What Makes What Makes
Transcription
What Makes What Makes
What Makes Powell... Your Home? Your Home? City of Powell Annual Report 2009 Letter to Residents Dear Residents, On behalf of the staff and elected and appointed officials of the City of Powell, we would like to thank you for taking the time to review this annual report, and more importantly, for making Powell the place you call home. We strive to make Powell a City of which you can be proud – one of high-quality services and fiscal responsibility; one of tree-lined streets and family-friendly parks; one of plentiful recreation opportunities and community events; and one of strong leadership and open communication. In the pages of this annual report, you’ll learn more about the characteristics that make Powell such a wonderful community, whether you live here, work here or both. You’ll learn about our accomplishments in the past year and what we look to achieve in the year ahead. We hope you will find this information useful and we thank you for taking the time to be informed about and involved in your community. Steve Lutz City Manager Tom Counts Mayor Photo by Klatte Photography 2 What Makes Powell... Welcoming? What, in your mind, makes the City of Powell your hometown? Is it our accredited police department that keeps the streets safe? Is it our parks and recreation department that offers a wide variety of classes and programs for all ages? Is it our finance department that makes sure your tax dollars are spent wisely? It is our development department that works to attract new business to the City while retaining its small-town charm? Whatever your reason, we hope you truly feel at home here. Powell is proud to offer quiet neighborhoods, peaceful walking and bike paths, friendly people, award-winning parks, renowned schools, a thriving business community and a quaint, inviting downtown. A dedicated preservation and beautification effort in 2009 earned Powell a Tree City USA designation for the 11th year by The National Arbor Day Foundation. Along with the day-to-day benefits of living here, the City offers several annual events that help make Powell a great place to raise a family, including the Memorial Day Parade, a Powell tradition and a patriotic slice of Americana; the Powell Festival, which celebrated its 13th year in 2009 and has grown to become one of central Ohio’s best entertainment destinations; the Community Bonfire, which offers the quintessential atmosphere for fall fun; and Holidays in Powell, a December staple that ushers in the holiday season with style. If you’re a longtime resident, you know that all of these things help make Powell a great place to live. If you’re new to the community, we hope you’ll enjoy discovering all that Powell has to offer. And if you’re looking for a place to put down roots, we proudly think your search ends here. Welcome home. 3 What Makes Powell... Well-Governed? Powell City Council serves as the legislative and policy-making body of the City of Powell. The City is run under the Council-Manager form of government; Council members assume leadership roles to act in the best interest of the community, while the City Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the City. The City Council is nonpartisan and consists of seven at-large members elected by the residents. Council members serve staggered four-year terms. All City Council members work full-time jobs elsewhere and serve on Council as a way to give back to their community. The City Council president (the Mayor) and vice president are chosen by Council members every even-numbered year. The Mayor serves as the presiding officer at all meetings of Council, and is recognized as the official head of the City for all ceremonial purposes. Committees of Council Development Committee Art Schultz, Chair Kevin Futryk Jim Hrivnak Dave Betz Steve Lutz 4 Finance Committee Richard Cline, Chair Tom Counts Dan Wiencek Steve Lutz Debra Miller Operations Committee Tom Counts, Chair Don Grubbs Steve Lutz Members of Powell City Council are, from left, Art Schultz, Richard Cline, Elmer Meider (resigned from Council as of 8/1/09; replaced by David Lackey), Mayor Tom Counts, Don Grubbs, Dan Wiencek and Jim Hrivnak. 2009 Boards and Commissions Historic Downtown Advisory Commission Thomas Coffey, Chair Larry Coolidge, Vice Chair Marge Bennett Richard Fusch Deb Howell Chris Meyers, Architectural Adviser The Historic Downtown Advisory Commission reviews architectural and design changes to structures within the Powell Historic District. When changes are proposed, the six-member commission reviews property owner plans to ensure compliance with design standards established for the Historic District. Planning and Zoning Commission Kevin Futryk, Chair Donald Emerick, Vice Chair Richard Fusch Jim Hrivnak Joseph Jester Bill Little Brian Lorenz The Powell Planning and Zoning Commission is composed of seven members who create longrange and short-term development plans, including the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The commission also maintains and adheres to the City Zoning Code, recommends Zoning Map changes to City Council and reviews all planned development proposals and applications within the City of Powell. Arbor Advisory Subcommittee Gary Bell Tim Gorrell Michael Neal This three-member board is responsible for overseeing the coordination of activities and programs that promote Powell as a tree-friendly city. Board of Zoning Appeals Ed Cooper, Chair Scott Beilharz Robert L. Hiles III The Powell Board of Zoning Appeals is a threemember board of residents that hears applications for variances and appeals if there is a zoning requirement