President of Council Kathy McNear called Council to order on January
17, 2007, at 7:00 p.m.
The governmental body and those in attendance recited the pledge of
allegiance. Mr. Knox gave the invocation.
Mr. Knox took roll call. Present were Council members Danbury, Harlow,
Squires, Vanover, Wilson and McNear. Mr. Galster was absent.
The minutes of January 3, 2007 were approved with six affirmative
votes.
COMMITTEE AND OFFICIAL REPORTS
Civil Service Commission - no
report
Rules and Laws - no report
Public Relations - no report
Public Health, Safety & Welfare - no report
Public Works - no report
Public Utilities - no report
Capital Improvements – Mr. Danbury reported they are working on constructing the new
signals on ramp D by Progress Place and the overhead signage and bridge lighting during
the winter. The final asphalt should be done in April and the project should be completed
in May. The gas relocation is currently under construction on the Kemper Road Phase 3
project. The bridge widening will start later this month. The design for the improvements
at Crescentville and SR 747 is underway now. Construction will begin in the fall of 2009.
SR 4 urban paving project on SR 4 from Glensprings to south of Crescentville Road should
begin in March and end in July.
Finance Committee - no report
Planning Commission - deferred
Board of Zoning Appeals – Mr. Squires stated they had one item on the agenda, a
request for an oversize garage at 514 Lafayette Avenue. The garage was not residential in
nature and the request was denied.
Board of Health – Mrs. Harlow said Springdale will receive $2,183.56 from the Cities
Readiness Initiative. It will be used for POD exercises. We also looked at the smoking ban
draft rules. It will take a lot of study on the part of administration to determine how it
will be enforced and who the enforcers will be. There was discussion about the use of wood
fired boilers in Springdale. This would not be applicable for residents to use here. Both
the Building Department and Board of Health will be looking into this.
Veteran’s Memorial Committee - Mr. Wilson announced we will be looking at the Phase I
designs and options so we can break ground.
O-K-I – Mr. Knox reported there was an election of officers. The Uptown
Transportation Study was brought up. There are two parts to it, the first focusing on
moving people from the upper areas of Cincinnati, i.e., Clifton, North Avondale, Avondale
and Evanston downtown where most of the jobs are located. Part B is to study I-71 to
possibly close one of the exits, open two. There are several variables.
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Webster reported we had another successful year with the
debris removal program. Two-hundred twenty-five residents received a truck to haul away
debris. Mrs. Harlow mentioned the smoking ban that passed in November. The enforcement is
being held somewhat in abeyance but I did receive a communication from the Ohio Department
of Health today saying that they plan to have the rules adopted before June 7, 2007. Until
then businesses and organizations are required to comply with statutes. The major
requirements of these statutes include prohibiting smoking in all public places or places
of employment; removing all ashtrays and receptacles used for dispensing of smoking
materials and posting in a conspicuous place the State approved No Smoking sign. Bill
Cunningham on the radio stated that he went to Hooter’s in Springdale over the
weekend and that someone next to him asked for an ashtray, which the server gave the man
so he could light up his cigarette. So we know one Springdale business is saying they are
not going to enforce this until they have to so I’m just making an emotional plea to
the businesses that it is the law even though the rules and regulations haven’t been
fully promulgated at this point. We’d appreciate your cooperation in prohibiting
smoking.
Mayor Webster continued we have had one call out for snow and ice removal at very minimal
expense. Also, an amendment to Mrs. Harlow’s report on the wood burning boiler, we
did ask the Board of Health to recommend that they not be allowed and they did.
Clerk of Council/Finance Director -
no report
Administrator’s Report – Mr. Osborn said as part of the 2007 budget we approved
the purchase of a new front-end loader for the Public Works Department, specifically a
Case 521DXT wheel loader. We intend to purchase this off the State Purchasing Program. We
budgeted $90,000. The price is $88,036. However, when we add some after market
improvements to the equipment, it will total $93,574 as a result of a price increase since
the budget process. We intend to trade a 1981 Ford 340 tractor loader but when the
inspector for the company was there watching a demonstration it blew a gasket and dumped
all of its oil at his feet. We promised him we’d fix it so we’ll find out if we
get the trade-in. We request an ordinance authorizing that purchase at the next meeting.
Mr. Osborn stated we were given authorization for three vehicles in the Police Department,
two of which are 2007 Ford police interceptors, purchased under State contract from
Statewide Ford at a unit price of $21,217 each. In addition, we are also requesting the
purchase of a four-wheel drive vehicle to be unmarked. It will be a 2006 Ford Explorer and
has a cost of $21,302.50 and will be purchased under State contract from 32 Ford Mercury.
