Mayor Hudson explained the five-minute rule on addressing the City Commission at the podium.

Proclamation: D.A.R.E.- Officer Kris Lee & D.A.R.E. Role Models

Mayor Hudson read the D.A.R.E. Proclamation and presented it to Officer Kris Lee.

Ryan Walters a D.A.R.E. Role Model gave a brief description of the program and of the petitions they were presenting to the Commission. Mr. Walters and several other D.A.R.E. Role Models presented the City Commissioners with a petition signed by the many students who believe the D.A.R.E. Program has made a difference in their lives. The students also presented the Commissioners with D.A.R.E. t-shirts.

Officer Lee spoke on the many reasons the D.A.R.E. Program is so beneficial to students and the many ways the program has grown over the years. Officer Lee stated he hopes the program will continue in the future.

Renew Piqua Update - Mr. Andy Burner

Andy Burner gave a brief update on the Renew Piqua Project. Mr. Burner stated the main goals of the program are:

To offer free paint and supplies to citizens who can do the work themselves but do not have the funds to purchase supplies.

To provide paint and supplies and volunteers to help the elderly or disabled who cannot do the work themselves.

Mr. Burner stated applications would be available after April 25th, 2008. The Renew Piqua Program is in need of applicants, volunteers, and volunteer groups to help. Mr. Burner stated he can be reached at 937-778-2054 if anyone has questions or would like to volunteer.

Commissioner Terry asked how long after the applications are turned in will citizens know if they have been accepted.

Mr. Burner explained the criteria and how the applicants are selected and notified.

Mr. Burner introduced Ms. Holly Boersma, spokeswomen for the Group Workcamps coming into Piqua in July.

Group Workcamps Update - Ms. Holly Boersma

Ms. Holly Boersma gave a brief update on the 400 high school students who are coming into the City of Piqua in July to help citizens repair and paint their homes.
Ms. Boersma shared her first experience of being a part of a Group Workcamp as a teenager; stating how rewarding it was for her, and how much she felt the impact on the citizens she helped.

Ms. Boersma stated the group is in need of volunteers, snacks, and funds to help defray the expenses.

Commissioner Fess asked where the youth are coming from, and where is the parent company of this organization?

Ms. Boersma stated the youth would be coming from all over the country, they are not just one group of students coming from one location. The parent company is located in Colorado said Ms. Boersma.

Mayor Hudson asked the dates the students would be working in Piqua.

Ms. Boersma stated the students would be in Piqua from July 20 thru July 26, 2008.

Mayor Hudson thanked Ms. Boersma for coming and giving the update on the Group Workcamps.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Vogt stated he would like to make a correction to the minutes on page 2, under Ord. No. 8-08, in the 8th sentence, to remove Commissioner Fess's name and insert Commissioner Vogt as the commissioner who made the inquiry as to the process being done in house to save money.

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Martin, that the minutes of the April 7, 2008 Regular City Commission Meeting be approved, as amended. Voice vote, Aye: Terry, Martin, Vogt, Hudson, and Fess. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

ORD. NO. 8-08
(2nd Reading)

An Ordinance enacting and adopting a supplement to the Code of Ordinances for the City of Piqua

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Fess, that Ordinance No. 8-08 be given a second reading. Voice vote, Aye: Martin, Terry, Hudson, Fess, and Vogt. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Ordinance No.8-08 be given a second reading.

ORD. NO. 11-08
(2nd Reading)

An Ordinance adopting and implementing Section 91.11 Tow Administrative and Storage Fees for impounded vehicles at City facilities

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Martin, that Ordinance No. 11-08 be given a second reading. Voice vote, Aye: Terry, Hudson, Martin, Fess, and Vogt. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Ordinance No. 11-08 be given a second reading.

ORD. NO. 12-08
(EMERGENCY)

An Emergency Ordinance amending Section 94.36 of the Piqua Municipal Code defining prohibited acts

Mayor Hudson stated he has seen Bass boats being launched in the canal at times while riding on the bike path.

Commissioner Terry inquired what the reason was for the changes in the legislation?.

