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2002 Upper Arlington Annual Report
The following links are pdf files from the original 2002 Annual Report:
City Manager Message | City Council | Master Plan | Business & Development | FinancialReport | Awards
City Manager's Message
While the reasons may vary, I believe we all share an appreciation for the quality of life we are able to enjoy in Upper Arlington, and that we share the desire to continue our traditions of excellence. But we also recognize the challenges and issues we must address to protect what we cherish over the coming years.
To that end, the past year was a busy and memorable one for Upper Arlington. With the pledge not to allow our Master Plan to sit on a shelf gathering dust, we explored new and innovative ways to implement and realize the goals contained within it, much like fitting the pieces of a puzzle together to find the right balance. In 2002, some of these goals began to evolve from concepts to tangible projects and realities. The pieces are starting to come together, as our 2002 Annual Report will show.
Financially, the City enjoyed a good year, with a slight revenue increase, but we have reason for caution as we face uncertain economic times and other national events, a reduction in the statewide Local Government Fund, and the possible reduction or elimination of estate tax. Conservative projections for the 2003-2004 budget, allow the City to meet its financial obligations, yet enjoy some flexibility should additional revenues be received.
Upper Arlington enjoyed numerous successes in the economic development arena in 2002, despite the challenges we face as a mature, landlocked suburb within Central Ohio. As outer-ring suburbs expand, there is increasing competition for community investment, State and Federal grants, and other resources. To address this, Upper Arlington is now part of the Central Ohio First Suburbs, whose goal is to effect change in state policy to benefit inner-ring suburbs — from revised building codes and investment that facilitates redevelopment, to financial assistance for business retention and expansion programs.
The community enjoyed exceptional recreation programming, facilities and events again in 2002, and steps were taken to further improve and expand this important part of community life:
• Local inline skaters got a taste of what could be, as an introductory series of jumps and obstacles were installed within a small skate park at Reed Road Park.
• Our youth and teens will soon enjoy new and exciting programming as the Parks & Recreation Department works to meet the needs of this valuable segment of our population.
• Significant progress was made to bring our three outdoor pools back to their former glory. The City and Schools agreed to dissolve the Pool Trust and transfer ownership to the City. Once finalized, plans are underway to transform these community assets in the coming years.
• As part of the pools agreement, the City will soon install much-needed athletic fields at Burbank Park.
The City again enjoyed low crime rates thanks to an exceptional Police Division. Technology advanced services, with installation of mobile data computers in police vehicles, and a sizeable grant from the State of Ohio Office of Criminal Services will soon allow officers in the field to quickly access files from five other local jurisdictions.
A successful fundraising campaign to enhance the computer software for our Kind Call Program was boosted by City funds, expediting purchase of The Communicator. Installed and implemented at the end of the year, The Communicator has the potential to serve residents far beyond the scope of Kind Call.
In addition to a busy road improvement season, 446 wheel chair ramps were re-built to bring the City into compliance with federal guidelines, and at the close of the second of a five-year schedule for ramp upgrades, the City is almost halfway to its total target of 2,500.
Renovation work continued on the Municipal Services Center. We have a brighter, shinier public building that better serves our customers and meets the changing needs of Staff. The coming year will bring the final phase in improvements, with new furnishings for the Council Chamber, an enhanced sound system, and improvements to parking lots and exterior lighting.
The City and the Chamber implemented its year-round community awareness campaign, “Live in UA? Shop in UA!” designed to remind us all to support local retail and service providers so that they stay here and continue to enrich our lives.
As the puzzle pieces of our Master Plan start to become tangible concepts, some projects and issues can and will serve as lightening rods for the community. Certain projects, by their very nature, spark vigorous community discussion and differing opinions on the best way forward.
These dialogues are not a reflection of a broken system, but the result of a healthy, dynamic community. A place where our leaders have vision and are willing to seek out and implement new approaches to the issues before them. It’s a place where our residents are educated, informed and not afraid to come forward with their own position on an issue.
But our Master Plan must and will remain the cornerstone for new ideas and community dialogue. As community leaders move on to new challenges, as residents and corporate citizens come and go, and as the world around us changes, we have established for ourselves an overriding set of goals to assure our long-term future and fiscal stability. How these goals are realized is the challenging part of the puzzle that is before us today.