We request legislation authorizing those purchases at the next meeting.
Mr. Osborn continued for the past six to eight weeks we have been working very diligently
to address the issue of wood burning boilers. The Building Department has done a
significant amount of research on them and the Board of Health agrees with us that we need
to prohibit their use. As a result we would like to bring before you at the next meeting
an ordinance that prohibits the use of such boilers in the City.
Mr. Osborn said we recently had a situation involving one of our personnel that has since
resolved itself but during the discussion we looked at the idea of some sort of pool of
donated sick leave that an employee could draw on if they had a catastrophic illness and
were forced to use up all of their sick leave. It’s done in other businesses and
jurisdictions. Mr. Parham worked with the Law Director’s office and we put it out to
the department directors and the final draft is under review by the department directors
right now. Assuming we are all in agreement when the review period is over, we would like
to request a first reading of an ordinance at your next meeting authorizing the policy
that would allow for sick leave donation.
Mr. Danbury asked would that violate any of the agreements we have with the unions?
Mr. Osborn replied no.
Law Director’s Report - no report
Engineer’s Report – Mr. Shvegzda said yesterday there was a preconstruction
meeting held at ODOT’s office for the I-275 reconstruction project. There will be a
partnering meeting held February 6, anticipated to be at the Sharonville Convention
Center. At that time different stakeholders will present their concerns and issues with
the project. Construction will start in March this year with final completion being in
2010.
Mr. Osborn asked do people have to register in advance to be on the agenda or just walk
in? Mr. Shvegzda replied that information will be coming out as soon as they set it all
up.
COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Knox read a letter from the Board of Elections: “Thank you for
continuing to work with the Hamilton County Board of Elections as we move through the
current period of transition from the punch card system to the new digital imaging
electronic voting equipment. Many of our local jurisdictions provide public polling
locations for the elections and we appreciate your willingness to accommodate our
delivery, storage and pickup needs. We also want to let you know that, along with the new
voting system, we are incurring significantly higher costs per election. This information
is vital to you and your elected officials as you plan future ballot issues. If you are
contemplating any levy issues please contact Jerry Collier at 632-7049 regarding the new
cost of placing issues on the ballot. If we can be of any service please don’t
hesitate to call. John Williams, Director and Pamela Swafford, Deputy Director”
Mr. Knox stated the next is an e-mail addressed to City Council:
“I contacted Randy Danbury on November 28th about the wood boiler article that was
printed in The Enquirer. I read the minutes of the Council meeting when the issue was
discussed. For information on this subject please go to theenquirer.com and type in wood
boilers. The article is still there as of today. The boilers are situated on the ground so
that the smoke from them hovers close to the ground. A fireplace is on the roof and the
smoke goes higher into the air. People in the article complained that the smoke permeates
their neighborhoods and even seeps into their homes. Wood smoke can cause cancer. I think
this is an important issue that needs to be addressed before people start buying them and
installing them in their yards in Springdale. Thank you. Shirley Sharkey”
Mr. Knox said the next is a letter addressed to Council members:
“I want to thank you so much for the kind resolution and the handsome glass-etched
clock, all part of the November 15th Council recognition of Springdale bi-centennial
volunteers. Working on Springdale’s bicentennial was a wonderful experience. So
seldom do we celebrate accomplishments, and Springdale’s bicentennial was a
tremendous celebration of 200 years of progress through good times and, I’m sure, a
fair number of tough times as well. The bicentennial celebration itself and a special note
of the celebration including the former mayors and council persons was a testament to the
City’s fine tradition of appreciating where we are as built upon where we have been.
I want to especially thank Mayor Webster, Cecil Osborn and Greg Karle for their exemplary
leadership in visioning, planning and carrying out the bicentennial celebration. The
entire committee was a joy to work with and I was honored to serve a small part in the
celebration. If my background and experience may again prove a service to the City of
Springdale, I would welcome the opportunity to work again with you. Please do not hesitate
to contact me. Best wishes. Alan Bayoksi”
Mr. Knox said the last letter is from Time Warner and simply informing
people who have Time Warner Cable that they have received notification that America’s
Store, digital cable channel 131 service will no longer broadcast as of February 3, 2007.
Mr. Vanover asked were the voting machines that we used what we’re
going to get? My recommendation is either bigger markers or smaller blocks.
Mrs. McNear asked Mrs. Webster if she had any information about that.
Mrs. Webster (in the audience) replied yes. It’s not really a
machine; you just color the blocks.
