Mayor Jody Carney reads a proclamation recognizing outgoing council members for their service and dedication to the village. Pictured, from left, are Council member Sherry Heineman, Carney, Council member Lauren Giaimo and Council member Shannon Pine. Each outgoing member also shared comments thanking fellow council members and residents for their support during their tenure. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kayleen Petrovia)
During Plain City Council’s last planned meeting of the year, village staff presented their plans for the future.
Village Administrator Haley Lupton shared a list of staff goals for 2022 and beyond.
A number of objectives for the new year revolve around improving Plain City’s infrastructure.
Lupton wrote that staff aims for the wastewater treatment plant groundbreaking to occur early this summer with “partial completion” of the project by the year end.
She noted that the reconstruction of Noteman, Shepper, Converse and North roads is slated to begin by August.
Additionally, Lupton wrote that the construction and opening of a public works building on Jackson Street will occur by early September.
A basketball and pickleball court in Pastime Park will also be reconstructed by the end of the year, Lupton wrote.
Several goals will also guide zoning and development efforts in the area.
Lupton wrote that staff is aiming for implementation of the zoning code, which is currently being rewritten, in 2022. The goal includes “successful communication and public input on the updates.”
Additionally, the administrator indicated that staff would like to complete an Uptown Development Plan, with “Streetscape Phase II” successfully designed and reconstructed by the end of the year.
OHM Advisors, an engineering and planning firm, will complete a “high-level design” of the Uptown that will guide future development, Lupton said during council’s December work session.
Likewise, Lupton has previously said staff hopes to complete branding during the first half of the year, which will be used for a redesign of the website during the second half of 2022.
Efforts to bolster staff retention will also be continued in 2022.
Lupton wrote that renewed staff succession and compensation plans will be in place by the end of the year. Council conducted an in-house staffing study which council approved in November, though it will be updated next year by a consultant.
The study currently projects that eight positions will be added to village staff by 2024.
Staff is also planning to continue to host “traditional village events,” including the Easter Egg Hunt, Fourth of July, Farmers Market, Fall Festival and Christmas Under the Clock.
Lupton also listed a number of ongoing goals without a date attached to them.
Goals beyond 2022 include: increasing connectivity, investing in new and existing village parks, implementing partnerships to help expand industrial infrastructure, registering residents for an emergency contact system, reconstruction “main village connectors” Main Street and Chillicothe Street and succession planning for staff retirement.
In other business:
– Mayor Jody Carney read a proclamation thanking outgoing council members Lauren Giaimo, Sherry Heineman and Shannon Pine for their service to the village.
Each council member also spoke to their peers and residents in attendance, thanking them for their support. Giaimo, Heineman and Pine each said they plan to stay involved in village happenings.
– Council unanimously approved motions to appoint Curtis Hundley to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Tyler Harriman to the planning and zoning commission.
– Council unanimously approved a resolution approving lump sum, holiday bonus payments of $200 for full-time village employees and $100 for part-time staff members.
– Council approved a motion certifying a Community Reinvestment Area abatement application to go before the Jonathan Alder Local School District Board of Education.
The abatement would provide a 100% tax exemption of the assessed valuation of the property at 213 S. Chillicothe Street for 12 years, for commercial operations.
The property, which formerly operated at the village’s municipal buildings, was purchased by The West Element earlier this year. Company owners Andy Warnock and Rayce Robinson intend to convert the buildings into a co-working office space.
If the abatement is approved by Jonathan Alder officials, it will appear before council once again for final approval.