The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in regular session at 8:00 PM at the Miami Township Civic Building on December 09, 1997. Chairperson Jean Schmidt called the meeting to order followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Miami Township Clerk, Eric C. Ferry called the roll. Attending were Jean Schmidt, Edwin H. Humphrey and Joseph W. Uecker.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to approve the minutes of Board meetings held November 18, November 22 and November 25, 1997 as presented.. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Ferry read a letter from the State of Ohio Board of Tax Appeals regarding the Miami Township vs Clermont County Budget Commission, BTA No 97-T-1140 and Union Township vs Clermont County Budget Commission, BTA No 97-t-1142. In an effort to advance the administration of these appeals and to aid the parties in seeking a resolution to their claims a pre hearing conference will be held Wednesday, January 21, 1998 at 1:00 PM in the offices of the Board of Tax Appeals, on the 24th floor of the State Office Tower, 30 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Ferry read a notice from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control regarding the transfer of a permit to Kroger Limited Partnership from Kroger Co.
Mr. Ferry read several letters from the Clermont County Engineer. The first letter was in regards to Project No. 621-0690 Proposed Road Improvements and Water Main Extension along Buckwheat Road. The proposed improvements consists of increasing the lane widths, adding a paved shoulder, slight vertical realignment, and curb replacement. The proposed water main extension will ensure adequate fire protection to the northern part of the County. The second letter was announcing the reopening of the Branch Hill-Loveland Road Bridge on December 5, 1997. The next letter was a response to Police Chief Steve Bailey regarding Wards Corner Road. The letter addressed several areas of concern. The next letter from the Engineer announced the 1997 Township Road Inventory Schedule will be held for Miami Township at 8:00 AM on Thursday, January 8, 1998 at the County Engineer’s office. At least two trustees must be present to sign the certification sheet.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from the Clermont Savings Bank directed to Mr. David Duckworth, Miami Township Administrator. The letter extended gratitude to the Miami Township Police Department for their traffic assistance in getting their 600 plus guests to the Oasis in a timely fashion for the Chamber’s tribute to Ed Parish.
Mr. Ferry read a letter directed to the Board from John E. and Louise B. Baumgart of 6217 Tanglewood Drive. The letter addressed their concerns about the need for "outside storage" and requirements regarding property owners maintenance of their properties.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from Joan Paxton Jameson of 555 Belle Meade Farm Drive regarding the intersection of Wards Corner Road and Branch Hill Guinea.
Mr. Ferry read a letter directed to Time Warner Cable from Brian and Janice Oliva of 5802 Jeb Stuart Drive . The Oliva’s were complaining about unauthorized pay per view charges on his cable bills for three months.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from Kay Abbs of 857 Cannes Court regarding concerns the Homeowners’s Association of Cross Creek Meadows has regarding the proliferation of signs placed in the right of way and on trees and poles in the area.
Mr. Ferry read a notice from the Milford Area Jaycees announcing they are accepting nominations for their annual Distinguished Service Awards. Letters of recommendation need to be submitted by January 02, 1998.
Mr. Ferry read a notice from Clermont 2001 announcing nominations are now being accepted for the Leadership Award for the Annual Meeting. Nominations are due by December 30, 1997.
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with the Ambulance Purchase recommendation from Fire/EMS Chief Jim Whitworth. The committee, after careful review and consideration of the bids received for two (2) Type 1 Medium Duty Ambulances, recommends accepting the bid from Emergency One/All American Fire Equipment for $115,049.00 Anticipated delivery is about 180 to 240 days due to limited chassis availability. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to accept the Emergency One/All American Fire Equipment for the purchase of two (2) Type 1 Medium Duty Ambulances in the amount of $115,049.00 as being the best bid and most following specifications as presented. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, call voted "AYE."
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to authorize the Township Administrator to sign all documents relating to the purchase of the two (2) Type 1 Medium Duty Ambulances. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth provided the Board with a resolution extending the contract with John Korfhagen for legal services at an hourly rate of $95.00 per hour for 1998. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 97-42 extending the contract with John C. Korfhagen, Attorney, for legal services for one year ending 12/31/98. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
The Trustees discussed Zoning Case #428. Mr. Larry Fronk, Miami Township Planning and Zoning Director, recommended the Trustees deny the proposed revision with the direction of preparing a property maintenance code after the first of the year. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to re-open the Public portion of Zoning Case #428. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Louise Baumgart of 6217 Tanglewood Drive came forth to express her concerns regarding brush piles and other outside storage infractions in her neighborhood. She expressed the need for a property maintenance code.
Mr. Don Marcum of 1067 Marcie Lane came forward to ask if the Township has a dumping ordinance? Mr. Humphrey responded, the Township does enforce dumping on public property, but this issue is about private property. Mr. Marcum thought Mrs. Baumgart was talking about a vacant lot.
There were no other public comments.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to close the Public portion of Zoning Case #428. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to deny the application of Zoning Case #428 for the following reasons; While this is a good working document, the Board feels a better way to handle problems addressed could be better covered through a property maintenance code. The Board will actively pursue creation of a property maintenance code ready for early 1998. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Chairperson Schmidt reminded the Board the second December meeting will be held December 23, 1997.
