The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, July 21, 1998 at 8:00 PM in 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 July 14th and 15th minutes of the Special Board meetings. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
The Fire/EMS Department Report for June was presented by Assistant Chief Harold Thiele. Of special note, the department was awarded a $16,750.00 grant by the Ohio State Board of EMS for the1998-1999 grant year. He also mentioned that during the storms on Monday night the department was busy fighting three structure fires.
The Planning/Zoning Department Report for June was presented by Larry Fronk, Director. Mr. Fronk noted the draft of the State Route 131 study is completed. The report included a six months review of activity which shows 451 zoning certificates have been issued. This represents over $45,000,000.00 in new construction. He noted Applebee’s and the Dairy Queen projects on Meijer Drive are continuing on schedule.
The Police Department Report for June was presented by Lt. Daryl Poe. Lt. Poe recognized Sgt. Al Fatute for his dedication and hard work in re-writing the department’s policies and procedures manual , bringing it up to date. Also noted, the department will sponsor "Back the Blue" again on August 22,1998. It will be held at the Kroger’s in Mulberry Square.
The Service Department Report was presented by Service Director, Walter Fischer. Of special notice, the ditching projects are complete on Millie and Hoffman. All known pot holes were repaired in a four day sweep. The Miami Meadows grass fields have been fertilized.
Mr. Ferry read a notice from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for permit #88200480195 to be issued to Thomas & King Inc. dba Applebees Neighborhood Grill & Bar. The Township had no objections to the issuance of the permit.
Mr. Ferry read a notice from the Community Planning and Development department. The Clermont County Planning Commission has received the formal plan for Torrey Place and will take action on July 28, 1998 at 5:00 PM.
Mr. Ferry read a letter sent by the Clermont County Auditor, Linda L. Fraley to Beth Faucher of Multifold International. The letter requested explanation or justification to the Tax Incentive Review Council of the non compliance with terms of the abatement agreement in the areas of personal property and employment commitments.
Mr. Ferry opened bids for the 1998 Road Resurfacing Program.
Barrett Paving $235,036.83
John Jergensen 255,981.67
L.P. Cavett 244,091.83
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to accept the bids for review and recommendation from Service Director, Walter Fischer. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Miami Township Administrator, David Duckworth presented a final version of the Township’s Citizen Survey to the Board. The process will start soon and will take approximately six weeks for completion.
Mr. Duckworth reported on the study to determine if any type of improvements were warranted for the intersection of Branch Hill-Guinea and Cook/Weber Roads. The township’s consultant, Wood Cauble reports the intersection does meet warrants for a controlled traffic signal. Mr. Cauble proposes the township purchase reconditioned equipment from the Wagner-Smith Company. The cost is $14,235.00. Mr. Cauble also recommends Branch Hill-Guinea Road be widened to allow for left turn lanes. The estimated cost is $6,000.00. The total cost of the project is estimated at $21,000.00 to $22,000.00. Mrs. Schmidt raised objections to proceeding with this project. She suggested installing a four way stop to see if this would solve the problem as effectively , with little cost. If a 4-way Stop proved to be ineffective, Mrs. Schmidt would agree to a traffic light. Mr. Humphrey asked what the procedure would be to install the stop signs. Mr. Fischer said the signs are in stock and could be installed in a week after approval by the County Engineer.
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with a resolution authorizing a street lighting district for the final phase of the Hunter’s Valley subdivision. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 98-17providing for the procurement of a street lighting system for Hunter’s Valley, Section II-Phase IV. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with a resolution opposing the proposed truck ban on I-75/I-71 in Northern Kentucky. Mr. Uecker made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 98-18 opposing any permanent ban on truck traffic on interstates I-71 or I-75. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to pay the bills of the Township including 263 checks numbered 66782 to 67-46 for a total amount of $564,819.52 plus payrolls for June 19, July 04 and July 17, 1998 in the amount of $425,094.90. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Ferry presented the June financial statements to the Board for review.
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board authorize him to initiate proceedings to have a vacant building located at 659 Brooklyn Avenue demolished pursuant to R.C. 505.86. He has been unsuccessful in making contact with the owner. There is evidence the house is being used by individuals for various illegal purposes. The house is unsafe due the damage sustained in a fire a few years ago. Also the roof is weakened. The owner of the property as listed on the County Auditor’s tax records was notified of the intent to declare the property a nuisance by certified letter. The letter was signed for on June 16,1998. There has been no response. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to authorize David Duckworth to initiate the proceedings to have this building demolished pursuant to R.C. 505.86. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with Out of Township Travel Requests for the following Township employees;
Assistant Chief Thiele, Capt. Dean Miracle and Firefighter Steve Monterosso to attend the Emergency Vehicle Fleet Maintenance Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, August 28-30, 1998. Estimated cost $2,500.00.
