Anyway, thank you, everyone.
Redeter in special...
Is a special one.
Do you want me in the pleasures of allegiance?
To the flag of the United States America.
¶¶
Clirk of Council, Misty Brents, City Manager Dave Kennedy, City Solicitor Joe Braun, Safety Director Sue Madsen,
and have our Lieutenant in the back, Scott Humphrey. Welcome. Also, let's see, former Council members
Pam Gross, Todd Osborne, and Deputy Chief Mike Books is here. I don't think I missed anyone.
So welcome everyone. First on the list is on the agenda is Arbor Day Proclamation. Liz Jones,
will you join me, Mr. Podium?
All right, I will do the proclamation first. Whereas in 1872, the Nebraska Board of Agriculture
established a special day to be satisfied for planting of trees, and whereas this holiday called
Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and whereas
Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world, and whereas trees can be a solution to
combating climate change by reducing the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cutting
heating and cooling costs, moderating the temperature, cleaning the air, reducing life-giving
oxygen, and providing habitat for wildlife, and whereas trees are a renewable resource giving
us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products, and whereas
trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas,
and beautify our community, and whereas trees wherever they are planted are a source of joy
and spiritual renewal. Now therefore, I, Kathy Bailey, by the power vested in me as Mayor,
and on behalf of the City of Loveland, Loveland City Council, and the Loveland Tree and
Environment Committee, do hereby proclaim April 29, 2022, Arbor Day in the City of Loveland,
and urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands.
Now, furthermore, I urge all citizens to plant trees that gladden the heart
and promote the well-being of this and future generations. With that, turn it over to you.
We are happy to be a part of all of that. We love our trees.
So, we have a few things coming up on April 29. We will have QR codes, a guided walk, through
a Long Simpsons Trail at Phillips Park, and it starts Friday, April 29, and it goes through
Sunday, May 1. Just take your camera, snap a picture, and you'll get to learn about
all the trees and the wildlife that's out there. Also, on April 30, the annual
litter pickup at Nisbet Park will be occurring in front of the Little Miami Conservancy.
They are picking up trash from 9 to 9. There will also be a hot dog for anyone who participates.
That's all I have. And Liz Jones is a member of our Tree and Environment Committee. So, thank you very much, Liz.
Thank you, Mayor Baerle and City Council for allowing me to speak tonight.
Could I have a representative from the following organizations to step up here, please?
The Loveland Stage Company, the Loveland Interfaith for Life Pantry,
Nutrition, Education, Safety, Transformation, or NEST join me at the podium.
All three of these organizations provide an invaluable service to our community.
Life Pantry provides food and support for those less fortunate in our community.
NEST's mission is to address academic and non-academic barriers that perpetuate the
cycle of generational poverty in suburban communities. And Loveland Stage Company has been
providing quality entertainment for many years. All three of these organizations have been affected
by the continuation of the coronavirus pandemic. As such, the Loveland Community
Firefighters Association would like to donate a check to all three of these organizations
to help them through this rough patch. So, once the coronavirus pandemic is over,
they can continue their great support, education, and entertainment to this community
of which we have become the customer.
The four of you represent four of, I think, the finest institutions that we have in this
city. So, thank you all for being here. And you don't have to stay, by the way,
for this long meeting. But that is your choice. Thank you very much. All right,
open forum. First, we have Patty Sandman.
Okay, Patty Sandman 102, Carl Brown Way. Council,
I'd like to take the time to thank Mr. Blair for meeting with a group of residents in reference
to the solar panels being installed on the soon-to-be-built public utilities building.
Although much has been discussed about larger and more controversial topics,
the lesser known topics are equally important to us residents. Mr. Blair filled
us in on the benefits of solar energy that will save up to 85% of costs to run the building.
With questions being answered energetically, I personally learned many facts about
benefits of solar energy, such as the weight of the panels, the cost, which is much more
reasonable than I expected. Even on cloudy days, the panels pull energy. That is a well
factor. This put my mind working toward where else can these solar panels go to utilize energy
and put our city on the grid? Where else could these panels be installed? Well,
if the garage is deemed beneficial to our downtown needs, would an awesome idea to utilize
the space for more panels? This might provide even 100% energy to run the garage and allow
residents to accept that the garage will have dual purpose. Another well factor that would allow
the garage to be beneficial toward future energy efficiency. Why would any resident be
against this idea? I would hope not. Offering incentives for future buildings,
as well as the current buildings, both commercial and residential, would also have
the opportunity to utilize solar power. I see this as another compromise to the future of the
grail property. Maybe even getting our schools involved for some educational value. Can we even
imagine the energy savings for our schools? Phoenix seems to be one of the largest cities to
benefit the grid. Why not a smaller city like Loveland? I would like to think another
aspect of this project would include city administration, planning and zoning, finance,
tree and environment as well as law and ordinance committees working in unison to expand more solar
power within our community. While this is cooperative measures worth fighting for,
I definitely see this as an opportunity to bring positive lives to negative issues.
