The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in regular session on December 14,2000 at 7:00 PM. Chairperson Jean Schmidt called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was given. Clerk, Eric C. Ferry called the role. Attending were Jean Schmidt, Edwin H. Humphrey and Joseph W. Uecker. Mr. Uecker made a motion to approve the November 14th, December 4th and December 5th meeting minutes as presented. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
The Board of Trustees and Mr. Ferry presented a special award to Bradley Henderson. Mr. Henderson is a resident of Miami Township and was selected as a 2001 Rhodes scholar. He is the first recipient of this award in the greater Cincinnati area.
Dave Frisby of the Milford Football Club presented the Board with a plaque and special thanks for allowing Miami Meadows to be the home of the Milford Football Club.
The Board of Trustees welcomed Police Chief R. Steven Bailey back and congratulated him on completing the 11-week FBI course. Chief Bailey presented the Board members with a certificate of recognition from the FBI Academy. He also presented them with a pin making them honorary FBI class members.
Mrs. Schmidt asked that people keep in mind the Chowning family during this season of good will and giving. The family lost their home and personal belongings to a fire today.
Larry Fronk, Director of Community Development presented the November Zoning and Development report with an amendment that the Romar Villa Mobile Home Park/Lowes district change has been withdrawn for now.
Community Relations Director, Kim Laing presented an update of projects completed in November and an overview of upcoming projects. November press releases were at their highest with 45.
Fire and EMS, Assistant Chief Mack presented the November incidents report and updated the Board on the fire this afternoon with a special word of thanks to our mutual aid departments.
Chris Snow, Information Services Manager presented the Board with a review of November results.
Recreation Director, Kris Mick reviewed the November park events with an amendment of a recently added event on January 20 at 11:30 am - A Polar Bear Hunt at Miami Meadows.
Police Chief Steve Bailey reviewed the November activity report for the Police Department drawing attention to 33 success stories involving the police personnel.
Service Director, Walt Fischer presented the Service Department Activities report for November while the rest of the department is preparing to be called out this evening due to the inclement weather.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from the Clermont County Engineer, which lists the schedule for tour of all county roads. This will begin in February 2001, and the Trustees or any staff member is invited to participate in the tour.
Mr. Ferry read a letter from Captain Robert Burns and his wife Annette commending Captain John Dold, Ralph Vilardo, Steve Wyan, and Jim Petry for assistance in removing a fallen tree from his yard while he is out with back surgery.
Mr. Ferry opened the three bids for Beech Road. One bid was submitted from Security Fence for $31,996.80 for a new guardrail or a used guardrail for $25,985.60. Lake Erie Construction Company bid $33,960 for new rail and $29, 299.20 for used rail. And lastly, DEW Construction submitted $36,880 for new rail and $29,124.80 for used rail. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to accept the bids into the records and submit them to the Service Director for review and recommendation. Mr. Uecker seconded. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Ferry stated that there will be a Public Hearing for street lighting, Tuesday December 19th at 7:30 pm at the Miami Township Civic building, to hear any and all proof offered by any and all parties affected concerning Millbrook Farms section 5 street lighting followed by Estates at Miami Trails Phase 3 street lighting. Mrs. Schmidt explained that there was no applicant in the audience for this request, but Mr. Duckworth usually is the applicant for Millbrook Farms although it must be noted that the developer has requested the lighting with the cost to be passed on to the homeowners. This project will go out for public bid. There were no questions from any of the Trustees and no adjacent property owners present to make a statement regarding this request. There was also no communications received relative to this case. A motion was then made by Mr. Humphrey to close this case. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE." Also a motion was made by Mr. Humphrey to set a bid opening for the street lighting district at Millbrook Farms at 8 o'clock pm., January 16th. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Schmidt then mentioned a public hearing for Miami Trails Phase 3 street lighting. Also, Mrs. Schmidt noted that the developer again made this request, with the cost passed on to the homeowners. It was noted that no persons or homeowners were present to make any statements so a motion was made to close the case. Upon roll call, all voted "AVE." Mr. Humphrey made a motion to approve bids due 8 o'clock, January 16th. The motion was seconded by Mr. Uecker. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Schmidt then presented Mr. Fischer, the Township Service director to make recommendations on the Sugar Camp Road bank stabilization project. After the bids were reviewed, he recommends that the project be awarded to the Righter Company out of Columbus, Ohio for $249,768.75 due to their low bid as well as their stellar reputation with ODOT for this type of work. Mr. Fischer recommends that the Trustees authorize the administrator to enter into a contract with this company. Mr. Uecker made the motion to accept the recommendation of the service director and accept the bid by the Righter Company of $249,768.75 as well as to authorize the administrator to enter into a contract with this company. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motions. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Schmidt questioned Assistant Chief Dan Mack about the Paramedic Contract with the Village of Terrace Park regarding if the contract was ready to present. Assistant Chief Mack states that the mayor of Terrace Park has signed this contract and they are awaiting a decision by this board. Chief Whitworth has discussed the contract with Assistant Chief Mack and advises Mr. Korfhagen, the Township solicitor to review this revised contract, which will be set-aside for this purpose. The change involved keeping the previous year 2000 rate schedule.
