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The City of Reading Council held their meeting on Tuesday, September 4. Almost immediately they went into an executive session to discuss land acquisition.

Linda Fitzgerald asked Council if they wanted her to distribute a notice regarding the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) regarding the Hill Street property development to the Reading City Schools and to Hamilton County. This letter will explain that Council is considering adoption of the TIF. There will need to be a public hearing on Tuesday, October 9. This could include the first reading of the legislation. The approval for the TIF could be in November. The schools will receive information about the TIF for their September meeting. Ms. Fitzgerald will meet with the Hill Street property owners and bring them up-to-date. Council approved the sending of the letters regarding the TIF.

Tony Gertz asked about going ahead to get legislation to serve notice to the tenant on the Nivision property (to have the tenant move to another location). CIC will be acting as an agent for the City in the matter. Council approved the motion.

Dave Pflanz read a letter from Reading City School’s Superintendent, Scott Inskeep about the emergency that occurred at Hilltop Elementary on its first day of school and a few days later when there was a problem with the electricity in the area. The Police and Fire Departments did a great job during the emergency. He appreciate all they do to keep the community safe.

Ken Nordin said the Finance Committee will meet on September 18 at 6:30 pm. They will discuss the needs of the City in regards to next year’s appropriation. He received a list from the Recreation Department (to say what they will need for next year). There are a number of housekeeping ordinances on the agenda.

Jim Pfennig spoke about getting families prepared for emergencies. Homeland Security and other organizations recommend getting a kit together for emergency supplies. You need to add items such as water, food, batteries for a three day supply. Go to www.ready.gov. for more information. Make sure you have a plan in advance.  

A small discussion about the Police Department hiring two police officers was held. Mr. Gertz and Bob Ashbrock want to see more information about the off-setting costs. Mr. Nordin thought it was a well thought out plan. It focuses on particular hours and jobs. Jim Champlin felt that although a good plan, it does not have a good handle on the costs. Mr. Ashbrock would like to see an analysis done for projected years to look at costs. Perhaps they should revisit having Hamilton County dispatch for the Police Department. The Safety Committee can look into these items.

Lee Roth spoke about the demolition of the nursing home and wanted to know how they will address the demolition at Nivision. He wondered how the City will haul out the demolition material. He wondered if they would use Third Street or Elizabeth Street. He stated that the City needs to look long and hard about how to remove the matter. Bob Boehner said that he will speak to an expert about it.

Jim Champlin noted that the paving for this year is pretty much done. They won’t begin the project of Pompano and Leelanau until the beginning of October. There will be a public meeting on Monday at 7:00 pm to discuss those streets along with Church Street improvements.

Mr. Champlin announced that they will proceed with grant funding applications for next year. They will look ahead to next year’s paving program and plan to review costs and make sure that all fits well with the five year paving plan. Mr. Champlin will get the total costs from this year from Mr. Boehner to help with the planning. He would also like to see next year’s paving begin earlier than it did this year, if able.

Mr. Champlin also provided a brief Recreation Committee report. He noted that the survey of the Parks has been given to Council. He would like to see more input come from Council back to the Committee. Mr. Asbrock wanted to see more information added to the survey and make other changes to cut down on the interpretation of the survey. Mr. Champlin said that this was a beginning survey to get people’s opinion of the parks. They want to find out where there are problems and if there is support for the parks in the community. This is a first step in a process.

Bob Ashbrock gave the Zoning, Planning and Environment Committee report. His committee met last week relative to the development of a Research and Development Zone of the Nivison property. This will allow the City to get a grant for the property’s development. His committee recommended approval of the Research and Development Zone. There will be an Open House for OKI’s 20-30 Transportation Improvement Plan. It will be held on Xavier University’s campus on Monday, September 17 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. People are welcome to look at the plans during those hours.

Tony Gertz reported that the Laws and Contracts Committee met to discuss residential rental property and interior inspections. Fire Chief Kevin Kaiser will get more information to help with exterior maintenance and safety issues with rental properties. Chief Kaiser liked Mariemont’s legislation. The ordinance may seem intrusive, but the inspections of rental property is to ensure the safety of tenants (smoke detectors, safety issues, etc.). The City’s intent is not to be like Big Brother, but to be more proactive for safety measures. Mr. Gertz would like to see the legislation in place by the first of the year. He would like to see the property owners look at the legislation so they are aware of what the City is trying to achieve. They do have absentee landlords that don’t keep track of their properties until a problem occurs.

Mr. Gertz noted that he is happy with the potential development of the north end of the City. He is concerned with stormwater and sewers. He hopes to protect those affected by water run off. Mr. Gertz thanked Mr. Boehner with the truck problems on Clark, the illegal parking at the Sts. Peter and Paul Bingo (curbs painted to stop illegal parking) and asked Mr. Boehner to look into the possible infrastructure problem on Market Street.

