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Mayor Virgil Lovitt II provided his report for Sharonville City Council at their meeting on Tuesday, June 12. He noted that the St. Michael Festival was probably the best that it has been in ten years. The Mayor’s Court total for May was $46,506, which was $1400 less than last year. Mayor Lovitt and Al Ledbetter attended a meeting and spoke with people who might be taking a more of a leadership role next year. They are attempting to narrow their scope on this project. Mayor Lovitt also spoke with Jim Dygert, Ted Mack and Will Greiner about the Northern Lights Corridor project and the Convention Center expansion plans. There was a representative from CDS Architects at the meeting to show support and answer questions related to the ordinance.

Mr. Ledbetter stated that he sent an invitation to Council about the SWAT presentation at Princeton High School on June 20. He also provided them a revision of the Convention Center plans that were approved by Hamilton County. There is an ordinance to hire CDS to complete the schematic design phase. This will come in legislation for $1.2 million. This project will have two phases. They will not ask for any more money until Hamilton County approves giving funds to the Convention Center expansion. Hamilton County Parks have changed how they mow near Lebanon Road. They are wanting a natural habitat. It is hard to make residents mow if the parks don’t. The city would like to see a more manicured look. The two are working out some sort of an agreement. The parks understand the city’s position.

Kerry Rabe asked about people parking on the grass at Sharonville Elementary during the St. Michael Festival. Mayor Lovitt said he heard about it. Fortunately the grass was very hard. This is something that they might need to work on for the next festival. Janey Kattelman explained that the school found out the next day about the parking on the grass. Students from St. Michael’s were seen picking up garbage from the surrounding neighborhood.

Kevin Hardman thanked Robert Kroeger, DDS for his Bashful Ostrich 5K Run. There were over 600 participants (Ms. Thompson was there for Sharonville). The event will be held at the beautiful Scarlet Oaks campus next year. There will be only one regular meeting of Council in June and July. There will be no second meeting in each month.

Christine Thompson asked if Council could provide a voice vote to allow $2,000 in capital funds for emergency computer replacement. The Recreation Department has some money left over. The city has launched an educational program for incentives by Humana to help decrease claims. The participants are part of a program to define how healthy they are. They can answer questions on-line. This will tie in with another citywide program to promote weight loss. The Health Department and Recreation Department will participate along with other companies and departments from all around the Cincinnati area. There is an ending ceremony on Fountain Square in September. Sharonville is developing a city identification system. This will help if a serious incident occurs. They will be color coded by departments.

Mr. Hardman asked for an executive session to discuss land acquisition.

Martha Cross Funk asked to set a public hearing for the 2008 budget. It was set for July 10 at 7:00 pm. She received verification that the donations were made to the Red Cross by Council with matching funds by the city. They received several thank you notes from family members who had lost a loved one.

Mark Piepmeier said his and Mr. Breyer’s reports were distributed. Amy Moore is busy with the state audit, they expect no problems.

Thomas Keating, who earlier provided an impressive poem for the beginning prayer, informed Council that there will be a meeting for city officials on Thursday relating to a lawsuit. The city was having problems serving a resident to allow them on his property to clean it up. They had received a judgement against him but could not get on the property. The person was arrested by a bounty hunter and the process server was able to serve him.

Mr. Rabe announced that the dinner theater should hold its ground breaking soon. The Apollo Electric Company may be moving to Sharonville. The company is trying to purchase property across from Miller Valentine. This would bring 250 jobs to Sharonville.

Greg Pugh reported for Public Works Department. All city landscaping is complete. The Public Works Department rented a bark/mulch blower and the larger areas such as I-75 and Reed Hartman were finished in record time. Less time lead to less manpower and less mulch being used. The department painted the train fountain, polished the headlight and have turned the water on. They paved the Cliff Hardware parking lot. They cut two high grass complaints by request of the Health Department. The railroad dropped off new rails between the tracks on May 30. Hauck Road was closed temporary without prior notice to the city. A permanent crossing will be put in place once track work is finished. The railroad has promised to notify the city in the future when work is to be done. Prus Construction was awarded the Street Repairs and Curb and Sidewalk Program and A&A Safety was awarded the Painting contract. Congratulations to Chad and Jenny Meadows for the birth of their new child!

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Vicki Hoppe noted that Camp Sharonville and Adventure Camp have begun. Please be careful when driving through the area of the Recreation Center. Swim teams have begun practice. July 1 is the deadline for signups for the swim team. Swim lessons are full. The Sharonville Legacy Program is a great way to honor someone in the family. They plant a tree in the person’s name and the money can go towards programs at the Recreation Center. The purchase order for the contract for work at Kemper Road Park is signed.

Janey Kattelman explained that there will be no Law Committee meeting for the month unless an emergency one will be requested by Mr. Ledbetter. She attended DARE ceremonies for the fifth grade students at Stewart and Sharonville Elementary Schools.

Jim Dygert said that Will Greiner reported there were 40 organizations at the Convention Center in May. They brought in $98,608 in revenue. They are ahead of last year.

Ms. Hoppe thanked all who attended the Memorial Day ceremonies.

Council passed three ordinances and gave a positive voice vote to allow for computer emergency repairs before heading into an executive session and later on, adjourning.