VILLAGE OF NORTH BEND

21 TAYLOR AVENUE, NORTH BEND, OHIO 45052

                                                                      April 25, 2022

Meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by Mayor Sammons.

Members Present:

Mayor:  Mr. Sammons

Law Director: Mr. Sollmann

Fiscal Officer: Ms. Fryman

Councilpersons:    Mr. Moorman, Mr. Deters, Mr. Bonner,

                                 Mrs. Romweber, Ms. Bolser, Mr. Morgan (by phone)  

At 6:35pm, Dave Moorman moved that council go in to Executive Session in accordance with Ohio Revised Code   121.22(G) (1) to discuss employment and salary of public employees.  Fran Romweber seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

At 7:00pm, Fran Romweber made a motion to adjourn Executive Session and begin the regular council meeting.  Joe Bonner seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.      

All council present when returned from Executive Session.                                                                                                                                                                         

MAYOR’S OPENING STATEMENT

Mayor Sammons had no opening statement.

MINUTES

Dave Moorman moved that the March 28, 2022 minutes be accepted.  Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

TREASURER’S REPORT

There was a hearing discussing the 2022 Tax Budget immediately prior to tonight’s council meeting.

Dave Moorman made a motion to declare Resolution 2022-13 an emergency and to dispense with the requirement that this resolution be read on three separate days and be adopted upon its first reading.  Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

Dave Moorman made a motion to adopt Resolution 2022-13 Adopting Standard Allowance for Expenditure from American Rescue Plan Act Funds.   Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%. 

Dave Moorman made a motion to declare Resolution 2022-14 an emergency and to dispense with the requirement that this resolution be read on three separate days and be adopted upon its first reading.  Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

Minutes, April 25, 2022

TREASURER’S REPORT, Continued

Dave Moorman made a motion to adopt Resolution 2022-14 Authorizing Additional Expenditure from American Rescue Plan Act Funds.  Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

Dave Moorman made a motion to declare Resolution 2022-15 an emergency and to dispense with the requirement that this resolution be read on three separate days and be adopted upon its first reading.  Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

Fran Romweber made a motion to adopt Resolution 2022-15 Establishing Fund for River View Project.  Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

Mayor Sammons spoke about the Riverfront Development Project (as opposed to River View Project) on Harbor Drive and how they attended the Village of Cleves council meeting, requested by Mike Rahall, to ask if Cleves would be willing to sell the property to North Bend.  North Bend would only purchase the property if they received grant funds to do so.

Dave Moorman stated all council members should be advised of any offers and grants.  He explained that not all council members are aware of the Riverfront Development Project.  He and other council members were unaware that these offers were being made or that there were grants available.

Mayor Sammons responded stating Congressman Chabot’s office contacted him regarding this grant opportunity, however, if North Bend doesn’t have control of the property, grants are not awarded.  He explained he and Fran were invited to Cleves council meeting to present this option of getting their approval to sell; no agreements were signed.  Their appraisal of the property was $400,000. Mayor Sammons stated that in the future, all of council will be advised of available grants and actions taken.

PAY THE BILLS

Fran Romweber made a motion to pay the bills.  Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

MAINTENANCE REPORT

Our maintenance staff pressure washed the front of the administration building and the sidewalk on Taylor Avenue.  They cleaned the windows and blinds in the front office and painted the outside window sills.  They pressure washed the gazebo and park area; cleaned and organized the lower and upper garage areas.  They researched and ordered trees for planting in the front area of Consolidated Terminal.  Several days of mowing, cut back ornamental grasses, applied weed control and cleanup of landscaping.  They also cleaned up brush on Brower Road.

Jim Searcy attended the meeting to answer any questions council may have.  Steve Ludwig was let go as Village Maintenance Supervisor and is no longer with the Village of North Bend.

DEPUTY CLERK’S REPORT

Marilyn reported North Bend’s recycling diversion rate is 7.79% for 2021 compared to 8% in 2020.  This report is for Hamilton County Residential Recycling Incentive (RRI) program. We held our Wellness We Thrive Committee meeting on April 6, 2022 and the minutes are attached for council’s review.  The Spring Clean Up dates are April 21 through May 16, 2022.  Our tire recycling event is scheduled for May 18 through May 27, 2022.  Max and I will be working on North Bend’s rental permits next month.  The Primary Election is May 3^rd, 2022.  All paperwork has been submitted to the Board of Elections.  They are looking for poll workers. We will be planting our flower boxes on Saturday, May 14^th at 9:00am in the maintenance garage if anyone would like to volunteer.

Minutes, April 25, 2022

POLICE REPORT

Sgt. Carney is on vacation, Bill Deters read his report in his absence.  There were 25 calls for service for the month of March, 2022.  Four cases were assigned to detectives for investigation.  There were 8 criminal reports and 1 auto accident during this reporting period.

