Groveport Messenger - October 31st, 2021

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PAGE 2 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - October 31, 2021 A FREE ESTIMATE 15 10 5 YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE * % % % OFF + OFF + OFF Serving Your Community Malek & ATTORNEYS AT LAW Malek Proudly Announcing Adding New Attorneys To Serve You! WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PERSONAL INJURY WRONGFUL DEATH SLIP & FALL INJURY DOG BITE INJURY SENIOR & MILITARY DISCOUNTS | Promo Number: 285 Since 1972 YEAR-ROUND CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE 1-855-995-2490 TO THE FIRST 50 CALLERS! ** Prepare for unexpected power outages with a Generac home standby generator REQUEST A FREE QUOTE! 844-334-8353 FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value! Limited Time Offer - Call for Details Special Financing Available Subject to Credit Approval *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. Douglas, Ed, Jim and Kip Malek “Hablamos Español” FREE Initial Consultation www.maleklawfirm.com 614-444-7440 1227 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43206 www.columbusmessenger.com Former church has a new owner By Rick Palsgrove Groveport Editor Some smaller scale development plans are being made in the area of Groveport’s historic downtown. Historic former church sold According to Groveport Development Director Jeff Green, the historic former Groveport Presbyterian Church, 275 College St., has been purchased by Mark Ours of MODE Architects. In a written report to Groveport City Council, Green said MODE Architects is currently located in German Village in Columbus and Ours plans to move the business into the former church once renovations are completed. “Plans are to restore the interior to its original state and use the space for studios, meeting space, and offices,” said Green. The Groveport Presbyterian Church congregation conducted its final worship services in the building last July. The church had served the community since 1853. Former hot rod shop In a written report to Groveport City Council, Green said Dr. Alec Land of the Groveport-Canal Animal Hospital, purchased the former Floyd’s Hot Rod Shop building, which is located on the southwest corner of Main Street and Wirt Road. Green indicated Land is working with Avery Ward BAND Continued from page 1 “Our big strength this year is the wonderful work ethic and determination of the students,” said the Groveport Madison High School band director. “They receive critique, work hard to improve, and their hard work continues to pay off. Our students are truly proud, ecstatic, and are determined to keep working hard through the remaining time until state finals.” Reaching the state band finals after the challenges SUSPECTS Continued from page 1 Gilbert said the suspect, a 36-year-old Columbus man, was located by partnering with other law enforcement agencies from areas where he had allegedly stolen other trailers, sharing information to include surveillance images and other intelligence, as well as tracking the suspect through the locations of his cellular phone. “This suspect is linked to numerous enclosed trailer thefts across three different counties,” said Gilbert. “Charges will be filed.” According to Gilbert, the suspect allegedly admitted during an interview that he shaves off the VIN from the trailers, paints them with exterior housing paint, and sells them, usually making any where from $2,000 to $4,000 per trailer. “Detective Gilbert obtained a confession regarding this large dollar theft of a trailer and tools from Eastland Career Center and, again, we are waiting on the Franklin County Grand Jury to go through the indictment reading process to officially charge the suspect,” said Adams. When asked how people can secure trailers so thieves cannot drive off with them, Gilbert said, “Most of these trailers contained locks on them in an attempt to stop the suspect from hooking up to them, but he would simply cut the lock. It’s recommended to place something in front of your trailer so thieves can’t back up to it or secure it indoors or a fenced in area. This suspect checks them for GPS tracking units and would of Little Italy restaurant to develop plans for the former hot rod shop site. “Avery has an interest in expanding the restaurant and Dr. Land has interest to expand his practice as well as provide some additional retail, office, and possibly residential space,” wrote Green. “The primary impediment to moving forward with any development of the site is parking.” Green said city staff is meeting with Land and Ward, as well as their architects, to discuss “ways to address the issue and allow the development to proceed.” Income tax revenue The city of Groveport’s