The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, February 17, 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 led by Boy Scout Troop 888 and a Girl Scout. Miami Township Clerk Eric C. Ferry called the roll. Attending were: Edwin H. Humphrey, Joseph W. Uecker and Jean Schmidt.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to approve the corrected February 03, 1998 minutes. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to approve the corrected February 09, 1998 minutes. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Mr. Humphrey and Mr. Uecker voted "AYE." Mrs. Schmidt abstained.
Miami Township Police Chief R. Steven Bailey swore in the second member of the canine core, ISCO. ISCO' s partner Mike Hackman responded for him.
Miami Township Administrator David Duckworth presented a proposed concept for the playground environment for the Miami Meadows Park. He introduced the designer, Teri Hendy of Site Masters Inc. Ms. Hendy presented an overview of the proposed children's playground areas and the adult play areas.
Miami Township Fire Chief James Whitworth presented the January activity report to the Board. He highlighted the personnel situation with staffing continuing to be challenging due to a variety of injuries.
Miami Township Planning and Zoning Director Larry Fronk presented the January report. Mr. Fronk mentioned that this past weekend he personally removed 63 directional signs in an hour. A sweep will be made next week end and citations will be issued.
Miami Township Police Chief R. Steven Bailey presented the Police Department's activity report for January. Chief Bailey noted that over the past several weeks, a number of arrests have been made involving juveniles and underage drinking. He noted that a pattern has emerged showing these juveniles have a lack of adult supervision and secondly, they do not have appropriate accountability to their parents. Chief Bailey also noted a rash of burglaries and the trend is businesses without security systems.
Mr. Randy Huneck, Foreman of the Service Department presented the Service Departments activity report for January. Mr. Huneck reported the Miami Meadows Park lake is now filled. The mild weather has enabled the department to perform ditching and culvert repairs. Projects were completed on Ring Lane Paxton Guinea, Miami Meadows Park, Lela Avenue and a double pipe replacement was started on Lindencreek Drive. He noted the cemetery has had six funerals and 2 lot sales for a total of $4,103.00.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from the Clermont County Engineer regarding the 1997 Bridge Inventory for Clermont County. An attached exhibit listed the bridges that are load restricted. The number has decreased to 171.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from CoverX Corporation, the Township's pool claim coordinator in the case regarding Hoffman-Parrott and Strawser Partnership,et al. The letter notified the Township that the law firm of Reminger and Reminger will handle the defense of this lawsuit.
Mr. Ferry read a notice from the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census asking if the township wants to participate in a new program for Census 2000.
Fire Chief Jim Whitworth presented the Board with a report to answer questions they had at the February 03, 1998 meeting regarding Ambulance Billing for Non-Residents. After the Board reviewed the report, Mr. Uecker made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 98-04 to establish a program for billing non-residents for use of the Township's Emergency Medical Service. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth reported that Walter Fischer Service Director has narrowed the field of candidates for the Service Foreman position to three. Mr. Duckworth requested the Board schedule these interviews at the earliest date possible. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to hold a special meeting February 24, 1998 from 4:00PM to 5:30PM for the purpose of interviewing Service Foreman candidates and any other Township business that may come before the Board. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board that Michael Cooper has successfully completed all pre-employment screenings and is ready to be offered probationary employment. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to offer probationary employment to Michael Cooper as a full time firefighter/paramedic for Miami Township. His start date to be February 23, 1998 at an hourly rate of $9.99. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board make a decision on the final draft of a labor agreement between Miami Township and Teamsters Local 100. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to accept the Labor Agreement between Miami Township and Truck Drivers, Chauffeurs and Helpers Local Union 100. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with a resolution regarding the widening of McCelland Road. Mr. Uecker made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 98-05 granting Roundbottom Development Corporation authorization to widen McCelland Road (T#158) Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Chairperson Humphrey reminded the Board the 2001 Annual Banquet will be held February 25, 1998 at the Eastgate Holiday Inn from 5:30 PM to 7:00PM.
Chairperson Humphrey reminded the Board a Public Hearing Continuance on Rural Zoning Case #431 at 7:00 PM on March 03, 1998.
Mr. Duckworth informed the Board he has received two lateral entry candidates for employment consideration from Chief Bailey. Mr. Tom Risk and Mr. Nick Colliver. Jean Schmidt made a motion to offer conditional employment to Mr. Tom Risk and Mr. Nick Colliver pending the results of all pre-employment screenings. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board he has received notification from Chief Whitworth that Lt. Paul Lehn has resigned effective the end of this month. Lt. Lehn is making a career change and he is wished success. Lt. Lehn will be missed .
Due to the resignation of Lt. Lehn there is an opening in the Fire and EMS Department. Chief Whitworth recommends offering conditional employment to Michael Holloway. Chief Whitworth also requests authorization to start the process to establish another eligibility list for full-time firefighter/paramedic candidates.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to accept the letter of resignation from Lt. Paul Lehn. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to offer conditional employment to Michael Holloway pending results of all pre-employment testing. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to authorize Chief Whitworth to start the process to establish an eligibility list for full-time firefighter/paramedic candidates. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Chief R. Steven Bailey presented a plan to reorganize the Miami Township Police Department. The reorganization will proceed in several phases and will be completed in October 1998. The reorganization is being implemented to improve the departments capability to deliver Community Oriented Policing.
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with a request for approval for Out of Township travel for 3 personnel to attend a seminar on Fire and Arson Interview and Interrogation Techniques. Estimated total cost is $1,380.00. Mr. Uecker made a motion to approve Out of Township travel for 3 Miami Township Fire/EMS personnel to attend a seminar on interview and interrogation techniques at a cost of $1,380.00. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Michael Cambron of 1095 Tumbleweed stated he felt the park plan is exciting. He also spoke as a representative of the political action group, Trifolds. Mr. Cambron outlined the reasons Trifolds was formed and their mission. He stated they are not an adversarial group. He stated they are a concerned group of residents. He stated that Trifolds is holding a meeting tomorrow night at 7:30 PM at the Boyd E Smith School. Mr. Duckworth advised Mr. Cambron the Township hall is available for community group meetings.
Mrs. Shelly Higgins of 6253 Forest Crest Court spoke of some concerns for the proposed water tower sites. Mrs. Higgins also spoke of the goals of the group Trifolds. She stated they are looking forward to working cooperatively with the Trustees for the betterment of the Township.
Mr. Dave Carroll of 1076 Bridle Path Lane, a member of Trifolds, came forth and stated he "applauds Ed, you and Joe for your decision on defeating the resolution on the Weber Farm proposed development" He also stated he felt the park plans are great for the community.
Mr. Tom Siberski of 6220 Shadow Hill Way ask what is the status of the plans to renovate the Lemming House. He stated that now was the time to repair the roof.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation pursuant to ORC 121.22(G3) and to discuss collective bargaining with the Teamsters and IAFF issues pursuant to ORC 121.22(G)(4). Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE." Let the record reflect, Jean Schmidt left the building prior to discussion of pending litigation. Mr. Uecker made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
With no further business to come before the Board, Chairperson Humphrey adjourned the meeting at 11:55 PM.
ATTEST ____________________________________________Eric C. Ferry, Clerk
_____________________________________________Edwin H. Humphrey, Chairperson