So, I would like to thank Mr. Blair as well as the community heartbeat for sponsoring this
well-organized and educational happy hour. It would be great if all council members would
address other lesser known issues, which are equally important to our city. Citizens will look
forward to the next happy hour with another council member with another positive topic.
Thank you. Thank you. Lauren Enda?
Good evening. Lauren Enda, 5073 Bristol Court. Tonight I will address the unknown
return on investment and the possibility of Native American remains on the side of the proposed
garage. According to Loveland's finance director, council has already spent almost $980,000 for
purchase, demolition and design of the multi-million dollar garage. Even if all the grants
that Loveland has applied for come through, Loveland taxpayers will still be responsible for at least
$2 million before any cost overruns are added in. There have been comments from someone council
that COVID money might be used. COVID money should be used for projects that will benefit
Loveland citizens, not just a few downtown businesses. Loveland has a looming water
infrastructure repair bill and the COVID money would be better spent to address this problem
instead of raising Loveland's water rates, something that has already been discussed.
While the garage may feather the nests of downtown businesses, will the garage actually
benefit Loveland residents? Some might say that increased revenue from downtown businesses
due to the garage will grow Loveland's coffers. However, when city staff is asked about how
much revenue comes from downtown businesses, they are unable to provide answers.
What they do say is that there are numerous downtown businesses who have CRAs or tax abatements,
meaning they are paying a reduced tax bill to Loveland. These businesses include Rody,
the Landing Event Center, Tahona, Ramsey's Trailside, Bishops Quarters and Ten Obesero.
These property tax abatements last for at least four years and up to 12 years.
So, Loveland is reducing our potential property tax income through abatement. Now to the theory that
possible increased income tax due to the garage construction will help Loveland financially.
Any individual working in Loveland pays the city 1% of their salary and income tax.
Let's assume that all employees in downtown area make $1 million combined for the year.
Loveland would receive 1% of that income or just $10,000 a year. That amount would not
even pay for the upkeep of the garage for that year. Any council member who values fiscal
responsibility and who has vowed to protect Loveland's financial resources must analyze whether
the proposed garage is a wise return on investment for the citizens and then share
those findings with residents. The second topic for tonight deals with the possibility
of Native American remains on the site of the proposed garage. In a report commissioned by Hamilton
County in 2019, a historical preservation consultant stated, quote, there is some potential for
archaeological resources on the property based on an 1848 Platte of Loveland, which identifies
it as being the location of a mound. Consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office
regarding the need for an archaeological survey is recommended prior to new construction.
Once we learned of this report, we shared it immediately with Mr. Kennedy
and Mr. Bateman. We have also been in communication with the Ohio History Connection,
who encouraged us to, quote, advocate that the city hire an archaeologist to do a survey of
the area to confirm if there is indeed a mound or not at that location, end quote.
Residents of Loveland, along with the Sierra Club, citizens for the rights of the Ohio
Watershed, the University of Cincinnati's student organization Leaders for Environmental
Awareness and Protection, and the Greater Cincinnati Native American Coalition, whom we will hear from
tonight, are all in agreement. We will all advocate for an archaeological survey to be done
and for a community approval for the garage via a referendum. We request that the council
commission a study immediately. We are passionate about protecting Loveland and the land
itself. We are passionate not because we are uninformed, as some have stated,
but because we are incredibly informed. We, as individuals and as organizations,
will continue to be involved and engage in Loveland's political life because we see this as a right
and as our duty. We will continue to advocate for increased transparency and use of data-driven
decisions by Loveland staff and city council. We will advocate without using intimidation,
without name-calling others, and without misquoting others. We will remain professional
and respectful using research and facts as the basis of our advocacy. Thank you.
Thank you. Tom Scoviner.
