Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Appears someone's ego is a bit bruised following last week and this someone is still in a state of denial.

Article published Oct 16, 2006
Agreement questioned by City Council
By TAMARIA L. KULEMEKA
The Eagle-Gazette Staff
tkulemeka@nncogannett.com
PICKERINGTON - Pickerington City Council members are far from settling differences concerning whether the city should enter into an economic development agreement with Violet Township.
And several residents spoke out against the proposed agreement - as written - at council's Service Committee meeting Thursday.
''The more and more I read about this, the more I think that this really isn't a good deal for the city of Pickerington,'' said Tony Barletta, a Pickerington resident. ''It looks like it's kind of one-sided and that concerns me - that maybe the best interests of Pickerington isn't being respected.''
Under the proposed agreement, the city and township would work jointly in any future commercial development within the township boundaries and Pickerington Local School District boundaries.
The agreement states the city and township will equally share all tax proceeds from the agreement remaining after any expenses.
Pickerington would give up ''actively'' encouraging the annexation of properties into the city for at least 10 years. The city could only encourage annexations through formal action by council, and a resolution by the township, under the proposal.
The agreement would remain in effect for 10 years and be automatically extended for 20 years unless the city and township agree to terminate the agreement within 90 days prior to the expiration date.
City Councilman Jeff Fix drafted the agreement. Mayor David Shaver selected Fix earlier this year to begin forging ties between the township and city.
''When I was out talking to people last fall (while campaigning), two things residents said they wanted was a balanced tax base and for us to stop fighting with the township,'' Fix said. ''This agreement allows for both.''
Fix said the city's leverage to attract non-retail economic development would come through partnering with the township.
''The township has many options in front of them and only one of those options is to work with Pickerington,'' he said. ''For us to give up our rights to annex residential property in exchange for being included in everything the township does ... is a reasonable trade.''
Some residents wanted to know why Fix was put in charge of such a ''big task.''
Bruce Angler said he's reviewed the credentials of the city's new director of development, Tim Hansley, and wanted to know why Hansley isn't involved in the drafting of such an agreement.
Hansley came on board months after Fix began talks with the township.
''I challenge that decision made by our mayor to allow a junior councilperson to negotiate such an important document,'' said Angler, who's involved in business and development. ''In our company, it would've never happened, and it shouldn't have happened in this city.''

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cont...

The proposal has met opposition from at least three council members, including Council President Brian Wisniewski.
''This agreement goes far beyond the tenure of this council and its members and ties the hands of all future administrations without due process,'' Wisniewski said during an presentation he made on the proposed agreement.
Wisniewski's assessment was based on findings in three studies:
TischlerBise Cost of Land Use Study:A fiscal, economic and consulting firm who worked with the city to prepare the report in 2005
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Traffic Analysis Zones and projects:MORPC's predictions for growth in eight areas in and around Pickerington and Violet Township
Partnership 2020 Update Report:Prepared by Mike Arcari and John McGory, development consultants for Violet Township and Canal Winchester.
Wisniewski said those studies are the ''only studies or information we have to base our decisions upon.''
''No financial study has been performed showing financial benefits or detriments regarding this agreement,'' Wisniewski said. ''We must not tie our hands for 30 years based on speculation.''
Fix, who traveled from Texas to Ohio on Thursday, arrived late at the meeting, following Wisniewski's presentation.
Fix reviewed the presentation following the meeting, and believes ''some points are valid'' and will be worked on.
''There's some things that (Wisniewski) is mistaken on or we just disagree,'' Fix said. ''I think we need to move it forward. It's a very good agreement, and I think there's some things that will be changed as we debate on council over the next couple of months.''
Prior to the meeting, Fix believed he had enough votes to get the agreement passed through Service Committee and on to council.
But Wisniewski's presentation had some committee members rethinking the agreement.
''I don't think the agreement's in any position to be moved out of service,'' said Councilwoman Heidi Riggs, who said it was the first time she'd seen the research presented in the studies. Riggs was supposed to be a sure vote on the Service Committee.
Riggs said she'd like to hear from city staff regarding the agreement, and invites the township to enter into the discussion.
''All I know is ... over 87 percent of our Pickerington school tax comes from residences; (13) percent comes from businesses, and we have a levy in front of us,'' Riggs said. ''We have high taxes, and we need to find a way to work together (with the township) and not apart.''
Wisniewski said he is ''not advocating fighting with the township'' and is ''in favor of working cooperatively with the township on a case-by-case basis.''
Council will continue the discussion on Oct. 24.

Lancaster Eagle Gazette

I see the LEG has the excerpts posted on their web site also. I tihnk the word is getting out.