6-15-2004

The Council of the City of Milford met in Regular Session at 7:00 p.m. on June 15, 2004, in Council Chambers, 745 Center St., Milford, Ohio. Mayor Bishop opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.

Roll Call: Present: Mayor Bishop, Vice-Mayor Gradolf, Ms. McBeath, Mr. Antell, Ms. Hinners, Mr. Kolb, Mr. Reynolds.

Minutes: A motion by Mr. Kolb, second by Mr. Reynolds to waive the reading and approve the minutes of the regular Council meeting of June 1, 2004. All voted yes.

Correspondence – The Clerk read a letter from Time Warner Cable informing the City of their maintenance schedule. A letter of thanks was read from Sara Hussein for the timely placement of the Children at Play signs.

The Clerk also read a memo from Loretta Rokey recommending that Jeff Wright serve as acting City Manager during her absence from June 28, 2004 until July 9, 2004. With a voice vote from Council all voted yes.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Public Services: Mr. Gradolf reported that the Committee met on June 7, 2004. The City Manager provided the Committee with the schedule for interviews and instructions given to each consulting engineer for presentation. The top five consulting firms gave twenty-minute presentations. The top five will be ranked at the June 22^nd Committee meeting which is a combined meeting with SWAC. Mr. Gradolf stated that the Storm Water Utility was on the June 1^st utility bill. He said there has not been a deluge of calls concerning this new utility.

Administrative Services: Mr. Kolb reported that the Committee met on June 14, 2004. City Manager Rokey reminded the Committee that they had agreed in April to increase the Clerk of Council salary from $5600 to $6250. The Committee agreed to draft an ordinance increasing the salary. A motion by Mr. Kolb, second by Ms. McBeath to draft an ordinance establishing the rate of pay for the Clerk of Council at $6250 effective the first pay period in August, 2004. All voted yes. The City Manager also provided a copy of the legislation provided by Walter H. Drane Company for update to the Milford Codified Ordinances. The Committee agreed to draft an ordinance for this purpose. A motion by Mr. Kolb, second by Ms. McBeath to draft an ordinance approving the editing and inclusion of certain ordinances as parts of the various component codes of the Codified Ordinances of Milford, Ohio and declaring an emergency. All voted yes.

The Manager provided an overview of the screening process for Finance Candidates. Six of the top candidates will participate in initial interviews with Steve Wagner, Carol Woerner, and the City Manager this week. The Administrative Services Committee will conduct the final interviews.

City Manager Rokey noted that following a meeting with our preferred developer for the Clermont Lumber site, they expressed their desire to continue their work with the City on this project. Council action will be needed to continue the extension of this agreement. A motion by Mr. Kolb, second by Ms McBeath to draft an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to sign an agreement extending the terms of the Preliminary Planning Agreement with Winchester Land Company for six months. All voted yes. The Manager stated that correspondence informing employees that the City is considering a new health insurance pool that could provide some savings and postpone a rate increase until later next year. The Manager requested that legislation be called for but not acted upon until the details were finalized in July. A motion by Mr. Kolb, second by Ms. Hinners to draft a Resolution authorizing the City’s participation in the Health Benefits Cooperative offered through the Center for Local Government. All voted yes.

The Finance Director requested approval to create a fund to receive the funds to be borrowed to finance the Beechwood Road Connector Improvement project. A motion by Mr. Kolb, second by Ms. McBeath to draft an ordinance establishing the Beechwood Road Connector Improvement Fund #459. All voted yes.

Safety Services: Mr. Reynolds reported that the Committee met on June 7, 2004. Chief Lantman provided the Committee a copy of the Department’s report on Frontier Days. He said there were more incidents involving juveniles than adults this year. The Department recommends enforcement of the curfew next year.

Chief Cooper expressed his growing concern that the Safety Services were not able to coordinate a meeting with the Frontier Days Committee. He insists that a meeting take place prior to next year’s event to review logistics and placement of safety personnel and activities. He feels that initial discussions should begin six months prior with follow-up meetings every two months or so until the event. The Committee agreed to direct the City Manager to send a letter to the Chamber requesting a commitment to future meetings in advance of Frontier Days. Chief Lantam also provided photographs of the police cruiser damaged in an accident in front of Big Lots. The police officer that was driving was not injured but the cruiser will be a total loss. The semi driver was cited in this accident. Mr. Reynolds stressed that we should seek recovery for all eligible costs beyond the loss of the vehicle.

Chief Lantman also provided information regarding the Grant for Universal Hiring. They will not be accepting applications in 2004. The Byrne Grant Applications for traffic enforcement will be due in the fall. The Department used the new Fire Arms Training Simulator last week. There were some mechanical problems to work through and initial training to get accustomed to the equipment. Chief Lantman stated that he is working on adding a fourth car to enforce traffic during the times of most concern. He also said that more information is yet to be gathered on the Citizen’s Police Academy and Citizen’s on Patrol project. The Department’s new MDC’s from Hamilton County should be in this week. The Chief stated that he would be in Washington D.C. for a two-day seminar on “Missing and Exploited Children.” Hamilton County will also be providing Personal Protective Equipment at no charge to our agencies as part of a grant they received under homeland security/national defense initiatives.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Committee Meetings

Ordinances and Resolutions:

Adjourn: With a motion by Ms. Hinners, second by Ms. McBeath Council was adjourned with a brief recess to Executive Session at 7:55 p.m. Council returned to regular session with a motion by Ms. Hinners, second, Ms. McBeath to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.