that a property owner cannot meet, or if a property owner does not agree with an order of the Zoning Administrator or Building Commissioner. Personnel Board of Review John Randle Susan Redder Marty Traver, Ph.D. Records Commission George Kannapel Steve Lutz, Chairman, City Manager Debra Miller, Finance Director Gene Hollins, Law Director Susie Ross, City Clerk The City’s Records Commission is established pursuant to the rules and regulations of the State of Ohio. This Commission is responsible for establishing records retention schedules and disposal regulations. Tax Incentive Review Council Don Grubbs, City Council Representative Tom Crnko M Michela Council for Older Adults Jerome Driesen, M.D. Alice A. Frazier, M.D. Susan Lasley Delaware General Health District Representative Jill Love This three-member board is responsible for prescribing, amending and enforcing rules consistent with the City Charter and Council ordinances regarding civil service positions. 5 What Makes Powell... Relaxing? Whether your idea of relaxation is a quiet stroll along a wooded trail, a highenergy tennis match or pursuing a new hobby, the City of Powell’s Parks and Recreation Department offers plenty of ways to unwind in your free time. The City’s eight-plus miles of trails and approximately 85 acres of park land provide numerous opportunities for walking, biking, jogging and wildlife viewing. Need something to get the adrenaline flowing? Take on our 17,000square-foot skate park, or hit the court for a spirited game of basketball. The Parks and Recreation Department’s seasonal program guides provide an overview of the array of classes offered for all ages, from gymnastics, martial arts and golf for kids to organic gardening, art and fitness for adults, to name only a few. Several of the City’s most popular annual events are coordinated by the Parks and Recreation Department. Highlights from 2009 include the Easter Egg Hunt and Touch-a-Truck events, as well as the City’s Memorial Day parade, an annual tradition where residents line the streets to pay tribute to our veterans, past and present. The parade concludes with a ceremony at the Greater Powell Veterans Memorial at Village Green Park, which honors all branches of the armed forces and those who have served. Adjacent to the Veterans Memorial is our Splash Pad, perhaps the City’s most popular summer destination. The Splash Pad’s wet and wild water fun generates laughter that can be heard throughout the park. Summer also means the annual youth canoe trip and Lake Erie fishing excursion, both of which are coordinated through a partnership between the Parks and Recreation Department and the Powell Police Department. Whether organizing a summer camp, hosting a birthday party or keeping playgrounds in pristine condition, Powell’s Parks and Recreation Department works to give Powell residents one more reason to love living here. 6 2009 Highlights • Expanded the Powell Veterans Memorial in Village Green Park to include walkways. • Organized the City’s popular Easter Egg Hunt, Media Swap and Touch a Truck events. • Debuted Trunk to Treasure, a community yard sale and a boon for bargain hunters. • Expanded the popular Summer Camp program and added a Winter Break Camp. What Makes Powell... The hard work of the Powell Police Department and the honesty, dependability and integrity of its officers and administrators combine to make the City of Powell one of the safest communities in the country. Officers work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to keep the City’s streets safe. In 2009, the department took nearly 16,000 calls for service, which include all activity generated by officers as well as citizen requests for police response. The Department’s Patrol Division is composed of three shifts – first shift consists mainly of traffic enforcement, business checks and administrative duties; second shift officers are involved with traffic enforcement and frequently make appearances at public gatherings such as Scout Troop and Homeowners Association meetings; third shift is the driving force behind the Department’s Preventative Patrol program, looking for open garage doors, unlocked businesses and other risk factors of crime. Officers receive ongoing training to keep their law enforcement skills sharp and current. Patrolling the streets is not the only way that officers are visible within the community. In 2009, police personnel traded badges for aprons and grilled hundreds of hot dogs for the City’s Community Bonfire in the fall. The department organized a National Night Out gathering in August, provided traffic control at popular events such as the Powell Festival and Holidays in Powell, and distributed glow sticks for the City’s trick-or-treaters at Halloween. And Police Chief Gary Vest chaired a group of local high school, law enforcement and mental health agency personnel that organized the county’s first Teen Survivor Day, a program geared toward high school juniors and the social issues they may face on a daily basis. The day’s fast-paced assemblies at two high schools provided students with information on suicide, bullying and the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Safe? 2009 Highlights • Police Chief Gary Vest chaired a group of representatives from local law enforcement agencies, high schools and mental health agencies that organized motivational assemblies that reached more than 1,400 high school juniors in Delaware County. • Lt. Steve Hrytzik was named Deputy Chief. Deputy Chief Hrytzik has more than 18 years of experience with the Powell Police Department. • The Department joined forces with the Domestic Violence Awareness Project during the month of October to raise awareness and reduce tolerance of domestic violence. • The City hosted its first Veterans Day program. • The Department assisted the United States Marine Corps with its Toys for Tots program. • Ofc. Travis Dennison was named Officer of the Year; Det. Kevin Flaharty received a Medal of Commendation; Deputy Chief Steve Hrytzik and Ofcs. Ken Hiltz and Ben Boruchowitz received Lifesaving Awards; Deputy Chief Hrytzik and Ofc. Scott Sanford received Meritorious Service Awards; and Deputy Chief Hrytzik received a Safe Driver Award. 