Serving These Communities
Covering the Heart of Hamilton County Since 1983
The City of Sharonville Council met on Tuesday, August 14. There was a public hearing about extending the moratorium for 180 days on Chester Road. No one spoke and the meeting was closed. Mayor Virgil Lovitt II spoke to everyone about the promotion of Ted Mack to be the next Safety Service Director. He was sworn in as Deputy Safety Service Director by Mayor Lovitt. Mr. Mack will accept the appointment of Safety Service Director next spring. Mayor Lovitt explained that as part of the City for 22 years, he only served with two Safety Service Directors. Al Ledbetter has done a terrific job. Mr. Mack’s wife Bev looked on as Mr. Mack took the oath. Mayor Lovitt also noted that former Mayor Paul Kattelman was in attendance (along with all department heads and various Building Department employees).
Next, Council passed the resolutions to give Medals of Valor to Sergeant Brian Phillips and to Patrol Officer Michael Armstrong. Lt. John Cook along with Police Chief Mike Schappa presented the medals to the men. Other officers were honored as well for their assistance with an incident in March when a police chase began in West Chester and came into Sharonville. One West Chester police officer was shot that evening and the suspect who had ran into the woods shot himself. Officers Phillips and Armstrong both were helpful in getting the shot West Chester officer to medical attention. Chief Schappa noted that the work of these men are a reflection of the quality of officers that they have in the Police Department.
Mayor Lovitt noted that Lee McNeeley is retiring from the Public Health Department. He also reported that Butler County is putting in new sewer lines behind the Cottingham subdivision. Mr. Keating will be watching to make sure that they have the easements required for the work. They will keep this job monitored. Mayor Lovitt thanked Vicki Hoppe for helping him present a check to the Princeton School District for about $305,000 for tax abatement. While at the meeting, they found out that Princeton will not put the tax levy on the ballot for November for the new High and Middle schools. Mayor Lovitt indicated that he would have to leave early to attend the Eagle Scout ceremony for David Hagee. He also noted that the Building and Planning Department is asking for an executive session for a potential purchase of property. The Mayor’s Court totals for July was $31,349.
Al Ledbetter informed everyone of the problems with the guardrail at Copperfield.
The rail started falling down the bank and when it was put upright, the drivers cannot
see westbound traffic. They have contacted CDS to see what can be done to make sight
distance better. Jay Hamilton of ODOT has been checking out what was brought to his
attention at a former Council meeting. The sidewalk underneath I-
Christine Thompson said that after 31 years Lee McNeeley is retiring and his last day will be August 17 so everyone is welcome to come and wish him good luck. His retirement date is August 31. Ms. Thompson met with MSD, Butler County and the Mill Creek Watershed Council about design work for the soccer fields.. This would be a $2.5 million flood control project. She is looking at the benefits of the project before Sharonville signs on.
Mark Piepmeier and Bill Breyer said that they distributed their reports. Mr. Piepmeier tracks what the City has spent versus the budget. They have spent about 56 percent of their budget.
Thomas Keating spoke about the two resolutions on the agenda. The first is to allow the City to play licensed music. The other is a settlement with an office furniture store. The ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) thought that the sign was too large. They have now come to a resolution about it. Mr. Keating indicated that the City needs to stay on top of the RELIS school property rezoning. The City has scheduled a meeting with the neighborhood regarding it.
Kerry Rabe gave the report for the Department of Building and Planning. They are working to get businesses outside Sharonville’s jurisdiction to relocate inside their borders. They are working to keep a business in town that has outgrown their current facilities as well as working on developing an Economic Development Zone for the GSA property. They would like to redevelop this site as a technology/research center that would qualify for Ohio Job Ready Sites program. The TIF District for the Northern Lights area is now in place for the parcels that were current on property taxes. They will add those who are not current at the end of the month. Fisher Homes has meet with the Building and Planning Department to discuss the process of public meetings needed for the rezoning of the RELIS property for residential development. They might begin in September or later on.
Greg Pugh reported that the Street and Curb Program is underway. Roadways that are finished are: Sharon Woods, Sharon Knoll and Golden Hill. Creekview, Creek Road as well as School and Conrey have been ground and milled. LeMarie has been ground, but near Robindale it is in need of base repair. Curb repairs will follow the base coat. Once the curb repairs are done, the final coat of pavement will be applied. The new sidewalk on Creek Road between Elljay and Plainfield will begin next week. The air conditioning unit in the Police Department has not been working well in July. The coils developed leaks (will take three weeks to be manufactured and deliver new ones). They repaired the leaks, but the unit ran so long to catch up, the blower motor quit. There was a technician there the next day to reset the blower. Headwalls for the culvert under Cornell and the one for Hauck Road are sliding and need replacement. The cost to repair Cornell is $75,000 and CDS is working on a design. Hauck Road can wait a few years. They will make minor repairs for now.
Mr. Pugh announced the railroad has changed the date of the closing of the crossing at Hauck Road to August 20 through 24. There will be only one way in and one way out off Hauck Road (Route 42). Princeton High School bridge is getting temporary repairs. The trees were removed at the Montessori School and brick pavers installed. The Public Works Department worked on weeds in the landscaping and watering plants. Michael Leach was welcomed into the Public Works Department. With this addition, the Public Works Department staff is full.
Rob Tankersley spoke about the Fire Department’s training in July. They worked on RAT (Rapid Assistance Team) that gets trapped firefighters out of a fire. He thanked all who helped with the Touch A Truck event, especially Scott Brooks who helped organize the event. Safety Camp was successful, thanks to Ed Gault for his efforts. The Fire Department received a number of smoke detectors (through a grant) that will be distributed. They will start with Senior Citizens first. On August 15 there will be a mock crash (bus rollover) at the high school at 10:00 am.
Mr. Tankersley gave the Police Department report. There was a home invasion by a Hispanic on August 10. The department caught three suspects playing in mud with a Jeep. Mr. Tankersley congratulated Officer Smith on the birth of her child.
Vicki Hoppe spoke about the very successful Touch A Truck event. She also noted that the Sharonville Golf Outing sold out in 27 minutes with 144 golfers signed up. The event will be held on September 6 at Sharon Woods. Adventure Camp and Camp Sharonville ended successful seasons last week. The pools will close on Monday, August 27 and open the next weekend for September 1, 2 and 3. Their last day will be September 3. The applications for the November Craft Show can be picked up at the Community Center’s front desk. The deadline for applications is August 25 at 5:00 pm. Saturday, August 18 will begin the football and soccer season for SYO. Soccer will be held at Kemper Park beginning at 9:00 am. Football preview (14 games) will be held at Gower Park on Saturday and Sunday.
Robert Duerler said that there were complaints given at the Smoke Free Workplace event. Some were valid. The outside sewage/sewers inspections are almost completed. The Summer Intern has done a great job. There have been few pool complaints this season. They will need to implement Jerrod’s Law at the schools, once they are back in session. Mr. Duerler noted that Mr. McNeeley will be missed.
Janey Kattelman complimented the work of Ms. Hoppe at the Touch A Truck event (she did the cooking). Officer Rose, the School Resource Officer, will be missed (he is leaving as his wife got a new job out of town). The Law Committee will meet at 4:45 pm on Wednesday, August 15. This Friday, August 17, at 6:30 pm will be a small reception for the Fine Arts Council. All who are in support of the Fine Arts Council are welcome to attend.
After an executive session, Council adjourned.