CITY OF READING, OHIO
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 16TH, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
President of Council Cris Nesbitt called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE
Mr. Nesbitt led those in attendance in the Our Father and the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present- Mr. Roth, Mr. Gertz, Mr. Lynd, Mr. Albrinck, Mr. Ashbrock, Mr. Fischesser. Motion made by Mr. Gertz, seconded by Mr. Fischesser to excuse Mr. Lindeman. Motion passed by a voice vote.
Other City Officials Present- Mayor Robert Bemmes, President of Council Cris Nesbitt, Law Director Dave Stevenson, Treasurer Mel Gertz, Safety Service Director Patrick Ross, Clerk of Council Scott Heckle.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes for the April 2nd and April 9th council meetings were approved as distributed.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Barb Cooper from the Reading Eagles 1095 Auxiliary, along with several other members of the Eagles, presented Chief Kaiser with a check in the amount of $2,000. The money was a gift to the fire department and a result of the Spring Fling Dance.
READING OF COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Heckle read the Mayors Court Report for the month of March, 2013. Total amount collected- $26,368. Bench warrants issued- 216. Cases Heard- 801.
REPORTS OF OFFICIALS
Mayor- Robert Bemmes- Mr. Bemmes offered condolences to the family of Tom Morrissey. Tom was a great man who did a lot for the city of Reading. April 17th, there will be a meeting at the library to discuss the new library. April 17th, there will also be a fundraiser for the 4th of July fireworks at Foley’s from 6-10pm. This Saturday is Cleanup Reading Day starting at 10am at the small pavilion at Koenig Park. Saturday night, Saints Peter and Paul will hold their trivia night. The Settlement Day Dinner will be held on Friday, May 10th. He encouraged all to support the Reading Historical Society. The building at the corner of Reading and Galbraith is coming along nicely. He is pleased to announce that Pete Bronner is on his way home from Afghanistan. He discussed an event that he and his wife, along with several Reading High School students attended at the Cintas Center in an effort to raise money for pediatric cancer research. He recognized Patrick Benson for saving a life by preforming CPR on a surfer. He congratulated Mr. Roth on becoming a Grandpa. Mr. Roth’s grandson is named Lucas Theis. He gave an update on the restrooms at Vorhees Park.
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Mr. Gertz also offered condolences to Mr. Morrissey and described his involvement with Haffey Fieldhouse.
Safety Service Director- Patrick Ross- Mr. Ross offered condolences to all the people harmed by the bombing tragedy in Boston. He attended a planning commission meeting last Monday. He attended the OBC board meeting. He briefly discussed the effect Obamacare will have on our man power. He spoke with Duke Energy and requested a street light near Hilltop Elementary. There is a dimly lit crosswalk that is in need of a street light. He said the city employees did a great job in dealing with tax season and water bills coming in at the same time. He attended a records commission meeting this morning. He mentioned Reading Cleanup Day is this Saturday from 10-12p. He is reviewing demolition specs for the property at 10 E. Vine St. The city of Reading held a “biggest loser” contest and the average weight loss of the 9th week program was 24lbs. Mr. Ross (17.25%), Mr. Morgan (15.06%) and Mr. Kerry (12.35%) lost the largest percentage of body weight. Pool signups will be May 4th, 11th and 18th at Haffey Fieldhouse from 10a-12p. He put links to Hamilton County recycling and solid waste program on the city website regarding their household hazardous waste program.
Mr. Fischesser asked about the progress of the new cameras in the parks.
Mr. Ross has met with Scott Snow twice and they are evaluating the wiring that is currently in place and if it is good enough for what they want to do.
Mr. Ashbrock expressed the need for possible upgrades to the infrastructure for use with the new cameras. He asked that these discussions be expanded to include the Utilities, Lands and Buildings committee.
Mr. Lynd asked how it gets determined who would pay for the new light pole at Hilltop. Is it the responsibility of the school or the city?
The light pole being discussed would be on city property and would be paid by the city.
