The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in regular session at 8:00 PM on June 16, 1998 at the Miami Township Civic building. Chairperson Edwin H. Humphrey called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was given. Miami Township Clerk, Eric C. Ferry called the roll. Attending were; Edwin H. Humphrey, Joseph W. Uecker and Jean Schmidt.
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to approve the June 2, 1998, Board of Trustee meeting minutes. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Fire and EMS Chief, Jim Whitworth presented the May department report. He noted there were no extraordinary maintenance or repairs of their facilities during the month. FF/EMTP Lynn Mesley returned to duty in mid-May and new employee Mike Holloway began permanent shift assignment on May 18, 1998.
The Department presented a Safety Fair at Mulberry Square in celebration of EMS Week.
Planning and Zoning Director, Larry Fronk presented the May activity report to the Board. Mr. Fronk noted the SR 131 Corridor Study will be presented to the Zoning Commission on July 1, 1998 for their review. The Zoning Commission will also hear a public hearing on the reformatted Zoning Resolution on July 1, 1998.
Police Chief R. S. Bailey presented the Police Department report for the month of May. He noted the Memorial Day Blitz speed grant was a great success this year. The State requires 120 contacts in the 10 day period and Miami Township had 191 contacts during this time period.
Miami Township Service Department foreman, W.R Huneck presented the department report. Service Director Walter Fischer was on vacation. Mr. Huneck noted a catch basin was installed at 5667 Mellie Avenue and a storm soil erosion pipe was installed at the Lou Berling residence on Miami Valley Drive. Mr. Huneck noted there were 3 funerals and 1 lot sale at Evergreen Cemetery for a total of $2852.00.
Miami Township Clerk, Eric C. Ferry read a notice from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control regarding Carpe Diem Inc dba Donatos Pizza for a D1 license. There were no objections to the license.
Mr. Ferry read a section of the Clermont County Commissioners’ Journal #285 dated June 03, 1998. The County Engineer released into the Miami Township Public Road System Millbrook Lane 0.186 miles T-2598, Fairwind Court 0.168 miles T-2599 and Gentlewind Court 0.170 miles T-2600. All roads are in the Millbrook Farm subdivision, section 1.
Mr. Ferry read a Formal Notice regarding the Wolfpen Commercial Subdivision plan by the Clermont County Department of Community Planning and Development. The plan will be reviewed on June 23, 1998 at 5:00 PM.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from Clermont County Auditor, Linda L. Fraley. The letter included an abatement analysis report for each abated company in the Miami Township taxing district.
Mr. Ferry read a "Thank You" letter directed to the Miami Township Emergency Services from Catherine Bartucci.
Mr. David Duckworth, Miami Township Administrator presented the Board with a resolution to authorize a street lighting district for Summerfield Subdivision. Mr. Ben Sherman of 1119 Springridge Court, a representative of the Summerfield Subdivision spoke to the Board. He stated having the lighting would be beneficial to the safety and security of the subdivision and would enhance the beauty of the area.
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 98-16 authorizing the establishment of a street lighting district for the Summerfield Subdivision. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board that Walt Fischer has reviewed the bids submitted for the Miami Meadows Walking Trail and recommends acceptance of the Barrett Paving bid of $123,000.00. Mr. Uecker made a motion to award the Miami Meadows Walking Trail project to Barrett Paving for $123,000.00 and authorize Miami Township Administrator, David Duckworth to sign the contract on behalf of the Board. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth notified the Board he has been informed by David Spinney that the Township’s 1998 CDBG grant application will not be recommended for funding. The County Commissioner’s will be earmarking nearly all of the county’s 1998 CDBG allocation to the 800 MHz radio system project. He noted one of the proposed projects we would have used the grant for was an extension of the sidewalk on the north side of Bridge Street. The estimated cost is $5,600.00. The Board approved the Township moving forward with the sidewalk extension project.
Mr. Ferry informed the Board he had contacted the Ohio State Auditor’s office regarding the requirements they might have for third party EMS billing. They stated this would be treated as any other contract and would involve no additional scrutiny. Mr. Ferry stated he preferred option 2 which will have the checks made out to Miami Township and mailed to the Township. We must copy checks and forward copies to Medicount Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to approve the EMS Billing Agreement with Medicount Management of Reading, Ohio utilizing Option 2 effective July 01, 1998 and authorize Mr. Duckworth to sign the agreement on behalf of the Board. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE." Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to authorize Mr. Duckworth to amend RESOLUTION 98-04 to reflect the July 01, 1998 start up date. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Fronk spoke with the Board about the proposed Property Maintenance Code for Miami Township. He anticipates the revisions will be completed and ready for the Board to consider at the July 21, 1998 meeting.
