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Covering the Heart of Hamilton County Since 1983
The City of Sharonville Council meeting on Tuesday, August 28 began with the Police Department handing out Civilian Awards to several people. Mayor Virgil Lovitt invited Lt. John Cook and Police Chief Mike Schappa to tell why they were giving out such honors. Chief Schappa informed everyone about an incident on July 11. After a heavy rain several young people were in the creek along Creek Road by the bridge that crosses to the other side. Will Toney was on a boogie board when he was swept under the bridge. Laurie Powell was on her way to an appointment when she noticed the young people yelling and saw that Will was in trouble. She jumped in and held Will’s head up out of the water while the friends went to the home of Jay and Teri Brokamp. Mikke Schwan also arrived and was able to shield Will from the water and later able to free him from the pipe he was stuck in. The Brokamps along with Ms. Powell were able to help Will until Mr. Schwan was able to free him. All people were honored for their efforts in saving the young man’s life. The Toney family were so impressed that they made a donation to the Fire Department to express their thanks. Thomas Keating reminded everyone that there was a young man who died in the creek. There is a plaque in his honor on the bridge.
Glenda Gajus, the City’s Health Commissioner along with Mayor Virgil Lovitt spoke
about the retiring former Health Commissioner Lee McNeely. Ms. Gajus expressed that
she has never worked with anyone so knowledgeable about the rules and regulations
of their field. Mr. McNeely will be sorely missed as a friend and co-
Mayor Lovitt reminded everyone of the dedication of the Municipal Building in memory of Rex Baysore. It will be held on September 29 at 6:30 pm. He also reported that he received two letters from Butler County representatives (State Senator Gary Cates and Representative Bill Coley) that asked the City to show support for residents regarding the RELIS development. They would like to see the development of the property in a reasonable manner.
Al Ledbetter asked Council to show support for several ordinances (they did). One will allow the City to use money to pay down a note. Another will allow the City to amend their codified ordinances to meet the changes made in State of Ohio law. Mr. Ledbetter spoke about how in the past the City used to have City employee picnics or events. This was stopped due to monetary issues. He would like to have the matter put into the Recreation Committee (chaired by Vicki Hoppe) to see if they could put together an event for families that work for the City.
Ted Mack spoke about the problem of several streets that are recorded as officially being city streets. They were supposed to be but legalese prevailed. Some of the streets only have a small portion affected. They went to the Hamilton County Auditor’s office to look at the various plats to investigate for this ordinance. Once the ordinance is passed, these streets should now be accepted s official streets in the city.
Christine Thompson brought to everyone’s attention that the generator that was to be in for September for City Hall has now been delayed. The materials are not yet ready. She also spoke about the problem on Fields Ertel Road where there is a dip in the road and people pulling out of Copperfield cannot see the oncoming traffic (blind spot). They would like to have a $775,000 project to add an extra left hand turn lane and along with it add or improve the curbs and gutters in the area. On Wednesday, Ms. Thompson will attend a meeting that will look at changes in the conservancy laws. She also asked about the meeting on September 11. (Council agreed to be at Patriot Pointe at 7:00 for the Struggle Against Terrorism event and then return to Council Chambers for a meeting at 8:00 pm.)
Amy Moore gave her annual Budget Director’s report. She noted that although there was a deficit in 2006, Department Heads made sure to be conservative to have a positive end to this year. She thanked her staff for a favorable State audit. Mark Piepmeier complimented Ms. Moore for her work. She basically does two jobs and does her duties in a positive way. She’s been a blessing for Sharonville.
A gentleman from the audience is having problems with Butler County wanting to put a high pressure raw sewage line on his property. He currently has a sewer line on the property and Butler County has an easement. This does not give them a right to take most of his property for this new line. City of Sharonville officials agreed. Mr. Keating said that he wrote to Butler County to have them (Butler County) show where they have the right to do this. He has not as of yet heard from them. He encouraged the gentleman to measure and mark the affected area of property to show how much is involved. Mayor Lovitt felt that this is a case of Butler County trying to put a sewage line on Sharonville property instead of putting it on their own Butler County residents’ property.
The head of the Sharonville firefighter’s union came to speak. He noted that he was first thinking of leaving the Fire Department due to the problems and changes that have been made. He has decided to stay with his fire fighting family.
Vicki Hoppe reminded everyone of the Town Meeting in Ward Two at Copperfield at 7:00 pm on August 30. Most department heads and some officials will attend the meeting to listen to residents.
Council passed several ordinances. One did draw a large discussion. Bill Breyer was
concerned with the terminology regarding having a funding plan in a ordinance that
allows the City to have a joint agreement with University of Cincinnati concerning
a $550,000 grant. He felt that the wording would possibly affect how the City would
have to pay back the money. After a change in the ordinance it was passed with Greg
Pugh being the only no-