Law Director- Dave Stevenson – No official report.
Treasurer- Mel Gertz – Mr. Gertz gave an update on tax collections month to date. He said we are significantly ahead of where we were last year for the month of April. He said the city employees did a great job with processing such a high number of returns.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance- Anthony Gertz – Mr. Gertz said the administration is doing a great job in keeping the operations and appropriations under control. At some time in May, discussions will start in regards to the budget for 2014.
Mr. Mel Gertz mentioned an article in the newspaper discussing HB115.
Mr. Anthony Gertz is glad Mel brought that up. Mr. Gertz hopes this bill does pass, he thinks it could benefit our city.
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Mr. Ashbrock discussed an article he read in the newspaper that could have a financial impact to our city. He discussed the issue of Sycamore Township and their current earnings tax and how potential changes would affect Reading.
Zoning, Planning and Environment- Robert Ashbrock – Mr. Ashbrock will have a committee meeting to discuss fees once Mr. Lindeman returns. Until then, he will speak with Mr. Brooks to see where he thinks we should be on this issue. He hopes to have an ordinance for council to consider regarding this matter. The Millcreek Yacht Club will paddle down the Millcreek on Friday for cleanup. The CACC will be meeting Thursday evening in Evendale. There will be a presentation from a class at UC and Mr. Ashbrock will share their findings at a later meeting.
Mr. Lynd asked for Mr. Ashbrock to share what is being discussed in the Utilities, Lands and Buildings committee.
Mr. Ashbrock said there was discussion in reviewing the water collection policies. The committee is willing to help Mr. Ross with this matter. There was a brief discussion between Mr. Ross, Mr. Ashbrock and Mr. Gertz regarding this issue.
Laws and Contracts – Lee Roth – Mr. Roth scheduled a committee meeting for June 11th to discuss trees.
Public Health and Safety – Randy Fischesser – Mr. Fischesser and his committee met with Chief Snow last week to discuss budgetary items. The new cruisers have been ordered. The office booking room flooring and upgrades have been priced at $11,145. There will be an ordinance soon to contract this out. He discussed the radios and whether or not Motorola will continue to service these radios. In the event that they stop servicing the radios, the expense will be monumental. He discussed the replacement of the new tasers ($3,000-$4,000 a year).
The fire department received a FEMA grant for $193,000 for the replacement of all of the air tanks. This is a 5% match. Mr. Fischesser gave an example of what a 1st come 1st serve fire department would look like. Our city is blessed, we can handle up to (3) runs.
Service- Dennis Albrinck – Mr. Albrinck reported that we used 427 tons of salt this year. We used 165 tons last year. The average use per year is 1200-1400 tons. Mr. Courtney is looking to bid out 500 tons for 2014. The service department put together the new tables at the Vorhees Park shelter. The service department did get the new bed on the ¾ ton truck. He mentioned that you can expect to see future service trucks painted white partially due to cost. White is the base color and to paint the vehicles yellow would cost between $800-$1200 a vehicle. The newest 1 ton truck is still on order. Mr. Steinkoenig mentioned to Mr. Albrinck that we may want to look into changing our signage about semi-trucks going down Columbia Avenue. These large trucks are still coming down Columbia Avenue from time to time.
Mr. Lynd asked who is responsible for replacing a crumbling street apron in front of a property.
Mr. Ross said that unless we are doing a road project, the cost of repair is up to the property owner.
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Recreation – Tom Lynd – Mr. Lynd reported that pool signups will be May 4th, 11th and 18th. The Reading Cleanup Day will be this Saturday at 10am at Koenig Park. MND has a musical called The Drowsy Chaperone showing on Friday at 7:30, Saturday at 7:30, Sunday at 3:00, the following Friday at 7:30, a Saturday matinee and a 7:30 showing.
READING OF ORDINANCES
Mr. Heckle read by title only of Ordinance no. 2013-41 passed at the April 9th council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:34pm.
CRIS NESBITT SCOTT HECKLE
President of Council Clerk of Council