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The Village of Evendale held a public discussion prior to the regularly scheduled council meeting on June 14 but no one wished to speak so it ended.

Mayor Apking read and presented a proclamation to Doug Nunn who was chosen by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association as the Ohio Youth Sports Coach of the Year. Mr. Nunn has enhanced the sports experiences for his children and many Evendale children by volunteering as an assistant or head coach in several of the Recreation Department’s sports programs. Mr. Nunn will be honored at the Ohio State House on June 27. Anyone can sign up at the Recreation Center if they want to attend. If there is enough interest a bus will leave around 9:15 am. The activities will last from 11:30 – 2:30 in Columbus.

Martha Carmody addressed council regarding the interest in converting the old Evendale Civic Center/School Building into a Cultural Arts Center. Committee members consist of Pat Haslett, Kate Divis, Stiney Vonderhaar, Diane Lemen, Sue Apking and Chuck Melampy. Ms. Carmody said the purpose of the Cultural Arts Center would be to provide a safe place for teens and adults to focus on the arts. Surveys were sent out to residents and approximately 201 surveys were returned. Of the 201 surveys 85% showed some interest in participating in the Cultural Art Center in at least one area. She asked for council’s support and recommended that council appoint an Arts Council Committee to investigate renovating the old school building located on the northeast corner of Glendale-Milford and Reading Road for a Cultural Arts Center. Renovation of the building would take approximately four years. Mr. Lohmeier questioned the validity of the survey results. While commending Ms. Carmody for her efforts, Mr. Lohmeier questioned the confusion and tabulation of the survey and thought that the results were not truly reflective of the level of interest. Mr. Schaefer said that this was an experimental project as we moved forward. Mr. Albrinck stated that the number of people responding to the survey was better than the norm; surveys that were returned represent 17% of the Village of Evendale. Consensus was that there was a lot of research that needed to be done before council could justify renovating the civic center. One consideration was to add on to the Recreation Center and whether or not that would be more cost effective than renovating the Civic Center building. Another option suggested was to use the newly acquired parsonage for a messy room and clean room if feasible. Mr. Albrinck said that the idea of a cultural arts center was supported; however, he questioned whether or not those adults that showed interest would in reality have the time to take classes. He said that they would have to consider all options after a comprehensive analysis was conducted along with an effort to test interest. A committee would have to be set up to do this. It would take $55,000 to remove asbestos from the old building and another $50,000 to invest in it. Fire code would have to be met and elevators would have to be installed eventually. Ms. Carmody said that the building is a historical building and is the last old building standing in Evendale. It was built in 1932 and the cultural arts center could utilize the space while at the same time preserving the building.

Bob Richardson presented designs for new street signs for the Village. The goal for the Village of Evendale was to design a sign that was easier to read, visible at night, easy to maintain and a combination of stop signs and street signs. Some feedback from the residents included: Black and white would be hard to see; would headlights reflect on a sign that is twelve feet in the air; the color blue identified Evendale and black is so depressing; extra large signs are needed at the major intersections located on the bars across the road that hold the traffic lights because they are much easier to see than a small sign post on a major road; wanted something unique, not the same old colors of surrounding communities.

An ordinance is to allow council to expand the pool of eligible candidates for promotional exams was approved, as was one to allow the village to sell three vehicles it no longer needs.

Regarding the street improvement ordinance, Mrs. Smiley-Robertson asked for clarification on the cost of concrete versus asphalt. James Jeffers explained that repairs are much more costly with concrete and the concrete cycle is more expensive because of reconstructive costs. For asphalt you would be performing maintenance not reconstruction and this is more cost effective and preferred. It takes two weeks to completely remove concrete streets. Therefore, residents are out of their driveways from ten days to two weeks.

Mr. Lohmeier said that the new Evendale Phone Directories were delivered last night by the members of Phi Lambda Pi. He encouraged residents to send donations to Phi Lambda Pi to cover the cost of printing since there were not that many sponsors for the project. He commended the time and effort and difficulty of collecting information especially now that there are digital phone services. This will probably be the last time that Phi Lambda Pi develops an Evendale directory.

Mrs. Smiley-Robertson stated that the Village likes recognize valedictorians from graduating classes and asked that if any valedictorians were in the graduating classes to inform the Village so that they can be recognized.

Dave Destino, Regional Vice President, Erickson Retirement Communities, gave a presentation on the proposed development on the Landmark Baptist Church property that is partially in Evendale and Glendale. Erickson has communities in twenty locations in eleven different states around the country which is a continuing care environment. Deposits for the units range from $100,000 for a one bedroom unit up to $350,000 for larger units. Entrance deposits are 100% refunded when you leave the facility. Monthly costs are approximately $1200-$1700 excluding telephone services. Monthly fees go up as more care is needed. Five dedicated doctors would be on staff at the Erickson Community. This is a $200 million dollar development with an auditorium which would be shared with the surrounding communities, a TV station that airs live TV for five hours daily, swimming pool, restaurants, etc. It would take seven years to build out, depending on the market demands. There would be 1000 new jobs with 550 full time positions and the remaining consisting of part time, seasonal and high school students. High school students with 1000+ hours of service are eligible to receive $4000 scholarships toward college. The plan presented was a conceptual plan only. Zoning codes would need to be changed in order for construction of the development to be feasible.

Mayor Apking announced that the parking lots at the municipal complex will be resurfaced on Wednesday (near the pool area) and Thursday of this week and wanted the residents to be aware of this.

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