The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in regular session at 8:00 PM at the Miami Township Civic Center. Chairperson Joseph Uecker called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was given. Chairperson Uecker announced that due to the absence of the Township Clerk, Eric C. Ferry, who is on vacation, it is necessary to appoint an Acting Clerk. Mr. Uecker advised he would entertain a motion to appoint Jo Brotherton Acting Clerk for the purpose of recording the minutes and certifying resolutions.
Jean Schmidt made a motion to appoint Jo Brotherton Acting Clerk. Ed Humphrey seconded the motion.
Upon roll call, all voted "AYE". Acting Clerk, Jo Brotherton called the roll. In attendance were Chairperson Joseph Uecker, Vice Chairperson, Jean Schmidt and member Edwin H. Humphrey.
Jean Schmidt made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 06, 1996 Public Hearing and the August 06,1996 regular Board of Trustee meetings. Ed Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Mr. Dion Connor of the Clermont County Engineers Office reported the South Milford Bridge is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 1997. The Branch Hill Bridge (the Blue Bridge) will be replaced. Bids will possibly be received by late September. The bridge will probably close in October . Branch Hill
Loveland Road is now opened to traffic effective August 19,1996. Branch Hill Guinea Pike will have intersection improvements. The Engineers Office is anticipating the purchasing of right of ways soon. The Camargo Bridge on by-pass 126 which is currently closed, will be taken down. Work started today. The Wards Corner Road off ramp improvements and the installation of a traffic light at the industrial park complex entrance will begin soon. The County has some property for sale as excess land from the Bi-pass 28 project. Woodspoint Drive is currently under review to continue extending the road across State Route 28.
Chairperson Uecker addressed the audience noting a large contingent were present with questions or concerns about the school transportation issue. Mr. Uecker advised the audience that the decision to eliminate bussing was made by the Milford School District and not by Miami Township Board of Trustees. The Board was made aware of the decision last Friday. Our Safety Services Committee has met to deliberate what can be done regarding this situation. Mr. Uecker turned the meeting over to Police Chief R. Steven Bailey . Chief Bailey presented a proposed plan for the Traffic Management at Miami Township Schools.
Chairperson Uecker opened the meeting for Public comments;
Jeffrey West 5496 Betty Lane voiced concerns about crossing the roads. Chief Bailey responded he had concerns about the children crossing the highways, however he by law cannot put cross walks where they do not currently exist.
Rick Blesh 5432 Carter Way thanked the Board for taking an active role in the community during this difficult time. He requested the Board endorse the School Levy on the ballot in November.
Becky Beharry 5817 Jeb Stuart, as Pleasant Hill PTO President praised the work of the Board and specifically Police Chief Bailey for addressing the school transportation problems.
Marla Hejma 5826 Patrick Henry Drive asked about the easements on properties on Mt. Vernon Drive.
Mary Wolff 1280 Blue Ridge Wayasked about organization of a neighborhood watch. Chief Bailey advised he will be happy to assist with the organization.
Carol Creed 5812 Patrick Henry Drive addressed the problem of speeding traffic on Deblin.
Karen Cellars 1253 Deblin Drive asked about the possible installation of Stop Signs on Deblin.
Gary Bare 5622 Naomi Drive vented his anger about the Milford School Boards act of eliminating bussing. He ask if it would be possible to set up private bussing. Mrs. Schmidt advised Mr. Bare that the parents could set up and pay for private bussing. She also advised Mr. Bare he should present his concerns to the School Board whose next meeting is September 19th at 7:30PM in the high school cafeteria.
Alicia Jordan 5016 Jeb Stuart questioned the "how" to get road maintenance under control of the Township for all roads in the Miami Township area. Mrs. Schmidt briefly explained the changes need to be made at the State Government level.
Cindy Klesh came forward to urge the public to vote for the School Tax Levy in November.
Chairperson Uecker asked for any additional comments on this issue. There were none.
Fire Chief James Whitworth reviewed the July Fire/EMS Department report He noted that Fire responses are up 6 percent over July 1995 and EMS responses are up 16 percent over July 1995.. The two new ambulances will hopefully be in service by mid September.
Police Chief R. Steven Bailey presented the July report from the Police Department. There was a notable increase in the crime rate against both persons and property.
Service Director Walter Fischer reported the highlights for the month of July in the Service and Road Department . The first pass of mowing has been completed and the mower crew is now finishing up the second pass south of State Route 28. The FEMA disaster application forms were competed totaling $55,600.. of which we hope to recover 87 percent.
