Archives for January 2021

City Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 26th at 6:00 pm

by

A recording of this meeting is available at the bottom of this post.


At the January 26th City Council meeting, the following items will be discussed:

  • Ordinance 01-21: Approve the collective bargaining agreement between the Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City Lodge No. 9 and the City of Bexley
  • Ordinance 02-21: Appropriate $100,000 from the Grant Reimbursed Expenditures Account of the General Fund for the purpose of paying for expenses associated with the Jeffrey Mansion Expansion and Accessibility Project after the receipt of $100,000 from the 2020 State of Ohio Capital Budget
  • Ordinance 03-21: Un-appropriate $210,000 from Pool Operations Personal Services, and to appropriate $210,000 from the Swimming Pool Fund into a Pool Management Contract line item of the Pool Operations account
  • Ordinance 04-21: Allow for vacation time buyouts for unused vacation time in excess of 10 days, in the instance where a staff member was unable to take vacation leave due to extraordinary circumstances in their job impacted by the City’s COVID-19 pandemic response
  • Ordinance 05-21: Un-appropriate $35,000 from the Salary & Wages line item of the Vehicle and Grounds Maintenance and Urban Forestry account and to appropriate $35,000 into the Turf Maintenance line item of the Vehicle and Grounds Maintenance and Urban Forestry account
  • Amended Ordinance 63-20: Support the creation of the Bexley Electricity Aggregation Program and the issuance of Request for Proposals, and to authorize a process for the Board of Control to award a contract to an electricity aggregation supplier

The following tabled legislation may be discussed:

  • Ordinance 36-20: Amending Bexley Codified Ordinance 648.09 Mayor’s Emergency Powers
  • Ordinance 43-19: Amend Chapter 1028 in order to add provisions for small cell facilities and other right-of-way considerations, and to adopt the Bexley Design Guidelines for Small Cell Facilities and Wireless Support Structures within the right-of-way

To view current agendas for city meetings, passed ordinances, or to learn more, visit www.bexley.org/meetings.

Recording of January 26th City Council Meeting

Board of Zoning Appeals & Planning Meeting on Thursday, January 28th at 6:00 pm

by

Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning meetings are currently being held via Zoom. Here’s how to access the upcoming meeting:

  • To join the Zoom Webinar from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device, click here.
  • Join by Telephone: US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799
  • Webinar ID: 767 554 925 
  • To view agendas and supporting documents, visit www.bexley.org/meetings.

Residents are encouraged to email public comment to Kathy Rose in advance of the meeting, although every effort will be made to accommodate testimony from individuals with standing via the virtual meeting system. 

The following applications will be discussed:

Address: 2754 Sherwood Rd.
BZAP Request: The applicant is seeking architectural review and approval for a detached garage. The applicant is also seeking a variance to Bexley Code Section 1252.15(e), to allow a 21’ high detached garage.
Note: This was tabled at the December 2, 2020 BZAP meeting.

Address: 424 S. Columbia Ave.
BZAP Request: The applicant is seeking architectural review and approval of modifications and changes to the original approved elevations of a new single-family home. Some changes have and have not been staff approved, which may include a proposed solar panel installation.

Address: 2106 E. Main St.
BZAP Request: The applicant is seeking sign review and approval of blade signage along the Main Street side of the building at the above noted location. The applicant is also seeking a variance from Bexley Code C.26 of the Main Street Guidelines which limits a projecting blade sign to 10 square feet, to allow a proposed double-faced blade sign to be 20 sq’ or 4’ high by 5’ wide.

Address: 171 S. Cassingham Rd.
BZAP Request: The applicant is seeking architectural review and approval to allow a 2nd floor addition over existing family room at the rear of the principal structure. The applicant is also seeking a 2’ variance from Bexley Code Section 1252.09(R-6) which requires an 8’ setback from the side yard property line, to allow a 2nd floor addition over the existing 1-story structure that is 6’ from the side yard property line.

