The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in regular session at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, March 04, 1997 in the Miami Township Civic Building. Chairperson Jean Schmidt called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was given. Miami Township Clerk, called the roll. Attending were Chairperson Jean Schmidt, Vice Chairperson Edwin H. Humphrey and Joseph W. Uecker
Mr. Uecker made a motion to approve the minutes from the Special and Regular meetings of February 18, 1997. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Chairperson Schmidt recognized Boy Scout Troop 128 of Milford Methodist. Five troop members were in attendance working on their Citizenship and Community badges.
Mr. Rick Crawford, noted local historian presented a Historical Overview of Miami Township. Members of the Paxton-Ramsey Families (original settlers of the Miami Township area) added additional information from family records and legends. Mr. Rob Geiger, a Trustee of the Paxton-Ramsey Cemetery also presented additional information.
Miami Township Clerk, Eric Ferry read a notice from Clermont/ Brown National Volunteer Week Steering Committee announcing National Volunteer Week will be celebrated April 16,1997 at Eastgate Mall.
Mr. Ferry read a press release from the Clermont County Park District announcing a planned April 12, 1997 clean-up of the East Fork of the Little Miami River.
Mr. Ferry read a letter to Mr. Lawrence H. Heit, P.E., District Traffic Engineer, Ohio Department of Transportation from Miami Township Administrator, David Duckworth requesting a study of the intersection of State Route 131 at Buckwheat Road in Miami Township. Chairperson Schmidt advised the Board she has been notified by ODOT that a traffic light will be installed at the intersection of State Route 131 at Buckwheat Road soon.
Mr. Ferry read a letter of appreciation to Firefighter/Paramedics Robert Shaw, Dave Hoffman, Mike Kirby and Fire/EMS Chief Jim Whitworth from George and Marilyn Jeffries regarding their work and compassion at an accident on January 31, 1997.
Fire Chief Jim Whitworth requested the Board approve re-advertisement for Bids for a Pumper with the date of April 01, 1997 for bid opening at the regular Board meeting at 8:15 PM. Ed Humphrey made a motion to authorize re-advertisement for Bids for a Pumper and set a bid opening on April 01, 1997 at 8:15 PM during a regular Board meeting. Joe Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board the Revised Code does not require advance notification to developers or contractors regarding mud on Township roadways. The Township has been advised the driver of a vehicle responsible for putting mud on the road must be cited before legal proceedings can go forth. The Township will continue to notify developers and contractors of the need to keep the roadways clean.
Mr. Duckworth requested the Board approve newly revised designs for the Tennis courts at the Buckwheat Road Park. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to accept the revised designs for the Buckwheat Road Park Tennis Courts. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE":.
Chairperson Schmidt reminded the Board of the Public Hearing on Case # 424 will be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 18, 1997 at the Miami Township Civic Building.
Clerk, Eric Ferry reminded the Board the DARE program at St. Elizabeth-Seton Elementary is March 06, 1997 at 7:00 PM.
Mr. David Duckworth recommended the Board offer conditional employment to Mr. Larry Fronk as the Township Planner at an annual salary of $45,000.00 effective March 31, 1997. Mr. Uecker made a motion to offer conditional employment to Mr. Larry Fronk as Township Planner at an annual salary of $45,000.00. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to offer part-time temporary employment to Fred Humphries as the Safe Community Project Coordinator. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion.. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Mr. Uecker made a motion to pay the bills of the Township including 60 checks numbered 64091 to 64150 for a total amount of $96,497.47. Mr. Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Mr. Duckworth advised the board of the resignation of Mr. Greg Thomas, a full time member of the Fire Department. Mr. Thomas has accepted a position in New York as a flight paramedic for a helicopter rescue unit.
Fire Chief, Jim Whitworth would like to open the position created by the resignation of Mr. Thomas to current part time employees. The Board agreed to the posting in house of the open position.
Mr. Duckworth advised the Board the 1997 Township Appropriations need to be reviewed and approved by April 01, 1997. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to hold a special meeting of the Board of Trustees on Monday, March 31, 1997 at 7:30 PM at the Miami Township Civic Building to review the 1997 Budget and any other Township business that may come before the Board. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Mr. Duckworth presented a request for an unpaid leave of absence for part time FF/EMTP Jeff McDonough. Mr. McDonough has accepted a position with the Cincinnati Fire Division and will be involved in their fire recruit training program for several weeks. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to authorize an unpaid leave of absence for FF/EMTP Jeff McDonough for a period of six and a half (6 ½) weeks. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Chief Jim Whitworth reported that four (4) members of the Department have been approved for special training at the National Fire Academy and he requested approval to pay the expenses of the employees to the Ohio Week End and 3 other sessions. Mr. Uecker made a motion to approve out of Township travel and reimbursement for Assistant Chief Dan Mack and FF/EMPTA’ s David Jetter, Mike Cayse and William Doss for the Ohio Week End. Also approving out of Township travel and reimbursement for expenses to the National Fire Academy for Captain Brian Gulat, Elizabeth Nelson and Glenn Bischof. Ed Humphrey seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Chairperson Schmidt requested authorization for out of Township travel reimbursement for attending the 1997 C.L.O.U.T. meeting in Columbus on March 12, 1997. Mr. Humphrey made a motion to authorize the out of Township travel reimbursement to Jean Schmidt for attending the C.L.O.U.T. meeting in Columbus on March 12, 1997. Mr. Uecker seconded the motion. Upon roll call, all voted "AYE".
Mr. Duckworth commended Chief Jim Whitworth, Police Chief Steve Bailey, Captain Dean Miracle, Assistant Chief Dan Mack, Assistant Chief Harold Thiele and Captain Brian Gulat for the extraordinary efforts and dedication shown in their work with the flooding problems of southern Clermont County.
Miami Township Attorney, John Korfhagen requested the Board clarify their position on the need for a permit for directional signs. The zoning regulations will be corrected to clearly state that a permit is not required for directional signs. The signs are to be up for a period of 72 hours only and property owners must give permission for signs to be erected on their property.
With no further business to come before the Board, Chairperson Schmidt adjourned the meeting at 10:05 PM.
ATTEST_______________________________________________CLERK, ERIC C. FERRY
_____________________________________________CHAIRPERSON, JEAN SCHMIDT