GUESTS

Mr. Jeb Dickens, Consolidated Terminal, attended the meeting to address complaints regarding Consolidated Terminal’s recent increase in noise levels and to discuss their business model.  Over the past twenty years, Consolidated handled several types of commodities.  Salt tonnage has dropped tremendously and they are now working with ingots, which is a metal product.

Mr. Dickens advised that the noise, which can be quite loud, is the result of using vibrators to clean out the hoppers of rail cars.

Consolidated has instructed employees to work on ingots Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30am – 5:00pm.  Mr. Dickens stated they will not be working on Sundays and only on Saturdays if incoming barges shut down.  Mr. Dickens stated that the CTLC locomotive no longer needs to sound its whistle every time it moves, but the bell ringing is required with each move.

Dave Moorman stated loud noises were heard this past Saturday.  Mr. Dickens stated they have had a change in management and to please bear with them as they work through this transition.

Mr. Dickens stated they want to continue to be good neighbors with North Bend and have agreed to pay for the twelve trees that will be planted on their front property.  To address the River View Project that Fran has met with them about, Mr. Dickens will work with the railroad companies to gain approval for the trimming or removal of trees blocking the river view.

Mayor Sammons appreciated his comments and Fran Romweber commented on how clean they keep their facility and parking lot and North Bend residents appreciate their efforts.

FIRE REPORT

Chief Lacey was unable to attend the meeting, however, he sent his report for North Bend.  Mayor Sammons reported there were no fire runs and 4 EMS runs for the month of March, 2022.

THREE RIVERS SCHOOL

Superintendent Ault was in attendance, however, had to leave prior to his reporting time.

COMMITTEES:

Finance - Mr. Moorman

Dave Moorman had a presentation on Energy Alliances and our gas aggregation program. Our contract with Energy Alliances ends June, 2022.  Gas prices have increased considerably and Energy Alliances cannot lock in a price better that what Duke Energy is offering.  Residents do not need to do anything. Energy Alliances expects North Bend to be able to lock in a favorable agreement with a natural gas supplier by winter-2022.  Energy Alliances will send out opt-out letters to residents in August, 2022. They may recommend residents go directly with Duke until gas prices come down.  We will post all communications on our website, our bulletin boards, at the post office, and through Towne Properties.

Dave Moorman made a motion to allow Mayor Sammons to enter into a contract with a natural gas supplier that offers lower gas rates than Duke Energy.  Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

Bev Bolser asked what has to be done to have natural gas permitted on Cliff Road.  Joe Bonner recommended contacting Duke Energy and thought the homeowner would at least need to pay for the gas line from the street to the house.

Minutes, April 25, 2022

Light, Water and Sewer - Ms. Fran Romweber

Fran stated we should get a second opinion on the Sunset Avenue water leak issue since our engineer, JMA, is also the Village of Cleves’ engineer.  Mayor Sammons stated Terracon looked at this issue but did not give an official report. He stated we need to get this resolved and move forward.  Mayor Sammons will reach out to Mike Rahall, Administrator of Cleves, and ask them to split the cost of the study and abide by the engineer’s decision.

Dave Moorman stated that ARPA money (North Bend’s and Cleves) can be used for this purpose. 

Maintenance – Mr. Bonner

There was a discussion regarding Resolution 2022-16 giving ODOT consent to update signage on U.S. 50.

Joe Bonner made a motion to declare Resolution 2022-16 an emergency and to dispense with the requirement that this resolution be read on three separate days and be adopted upon its first reading.  Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

Joe Bonner made a motion to adopt Resolution 2022-16 Village Providing Consent to LPA-ODOT – Let Project Agreement.  Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

Police & Fire – Mr. Deters

Bill Deters reported after meeting with Hamilton County Police Department, there is a temporary agreement for the annual fee of $109,000. Originally, Hamilton County wanted a comprehensive agreement including 5-6 jurisdictions, including Harrison, Crosby and Whitewater Township, which have not been paying for any police coverage for years.  Dave Moorman mentioned that in the past, North Bend was required to pay for police car insurance, maintenance, gas and vacation time in addition to the contract amount for police coverage.

After a discussion, council decided we will pass the levy monies we receive on to Hamilton County until a viable agreement can be presented representing all jurisdictions.

Planning & Zoning – Ms. Bolser

No Report.

Law & Ordinance - Mr. Morgan

Max reported that the fallen tree on St. Annes has been removed.  The broken concrete slab     on St. Annes has also been removed.

Joe brought up the tree on the corner of Symmes and U.S.50 that needs trimming of its dead limbs.   Mayor Sammons asked Jim Searcy to contact Buckeye Tree for an estimate to trim that tree as well as another tree on Miami Avenue.  He also asked Max to write a letter regarding debris on a resident’s porch located off Miami Avenue.

Beautification – Fran Romweber

Fran talked about the River View Project.

COUNCIL’S OLD BUSINESS

No Report.