Mr. Osborn said regarding the Sharkeys’ e-mail, I responded the
same day it was received and gave them an outline as to what our plans were, the fact that
we had legislation drafted and it was going to be sent to the Board of Health for review
and that we anticipated it would be brought before Council shortly after that. I offered
to keep them up to date as we progress.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Connie Reed, Glendale, said I feel a great deal of irony after hearing
all the construction talk and then knowing that you are going to receive a safety award
because I’m here tonight to complain about Springfield Pike in front of Maple Knoll.
I moved to Glendale about fifteen months ago specifically to recover from breast cancer. I
wanted to be closer to my medical treatment in Kenwood, and quite honestly, I love that
within two miles of Glendale and Springdale I can get everything taken care of. I have
nothing but respect for the mission to take care of the sick and elderly but I don’t
feel that should absolve you from some responsibility and accountability for your
community of drivers. I complain at various times to the police and had a wonderful
introduction to the Building Department a few weeks ago. I was traveling south on
Springfield Pike at the red light at Maple Knoll and one of the construction workers
walked out in front of the green traffic and stopped traffic. I could see in my rear view
mirror an elderly man with his blinker on looking left a Maple Knoll and not seeing me. I
didn’t know who to be angrier about, the gentleman or the guy behind me. I rolled
down my window and I said that really wasn’t a wise decision. You don’t own this
road. Instead of saying I’m sorry, we have a deadline, he laughed me off. I called
the police and was told it wasn’t their concern; it was the Building
Department’s concern and how else could they pull a truck out. I called the Building
Department and talked to a very nice lady. The next day a very nice inspector, Randy,
called me back and apologized for any inconvenience and safety issues, which leads me to a
greater complaint, at-risk drivers. Surely, you realize you have a community of at-risk
drivers. Something must be done to process, screen and remove at-risk drivers. If I were
here complaining about an apartment community of twenty-one year olds who drive after
drinking four beers and blowing a .08 on a breathalyzer, you would be all over it. If I
were here complaining about an apartment complex of illegal immigrants who drive impaired,
you’d be all over it. Maple Knoll is a wonderful institution but you just put even
more independent living across the street. That’s a community of potentially at-risk.
I have called them and shared my concerns to which they reply that they can’t take
their keys away. Surely you can use your influence with Maple Knoll in getting at-risk
drivers off the street.
Mr. Danbury said this isn’t just isolated to people in Springdale.
I don’t think Springfield Pike is one of our heavier areas for traffic situations. As
far as people who may be impaired, that’s something a city can’t do. That’s
more of a state basis. Some states want to retest people at certain ages but AARP fights
it.
Mayor Webster said the State of Ohio is the official licensing agency
for drivers’ licenses. You don’t have a Springdale license. We’d almost
have to implore our legislators to pass something that would make mandatory testing above
a certain age, but you’re still going to have people on prescription medicines, etc.
still driving.
Ms Reed said I feel even more frustrated now because I feel you have
the power and wisdom of a governing entity to say to one of your significant partners,
let’s work together to help.
Chief Laage said I talked to you on the phone about a year ago. Officer
Dave Buschman is our Community Service Officer and is very active with elderly
persons’ programs. I have talked to him about stressing that issue. It is becoming a
bigger problem all the time. People are living longer. Lieutenant Wells, in his
presentation, will tell you how we deal with this. It is a serious issue, depriving the
elderly of their ability to get around, their movement when you request to have a
driver’s license taken away from a senior citizen. Last year we arrested over 100
people driving under the influence, whether it was drugs, alcohol, prescription drugs or
illegal prescription drugs. It really doesn’t matter to us. The issue is the driving.
We do have a very significant elderly population here in Springdale but I can honestly say
I haven’t noticed a higher increase in accidents in that area. We get family members
who beg us to do something and once we’re notified, we’ll try.
Mr. Vanover said you’ve made an effort and you have a legitimate
concern. I suggest you use your passion with the State legislature. They’re the ones
who will make that decision.
County Commissioner Pat DeWine said it is an honor to represent you on
the County Commission. I just wanted to stop buy and see what’s going on, to see part
of your meeting. We have a new Board of Commissioners and we certainly have our challenges
in Hamilton County government. I also think we have some great opportunities. My focus has
been to try to control the growth of spending taxes in the County, trying to do a better
job managing our resources, and public safety.
Mr. Danbury said the outlying communities took a hit when they imposed
a higher sales tax on hotels and motels. Does the City realize what they did?
Mr. DeWine replied the Convention Center has been built. Downtown seems
to be more active but I don’t know if the Convention Center is the reason for that. I
don’t know how the hotels have fared since the change. There is a tendency for
special interests to come to the government to raise taxes for an issue.
Mr. Knox said the occupancy rate in Cincinnati is up marginally and the
occupancy in the northern belt is up five to six percent, so instead of us contributing
52% of the total taxes, we’re up to 55%.
