The minutes below appear as typed, but have not yet been

reviewed by Council for corrections.

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL

VILLAGE OF MARIEMONT, OHIO

REGULAR MEETING HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER

JULY 14, 2008

Mayor Policastro called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. The following Council members answered present to roll call: Mr. Bevis, Mr. Ebelhar, Mrs. Schmit, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Wolter.

Mrs. Schmit moved, seconded by Mr. Wolter to excuse the absence of Ms. Sullivan due to illness. On roll call; five ayes, no nays.

Mr. Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Wolter to accept the minutes as written for June 23, 2008. On roll call; four ayes, no nays. (Mr. Ebelhar abstained)

The following communications were read by Mayor Policastro:

• From Police Chief Hines: June 2008 Monthly Report. Mr. Bevis said this might be a good time for the Chief to remind people to lock their vehicles. After reading this month’s report there were several items taken out of unlocked vehicles and two vehicles stolen when the keys were left in the car. Chief Hines said both cars that were stolen have been recovered and the suspects arrested. It was good police work by Officer Rennie. He encouraged residents to lock their cars and to not leave valuables in the car, especially GPS devices. Mr. Bevis said he spoke with Chief Hines about increased patrol on Joan Place primarily due to parking violations. People are parking on both sides of the street which would make it difficult for emergency vehicles should they be needed. Chief Hines said from the police perspective the fireworks festivities went very well. He said on May 28, 2008 he sent a memo to the Mayor’s office referencing some changes the department was going to make to conserve fuel. He tracked the fuel usage from May 2008 versus June 2008 and the department saved 50 gallons of gas.
• Mayor Policastro said the fireworks went unbelievably well. We needed $3500 to cover everything and ended up with donations amounting to $3960.00 so we have some money for next year. He said as everyone knows gas prices are going up by leaps and bounds. Every department is going to put forward a plan. In the last month the gasoline bill went up $4000. He definitely is going to look into it and will most likely refer the matter to the Safety Committee to look into what we can do to keep costs down.
• From Fire Chief Phifer: June 2008 Monthly Report.
• From Building Commissioner Malone: June 2008 Monthly Report. Mr. Wolter asked if the department was experiencing a downturn in people investing in their homes. Building Commissioner Malone said he believes so. He said last year was a slow year as well. He would estimate that the department is experiencing a 40% downturn. He is not seeing as many large room additions, but more small kitchen remodeling jobs. Building Commissioner said the work on the restroom facilities at the Bell Tower started today and the work on the shelter is scheduled to start next week. He said Phase II of Rick Greiwe’s proposal for the condos along Madisonville Road is tentatively scheduled to be heard by the Planning Commission on July 30, 2008. The triangular area will involve Madisonville Road to Murray Avenue to West Street. He believes the new plans will include a 3 story condo unit. The new plans will have less density and height. It will still house the MariElders, but it will not house senior apartments. Mr. Ebelhar questioned why we are doing the meeting out of normal sequence. Building Commissioner Malone said we are trying to help expedite the work so Mr. Greiwe does not have to wait until the August scheduled meeting. Mrs. Schmit asked if we would do that for any applicant. Building Commissioner Malone said we try our best to accommodate requests. He cited the Steam Plant as an example. Mrs. Schmit asked when the Pavilion at Dogwood Park is being worked on will it affect the play time at the Tot Lot. Building Commissioner Malone said he did not believe there will be any conflict. Mr. Bevis asked if the area will be fenced off. Building Commissioner Malone said there will be orange temporary fencing surrounding the Tot Lot for safety.
• From Tax Administrator Judd: June 2008 Monthly Report.
• From Swim Pool Manager Beck: June 2008 Monthly Report.
• From MariElders: Monthly Recap ending May 31, 2008.
• From Duke Energy: Letter dated June 24, 2008 re: Application of Duke Energy Ohio, Inc. for an increase in electric distribution rates.
• From Harry Herrlinger: Letter dated June 30, 2008 re: Police Department robbery response.
• From Mayor Policastro: Copy of Money Magazine article on Best Places to buy a home.
• From Mayor Policastro: Copy of Cincinnati Enquirer article on cutting fuel costs.
• From Mayor Policastro: Photos showing unsafe location of mailboxes along Wooster Pike in front of the Mariemont Inn. Mr. Ebelhar asked who determines the location of the boxes. Mayor Policastro said he is going to refer the matter to the Safety Committee and they will have to communicate with the Post Office.

