February 3, 2011
G-J proceeds with May school levy If approved, measure would cost another $159 per $100K of property value By MARLA K. KUHLMAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Gahanna school board members agree on the need for additional operating funds but they debated about the timing on Jan. 28, when they took the final step to place a 5.2-mill levy on the May 3 ballot. Board members debated at length about the tax issue’s timing, since voters just defeated a levy request in November. The district’s proposed 6.8-mill levy
came up short by 96 votes about three months ago, while a 9-mill levy request in May was defeated by about 500 votes. The 5.2-mill levy would last for three years and would generate up to $8-million annually, said Julio Valladares, treasurer. It would cost an additional $159 annually per $100,000 of assessed property value. Board member Jill Schuler voted against placing the issue on the ballot, saying more time is needed to gain citi-
zens’ trust. “Have we done everything in our means before going deeper in the pockets of citizens?” she asked. Board members Windy McKenna, Scott Mounts, Charley Wise and Claire Yoder supported the May ballot initiative. After the decision to place the levy on the ballot, Schuler said she would be “on the front lines” and do her part to support the levy.
“It was a timing and trust issue,” she said. Mounts said he also struggled about the levy’s timing and “putting together a smart approach.” Superintendent Mark White said 2011 is “critical” to pass a levy, or another $6to $7-million in cuts will need to be made next year on top of $7-million in reductions that are in the process of being made for 2011-12. “We don’t enjoy asking for more
City plans to begin program March 1, save $1M
By MARLA K. KUHLMAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Three Gahanna employees with a combined total of 70 years of service to the city will retire this year. Development director Sadicka White will retire March 31, park facilities superintendent Carl Norris will retire effective April 8, and utilitiesbilling specialist Pat Wood will retire March 31. Gahanna City Council approved legislation in September to make an early retirement program available to city departments, including public services, planning and development, parks and recreation, and mayor’s court. Council will consider a $135,000 supplemental appropriation for the anticipated cost of the buyout when members meet Feb. 7. Norris’and Wood’s positions Sadicka White will not be filled, but White’s is being evaluated, said Brian Hoyt, the city’s public-information manager. Whenever possible, the administration will use remaining salary funds to put toward the cost of the buyout, said Angel Mumma, city finance director. In this case, it is anticipated that a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $135,000 would
By MARLA K. KUHLMAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers
See RETIRING, page A5
Porter outlines goals as new council member By MARLA K. KUHLMAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers
meeting, had requested the permit for four years. Commissioner David Andrews questioned the length for the request, and suggested revisiting the permit annually. Gard said a one-year permit gives the city more control if violations occur, but noted that it costs the applicant $100 every time. Carr had exemption permits in 2007, 2008 and 2009, along with a conditional use permit in 2009, to sell
Andre Porter said he will focus to stretch the tax dollar as far as it will go, after being appointed to fill the unexpired Gahanna City Council seat of Tom Kneeland, who resigned. Porter will be sworn in to fill the at-large seat during council’s next regular meeting, set for 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 7. Porter was one of five finalists who were interviewed during a special meeting Jan. 25, when council selected him to fill the seat that was left vacant at the end of December. Long-time council member Kneeland resigned in order to accept the position of Gahanna information technology director. “I’m excited to serve,” Porter told ThisWeek. “It’s an honor to Andre Porter serve.” Getting the most of every dollar is one of four goals Porter said he will focus on as a council member. Secondly, Porter said he would like to see a more pro-active process for decision-making. “I’d like to make it more visionary—to have a comprehensive strategic vision,” he said. “Third,
See PRODUCE STAND, page A2
See PORTER, page A6
By Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Fine tuning
Russ Mikkelson conducts the OSU Wind Symphony during a concert at Gahanna Lincoln High School on Jan. 26. The symphony, which performed Jan. 27-29 at the Ohio Music Education Association state conference in Cincinnati, was invited to perform at the school to prepare for the OMEA conference.
See BWC, page A6
Commission: Produce stand OK with improvements By MARLA K. KUHLMAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Gahanna residents will be able to purchase locally grown produce and flowers at a seasonal stand in Hunters Ridge, 360 S. Hamilton Road, as long as the business owner makes aesthetic improvements, including the addition of a white picket fence. The Gahanna Planning Commission on Jan. 26 approved a conditional-use permit request by Tom Carr to allow display and sale of produce April 1 through Oct. 31 at Hamilton
See SCHOOL BOARD, page A2
3 longtime city heads to retire
Self-insurance
Gahanna is planning a March 1 implementation of self-insurance for Workers’Compensation benefits — a move that’s estimated to save the city $1-million over the next five years. Kristen Treadway, human-resources director, called the change “a huge move” for the city and that she conservatively estimates will save more than $1-million. Council is expected to vote Feb. 7 to authorize a $26,692 contract with Comp Management to serve as Gahanna’s third-party administrator (TPA) through Dec. 31, 2012, for both the self-insurance claims and the state-fund claims Comp Management still would have to administer for the city. “This is well within the estimated amount we had in our assessment for this program,” Treadway said. Self-insurance is an alternative rating plan offered by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for large employers that want to take on the responsibility of paying all compensation and medical payments for their injured workers, Treadway said. Self-insurance employers administer their own workers’ compensation program and could realize potential savings in comparison to state-fund premiums. Treadway said the city needed a TPA, and she recommended Comp Management, the city’s current TPA for its state-fund plan. “Our desire is to continue our relationship with Comp Management as they have been ex-
money,” he said. “Since they (the community) make up the bulk of support in terms of finances, we have no choice.” If the levy passes in May, White said the district won’t have to make cuts in busing. “There’s never an easy time to pass a levy in Gahanna,” he added. White said the district is being accountable by making reductions.
and Morrison roads, pending several requirements. Commissioner David Thom said Carr’s permit would be allowed with certain stipulations: that gravel is added to the site to prevent mud from hindering access, a white picket fence is added to define the sales area, and a “low-profile tent” is erected as approved by zoning administrator Bonnie Gard. In his application, Carr said 2011 would mark his fourth year selling seasonal produce at the southeast corner of Hunters Ridge.
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Carr proposed installing one or two canvas-top carport shelters to protect produce instead of a tent he used in the past. Thom questioned whether a lowerprofile tent or canopy would suffice to make it more attractive and not obstruct the view of other tenants. “I don’t have a problem with a carport tent, but I think we can go a step better,” he said. Gard said the height Carr proposed — seven to eight feet — wouldn’t block the rest of the tenants. Carr, who was not present at the
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