Good evening, Tom Scoviner, 155 O'Rourke Drive. I was asked, a letter was received from the
Greater Cincinnati Native American Coalition late this afternoon, early this evening,
and I was asked to make this a part of the record. I believe you have it electronically,
and I did
Let me make one tiny change for clarification. But this is a letter from a gerry nary, the executive
director of the Greater Cincinnati Native American Coalition.
To whom it may concern, the desecration of indigenous and Native American religious, spiritual
and burial mounds is an egregious part of Ohio's history and is part of the ongoing 500 years
of genocidal policies to erase our history and perpetuate the false narrative of
the pristine myth, which refers to America's founding mythology of settling a pristine
wilderness, providing a convenient justification for the occupation of the North American continent.
The Greater Cincinnati Native American Coalition encourages the city of Loveland in its leadership
to commission a new survey based upon the recommendation of that cited, excuse me, that cited the
evidence of a Native American mound in 1849 on the site of the parking garage.
We are in contact with other national and native organizations and are sending a summary
of how Loveland proceeds with this matter to the National Congress of the American
Indians in Washington, D.C. We are hopeful that the city of Loveland and those elected
officials will do the right thing and work towards protecting not just the religious
rights of mainstream Ohio, but of all people in Ohio, regards gerry nary, executive director,
Greater Cincinnati Native American Coalition.
Next is review and approval of minutes from the April 12th, 2022 meeting.
Are there any additions, changes to those minutes?
We have a motion to approve.
Motion to approve.
Second.
Call the roll please.
Mr. Bateman.
Yes.
Mr. Blair.
Yes.
Mr. Butler.
Yes.
Mr. Hart.
Yes.
Vice Mayor Phelps.
Yes.
Mr. Ping.
Yes.
Mayor Bailey.
Motion carries seven to zero.
I put a resolution on there for the approval of the Community Entertainment
District.
We've done the public hearing which submitted the application.
We've got the 75 days to go review the legislation.
I sent the legislation to the Division of Literature Control, and there's one
error on the legislation.
Some bullet points should say in conformance with the Community Entertainment
District, the city was incorporated prior to 1880, that second zero speed eight.
That's in compliance with the Community Entertainment Code's
Perthio High Revised Code.
All right.
So we need a motion to amend the resolution.
I think it's a Scribner's error.
Is it a Scribner's error?
Yeah.
And it's not being voted on twice.
It's been better.
All right.
Any comments, questions regarding this resolution?
Yes.
Mr. Butler.
Yes.
Just since the Entertainment District basically envelops the Loveland Elementary
School, I did reach out to the president of the Loveland Board of Education to see
if she had any concerns about the legislation.
And she noted that the board is not necessarily opposing or supporting the
issue of creating the Entertainment District, because they haven't voted on that one way or
the other.
But she did ask whether there's any procedure or process in place or applications for liquor
licenses, because that's the primary, I guess, motivator of the
Entertainment District within a certain distance of the school.
And I didn't know the answer to that.
Dave, is there any process for that?
Like with NXP of the Loveland Elementary that there's a liquor license application, are
the schools notified?
Do they have any?
I believe the school is notified that this is no different than any liquor license.
It's just a D7 is a D7.
It would just be a D7J, because it's in that district.
So the city gets notified whenever there is a liquor license within so many feet
of a city park.
I'm not 100 percent sure.
I've never been involved in schools, but would they be notified?
So today if you bought the laundromat and turned the laundromat into a restaurant, you can
get a liquor license without the Community Entertainment District by trexing it in.
The whole purpose of it is simply to save money.
So that's a good question.
I don't know exactly what the school, whether or not they get notified.
I just know that whenever there is a liquor license issued in the downtown district it
inevitably falls within so many feet of Nisbet Park.
So they come to the city and it basically just says, do you want a petition against
it?
So the question is, and it's not dictated in the Higher Advice Code mostly because I've
never really had to look at from a school standpoint.
I can certainly find out.
I'd appreciate that.
Tom, let you know.
And if you would forward it on to the school board, I will.
Again, if McDonald's sold beer tomorrow, McDonald's could get a liquor license.
They would just pay $30,000 to $40,000 for it.
The downtown district where there is not a community entertainment district, Hobson
Berries, for example, Hobson Berries just got a liquor license and they trexed it in.
So that means they probably paid in the $30,000 to $35,000 range.
We don't have a community entertainment district in the downtown district.