7 What Makes Powell... Communicating with Powell residents is a big part of the City’s day-to-day operations. And because every resident’s schedule is different, that communication has to stretch beyond the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekday business hours. With that in mind, the City offers a variety of communication methods that keep those who live in, do business in and visit Powell informed about the latest happenings. Whether you want to keep up with annual events or up-to-theminute news, the City’s Public Information Office uses a variety of methods throughout the year to make sure you’re in the know! Annually • The City’s pocket-sized Calendar of Events provides a 12-month overview of the City’s biggest activities, from the Powell Festival and Memorial Day Parade to the Community Bonfire and Lolli-Pops! Kids Concerts. • The Annual Report summarizes a year’s worth of City highlights, focusing on each City department and its accomplishments. It is mailed to all Powell residents and also posted on the City’s Web site, www.cityofpowell.us. Quarterly • The Powell Quarterly is a four-page, seasonal newsletter mailed to every Powell resident. The Quarterly features news articles on current topics, along with a featured entry from the Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District and City photos. (Note: The Annual Report takes the place of the spring issue of the Powell Quarterly.) Weekly • The City sends a weekly e-Newsletter to all who sign up via the City’s Web site to receive it. The e-Newsletter, sent each Friday, features information on the previous week’s meetings and events along with a preview of the coming week’s City calendar. Other City-related announcements are also included, and special e-Newsletters are sent in the event of “breaking” news. 8 Accessible? Daily • The City’s Web site is updated with information on a daily basis. There is a comprehensive calendar of events that can be accessed from the home page (www.cityofpowell.us) as well as an ever-changing “scrolling news bar” at the bottom of the home page that features the most up-to-date Powell news. • The City has its own Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CityofPowell) and Twitter account (@CityofPowellOH), where residents can find everything from event photos and meeting cancellations to road closures and weather alerts. Both can be updated 24/7 to provide residents with the latest news about their hometown. The City’s social media accounts were a joint creation of the City’s Public Information Office and students from the DECA program at Olentangy High School. 2009 Highlights • The City’s 2008 Annual Report received a first-place Savvy Award from the City-County Communications and Marketing Association at the group’s annual conference. The award was given in the Printed Publications category for cities with a population between 11,000 and 53,000. • The City was featured in Cities & Villages magazine in an article titled “Powell, Ohio – One of the Best Keeps Getting Better.” • A new public records search feature was introduced on the City’s Web site. • The City partnered with students from the Olentangy High School DECA program to create a Facebook page and Twitter account in an effort to better communicate with residents. What Makes Powell... How do you plan for positive growth in the community that will enrich the City’s commercial tax base while still maintaining the rural, small-town charm that appeals to so many City residents and business owners? That is the challenge set before the City of Powell’s Development Department. Department staff managed to stay busy in 2009, helping to bolster the commercial tax base through the annexation into the City of the Urban Active Fitness Center on Sawmill Parkway near Seldom Seen Road. In addition, the City began the process of annexing The Market at Liberty Crossing shopping center into Powell. The department also works to attract new businesses to Powell. In 2009, a partnership with TechColumbus resulted in the City’s first networking mixer for those wishing to “Grow Your Business in the City of Powell.” The event, hosted by Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club, drew more than 100 attendees. Taking another step toward nurturing commercial growth in Powell, the Development Department is working with other local entities, including TechColumbus and Historic Downtown Powell Inc., to create a business incubator in the City that will help new businesses get off the ground and flourish. In 2009, the department worked with The Ohio State University to complete a sustainability study for the City. The study is to be used as a reference point to help the City and its residents finance, implement and monitor sustainable development. A copy of the study is available on the City’s Web site, www. cityofpowell.us. Grow? 2009 Highlights • The City achieved Tree City USA status for the 11th consecutive year and conducted another Arbor Day program. The City Council has placed a priority on the planting and maintenance of public trees, and the City continues to strive for planting the right tree in the right place. • A City of Powell “Pocket Guide to Signs” was created to provide an overview of the City’s sign regulations to residents and business owners. • The City expanded its tax base by annexing Urban Active Fitness Center and entering into a preannexation agreement with The Market at Liberty Crossing. • The City hosted a TechColumbus networking mixer – “Grow Your Business in the City of Powell” – as a way to enhance the City’s economic development. • The City applied for an alternative energy grant that would provide funding for the installation of solar panel energy and insulation retrofits on the Municipal Building and Parks and Recreation Department facility. 