The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in regular session March 17, 1998 at 8:00 PM. Chairperson Edwin H. Humphrey called the meeting to order. The Boy Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance. Miami Township Clerk, Eric C. Ferry called the roll. Attending were: Edwin H. Humphrey, Joseph W. Uecker and Jean Schmidt.
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to approve the amended January 22, 1997 minutes. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Mr. Humphrey and Mr. Uecker voted "AYE." Mrs. Schmidt abstained.
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to approve the March 03 and March 10, 1998 Board meeting minutes. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Mark Jaehnen and Ms. Carol Schulze of the Clermont County Engineer's Office reviewed the road and bridge projects planned for Miami Township. Mr. Jaehnen updated the Board of the status of the sewer and water projects. Mr. Jaehnen also noted a public meeting will be held in the Day Heights area on March 23. 1997 at 7:00 PM at the Milford High School regarding the three water tower studies currently under way in Miami Township. The second study is under way in the Miami Trails/Guinea Pike area.
Larry Fronk, Planning and Zoning Director presented the Board with the zoning activity report for February. The revenue for the month was significantly higher than the same period a year ago due to several large commercial alterations and construction permits.
Police Chief, R. Steven Bailey presented the Police Department activity report for February. He noted major crimes reported increased for the second consecutive month. There was a decrease in the number of reported burglary, theft and domestic violence offenses, while there was an increase in robberies, assaults and property damage offenses reported.
Service Director, Walter Fischer presented an overview of the Service Department activities. The Linden Creek Drive pipe project has been completed. The Collection of pipe inventory data continues and the FIMA flood repairs on Dry Run Road has started. He noted there were 3 funerals and l lot sale at Evergreen Cemetery.
Mr. Humphrey welcomed Boy Scout Troop 468. Mr. Humphrey mentioned if they had any questions or comments there would be an opportunity to speak during the Public Comments portion of the meeting. If there was a specific time they needed to leave, the Board would open the floor to Public Comments earlier. They stated they would probably need to leave by 9:30 PM.
Eric Ferry, Clerk read a notice to the Ohio Division of Liquor Control stating the Township has no objections to issuing a C2 permit to Lykins C Stores Inc dba Friends Convenience Store W at 6385 Branch Hill Guinea Pike in Miami Township.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from the Department of Community Planning and Development regarding Deerhaven Subdivision, Block A, Section 6. The hearing will be held March 24, 1998 at 5PM.
Mr. Ferry read a notice from the Department of Community Planning and Development requesting the Township designate a representative to attend the Planning Commission meeting at which a local zoning case will be under consideration.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from the Clermont County Engineer regarding Dry Run Road. After walking the area of Dry Run Road that is currently in need of bank stabilization, it has been determined that not sufficient monies are part of the OPWC Phase II Grant to complete the repairs. It was recommended that soil borings be conducted for the total anticipated needed area. Engineering design drawings be prepared for the total project and the areas in the most distressed segments be constructed in 1998 with available monies.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from Becky Jauch, Committee Chair-BSA Troop 888. Ms. Jauch advised the Board that Joseph Fowler will receive his Eagle rank at Eagle Court of Honor on April 4, 1998. She requested a letter of recognition from the Trustees.
Me. Walter Fischer notified the Board he has reviewed the two Lawn Maintenance bids received, and he recommends awarding the contract to Neltner's Lawn Service at $17,220.00. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to award the Lawn Maintenance contract to Neltner's Lawn Service at $17,220.00 for the 1998 season. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. David Duckworth, Township Administrator requested the Board consider approving the IAFF Collective Bargaining Contract final draft. Mr. Uecker made a motion to approve the IAFF Collective Bargaining Contract. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Chairperson Humphrey reminded the Board there will be a Public Hearing on Rural Zoning Case #431 on April 7, 1998 at 7:00 PM at the Miami Township Civic Building.