Address: 90 N. Columbia Ave.
BZAP Request: The applicant is seeking architectural review and approval for a covered terrace addition to the southeast side of the existing principal structure. The applicant is also seeking 2 variances: First variance is from Bexley Code Section 1252.09 (R-2) Zoning) which requires an 85’ (average) front yard setback along Clifton Avenue, to allow the proposed covered porch to be 69’ from the front property line, and the second variance is from Bexley Code Section 1252.15(g) which indicates accessory structures and uses shall be permitted only in the rear yard, to allow a 7’x10’ proposed pool in the east side yard.

Address: 2121 Clifton Ave. 
BZAP Request: The applicant is seeking architectural review and approval for a 120sq’ deck/stair addition connecting to a proposed 480sq’ open terrace. The applicant is also seeking a variance from Bexley Code Section 1252.09(R-3 Zoning), which limits building lot coverage to 25% and overall hardscape and building lot coverage to 50%, to allow the building lot coverage to be 49.9% and the overall building plus hardscape footprint to be 91%.

Address: 2404 Fair Ave.
BZAP Request: The applicant is seeking architectural review approval for a new 2-story addition to the rear of the principal structure. The applicant is also seeking a variance from Bexley Code Section 1252.15(g) – Detached garages shall not be located less than ten feet from a principal structure to allow a proposed 2-story addition to the rear of the principal structure to be 3’11″ from the detached garage. The applicant has also submitted an Option “B” variance request from Bexley Code Section 1252.09 (R-6 Zoning), which requires a rear yard setback of 25’ and a side yard setback of 8’ to allow a 2-story addition to the rear of the principal structure that would attach to the existing detached garage which is located 6’11″ from the rear yard property line and 3’ from the side yard property line and would become part of the principal structure.

Address: 50 N. Drexel Ave.
BZAP Request: The applicant is seeking architectural review and approval to allow a pool house in the front, side yard. The applicant is also seeking a variance from Bexley Code Section 1252.15(g) accessory structures shall be permitted only in the rear yard, to allow a proposed pool house to be in the front, side yard, 26’9” from the front (west) property line and 5’4” from the south side property line. The applicant may opt to present an attached version of the pool house with the connection of a low stone wall between the pool house and the principal structure, which would then be a variance from Bexley Code Section 1252.09 (R-3 Zoning) which requires a12’ side yard setback and a 30’ or average existing dwelling setback (whichever is greater) setback from the front yard property line, to allow the pool house addition to be located 26’9” from the front property line and 5’4” from the side yard property line.

Address: 100 S. Cassady Ave.
BZAP Request: The applicant is seeking architectural review and approval to allow a 2nd floor addition over the existing first floor family-room, located at the rear (east side) of the principal structure. The applicant is also seeking a variance from Bexley code Section 1252.09(R-6 Zoning), which requires an 8’ setback from the side yard property line, to allow an addition over the existing family-room that is located 6’8” from the south side property line.

Address: 231 N. Drexel Ave.
BZAP Request: The applicant is seeking architectural review and approval to allow an addition to the existing detached garage. The applicant is also seeking a variance from Bexley Code Section 1252.15(a) which limits an accessory structure to thirty-five (35%) of the building footprint of the principal structure or 624sq’, whichever is greater, to allow a 440sq’ addition to the existing 560sq’ detached garage.

Address: 2300 E. Livingston Ave.
BZAP Request: The applicant is seeking architectural review and approval to allow a 3-story structure with a residential use on the first, 2nd and 3rd floors. If approved, the existing building will be demolished. The applicant is also seeking a Conditional Use approval in the Commercial Service District, to allow residential use on the first floor of this 3-story structure.

