The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, April 07, 1998 at 8:00 PM 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 March 17, 1998 and March 23, 1998 minutes as presented. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Ferry read a letter from Ohio Attorney General, Betty Montgomery regarding the Hoffman-Parrott and Strawser Partnership, et al. V. Board of Trustees of Miami Township, Ohio, et. Al. Case no. 95 CV 0077. Enclosed for filing was a Notice of Reservation of Rights and Appearance by Attorney General Betty D. Montgomery in the above referenced case.
Mr. Ferry read a notice from the Clermont County General Health District announcing a Septic System Rehabilitation Program open to Clermont County residents who own and occupy a home with a failing or incomplete septic system. All applicants must meet income guidelines to receive a grant for the repair, replacement completion or abandonment of single family household sewage disposal systems.
Mr. Ferry read a notice from the Clermont County Water and Sewer District advising a contract has been executed with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton consultants to perform an engineering evaluation study for a potential water storage facility in the Branch Hill-Miamiville Road area.
Mr. Ferry read a letter Miami Township Service Director, Walter Fischer sent to Mr. Andy Pugh of 5631 Pleasant View Drive in Miami Township. The letter expressed thanks to Mr. Pugh and the Eagle Scout Projects that have helped rehab Longfield Park. The playground area has greatly improved the appearance as well as the safety of the park.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from Lewis E. White of 6005 Grist Mill Road, Milford. Mr. White is concerned about a sharp turn beside a deep ditch at the St. Rt. 131/ Deerfield Road intersection. He asked that the Trustees improve the turn to make it safer.
Mr. Fischer read a letter directed to Walter Fischer from Don Heller of 5658 Highland Terrace Drive. Mr. Heller outlined a problem with excess drainage water causing erosion to the pavement on Highland Terrace. He also mentioned a speeding problem on the street.
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board that representatives of the Township's safety and service departments have reviewed the "NO PARKING' request submitted by Mr. Mark Duermit at the March 17th meeting and they approve the request. The Board determined that a letter be sent to all residents of East Knollwood Circle notifying them of the decision and announce a date the No Parking will go into effect. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 98-09 establishing a No Parking Zone on East Knollwood Circle with an effective date of May 08, 1998. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Larry Fronk, Miami Township Director of Planning and Zoning updated the Board on the code enforcement issue at Graceland Memorial Gardens. Graceland has offered to cover the expense to install dark window shades, a light timer or evergreen trees to shield Mr. Foley's property from the light. Mr. Raymond Foley has agreed to accept the placement of an evergreen tree on his property at the expense of Graceland.
Mr. Humphrey advised the Board that hearing of Zoning Case #431 has been extended until June 16, 1998 at 7:30 PM.
Mr. Humphrey reminded the Board the Township Brush Day will be April 18th from 7:30 AM to 4:30PM. Also Spring Clean Up Days will be held May 1st and 2nd from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM each day.
Mr. Humphrey reminded the Board the Cinergy Outreach Dinner will be held May 27th..
Mr. Uecker made a motion to pay the bills of the Township including 106 checks numbered from 66154 to 66262 for a total amount of $700,432.43. Also to approve the March 27th payroll and taxes totaling $136,859.13. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth requested authority from the Board to move forward on pursuing a Community Development Block Grant project for the Branch Hill area. He presented his ideas to improve Bridge Street in the form of a "streetscape" project. The project would create a "downtown" image by constructing additional sidewalks on both sides of the street, burying existing utility poles and lines, planting trees and installing decorative flower boxes. The Board asked for more information by the April 21st meeting.
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board the 1998 Property and Casualty Insurance is due for renewal. The premium for renewing with the current $2,000,000.00 limit per claim is $106,039.41 after a credit of $5,237.59 from OTARMA. We can increase our liability limit to $5,000,000.00 per claim for an additional cost of $12,464.94. Mr. Uecker made a motion to increase the Township's liability limit to $5,000,000.00 and to renew the Township's Property and Casualty Insurance for 1998 at the new limit. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth recommend the hiring of Full Time FF2/EMTP candidate Michael Holloway. He has successfully completed all pre employment screenings. If approved, Mr. Holloway will be paid an hourly rate of $10.25 with an effective date of employment as April 8, 1998. He will serve a one year probation period. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to offer employment as a full time FF2/EMTP to Michael Holloway at an hourly rate of $10.25 with a one year probation starting April 08, 1998. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Fire Chief, Jim Whitworth reported on a hazardous materials incident at BOC Gases on March 26, 1998. The operation went smoothly. The members of the Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Response Unit responded to the Miami Township "exercise" and the integration of the Team with Miami Township's response personnel and the BOC Gasses personnel was seamless.
