Minutes of Committee Meeting
Police Department, Village Engineer, Service Department
Gorman Farm
November 1, 2005
The meeting of the Evendale Council Committee for Police Department, Village Engineer, Service Department, and Gorman Farm was called to order at 7:00 pm. Councilmembers Hartman, Puthoff and Schaefer were present. Also present were Chief Foust and Gary Goosman..
Gorman Farm
Gary Goosman gave an update of the Gorman Farm’s progress in the areas of attendance, operating expenses, fund raising, and past and upcoming special events. The Farm Foundation has raised $197,147.82 privately. It has $185,702.80 in total income over expenses. Farm Attendance is up with the Sun Flower Festival having a successful three day run. Attendance for all Sun Flower events exceeded 2000. The membership roll is 450, this year’s annual goal is to reach 500. Members are encouraged to give Farm memberships as gifts. The Farm has also had private sponsorships from Sara Lee, Fifth Third Bank and Cinergy.. Applications for other grants have been made.
The Christmas event will be smaller. It will be the first two weekends in December. It will feature Christmas tree sales, hayrides, hot cider, and the like. Gary Goosman has been pleased with coverage and promotion of events in the Enquirer, Community Press, Cincinnati Post, and Channel Twelve. Bill Puthoff suggested that Michelle Hopkins of Channel 5 owns a home backing on to the Gorman Farm and that perhaps contact with her could result in another source of publicity for events.
One major need of the Gorman Farm is a larger meeting facility. A pole barn which could hold as many as two hundred and fifty people is being pursued. The estimated cost is $150,000. The facility would have a small catering kitchen. Funding has not been arranged. This building is necessary to support school groups and business group meetings. These events will contribute to the regional appeal of the Gorman Farm.. The farm market is being scaled back. It was thought of as a way to generate memberships, but is unsuccessful in that goal.
The members were surveyed. The favorite farm events are those with “hands-on” activities. Animals and growing things are also favorites.
Gary Goosman also noted that Dorothy Gorman is now living at Evergreen and has been ill of late.
Police Department
Chief Foust, initially discussed the employee drug testing policy. To have a financial reward from the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation, all full and part time employees must be tested. The committee recommends expanding the program. The Employee Assistance Program, and the testing itself will be through Tri Health (Bethesda Hospital). The estimated total program cost will be $8,500.00. It also creates an E.A.W. benefit for employees in that fee.
The Chief recommends that the specialists positions next year will be:
William Lantry Crime Prevention
Doug Abrams Firearms
Jeff McDaniel Accreditation
Kevin Wedig Patrol Operations
Erick Curry D.A.R.E. /Juvenile
Steven Roach Traffic Operations
An ordinance will be presented in December on these one-year appointments.
Finally the Police Budget will only have an increase in the 2005 amounts for fuel and Overtime. The overtime amount was reduced this year. It seems that $110,000 is necessary to make the program work properly. Police overtime is driven, in large measure, by Court appearances which are controlled by the legal system, not the department.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15.
Approved:
Councilmember Hartman
Councilmember Puthoff
Councilmember Schaefer
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