The community service organization Go Groveport! may get a helping hand from Groveport Village Council.
At council’s Dec. 10 committee of the whole meeting, Councilwoman Jean Ann Hilbert requested that legislation authorizing a donation of $20,000 to Go Groveport! be drawn up for consideration at council’s Dec. 17 meeting.
Hilbert said the donation would be for operating expenses for Go Groveport!, an organization that she stated does "many worthwhile things for the community."
Go Groveport!, located at 607 Main St., is a community service organization whose mission, according to www.gogroveport.com, includes promoting, developing, and coordinating programs "to enhance the quality of life in the Groveport community by promoting businesses, organizations, and events."
Go Groveport! has 104 members, including 40 area merchants. This year the organization stepped up and took on the annual Christmas "Adopt-a-Family" program, which was previously known as the "Birch Tavern Adopt-a-Family" program that was founded and operated by the late Marty DuBoe-Muncy and her family.
Go Groveport! also puts together "Welcome Bags" for new members of the community, helps promote Groveport village events, Groveport Madison school activities, the arts, and local business events.
Councilman Jim Staebler expressed concern about making such a donation to a private entity, noting that items such as the "Welcome Bags" promote specific businesses. He indicated he did not want it to seem like the village government was endorsing or favoring one business over another.
It would not be the first time council has financially donated to a local private organization. Last June council approved donating $25,000 per year for 10 years to Motts Military Museum, 5075 S. Hamilton Road.
Council will discuss the proposed Go Groveport! donation further at its Dec. 17 meeting.
Stormwater utility fee proposed
Council is studying a proposal to establish a stormwater fee for all properties in the village. According to Village Administrator Jon Crusey, residential properties would be charged a set rate while commercial/industrial properties would be assessed based on the amount of impervious surface on their property.
"A stormwater utility would establish a funding source for storm water management projects in the village," reported Crusey. "These projects would help maintain and improve the existing storm water system, as well as improve water quality in all streams throughout the village."
Groveport is considering a monthly $2 stormwater fee. In comparison Canal Winchester’s rate is $2.50; Reynoldsburg’s is $2 Pickerington’s is $1.50; and Columbus’ is $3.37.
Council will review EMH&T’s stormwater utility study and discuss the issue further at its Feb. 19 committee of the whole meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal building, 655 Blacklick St.
Other Groveport news
•Finance Director Ken Salak reported that village income tax revenues for November were up 12.56 percent over November 2006. Year to date, income tax revenues are $9.037 million, an increase of 9.72 percent over 2006 figures.
•Crusey reported that the water main improvement project – undertaken last summer along Lesleh Avenue, Cherry Street, Canal Street, and Lambert Avenue – was "completed ahead of schedule and below budget." The project involved replacing decades old two inch water lines with six inch lines. The project’s final cost was $366,048, which was below the originally contracted price of $493,421.
