The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in regular session on May 20, 1997 at 8:30PM at the Miami Township Civic Building. Chairperson Jean Schmidt called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was given. Township Clerk, Eric C. Ferry called the roll. In attendance were Jean Schmidt, Edwin H. Humphrey and Joseph W. Uecker.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 06, 1997 Board meeting. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Police Chief R. Steven Bailey administered the Oath of Office for the position of Sergeant to Officer Edwin Schmid.. Sergeant Schmid was congratulated by the Board.
Fire/EMS Chief James Whitworth presented the April activity report to the Board. Of special note, part time fire fighter Carol Kattine resigned after 20 years of service to Miami Township.
Police Chief R. Steven Bailey presented the April report to the Board. Of special note, the number of major crimes reported increased to the largest total for the year to date during April. However, the overall rate for the first four months of 1997 is lower than the crime rate one year ago.
Service Director Walter Fischer presented the service and park reports for April. Mr. Fischer noted the Paxton-Ramsey Park has been seeded. Fields 2, 3, and 4 are complete and picnic table frames have been delivered.
Planning and Zoning Director, Larry Fronk presented the Zoning Department report for April. New home starts at 90 is down from the 130 in 1996.
Clerk, Eric Ferry read a letter from Linda L. Fraley, Secretary of the Clermont County Budget Commission requesting the Board adopt a resolution authorizing an alternative method of apportionment of the undivided local government and local government revenue assistance funds as determined by the Clermont County Budge Commission on May 13, 1997. The Board discussed the new distribution formula and determined it not acceptable. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to reject the current resolution. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Ferry read a letter from the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission. A second round caucus meeting has been scheduled for May 28, 1997 at 3:30PM in the third floor conference room at 101 East Main Street in Batavia.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from the Clermont County Engineer regarding the use of dry wells to resolve the Miamiville surface issues.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from Becky Jauch announcing that Greg Hogan will receive his Eagle rank on June 22,1997. Mr. Uecker advised the Board he would write a letter of recognition from the Board to Mr. Hogan .
Mr. Ferry read a letter to Mr. Walt Fischer from Hank White. Mr. White expressed his appreciation for the help he received from Miami Township Service employees, Ed Seigla and Charles Finch.
Mr. Ferry opened the bids received for the Housekeeping Contract. Two bids were received
Kentucky Building Maintenance $14,646.00 1 year contract
$29,292.00 2 year contract
Fresh Start Cleaning Services $ 8,580.00 1year contract
Mr. Uecker made a motion to accept the bids into the records and turn them over to the service director and administrator for review. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth recommended awarding the tennis court construction project contract to Performance Site Management, Inc. in the amount of $50,458.00. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to award the tennis court construction contract to Performance Site Management, Inc. in the amount of $50,458.00 and authorize Mr. Duckworth to enter into the contract for this project. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth presented a resolution authorizing a lighting district for The Reserve at the Oasis subdivision. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to adopt Resolution 97-15 providing for the procurement of a street lighting system for The Reserve at the Oasis. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Jean Schmidt abstained due to a conflict of interest. Mr. Humphrey voted AYE. Mr. Uecker voted AYE.
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with a letter from Charles Siepelt, Principal, Pleasant Hill Elementary School regarding Public Access-Cable TV. The Board discussed the issue and determined the project be dropped at this time.
Chairperson Schmidt confirmed the Opening Ceremony for the Paxton-Ramsey Park will be held June 28,1997 at 1:00 PM. A series of baseball games will begin at 10:00AM. Rain date is June 29,1997.
Mr. Duckworth announced to the press, the Paxton-Ramsey Park is now open. Construction is 95 percent completed. Mr. Duckworth mentioned an item that has been overlooked is bleachers for the ball fields. He suggested putting bleachers in at fields 2 and 3 as soon as possible. Mr. Fischer presented a landscape plan for the park. A decision needs to be made on the location for a dedication plaque. The Board agreed to use a large boulder for placement of the dedication plaque. In June the Miami Service Unit of Girl Scouts have donated 30 3 foot oak trees which they will be planting in the park on May 31,1997 at 10:00AM. Mr. Fischer also informed the Board he needs volunteers to help plant the entrance areas of the park on June 14,1997 starting at 8:30AM.