Mr. Uecker made a motion to pay the bills of the Township including 169 checks numbered from 65957 to 66154 for a total amount of $250,231.95, and the payroll and payroll taxes for March 13, 1998 in the amount of $129,167.57. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth presented his recommendation to the Board to remove three full time employees from probation. Jeff Childers, FF/EMTP, Police Officers Mike Noble and Steve Burgess. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to remove Jeff Childers, Mike Noble and Steve Burgess from probationary status to regular employment. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth presented a request from Chief Whitworth that the Board hire 3 part time Fire/EMS personnel; Scott D. Baker as a FF2/EMTB at a rate of $8.55 per hour, Jason Peng FF1/EMTP at $9.50 per hour and Steve Wyan FF2/EMTP at $9.85 per hour. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to authorize hiring 3 part time Fire/EMS personnel as requested. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with a request from Chief Bailey recommending appointing Thomas Risk and Nick Colliver as probationary police officers. They are lateral entry employees and their pay rate will be $17.44 per hour. Mr. Risk could start April 5, 1998 and Mr. Colliver on April 6, 1998. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to offer probationary employment to Mr. Thomas Risk at $17.44 per hour beginning April 5, 1998 and Mr. Nick Colliver at $17.44 per hour beginning April 6, 1998. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE." Chief Bailey requested the official swearing in take place the second meeting in April.
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to change the regular meeting scheduled for April 21, 1998 to April 22, 1998 at 8:00 PM at the Miami Township Civic building. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with a resolution authorizing pay increases for 1998. The schedule lists all employees and requested pay increase percentage. (see attached) Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 98-07 providing for pay increases for various Township Employees in 1998. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with two Out of Township travel request. Major Branigan has submitted a request to send Lt. Steve Rogers and Sgt. Fred Fatute to a Defensive Tactics course May 25-June 01, 1998 in Ft. Meyers, Florida at an estimated cost of $1,936.00. Chief Whitworth has submitted a request to send Assistant Chief Harold Thiele and Captain Dean Miracle to the Pierce Aerial Apparatus School April 4-6, 1998 in Appleton, Wisconsin at an estimated cost of $1,200.00. Mr. Uecker made a motion to authorize Out of Township travel as requested. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board he has received a petition for the establishment of a street lighting district for the Torrey Pines subdivision. Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to hold a public hearing regarding establishment of a street lighting district for the Torrey Pines subdivision The hearing to be held during the regular Board meeting on April 22, 1998. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to hold a Public Hearing on April 22, 1998 at 7:00 PM to hear Rural Zoning Case #433-Roberts Engineering. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Walter Fischer recommended the Board set April 18, 1998 as Brush Day and May 1 & 2, 1998 as Spring Cleanup for the Township. Mr. Uecker made a motion to hold Brush Day on April 18, 1998 from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Spring Clean Up Days May 1 & 2 from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Mrs. Schmidt seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Assistant Fire/EMS Chief Dan Mack presented the Fire/EMS activity report for February. Asst. Chief Mack noted there was no major maintenance to the facilities. He discussed a request to apply for a $75,000. 00 EMS grant to conduct a study on the value of a traffic light preemption system. There would be no cost to the Township for the study. The additional cost of $25,000. 00 to $40,000.00 would be for equipment needed for Township emergency vehicles if the study proves the system valuable. Chairperson Humphrey asked why the inspections, re-inspections and training hours are down from the same period in 1997. Assistant Chief Mack assured the Board inspections remain high priority, during the first two months of the year, the department has had a shortage of personnel due to injuries. The training is down, however in March there will be a high number of training hours. The timing for training is relative to new equipment arriving.
Mark Duermit of 6568 East Knollwood Circle presented the Board with a petition requesting NO PARKING be posted on East Knollwood Circle. The petition is signed by 13 of the 16 homeowners on the street. Chairperson Humphrey suggested the situation be reviewed by the Safety Committee.
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board schedule a time for a presentation by Mrs. Whittaker , representing Cinergy regarding the development of a Community Outreach Program. The Board determined to schedule the presentation for the May 27, 1998 meeting with a time to be determined at a later date.
Mrs. Schmidt reported she did go to Columbus to testify against House Bill 294, the Taking Legislation. Her written and oral arguments were documented in the review.
Mrs. Schmidt 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."
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to promote Jennifer Heideman from Records Clerk Supervisor in the Police Department to Support Services Manager at an hourly rate of $17.31 effective March 09, 1998. Also authorize Chief Bailey to begin the search for a records clerk. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to authorize Chief Bailey to begin the process to hire a police officer due to the disability of a current officer. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Schmidt made a motion to increase Bette Lucas's salary to $15.00 an hour effective immediately and to increase the rate to $15.50 July 01, 1998. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
With no other business to come before the Board, Chairperson Humphrey adjourned the meeting at 9:45 PM.
ATTEST ___________________________________________________CLERK
ERIC C. FERRY
___________________________________________________CHAIRPERSON
EDWIN H. HUMPHREY