Address: 420 N. Cassady Ave.
BZAP Request: The applicant is seeking architectural review and approval to allow a 3- story structure with commercial on the first floor and residential on the 2nd and 3rd floors. If approved, the existing structure would be demolished. The applicant is also seeking a parking variance in accordance with Bexley Code Section 1262.02 which requires 1 space per residential unit and additional spaces based on the commercial use and square footage to allow 11 spaces for 16 Residential Units a 7,833 sq’ of commercial space on first floor.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Address: 2062-2068 E. Main St.
ARB Request: The applicant is seeking approval of a façade grant for proposed up-lighting of the building located at the Northwest corner of S. Drexel Avenue and E. Main Street.

Charter Review Committee’s Proposed Amendments to Bexley City Charter

by

The Charter Review Committee presented at a special Bexley City Council meeting on Wednesday, January 27th at 7:00 pm to discuss proposed amendments and revisions to the City Charter. A recording of the January 27th meeting is at the bottom of this post.

Click here (link) to view Final Redined copy of the amended Bexley Charter that will be presented to City Council.

The Charter Review Committee has been meeting on a monthly basis since January 2020, embarking on a four-phase journey of editing the Charter section-by-section.

Timeline of Charter Review

Phase 1: Data Gathering – Including Individual Charter Reviews, Discussion on Interim Thinking, and Planning
In-depth review (meaning /purpose) of each section of the Charter as facilitated by Counsel. Consideration of “cleanup“ language with focus on clarity, readability, internal consistency, for example: adoption of gender neutral language; any items not in conformance with the Ohio Revised Code, where required. Identification and evaluation of pre-selected “Big” impact Items, for example: elected Mayor or not; term limits; structure of Council; removal authority; Commission appointment procedures; Council compensation, addition of Ethics section; assuring resident voices are heard; should the City Attorney be elected?

Phase 2: Section by Section Review of Charter & Identification of Big Impact Items
Starting with the first Article, analyzing the current content. In the event the Commission determines a provisions needs to be changed, an outline of the desired change will be prepared and assigned to member(s) who will work with legal counsel to draft a new provision. The new provision will then be reviewed at the next Commission meeting and adopted, either as drafted or after amendments were made. A table, in the form attached, will be used to note how each provision of the Charter was evaluated. Any changes are to be noted for each section in tabular form. In the event the provision is retained, its location in the amended charter is noted. In the event the provision was changed, the changes shall be so noted . identification and evaluation of pre-selected “BIG IMPACT” items, for example: Elected Mayor or not; term limits; structure of Council; removal authority; Commission appointment procedure, addition of Ethics section; assuring resident voices are heard; should the City Attorney be elected? 

Phase 3: Completion and Consideration of Integrated Draft and Report
Assignment to a committee of Commission members to assemble, with the assistance of legal counsel, all segments of the newly proposed Charter into an integrated whole, for consideration and approval by the Commission, to be used as the basis for a public hearings. Further, draft to be submitted to the Mayor for comment prior to final review by legal counsel. Public meeting. Preparation of, and voting on, any adjustments to the proposed Charter prompted by Mayor’s review and commentary, legal review, and public hearing. Completion of and voting on the accompanying report to Council.

Phase 4: Report to City Council
Newly proposed Charter and accompanying report delivered to Council. 

Click here to learn more about the Charter Review Committee.

Charter Review Committee’s Presentation to City Council:

Salt & Storm Drain Conservation Tips for the Winter Months

by

From our Friends at Franklin County Soil & Water

Snow, ice, and stormwater can create a difficult balancing act between cost, safety, and environmental impact. On one hand, without salt (sodium chloride), sidewalks and driveways can become dangerously slick when freezing weather hits. On the other, salt used on our roads, driveways and sidewalks can have a dangerous effect on our water quality.

Effects of Sodium Chloride

Salt has been used on roadways for snow and ice removal since the 1930’s and remains the most cost-effective de-icer. However, without proper use, it can easily be transported by melting water to groundwater or storm drains. Because rain and snowmelt are moved through storm drains straight to rivers and streams without treatment, chloride ions are often delivered to receiving streams in concentrations that can harm aquatic life. Not only does it affect water quality, it can burn your pets paws, corrode paved surfaces, ruin buildings and even cars, dehydrate plants, limit springtime growth, and after the snow melts you might find bare or brown grass patches in your yard.

