been a traffic study
for Buckeye, 4~' Avenue, and Cypress Street? (2) Whether there was an engineering
study for Buckeye, 4`h Avenue and Cypress Street? (3) Whether there was sufficient
easements and set back requirements for those 3 streets? (4) Whether we needed
upgrades to the street themselves? (5) Whether Wal-Mart had agreed to any of these 5
things in shazing of the cost?
We did get Public Works Director Clif O'Brien and Maurer Stutz Inc. representative
Keith Plavec to provide general summary of these things. And today in discussion with
Wal-Mart they helped address the questions I had offered, and they offered suggestions.
They looked at our community entering into a development agreement with them that
would help answer the questions prior to the issuance of building permits. Alderman
Schenck then invited one of Wal-Mart's representatives to talk about this agreement idea.
Alderman Berardi told the Wal-Mart representative to wait a minute, as he would not
allow that because it's on the mayor's agenda and lets address it at that time.
Alderman Schenck said it would be better to do during the committee meeting to just
heaz what they have to say.
Alderman Berardi told Alderman Schenck there was another issue on the agenda.
Motion and second by Aldermen Schenck/Reed, to ask for a development agreement
from Wal-Mart prior to issuance of building permits. Alderman Schenck said the motion
would allow us to move forwazd with re-zoning issues and be able to resolve these issues
through a development agreement. Alderman Berazdi said he does not feel this is the
proper time, as we don't have enough time to discuss it. If anything it should be turned
over to another committee and on a different night then tonight. Alderman Schenck said,
since he made the motion he would like to have first discussion. Alderman Schenck said
he thinks this is something that resolves this issue because I don't profess to know a lot
about and how they aze handled. It allows us to have a mechanism in place when the
zoning ordinance is adopted. Alderman Hartford ask the question, isn't that going to
happen anyway if we approve the rezoning? Mayor Heinze was addressing the question
and Alderman Berardi said to direct the question to the chairman of the committee.
Alderman Hartford then said, well I'm asking! Alderman Berazdi said we don't have
enough time and there is a lot of questions. They aze, how we're going to form it, what
committee it will go too? We will need more expertise from our city attorney; and that
issue was not on the agenda of what we were talking about. Alderman Schenck stated,
yes the issue was on the agenda about my questions to Wal-Mart. And since this is a
committee meeting, I think it is my perogative to make a motion regazding to this issue.
And I say again it was Wal-Mart suggestion and it seems a reasonable approach that
would make sure council is involved in approving. And in this development plan it will
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Mechanical Committee Special Meeting 2-07-06
occur prior to the city issuing a building permit. At our meeting today, if Joe does not
recognize the people from Wal-Mart, I'll tell you what they said. They said "they
thought this would be a very good thing for our community because it would help them
and help us have definition to how this development will proceed." Alderman Berardi
said, I don't disagree, I'm just saying, not the time or place. The motion carried by voice
vote, and Alderman Berardi voted nay.
White Oaks request. Alderman Cazl was asked by Randy Oaks to allow him to have
buih a covered ramp from his establishment to Geppetto's. He will haze the expense and
assume the liability. This is brought about of someone falling in the alley behind White
Oaks establishment and was injured. Motion and second by Aldermen Berazdi/Reed, to
allow the request, and refer to council for their consideration. The motion carried by
voice vote, and was unanimous.
The Public Works, Water & Sewer Committee adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Recording Secretary,
Nancy Whites, City Clerk
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