Sincerely,
Virginia Barney
City Manager
City Council
Upper Arlington’s City Council is comprised of seven citizens elected at-large to serve a maximum of two four-year terms. The Council selects a President and Vice President from among its ranks to serve two-year terms. The President of Council presides over City Council meetings and serves as Mayor for ceremonial duties. The Vice President assumes the duties of the President in his/her absence.
Council’s responsibilities include reviewing, deliberating and taking action on legislation, as well as establishing policies for the City. The Council hires the City Manager, City Attorney and Clerk of Council.
At the beginning of 2002, City Council was joined by its newest member, Jeffrey Kurz, with Clark Pritchett and James Winfree beginning second terms, and Linda Mauger beginning her first full term in office. David Varda was selected by his fellow Council members to serve a third term as President, and Clark Pritchett assumed the role of Vice President.
In January 2003, David Varda submitted his resignation as a City Council member due to a possible conflict of interest that could have arisen between his new full-time position of Deputy State Auditor and his part-time City Council position. City Council selected Clark Pritchett to complete the term of President and James Winfree to complete the term of Vice President, and began its search for a new City Council member to complete Mr. Varda’s un-expired term.
City Council identified and took action on several key goals in 2002:
Master Plan
Work continued to implement strategies of the master Plan:
• The City adopted and implemented the Unified Development Ordinance.
• In 2002, City Council passed 178 ordinances that met with Master Plan objectives.
• City Council accepted the revised Transportation Plan.
• The City worked in conjunction with the private sector to encourage the redevelopment of the Kingsdale Shopping Center and other commercial districts. The City pursued an opportunity to purchase the Kingsdale core, but terminated the purchase contract in January 2003 once details indicated the purchase was not in the City’s best interest.
Financial Review Committee
City Council established the Financial Review Committee to review the budget process, identify potential financial challenges, and develop revenue-seeking strategies. As a result, the City was able to prepare a balanced 2003-2004 budget, and additional funds were identified to extend the City’s Capital Improvements Program through 2009.
Proposed Community Center
Council directed Staff to continue investigating the feasibility of a community
center, bringing the issue to conclusion at the November election.
Master Plan
Since its adoption in March 2001, much work has been undertaken to implement and realize the goals of the Master Plan, to ultimately preserve and enhance the community’s overall quality of life while assuring fiscal stability over the long term. In the spring of 2002, City Staff produced its first Master Plan Annual Report, outlining achievements from the previous year, with significant progress made on many of the 184 strategies.
The interpretation and implementation of the Master Plan will take many decades, dependent on changing market forces as redevelopment opportunities arise, and as the needs and desires of the citizenry evolves. To that end, the Master Plan must remain a flexible, living, breathing document that is reviewed over time to keep it current, realistic and attainable. Preparation of the annual report provides a convenient means to monitor progress over the short-term and to identify unexpected issues and developments that may require adjustments within the document.
Unified Development Ordinance
City Council adopted the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) on April 22, 2002, making Upper Arlington one of the first communities in the Midwest to implement this form of Zoning Code. Coordinated by the Development Department, the UDO document represents a major review of
the City’s Zoning Code, and a significant Master Plan goal.
The UDO merges the zoning, subdivision and related development provisions into a single ordinance, simplifying the development approval process, and providing a more user-friendly process. It has been well received by both staff and customers alike.
It addresses all development regulation strategies recommended by the Master Plan, including:
• The creation of overlay zoning districts for the City’s commercial areas, known as Planned Mixed-Use Developments, setting the stage for future redevelopment to better serve the community as a whole and maximize the tax base potential.
• Residential conservation guidelines.
• Street and walkway connectivity and pedestrian orientation.
• Commercial design standards and guidelines.
• Zoning incentives.
• Multi-family design standards.
• Increased landscaping and screening standards for commercial development.
