FINANCE, ADMINISTRATION, RECREATION, SERVICE,
ENGINEERING and GORMAN FARM
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
October 4, 2010
The Finance, Recreation, Service, Engineering and Gorman Farm Committee met at 6:00 pm on October 4, 2010. Present were Council members Smiley-Robertson, Vonderhaar and Schaefer. Also present were Susan van Amerongen, Jim Cole, Sandra Murphy, Brian Babb, Celine Quinn, Dave Jordan, and, SVP : Joe Ratterman
Gorman Farm
The meeting was called to order by Christian Schaefer to address concerns about Gorman Farm as posed to council members by residents of Evendale.
- Concrete pipes are sitting behind homes in Evendale. There are pipes in the field behind a home.
- The fence has a trail along the fenced pasture. It is directly behind a personal residence. Directions for the trail are posted near the home. There are also fence posts that have no fencing. There are fence posts that are piled up at the farm.
- The tractor did not expand the farm operation as discussed with the Council.
No expansion to Formica took place, as promised.
- The mules could have been a squandered donation by someone’s money, since it was believed that initially the farm did not want to accept the donation.
- Gravel piles and building materials are on location at the farm with no apparent purpose and are out of place at the entrance of Brittany Trail.
- Money was donated for a memorial tree and plaque. The picture of the tree
does not have a plaque as promised and paid for by donations.
Evendale is concerned with the public relations nature of the residents and the farm. Evendale heard that there was a plan to reduce the staff and some council members may be anticipating a cost reduction, as well.
Evendale would like to accept trail maintenance for one trail at some point along the trail. There would be no Rumpke and no custodian. The mayor suggested that the farm come up with a master plan for capital improvements, farming plan, etc. (this would be in the first year of the contract, it would be in effect for the rest of the five years of the contract). This would set boundaries for those who would like to present and implement their own agenda (i.e.: donations of pipes).
Susan agreed that if a plan were put in place for the next 5-6 years, the Evendale Council should support that endeavor and adhere to the goals and/or restrictions of the plan.
Carolyn Smiley-Robertson indicated that the initial solution for the farm operation was the creation of the farm foundation. She also added that she shares the viewpoint of Chris Schaefer that the mayor only will vote if the Council can’t agree on the consensus for the farm. Administratively, the mayor administers the contract, but he is open to opinions of others who are concerned. Other council members have not voiced an opinion on the farm. This is due to the fact that the council is trying to be respectful of the process for the farm contract; they are waiting for the recommendation for the farm.
Jim Cole wondered about the farm presence at council meetings that would incorporate farm issues/reports to Council. The nature of the “report” was clarified in prior Council meetings. The mayor’s newsletter promotes farm activities, so that is usually sufficient. If you would like to come to a meeting, please come to the farm committee.
Evendale will recommend tomorrow night that the first reading of the contract be held on October 14, 2010. The second reading could be in November; the third reading might be in December. Approval would be by January 1, 2011 to order the budget.
Carolyn Smiley-Robertson recommended that this be held within the regular
Council meeting.
The mayor would recommend the following:
- No recreation
- No Rumpke
- No custodian
- Creation of a Master Plan to cover five years of operation.
- The Farm would write the Master Plan within one year.
- The Village would maintain one trail for installation and maintenance. This plan and trail location would need to be approved by Council.
Stiney Vonderhaar indicated that the Council should make a resolution regarding this contract proposal.
Carolyn Smiley-Robertson believes the farm is an asset to the community; she would just like to make certain that farm concerns are addressed.
Sandra addressed the issue of the fencing and the need to cut down trees. Stiney Vonderhaar reinforced that if trees that are taken down to re-establish the fence line, residents will complain. If the fence line is going to be re-established, the farm should contact the residents to let them know. This takes in the public relations dimension that is a Council concern. The fence issues would be part of the master plan (when created). The openness on Cooper road is an invitation for people to come into the farm. This is why the Interpretive Building is located where it is—to keep the Cooper Road area open and inviting.
Jim asked whether Evendale should be involved for additional buildings or the demolition of any buildings in the future. Mr. Schaeffer indicated that this would be part of the Master Plan. The discussion continued on the procedure for such a request with regard to planning, funding, etc. The plan would circumvent Council visiting the farm and seeing things that they didn’t know anything about beforehand.
Susan offered to address the concerns that Evendale has for the farm. Susan would be a spokesperson for the farm. On October 14, the first reading will take place—no discussion. The farm will be present on November 11, 2010.
The recommendation will be to keep the $300,000 amount. If the earnings tax level falls below 10 million dollars in two years, there will be a reduction to 3% of the earnings tax take. There is no capital improvement written into the contract. A list of capital improvements is needed to come in on a yearly basis.
The farm should prioritize the needs in this area.
Christian Schaefer went over some of the particulars for the mayor’s recommendation for the meeting tomorrow. The cuts would come to over ten thousand dollars for the farm. Christian Schaefer will speak with the mayor about this issue before the meeting tomorrow.
The discussion continued with regard to custodial issues at the farm and the demands of custodians in the Village. The concern is the drain on the custodial service in Evendale. Rumpke is not as big an issue at the custodial drain on services. Celine Quinn took the minutes of the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35.
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Christian J. Schaefer
Committee Chairman
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