FINANCE, ADMINISTRATION, SERVICE,
ENGINEERING and GORMAN FARM
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
October 7th, 2014
The Finance, Administration, Service, Engineering and Gorman Farm Committee met at 3:00 pm on October 7, 2014. Present were Councilmembers Finan, Hartman, and Schaefer. Also in attendance were Mayor Apking, Chris Schuermann, Cynthia Caracci, Chris Patterson, Al Schutte, Wayne Mosely, David Elmer, and Stiney Vonderhaar.
Finance
Cynthia Caracci presented the financial report in writing. The income tax revenue was for September was $1,076,377.08. This is $24,671.05 more than September 2013. Year to date the income tax in 2014 has generated $10,066,201.28. That is $36,273.38 more than that collected through September, 2013. August ended with a deficit of $108,230.09 excluding the Evendale Commons TIF. Year to date, the Village has a net surplus of $2,258,276.70 excluding the TIF. The unencumbered balance is currently $17,713,795.63.
There will be ordinances transferring money from the contingency fund on the October council agenda. There will be $10,000.00 transferred to pay for information technology costs and $5,000.00 to pay the court prosecutor for the costs of prosecuting appeals from mayor’s court decisions to the Hamilton County Municipal Court. An Emergency Clause is necessary for these transfers. Additionally there will be a resolution setting property tax levels for next year.
Administration
Dave Elmers reported that the TLC property should be vacated by November 1. Additionally, a business has an option to purchase the lot south of Kinetic Vision in the Anchor development. The business is looking for an Enterprise zone tax abatement which will be presented to CIC and Council when the application to Hamilton County is completed. The business is tied to the aviation and auto industries and designs and manufactures parts for those industries. Dave Elmer also indicated that the Valley Thrift store has approached the Village about using the TLC property for additional parking. The committee decided that it did not wish for this option to be pursued to ease the Valley Thrift parking issues. Finally, Dave Elmer indicated that he will follow up on the RFQ for
the Thru the Valley Architect.
Mayor Apking reported that there were several areas along Glendale Milford Road that need repairs to asphalt shoving due to heavy truck traffic. These are identified in engineers report. The committee will drive the areas identified and Dave Elmer will attempt to get a date certain for the Thru the Valley project which would make many of these repairs unnecessary. Councilmember Finan raised a concern about the same issue near the entrance to Norwood Hardware and the Anchor development along Glendale Milford Road. Mayor Apking also indicated that the chair lift for the Cultural Arts Center will be delayed until next year’s budget discussions. Councilmember Finan also raised an issue about installing a curb in the Municipal Center drive as it turns between the Tennis Courts and the administration building in an effort
to keep cars from driving through the grass edge as they make the turn. Mayor Apking thought that the service department should be able to handle this issue. Councilmember Schaefer brought up an issue concerning the wheel chair ramp at the entrance to the Recreation Center. Mayor Apking asked Councilmember Schaefer to show him the area that caused concern.
Al Schutte raised the issue of removal of dead trees in the Griffin Family Nature Preserve. Mayor Apking indicated that money is available for removing these trees. Councilmember Hartman reminded the committee of the planned Griffin Park cleanup on this coming Saturday. Stiney Vonderhaar noted that Ryan’s Auto Glass has a grand opening event.
Gorman Farm
The written report of the Gorman Farm is attached. Chris Schuermann high- lighted several items. The Sun Flower festival was the best attended yet and generated about $25,000 for the Farm. Row by Row had fewer attendees this year, but still generated $13,500.00. The first Farm race was run by 144 runners of the 170 who signed up. It generated about $5,000.00. The Farm had service groups from GE, Marathon Oil, TQL, and the Xavier and U.C. women’s golf teams. The Clark Montessori program will continue next year. Finally, Chris Schuermann presented a new feature for the entrance at Wiinebago Drive. The cost of this feature will come from a grant from the Greater Cincinnati Fund as part of a GE grant for beautification.
Allen Wight will discuss the Bio-Char unit at the Council meeting. An informational sign has already been installed at the proposed location. Chris Patterson also indicated that the bush hog purchase will be completed shortly and the remaining capital purchases are complete.
Engineering/Service
The Engineers report was submitted in writing. Wayne Mosely of Central Tool Rental attended the meeting concerning the wall along Cooper Creek which is failing. The committee recommended that the Mayor Advertise for bids for reconstruction of a wall with two options – the gabion baskets and the method of drilling pilings and putting wall segments between them. The length of the wall should also be bid as an alternative.
The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
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Christian J. Schaefer
Committee Chairman
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