income tax revenue year-todate as of Sept. 30 was $13.1 million, which is 10 percent higher than the same time in 2020, according to city of Groveport Finance Director Jason Carr. Income tax revenues year-to-date comprise 61 percent of all city total revenues. Carr also noted the city’s general fund balance as of Sept. 30 is nearly $1.9 million higher compared to the same time last year. Upcoming legislation Groveport City Council is considering legislation that would increase greens fees and golf cart rental rates at the Groveport Municipal Golf Course as well as increases to the non-resident rate to the outdoor Aquatic Center pool. Both items will be discussed at council’s Nov. 15 committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the municipal building, 655 Blacklick St. of dealing with the COVID pandemic for an extended time is a big accomplishment for the band. It will also be the first time appearing in the state finals for the sophomore and freshman students. “Our students’ work ethic will continue to push us through having a successful year and continuing the tradition of a successful band program,” said the band director. cut them from the trailer after stealing them.” Catalytic converter thefts Recently thieves have been stealing catalytic converters by cutting them off of vehicles and then selling them for the metals the devices contain. “Catalytic converters contain three precious metals - platinum, palladium and rhodium - which are extremely valuable at scrap yards,” said Gilbert. Gilbert said the thieves typically like to target box trucks and other commercial vehicles as their catalytic converters are more valuable and usually each vehicle has two catalytic converts. On personal vehicles they target SUVs and trucks because they are easy to crawl under to get to the catalytic converters. He said the catalytic converter thefts are occurring mainly in Groveport’s warehouse districts, but some thefts have happened in residential neighborhoods and at the Groveport Recreation Center. “This is an extremely difficult crime to stop as the suspects hit random vehicles and there is no link between the suspect and the victims,” said Gilbert. “Using a battery powered saw the crime is very quick and virtually impossible to stop.” Gilbert said there is legislation working its way through the Ohio Statehouse to attempt to regulate the scrapping of catalytic converters without some form of proof of ownership as well as limit the scrap yards from giving cash for the converters.
www.columbusmessenger.com Groveport’s 2022 budget reflects streamlined finances By Rick Palsgrove Groveport Editor The city of Groveport’s 2022 budget is leaner than in year’s past. However, city officials said there will be no loss of services nor are any projects being postponed. Budget overview “The proposed 2022 budget reflects continued investment in public infrastructure improvements and the continuation of quality services provided to the community,” said Groveport City Administrator B.J. King. “All combined, the 2022 budget shows a reduction of nearly $8 million when compared to the overall budget for 2021.” Total estimated appropriations for 2022 are $41.9 million, which is down about 16 percent from $49.9 million in 2021. Since there will be no loss of services or projects in the reduced budget, what kinds of things were cut instead? “This budget cycle directors did a tremendous job of identifying budgets they can operate within,” said King. “Discussions were held with each director to determine how critical certain items for their budget. We will still have an annual road improvement program, will complete sidewalk repairs, will continue brush and leaf pickup, and so on…This budget truly targets the needs of the city.” Total estimated generated revenues for 2022 are $35.7 million, which is down 7.9 percent from $38.8 million in 2021. “The anticipated combined revenue for all funds is down $3.1 million,” said King. “However, the issuance of debt last year, which is considered revenue, skews the total estimated revenue for 2021. The reduced revenue is attributed to the reduction of debt proceeds issued in 2021 for the construction of the two new Main Street buildings. Debt proceeds must be reflected in a budget as revenue, which was the case in 2021.” The general fund revenue for 2021 is estimated at $16.4 million, which is up from $15.7 million in 2021. The bulk of this funding comes from income tax revenue, which is projected to be $14.8 million in 2022 compared to $14.2 million in 201. Other estimated 2022 revenues include $514,800 from property taxes and various o amounts in other fund categories including Funds budgeted for interior of the new Main Street buildings By Rick Palsgrove Groveport Editor Groveport City Council plans