Law Director Stacy Wall explained the reasons for the changes, and went over the specific changes that were being made at this time.

Commissioner Vogt asked if fishing license were required to fish in the city owned lakes and ponds?

City Manager Enderle stated no, fishing licenses are not required to fish in the city owned lakes and ponds.

Commissioner Vogt voiced concern over the need to have a state registration license on the boat they are fishing out of.

Law Director Wall explained the reason for the boat license.

Commissioner Martin voiced his concern over trolling motors being more powerful in the future than the 12-volt motor listed in the Ordinance.

Commissioner Terry asked if the reason for passing this legislation at this time is due to the summer season beginning?

City Manager Enderle stated yes, the weather is getting nicer and fisherman will be out.

Moved by Commissioner Fess, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, that the rule requiring Ordinance No. 12-08 be read fully and distinctly on three separate days be suspended. Voice vote, Aye: Hudson, Fess, Martin, Terry, and Vogt. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Commissioner Fess, seconded by Commissioner Martin, that Ordinance No. 12-08 be adopted. Voice vote, Aye: Terry, Hudson, Martin, Vogt, and Fess. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Ordinance No. 12-08 adopted.

RES. NO. R-55-08

A Resolution opposing HR 3359 "Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Fairness and Simplification Act of 2007" (A Bill to limit State and Local Authorities to tax certain income of workers) and declaring an emergency

Commissioner Terry inquired as to what type of workers would be affected by this tax?

Finance Director Cindy Holtzapple explained what workers would be affected, and the impact it would have on the income tax within the City of Piqua.

Commissioner Terry thanked Ms. Holtzapple for her explanation.

Moved by Commissioner Fess, seconded by Commissioner Terry, that Resolution No. R-55-08 be adopted. Roll call, Aye: Martin, Terry, Hudson, Fess and Vogt. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Resolution No. R-55-08 adopted.

RES. NO. R-56-08

A Resolution awarding a contract for the collection of recyclable materials in the City

Commissioner Vogt voiced his opinion on the cleanup, stating he thought it would be a good idea to discontinue the citywide cleanup next year.

Commissioner Fess inquired what type of rate increase would they be looking at with the collection and recycling, and asked for someone to explain the cost of the recycling?

Finance Director Holtzapple explained the rate increase that would be needed would be about $30,000 to cover the cost.

City Manager Enderle explained if the city does not recycle, it will end up in the landfill, which will raise the tipping rates. Also recycling is a mandate on the County, and the City of Piqua makes up a sizable portion of the tonnage, said Mr. Enderle

Commissioner Fess stated she is one hundred percent in favor of recycling in the City of Piqua.

Health & Sanitation Director Amy Welker stated by thinking long term and educating citizens on savings of recycling, it will help save money.

Commissioner Vogt voiced his concern over the size of the recycling container.

City Manager Enderle stated they will pick up recycling in any type of container, they do not have to use just the red bin provided by the hauler.

Ms. Welker stated the current recycling container is an 18-gallon bin.

Commissioner Terry asked if citizens could have more than one recycling container out each week.

Ms. Welker stated you may have as many recycling bins as you wish, there is no limit on how many containers you can set out each week.

Mayor Hudson asked where citizens could pick up a recycling bin?

Ms. Welker explained where the recycling bins could be picked up.

Commissioner Fess stated there is no fee for a recycling bin, and encouraged citizens to recycle.

Commissioner Vogt inquired if the recycling tonnage has gone up, and how much of an increase is expected?

Ms. Welker stated the increase in recycling in the last three years has been around ten to twelve percent.

Commissioner Martin asked how much more recycling would citizens have to do to reach the 400-ton goal?

Ms. Welker stated citizens would have recycle about five more pounds each to reach the 400-ton goal.

Robert Coppock asked if something could be done to stop people from going through the alleys and taking the recyclable materials before the recycling hauler gets to it?

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Fess, that Resolution No. R-56-08 be adopted. Roll call, Aye: Vogt, Martin, Terry, Hudson, and Fess. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Resolution No. R-56-08 adopted.