We can't have a community entertainment in the downtown district because one of the
requirements is that there is an active CED within that county.
So we are using the one in Sharonville.
If Union Township, meaning they were the population and they had a community
entertainment, they would then set the basis for one in Claremont.
So that's a great question.
I don't know.
Okay.
Well, definitely could find out.
Oh, yeah.
It's easy to find out.
Okay.
Any comments?
Read the resolution, please.
Resolution approving the creation of a community entertainment district in the city of
Loveland pursuant to a higher revised code section 4301.80.
Any comment from the resolution?
Call the code please.
Mr. Blair?
Yes.
Mr. Butler?
Yes.
Mr. Hart?
Yes.
Vice Mayor Phelps?
Yes.
Mr. Ping?
Yes.
Mayor Bailey?
Yes.
Mr. Kennedy?
I just, I know everyone knows about the gazebo that the city, this is the first phase of
the comprehensive plan that we did for Nisbet Park, which received quite a bit of public
input.
So we have been, I think staff did a really good job all winter long.
I'm more of an impatient, like to move forward with them and we use KZF to make sure that
where we place the gazebo meets the future plans of Nisbet Park.
We didn't sit there and go for a book and pick landscape and we hired and secured a local
landscape architect.
We utilized Choice One to do some survey work so we knew exactly the lay of the land,
the high points, the low points and at the end of the day, this project which is $85,000
of it is coming from a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is ready to
go.
What's in front of you tonight is just for the manufacture and the installation of gazebo.
The concrete pad, part of the desire on this, part of the desire on this was that
it would be elevated.
That's going to be a separate contract, but it will not exceed my spending limits.
I do not believe it.
It will be coming back to the city.
So first off, we're very close in location to where the existing gazebo was.
The next time you're in Nisbet Park, the Nisbet Park sign will be moved and there
is no trees coming down.
It's basically right in this area here.
I just thought it would move these up here because not everyone has the location of it.
One of the things that I think the park board, I know they liked it and I know that we heard
this from the public was that why does the gazebo and everything have to always face
the bike trail?
So this gazebo, if you look at the items along the back.
The back sections, one, two, three, four, five of the octagon, those are all steps that encircle
five of the eight locations.
The handicap access comes directly off the bike trail.
So it really truly does open up to the meat.
It faces the river, so it really does open up to the meat of the park, which is something
that was what we heard from the residents during our open houses on the gazebo.
The gazebo design is open railing.
That is a cleaner look.
I'm not trying to pick on, but it ends up being a seating area and ends up being a
maintenance area.
We also opted for the upgrade in the higher end columns.
So this sort of gives you a rough idea of the look, though it's obviously elevated.
We also opted, because this was part of what came out of the report during the meeting
with the public, is that they liked that wooded look.
So the entire interior of it is wood.
And actually, that most top part will be the top part of the level will be.
And then one of the biggest things we wanted to do was we wanted it to not look
like every gazebo you see with a green roof and so this is the colors that we
chose, which is white and gray.
And the very top part of that will have internal lighting that'll come on and
on to us.
So it will be quite a signature.
I do want to emphasize that if you probably need to take the old gazebo
and get it completely out of your mind, because this one is 25 feet in diameter.
And I've pasted off multiple times, went to Nisbet Park with tape measures.
It is a significantly, but meets exactly the dimensions of the plan.
It will be a wonderful place for weddings, concerts, HOA meetings, you name it.
And we're going to have electricity mounted in the columns, but not really noticeable.
So I really do think that if the goal is to build a signature item that looks very
unique, that gets people excited about other elements, I will tell you that
City has already submitted for funding for the seating area that is all in the area
between the gazebo and the restroom, this entire area, this undulating serpentine
wall of concrete, stamp-crete, concrete with high-end furnishings, the city
submitted for funding through that.
And initially it appears that looks to be in a pretty good situation to be funded.
So the gazebo where it's going fits where the next phase is going to go,
where the next phase will go, where phases long after I'm gone will go,
that will all just continue.
So we really have been patient.
So the reason I'm bringing this to you tonight is I was asked to take it to the
Parks and Rec Board and I did.
And they were there through the whole Nisbet Park thing.
So they know it meets what the public wanted.
They were very happy to see it face the way it was.
They were very happy.
It doesn't have a breach.
But one of the reasons I wanted to get this in front of you as quick as possible
because we're still looking at September.
So every council meeting I wait is longer.
