July 17, 2011
Grandview Avenue
Council discusses improvement options By SARAH SOLE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The city might not be able to address substantial street improvements sought by Grandview Avenue residents until 2013. Delaware City Council member and public works committee chair Chris Jones on July 11 suggested the city form a task group to review the budget for possible funding for necessary road projects around the city. Grandview Avenue “might be on the top of
the list,” he said. “We’ve got to start figuring out how to fix some roads,” Jones told council members. City manager Tom Homan said the public works committee discussed the issue at length. “No easy answer for this one,” he said. The soonest the city could address the residents’ request in a “comprehensive fashion” would probably be in 2013, he said. Sixty residents and other concerned citizens signed a petition asking the city for paving, widening, and curb and gutter in-
stallation. A letter from Grandview Avenue resident Phyllis Miller to the city manager and attorney said the street is narrow, cracked and broken. The letter also cites drainage problems and traffic complications from Carlisle Elementary School at 746 state Route 37 West. Jones also mentioned the school’s proximity. “Someone is going to get hurt at some point,” he said, referring to the traffic and
A closer look Sixty residents and other concerned citizens signed a petition asking the city for paving, widening, and curb and gutter installation. A letter from Grandview Avenue resident Phyllis Miller to the city manager and attorney said the street is narrow, cracked and broken. The letter also cites drainage problems and traffic complications from Carlisle Elementary School at 746 state Route 37 West.
See COUNCIL DISCUSSES, page A2
Big Walnut DRESSAGE schools in the black, officials say By BONNIE BUTCHER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The Big Walnut school district finished the 201011 school year in the black, officials said. The district finished fiscal year 2011, which ended June 30, with a $3.6 million cash balance in its general fund, a financial summary from the school board’s July 11 meeting shows. “The big reason for that is the successful passage of the (7.5-mill five-year emergency operating) levy” in November said Gary Barber, assistant superintendent, speaking on behalf of treasurer Felicia Drummey, who was absent. Fiscal years for school districts run July 1 to June 30, similar to that of the school year. In June 2010, the district had a negative ending cash balance of $399,016, documents show. June is always a “low cash” month, Barber said. In late July, the district will receive income tax revenue. In midAugust, it will The big reason for receive real esthat (positive cash tate tax revenue. “It’s very balance) is the positive to finsuccessful passage of ish the year on the (November the plus side,” Barber said. operating) levy. For fiscal year 2011, the GARY BARBER district’s rev— assistant superintendent enue was $28.5 million. The district has several sources of revenue, including income and property taxes and funding from the state and federal government. The district received $14.1 million in real estate taxes. It had expected to receive $11.5 million. The levy increased real-estate tax income, Barber said. The levy is estimated to raise about $4.9 million annually for the district. The district received $5.6 million in income tax revenue, which was $1.5 million more than estimated. The district believes that increase can be attributed to last year’s anonymous Powerball lottery winner living in the district. The anonymous winner chose to take the $261.6million winnings as a $134.2-million lump sum. Drummey has said because it was a lump-sum disbursement, the district would see only a onetime increase in tax revenue. The financial summary shows the district receiving $29,843 less than estimated in foundation funding from the Ohio Department of Education. The district estimated $4,392,732, but received $4,362,889. The district spent about $1.1 million more than expected, the financial summary shows. Operating expenses totaled $24.6 million. “We were over (because) of personnel we brought back in the transportation department and some of the aides in the elementary schools,” Barber said. “Also, we had an increase in substitute teaching costs. ... We’re going to take a hard look at ... the amount that we’re paying out.” The hope is to reduce the cost of substitute teachers provided by Central Ohio Educational Service Center, he said. Officials also underestimated the cost of purchased services, Barber said. In particular, the district had a higher expense than budgeted for new students’ occupational and physical therapy needs. He said such needs are hard to predict.
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By Paul Vernon/ThisWeek
Emily T. Gill of Louisville warms up Coulee Bend Kahula as they get ready for the Training Level Rest 3 during the Mid-Ohio Dressage Association Mid-Ohio Classic at the Delaware County Fairgrounds July 9.
Downtown Delaware
Mobile food vendors to be allowed By SARAH SOLE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
After much previous discussion and debate, Delaware City Council has decided to allow mobile food vendors to operate in the city’s downtown business district. The amendment council approved July 11 lets a mobile food vendor operate up to 45 days downtown, without the city’s Historic Preservation Commission’s approval. Mobile food vendors can operate on private property with an owner’s permission. They must obtain a tem-
During its July 6 meeting, the city planning commission unanimously A closer look voted to deny a downtown exclusion zone, which would have banned temporary outdoor sales and disMobile food vendors can operplays on property with frontage on ate on private property with an Central Avenue and Sandusky, owner’s permission. They must Spring, William, Winter, Franklin obtain a temporary use permit and Union streets, excluding corner from the city and pay a $25 properties. fee. The exclusion zone had been recporary use permit from the city and ommended by the city administration. pay a $25 fee. Council on July 11 voted 4-3 in At issue was whether mobile food vendors should be allowed in the favor of the planning commission’s recommendation. downtown business district.
Council would have needed needed five votes against the recommendation to override the planning commission’s denial. The amendment without the exclusion zone passed 5-2. Council members Andrew Brush, Carolyn Riggle and Vice Mayor Windell Wheeler voted against the planning commission’s recommendation. Council member Andrew Brush told ThisWeek he spoke with several residents and downtown stakeSee MOBILE FOOD, page A2
Commissioners reject contract agreement By SARAH SOLE ThisWeek Community Newspapers Delaware County commissioners and the Delaware County sheriff are going back to the drawing board on contract talks with some sheriff’s employees. Commissioners Tommy Thompson and Ken O’Brien on July 11 voted in favor of rejecting a tentative agreement between the Delaware County sheriff and Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association regarding contracts for Tommy the enforcement supervisors’ Thompson unit. Commissioner Dennis Stapleton was absent
A closer look The contract as proposed would have taken an additional $20,000 to fund, said county administrator Tim Hansley. Commissioners could’ve either approved or rejected the agreement, or taken no action. If they chose the latter, it would’ve still become law. The contract is for sergeants, lieutenants and captains. While the three-year contract would be in effect until 2013, at the end of 2011 it was proposed that wages could be negotiated again.
from the meeting. The contract as proposed would have taken an additional $20,000 to fund, said county administrator Tim Hansley. Commissioners could have either approved or rejected the agreement, or taken no action. If they chose the latter, it would’ve still become law. The contract is for sergeants, lieutenants and
captains. While the three-year contract would be in effect until 2013, it was proposed that wages could be negotiated again at the end of 2011. After 120 days as a sergeant, an employee would receive an hourly rate of $31.09; after one year, $31.74. After 120 days as a lieutenant, See COMMISSIONERS, page A2