Serving These Communities
Covering the Heart of Hamilton County Since 1983
Walter St. Clair spoke about the 2008 Budget at the Public Hearing at the St. Bernard
Council meeting on Thursday, July 5. He handed out copies to Council and Administration.
The revenue from Earned Income $8.4 million, Property Taxes $981,650 for total taxes
of $10,344,650. Money from state and county is $586,000, charges for services $265,000.
Total earned income $11,580,750. Expenditures include total Security of Persons
and Property $4,579,094; Public Health Services $93,889; Leisure Time Activities
$157,696; Community Environment $82,871; Total Basic Utility Service $1,684,345;
Transportation $186,193; General Government $1,832,918; Total Expenditures $11,017,
006. They expect to retire the C-
Mayor John Estep reported that events went well on the Independence Day celebration on Tuesday. There were a lot of compliments. All departments helped. There was a meeting with Public Improvements Committee about the Bertus Street Park. On July 9 there will be a meeting about the plans for Vine Street. Thanks to the Fire Department for responding to an emergency at Mayor Estep’s home. Mayor Estep will attend the luncheon with Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, along with other mayors about the census numbers.
Mr. St. Clair provided his Auditor’s report. Payroll for June was $435,816; other expenditures for June were $1,227,258; other expenditures as of June 30: $3,031,013; total expenditures were $5,559,640. Mr. St. Clair spoke about the ordinance to transfer from General Fund Cash Account to the Employee Health Plan Cash Account.
Edward Geiser spoke about the resolution on the agenda. This will allow the City to use Hamilton County Emergency Services for 911 calls. Mr. Geiser asked for an executive session to discuss current litigation.
Thomas Kathman noted that receipts for June were $826,190.
Jonathan Stuchell gave his report. He noted that the resolution will allow emergency 911 calls to Hamilton County. They will only dispatch the Fire Department. They will switch the police calls back to the Police Department. Thanks to the Police and Fire Departments for their work on the third of July. They found lost kids and helped with first aid. Special thanks to Lt. Mike Simos and Fire Chief Steve Scherpenberg.
Joe Kempe remarked that they have placed the legal ads for bids Advance Avenue and Errun Lane projects. They should be read July 24. He will bring the bids to the next COW. Woodside Heights project is doing well. They are currently taking out the old streets and should be repaving soon. Thanks to all the departments for their help with the fireworks and festival. All City employees worked together to make it a successful event.
Greg Zix asked for passage of the ordinance to transfer funds and make appropriations. He also thanked Walt Moeller, Joe Kempe and Walter St. Clair along with all department heads for their help with the budget.
Kevin Meier stated that they made $1,553 for recycling in May.
Steve Asbach announced a meeting for Wednesday, July 18 at 6:30 pm for the new Community Reinvestment Area committee. They will discuss rules and strategies. The Public Improvements Committee met on June 28 to talk about Bertus Street Park. Norm Miller presented his ideas and drawings he made for the park. They will hold another meeting once the landscape designer gets back with ideas. One of the plans include three entrance ways into the park. They plan on new restrooms and keeping the tot lot. Other proposals include a gazebo, a clock and possibly moving the “Jefferson” statue to the park.
Michael Schildmeyer said he spoke with Mr. Wiedmann about the making of discs of Dr. Romanos’ report. The committee will help distribute them. Mr. Schildmeyer spoke to people about St. Bernard Square and would like to discuss it more in an executive session. He spoke with Kim Fender of the Hamilton County Library and the situation has not changed much. There is more money in the budget, but not enough to build the St. Bernard library. They will discuss it more in January. He will let Council decide what to do about the property.
Peggy Brickweg thanked Mr. Stuchell and the Police Department for helping prepare to get the grant for the traffic study on Ross Avenue. In three years there have been more than 50 accidents on that street.
Norm Miller spoke to everyone from the audience. He noted that his designs for the park is for adults. He is creating a space for adults to go. The children have seven parks as well as ball parks to go. There is nothing for the older citizens to enjoy. This will not be a cheap project. Mr. Miller wanted to know, before moving ahead with plans, that Council is behind the park project and keeping green space. All indicated that they are fine. Only Mr. Zix wanted to see something different. He wants to see a balance in the park. Children are citizens too, he stated.
Another man from the audience likes the idea of improving the park. He wondered if there could be a memorial put up for those who served in wars after WWII. There could be a memorial for Vietnam, Gulf War and more. These men and women who would be honored would respect the park and make sure that it would not be vandalized.
A lady asked how would one be a part of the committee to improve St. Bernard. How does one get their ideas out to Council and Administration. She was informed that she is allowed to attend all public meetings. She is able to present her ideas to Council in person, or can present them at a Council meeting. Council will listen to all ideas and decide whether or not to put them into a Council Committee for more consideration.
Mr. Zix asked to have the speeders on Zetta put into the COW agenda.
After excusing the absent member (Mr. Burkhardt), the date of the next COW meeting was announced, July 26 at 7:30 pm. Council then went into executive session before adjourning.