to appropriate an additional $1.2 million towards the completion of the two new mixed use commercial buildings being constructed on Main Street. The money will fund the interior build outs of the structures. “The city is providing basic fixed equipment that will stay in the building in the event one of the tenants leaves,” said Groveport Development Director Jeff Green. “The tenants will provide most of their own equipment.” Green said the type of equipment the city is purchasing includes hoods, sinks, and walk-in coolers. “The city is not paying for interior design,” said Green. “The city has negotiated with the tenants to provide a ‘warm vanilla shell’ that will include restrooms and drywall. Then tenants will pay for their own designs and ‘front of house’ finishes and all furniture and fixtures.” When asked why the additional $1.2 million cost was not appropriated at the start of the project, Green said, “Because in our negotiations with the tenants, it became clear that their expectations were a lot more than our contract with Miller- Valentine (the contractor) provided. This has been the final point of our tenant negotiations - trying to determine ‘Landlord’s Work vs. Tenants’ Work.’ Miller-Valentine is constructing the basic shell.” Green added that the second floor interior of the buildings will be completed once the first floor is complete and the tenants are moved in and in operation. “We anticipate part of the basic finishing of the second floors will be part of the 2023 budget,” said Green. Green said construction is progressing on the 14,145 square foot Rarey’s Port (674 Main St.) and the 12,184 square foot Wert’s Grove (480 Main St.) buildings that are part of the city of Groveport’s 1847 Main Project. Construction is expected to be completed on the buildings in the spring of 2022. The steel skeleton of the Rarey’s Port building is visible and the steel framing began on the Wert’s Grove structure. In a written report to Groveport City Council, Green said steel arrived on the Wert’s Grove site slowly and the steelworkers’ union is “experiencing serious labor shortages” due to the volume of construction work going on nationwide that has increased demand on “a workforce already spread thin.” “For this reason, progress on both our buildings has been slower than anticipated because of the number of workers they’re able to have on this job,” wrote Green in his report to council. “Once the roof decking is complete on the Rarey’s Port building, (the contractor) anticipates they will be able to pull some workers of that project and start erecting steel at Wert’s Grove.” About the 1847 Main Project The cost to construct the two, two-story buildings is approximately $7.6 million. It is funded by a combination of non-tax revenue See MAIN, page 12 grants, taxes, leases, fees, and permits. Capital improvement projects Significant projects and purchases proposed for 2022 include: •$300,000 for street maintenance; •$185,000 for a two and a half ton snow truck and $140,000 for a front end loader; •$1 million for cart path replacement and $600,000 for a maintenance building at the Groveport Municipal Golf Course; •$420,000 for the Hickory and Brook alleys storm alley drainage project; •$188,000 for safety improvements at Groveport Road and State Route 317; •$30,000 for sidewalk replacements; •$70,000 for curb ramp upgrades on Main Street; •$15,000 for Marketing Place reconstruction and $15,000 for Director’s Boulevard reconstruction; •$1.2 million for interior build outs on the new Rarey’s Port and Wert’s Grove buildings on Main Street. Other proposed appropriations The proposed 2022 general fund appropriations are estimated at $20.1 million, which is up from $18.2 million in 2021. Groveport Garden Club The Groveport Garden Club meets the first Tuesday each month at Groveport Zion Lutheran Church, 6014 Groveport Road. Call Marylee Bendig at (614) 218-1097. October 31, 2021 - GROVEPORT MESSENGER - PAGE 3 Some other proposed 2020 appropriations: •Revenue sharing with Groveport Madison Schools, $1.3 million; •Various parks improvements, $75,000; •Funding for festivals in 2022 includes $50,275 for the Fourth of July; $19,000 for Christmas - A Heritage Holiday; $25,086 for Apple Butter Day; and $4,000 for the Halloween block party; and •$25,000 donation to Motts Military Museum. “The Motts Military Museum is a tremendous asset for the community as it serves as a tourist destination,” said King. Council is considering authorizing an annual $25,000 donation to Motts Military Museum for each of the next five years. Groveport City Council will vote on the 2022 budget at its Nov. 8 meeting. 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Groveport Messenger - October 31st, 2021

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