The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, June 5th at 8:00 PM. Chairperson Edwin H. Humphrey called the meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance. Pastor Ron Edwards of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church gave the invocation. Miami Township Clerk, Eric C. Ferry called the role. Attending were Edwin H. Humphrey, Joseph W. Uecker and Mary Makley Wolff. Mrs. Wolff made a motion to approve the minutes of the Board meetings held May 15th, May 16th and May 30, 2001. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Miami Township Police Officer, Kevin Petrocelli presented an overview of a new safety program being implemented in Miami Township. The program is called "Keep Kids Alive-Drive 25." The program uses specially designed street signs to get the attention of the public. The signs encourage voluntary speed reduction.
Mr. Ferry read a notice from the Clermont County Water and Sewer District. The notice announced a public hearing for the Buckwheat elevated water storage tank proposal will be held at 2:00 p.m. June 12th in their office at 101 E. Main Street, Batavia.
Chairperson Humphrey opened the Public Meeting on proposed amendments to the Property Maintenance Code. Miami Township Community Development Director, Larry Fronk reviewed the proposal for amended property maintenance codes regarding vehicles on residential property in the township and a more defined definition of inoperable vehicles. The purpose of this meeting is to allow the residents to express their thoughts on these subjects.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Melanie Schefft of 6567 East Knollwood Circle presented the Board with her definition of an inoperable vehicle and desired amendments to the property maintenance codes of Miami Township. George Wade of 6569 East Knollwood Circle commented that allowing junk vehicles to be parked on residential property affects the property values and reputation of the township. Will Bryan of 6577 East Knollwood Circle echoed the comments of the first two speakers. He stated a person should be able to do what they want on their property, but you still need to be a good neighbor and do what is good for the neighborhood. Phil Deerwester of 6269 Branch Hill Miamiville Road stated he has a business located next to his property and the business has junk setting around that detracts from the value of his property. Jeff Miller of 6577 Windfield Court stated he is an agent with Sibcy Cline Realtors. He stated that he knows of homes that have had to reduce their selling price by $15 to $20 thousand dollars below market value because of the appearance of a property in the subdivision. Kathy Wade of 6569 East Knollwood Circle spoke about her concerns about a neighboring property. Mike Mahady of 6573 East Knollwood Circle spoke of his specific complaints against a neighboring property. Gary McWhorten of 6564 Windfield Court stated he is the owner of the property the previous speakers were referring to and gave his view of the problems. The Trustees stated they have viewed the property being discussed and are aware of the concerns that have been expressed. However, this meeting is to get public input as to the definition of an inoperable vehicle and parking and storage of specific vehicles in residential areas. Jo Brotherton of 1372 Woodville Pike, also an employee of the township asked for clarification of the type of commercial vehicles that would not be allowed to be parked on residential properties in the township.
Glen Cook of 1481 Greystone urged the Board to consider allowing commercial or inoperable vehicles to be parked within a garage or building on residential properties. Melanie Schefft of 6567 East Knollwood Circle stated the majority of residents in the Township would benefit by the proposed changes in the property maintenance codes. She stated these rules would help maintain the integrity of Miami Township. Willard Volkmar of 310 Miami Valley Drive, Loveland asked if a fence could be place right on the edge of a property in the right of way. Mr. Humphrey replied, no. Mr. Volkmar indicated he was concerned about a neighboring property owner who has erected a fence. Mark Duermit of 6568 East Knollwood Circle suggested the Board conduct a survey of neighboring areas as to how they handle this problem. Bill Comb of 6150 Branch Hill- Guinea Pike stated he felt this argument is personal, but these changes would affect everyone in the Township. Chairperson Humphrey closed the public meeting regarding proposed amendments to the property maintenance code.