Resolution for operational hours on garbage collection was presented by Mrs. Schmidt and addressed by Mr. Fischer. The hours of operation would be 6 o'clock in the morning to 7 o'clock in the evening would be garbage collection service in the Township. Mr. Humphrey agrees that this would be an appropriate action due to complaints lodged regarding 3 am trash pick up. This is the first reading. All Trustees were present, with Mr. Uecker moving to adopt the motion to accept the resolution as read by Mrs. Schmidt. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion and all trustees voted, "AYE" upon roll call. The second reading will take place at the January 2nd, 2001 meeting.
Mr. Fronk, Director of Community Development presented information due to a concern regarding the State of Ohio placing a telecommunication tower site in northern Miami Township. Mr. Todd Barnhouse, Public Relations Manager for the MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communication System) addressed the issue by stating that their consultant was directed to find
three alternative sites. Also, whenever possible co-location with Nextel sites will be implemented if feasible whenever frequency interference isn't a problem. Mr. Barnhouse stated that it would be over a year before they start construction in southwest Ohio, and the State will work with local governments in selecting the final sites. Also, a water tower may be built in the same area and this may be a viable solution. Mr. Fronk will further investigate this issue. No questions were submitted.
Getting back to the Terrace Park contract, Mr. Korfhagen has now reviewed the document and Mr. Humphrey has made a motion to authorize the administrator to sign this contract with Terrace Park for EMS Paramedic Service on behalf of the board. The motion was seconded by Mr. Uecker. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Schmidt asked if the financial statement could be presented and it was available and presented by Mr. Ferry.
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to offer conditional employment to Marvin Johnson as Probationary Police Officer. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted, AYE." Also, Chief Whitworth has requested Mr. Duckworth to request authorization to initiate the process to hire four full-time fire fighter/paramedics. One position is a replacement for Harry Scott, who recently resigned and the other three positions are new hires. Detailed information was provided in an additional document. Mr. Humphrey concurred, and all Trustees agreed with Mr. Humphrey upon roll.
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to approve one out-of-Township travel for Mr. Larry Fronk to attend the 2001 National Planning Conference in New Orleans, held March 10 through the 14th not to exceed $1600. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Schmidt directed the Christmas tree recycling program over to Mr. Fischer who stated that press releases were sent out. The recycling will take place in the daylight hours at the Miami Meadows and Paxton Ramsey Parks. There will be signs at the parks to identify the proper areas for recycling. Trees will be taken until the end of January. No questions were presented, but Mr. Humphrey commented on what a good service this was in being provided to the residents.
Mrs. Schmidt stated that Miami Township would celebrate its Bicentennial next year. Mr. Uecker asked Mrs. Laing to find out exactly when the Township was established, which turns out to be February 25, 1801. However, it was called Obanion Township after the surveyor John Obanion. The name was changed to Miami Township in 1803 due to the location along the Little Miami River and also the Miami Indian tribe who were here before the area was settled. If we celebrate using the 1801 date then we can essentially say that we were one of the original 5 Townships in Clermont County. Also, Obanion Township included part of Goshen Township. Suggestions include a cookie brigade by Mrs. Schmidt, a garden party at Lemming House by Mr. Uecker, or also something in conjunction with Miami Meadows yearly event. Also, a reenactment of the 1801 settling would be an idea. A motion was made to set aside February 25th date as the kick off of this celebration with a resolution that Mrs. Laing will present this motion to Mr. Duckworth
Mr. Fischer, the Service director was at the engineer's office to get the Township ODOT annual road certification. He received seventeen roads or extensions, totaling 1.92 miles and the through the past year the service department has been taking inventory of the roads systematically. We have located 3 roads that we have collected money for but have not been maintaining and have now reclassified these roads as class X. We now total 130.46 miles, which is the largest road inventory in this county.
Mr. Duckworth has asked for a special meeting on December 27 and Mr. Humphrey presented the motion for a general meeting on that date at 7pm. The purpose of the meeting will be to address budget and reorganization, transfers of funds and other business. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Schmidt opened the meeting for anyone to come forward with any public comments. No one came forward.
Assistant Chief Mack presented a SCBA specs and recommendations document to go out for bid. Mr. Humphrey then explained the function of these breathing apparatus to the board. Assistant Chief Mack went on to explain the advantages of this proposal for each firefighter. A motion was put forth by Mr. Humphrey to accept bids for SCBA (29 units, 36 additional air bottles plus face pieces) to be opened at 8:15 pm. on January 16 on 2001. The motion was seconded by Mr. Uecker. Upon roll, all voted "AYE."
With all members in agreement, Mrs. Schmidt moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:35.
ATTEST: _____________________________________________________________ Eric C. Ferry, Clerk
___________________________________________________________________ Jean Schmidt, Chairperson