9 What Makes Powell... Family Friendly? When looking for a place to call home, many families seek a community with a strong base of parks and activities, as well as one that sits within a solid school district. The City of Powell has the best of both worlds. Our eight parks – Adventure Park, Arbor Ridge Park, Beechwood Park, Library Park, Meadowview Park, Murphy Park, Oak Park and Village Green Park – offer countless opportunities to spend quality time with your kids as they grow. Bike together, have a game of catch, fly a kite or catch some fish – those are just a few of the activities that are a stone’s throw from Powell’s neighborhoods. The City calendar is filled with events that promise fun for all ages, and new events are being added each year. In 2009, the City partnered with Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club to host Powell’s inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Party. The luck of the Irish was in full force as a warm, sunny day drew hundreds to Kinsale for a day of Irish food, music, dancing and plenty of other family activities. Family fun followed at the City’s other annual events, including the Easter Egg Hunt, Touch a Truck, Media Swap, Memorial Day Parade and Community Bonfire, to name a few. After a one-year hiatus, the Lolli-Pops! Kids Concert Series returned, attracting “the stroller set” to the Village Green Park Amphitheater for lively, musical mornings in June, July and August. 2009 Highlights • Worked with Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club to organize the City’s first St. Patrick’s Day Party. • The popular Lolli-Pops! Kids Concert Series returned to the Village Green Amphitheater stage after a oneyear hiatus. Hundreds turned out for concerts by The Marvelous Toy, Thaddeus Rex and Mouse Trap. • Family events sponsored, co-sponsored and/or coordinated by the City during the year included the Easter Egg Hunt, Touch a Truck, Memorial Day Parade, Powell Festival, Community Bonfire, National Night Out, Veterans Day Program and Holidays in Powell. 10 The City again worked with Historic Downtown Powell Inc. to bring other family attractions back in 2009. The Powell Festival continues to grow, with thousands enjoying two days of food, rides and music, all culminating in a blockbuster fireworks display. And Holidays in Powell kick-started the holiday season with festive crafts for all ages, storytelling and the official City tree lighting. Building on a solid family-oriented foundation, the City of Powell is home to outstanding schools. The Olentangy Local School District, which serves the City, has been given an “Excellent with Distinction” rating (the highest possible) in its most recent Annual Report on Academic Achievement. And Village Academy, a private school system serving students and their families from preschool through high school, is known for its high academic standards and individualized approach to education. 11 What Makes Powell... Clean? To answer that question in fewer than 10 words, it’s the City’s Building, Engineering, and Public Service departments. Staff members from these departments act as the “teams behind the scenes,” keeping roads clear in the winter, planting flowers in the spring, making sure streets and sidewalks are properly maintained, assuring that City buildings are up to code inside and out and tackling a variety of other duties year round that give Powell the pristine appearance that is so valued by residents. Among the jobs performed by the City’s public service department are: • Addressing street light outages • Repairing damage to roadways (includes filling potholes) • Removing dead animals from the public right of way • Taking care of all park maintenance issues, and keeping the splash pad in operation • Hanging banners on downtown light posts • Addressing drainage concerns • Plowing and salting roads in the winter to remove snow and ice The Public Service staff tackled some new projects in 2009. In January, crews started regularly removing snow and ice from City bikepaths. And in June, ash trees citywide were treated to prevent damage from the emerald ash borer. Of the 492 ash trees in the City, 129 were treated in 2009, in various sections of the City. The work of the City’s Engineering Department can be seen by anyone driving, jogging or walking through Powell. In addition to inspecting all privately installed public improvements, the department coordinates the City’s Capital Improvements Program each year (which includes work done on streets, sidewalks and culverts) and works with the Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District to ensure that federally mandated storm water regulations are being met. In addition, sidewalk assessments are conducted each year by the department in an effort to keep public sidewalks and driveway approaches safe Citywide. 