Bid Opening: Salt Truck Bed & Plow Options for 2 Trucks 1 bid received Kaffenbarger $ 82,412.00 Mr. Uecker made a motion to accept the bid into the record and turn over to the Service Department Director for review and recommendation. Mrs. Wolff seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Miami Township Administrator, David Duckworth advised the Board that evaluation of the bids received on May 1st, the department recommends a revision of specifications for the aerial and pumper and re-bidding process. Mr. Uecker made a motion to reject all bids received on May 1st for the Aerial and Pumper. Mrs. Wolff seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE." Mr. Uecker made a motion to re-bid under new specifications with bid opening to be July 17th at 8:15PM. Mrs. Wolff seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to cancel the July 03, 2001 regularly scheduled board meeting. Mrs. Wolff seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Wolff made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 2001-28 authorizing the execution of a contract with Roberts Engineering for design of a road improvement project for Donna Jay Drive, dispensing with the second reading. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
July 14th Midsummer at the Meadows Miami Meadows Park
Mrs. Wolff made a motion to pay the bills of the township including 261 checks numbered 63872 to 75112 for a total amount of $534,825.29 plus payroll and payroll taxes for May 18th and June 1ST, 2001 in the amount of $381,827.83. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board consider offering employment as a seasonal maintenance worker to Holly Beach. Mrs. Wolff made a motion to hire Holly Beach as a seasonal maintenance worker, effective May 16th, 2001 at an hourly rate of $9.00. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth presented the Board with updated personnel polices, section 1 and 2 for approval. Mr. Uecker requested this item be continued to the next regular meeting to allow more time for review. The Board concurred.
Mr. Duckworth presented out-of-township travel requests for Jim Whitworth to attend the Ohio Fire Chiefs Conference in Akron, Ohio July 20-25 at a cost of $1,000.00 and for Chaplain Dan Bryant to attend Police Chaplain Training in South Bend, Indiana July 9-14 at a cost of $1,000. Mr. Uecker made a motion to approve the requests. Mrs. Wolff seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Community Development Director, Larry Fronk advised the Board that Mr. Louis Ethridge has agreed to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mrs. Wolff made a motion to appoint Louis Ethridge to serve the unexpired term of Felix Gora on the Miami Township Zoning Board of Appeals. The term will expire on December 31, 2002. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to hold a special meeting on Wednesday, June 20th at 7:00 PM at the Milford High School for the purpose of holding a Public Hearing of Zoning Case #464, "R-PUD" Dry Run Road and SR 131 and Zoning Case #465, Bear Creek, "B" Residence to "B-1" Neighborhood Business, SR 131 at Buckwheat and any other township business that may come before the Board. Mrs. Wolff seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to set a Public Hearing of zoning case # 463, Text amendment, Churches in business districts and zoning case # 465, text amendment, reformatting zoning resolution for June 19th during the regularly scheduled Board meeting at 8:00 PM. Mrs. Wolff seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board authorize entering into a contract with CrossRoads Talent Agency for entertainment of the Midsummer at the Meadows event. Mrs. Wolff made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 2001-31 authorizing the Township Administrator to enter into a contract for the procurement of entertainment for Midsummer at the Meadows at the Miami Meadows Park, dispensing with the second reading. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 2001-30 authorizing the Miami Township Rural Zoning Commission to execute a contract with KZF Design Inc for professional design services in connection with the Old State Route 28 redevelopment/town center plan, dispensing with a second reading. Mrs. Wolff seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Duckworth requested authorization to enter into a contract with All-Star Container and Demolition. Mrs. Wolff made a motion to authorize the Township Administrator to enter into a contract with All-Star Container and Demolition Co. for the demolition of the structure located at 1265 US 50, the property has been declared a public nuisance. The cost of the demolition is $12,500. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Glen Cook of 1481 Greystone Lane urged the Board to request the applicant in zoning cases 464 and 465 present any changes in a timely manner to allow the residents time to review the plans prior to the meeting on June 20th. He also requested an advanced posting of the regular Board meeting agenda on the web site a few days prior to the meetings. He also requested an overhead projector be at the zoning hearings on June 20th.
Mark Harden of 6100 First Street, Miamiville asked for an update on zoning changes regarding a case in Miamiville. Mr. Fronk spoke on a specific example; gravel parking lot on Second Street, the owner has not complied with a mediation order to pave by May 31st and this has now been turned over to the prosecutor's office.
There were no other pubic comments.
Mrs. Wolff made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation pursuant to ORC Section 121.22(G)(3). Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE." Mrs. Wolff made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters pursuant to ORC Section 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. Mrs. Wolff seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mrs. Wolff made a motion to finalize settlement agreement and release for the Edwin F. Schmid, III et al lawsuit on behalf of the Township. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
Mr. Uecker made a motion to authorize the Township Administrator to sign a settlement agreement on behalf of the Township with Thomas Risk. Mrs. Wolff seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE."
With no other business to come before the Board, Chairperson Humphrey adjourned the meeting at 10:50 PM.
ATTEST: _______________________________________________________________ Eric C. Ferry, Clerk
_______________________________________________________________ Edwin H. Humphrey, Chairperson