The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in regular session at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, December 23, 1997 at the Miami Township Civic Building. Chairperson Jean Schmidt called the meeting to order followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairperson Schmidt asked the Board and guests to remain standing for a moments silence to honor the memory of former employee, Jeanette Wiesenhahn, who passed away today. Clerk, Eric C. Ferry called the roll. Attending were Jean Schmidt, Edwin H. Humphrey and Joseph W. Uecker.
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 09, 1997 Special Meeting and the December 09, 1997 Regular Meeting of the Board. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Fire/EMS Chief, James Whitworth presented the activity report for the month of November to the Board.
Planning and Zoning Director, Larry Fronk reviewed the activity of the Zoning Department. He updated the Board on the right of way sign problem.
Miami Township Police Chief R. Steven Bailey presented the November police activity report to the Board. He advised the Board, the department has just received notice from the Governor of Ohio that they will receive a grant in the amount of $19,998.00 for funding of the traffic safety program.
There was no report from the Service Department due to the illness of Service Director, Walter Fischer.
Clerk, Eric Ferry read a letter from the Clermont County Water and Sewer District announcing a new water tower is required for the Miami Township area. Included with the letter was an area orthophoto with possible site locations marked.
Mr. Ferry read a letter directed to Ms. Jameson of 555 Belle Meade Farm Drive from the Clermont County Engineer, Carl Hartman. Mr. Hartman addressed Ms. Jameson’s concerns about Branch Hill Guinea Pike and Wards Corner Road. Mr. Hartman stated both horizontal and vertical geometric improvements along with dedicated turn lanes and installation of traffic signals are planed at three intersections; Branch Hill Guinea Pike at Wards Corner, Loveland Miamiville Road and Cook/Weber Roads.
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with a resolution supporting a 800 MHz Emergency Communication System for Clermont County. Mr. Uecker made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 97-48 supporting a 800 MHz Emergency Communications System for Clermont County. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board the Township has received a $280,000.00 grant for the Dry Run Road Bank Stabilization-Phase 11 project. The next step is to start the final design process. As Townships are prohibited from directly contracting with private engineering and design firms for OPWC projects, Mr. Duckworth has asked Clermont County Engineer, Carl Hartman to provide the necessary final design services.
Chairperson Schmidt presented the Board with information on Ms. Marlene Baker of Miami Township. The information was provided by Paul Knepp. Mr. Knepp asked the Board to consider Ms. Baker as the Miami Township nominee for the annual Clermont 2001 award. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to nominate Ms. Marlene Baker of Miami Township for the Clermont 2001 award. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Chairperson Schmidt requested the Board determine who to nominate for the Clermont
JC’s Awards. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to nominate the following persons for
Clermont JC’s Awards;
Outstanding Community Service (County or Township Employee) - Walter Fischer
Outstanding Clergy - Father Tom
Outstanding Senior Citizen - Paul Knepp
Outstanding Citizen - Marlene Baker
Outstanding Community Service Volunteer - Mary Wolff
Outstanding Teacher - Jennifer Hopkins
Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to hire Mr. Keith Benhase as a full time Police Officer effective December 29,1997 at an hourly rate of $13.54. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to make a conditional offer of employment as the Fire/EMS Administrative Assistant to Stephanie Lawson. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 97-52 requesting the State of Ohio, Director of Transportation reduce the speed limit on Happy Hollow Road upper (T-241). Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
On behalf of Mr. Fischer, Mr. Duckworth advised the Board that Robert Marsh will retire March 31, 1998. Mr. Marsh has been an employee since March 01, 1975. We definitely need to fill this position. It would be an ideal time to discuss the creation of this type of position within the union. The union contract is currently under negotiation.
Chief Jim Whitworth discussed the situation created with hospitals no longer replacing supplies and medications used for patient care by the EMS service during transport. The HCFA Inspector General has issued a letter advising that hospital replacement of supplies and medications for ambulances constitutes "illegal remuneration" under the federal anti-kickback statutes. This will increase our supplies expenses by $12,000.00 to $15,000.00. It will also increase the storage space needed to accommodate the additional stock. There was some discussion regarding the possibility of charging non-residents for emergency service. The Board requested additional information by the first Board meeting in February, 1998.
Mr. Duckworth presented a request for authority to attend an Arson/Fire Investigation Seminar and out of Township Travel from Chief Whitworth. Assistant Fire/EMS Chief Harold Thiele, Captain Dean Miracle and Police Investigator T. J. Spencer would attend the "Practical Aspects of Arson/Fire Origin Investigation and Arson Case Management" seminar January 05 - 07, 1998 in Columbus, Ohio. The anticipated cost is $1,700.00. Another request for out of Township travel is to send Assistant Fire/EMS Chief Dan Mack, Captain Dean Miracle and Lt. Steve Wells to the Emergency One factory in Florida for a pre-construction meeting concerning the new ambulances January 14-15, 1998. The estimated travel cost is $1,298.00. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to authorize both requests for out of Township travel and payment of the costs. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to hold a Special Meeting on January 12, 1998 at 6:30 PM at the Milford High School in the cafeteria for the purpose of holding a Public Hearing on Rural Zoning Commission Case #432. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call Edwin H. Humphrey voted "AYE", Joseph W. Uecker voted "AYE" and Jean Schmidt abstained.
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to hold a Special Meeting on January 12, 1998 at 9:00 PM at the Milford High School in the cafeteria for the purpose of holding a Public Hearing on Rural Zoning Commission Case #431 and any other business that may come before the Board. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth requested promotion of part time FF1/EMTP Keith Armstrong to FF2/EMTP with an increase in pay to $9.85 per hour effective December 14, 1997. Also due to an oversight, annual pay increases of 4% were not given to FF/EMTP’s Lynn Hausman and David Jetter. The increases were due September 23, 1997. The new hourly rate for both FF/EMTP’S will be $10.81. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to authorize a pay increase to $10.81 per hour for FF/EMTP Lynn Hausman and FF/EMTP David Jetter , both effective September 23, 1997. Also promotion to FF2/EMTP for Keith Armstrong at an hourly rate of $9.85 effective December 14, 1997. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 97-49 authorization health and dental insurance to Township Trustees Jean Schmidt and Edwin H. Humphrey. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to authorize payment of the maximum salary according to law on a monthly basis to the Township Trustees and Clerk. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 97-50 amending the Township’s 1997 Annual Appropriations including the transfer of funds from the General Fund-Zoning-Other Expenses to the Zoning Fund-Other Expenses in the amount of $4,321.31 to cover expenses. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 97-51 which establishes Temporary Annual Appropriations for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to hold the annual reorganization meeting for Miami Township and any other business that might come before the Board on December 29, 1997 at 7:00 PM at the Township Civic Building. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Birkle thanked the Board for the gift certificate he received for the naming of Miami Meadows Park.
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. Uecker made a motion to come out of Executive Session. 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 10:00 PM.
ATTEST________________________________________CLERK, ERIC C. FERRY
________________________________________CHAIRPERSON, JEAN SCHMIDT