PRESENTATION - POLICE DEPARTMENT - Chief Laage
Chief Laage said thank you for the Food for Fines program. It is a very
valuable community program. This is the eleventh and most successful season. Wal-Mart
donated $1,000 for our Shop with a Cop program.
Lieutenant Tom Wells stated I am here to tell you about the AAA Safety
Award. The Springdale Police Department and several other police departments in the region
participated in this program in which AAA sponsors traffic safety awards in silver, gold
and platinum categories. They measure those on the ability of the police department to
reduce crashes, not only in enforcement but also education and engineering. This is the
sixth year we have participated in the program. We have placed every year, three of those
platinum, and we have the best traffic safety record in the County. Two-hundred
ninety-four people had their bicycles inspected and registered in our bike safety program.
Safety Town is another program. There were no fatal injuries through 2005. We had a
five-year low 1344 crashes.
Lieutenant Wells said speed and cell phone use are issues.
Statistically we have not had a rise in accidents involving the elderly but it is an issue
that is difficult to deal with. There is a form we can fill out and send to the State if
we feel there is a reason a person should not be driving. A lot of our programs focus on
young people because the younger you can get people committed to good habits, the better
effect we will have when they get older.
Chief Laage said we had three assessors come in and examine our
policies, static displays, complaints and call-ins in order for us to become accredited.
We came out very good and we believe we have achieved accreditation. We will be going to
the conference in March and become accredited. There are numerous benefits and makes us a
better police department. It puts the rules up front.
Mr. Vanover said there is a not a finer force out there. I have one
concern. The new traffic sign on Marwood and Castro, as you head east on Castro into that
intersection, on the western side there is maybe a car’s length between the corner
and first parking spot. If a car on the western side comes to the sign there is no where
for the car on the east side to go because of the parked cars. I’d appreciate it if
you could check that out.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
ORDINANCE NO. 2-2007 “AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF
SPRINGDALE TO CHANGE 2.173 ACRES OF PROPERTY WITH 455’ OF FRONTAGE ON WEST SHARON
ROAD AND APPROXIMATELY 727’ WEST OF SPRINGFIELD PIKE FROM THE PRESENT ZONING OF RSH-L
(RESIDENTIAL SINGLE HOUSEHOLD LOW DENSITY) TO RSH-L/T (RESIDENTIAL SINGLE HOUSEHOLD LOW
INTENSITY TRANSITIONAL OVERLAY DISTRICT”
First reading
ORDINANCE NO. 3-2007 “AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CLERK OF COUNCIL/FINANCE DIRECTOR TO
EXPEND FUNDS FOR THE RELOCATION OF TRI-CITY CLEANERS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY”
Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mrs. Harlow seconded.
Mr. Osborn said when we acquired the property in question from the landlord we also
inherited two leases held by tenants in the building. In order to negotiate the
termination of those leases we were able to relocate Tri-City Cleaners to the new town
center, and as part of that we were obliged to help with the relocation costs.
Ordinance No. 3-2007 passed with six affirmative votes.
RESOLUTION R4-2007 “COMMENDING DAVID STRANGE FOR HIS DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO THE
CITY OF SPRINGDALE”
Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Wilson seconded.
Mr. Danbury and Mayor Webster thanked Mr. Strange for his service to the City.
Resolution R4-2007 passed with six affirmative votes.
Mrs. McNear opened nominations to appoint someone as a member of the Planning Commission.
Mr. Squires nominated Bob Diehl who is presently serving on the Recreation Board, SOS and
works with STAFF.
Mr. Diehl was appointed by acclamation.
RESOLUTION R5-2007 “APPOINTING ROBERT DIEHL A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION”
Mr. Vanover made a motion to adopt and Mr. Wilson seconded.
Resolution R5-2007 passed with six affirmative votes.
Mr. Danbury made a motion that Council go into executive session as a committee of the
whole to discuss personnel issues and potential litigation. Mr. Vanover seconded. The
motion passed with six affirmative votes.
Council went into executive session at 8:40 p.m. and reconvened at 9:33 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS
-
none
NEW BUSINESS
-
none
MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS -
none
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE - none
UPDATE ON LEGISLATION STILL IN DEVELOPMENT
Ordinance 2
-
February 7
RECAP OF LEGISLATIVE ITEMS REQUESTED
Front end loader
-
February 7
3 Police Department vehicles
-
February 7
Wood burning boilers
-
February 7
Sick leave donation policy
-
February 7
Contract renewal CDS
-
February 7
Council adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Edward
F. Knox
Clerk
of Council/Finance Director
Minutes Approved:
Kathy McNear, President of Council
__________________________, 2007
City of Springdale Council
January 17 2007