EVENDALE POLICE-FINANCE-RECREATION-ADMINISTRATION
COMMITTEE MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2006
The meeting of the Evendale Council Committee for Police, Finance, Recreation and Administration was called to order at 6:00pm. Councilmembers Albrinck (Chairman) and Puthoff were present. Councilmen Lohmeier was an excused absence. Police Chief Gary Foust and Assistant to the Mayor, Jack Cameron were also an excused absence. George Snyder, Village CFO; and Recreation Director, Dave Nichols were also present.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT -
1. Quarterly Newsletter - Lynn Thole contacted several area printers to obtain bids and ideas for a quarterly newsletter. A-Z Printers was by far the most reasonably priced. The Recreational Department will try A-Z for now and see if this improves their registrations.
2. Skatepark - Mr. Nichols is getting information and prices on small, medium and large skateparks. A resident and his son made a presentation to the Recreation Commission siting the need and interest for a skatepark in the Village. He indicated that approximately 20 kids in Evendale would be interested. Mr. Nichols has spoken to the representatives from Miami Township who indicated that 70-80% of the use of their skatepark came from non-residents. Mr. Nichols will obtain the pricing and additional information and this will be reviewed in the future.
3. >06 Recreation Commission objectives and goals - Mr. Nichols simply called our attention to the Evendale Recreation Commission Feb. 16, 2006 minutes which listed their 2006 Goals and Objectives.
POLICE DEPARTMENT - Since Police Chief Foust was not able to attend, there was no police department meeting. Chief Foust did inform each Committee member of the following:
1. Police Department must annually meet the Bureau of Adult Detention standards for a temporary holding facility so that the municipality may operate and detain individuals who violate the law. Inclusive is passing a Fire inspection, Health and Sanitation Inspection, and review of policy and operating procedures. The Evendale Police Department did successfully pass and has been approved certification to operate a Temporary Holding facility for the year 2006.
2. The agency was audited by RCIC for operating and practices of LEADS (Law Enforcement Automated Data System), NCIC (National Crime Information Center) and RCIC (Regional Crime Information Center). The auditor examined and reviewed 12 areas of operations and found no discrepancies that violated or would require follow up.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT - CFO, George Snyder was present.
1. Review of MD&A (Management Discussion and Analysis). This stresses the financial events within the Village. It is not anything the council votes on, however it is a narrative on the financial activity of the Village. This has previously been distributed to Councilmembers for review.
2. Section 260.12 Benefits/Work Times
It has been brought to the Committee=s attention that Life Insurance was deleted as a benefit to the Councilmembers. This revised wording will allow the Councilmembers to obtain life insurance through the Village if they want to pay for it themselves.
3. Ohio Police Pension - Mr. Snyder informed us that the Ohio Police Pension is considering increasing the village contribution from 19.5% to 24%. Currently, the Village contributes 24% for the fire pension. If this increase does go into effect, it will cost the Village approximately $65,500. Mr. Snyder further elaborated that both the police and fire pensions are in trouble and he expects this to move forward.
4. Motor Vehicle Accident Billing - This form of billing will be very similar to the current EMS billing that the Village initiated over a year ago. It would be a soft billing system where those benefitting from a fire truck run would be billed. No resident or individual will be personally responsible. This would be an attempt to collect insurance money that was already allocated for such expenditures, yet previously ignored by the Village. There are several municipalities within the region that currently do the soft billing which will pay between $435 - $2100 for every fire truck run.
The Committee discussed the positive results of the EMS billing which has allowed the Village to buy a new ambulance this year at no additional cost to the Village. Further discussion addressed the potential ramifications to the individuals who are collecting insurance proceeds which can affect insurance premiums. Although every claim potentially increases premiums across the board, it was recognized that most premiums anticipate the claims. The impact of the Village of Evendale collecting payments for what is already insured will have minimal or no impact.
5. TEL Legislation - (Tax Expenditure Limitation Act) has been proposed by Secretary of State, Kenneth Blackwell. Mr. Snyder informed the committee of the negative impact it will have on the Village. This legislature would require that any tax increase would require 50% of registered voters to pass. It would further keep any municipality from spending more than 3% over the prior year or the inflation rate from year to year. With our budget, we will have problems with any capital items. It could necessitate always maxing out expenditures on an annual basis simply to have the ability to pay for capital items in subsequent years. It was further noted that when Colorado adopted similar legislation, their schools went to 49th out of 50 in national ranking. Colorado has since
revised the legislation. Mr. Snyder further requested that we endorse the adoption of a resolution against this legislation. The Committee will raise the issue at Council for further discussion.
6. Appropriation Ordinance - this is for the road project. This was in the budget, but it was not included in the last appropriation.
There being no further items to come before the committee and upon made motion by Councilmember Bill Puthoff, seconded by Councilmember Jeff Albrinck, the meeting was adjourned.
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J Jeffrey Albrinck, Chairman
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