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The City of St. Bernard Council met on Thursday, August 2. Mayor John Estep gave his report first. The City has conducted initial interviews with Al Kanter (Economic Developer), administration is in full support of Mr. Kanter. The state has passed its two-year budget. It includes tax relief to benefit senior citizens under the Homestead Exemption and additional funding for Passport (program that helps seniors who live at home). There is a survey at City Hall aimed at helping State Representatives understand thoughts on specific issues. Mayor Estep urged Council to share their thoughts with this survey. There will be a big evening event on Saturday, August 11, Adult Swim Night. The evening begins at 6:00 pm and runs to 10:00 pm. There will be a DJ, bring a lawn chair and have an evening of fun. On Saturday, August 18, pool hours will be extended to 8:00 pm for Family Movie Night. They will set up a 13’ x 16’ big screen with Blue Ray technology. Bring family and lawn chairs for an evening out. A concession stand will be open. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Remember school starts August 21, be careful when driving.

Walter St. Clair explained he distributed his reports to Council and Administration. The payroll for July was $404,254, year to date: $2,932,881; other expenditures for July $380,144, other expenditures through July 31, $3,411,158 for a total of $6,344,039.  

Thomas Kathman noted that receipts for July were $1,204,379 and year to date: $7,110,067.

Joe Kempe asked to have passed the ordinances to contract with Trend Construction for the Errun Run and Advance Street projects and to contract with Mt. Pleasant Blacktopping. The Woodside Heights project is almost complete. Mr. Kempe said the project was difficult and thanked the residents and contractors for their patience.

Kevin Meier said the City received $1,945.20 for recycling in June.

Patty Hausfeld said the Laws and Contracts Committee met July 12. They looked into a city-wide personnel drug policy. This must be put into place by administration and is asking for administration to do it.

Michael Schildmeyer said he met with the representative of St. Bernard Square and his attorney. They had a good meeting about how to fill in the storefronts and what would work best for them. They also discussed the improvements and upcoming changes to the City. The Square will not be affected immediately by the improvements along Vine Street. At the COW meeting, Kim Fender spoke about the future funding for the Library. Council agreed to wait until they have hired an economic developer.

Peggy Brickweg reported that she has been accepted to be a part of the Mill Creek Expressway and Thru the Valley I-75 Aesthetics Committee. The first meeting will be on Monday, August 13 from 10:00 am until noon in the St. Bernard Municipal Hall. They will work on lighting, bridge color, texture, landscaping and designs as well as the aesthetics of the sound wall. She said her goal is to ensure that the sound walls for St. Bernard will be attractive.

Under Old Business, a long discussion about the library property was held. Ms. Hausfeld felt that she is still in favor of taking the property back, it has been eight years, but will wait for the economic developer to listen to what he will say. Mr. Schildmeyer said that the library is worth waiting for. The library has been patient and that he is not in favor of taking back the property. The $3.6 million building is worth waiting for.

Under New Business, Council voted to have Mayor Estep, Mr. Meier and Mr. Schildmeyer to present Mr. Kanters to the CIC.

Ms. Brickweg explained how Council met about hiring Mr. Kanters as the Economic Developer. His is very qualified and has been recommended by Dr. Romanos. She feels that Mr. Kanter is the right person for the job and feels that he has good ideas and recommendations for the City. He has the knowledge, connections and no political affiliation with the City. Mayor Estep felt that after looking at several people, Mr. Kanters seems to be the right person. Mr. Meier wants to see a job description for Mr. Kanter and know what hours that he will be committed to St. Bernard, since he will keep other jobs that he is currently working. Ms. Hausfeld agreed with this and reminded everyone of the CIC meeting tentatively set for August 22 at 6:30. She invited people to come to the meeting and listen to Mr. Kanters. Mr. Schildmeyer felt that this would be a meeting for the CIC to question Mr. Kanters only, not the public. The CIC needs to question Mr. Kanters and reserve the right to run the meeting themselves. Ms. Hausfeld said that the public has a right to listen to Mr. Kanters and that the meetings are open to the public. Mr. Burkhardt likes the ideas presented by Mr. Kanters to make the CIC self-sufficient, that will save the City a lot of money. Mr. Asbach reminded everyone that the various codes of the City need updating. Ms. Brickweg said that Mr. Kanters intends to help with this project along with Mr. Wiedmann and Mr. Moeller.

Norm Miller came to the microphone from the audience. He is still worried that this will be a regional library. (He was informed that Bond Hill and Roselawn are to get new libraries.)

Joe Brinker was glad to see that they are going to hire an economic developer. He felt that he wanted to see how others in the community felt about Mr. Miller’s plans for Bertus Street Park. He saw about 102 people and they felt that the plan was right for the park. Others on Council spoke about how Mr. Gruenwald’s daughter has come up with a plan that is almost like Mr. Miller’s in detail. She would like to keep some swings to swing on with her sister. Mr. Miller said he received some plans, they are too embarrassing to show at this point. He will get them worked on and present them to Council. He was glad to hear that the young people are considering to have the park developed for use by parents, grandparents and glad that they are thinking of them.

Mayor Estep asked for a moment of silence for Jack Young who used to work for the Police Department.

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