The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, April 01, 1997 at 8:00 P.M. at the Miami Township Civic Building.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Jean Schmidt. The Pledge of Allegiance was given. Miami Township Clerk, Eric C. Ferry called the roll. In attendance were Jean Schmidt, Edwin H. Humphrey and Joseph W. Uecker.
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to approve the minutes of both March 18, 1997 meetings as presented. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Ferry read a notification from the Ohio Department of Liquor Control of a liquor permit transfer from #8845824 TER-CAT Inc. DBA Guinea Pike Pony Keg to #7919938 Scooters Corner Store Inc. DBA Scooters Corner Store.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from Carl G. Hartman, Clermont County Engineer thanking the Miami Township Road Department for their help in cleaning the roads after the Flood of 97.
Mr. Ferry read an article from Grassroots Clippings, a monthly newsletter of the Ohio Township Association. The article requested the Townships continue to support for the OTA’s annexation reform proposal. Mrs. Schmidt recommended a letter be sent to the Clermont County Commissioners asking for their support of the OTA’s annexation reform proposal. Mr. Humphrey and Mr. Uecker concurred.
Mr. Ferry read a Thank You letter from Mr. William B. Knepp, President of the Greater Miami Township Performing Center.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Rural Zoning Commission, denying the district change request of Case #424. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Ferry opened bids for a Pumper at 8:15 P.M. There were two bids received;
Pierce Manufacturing $ 278,440.00
Sutphen Corporation $ 224,450.00
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to accept the bids into the record and turn them over the Fire Chief, Jim Whitworth for review and recommendation. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Chairperson Schmidt announced the Lawn Maintenance Bid Decision. Ground Masters was awarded Contract #1 - Parks. Neltner’s Lawn Service was awarded Contract #2 - Administration and Cemetery.
Chairperson Schmidt introduced Mr. Larry Fronk. Mr. Fronk is the new Zoning Planner for Miami Township.
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with a request to open the North Park. Mr. Walter Fischer of the Miami Township Service Department expects the park to be open within the next two months. A suggested name for the park was Paxton-Ramsey Park. Mr. Uecker made a motion to officially designate the name of the north park to the Paxton-Ramsey Park. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE." It was decided to go with the same type of sign currently at the Buckwheat Park.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to pay the bills of the Township including 63 checks numbered from 64313 to 64375 for a total amount of $144,119.53. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
The Board discussed a formal resolution to adopt the distribution method of the Local Government Fund and Local Government Revenue Assistance Fund. Mr. Uecker recommended this issue be tabled until a later meeting. The Board concurred.
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board, Ms. Rita Morgan, Police Clerk Candidate and Mr. Matthew Davis, Police Officer Candidate have successfully completed their pre-employment screenings and are ready to proceed with a Trustee interview. Ms. Cassandra Ware, Police Officer Candidate was not successful and is no longer a viable candidate. Police Chief Steve Bailey would like to advance Mr. Chris House who is the next candidate on the eligibility list. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to offer Mr. House conditional employment pending the results of the polygraph and psychological evaluation. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE." Mr. Humphrey made a motion to hold a Special Meeting at 6:00 P.M. on April 15, 1997 for the purpose of interviewing Police candidates. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board we lost the services of the Frank Gates Service Co. for all workers’ compensation consulting since Miami Township was not permitted to be included in the 1997 Ohio Township Association group workers’ compensation pool. Mr. Duckworth recommended the Board authorize him to enter into a contract with Frank Gates Service., Co. at a cost of $4,125.00 for 1997. Mr. Uecker made a motion to authorize Mr. Duckworth to enter into a contract with Frank Gate Service, Co. for 1997. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with three yard waste disposal options for consideration. None of the major waste haulers servicing Miami Township are collecting yard waste. Mr. Duckworth suggested the Board invite Mr. Paul Brasch of the Clermont Adams Solid Waste District to a future meeting for additional information.
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board, the Township has received a petition for the establishment of a street lighting district for Phase 1 of the Harvest Ridge subdivision. He requested the Board schedule a public hearing . Mr. Humphrey made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing for the proposed Harvest Ridge street lighting district on May 06, 1997 during the regularly scheduled Trustees meeting. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board, the Township has received a petition for the establishment of a street
lighting district for The Reserve at the Oasis subdivision. He requested the Trustees scheduled a Public Hearing. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing for the proposed street lighting district for The Reserve at the Oasis on May 06, 1997 during the regularly scheduled Trustees meeting. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE" except Chairperson Jean Schmidt who abstained.
Mr. Walter Fischer announced the Township Annual Brush Day will be held on Saturday, April 26, 1997 from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Mr. Fischer also announced the Township Spring Clean Up will be held the weekend of May 02, and May 03, 1997 between the hours of 7:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. each day.
Mr. Fischer updated the Board on the Paxton-Ramsey Park project. The grass is starting to come up, the ball fields should be ready to use by next weekend and the project should be nearly completed by the end of April.
Mr. Duckworth announced the groundbreaking for the South park facility will need to be scheduled for later this summer. Also a grand opening of the Paxton-Ramsey Park should be scheduled for early summer, perhaps the month of June.
Mr. Noble Davis, Jr. Of 627 Loveland Miamiville Road asked questions about the yard waste proposals. He suggested the Board look into the plan currently being used by the Indian Hill community.
Mr. William Knepp of 826 State Route 131 suggested the Board might consider having the Township historian write a story about the Paxton and Ramsey families and put the information on a historical board under a shelter at the park.
There were no other public comments.
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss a Personnel Matter pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(1). 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."
For the record, the Board was in deliberation for one hour forty-five minutes.
Mr. Uecker stated that after reviewing the testimony and evidence presented and upon deliberation , the Board of Trustees is in unanimous agreement that the evidence presented supports the finding that James Young’s actions constitute gross misconduct as defined in Article 9, Section 9.4 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Mr. Uecker made a motion to find James Young guilty of gross misconduct defined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement and to terminate James Young’s employment with the Miami Township Police Department immediately as recommended by Township Administrator, David Duckworth. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
With no other business to come before the Board, Chairperson Schmidt adjourned the meeting at 2:10 A.M.
ATTEST_____________________________________________CLERK, ERIC C. FERRY
_____________________________________________CHAIRPERSON, JEAN SCHMIDT