But we're done with the gazebo part.
We're just finalizing some bids for concrete and we're working with
Trevor Electric for the conduit and the electricity.
You have to remember that we can only really work on projects that are on the
east side of where imaginary Carl Brown would go through the middle of Nisbet Park.
So if you think you're walking down Nisbet Park, I mean you're walking
down Carl Brown Way past the Eagles and you're just walking straight,
that someday will look like the villa came through because all those storm
pipes have to be replaced as part of the Harrison Street Widening.
So we're working on everything from there over.
You've got some quotes for the living wall on the restroom.
So this is a part of it.
So we're at our total funding is in the 2022 budget.
The city had 85,000 grant and 30,000 for a local match for total project costs of 115.
This particular, this is all in manufacturing, installation, all the extras
that we added onto at the columns, the inlaid wood and we're at 115,480,350.
And if the council proves the legislation, it will be ordered tomorrow
and that will begin the process, which is 26 weeks from now.
So while we're a patient, we need to get moving.
So I think we've dotted all the I's across all the T's we're ready to go.
This is through Sourcewell.
The city's a member of Sourcewell.
Back in the old days, there used to be the Ohio administrative program ran by the Ohio
Department of Transportation, which did biddings for local townships and local
cities and everyone benefited it.
We got police cars and body cameras and everything much less.
It was a great savings to our residents because they're bidding on estate.
That has blossomed into other programs called Source Well, which does primarily park bidding
and is, we are a member, we pay a nominal fee to be a member of Source Well. So that allowed
this particular contractor, Playground Equipment Services, who is a bidder for Source Well,
to be a part of the entire design process. So I really do think this is going to be
something that is just, I think that residents are really going to appreciate this because
this isn't the wooden, mossy thing that was stinging kids all last summer, that when public
works took it down, it took five minutes to knock it over. This is a really high-end quality
and I'm not trying to call out Chief Huber, but he kept sending me photos as he traveled.
Don't give us a green gazebo. So this white and gray roof is something that he really
pushed for and it's really going to stand out. And if you look at the master plan, this
is what they asked for. If you remember the NISC at Quark master plan, it was black and
no one liked it. And this was what they wanted. So at this point, I really don't have anything
else. I just think it's going to be a great project for everybody.
Just a couple questions, Mr. Kennedy. The goal is to have it up and ready to go
in September. And the second question is you talked about having it lit from dawn to dusk.
Will there be capability to have it lit at night for various functions?
Yeah, I don't have a fuse. Yeah, I mean all the other lighting. I never really thought
of that. I just, I like lighting and yeah, that's a good point. Yeah, I don't have
an answer, but I'm working with Trevor on that.
So you can light it at night. Yeah, beyond the beyond what's going to be up. Yeah. Okay.
Any other questions? Yes, Mr. Hart. The spirit of our Arbor Day proclamation here at the
beginning of the, I just want to highlight Mr. Kennedy's note and hear that no trees will
be removed to accommodate the gazebo. And we talked about a living wall on the restroom.
So it seems like the things we're doing in this bit are to accentuate the greenery
we have down there and continue to grow the amount of green space that we have down there,
not to move any of it. Any other comments, Mr. Butler?
Mr. Kennedy, when you said that it'll be 26 weeks from like, if you contact them tomorrow,
is it take that long to assemble the materials and produce the materials for the gazebo?
Yeah, the lead time for everything to be manufactured and shipped and ready to go is 26 weeks.
So in a best case scenario, 26 weeks from tomorrow and here, manufacturing it on a concrete
pad that's long been put in place, probably going to be keep off, I don't know if it's
keep off whatever, but and everything will be set and ready to go. We have that entire
summer to get that in place and then it's done. Putting it together isn't going to
be, their manufacturing is, I had to get a whole new member when we approved the
thing out front here. I get a whole another contractor because remember that was funded
for some extra grant money we had, this thing we're doing out front, it was going to take
so long to get the tables and chairs, I just literally called every tabbie chair company
I could find until I found someone to get them before the county pulled the grant money.
So when the materials arrive, will they be constructed by public works or would
that be another contract?
No, you're paying for that tonight.
Oh, okay. That's included in the, all they want is a pad and some conduit sticking
out of it. That's probably why we'll have some kind of safety issues because there will
be conduit sticking through it.
Until the...
The materials arrive.
Yeah, and we're using Stephen Smith as our landscape architect.
Thank you.