Public Comments

Jim Cline, 725 Clark Avenue, voiced his concern about the water drainage at Mote Park, stating the manhole covers are not secured and they have been taken off and are being rolled down the Mote Park hill.

Roy Howard, Spiker Road, voiced his concern about citizens going through the alleys taking refuse and recycling that has been put out.

Commissioner Terry suggested that neighbors look out for each other, and when they see something call the Police and report it.

Law Director Wall explained the courts look at the expectation of privacy in this matter.

City Manager Enderle stated he would look into it from a nuisance standpoint.

Robert Coppock, 904 Blaine Avenue, thanked the Street Department for repairing the alley behind his house.

Mr. Coppock voiced his concern again about the recycling being taken by others, and he feels it is really stealing and looting.

Mr. Coppock also stated there was a smaller number of people putting out refuse for Spring Cleanup this year and would like to see the city stop it next year.

Luke Bolin, 606 Ann Street, voiced concern over the placement of the yellow curb painting on Adams Street, and on the south side of Garnsey Street.

City Engineer Amy Havenar stated she would look into it.

Commissioner Vogt congratulated the D.A.R.E. Role Models and Officer Lee stating he is endorsing the D.A.R.E. Program in the future.

Commissioner Martin said on behalf of the Shawnee Neighborhood Association, he wanted to thank Chief Wilcox and Officer Weaver for their help on the cleanup of East Main Street, and to Tom Zechman and the Street Department for picking up the brush..

Commissioner Martin read a statement in support of the D.A.R.E. Program.

Commissioner Martin encouraged citizens to get involved with the Neighborhood Associations and if citizens have an issue to call their City Commissioner or any one of the five Commissioners to let them know. Mr. Martin also encouraged citizens to call the city when they are doing something right.

Commissioner Fess voiced her concern over the D.A.R. E. Program being discontinued. Ms. Fess stated they are getting such excellent positive results from it and it would be a shame to discontinue the program.

Commissioner Fess inquired as to what the DROP Program was, and who was involved at this time.

City Manager Enderle explained the DROP program only applies to the Police and Fire Departments, and explained how the program works.

Commissioner Fess asked if there were any other employees in the program that are not in the Police or Fire Departments?

City Manager Enderle explained there are two-three other employees who have been hired back at this time, but they do not accumulate benefits. The city has looked at the pros and cons and the benefits to the city when doing this, said Mr. Enderle.

Commissioner Terry stated the North View Neighborhood Association would be meeting on Tuesday, May 22, at 6:30 at Wilder School on Nicklin Avenue, and encouraged citizens to attend. Ms. Terry further stated a weed eater/edger would be given away as a door prize to someone in attendance.

Commissioner Terry commended the young citizens that are involved with the D.A.R.E. Program stating they are very special students who give their time, and thanked the students who wrote letters and notes.

Commissioner Terry thanked the City employees for their efforts during the Spring Cleanup this year, stating there were several large piles out for pickup. Ms. Terry also stated she would like to re-address the Spring Cleanup next year.

Commissioner Terry there would be an Arbor Day Tree Planting on Friday, April 25, at 11:00 A.M. at the Piqua Jr. High School and invited citizens to attend.

Mayor Hudson asked that citizens watch out for bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, children and adults now that the weather is warmer and people are out and about.

Moved by Commissioner Martin, seconded by Commissioner Fess, to move into Executive Session to review compensation of the City Manager at 8:35 P.M. Roll call, Aye: Fess, Vogt, Martin, Terry, and Hudson. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously to move into Executive Session.

Moved by Commissioner Martin, seconded by Commissioner Terry, to adjourn from the Executive Session meeting at 9:00 P.M. Voice vote, Aye: Terry, Hudson, Martin, Vogt, and Fess. Nay: None.
Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Commissioner Fess, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, to reconvene into the Regular Piqua City Commission Meeting and adjourn at 9:00 P.M. Voice vote, Aye: Fess, Hudson, Vogt, Terry, and Martin. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

_____________________________
THOMAS D. HUDSON, MAYOR

PASSED: _______________________

ATTEST: _______________________
REBECCA J. COOL
CLERK OF COMMISSION