Assistant Chief Dan Mack, Capt. Dean Miracle, Lt. Steve Wells and FF Steve Monterosso to attend a mid-construction meeting and inspection of the new ambulances under construction in Ocala, Florida, July 22-25, 1998. Estimated cost $2,100.00.
Jennifer Heideman, Police Department, to attend a Hiring and Employment Practices seminar at Salt Fork State Park, October 18-19,1998. Cost $210.00.
Officer Bill Adams to attend a week long Basics School Resource Officer program in Atwater, California. Estimated cost $2,000.00
Officer Rob Heideman, Corporal Glenn Evans and Officer Gary Roush to attend a National Conference on preventing crime in Washington D.C. October 11-15. Estimated cost $1,908.00.
Jean Schmidt to attend annual conference of the OTA.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to approve all out of township travel requests. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth informed the Board of the receipt by the Miami Township Fire and EMS Department of $16,750.00 from the Ohio EMS Grant program is the fifth year in a row the department has been successful in applying for a grant.
Mr. Walter Fischer presented the Board with a request to reduce the speed limit to 25 miles per hour on Grist Mill Court. Jean Schmidt made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 98-20 establishing 25 miles per hour as the speed limit on Grist Mill Court (T-2109) in the platted subdivision known as Millers Meadow subdivision. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board consider the following personnel actions pertaining to employees of the Fire & EMS Department; Removal of Stephanie Lawson, Administrative Assistant from probation with a pay increase to $9.90 per hour effective July 19, 1998. Jean Schmidt made a motion to remove Stephanie Lawson from probation and authorize a pay rate of $9.90 per hour effective July 19, 1998. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE." Removal of David Mills, Full Time FF/EMTP from probation with a pay increase to $11.25 per hour effective July 02, 1998. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to remove David Mills from probation with a pay increase to $11.25 per hour effective July 02, 1998. For the record, Mr. Mills has resigned effective July 21, 1998 to accept a job in Xenia, however he is entitled to the pay increase for the period of July 2nd through July 21st following the policy of the Township. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE." Chief Whitworth requests an additional increase in pay for non-union management employees, Harold Thiele, Dan Mack, Robert Burns, Rita Burroughs, John Dold, Brian Gulat and Dean Miracle. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to authorize an additional 1 percent pay increase on their respective anniversary dates for Harold Thiele, Dan Mack, Robert Burns, Rita Burroughs, John Dold, Brian Gulat and Dean Miracle. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth presented a request from Walter Fischer for authorization to hire a temporary clerical employee to help with computer data entry. The estimated time frame is two weeks. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to authorize the hiring of a temporary clerical employee for the service department for an estimated period of two weeks. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth asked the Board to adopt a resolution to authorize Miami Township Police Department to apply for a DARE grant through the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 98-19 authorizing the Miami Township Police Department to apply for a grant through the DARE grants program and to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Attorney General’s office to implement the funding program. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to set Zoning Case #434 for Public Hearing at the next regular scheduled meeting on August 04, 1998 at 8:00 PM. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Chairperson Humphrey noted a Public Meeting sponsored by the Clermont County Water and Sewer District will be held September 24th from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Boyd E. Smith School.
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board he and Mr. Fischer have determined the September 19th Grand Opening of the Miami Meadows Park is not realistic. The park will be open this year, however, he recommended the Grand Opening be held in the spring of 1999.
Mr. Duckworth announced the CABA Baseball Tournament was held at Paxton-Ramsey Park today and will continue tomorrow. This is select teams of 13 year old players.
Terri Rohn affiliated with a transmission shop scheduled to open on SR 131 came forth to ask why the Board did not discuss her sewer problem at this meeting. Mr. Duckworth stated the topic was tabled because the prosecutor has not completed an easement for sewers which is necessary before the project can continue. The Board requested Mr. Fischer prepare a permit to work within the right of way temporarily for Mrs. Rohn.
There were no other public comments
Mr. Uecker made a motion to go into Executive Session, after a brief recess, to consider Personnel Issues pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(1) and to consider the Purchase of Property for Public Purposes pursuant to ORC 121.(G)(2). Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
With no other business to come before the Board, Chairperson Humphrey adjourned the meeting at 10:10 PM.
ATTEST:_____________________________________________________________________
Eric C. Ferry, Clerk
_____________________________________________________________________
Edwin H. Humphrey, Chairperson