MINUTES
The Village of Evendale
Regular Council Meeting
April 12, 2007
The Village of Evendale held a public discussion prior to the regularly scheduled council meeting. There was no discussion.
The Village of Evendale held a public meeting prior to the regularly scheduled council meeting to consider a measure that would permit George Snyder, the Chief Fiscal and Accounting Officer to retire under the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and return to work in the same position effective May 1, 2007. There was no discussion. A motion to close the public meeting was made by Mr. Puthoff, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved. The public meeting was closed.
The Village of Evendale held its Regular Council Meeting. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Don Apking. Upon roll call, the following council members were present: Mr. Stiney Vonderhaar, Mr. Bill Puthoff, Jr., Mr. Chris Schaefer, Mr. Doug Lohmeier, Mr. Jeff Albrinck, and Mrs. Carolyn Smiley-Robertson. Also present were: Economic Director, Linda Fitzgerald; Assistant to the Mayor, Jack Cameron; Recreation Director, David Nichols; Police Chief, Gary Foust; Chief Fiscal and Accounting Officer, George Snyder; Village Solicitor, Tim Burke and Village Clerk, Michelle Ficke.
Mayor Apking presented the consent calendar. Mayor Apking asked for a motion to accept the consent calendar consisting of the Regular Council Meeting Minutes from March 8, 2007 and Special Council Meeting Minutes from March 9, 10 and 27th; CFO Report for March, 2007; Tax Administrator’s Report for March, 2007; current Departmental Reports. Treasurer’s Report for February and March. A motion to accept the consent calendar was made by Mr. Puthoff, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved.
Mr. Schaefer reported on his council committee meeting. Mr. Schaefer said they discussed left turn lanes into Inwood Drive and Norwood Hardware. Traffic lights are not sequenced for left turn signals in or out of these locations. He said that before Wal-Mart opens these lights should be sequenced for turns. His concern was that Reading Road is the only way out for the Inwood residents and suggested that we move forward with preparing the lights for turns now so as not to inconvenience the Inwood residents or the Norwood Hardware folks. Mr. Albrinck, Vonderhaar and Lohmeier agreed. Mrs. Smiley-Robertson said that we do not know if left turn signals are merited at these locations. According to our traffic study they are not. The problem could be alleviated in three weeks if they find it necessary. Mr. Schaefer was concerned there was a
protocol that we have to follow in changing a traffic light. Mayor Apking said that we will wait and see how traffic flow is and would wait to do anything with a left turn signal since it would only take thirty days to implement if need be.
Mr. Schaefer also discussed street signs. Council received a report in their packets from Bob Richardson regarding designing new signage for the Village of Evendale including street signs. The cost of the overall design would be $4200. There is no money currently in the budget for this. Mr. Vonderhaar suggested tying the design into what is already in Evendale Commons. Mayor Apking a professional designer would recommend signs and estimate costs for new uniform signage and this money would be well spent. The cost of the design would amount to spending $50 more per sign ($700 instead of $650 per sign) to cover the design fee.
Mr. Albrinck was not in favor of spending $4200 to get an opinion, however, he said that the signage will make a long term statement and the signs are in need of replacing. We have discussed this issue for over a year now and need to move forward. He wants to get it down right and wanted to remind everyone that we do not have the budget of the City of Cincinnati.
Mr. Schaefer made a motion to present a line item transfer for the design of street signs at the May 11 council meeting. This motion was seconded by Mr. Vonderhaar and Mr. Schaefer, Mr. Vonderhaar, Mr. Puthoff, Mr. Albrinck and Mrs. Smiley-Robertson voted yes; Mr. Lohmeier voted no. Mayor Apking declared that there will be a line item transfer in May for the design of signage in the Village of Evendale.
Peggy Paff, Executive Director of Gorman Heritage Farm announced that Shear Excitement is this weekend, Saturday and Sunday April 14th and 15th and will include sheep shearing, herding dog demonstrations, Celtic music and great food. There are new lambs and a new pig on the farm. Also, April 21 is volunteer appreciation day at the farm and Mrs. Paff challenged council to come and serve breakfast to the volunteers to salute the volunteers and show their appreciation. Contact her and let her know your plans.
Mayor Apking presented Ordinance #07-19, ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TABLE OF ORGANIZATION OF THE VILLAGE OF EVENDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND APPOINTING OFFICER JEFF MCDANIEL AS A POLICE SERGEANT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. A motion to read Ordinance #07-19 by title only was made by Mr. Vonderhaar, seconded by Mr. Lohmeier and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to suspend the second and third readings of Ordinance #07-19 was made by Mrs. Smiley-Robertson, seconded by Mr. Puthoff and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to adopt Ordinance #07-19 as an emergency measure was made by Mr. Vonderhaar, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved on roll call. Mayor Apking declared Ordinance #07-19 adopted as an emergency measure.