Gloria Condelles , Zoning Director presented the Zoning Department report for July 1996. New home starts were 238 (up over 1995’s 147) and total fees received was $6,404.50.
Acting Clerk, Jo Brotherton read a notice from the Board of County Commissioners regarding the Park 50 West, Section One Replat. The Planning Commission will formally review and take action on this item on August 27,1996.
Ms. Brotherton read a notice of a Public Hearing on September 17th,1996 at 2:00 PM at the Board of County Commissioners office regarding the proposed improvements to the county waterworks system.
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board the next step in the process of the International Paper Tax Abatement is for the Board to adopt a Resolution and execute the Enterprise Zone Agreement. Jean Schmidt made a motion to adopt Resolution 96-32 authorizing a tax abatement to International Paper through the Rural Enterprise Zone legislation. Ed Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board a total of 5 bids were received for the Road Maintenance Facility Note Issue. The bids were;
Lebanon Citizens National Bank 4.5682% Interest Rate
Seasongood & Mayer 4,.8571%
Fifth Third Bank 4.9453%
Connors and Co. 5.098 %
Star Bank 5.1700%
Based on the review of the bids by bond counsel, Mr. Duckworth recommended the sale of the Township ‘s notes to the Lebanon Citizens National Bank. Jean Schmidt made a motion to adopt Resolution 96-33 authorizing the issuance and sale of $320,000.00 of Township Road Maintenance Facility Improvement notes.
Ed Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Chairperson Uecker asked for a decision on the resolution for a tax levy for Police and Fire/EMS Departments. After a brief discussion among the Board members , Ed Humphrey made a motion to adopt Resolution 96-34 placing a 3.51 mill renewable 5 year levy for the safety services of Miami Township Police and Fire/ EMS services on the November 05 ballot. Jean Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Chairperson Uecker reminded the Board of the North Community Park Groundbreaking Ceremony on August 25th at 1:30 PM.
Ed Humphrey made a motion to pay the bills of the Township including checks number 60746 to 60877 (a total of 130 check) in the amount of $208,898.11. Jean Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board that Township Attorney, John Korfhagen has review the
Physical Fitness Program guidelines Jean Schmidt made a motion to authorize the
implementation of a Physical Fitness Program for Miami Township Employees. Ed Humphrey
seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted
"AYE".
Mr. Duckworth turned the floor over to Township Attorney, John Korfhagen regarding the GTE Tower Property Lease. Mr. Korfhagen advised the Board, GTE has selected three sites for the tower placement, the Industrial district, Price Road Church Property and I-275 at the Park. Mr. Korfhagen requested GTE consider placement of the tower on the Price Road Park property. GTE has agreed this site would be acceptable. The Board needs to consider if they wish to approve the lease of this property for placement of a communication tower and if so, would the lease payment of $600.00 a month be acceptable. Richard Trantor, attorney for GTE stated they would work with the Board for inflation adjustments. Bill Zech of GTE advised the Board they will construct a road for the park maintenance and the road will continue to the tower. Also, all utilities will be installed underground.
Chairperson Uecker asked for comments from the audience.
Jim Ferguson 645 Loveland Miamiville Road asked if the Board thought the Public who approved the Park Levy would appreciate this tower being placed on Park property. Mrs. Schmidt responded the tower is being placed in a remote part of the park.
Mary Wolff 1280 Blue Ridge Way stated she felt the extra funds would be a benefit to the park, allowing the purchase of extra items to make the park better.
Jean Schmidt made a motion to authorize Township Administrator, David Duckworth to enter into a contract with GTE Mobile for the lease of property in the Price Road Park at $600.00 per month. Ed Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Mr. Duckworth recommended the conditional appointment of Lynn Hausman and David Jetter to fill the vacant full-time fire fighter/EMTP positions. Ed Humphrey made a motion to offer conditional employment to David Jetter and Lynn Hausman, conditional upon results of a polygraph, psychological evaluation and background checks. Jean Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Jim Ferguson of 645 Loveland Miamiville Road commented he hoped the Board is preparing for the changes necessary to update the computer system for the year 2000. He also stated he is completely opposed to tax abatements of any kind.
There were no further comments.
Jean Schmidt made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a Personnel Matter pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(1) and to discuss Pending Litigation pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(3). Ed Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Ed Humphrey made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Jean Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AEY".
With no further business to come before the Board, Chairperson Uecker adjourned the meeting at 10:50 PM.
ATTEST________________________________________________ACTING CLERK
________________________________________________CHAIRPERSON