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board the Milford SAY Soccer organization has invited coaches and parents to a "sneak preview" of the Miami Meadows Park on Sunday, April 19th from 2:00 PM to 5:00PM. Mr. Duckworth requested the Board authorize opening the park to the public on April 19th to allow all Township residents to see the improvements to date and learn more about the next round of improvements. Mr. Humphrey supported the suggestion and requested Mr. Duckworth advertise in the newsletter and newspaper.
Mr. Ferry presented the Board with a request to consider off-site storage of the permanent and other Township records. The space for storage on site is limited, also the lack of a climate controlled location could be damaging to some of the more fragile records. The estimated cost of off-site storage is $200.00 to $300.00 per month. Data Storage Center not only stores the files, when we have approval for disposal from the Historical Society, they can destroy the files in a manner approved by the society. We will always have access to all files stored in their facility and if urgent, the files or folder from a file can be delivered to the Township the same day. The plan is to keep 2 to 3 years of records on site. The Board agreed that off-site storage is reasonable and requested Mr. Ferry obtain more information on cost including start up cost.
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to offer conditional employment as a Maintenance Worker 1, Step 5 at $10.00 per hour to Scott R. McElwee pending pre employment test. Also to offer conditional employment as a Maintenance Worker 1, Step 1 at $9.07 per hour to Valerie Jane Allen pending pre employment testing. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Fronk recommended the Township hold two free yard sale weekend each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. He suggested the first free Township Yard Sale weekend be April 24, 25 and 26, 1998. This is the weekend preceding the spring Junk Days. Mr. Uecker made a motion to authorize two FREE Township Yard Sale weekends per year with the first weekend being April 24, 25 and 26, 1998. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board he has received a request from the Cincinnati Canine Competition Club (based in Miami Township) for the use of the Paxton-Ramsey Park to put on a Canine Good Citizen Fest Sunday, April 26, 1998 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Board agreed this would be a good trial and approved the request.
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board, the Police Department would like to hold an Open House at the Annex building, now called the Community Policing Complex, on April 22, 1998 from 4 to 8PM. They will invite area police agencies to attend. Chairperson Humphrey stated he had reviewed the proposed signs for the buildings and he felt all signs for Township buildings should be the same.
Shelly Higgins of 6253 Forest Crest Court asked the Board to confirm the change on the next Trustee meeting. Chairperson Humphrey confirmed the meeting will be held Wednesday, April 22, 1998 at 8:00 PM. Ms. Higgins also asked why her neighborhood still did not receive the Township Newsletter. Mr. Duckworth responded, there were over 300 labels for Forest Knoll in the last mailing. Ms. Higgins also asked for a copy of the letter from the Attorney General of Ohio regarding Hoffman-Parrott and Strawser vs Board of Trustees of Miami Township for Trifolds.
Mr. Louis R Berling of 287 Miami Valley Drive asked the Trustees when they are going to take care of the erosion problem in front of Miami Valley Drive. He stated the ditch created by this problem is dangerous to the public. Mr. Fischer, Service Director, stated they have made attempts to correct the problem several times. The Board asked Mr. Fischer to prepare some options with costs to repair this problem. Chairperson Humphrey stated the Trustees would each make a trip to view the area before the next meeting.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(3). Mrs. Schmidt excused herself from the discussion. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE." Mrs. Schmidt did not attend the Executive Session.
With no other business to come before the Board, Chairperson Humphrey adjourned the meeting at 10:37 PM.
ATTEST__________________________________________________ Eric C. Ferry, Clerk
__________________________________________________ Edwin H. Humphrey, Chairperson