Mayor’s Court Monthly Report showed fines in the amount of $7,453.00, Court Computer Fund $303.00, and Village Court Costs $167.00 for a total amount collected of $7,923.00 for the month of May 2008.

Mr. Toby Acheson, 6958 Murray Avenue, said he did not know if Duke Energy is scheduled to do any tree trimming around the power lines this year in the Village. He got a copy of the Duke Energy Vegetation Management Guidelines for bulk transmission line clearance in Ohio and Kentucky. The big bulk lines in Mariemont are down by the gardens. If he is reading their guidelines right, unless the Village objects they would be clear cutting areas under those transmission lines. A lot of the area under the transmission lines are fields but specifically that would be an area right by Whiskey Run and the Little Miami River. He had concerns about the areas between Pocahontas and the high school driveway and the school property and the edge of the Village boundary along Wooster Pike. He is concerned that they will come in and clear cut those areas unless the Village intervenes. Mayor Policastro said the problem in the past where he had the most problems was along Murray Avenue by Mr. Acheson’s house. He said the trees looked unbalanced. He said we now have a good rapport with Mr. Blade of Duke Energy. Mr. Acheson said he just wanted to make sure the Village had a plan in case we needed to intervene if they are going to cut areas that really do not need to be cut. Mayor Policastro said he talked to Mr. Blade and Duke Energy does not have any plans for the Village this year. Mr. Blade is instructed to let the Mayor know if there are any plans for the Village. Mrs. Judd said it should be on the news tonight that Green Township and Anderson Township have had their policies changed and Duke has agreed to the changes.

Mr. Acheson asked if there is an Ordinance or policy concerning poison ivy in the Village. Mayor Policastro said no but he tried to get one passed several years ago. Mr. Acheson said the reason he asked was behind the theatre parking lot and the row of bushes there is a sidewalk which is half covered by poison ivy. He is concerned for the children. Mayor Policastro asked Mr. Acheson to contact Mrs. Van Pelt to give the locations of overgrown poison ivy and he will get in touch with the Service Department so the areas can be sprayed or the weeds pulled out. Mrs. Schmit said the Tot Lot is full of poison ivy. Mr. Acheson said he would like to see something done when it comes to walking spaces.

Mr. Ebelhar moved, seconded by Mrs. Schmit to pay the bills as approved by the Mayor, Clerk and Chairman of the Finance Committee. On roll call; five ayes, no nays.

Mr. Ebelhar said he got a call from a resident near the high school and the question came up should Pocahontas be considered a school zone between Hiawatha and Wooster Pike. He was curious as to why that area is not considered a school zone given there is a school in the area and the traffic on the street. Apparently there is a problem with people driving quickly around Hiawatha and Rembold. He said he did not know what the standards are for determining a school zone with a 20 mph speed limit. Chief Hines said he did not know but it may be due to the distance the school is away from the streets. He said officers have written quite a few citations in the area during the school year so there is some validity that the kids get out of school and are in a hurry to get home. Mr. Wolter said generally people slow down when they see a school zone. Mr. Ebelhar asked Chief Hines to investigate the matter and give an update.

Mrs. Schmit asked what was going on in front of the library. Engineer Ertel said it was a water main break. There is usually a timeline between the time the main gets fixed and the road gets fixed.

Mr. Ebelhar thanked everyone for attending the Public Hearing that was held on June 30, 2008 for the preliminary data report on the possible fire department merge. He believes we need to go back and review the information gathered with the consultants. He would like to have the Solicitor research the questions Council had and he said Council needs a more drilled down budget from the Little Miami Fire District. The preliminary data indicates we could pursue this line of thought further.

Resolutions:

• “Adopting the Budget for 2009 and To Declare Emergency” had a second reading. Mr. Ebelhar moved, seconded by Mr. Bevis to suspend the rules to allow for the third reading. On roll call; five ayes, no nays. The Resolution had a third reading. Mr. Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Wolter to adopt the Resolution. On roll call; five ayes, no nays. Mrs. Schmit moved, seconded by Mr. Thomas to invoke the emergency. On roll call; five ayes, no nays. Resolution No. R-24-08 was adopted.

Ordinance:

• “To Restrict Parking on the South Side of Miami Bluff Drive” had a second reading.

The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.