Reminders for the Icy Months:
  • Salt before the ice: It’s always easier to prevent than de-ice. Salt applied before a storm that is likely to produce a layer of ice is easily more effective than salt applied after, on top of the ice. 
  • Use the minimum amount of deicer: It’s only supposed to break the bond to make shoveling easier. 
  • Check the temperature: If it’s really cold outside, and the ice is already set on the ground, your salt may not work, so applying more won’t help. Sodium chloride, the most common salt, will be less effective if the temperature is below 20°F. Most salts stop working completely at 15°F.
  • Less can be more: Use a hand-held spreader to help apply a consistent layer across the surface. A successful rate for rock salt is about a handful per square yard. Excessive use is wasteful, increases costs, and has a harmful impact on the environmental.

MORPC’s Work Begins on Regional Mobility Plan

by

MORPC’s Work Begins on Regional Mobility Plan

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is beginning its work with eight Central Ohio counties to develop a coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan.

The 2022-2025 Regional Mobility Plan will identify local transportation needs of people with disabilities, older adults and those with low incomes. The plan will help to provide strategies for meeting those needs and prioritize transportation services and projects for funding and implementation.

Coordinated plans are required by the Federal Transit Administration for counties to be eligible for funding under the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program – Section 5310. MORPC is the designated recipient for Section 5310 funds coming to Delaware and Franklin counties.

“The Section 5310 program provides funding to assist organizations that support our community’s most vulnerable populations. This plan will identify needs in order for the applied funding to have the greatest impact.”

MORPC Modal System Manager Mary Ann Frantz

The four-year plan on which MORPC is working applies to the Ohio Department of Transportation’s human service transportation coordination region 6, which includes Delaware, Franklin, Fairfield, Licking, Logan, Madison, Pickaway and Union counties.

The goals of the plan include to:
  • Identify community resources for transportation and mobility
  • Understand the gaps and unmet needs within those resources
  • Determine the approach to addressing those gaps and needs

“These plans are regularly updated and are required to involve input from public, private, and non-profit transportation and human services providers. We’re looking forward to working alongside these organizations, as well as members of the public throughout the eight counties.”

MORPC Mobility Coordinator Lexi Petrella
Public Involvement

The process of developing the Regional Mobility Plan includes upcoming opportunities for members of the public to offer thoughts that may be incorporated or addressed in the plan. These opportunities include:

Transportation User Survey

This survey is designed to collect input regarding travel experiences from residents. The survey includes questions related to mode choice and the physical environment. The survey is now open and can be completed here. It will soon be available in Spanish and Somali.

Virtual Public Meetings 

Members of the public are encouraged to attend an online presentation that will include a question and comment opportunity. No registration is required. These meetings will take place at the following times:

Virtual Focus Group Meetings

Members of the public may have the opportunity to participate in focus group conversations that will take place in March and April.

More information is available at www.morpc.org/mobilityplan, where updates will be posted throughout the planning process. The Regional Mobility Plan is expected to be completed in October 2021.

Welcome To The New Bexley.org!

by

Earlier in 2020, we began on working on developing a brand new www.bexley.org. If you frequently visit our website, you may have noticed the change already! If not, we encourage you to go check it out.

Here’s a sample of what you can expect:

  • Designed for Mobile Functionality – Prioritized easy-to-read text and an enhanced layout for smartphones, tablets, and desktop screens. 
  • A Streamlined Website Experience –As technology grows and evolves, we will now be equipped to keep up with the industry standard of website design, content management, and user experience. 
  • Resources Tab – Based on visitor data, we were able to prioritize and list our most commonly searched website items onto one page, www.bexley.org/resources. 
  • Easily Provide Feedback – At the bottom of certain pages, you will see a ‘Was This Page Helpful?’ tab. If you’re not able to find the information you were looking for, you can simply indicate what’s missing right on the page.