Kingsdale Shopping Center
At its September 9 meeting, City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a Letter of Understanding with Regency Centers, LLC for the purchase of 14.248 acres of land at the Kingsdale Shopping Center for $12.65 million. The parcel of land included Goodyear, Swan Cleaners and Steinmart, running north to immediately south of Lazarus, including parking lots on both sides (east and west).
As is standard in the real estate industry, the purchase agreement included a due diligence phase, enabling the City to review information it could not otherwise have accessed, such as tenant leases, environmental studies, infrastructure,and structural integrity. In December, the due diligence phase was extended to January 31, 2003 in order to complete the necessary research.
On January 27, 2003 and based on Staff’s recommendation, City Council terminated the purchase agreement. Through the due diligence period, it became apparent that certain parameters or requirements within some tenant leases reduced the amount of control the City would have had over the piece of land being purchased. While these issues could likely be resolved given the right set of circumstances, it was not feasible within the due diligence timeframe, which could not be extended further. A situation such as this is not unusual for a commercial real estate transaction of such complexity.
In order to finance the purchase, the City had issued a renewable one-year note. Now reinvested, it is anticipated that interest received from these monies will repay a significant portion of the $268,813 interest due when the note expires. Any balance due will come from the City’s Economic Development Fund.
Had the City completed the purchase, this short-term investment would have represented a significant milestone in realizing the Master Plan vision of creating a thriving town center at Kingsdale, valued for its central location within a strong residential community, intensifying land use and maximizing commercial tax base potential. While not the only scenario suggested, the Master Plan recognizes that land purchase is an effective means to secure control on how a site is redeveloped. As the property owner, the City would then have competitively selected a development team to meet its redevelopment goals.
In the coming months, the City and Regency Centers, LLC will continue to review and discuss options, assuring that the Kingsdale redevelopment remains a primary goal for Upper Arlington.
Proposed Community Center
At the request of many members of the community, the City continued to investigate the feasibility of building a community center.
Following the original work in 2000 by members of the Community Center Task Force (CCTF) which recommended the City should pursue the development of a community center, and the work of the CCTF successor group in 2001 during which time a telephone survey and private fundraising feasibility study were undertaken, 2002 was the year to bring this issue to resolution.
Several issues were addressed in 2002 to prepare for the November ballot issue:
• Facilities – City Council took the CCTF recommendation to pursue extensive facilities, including two swimming pools, a gymnasium, fitness area, aerobics/ dance studio, senior center, community hall, meeting space, and support facilities such as a kitchen, lobby and locker rooms.
• Cost – Ruscilli Construction applied real construction costs to the proposed facility, estimating it would cost approximately $27 million, plus the cost for land.
• Funding – the private fundraising feasibility study had indicated that $10 million in donations could be achieved therefore $17 million in public
funds, plus approximately $500,000 annually to subsidize operating and maintenance costs, would be required.
• Joint Recreation District – the City and the Schools agreed to form a Joint Recreation District, allowing for a one-time property tax Operating Levy of 1.5 mills, to provide long-term funding for construction, operation and maintenance of the facility.
• Location – Kingsdale Shopping Center was the CCTF’s recommended location, and the City’s announcement in September 2002 that it intended to purchase the Kingsdale core, would have enabled the community center to serve as the civic use within the mixed-use redevelopment.
Ultimately, the majority of residents chose not to support an increase in their property taxes to facilitate an Upper Arlington community center.
Capital Improvements Program
The City continued its commitment to improving its aging infrastructure in 2002. The Finance Review Committee was able to identify additional funds, extending the Capital Improvements Program through at least 2009. As a result, approximately five million dollars per year will be dedicated to such improvements, placing continued emphasis on enhancing the City’s roads, sewers, waterlines and streetlights.
At the close of 2001, City Council directed Staff to dedicate unanticipated revenues toward road improvements, with the City undergoing its busiest construction season in its history in 2002. More than 100 streets received improvements totaling $4.8 million.
Transportation Plan
Reviewing the City’s short- and long-term transportation and infrastructure needs is another Master Plan priority. Following extensive work in 2001, coordinated by the Public Services Department, City Council accepted the updated Transportation Plan, which will serve as the guiding document for the City’s infrastructure needs in the coming decades.
