January 03, 2007
Village council briefs 12/26/2006
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL
VILLAGE OF MARIEMONT, OHIO
REGULAR MEETING HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBER
DECEMBER 26, 2006
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. Adams, Mr. Bevis, Mr. Ebelhar, and Ms. Sullivan.
Mr. Adams moved, seconded by Ms. Sullivan to excuse the absences of Mrs. Schmit and Mr. Thomas. On roll call; four ayes, no nays.
Mr. Ebelhar moved, seconded by Mr. Bevis that the minutes of December 11, 2006, be accepted as written. On roll call; four ayes, no nays.
The following communications were read by Mayor Policastro:
From Marilyn Adams: Thank you for the donation in memory of her husband
From Ohio Municipal League: Legislative Bulletin No. 11
From Donna Ewald: Letter dated December 8, 2006 re: Thank you to Fire Department
From Treasurer Borgerding: Treasurer’s Report November 2006. Treasurer Borgerding said we will end the year on a strong note with a higher ending balance in the General Fund than last year.
From Sue Singleton: Thank you note for the Kroger gift card
From Ohio Municipal League: Legislative Bulletin No. 12
From the Adams Family: Thank you for the donation in memory of Devon Adams
Ms. Sullivan moved, seconded by Mr. Bevis to pay the bills as approved by the Mayor, Clerk and the Chairman of the Finance Committee. On roll call; four ayes, no nays.
Mr. Adams moved, seconded by Mr. Bevis to accept the recommendation of the Committee of the Whole. The Committee of the Whole met on Monday, December 18, 2006, to discuss the acceptance of the bid for the Resthaven Barn from the Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati Foundation. Their bid of $50,000 was the highest received and the only bidder presenting their proposal to the committee.
Several members of the Woman’s Art Club and the Woman’s’ Art Club Foundation spoke of their proposed use of the barn, the historic relevance of the building and their plans for securing the funds to implement this vision. Their original partner for the building purchase is no longer able to proceed; a revised plan and funding are being addressed by their membership and new community partners. Upon discussion, the committee recommends two courses of action.
A non-binding letter of intent will be drawn to reflect the proposed sale of the Resthaven Barn to the Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati Foundation for the purpose of pursing additional funding and preparation of detailed plans to be reviewed by the appropriate Village departments. This would include the Architectural Review Board, Building Commissioner, and Planning and Zoning Committee.
The Village will participate in the procurement of a Phase One environmental study of the property in the amount of 49% of the cost of this study or $1,000.00 whichever is less.
Mr. Ebelhar said for the record Mr.Thomas is in agreement with the Committee report, however, he was not available to sign the report before he left to go out of town. Solicitor McTigue asked if the Phase I environmental study will give the Women’s Art Club the information they really need.Mr. Adams said the Phase I study will review the property. The big concern they had was the smell of oil. The question is is there really oil there or is it just on the top surface. Mr. Ebelhar said it will give them a good lead as to what might be on the property. Mayor Policastro said there may be small amounts of asbestos and lead paint, but those really should not pose an environmental problem. The Solicitor asked how long he should leave the letter of intent open for. Mr. Bevis said he believed Mr.Thomas was in the process of developing a letter of intent. The Solicitor said he will get together with Mr.Thomas when he returns to review the draft. On roll call; four ayes, no nays.
Mayor Policastro read the following miscellaneous announcements:
Village Offices will be closed Monday January 1, 2006 in observation of New Year’s Day
Resolutions:
“To reappoint Jeanne Boone as a member of the Architectural Review Board for the calendar years of 2007 and 2008” had a second reading. Mayor Policastro said Mrs. Boone has done a fine job over the years and he is happy she is returning.
“To reappoint Martin Koepke as a member of the Architectural Review Board for the calendar years of 2007 and 2008: had a second reading. Mayor Policastro said Mr. Koepke has been on the Board for a long time and he is glad to have him back.
“Resolution requesting the County Auditor to make advance payments of taxes” had a second reading. Clerk Bahler said this will simplify and expedite the process should we need to do it next year.
“To appoint Mike Benson as a member of the Parks Advisory Board for the calendar years of 2007 and 2008” had a second reading. Mr. Bevis asked the Mayor how he came to choose Mr. Benson. Mayor Policastro said he is a professor at the University of Cincinnati. He lives across the street from the Municipal Building and has done a great job landscaping his house. He was recommended by Peggy Keyes. He is sad to see Dr. Berkich leave, but with Mr. Benson living so close, he will take care of the Municipal Building flowers. He believes he will be a fine addition.
“To grant an easement to owner of property located at 6500 Mariemont Avenue, Mariemont, Ohio, for purposes of utilizing said easement for a driveway for ingress and egress” had a third reading. Mr. Ebelhar moved, seconded by Mr. Adams to adopt the Resolution. On roll call; four ayes, no nays. Resolution No. R-21-06 was adopted.
Ordinances:
“Ordinance amending Section 151 of the Mariemont Code of Ordinances” had a third reading. Mr. Adams moved, seconded by Ms. Sullivan to adopt the Ordinance. On roll call; four ayes, no nays. Ordinance No. O-12-06 was adopted. Mr. Ebelhar thanked the Committee and the Building Commissioner for all their hard work.
“Ordinance authorizing the renaming of Lane E and Lane F surrounding Patriots Park to Patriots Lane” had a third reading. Mr. Bevis moved, seconded by Mr. Ebelhar to adopt the Ordinance. On roll call; four ayes, no nays. Ordinance No. O-13-06 was adopted.
Mayor Policastro thanked Council for all their hard work during the year. Together we have accomplished quite a lot, such as: Best Hometown by Ohio Magazine, the Village will receive its National Historic Landmark status, Trolley Turn Around Park was put together, Miami/Murray connector beautification project is just about complete, MSD Wooster Pike pole project is finally done, we moved into our new Maintenance Facility, we have a tree farm, we got the retention tank and beautification project complete at Mercy St. Theresa, the Police Department has implemented a senior citizen program and neighborhood watch program, a great job was done on the street rehab this year, West Street is and we hopefully figured out a way to save our Historic Resthaven Barn.
Posted by johnston at 10:22 AM