Mr. Larry Fronk presented the Board with a draft of a letter to be sent to home builders in Miami Township regarding signs in the right-of -way. Mr. Fronk recommended three distinct letters. One targeting the home builders, one the realtors and one for other miscellaneous businesses, many of which are home occupations. The Board approved the letter and urged Mr. Fronk to continue with the project.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to re-appoint Joy Hansbauer to the Rural Zoning Commission and Felix Gora to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to pay the bills of the Township with 96 checks numbered from 65326 to 65421 for a total amount of $517,087.86 plus payroll and payroll taxes for November 21, 1997 and December 05, 1997 totaling $261,528.47. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board remove Sergeant Mark Ziegelmeyer from probation effective August 23, 1997 and remove Ed Schmid from probation effective November 12, 1997 as recommended by Chief R. Steven Bailey Mr. Humphrey made a motion to remove Sergeant Mark Ziegelmeyer from probation effective August 23, 1997 and remove Sergeant Ed Schmid from probation effective November 12, 1997. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth requested a conditional offer of employment be extended to Police Officer Candidate Douglas Bagley. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to extend a conditional offer of employment to Police Officer Candidate Douglas Bagley pending completion of testing. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board schedule an interview with Police Officer Candidate Keith Benhase and Fire Department Administrative Assistant candidates. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to hold a Special Board of Trustee Meeting at 6:00 PM December 23, 1997 for the purpose of interviewing candidates for Police Office and Administrative Assistant for Fire. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board remove Larry Fronk from probation effective November 01, 1997. Also in accordance with Township policy, Mr. Fronk’s salary should be increased by 4 percent ($45,000. To $46,800.) Mr. Humphrey made a motion to remove Larry Fronk from probation and increase his salary by 4 percent effective November 01, 1997. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board he has applied for a $5,000.00 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Ohio Wildlife Diversity Project. The grant was requested to assist in a proposed fish stocking program and mechanical aeration unit at the South Park lake.
Firefighter Harry Scott assisted in preparing the grant application.
Clerk, Eric Ferry requested a motion to authorize payment of State Association Dues for the Trustees and Clerk. The fee is $30.00 each. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to authorize payment from the General Fund in the amount of $30.00 each for Jean Schmidt, Edwin Humphrey, Joseph Uecker and Eric Ferry’s 1998 Ohio Township Association dues. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Miami Township Service Director, Walter Fischer recommended setting December 28,1997 through January 25, 1998 as the Township’s Christmas tree recyling dates. Drop off during day light hours only at the Paxton Ramsey Park and Miami Township Community Park. Pine Chips will be available for pickup.
Mr. Fischer requested the Board authorize reducing the Speed limit from 55 MPH to 25 MPH on Meijer Drive (T-2489) and Little River Lane (T-2553). Mr. Humphrey made a motion to adopt
RESOLUTION 97-45 reducing the speed to 25 MPH on Meijer Drive. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 97-46 reducing the speed to 25 MPH on Little River Lane. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to establish the name for the 131 park as "Miami Meadows - A Miami Township Park". Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "Aye."
Mr. Duckworth announced the winning name for the park was submitted by Mr. Mark Burkle, who wins a $100.00 gift certificate donated by the Trustees and Clerk.
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board the CESA soccer organization has graciously agreed to donate ten (10) soccer goals to Miami Township. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to accept the donation of ten (10) soccer goals from the CESA soccer organization. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 97-47 requesting advance payment of taxes collected from the Clermont County Auditor. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Don Marcum of 1067 Marcie Lane and Mr. Robert Kieth of 1063 Marcie Lane came forward to discuss the on going problem with students ganging up on the corners. Today 15 or 20 cars came through and blocked Whirshire and Marcie Lane. They asked if there could be temporary no parking signs erected. Mr. Duckworth responded that a petition needs to be signed by at least 30 residents of the streets involved and the Township will erect the signs with time restrictions.
Chairperson Schmidt suggested the Board give a donation to the Police Memorial Fund for the families of Cincinnati Police Officers Poole and Jeeter who were killed in the line of duty last weekend. Each member of the Board agreed to donate $10.00 to the fund and Mr. Duckworth will issue a memo to the Township Department Heads asking for donations from the departments.
Chief Whitworth advised the Board that he, Assistant Chief Harold Thiele and Captain Dean Miracle will be heading to Appleton, Wisconsin next Tuesday to pick up the new pumper.
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining with Teamsters and IAFF issues pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(4) and to discuss pending litigation pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(3). Mr. Uecker 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."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to authorize the Service Director to re-advertise for bids for a service department sign truck body. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Chairperson Schmidt stated for the record she is removing herself from any and all discussion of the Zoning Case # 432. To date she has not discussed this project with anyone and will not discuss this project with anyone. Whatever opinions she holds about this project will remain private. Chairperson Schmidt left the building.Miami Township Attorney, John Korfhagen advised the remaining Board members that the Zoning Commission has requested he attend the continued hearing of Zoning Case #432. Mr. Korfhagen declines to answer the Boards concerns on these issues at this time because he is a friend of the applicant and he resides in one of the neighborhoods where some residents have taken exception to the proposal. He has requested the assistance of the Prosecutor’s Office, who has agreed to attend the meeting.
Vice-Chairperson Ed Humphrey adjourned the meeting at 10:45 PM.
ATTEST___________________________________________Eric C. Ferry, Clerk
____________________________________________Jean Schmidt,Chairperson