The plan addresses key desires that arose from community meetings during the update phase:
• Slow down traffic
• Divert through traffic
• Build safe crosswalks for pedestrians
• Build sidewalks and bike paths
• Mix land uses and plant more trees
The updated Transportation Plan focuses on moving motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians and public transportation efficiently through the community, while supporting a healthy community.
Business & Development
Exciting developments continued in the commercial arena, as existing and new businesses chose to expand, relocate within or to join Upper Arlington:
• The Lane Avenue Shopping Center began its transformation into the Shops at Lane Avenue.
• First Community Village announced plans for a major redevelopment.
• The Arlington Bank expanded at Tremont Center.
• Argo and Lehne Jewelers chose to remain in the City, moving to an office building at 3100 Tremont Road, recently renovated by Long & Wilcox, LLC.
• The Orthopedic Center for Excellence opened for business in the fall on Sawmill Road, and moved forward on expansion plans.
• Long & Wilcox began construction of the Upper Arlington Professional Center on Sawmill Road, with Ohio Plastic Surgeons planning to relocate to this building in 2003.
• University Otolaryngologists moved its administrative offices to Upper Arlington
• Clayton IDS moved to a location on Old Henderson Road.
• Other new businesses include Bellisari’s Market at the Mallway, Donatos Pizzeria on Northwest Boulevard, Starbucks on Henderson Road.
Combined, these commercial projects represent over $50 million of private sector new investment in Upper Arlington and millions in new payroll.
Residents continued to demonstrate their confidence in Upper Arlington with home sales and renovations continuing at a high level, speaking to the stability and desirability of the housing stock.
Overall, the Development Department issued 2,250 residential and commercial permits, with a total construction value in excess of $55.5 million.
Financial Report
Receipts
Operating Revenues:
Income Tax $ 12,834,834
Property Tax 7,540,172
Estate Tax 4,384,780
Local Government Fund 2,518,707
Gas Tax & Motor Vehicle License 1,115,629
Water & Sewer Surcharges 1,057,918
Stormwater Management Fees 504,148
Solid Waste Stickers 1,564,018
Investment Earnings 1,923,410
Other Revenue 3,527,815
Total Operating Revenues $ 36,971,431
Other Receipts:
Sale of Notes 12,725,090
Total Receipts $ 49,696,521
Expenditures
Operating Expenditures:
Public Safety $ 11,304,120
Parks & Recreation 2,955,110
Public Service 4,319,751
Development 620,105
Administrative Direction 3,001,084
Administrative Support 3,222,208
General Admimistration 1,446,830
Other Operating Expenses 195,253
Total Operating Expenditures $ 27,064,461
Capital Expenditures:
Capital Equipment $ 1,226,503
Capital Improvements 6,821,545
Total Capital Expenditures $ 8,048,048
Debt Service Payments $ 2,711,752
Total Expenditures $ 37,824,261
Excess of Revenues $ 11,872,260
over Expenditures
Staff Updates
Joe Valentino
Director of Parks & Recreation
In February, the City welcomed Joe Valentino as its new director for Parks & Recreation. A lifelong resident of Upper Arlington, Joe is well known and admired by many members of the community.
Sharon Pfancuff
City Attorney
Following 16 years of service, Sharon Pfancuff retired from her position as City Attorney. During her tenure, Sharon played an instrumental role in creating the City’s Mayor’s Court with then-Mayor Priscilla Mead, which today is used as a model throughout the State. She also helped design and implement the City’s Juvenile Diversion Program.
Jeanine Amid
City Attorney
Having served as Interim City Attorney since Sharon Pfancuff retired, Jeanine Amid was named City Attorney effective January 2003. Jeanine first joined the City as City Prosecutor in 1989, assuming the role of Assistant City Attorney shortly thereafter, and was promoted to First Assistant City Attorney in 2001.
Bonnie Cross
Assistant City Manager
Following approximately 18 years of service, Bonnie Cross, Assistant City Manager, left her position in December. During her career, Bonnie made immeasurable contributions to the organization and community as a whole. Steps are currently being taken to select her replacement.
2002 Community Award Winners
Each year, the City presents a series of awards to recognize and celebrate those organizations and members of the community who contribute to our quality of life in a variety of ways.