Mayor Apking administered the Oath of Office to Police Sergeant Jeff McDaniel and he received his Sergeant pins.
Mayor Apking presented Ordinance #07-14, ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 258.087, SHIFT AND WORK TRADE DAYS, SUBPARAGRAPH (b) AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. A motion to read Ordinance #07-14 by title only was made by Mr. Lohmeier, seconded by Mr. Vonderhaar and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to suspend the second and third readings of Ordinance #07-14 was made by Mr. Lohmeier, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to adopt Ordinance #07-14 as an emergency measure was made by Mr. Lohmeier, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved on roll call. Mayor Apking declared Ordinance #07-14 adopted as an emergency measure.
Mayor Apking presented Ordinance #07-15, ORDINANCE ADOPTING PURSUANT TO O.R.C. §145.381 AUTHORIZING THE RE-EMPLOYMENT OF GEORGE SNYDER FOLLOWING HIS RETIREMENT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. A motion to read Ordinance #07-15 by title only was made by Mr. Vonderhaar, seconded by Mr. Schaefer and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to suspend the second and third readings of Ordinance #07-15 was made by Mrs. Smiley-Robertson, seconded by Mr. Lohmeier and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to adopt Ordinance #07-15 as an emergency measure was made by Mr. Lohmeier, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved on roll call. Mayor Apking declared Ordinance #07-15 adopted as an emergency measure.
Mayor Apking presented Ordinance #07-16, ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 06-55 TO CORRECT TO REFERENCE ERRORS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. A motion to read Ordinance #07-16 by title only was made by Mr. Puthoff, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to suspend the second and third readings of Ordinance #07-16 was made by Mr. Lohmeier, seconded by Mrs. Smiley-Robertson and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to adopt Ordinance #07-16 as an emergency measure was made by Mr. Puthoff, seconded by Mr. Lohmeier and unanimously approved on roll call. Mayor Apking declared Ordinance #07-16 adopted as an emergency measure.
Mayor Apking presented Ordinance #07-17, ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 1262.14 OF THE ZONING CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF EVENDALE, REGULATING CERTAIN SIGNS IN THE GI AND ITC INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Mr. Schaefer explained that this is in response to the Worldwide Trucking sign. They anticipate that GE will eventually have a sign off Glendale-Milford Road and Shepherd Lane when changes are made to I-75 but will still want to keep sign for identification along the interstate. The sign height was reduced to 35 ft from 55 ft. A motion to read Ordinance #07-17 by title only was made by Mr. Vonderhaar, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to suspend the second and third readings of Ordinance #07-17 was made by Mr. Lohmeier, seconded by Mr. Puthoff and unanimously approved on roll call. A
motion to adopt Ordinance #07-17 as an emergency measure was made by Mr. Lohmeier, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved on roll call. Mayor Apking declared Ordinance #07-17 adopted as an emergency measure.
Mayor Apking presented Ordinance #07-18, ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 260.11, COMPENSATION GOVERNING PART-TIME OR SEASONAL EMPLOYEES, PROVIDING FOR A GUARANTEED MINIMUM NUMBER OF HOURS IN THE EVENT OF CALL-INS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Mr. Lohmeier said they he initiated this ordinance because one Sunday morning a part time employee was called in to the Recreation Department for 1.5 hours when they were not scheduled to work until someone else to come in to cover the front desk. He felt that they should be compensated for their willingness to come in at a time that they were not scheduled to. His intention was for permanent part-time employees and not seasonal. David Nichols, Recreation Director argued that the Public Works Department has seasonal employees that come in for snow removal and that the Recreation Department
Part-time and seasonal employees deserve the same compensation as the Public Works employees get. Mr. Puthoff agreed that employees that come in to help on a last minute basis to help the Village of Evendale when it’s in a bind should be compensated.
A motion to read Ordinance #07-18 by title only was made by Mr. Puthoff, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to suspend the second and third readings of Ordinance
#07-18 was made by Mr. Lohmeier, seconded by Mr. Puthoff and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to adopt Ordinance #07-18 as an emergency measure was made by Mr. Vonderhaar, seconded by Mr. Lohmeier and unanimously approved on roll call. Mayor Apking declared Ordinance #07-18 adopted as an emergency measure.
Mayor Apking presented Ordinance #07-20, ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO HIRE WILLIAM R. MECHLEY AS CHIEF ELECTRICIAN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. A motion to read Ordinance #07-20 by title only was made by Mr. Puthoff, seconded by Mr. Vonderhaar and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to suspend the second and third readings of Ordinance #07-20 was made by Mr. Puthoff, seconded by Mr. Vonderhaar and unanimously approved on roll call. A motion to adopt Ordinance #07-20 as an emergency measure was made by Mr. Vonderhaar, seconded by Mrs. Smiley-Robertson and unanimously approved on roll call. Mayor Apking declared Ordinance #07-20 adopted as an emergency measure.
