FINANCE, ADMINISTRATION, SERVICE,
ENGINEERING and GORMAN FARM
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
February 4, 2014
The Finance, Service, Engineering and Gorman Farm Committee met at 5:00 pm on February 4, 2014. Present were Councilmembers Hartman, Finan, and Schaefer. Also in attendance at the meeting were Chris Schuermann, Al Schutte, and Chris Patterson from the Gorman Farm, Cynthia Caracci, James Jeffers, Jim Bothe, Jack Cameron, and Stiney Vonderhaar.
Gorman Farm
The written report of the Gorman Farm is attached. The first item on the agenda was the Gorman Farm. Chris Schuermann reported that the President of the Farm Foundation Board had suffered a heart ailment and that during his recovery from the ailment, Chris Patterson will be the acting Board President. The Board is going ahead with plans to set up an executive committee based upon the recommendations of Board President Rob Wight.
The good news is that Edible Magazine will host there Green Market event at the Gorman Farm during the first weekend in August. It is expected to draw about 4000 people to the farm. The event marks a success for the Farm’s focus on organic grown food. An Organizational meeting is to be held after February 15, 2014 to co-ordinate the Village Services that will be needed to support the event. The committee agreed that the Mayor should designate a representative to attend this meeting. Catherine Hartman volunteered to be the representative.
In other Gorman Farm news, the summer camp registration is starting. The water line project plans should be ready by March 1, 2014 and the equipment purchases made by April 1, 2014. The Financial report from 2013 and the proposed budget for 2014 will be provided at the March 4, 2014 committee meeting. The new HVAC units will be installed next week. A transfer Ordinance is required to pay for them and will be on the agenda for the February Meeting.
Service/Engineer
Jim Bothe reported that the new Uniloader (Bobcat) was delivered. The used one is being assigned to the Gorman Farm. An agreement is ready for the Farm to execute regarding the used Bobcat. Jack Cameron will contact Chris Schuermann about the agreement and deliver of the used Bobcat. Additionally the new 10 foot mower had been delivered replacing an older one.
James Jeffers gave a summary of the status of the ongoing projects. It is attached. James also reported that Sharonville is going ahead with the Wyscarver Road Project this year. The plan is to have the Evendale portion of the project bid by Sharonville. The Evendale portion is primarily grinding and repaving. James also reported that the 2014 paving project will be Exon Drive, Makro Drive, P.G. Graves and Access Place.
James is exploring the cost of the demolition of the Dover House. Depending on what the demolition contractor finds, it is expected to be in the $17,000 range. It is expected to take place March 1, 2014. The committee asked that Cynthia have a transfer ordinance prepared to fund the demolition for the March Council meeting unless there are sufficient funds available in capital budget. The funds are required to be available March 1, 2014.
The next issue presented by James was the preparation of the old bank and motel lots at St. Rita Lane for building pads in anticipation of marketing the two parcels. At the CIC meeting, the real estate and development consultant recommended that this take place as soon as possible. While preparing the bank lot is fairly straight forward, the motel lot is not. The indoor pool has a deep foundation that would have to be located. After some discussion, the committee recommended that James consult with a geotechnical engineer about the issue.
James next presented a preliminary plan for the picnic shelter and the monument signs at the entrances to the municipal center. The Committee asked James to stake out the picnic shelter so the committee can get a better sense of the scale of the project. Similarly, the committee asked for a mock-up of the signs so that the committee can get a sense of the scale of the signs. These should be available at the next committee meeting, depending on weather.
Finance
Cynthia Caracci presented the financial report. The income tax revenue was $1,093,840. This is higher than last year, but less than 2011 or 2012. Because many capital items are purchase in the first month of the budget, the net loss for January, 2014 is $379,766.07. Similarly, the General Fund shows a deficit because of the transfers from it to other Village Funds.
Additionally, the Evendale Commons fund should have a balance of $953,911.45 at the end of 2014. If that number turns out to be correct, it may be available for a bridge to connect P.G. Graves to Evendale Commons. Before the final decision to repave P.G. Graves and Access Place, the committee would like to explore the cost and feasibility of this connection.
Councilmember Finan brought up two issues. The first concerned the prudence of delaying the Road Projects until it is more certain that Income Tax revenue will meet the projections. Since the Road Projects will not be bid until March or April, nothing needs to be done immediately. The second issue was from a speaker at the Hamilton County Municipal League who indicated that there is a concern about the possibility that some groups are proposing an initiative limiting the ability of Municipal Corporations who tax non-residents. Council Member Finan has some ideas about being prepared to have a campaign against this type of initiative. For now, the primary thing that Councilmembers can do is attend the OML and local Municipal League meetings.
Administration
Four issues were discussed concerning Village Administration. Chris Patterson, from the Planning Commission discussed the results of their survey regarding Senior Housing. The Planning Commission conducted a survey of attendees at the Meet and Greet. While there was a demand in the 90th percentile for senior housing, it was not easily quantifiable. This demand was offset by a limitation in the 90th percentile of those wanted to stay in their current residence until they were medically or physically unable to do so.
Next the committee discussed the proposed limitation on length and number of residential leases. The committee recommended changing the number of separate leases from three to four per year in section XXX.03(A). Additionally, the committee recommended that the Building Commissioner retain the notice information from landlords concerning Lessees in section XXX.04. These changes fit the worst case scenario of a landlord losing tenants for non-payment of rent. Typically, if a tenant pays for one month, it takes a couple of months to evict a tenant and re-lease the property if the second months rent is not paid. The second change is suggested because the building department has a file on each property currently listing the owner and any tenant.
Catherine Hartman suggested that the Village consider promotional material similar to the magazine Montgomery publishes in conjunction with Cincinnati Magazine and the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce. After a discussion about Evendale having done a similar publication years ago, Jack Cameron recommended that we look into creating a web based economic promotion al guide. Kinetic Vision does this type of work. Jack agreed to discuss pricing with Kinetic Vision for the next committee meeting.
The last issue discussed was the archaic contents of Chapter 8 of the codified Ordinances requiring $1.00 business licenses; charging fees for billiard rooms at $25.00 for the first table and $10.00 for each additional table; regulating bus companies; and, requiring permits and similar charging fees for displaying “monsters and freaks of nature.” The information garnered from the business licenses and the regulation of outdoor events is other code sections or accomplished by state authorities. The Committee recommends repealing Chapters 810, 820, 830, and 840. There is no need for an emergency clause.
The Committee Deferred action until March on the Leaf Bag system and the State Auditor efficiency study.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.
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Christian J. Schaefer
Committee Chairman
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