Congratulations to the 2002 Community Award recipients:
Business of the Year
First Community Village
An active community partner for Senior Center, Commission on Aging, and Chamber of Commerce events. The Village helps high school, college students and nurses’ aides gain service and educational experience.
Community Safety
Nancy Heath
Nancy was instrumental in establishing the City’s Kind Call Program and, as first director of Older Persons Ministry at First Community Church, helped serve older adults as the first large wave of Americans entered retirement in the 1970s.
Community Enrichment
Jake Will
Jake has been active in practically every civic organization in UA – the Northwest Kiwanis, UA Chamber, Community Improvement Corporation, St. Agatha Board and numerous others. He truly is an asset to UA and loves his community.
Super Senior
Bernard Diehl
An active Upper Arlington Rotarian for over 30 years, Bernie also volunteers at First Community Village, helps a local woman affected by Multiple Sclerosis, and takes another local woman’s grandchildren home from school every day.
Youth Award
Maggie McGreevy
Maggie has been involved in service much of her life. One notable activity was the Lost Boys of Sudan project on which she and her classmates worked, raising more than $4,000 to send to refugee camps.
Boards and Commissions
Community volunteer service is exemplified by those citizens who donate their expertise and time serving on the boards and commissions appointed by City Council. The City of Upper Arlington wishes to thank these individuals for their contributions to the community in 2002.
2002 Distinguished Service Award Winners
Each year, the City encourages its employees to nominate fellow coworkers who have gone above and beyond to serve the Upper Arlington community to the best of his/her ability. In 2002, the following individuals received Distinguished Service Awards:
Dave Staats, Parks & Forestry Supervisor
Bryan Wagner, Code Compliance Officer Dennis Long, Utility Service Worker
Awards/Achievements in 2002
In July, Ohio’s First Lady Hope Taft visited a City Council meeting to present Upper Arlington with the State’s first Community of Hope Award since the program’s inception. The program was initiated by the First Lady “…to cultivate seeds of hope for positive youth development.” The City’s Youth and Family Council, was the entity that applied for this designation.
City Attorney’s Office
• City Attorney Jeanine Amid was nominated by Governor Bob Taft and Betty Montgomery to serve on the Ohio Public Defenders Commission, which provides, supervises and coordinates legal representation at state expense for indigent persons.
Development
• The department was invited to present details of the City’s Master Plan and the resulting Unified Development Ordinance at local, regional and national conferences.
• The City’s Master Plan concept for Kingsdale was featured in the publication Place Making – Developing town Centers, Main Streets, and Urban Villages by the Urban Land Institute.
• Planning Officer Matt Davis obtained certified planning status, passing the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) examination.
Economic Development
• Economic Development Director Patty Dalton was awarded the W. Arthur Cullman Business Person of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce.
Finance Department
• The department received its 14th consecutive Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its 2001 Comprehensive Financial Report.
• It also received its 13th consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from GFOA.
• Finance Director Cathe Armstrong was elected President-Elect for the Ohio Government Finance Officers Association.
Fire Division
• The division received the Community Leadership Award from the Chamber of Commerce at its annual Golden Gala event.
• Firefighter Adam Gabriel was named Firefighter of the Year.
• Captain Scott Koloff was awarded the Dr. Mary E. Fontana Distinguished Service Award, for his commitment to providing excellent emergency medical services.
Parks & Recreation
• Parks & Forestry received a White Glove Award from Keep Franklin County Beautiful for a beautification program designed to spruce up the City.
• Parks & Forestry received its 13th consecutive Tree City USA Award.
• Parks & Forestry Superintendent Steve Cothrel was elected president of the Society of Municipal Arborists.
• The Cultural Arts Commission celebrated its 30th anniversary.
Public Services
• The City’s recycling program received a White Glove Award from Keep Franklin County Beautiful.
• City Engineer Doug Green was elected to the Board of Directors for the Central Ohio Chapter of the American Public Works Association.
Updated 4/04
City Manager's Office
City of Upper Arlington
3600 Tremont Road
Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221
Phone: 614-583-5040
Fax: 614-457-6620
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