VILLAGE OF NORTH BEND

21 TAYLOR AVENUE, NORTH BEND, OHIO 45052

                                                                   December 17, 2012

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Sammons.

Members Present:

Mayor:  Mr. Sammons

Law Director: Mr. Reichert

Fiscal Officer: Mr. Sullivan

Councilpersons:    Mrs. Romweber, Mr. Moorman, Mr. Hartoin

                                 Mr. Nunnery, Mr. Welch  (Mr. Boll was absent, employer emergency                                                                                                                                                                                                                       excused)

MAYOR’S OPENING STATEMENT

Mayor Sammons presented a letter for condolences to be signed by all members of Council for the Village of Newtown and read a poem in remembrance of the victims.

MINUTES

Bill Welch moved that the November 26, 2012 Minutes be accepted.  Fran Romweber  seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Treasurer’s Report is attached.  In addition, the Mayor reviewed the financing of the Washington Avenue sewer project.

PAY THE BILLS

Bill Welch made motion to pay the bills.  Ron Hartoin seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.

MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR’S REPORT

See Attached Report

POLICE REPORT

There was no police report.  Sgt. Daugherty had a community emergency.  He will submit the police report to Mr. Boll in writing later this week.  Fran Romweber brought up the large amount of incidents and asked why they are not published in the Western Hills Press.

Mayor Sammons will set up a meeting with the new Hamilton County Sheriff.

GUESTS

Ms. Julia Caldwell, resident of Miami Avenue, asked about the condition of sidewalks in the Village at 22 Washington Avenue.   Mayor Sammons responded that the property owner has been notified and has agreed to fix them, but it may not happen until spring.  Ron Hartoin said safety cones will be placed around dangerous areas.

Minutes – December 17, 2012

She asked about rumors regarding access being demanded without notice regarding the rental property inspections.  Dave Moorman said there are inspections being done, but only with pre-scheduled appointments made by Mr. Weber through the landlord.

Jack Rininger, Miami Township Trustee attended to field questions on the Rumpke levy failure.  Mayor Sammons reviewed the election and talked about the history of the levy (originally at 1.25 mils).  Costs have increased and the levy was placed on the November, 2012 ballot at     2.25 mils and failed.  The new cost is $67.00 per $100,000 evaluation.  The Mayor reviewed ramifications of the failure of the levy.  Miami Township will be putting the levy up to a new vote on May 7^th.  The Mayor has provided an addendum to the agreement between North Bend and Miami Township for Council to vote on as to whether to continue the agreement.

Mr. Rininger reviewed the history of the Rumpke levy in force for approximately 40 years and reviewed options to residents if the levy fails again.  Bill Welch asked how it was listed on his tax bill.   Mr. Rininger said the trash pickup levy is lumped with other Miami Township taxes such as the operating levy.

There was a long discussion about the levy and when services will stop and other possibilities for trash pickup.   Mr. Welch asked what North Bend’s share of the $20,000 special elections cost? Mr. Rininger said the Miami Township Board has not decided whether or not to ask North Bend to share in this cost.

Residences in the Township (and North Bend) will receive a mailing from Rumpke discussing recycling options .  Residential recycling will not be a part of the levy even if it passes.

Mayor Sammons offered a resolution for North Bend to be a part of the levy to be placed on the May 5^th ballot.  The resolution has not been fully developed, but Mr. Reichert read the rough draft.

Ron Nunnery made motion to adopt the Resolution and Dave Moorman seconded the motion.  Bill Welch questioned whether this was a good way to take care of waste collection at this time and said there may be a lot of misinformation going around.  Fran Romweber agreed that it should be looked into deeper.  Ron Hartoin also agreed.  The motion was tabled until a Special Council Meeting can be scheduled prior to Miami Township’s January 10^th deadline.  A vote was taken to table the resolution.  It passed 5-0.  Resolution 2012-37 is now on hold.

FIRE REPORT

Chief Ober stated in November there were 3 fire runs and 13 EMS details. 