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board consider scheduling two Special Meetings. One on July 14, 1998 for the purpose of receiving bids for the construction of the Miami Meadows restroom/concession building and July 15, 1998 to award the contract. It is critical that a contract be signed by the middle of July to have a 50-50 chance of having the facility ready by September. Mr. Uecker made a motion to hold a Special Meeting July 14, 1998 at 8:00 PM for the purpose of receiving bids for the construction of the Miami Meadows restroom/concession building and any other business that may come before the Board. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to hold a Special Meeting on July 15, 1998 at 8:00 PM for the purpose of awarding the contract for construction of the Miami Meadows restroom/concession building and any other business that may come before the Board. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Chairperson Humphrey announced Zoning Case # 431 has been continued until September 15, 1998.
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board if Miami Township chooses to contract with Wood and Lamping to prepare an ammatus brief to support Anderson Townships’ cause if would cost approximately $2000.00. The information has been submitted to Miami Township Attorney, John Korfhagen for review.
Mr. Duckworth reviewed the 1998 road resurfacing program recommended by Mr. Fischer. He requested the Board authorize advertising for bids to be submitted by and opened July 21, 1998 at 8:00 PM.
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to authorize advertising for bids for the 1998 paving project. Bids to be received and opened at 8:00 PM on July 21, 1998. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Chairperson Humphrey reminded the Board the July 7, 1998 meeting has been suspended. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be July 21, 1998.
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to pay the bills of the Township including 99 checks numbered from 66680 to 66778 for a total amount of $143,941.21 and payroll and taxes for June 5, 1998 in the amount of $155,576.82. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Ferry presented the Board with the May financial statements.
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with an Out of Township travel request for Chief Whitworth to attend the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association Annual Conference July 18-22 in Toledo, Ohio. Estimated cost for all travel related expenses is $720.00. He also presented a request for Out of Township travel for two representatives from the Fire Department to take one of the fire trucks to Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisconsin for repairs. Estimated cost; $970.00. Mr. Uecker commented he did not understand why Pierce representatives did not pick up the truck, get it repaired and return it instead of the Township having to pay the cost to have the truck delivered and returned by Township employees. Chief Whitworth agreed that would be preferable and he would look into a possible reimbursement by Pierce of the expenses. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to approve both Out of Township travel requests. Mr. Uecker reluctantly seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth reviewed the TIRC annual meeting, June 9, 1998. All 21 active tax abatement agreements were reviewed. There was no action required at this time.
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board approve the sale of one of the Township’s older 12-lead EKG machines to Mt. Orab. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 98-15 disposing of surplus equipment and authorizing the sale of surplus equipment to another political subdivision. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted, "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board set a Public Hearing on July 21, 1998 for the Street Lighting district for the final phase of Hunter’s Valley. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to hold a Public Hearing July 21, 1998 at 8:00 PM regarding the Street Lighting district request for Hunter’s Valley, Section II-E. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Schmidt discussed an article in the paper regarding the resident’s of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky proposal to make the I-71, I-75 and I-471 truck ban permanent. The current truck ban is temporary until sometime in the year 2000. The ban has dramatically increased the traffic congestion on I-275 in Miami Township. The Trustees discussed the problem
Mr. John Korfhagen, Miami Township Attorney, reviewed his concerns about the Property Maintenance Code. He suggests the code as currently written is not viable for Miami Township. He cited several areas of concern. The Board members discussed some of the potential problems and decided to withhold any decision until a later date.
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board of a situation he has been made aware of by the Planning & Zoning Department. It seems as though there are two (2) streets within the Township within a block of each other that share the same name. One is Ashire Court and the other is Ashire Road. Mr. Fronk has contacted the developer who agreed to change the name of Ashire Road to Palamar Drive. This change cannot be made by the Township, the County will have to approve the change. The Trustees suggested the name of Ashire Road should be changed to Ashire Court since the two will connect then renumber the Ashire Road area. The Board requested Mr. Fronk take care of this situation.
Chief Bailey stated he had received preliminary information about a transfer of a liquor license at Joey’s Bar and Grill, 1120 State Route 28. While there is no problem with the transfer of the license to the new party, this is the worst liquor establishment in the area. In the past two years there have been 52 reports taken and 17 people arrested at this establishment. He stated he will be writing a letter to the Liquor Control Board complaining about the establishment.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to go into Executive Session to consider Personnel Issues pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(1), to consider the Purchase of Property for public purposes pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(2) and to consider pending litigation pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(3). Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Chief Bailey informed the Board that the Police Department has exhausted the recruiting procedure and have not found any successful candidates for the records clerk position. However, we are aware that a former employee of the Police Department, Mr. Chad Gaffney, whom we think would be a qualified candidate. Chief Bailey requested the Board extend a conditional offer of employment to Mr. Gaffeny as a records clerk at $10.00 per hour pending successful completion of the screening process. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to extend a conditional offer of employment to Mr. Chad Gaffney as a records clerk for the Miami Township Police Department at a rate of $10.00 per hour pending completion of the screening process. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
With no other business to come before the Board, Chairperson Humphrey adjourned the meeting at 10:55 PM.
ATTEST _______________________________________________________________________\
Eric C. Ferry, Clerk
Edwin H. Humphrey, Chairperson