Mayor Apking stated that Mr. Mechley will save the Village of Evendale money because the Department Heads will no longer have to hire outside contractors for HVAC or electrical problems. Mr. Mechley will also assist the Public Works Department in all areas such as mowing grass, driving salt trucks and any other work needed. When we get the bucket truck we will maintain lights ourselves instead of paying Duke Energy or Wagner/Smith to take care of traffic signals. Mr. Mechley is capable of setting up computerization for traffic controllers for smoother traffic flow. This will all save the Village money.
Mayor Apking said that he would like to make the lighting in the subdivisions brighter. Mr. Mechley installed all of the lampposts along Reading Road in Reading himself and Mr. Mechley can help with this issue as well. Mrs. Smiley-Robertson suggested that we keep track of how much money we save over the next year and a half by having Mr. Mechley as Chief Electrician. Mayor Apking agreed. Mr. Schaefer said we will have to look at our contract with Duke Energy to see when we can reduce the premium with Duke.
Mayor Apking presented Ordinance #07-21A ORDINANCE APPROVING PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANNED BUSINESS DISTRICT AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 GLENDALE-MILFORD ROAD, APPLIED FOR BY AL NEYER, INC. AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Mr. Schaefer explained that Neyer wants to build four free standing one story medical offices, 8000 sq. ft. each. There are stipulations that Neyer must conduct a traffic study at their own expense and that no building could occur until a bridge is built to Norwood Hardware because there is no left turn lane to get into the development. Planning Commission is concerned on how people will get in and out of the property. Mr. Puthoff said that council needs supporting documentation when making a decision like this and he knew nothing about this ordinance. Mr. Puthoff wants to see the plan, engineering study and Kathy’s
recommendations. Mr. Schaefer suggested making this a first reading of the ordinance. Mr. Vonderhaar made a motion to read Ordinance 07-21A by title only. The motion was seconded by Mr. Puthoff and unanimously approved on roll call. Mayor Apking declared this a First Reading of Ordinance #07-21A.
Mayor Apking presented Ordinance #07-21B ORDINANCE REJECTING PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANNED BUSINESS DISTRICT AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 GLENDALE-MILFORD ROAD, APPLIED FOR BY AL NEYER, INC. AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. A motion to read Ordinance #07-21B by title only was made by Mr. Lohmeier, seconded by Mr. Albrinck and unanimously approved on roll call. Mayor Apking declared this a First Reading of Ordinance #07-21B.
Other items:
Mayor Apking asked about the water tower behind Brendamour that is rusting out. Building Commissioner, Don Mercer will be instructed to issue an order for the property owner to paint the water tower or have it torn down.
Mayor Apking said that a newspaper ad will be placed to hire someone to replace Pete in the Service Department. There was also some discussion regarding recreating a pond in the upper meadow of the Gorman Farm. Mr. Albrinck was concerned about the close proximity to the resident’s back yards and enforcement of keeping outings at the farm away from the private properties. Mr. Schaefer suggested building a buffer zone and including language in the Boy Scout contract regarding this issue. The first step will be a letter to the residents on Brinton Trail since they are most affected by the idea of the pond.
Mayor Apking’s intent was to have a water source for cattle to roam in the meadow and to irrigate gardens that could be planted in the upper meadow.
Mayor Apking said that the Village plans to take down the houses purchased on Inwood Drive and South Reading Road and they will look at the church house before making a decision on what to do
with it.
Mr. Vonderhaar mentioned that he attended a Public Investment Seminar today along with CFO, George Snyder and the Treasurer, Tricia Wilkens. Mr. Vonderhaar asked that residents return completed surveys for the Evendale cultural arts center to the Recreation Department.
Mr. Puthoff mentioned that the Service Department said there is trouble with an underground short. ODOT and Duke Energy met and are talking about getting them fixed. There have been seven lights out along Glendale-Milford Road for some time now. He also mentioned that the island lights need maintenance and now that we have a chief electrician we can address this issue.
Jack Cameron said that we received two ordinances today; one for the TIF renewal and one for the purchase of the house on Reading Road. These two ordinances were distributed to council and are to be addressed in May.
Mayor Apking announced Tom Oaks Retirement Party scheduled for April 19th from 1:00-4:00 pm in the Police Conference Room. There is also a reception scheduled in May at the shelter house for him.
A motion to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss property acquisition was made by Mr. Vonderhaar, seconded by Mr. Puthoff and unanimously approved on roll call. Council went into Executive Session at 8:20 pm.
Council reconvened at 8:35 p.m. There being no further business to come before Council, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Lohmeier seconded by Mr. Puthoff and unanimously approved.
_______________________
Mayor
Attest:
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Village Clerk
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