All inspections are up-to-date.

The new life squad unit goes in service in January, 2013.  It’ll be running out of the Mt. Nebo Station.

THREE RIVERS SCHOOL DISTRICT

COMMITTEES:

Finance -  Mr. Welch  

Bill Welch made motion for Ordinance 2012-08 Annual Appropriation Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2013 and Ron Hartoin seconded the motion.  Motion passed 100%.  There was no discussion.

Light, Water and Sewer   - Mr. Nunnery

No Report

Maintenance - Mr. Hartoin

Ron Hartoin will call a Maintenance Committee meeting in February, 2013 to discuss the effective use of the storage barn. 

Ron Hartoin discussed plans for re-organization of the "office" in the garage area.  Costs estimated are approximately $868.00.  Ron Hartoin asked for a vote and made a motion for expenditures of $1,000 to upgrade the garage area.  Bill Welch seconded the motion.  Motion passed 100%.  There was no discussion.

Police & Fire - Mr.  Boll  

No Report

Planning & Zoning  - Mrs. Romweber                                                                                                                                          

No Report

Law & Ordinance  - Mr. Moorman 

The rental notices have been reissued and they now include the maintenance inspection check- list.

Beautification – Fran Romweber

On November 23, "Light Up North Bend" night was a great success and Fran Romweber complimented Rick Schultz on the Hillgrove gateway project.  She also thanked the members of the Beautification Committee for their continued service.

Mayor Sammons discussed the Committee’s future budget and said a proposed budget will be in place by the January Council meeting.  A three to five-year plan will be presented.

COUNCIL OLD BUSINESS

No Report

LAW DIRECTOR OLD BUSINESS

The Resolution authorizing an additional levy for EMS services needs to be filed with the Board of Elections by February 6, 2013.  This is still under discussion.  A committee meeting will be scheduled.  Mr. Reichert reminded Council of the time constraints to file the necessary pages.  Mr. Reichert will request from the Auditors the amounts the possible levy will provide and the costs related to a special levy.

A group of residents has hired an attorney for the rental inspection issues and are in contact with Mr. Reichert.   He has sent the requested paperwork to their attorney on December 7^th.

The occupant of 462/464 Three Rivers Parkway will be evicted in January if he does not vacate by December 31, 2012.

Ordinance 2012-09 Re-Appointing Village Engineer for the Period January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 was motioned by Ron Nunnery and seconded by Fran Romweber.  There was no discussion.  Motion passed 100%.

Ordinance 2012-10 Re-Appointing Hamilton County Building Commissioner to Provide Inspection and Other Services Needed by the Village was motioned by Ron Hartoin and seconded by Bill Welch.  There was no discussion.  Motion passed 100%.

Ordinance 2012-11 Appointing the Village Law Director for the Period January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013 was motioned by Bill Welch and seconded by Fran Romweber.  There was no discussion.  Motion passed 100%.

Ordinance 2012-12 Re-Appointing Village Public Works Administrator for the Period January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 was motioned by Bill Welch and seconded by Fran Romweber.  There was no discussion.  Motion passed 100%.

Resolution 2012-38 Appointing Village Street Commissioner was motioned by Bill Welch and seconded by Ron Nunnery.  There was no discussion.  Motion passed 100%.

Duke Energy is working with PUCO and will meet with the Mayor to update the aggregation issue.  Mr. Rininger advised to not give your Duke account number to anyone as they can switch your service without your signature.  Mayor Sammons suggested an update mailing to North Bend residents.

Minutes – December 17, 2012

MAYOR’S OLD BUSINESS   

No Report

COUNCIL NEW BUSINESS

No Report

LAW DIRECTOR NEW BUSINESS

No Report

MAYOR’S NEW BUSINESS REPORT

Mayor Sammons reviewed the possibility of some help with Council attending a "retreat";  half a day or so in Council chambers with a moderator to help with Council’s vision of where the Village is headed.  The cost would be $1,000.00.  Bill Welch asked what the scope would be and the Mayor responded that the goal would be to find a way to "unite" Aston Oaks and the traditional Village.