Mr. Nordin complimented several sports teams in the City. The Reading High School tennis team, boys’ soccer and football teams. He also congratulated the football player that signed with Notre Dame University. Mr. Nordin asked about the pool being closed on Sunday due to lack of staffing. He wondered if they should revisit the pool management company running the pool. He also received a phone call from a resident in the Fourth Ward concerned about the large trucks filled with dirt in their neighborhood.

Bob Boehner reported that he, Linda Fitzgerad and Brenda Wehner met with attorneys for Camden Homes and Vondercar Developers and discussed the TIF for the possible Hill Street project. Mr. Boehner, along with Mayor Robert Bemmes, met with representatives from Amberley Village, Sycamore Township, Golf Manor and the City of Cincinnati. They met to discuss the area from Roselawn through the Reading corridor. They want to explore ways of redeveloping this area. Cincinnati intends to do a 90-day sweep of the area to look at the properties. On August 30, Mr. Boehner met with Darrell Courtney, Rick Scarpinski and CRA’s engineers regarding the Pristine site. They used to pump 450 gallons per minute and clean it, before discharging the water into the Mill Creek. At the present time, they have reduced their pumping rate down to 150 gallons per minute because they have cleaned up a lot of the VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) in the water. Mr. Boehner reminded Council that Police Chief Greg Hilling will attend the meeting on September 24. Fire Chief Kaiser will attend a meeting in November and asked Council to submit questions for the chiefs.

Mr. Boehner spoke about the painting of the curbs near Sts. Peter and Paul parish. He reminded drivers that it is illegal to park within 30 feet of a stop sign or within 20 feet of a cross walk. Police are actively ticketing offenders.

Carol Bullock Carpenter pointed out an area on Reading Road where the pavement is buckled near the curb. Mr. Boehner will look into the matter.

Mayor Robert “Bo” Bemmes gave his report. The Police Department continues to patrol and monitor areas near schools. The speed trailer was placed by Sts. Peter and Paul Academy this past week. Officers are being assigned to monitor activities at troublesome liquor establishments. One arrest was made for “open container” last week. The City has applied for a grant through Homeland Security to replace the generator at City Hall. The Police Department will assist with Sts. Peter and Paul Festival on September 14 through 16. The Fire Department noted the value of emergency planning with the failure of electric service at Hilltop Elementary. Students and staff of the school did an excellent job during the two incidents. A follow-up review of the two incidents was held on August 30. The Fire Department continues to work with the Hamilton County General Health District regarding dispensing medication or vaccinations during an emergency (PODS). Chief Kaiser is working with Mr. Gertz and Exterior Maintenance to research legislation to improve safety inspections of rental properties. Adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code is also being researched/ considered. Lt. Gallo attending a meeting along with other community officials to discuss and share ideas about improvements to community web sites. There were 36 park picnic areas rented and the City has received compliments from citizens regarding the cleanliness of the parks. The City continues to negotiate with BP on Benson Street. They hope to not have to pay for costs of environmental cleaning of the site. The City is still attempting to resolve the issue of drainage of the tennis courts/basketball courts at Koenig Park. The City held a meeting with the organizations who use the athletic fields. They will continue their quest to get funds/grants for improvements to the football fields along with other sports fields. The business directory will go out to the printer soon. Please use local patrons when able. The Little League Football season is underway and they have had some good games already. Hats off to coaches and volunteers. The City has received a $58,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources that will be used for items such as resurfacing of the tennis courts at Observatory Park. Mayor Bemmes complimented DeShawn Wynn who is with the Green Bay Packers and injured Patrick Ross who is also with a NFL team.

Mayor Bemmes informed everyone about changes to the State of Ohio’s Homestead Exemption program. This is for senior citizens or the disabled. There are changes that will allow people to join who were not previously eligible. There is not a low income requirement. To find out more call Dusty Rhodes at 946-4099.

The Exterior Maintenance person, Rick Martin, had 99 calls of complaints during August. He sent out 73 letters of general cleanup to businesses and residents in the month of August. Mr. Martin is working to clean up alleyways around Reading.

Council agreed to hold a special meeting on Monday, September 10 to draw up legislation regarding City property.

Carol Bullock-Carpenter reminded everyone of the Neighbor-to-Neighbor “Getting to Know You” picnic on Sunday, September 30 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm. It will be held in Lincoln Heights at their elementary school this year. All is free. They offer games, food, drinks and all are provided by generous donations. This year each community will have a special booth to show off its community’s assets.

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