If City Council and staff thought the parking situation on Firestone Drive was settled then they were mistaken after the final meeting of the year.
Lisa Mercer said Thursday night that she was out of the loop about local requests to limit parking on Firestone Drive from Gold Dust Court to Delaware Drive. The city decided to limit parking on the north side of the road after receiving feedback from the public during committee and council meetings.
Mercer said she closed on the home three months ago and received no notification. Now the parking ban has forced vehicles to park on the south side of the road, which obstructs her view when exiting the driveway.
“Now you jeopardize my life, my family,” she said.
The family has more vehicles than the average homeowner in the subdivision as Mercer’s parents live at the residence. Therefore, neighbors parking on the south side reduce parking options for Mercer and her family. She said the mailbox, a lamppost and a speed bump also limit options.
She asked council to delayed the ban until the issue was resolved. But City Attorney Darren Shulman said the matter couldn’t be handled at the meeting as it must go through the process.
City engineer Bill Ferrigno offered some quick fixes such as moving the mailbox across the street.
In other business, council approved the following:
• The 2017 budget, which includes an end fund balance of $3,686,212, or 17.09 percent of expenditures — meeting council’s target of 17 percent. The budget includes a police officer to coordinate with the newly created Delaware Community Coalition, re-establish a project engineer and zoning technician (which was eliminated in 2009 because of the housing downturn), speed calming initiative and additional transfers into the Capital Improvement Fund to address road maintenance, a comprehensive plan update and capital improvement plan improvements.
• A final supplement for 2016 appropriations including a transfer of $722,973 from the general fund with $550,000 towards the capital improvement plan, $157,973 to the general reserve fund and $15,000 for income tax refunds.
• Two separate legislative items regarding pay and benefits for part-time, seasonal and non-union employees as reflected in the proposed 2017 budget. Employees would receive a 2-percent increase in wages. Permanent part-time and non-union employees would receive a 20-percent discount for city recreation programs. Non-union employees will have optional vision coverage. The department head pay plan has been redefined within three pay grades with amounts to be determined at a later date.
• Amending the municipal court and clerk of court’s 2017 employee benefit and leave policies. Proposed changes include observing the half-day on the Friday before Christmas and New Year’s Day; increasing the parks and recreation credit to $60 and the addition of assignment commissioner/jury commissioner position.
• A resolution to accept contract changes with the Department of Public Works/Public Utilities, Parks and Natural Resources; FOP Clerical group; and Water/Wastewater Plant Operator group. Contracts for all three parties will expire at the end of the year. Changes include a 1.9-percent wage increase for the FOP Clerical group will receive in the first year, followed by a 2-percent increase for the next two years. The other two parties will receive a 2-percent wage increase for each of the next three years.
• Legislation to allow the city have memorandum of understanding with the Fire Chiefs Association of Delaware County for the use of self-contained breathing apparatuses fit test equipment. The association now owns two that are obsolete but look to replace them through the Ohio Development Services Agency and Local Government Safety Capital grant program.
• A resolution to appoint Andy Volenik to the Planning Commission with his term to end on Dec. 31, 2017; and John Rybka to the Civil Service Commission with his term expiring on Nov. 30, 2019.