Thank you for the explanation, Dave. I can tell you're excited about this project
and I'm excited too. I think I really like the sort of like music man kind of river
city vibe that the Gazebo has. I also really appreciate your talking about how it's part
of a longer term plan. I would imagine that residents are going to, during the length of
time and the duration that this will take, it's going to seem like a really long period
of time and that will only be followed by. It might seem like we're piece nailing
some retro of Nisbitt Park, but I know that that's just part of the funding mechanism
as well as part of the overall Nisbitt Park master plan. I appreciate that as well as the...
It seems like a lot of value for the $30,000 that we're putting forward with that for sure.
If I can add not to mention the amount of consulting time we got on behalf of the contractor
and just to add, we're never not moving ahead, Corey's already met with. We've realized
that the amphitheater, which won't be able to happen until the Harrison Project is done,
the amphitheater is probably going to receive need some private financing. Well, we're not
really good at knocking on doors and saying, hey, how about $100? There's people that
do this, the blue ashes and the masons and the Montgomery's and the materials of
the world. When they have projects that they may have some kind of signature name
whatever, I'm not going to say some of these names, they'll sound stupid. But what I mean,
they reach out to private companies who help them put together funding scenarios. So Corey's
already met with a firm that that's what they do. We're not even done the Harrison
because we're trying to get in line for that amphitheater is going to be a signature
project that will mirror these colors, that will mirror all of this. But we're not
going to be able to fund that through it screams for a naming. The XYZ amphitheater, the XYZ
stage, we would never think that. We'd ask for too little. We'd ask for this and a wall
and to do it right, it really helps benefit. And then you go for some funding. But then
when you're applying, you're applying for money that you say, guess what, it has
public funding, the city's going to put money in. But we've also got private
funding. And they love that when you bring more legs into the stool. So having such and
such name, they don't they don't see that as a bad thing. It's not a cramp on the
history of the city. It's tastefully done. And that makes your grant writing even
more powerful. Oh, look at that. They're putting their own money in. They've
reached out to the private sector. And now that's how it works. So we're
couries already meeting with those firms. We actually think we found one that we
really like. So just one more question or really more of a point, because one of
the things when I was looking at the design and you mentioned this in your
setup, but you know, when I think about a gazebo, there's also seating, but
this one looks like it's more open floor plan. No seating. Are there going
to be any railings or anything like that, just from like an ergonomic?
There people are sort of, I don't know, but the right word is meandering and the
inside the gazebo. You mentioned there will be seating outside. So I'm just
trying to think of we've done a really good job lately with some upgrades in
seating along this park and the bike trail. And you see it in use a lot.
So I just that was a little bit surprising. You mentioned it was a
maintenance issue. I think it doesn't hurt the design the way it is
certainly. But yeah, I never thought a seating or anything inside of it
you could have some. I don't really know because it wouldn't change what you're
doing tonight, but it's certainly. Yeah, it's certainly. I'm just picturing
people like sitting up on a even if there is no seating, leaning up on the
poles. So somewhat wanting to, you know, when there's not an activity is the
gazebo just going to be this big blank space that folks might walk around
or check out. But what's the what's the point of interest? I know that we
know 18 inches was as high as we could go and meet code for the railings for
every inch of rise you needed X number of feet of I'm sorry of rise with the
handicap ramp. So being at one point I had it so elevated that the handicap
ramp was going around from almost noon to 7 p.m. And well, not that way. It was
really more like 7 to 2. And then so 18 inches got us to a straight shot from
the bike trial and we positioned accordingly. So I don't know. I guess
that's a good question for the park board since they've been all in
throughout this entire process. And like you'd mentioned and as I was
saying, I think that issue with seating around it to like as you
mentioned that could also solve that issue, I guess in terms of people
wanting to just rest. But anyway, I applaud the effort all around. I think
it's a great addition to the and an upgrade considering the previous one.
Anyone else?
Yes, I just would give a shout out or commend the process that that we've
been following to get to this point. In terms of the master plan for the
park, and then the work of the Parks and Recreation Committee in
conjunction with the chief and the city. This is excited. And again, I
think we need to thank all those that have been involved in getting us to
this point. And I think we're going to love it when it's done. So I'm
looking forward to seeing it.
Someone else?
I think a special shout out to Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Kennedy. I think
you mentioned that Chief Huber and Cindy Klopp and scene and when
Zuck of KZF really you forward kind of the team that brought this
all together.