This is a work in progress, and we appreciate your patience over the next few weeks as we finalize details on the new website. Many thanks to our friends at The Wonder Jam for their fantastic help with our new site. As always, please contact us with any questions or concerns!  

Safety Reminder from Bexley Police Department Regarding IRS Phone Calls

by

The Bexley Police Department would like to remind residents that the Internal Revenue Service will never call a taxpayer about a delinquent tax issue. They will correspond via USPS providing written notice of the issue offering the taxpayer an opportunity to clarify and respond. Police agencies will not call to discuss the issues surrounding an arrest warrant for failing to appear or missing jury duty. Courts will instead send written notice. And they will most certainly never issue a gag order preventing you from discussing paying bond or have you purchase special gift cards to pay such bond.

Sadly, people fall for these scams regularly and are usually out thousands of dollars before they realize they’ve been scammed. In all but the rarest of cases, this money is irretrievable. If there is ever any question, you can always give the Bexley Police a call at (614) 559-4444.

Reminder: Bexley City Hall Closed for In-Person Visitors

by

Bexley City Hall is currently closed to in-person visitors due to COVID-19. Residents and guests are encouraged to conduct business via phone or email. If you are dropping off a payment, please place it in the black dropbox located in the parking lot of Bexley City Hall.

We are available Monday-Friday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Please visit www.bexley.org/directory to find contact information for the person you are trying to reach. For COVID-19 resources, messaging, and news, visit www.bexley.org/coronavirus.

January 12, 2021 City Council Meeting

by

A recording of this meeting is available at the bottom of this post.

At the January 12th City Council meeting, the following items will be discussed:
  • Ordinance 01-21: Approve the collective bargaining agreement between the Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City Lodge No. 9 and the City of Bexley
  • Ordinance 02-21: Appropriate $100,000 from the Grant Reimbursed Expenditures Account of the General Fund for the purpose of paying for expenses associated with the Jeffrey Mansion Expansion and Accessibility Project after the receipt of $100,000 from the 2020 State of Ohio Capital Budget
  • Ordinance 60-20: Create the Bexley Residential Sewer Remediation loan program
  • Ordinance 63-20: To create the Bexley Electricity Aggregation Program, Authorize Issuance of Request for Proposals, Authorize Process for Board of Control to Award Contract to Electricity Aggregation Supplier and Related Matters

The following tabled legislation may be discussed:

  • Amended Ordinance 27-20: Authorize the Mayor to create a Bexley Sanitary Sewer Backflow Prevention Program, to appropriate $375,000 from the Sewer Fund, and to declare an emergency
  • Amended Ordinance 27-20: Authorize the Mayor to create a Bexley Sanitary Sewer Inspection and Remediation Program, and to appropriate $300,000 from the Sewer Fund, and to declare an emergency
  • Ordinance 36-20: Amending Bexley Codified Ordinance 648.09 Mayor’s Emergency Powers
  • Ordinance 43-19: Amend Chapter 1028 in order to add provisions for small cell facilities and other right-of-way considerations, and to adopt the Bexley Design Guidelines for Small Cell Facilities and Wireless Support Structures within the right-of-way

To view current agendas for city meetings, passed ordinances, or to learn more, visit www.bexley.org/meetings.

Recording of Meeting:

Rumpke Now Accepting Plastic #5 Tubs

by

Yogurt eaters rejoice! Rumpke has expanded their services to accept certain plastic #5 items.

As of January 11, 2021, Rumpke is accepting plastic tubs in its recycling program. These items have been incredibly hard to recycle properly in central Ohio, and we are excited about this update! Toss your yogurt containers, fruit cups, butter tubs, sour cream tubs, cottage cheese tubs and whipped topping tubs in your recycling carts with other acceptable items.

Rumpke has secured long-term contracts with stable, regional end users for this material, ensuring that these containers are converted into new plastic containers.

For more information, please click here to download an FAQ. Additionally, we have recycling resources listed here on our website.