Minutes, April 25, 2022

LAW DIRECTOR’S OLD BUSINESS

Scott stated he received recommended revisions on the Employee Manual from Bev Bolser and Dave Moorman, however, he was having issues in printing these revisions.  Scott will email those revisions to council prior to our May 23^rd meeting.

MAYOR’S OLD BUSINESS  

No Report.

COUNCIL’S NEW BUSINESS

No Report.

LAW DIRECTOR’S NEW BUSINESS

No Report.

MAYOR’S NEW BUSINESS/ REPORT

Mayor Sammons stated Rick Schultz will be coming back to North Bend Maintenance as a seasonal employee working May through September and then working in November and December each year, working 25-30 hours per week. 

Joe Bonner made a motion to approve Richard Schultz to return to North Bend as a seasonal employee making $30.00 per hour.  Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

Joe Bonner made a motion to approve moving Bill Schultz from a seasonal employee to a part-time employee and becoming eligible for those benefits as of June 1, 2022.  Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

OPEN TO THE FLOOR

No Report.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMENTS

Our next council meeting is Monday, May 23, 2022 at 7:00pm.

MAYOR’S FINAL COMMENTS

No Report.

ADJOURNMENT:     

Fran Romweber made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Bill Deters seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.   Meeting was adjourned at 8:57p.m.                      

                                                   Respectfully Submitted,

_____________________________                 _______________________________  

Fiscal Officer                                                          Mayor

Minutes, April 25, 2022

TREASURER'S REPORT

April 25, 2022

To Council Members for Your Information and Review

The Tax Budget is due by July 20, 2021. Please send me any large or capital expenditures expected or being considered for 2022. The budget will be prepared and the required Public Hearing will be advertised as a special meeting just prior to the June meeting. The tax budget submitted in July is used by the Hamilton Co. Auditor's office to certify available 2022 appropriations funds. The 2022 annual budget is created and approved the end of the year.

We received the balance of our 1^st halfreal estate tax revenue. Total amounts received per fund are: General Fund - $196,437.98, Life Squad - $104,286.27 and Public Safety -

$43,543.38.

I have registered the Village for submission of our initial ARPA report due by 4/30/22. Included in my report is a spreadsheet showing revenue and expenses through 4/25/22. These figures will be used as I do not foresee any additional revenue or expenses by 4/30/22.

We issued 1 purchase order this month: #15-2022, Miami Township Trustees,

$185,819.79, pt half RE tax for the Emergency Services Fund.

Distributed to council members this month are the following reports:

• Monthly Cash Flow Analysis:

Showing money in/money out and the check book balance

• Payment and charge Register Report:

Includes all checks & automatic payments taken directly from our checkbook

since last Council Meeting

• Receipts Register Report:

Includes all sources ofrevenue taken in by the Village since last Council Meeting

• Revenue Status Report:

Shows the year-to-date status of each revenue account as of date of this Council

Meeting

• Fund Status Report: Shows amount left in each fund as of date of this Council Meeting and the current checking account balance
• Year to Date Beautification Accounting Report - no report
• Mayor's Discretionary Fund Report
• Monthly Credit Card Charges Report

Copies of all the above reports are available for public viewing at the Village Office.

Respectfully submitted, Marta Fryman, Fiscal Officer

MAINTENANCE REPORT                                                April 25, 2022                     Jim Searcy

• Pressure washed front of Administration Building.

• Painted window sills.

• Cleaned windows and blinds in front office.

• Pressure washed sidewalk from the Administration Building to park.

• Pressure washed gazebo and park.

• Cleaned and organized lower garage area.

• Organized shelving in upper garage area.

• Researched and ordered trees for planting area in front of Consolidated Terminal.

• Beginning of weed control along Taylor Avenue and park area.

• Several days of mowing, as mowing season started.

• Cut back ornamental grasses.

• Weed control and cleanup landscaping.

• Additional cleanup of brush on Brower Road.

DEPUTY CLERK’S REPORT                                                  April 25, 2022               Marilyn Kramer

• Residential Recycling Incentive (RRI) program – Our recycling diversion rate of 7.79% this year has slightly decreased from 8% last year.

• We held our Wellness We Thrive Committee meeting on April 6, 2022.  The minutes are attached for your review.

• Our Spring Clean Up dates are April 21 through May 16.  Residents can bring their yard waste to the dumpster behind the Administration Building on Post Street.

• Our tire recycling event is scheduled for May 18 through May 27.

• Max and I will be working on North Bend’s rental permits next month.

• Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, May 3^rd, 2022.  All paperwork has been submitted   to the Board of Elections and I’ve been in contact with the precinct judge.  The Board of Elections is looking for poll workers if anyone is interested.

• We will be planting our flower boxes on Saturday, May 14^th at 9:00am in the maintenance garage.  If you’d like to volunteer, please come to the maintenance area on May 14^t