Well done. You go ahead and read the resolution resolution authorizing
the city manager to enter into a contract Playground Equipment Services
LLC for the purchase and installation of a new gazebo at
Nesbitt Park. Any comment on the resolution? Call the role
please. Mr. Butler. Yes, Mr. Hart. Yes, Vice Mayor Phelps. Yes,
Mr. Ping. Yes, Mayor Bailey. Yes, Mr. Bateman. Yes, Mr. Blair. Yes,
Resolution 38 is adopted by vote 70. Mr. Kennedy. I need to request
Council to table the legislation regarding services to be provided.
Okay, we have a motion to that effect. I'll move we table the
resolution service to be provided. Second. Call the role please.
Mr. Hart. Yes, Vice Mayor Phelps. Yes, Mr. Ping. Yes, Mayor Bailey. Yes,
Mr. Bateman. Yes, Mr. Blair. Yes, Mr. Butler. Yes, Motion carries
7 to 0.
Alright, Mr. Kennedy. If you recall last that your last
Council meeting you approved you accepted funding for the body
cameras which included some funding for a police of what
we're calling a police records clerk that's since you've
since you've met with that's the position that we're coming up
with that would be a classified position that we will begin through
the civil service. Actually, we'll probably start getting the civil service together
since you'll have first reading on it. And what we typically try
to do whenever we can during these times.
So if you look at the exhibit to the ordinance.
First of all, we always repeal the most recent time that you touch this, which
I believe the most recent time you touch this was you created the police
captain's position. So what we try to do is we also use this
to just clean up some things. So along with the creation of the police
records clerk position, which is classified, which means it'll go
through civil service, which we really want to get moving on.
We just want to it is no financial repercussions whatsoever.
The building and zoning clerk title, we want to change that to
permit specialist. This is just sort of what we do with
pouring I do and what we do during the course of the day is, you know,
that's when you do something like this is not so much what that
particular person who is doing the job has created because she does
an exceptional job and has taken on a lot more.
It's it just this better defines the job. It also better defines the
job when you're trying to fill it in the future. There's no financial
changes permit specialist. So this would just be a first reading
and commending the city's schedule of municipal positions.
But I will say that I'm going to go ahead and begin to see the
Civil Service Commission together and we'll start the process
because we have two very important positions to fill not only the
police records clerk, but unfortunately, you might have read
my weekly Don Everett is retiring at the end of June.
Nothing personally misty, but probably the nicest person that's
ever walked foot in this building and she is going to be sorely sorely
missed. She is a gem for anyone who's ever walked in this building
and had any questions about your income tax. That's Don back
there and she's worked really hard. If you want to read my
weekly, they're pretty boring, but there's a really good thing
in there about her. But we need to get that moving.
So, and Tom knows what that means. So we have to get the test going
and we need to get in the process. But one of many plugs for Don
that are coming. She's a great lady.
All right. Any questions, Mr. Voller?
The building and zoning clerk, is that the position currently
held by Becky?
Yeah.
Okay.
Anyone just change her title to permit specialist?
Yes.
Okay.
Any comments, questions? Go ahead and read the ordinance.
Ordinance establishing the compensation and classification
for the part-time position of police records clerk, modifying
the title of the building and zoning clerk and repealing ordinance
2022-2.
Thank you.
Mr. Medlin.
Thank you, Mayor and Council.
For you this evening is the first quarter financial report
for 2022.
The report reflects revenues exceeding expenditures
in the general fund with income tax revenue up approximately
10% over the same period in 2021.
Property tax revenues are reflecting a large increase,
but this is due to some 2021 property tax revenue
not being received until April of that year.
So just timing issue.
Since this report just reflects January, February, March,
we can sheet and look ahead to April as we have received
some already this month.
If we include April data or just about where we were last year
with a little bit of an increase over last year.
Homestead and roll call.
Rollback revenue is essentially flat at not quite $60,000.
General fund expenditures were up when compared to 2021. The largest driver of that was an advance
related to the purchase of property that was approved earlier this year.
Revenues in the city's enterprise funds, as a whole, modestly ahead of 2021's pace
and will continue to be monitored closely.
Thank you.
Thank you. Anybody have any questions or comments? Mr. Baller?
The income tax revenues are coming in well so far in the first quarter.
But as we know, as a matter of public record, workhorse is leaving the commerce park.