Ron Hartoin asked about Chris Manning, a Human Nature Director, (proposed facilitator) credentials.  Fran Romweber reviewed some of his past successes.  Bill Welch reviewed his understanding of "Human Nature" and Chris’s qualifications.  Human Nature is a landscape company and Chris is a landscape architect, not a management consultant.  Bill Welch’s concern is the deliverable of the retreat may be more of a "landscape plan".

Dave Moorman said Chris has facilitated other retreats such as this; for example, Cincinnati’s vision regarding Washington Park.

Bill Welch’s concern is that Chris may not be able to help with roads vision, etc.  Ron Hartoin suggested asking Chris to come to a council meeting and make a presentation as to what he has to offer.  Mayor Sammons asked Fran Romweber to contact Chris and ask him.  Dave Moorman endorsed that request.

OPEN TO THE FLOOR

No Report

MAYOR AND COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMENTS

Bill Welch thanked Ray Beck for his service as "Santa" for the Village, both at "Light Up North Bend" night and at "Morning with Santa" in Council Hall.

MAYOR’S FINAL COMMENTS

No Report

ADJOURNMENT:                                  

Ron Nunnery made motion to adjourn the meeting.  Bill Welch seconded the motion.  Motion carried 100%.   Meeting was adjourned at 9:13p.m.

 Respectfully Submitted,

_____________________________                 _______________________________  

Fiscal Officer                                                          Mayor

Minutes – December 17^th, 2012 

Special Council Meeting

Village of North Bend – Saturday, December 22, 2012 – 900 am EST

Roll call – Mr. Sammons, Mr. Boll, Mr. Nunnery, Ms. Romweber, Mr. Welch, Mr. Hartoin, Mr. Moorman – All present

 Minutes from Meeting – Taken by Mayor Sammons

Mayor Sammons presented the issue at hand and that is, does the Village of North Bend (VoNB) continue to be a part of the Miami Township Waste District and participate in the new levy that increases the millage from 1.25 to 2.25 and provide an answer to MT by January 10^th, 2013.

Issues Raised:

1.       Is the current way of assessing the residents of the VoNB fair for waste removal and recycling – currently residents are paying 1.25 mills for every $1 assessed on their property.  If a resident has an assessed value of $100,000 they are currently paying $38/year. A resident with an assessed value of $500,000 is paying 5 times as much for the same service.  Is this equitable and is there a different way of doing things in the VoNB?  The new millage rate to be voted on in May, 2013, will take it to $68/year per $100,000 assessed value.

2.       The VoNB can contract directly with a waste removal company (like Rumpke) and have our own service with them for our residents.  By doing this, a resident will pay a flat fee per month/or quarter to Rumpke negotiated by the Village.  This cost will be approx. $16-20/month.  Annually, this equates out to about $200.  This does not include recycling.  Recycling is about $3/month

3.       Concern with #2 is that a resident will now have to pay $200/year instead of the current rate of $38/year.  Almost 5 times as much.  With the new rate of 2.25 mills, it equates out to about 3 times as much.

4.       Another concern with #2 is that some residents will not contract with a waste removal company and litter becomes an issue in the Village. 

5.       The Council also believes that if we do not continue to be a part of this waste district, the Village would then need to put something in place in a short period of time without the input from residents.  Council believes that the residents should have significant input in deciding what direction we take. 

6.        All of council agreed that there isn’t one easy answer to the question because the current system has been in place for the past 40 years.  Council believes that the residents should vote on whether they want the current system to continue with the increased tax assessment on their property tax bill.

Resolution:

A vote was taken and all six (6) council members agreed to continue to be a part of the waste district but we also all agreed that we will call a meeting to discuss this levy issue that is set to be voted on in May, 2013.  We all agreed that our citizens need to make an informed decision about this ballot issue. 

Adjournment:

Motion was made by Ron Nunnery for adjournment and a second made by Tim Boll.  All voted in favor of adjournment.