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board the Beech Road landslide correction project is completed. The final cost was $240,154.17. The Township was reimbursed $168,107.92 from the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to offer conditional employment as a full time fire fighter/ paramedic to Mr. Dana Smith. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to pay the bills of the Township including 124 checks numbered 64709 to 64832 for a total amount of $446,571.37. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board consider changing several Township signs as recommended by the Safety-Service Committee. The proposed changes are, the brick wall sign located in front of the Central fire station would read, Miami Township Government Center. The signs at both the North and South fire stations would be changed to read Miami Township Safety Services and the wooden sign in front of the Civic Building would be replaced. The Board authorized all changes except the replacement of the wooden sign in front of the Civic Building.
Mr. Fischer presented the Board with a copy of a Sign Truck design. This aluminum body will be mounted on the one ton truck ordered through State bid last month. It replaces the current 1982 sign truck. Mr. Fischer requested authority to advertise for bids and set a bid opening date of June 17,1997. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to authorize advertising for bids for the Sign Truck. Bid opening to be June 17,1997 at 8:30PM.
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 97-16 designating the week of May 18-24, 1997 as Emergency Medical Services Week. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Miami Township Attorney, John Korfhagen advised the Board he has been contacted by Darryl Hendrickson of Sprint Com. They would like to construct a 150 foot tower next to the existing tower at the park. The Board discussed their concerns regarding possible damage to the new asphalt and/or the park .
Mr. Michael Harris of the Whalen Company, consultants to Sprint Com came forward to address the Board’s concerns. He assured the Board that any damage caused during construction would be immediately repaired. Mr. Fischer stated the problems incurred with the installation of the tower currently on site were numerous. He felt the necessary equipment to install the new tower will not be able to access the pathway, therefore the equipment will have to use the field and that will mean damage to two soccer fields. Mr. Harris explained the possible construction techniques that could be used to install the new tower. Mr. Korfhagen updated the Board on the Nextel Communications situation. Mr. Dick Tosland of Nextel came forward to assure the Board that Nextel Communications fully intends to fulfill all of their obligations to the Township as agreed upon two years ago. Their tower will be constructed on the Branch Hill-Miamiville site. Nextel has a building permit that has been extended. The Board explained there never was an agreement finalized. The Board was against the location of the tower from the beginning. Miami Township has not issued a Zoning Permit for this project. Mr. Korfhagen stated that an offer had been extended to Nextel in 1995. Nextel did not accept. There was no response from Nextel until tonight. Mr. Korfhagen and Nextel will continue discussions on the tower site.
Mr. Duckworth requested approval to change the hourly rate of pay for Officer Steven Burgess from $13.54 to $15.14 effective June 01, 1997. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to change the hourly rate of pay for Officer Steven Burgess to $15.14 effective June 01, 1997. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth reported on information obtained on the Stand for Children Day which is Sunday, June 01, 1997 2:00PM-3:00PM. Chief Bailey will provide the Bike Patrol for the program and Chief Whitworth will be sending a crew and the safety house. Mr. Uecker made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 97-17 proclaiming June 01, 1997 as STAND FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN DAY IN MIAMI TOWNSHIP. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to hold a special meeting on Thursday, June 05, 1997 at 8:30PM to consider Case #426 - Henry Fischer and any other business that may come before the Board. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
There were no public comments.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(3). Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to come out of executive session. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
With no other business to come before the Board, Chairperson Schmidt adjourned the meeting at 11:45PM.
ATTEST_______________________________________CLERK, ERIC C. FERRY
_______________________________________CHAIRPERSON, JEAN SCHMIDT