These revenue collections don't reflect, they're still here until this quarter, right?
I'm not sure exactly when they're heading out.
We did try to take that into account when we're putting the budget.
As you recall, last year we received about $5.8 million.
Our estimate this year, we wanted to be a little more conservative.
We estimated about five and a half just to kind of put that under control.
Efforts are being made to try to replace or bring new business into that commerce center?
We actually attempted to schedule a meeting with them.
They are actively seeking themselves.
I was trying to find an email from the guy from Workhorse.
These don't search backwards.
I'll forward you guys the update on that.
But yes, they are there.
Great. Thank you.
Anyone else any comments or questions?
All right, we need a motion to accept the first quarter 2022 financial results and quarterly update.
So moved.
They're second.
Second.
Call the role please.
Vice Mayor Phelps.
Yes.
Mr. Ping.
Yes.
Mayor Bailey.
Yes.
Mr. Bayman.
Yes.
Mr. Blair.
Yes.
Mr. Butler.
Yes.
Mr. Hart.
Yes.
Motion carries seven to zero.
Did that cover the income tax as well?
It does.
I can actually add a little bit.
Okay.
Please do.
If you don't mind.
So as discussed, income tax revenues for the quarter as a whole are up compared to the same period in 2021.
Withholding and business net profits are up.
Well, revenue from individuals is slightly down.
This is due to a few of our larger filers that made back tax payments last year, which inflated the first quarter of 2021.
And just to echo what Mr. Kennedy said earlier, I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank Don Everett in our office for her years of service.
Don's been a great help with these reports that she puts together in the analysis of going through information of the trends of why things are up and down.
So she'll be trying it retiring at the end of June. And again, as Mr. Kennedy said, she will be dearly missed.
And she was very helpful for me when I started this position back in 2020, just to be a friendly face to help things go by a little bit easier.
So thank her.
All right. Any questions, comments on that report?
Thank you, Mr. Medler.
There are various committee minutes and reports.
And then we have any comments on those.
All right.
Under city council reports, I have upcoming events Saturday, April 30th, as Liz mentioned.
The Turing Environment Committee will host their annual litter pickup from 9 to noon.
Meet at the Little Miami Conservancy.
It's also National Drug Take Back Day, 10 to 2 at the Safety Center on Lebanon Road.
Tuesday, May 3rd is the season opening for the Leveland Farmers Markets, 3 to 6 at the Linda J. Cox Trailside Parking Area.
Saturday, May 7th, from 10 to noon at Kiwanis Park, way in the back by JT Stopman Ballfield will be our dog park grand opening.
That is followed by the Ramsey-Paxson Cemetery Dedication in the White Pillars Subdivision.
There's a 1245 procession from the clubhouse at White Pillars to the cemetery and the actual dedication begins at 1, I believe.
All right. Anyone else have anything else to add?
Yes, Mr. Bateman.
I just will mention I took advantage of the electronics recycle drive event held by Leveland Sustainability Council over the weekend.
And I think, I know we've mentioned the Take Back Drug Day and there's the big joint recycling event that we do every year.
And it's one of those things that's just a great service that our community provides the residents.
And every time I do that, it's always, I always take a moment to thank the volunteers.
And I think we've just, it just shows the goodwill and the sort of willingness to help each other do the right thing that exists in this community.
So I, I appreciated that and look forward to events like that in the future.
Thank you. Anyone else?
All right.
Someone care to make a motion for executive session?
I move for executive session under Ohio Revised Codes, Section 121, B1 to consider the discipline of public official and under 121.22 G2, consider the purchase of property.
And finally, under 121.22 G3 to conference with council regarding pending litigation.
There's second.
Second.
Call the roll please.
Mr. Ping?
Yes.
Mayor Bailey?
Yes.
Mr. Bateman?
Yes.
Mr. Blair?
Yes.
Mr. Butler?
Yes.
Mr. Hart?
Yes.
Vice Mayor Phelps?
Yes.
Motion carries seven to zero.
Alright, it is 902, we're back on the record, if you will, can we have a motion to adjourn?
So moved.
There's second.
Second.
Call the roll please.
Mayor Bailey?
Yes.
Mr. Bateman?
Yes.
Mr. Blair?
Yes.
Mr. Butler?
Yes.
Mr. Hart?
Yes.
Vice Mayor Phelps?
Yes.
Mr. Ping?
Yes.
Motion carries seven to zero.