12 2009 Highlights • The City received the Certificate of Appreciation award from DKMM for its curbside recycling program. • Trees were treated for the emerald ash borer in the downtown area, along Grace Drive, Bennett Parkway, Zion Drive and at Murphy Park. • The City adopted revised procedures relating to the annual sidewalk repair program. • The City awarded contracts for its 2009 Capital Improvements Program, which included street and sidewalk work around the City as well as a culvert replacement project in The Retreat. All structures and buildings within the City of Powell must conform to set standards during all phases of construction, renovation and alteration. It is the job of the City’s Building Department to make sure all of those standards are met or exceeded. In 2009, the Building Department issued 32 building permits for new single-family homes in Powell, along with 28 remodeling permits. There were 167 commercial building permits issued for the year. Those numbers are a bit lower than 2008 numbers, which were 41 single-family home permits, 33 remodeling permits and 207 commercial building permits issued. 13 What Makes Powell... Fiscally The City’s Finance Department is assigned the task of making the best use of taxpayer dollars, a duty the department staff takes very seriously. The Finance Department staff strives to keep spending to a minimum while providing the maximum level of service to City residents. The City prides itself on spending conservatively, a practice that was reflected in several ways in 2009. In April, the city received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), a nonprofit professional association that serves approximately 17,500 government finance professionals. The award was given for the City’s 2008 budget. In November, the GFOA awarded Powell its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The City received the award for the third consecutive year. In July, Powell was recognized by the Auditor of State Mary Taylor’s office for excellent financial accountability. The “Making Your Tax Dollars Count” award is received by fewer than 5 percent of all Ohio government agencies, and Taylor said the award is meant to recognize “those that place a high priority on financial accountability.” The City, which received the award for its fiscal year 2007 audit, also received the award in 2008. Powell’s conservative spending is reflected in its “AA+” bond rating and also shows in its staff ; the City’s ratio of 4.49 staff members per 1,000 residents is among the lowest in central Ohio. Also among the lowest in the region is the City’s .75 percent income tax, which continues to be the biggest source of income for the City. In 2009, the Finance Department worked with City Council’s Finance Committee to develop possible methods for funding future capital improvements projects within the City. Such projects would allow Powell to maintain the quality of life to which residents have become accustomed. Work on such a funding mechanism has continued in 2010. 14 Conservat 2009 Highlights • Recognized the retirement of Assistant Finance Director (and former Finance Director) Nan Metz in February. • Received the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. • The City was recognized for excellent financial accountability by the Auditor of State. Fewer than 5 percent of all Ohio government agencies receive this distinction. • Worked with City Council’s Finance Committee and a citizen-based Capital Improvements Committee to devise ways to fund future capital improvements in Powell. ive? Expenses 2009 Administrative, Council, Public Information 8% Adding to Restricted Reserve, Transfers 6% Building, Development, Engineering 17% Public Service, Parks & Recreation 16% Police Department 34% Finance, Lands & Building 12% Information Technology, Other Charges 7% $ 220,132 $ 144,670 $ 107,472 $ 472,273 $ 435,836 $ 241,734 $ 323,997 $ 1,001,567 $ 486,706 $ 200,167 $ 686,873 $ 151,221 $ 259,044 $ 410,265 $ 2,049,009 $ 2,049,009 $ 547,361 $ 400,547 $ 947,908 $ — $ 370,160 $ 370,160 Total General Fund Expenditures 2009 $ 5,938,055 Other Revenue 8% Revenue 2009 Income Tax Individual Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Withheld Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Corporate Income Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Local Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Development Related Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total Revenue Administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Public Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Subtotal Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Subtotal Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lands & Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Subtotal Information Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Subtotal Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Subtotal Public Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parks & Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Subtotal Adding to Restricted Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transfers to Other Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Subtotal $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 2,528,860 1,252,602 216,233 1,161,000 48,876 378,413 513,919 6,099,902 Development Related Revenue 6% Individual IncomeTaxes 41% Local Revenue 1% Other Taxes 19% Corporate IncomeTaxes 4% Withheld Income Taxes 21% 15 What Makes Powell... Home? You! PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 30 www.cityofpowell.us The City of Powell 47 Hall Street Powell, Ohio 43065 Phone 614.885.5380 Fax 614.885.5339 www.cityofpowell.us Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM