VILLAGE OF NORTH BEND
21 TAYLOR AVENUE, NORTH BEND, OHIO 45052
September 25, 2023

Meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Mayor Sammons.

Members Present:
Mayor: Mr. Sammons
Law Director: Mr. Sollmann
Fiscal Officer: Ms. Fryman (excused)
Councilpersons: Mr. Moorman, Mr. Deters, Mr. Bonner,
Mrs. Romweber, Mrs. Bolser, Mr. Weadick

MAYOR’S OPENING STATEMENT
Mr. Clete Benken, KZF Design and Mr. Skip Holmes, Chair of Riverfront Advisory Board discussed the designs presented to North Bend residents immediately prior to this council meeting at our Riverfront Park Open House. Council members gave their approval to move forward with the recommended design for the Riverfront Park.

MINUTES
Joe Bonner moved that the August 28, 2023 minutes be accepted. Bill Deters seconded the motion. Motion carried 100%.

TREASURER’S REPORT
In Marta’s absence, Dave Moorman read the Treasurer’s report. Dave stated North Bend had a great audit, with the exception of two items. Although Marilyn Kramer, records manager, was trained and had a Public Records Policy, she was not presented with the written evidence of receiving the material, which needed to be signed by her at the time. Scott Sollmann presented a Certification of Receipt and Marilyn signed it in August, 2023. Marta Fryman did not take a required training class within the audit period because it stated it was for elected officials; Marta Fryman is appointed. She will now take the required training as it did pertain to her position.
Dave Moorman made a motion to declare Resolution 2023-13 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 2023-13 Accepting the Amounts and Rates as Determined by the Budget Commission & Authorizing the Necessary Tax Levies and Certifying Them to the County Auditor. Bill Deters seconded the motion. Motion carried 100%.
Dave Moorman asked council to submit all budget requests prior to our November meeting.
The Treasurer’s Report is available at the Village office.

Minutes, September 25, 2023



PAY THE BILLS
Fran Romweber made a motion to pay the bills. Mark Weadick seconded the motion. Motion carried 100%.

MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
Nate stated they are cutting grass, watering flowers and pressure washing the playground area. They also pressure washed and stained all picnic tables at the playground. Maintenance is preparing our Christmas décor for installation; they changed the snowflakes to LED bulbs. Nate stated the flower boxes and hanging planters will be removed in October.
They cleaned up the Harbor Drive area and installed a 15MPH sign. Nate asked for approval of $1,600 to install electric for the sign and landscaping at the Harbor Drive entrance. Dave Moorman made a motion to approve $1,600 for electric to be installed and landscaping at Harbor Drive. Fran Romweber seconded the motion. Motion carried 100%. Nate stated they need to rent a bobcat for one week at the cost of $1,200 to complete several tasks; cleanup of park and around railroad tracks and for rock wall. Fran Romweber made a motion to approve the rental of a bobcat for $1,200. Bev Bolser seconded the motion. Motion carried 100%.
Nate also stated two new tires are needed on the dump truck. Nate presented council with items needed for the 2024 budget. Fran stated she’d like to have a Christmas tree and lights on Harbor Drive.

DEPUTY CLERK’S REPORT
Marilyn submitted the $40,000 mini-grant for the Riverfront Park Planning with Hamilton County on September 6th. Awardees will be notified by October 20th. Bev, Fran and Marilyn are working on another Hamilton County Public Health $35,000 mini-grant due October 2nd. Awardees will be notified October 16th. Miami Township Fire Department completed their annual fire inspection and we passed all portions of the inspection. Hamilton County is holding a Household Hazardous Product Recycling 2-day event. It’s scheduled for October 20 and 21. You must register to find out the location. Flyers will be at the post office and on our bulletin board. Marilyn would like to confirm the Records Retention annual meeting for October 30th at 5:30pm. She will notify Ron Nunnery, Scott Sollmann and Marta Fryman to attend.
Our leaf recycling will begin October/November and this year we’d like to try mulching and composting the leaves rather than renting several dumpsters. Marilyn spoke with Gage Bradford, Hamilton County, and he stated composting is encouraged for their recycling program. He stated communities that meet new requirements in the RRI (likely a plan created by administration) will be receiving a new minimum payout between $2,500 - $5,000.

POLICE REPORT
Sgt. Carney reported there were 38 calls for service for the month of August. There were four criminal reports; two criminal damage/vandalism and two theft/fraud cases. Three cases were assigned to detectives for investigation. There were 26 non-billable calls for August. . Mayor Sammons asked Sgt. Carney about the serious accident on River Road near TRS this month. He stated the 13-yearold student was sleeping in the back seat without a seat belt and was thrown from the car. Air care was dispatched. He thanked Miami Township EMS for responding so quickly and praised the school for all of their help as well.


Minutes, September 25, 2023


GUESTS
Mr. Mike Robison, Miami Township Trustee, talked about the round-about at Bridgetown Road and Shady Lane that was scheduled to start construction this year. This project began 8.5 years ago with an original cost of $900,000. Miami Township would pay $300,000, Hamilton County would pay $300,00 and the remaining paid by grants. The new estimate is 4.5 million. Now, Miami Township would pay $700,000, the County pay $700,000 and OPWC grants to pay the remainder. December 31, 2023 is the deadline.
Mr. Robison stated their full-time Administrator and Fire Chief positions are open. Two Trustee seats are also available. Mayor Sammons asked Mr. Robison to invite the trustee candidates to come to North Bend’s October 30th council meeting to introduce themselves to the community.
Mayor Sammons met with Trustee Robison and Representative Warren Davidson regarding our Riverfront Park project in the past and Mayor Sammons asked Mr. Robison to arrange another meeting to go over updates and next steps of the project.

Mr. Robert Mecklenborg, 163 St. Annes addressed council for a group of residents regarding the proposed new construction of Derbyshire on St. Annes. He stated they would like to be advised of any presentations or meetings regarding Mr. John Niehaus and the Derbyshire development. They are very concerned about slippage of the slope dividing the development and St. Annes. Over 50% of the trees on that slope will be removed and Mr. Niehaus stated six core drilling tests would be completed on the slope; which has not been done.
Mayor Sammons stated Hamilton County is North Bend’s Building Department. Any variances of the plans must go through Hamilton County and they notify North Bend Planning. Hamilton County notifies neighbors, within 500 feet, of the affected area and we hold a hearing. Mr. Niehaus, Hamilton County, residents and North Bend Planning attends the hearing and decides the results. We can place conditions on the plans.
Fran Romweber stated neighbors may want to hire an attorney as a watchdog on this project. Residents are worried about what could happen in the future for new buyers; who is protecting them. Dave Moorman stated the AOPOA could assess all AOPOA members for any future slippage. Mayor Sammons stated residents can contact Hamilton County anytime for information.

FIRE REPORT
Lt. Bonert stated there were three fire runs and twelve EMS details for the month of August. Three fire hydrants in North Bend were out of service and Miami Township repaired them.

THREE RIVERS SCHOOL
Superintendent Ault stated school has been in for one month. Three Rivers School has received 19 stars out of 25 total stars over five categories. They received four stars for their special needs program and three stars each for growth of students and early childhood learning. Three high school students have been recognized by the College Board. The girls’ volleyball team is undefeated. TRS has received private funding to purchase a display case to showcase the artwork of their emerging artists. Fran asked if TRS has lowered their high school dress code standards? Dr. Ault stated not to his knowledge. Dr. Ault also thanked Miami Township’s EMS and Hamilton County Police for their quick response to the serious accident on River Road.

COMMITTEES:
Finance - Mr. Moorman
Dave Moorman stated Rumpke and Best Way have received our Request for Bid packets and we should have those bids by the end of October.

Minutes, September 25, 2023


Light, Water and Sewer - Mrs. Romweber
No Report.

Maintenance - Mr. Bonner
Joe Bonner stated Nate completed the Maintenance Manual through December. Michael Dirr included Google MAPS and outlines. Nate adds to the manual weekly.
Police & Fire – Mr. Deters
Regarding the Police Protection Services Agreement, Bill reported that the only change to the original agreement is that North Bend would be required to cancel police services 180 days in advance rather than give 90-day advance notification. Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office stated they are continuing discussions with the Village of Addyston. Council decided to continue discussions with Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office as we move forward.
Mayor Sammons proposed and Council agreed, that he advise Hamilton County again, that the Village is able and willing to pay the Hamilton County Sheriff the amount collected from its 2mil Public Safety Tax Levy.

Planning & Zoning - Mrs. Bolser
No Report.

Law & Ordinance - Mr. Weadick
No Report.

Beautification – Mrs. Romweber
Fran will discuss the Beautification budget with the maintenance department.

COUNCIL’S OLD BUSINESS
No Report.

LAW DIRECTOR’S OLD BUSINESS
Scott requested council go into Executive Session at the end of our council meeting regarding legal matters involving an auto accident.
MAYOR’S OLD BUSINESS
No Report.
COUNCIL’S NEW BUSINESS
No Report.
LAW DIRECTOR’S NEW BUSINESS
No Report.


Minutes, September 25, 2023


MAYOR’S NEW BUSINESS/ REPORT
Mayor Sammons stated we have a resolution regarding SCIP and LTIP programs.
Joe Bonner made a motion to declare Resolution 2023-15 an emergency and to dispense with the requirement that this resolution be read on three separate days and be adopted upon its first reading. Fran Romweber seconded the motion. Motion carried 100%.
Dave Moorman made a motion to adopt Resolution 2023-15 Authorizing the Mayor and Village of North Bend Administration to Prepare and Submit Applications to Participate in the Ohio Public Works State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement Program(s) and to Execute Contracts as Required and Declaring it an Emergency. Joe Bonner seconded the motion. Motion carried 100%.

OPEN TO THE FLOOR
No Report.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMENTS
Our Records Retention meeting is Monday, October 30, 2023 at 5:30pm
Our next council meeting is Monday, October 30, 2023 at 6:00pm.
Halloween will be celebrated in North Bend on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 from 6:00–8:00pm.

MAYOR’S FINAL COMMENTS
No Report.
Mark Weadick moved that council go into Executive Session in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 121.22 (G)(3) to discuss pending or imminent litigation with Village Law Solicitor Sollmann. Joe Bonner seconded the motion. Motion carried 100%.
Council persons and Law Solicitor Sollmann participated in Executive Session from 8:15pm until it concluded at 8:19pm. All council persons returned from Executive Session and the regular meeting was called back to order at 8:19pm. Dave Moorman made a motion to accept the settlement offer of $8,645.27 from Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company for partial reimbursement for a telephone pole damaged due to an auto accident on U.S. Route 50.

ADJOURNMENT:
Bev Bolser made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Fran Romweber seconded the motion. Motion carried 100%. Meeting was adjourned at 8:25p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

_____________________________ _______________________________
Fiscal Officer Mayor


Minutes, September 25, 2023