APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Moved by Commissioner Patrizio, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, that the minutes of the Piqua City Commission Work Session of August 16, 2007 and the Regular City Commission Meeting of August 20, 2007 be approved as written. Voice vote, Aye: Barhorst, Vogt, Patrizio, Terry, and Hudson. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

ORD. NO. 17-07

An Ordinance amending Section 53.01 and 53.07 of the Piqua Code relating to water rates and new service

City Manager Enderle gave a brief explanation on the need for the increase in fees at this time.

Commissioner Patrizio stated the City Commissioners received a handout that outlined the estimated increases for residents depending upon their usage. Mr. Patrizio read the cost of the increase per household according to the number of gallons of water used.

Commissioner Terry stated she appreciated Robin Hungerford, Utilities Supervisor, for taking the time to break the information down so that it can be explained in a simpler form to residents and senior citizens.

Several of the commissioners said they had received telephone calls from residents and small business owners inquiring as to why the City of Piqua hadn't planned ahead with gradual rate increases over the past years or so.

Commissioner Patrizio said "we can't change the past, and yes maybe there should have been increases". We have to deal with what we are facing today, and unfortunately that means some significant increases now.

Commissioner Vogt stated if the city had increased the fees previously we still could possibly be paying more now then we are.

Commissioner Barhorst stated he feels the city has done the right thing by holding the cost down as long as they have.

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Patrizio, to give Ordinance No. 17-07 a second reading. Voice vote: Aye: Terry, Hudson, Barhorst, Patrizio, and Vogt. Mayor Hudson then declared Ordinance No. 17-07 was given a second reading.

ORD. NO. 18-07

An Ordinance amending Section 51-46 and 51.61 of the Piqua Code, relating to wastewater permit application fees and schedule of charges and fees

Commissioner Terry stated she has some of the same concerns as were expressed in Ordinance No. 17-07, and asked that the rates be put on the City of Piqua web site, and in the Piqua Daily Call for citizens to view.

Nick Alexander, 120 South Street, voiced his concerns over Ordinances No. 17-07 and 18-07 and the increase in fees.

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Barhorst, to give Ordinance No. 18-07 a second reading. Voice vote, Aye: Hudson, Terry, Barhorst, Patrizio, and Vogt. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Ordinance No. 18-07 was given a second reading.

ORD. NO. 21-07
(Emergency)

An ordinance to levy special assessments to pay for the cost of nuisance abatement

City Manager Enderle explained the need for the emergency ordinance at this time, stating the deadline to turn in the assessments to the Miami County Auditors Office is September 10, 2007.

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Barhorst, that the rule requiring the ordinance to be read fully and distinctly on three separate days be suspended. Voice vote, Aye; Terry, Barhorst, Patrizio, Vogt, and Hudson. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Commissioner Barhorst, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, that Ordinance No. 19-07 be adopted. Voice vote, Aye: Vogt, Barhorst, Terry, Hudson, and Patrizio. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Ordinance No. 21-07 adopted.

RES. NO. R-99-07

A resolution establishing "Trick or Treat/Beggar's Night" in the City of Piqua

Cora Biles, 1267 Camero Court, voiced her opinion on the time for Trick or Treat/Beggar's Night, in the City of Piqua.

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, that the resolution be adopted. Voice vote, Aye: Hudson, Barhorst, Vogt, Patrizio, and Terry. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Resolution No. R-99-07 adopted.

RES. NO. R-100-07

A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a labor contract with Local Union 252, International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO-CLC

City Manager Enderle explained the changes in the contract.

Commissioner Patrizio inquired about the change in the residency rule.

Elaine Barton, Human Resource Director, explained the residency rule changes, and the policy the city is going to follow.

Commissioner Patrizio asked about the various cases that have gone to court over the residency rules in other cities and the outcome of them

Stacy Wall, Law Director, explained the residency rule requirements, and some of the cases that have gone to court over the residency rules.

Bill Shinell, 1612 New Haven Road, asked if the Piqua firefighters had asked for the residency rule to be changed?

City Manager Enderle explained the reason for the changes in the residency rule.

Joe Drapp, 1366 Park Avenue, voiced his opinion on the residency rule for the firefighters, and further stated he would like to see it applied to all employees of the city.

Mayor Hudson asked if the change in the residency rule would affect any current firefighters?

City Manager Enderle stated no, this residency rule change would not affect any current firefighters.

Commissioner Terry asked if the response time would be affected by this residency rule change?

Bill Hogston, President of the Local Union 252, International Association of Firefighters, explained the reason for the residency rule, and stated the response time would no be affected in any way.

Stacey Wall, Law Director, explained Charter cities are required to allow for residency rule changes in their charters.

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, that Resolution No. R-100-07 be adopted. Voice vote: Barhorst, Terry, Hudson, Vogt, and Patrizio. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Resolution No. R-100-07 adopted.

RES. NO. R- 101-07

A Resolution awarding a contract to Pohlkat Incorporated in the amount not to exceed $100,000 for the removal and disposal of lime residual from the Lime Lagoon at the Water Plant

Tom Zechman, Public Works Director, stated the city has budgeted for the removal of a year's worth of lime residual for the past three or four years.

There was a brief discussion of the various ways to remove and dispose of the lime residual by the commissioners.

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, that Resolution No. R-101-07 be
adopted. Roll call, Aye: Vogt, Barhorst, Terry, Hudson, and Patrizio. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Resolution No. R-101-07 adopted.

OTHER

Renew Piqua - Andy Burner

Andy Burner, Deputy Assistant City Manager, gave a brief presentation on the Renew Piqua Program. Mr. Burner appealed to the community to help with the remaining 12 homes in the Renew Piqua paint and repair program. These twelve homes are in need of paint and repair, and are homes of elderly & disabled citizens without support to help them.

Mr. Burner asked that volunteers and interested groups contact him to 937-778-2054 or on the web site at aburner@piquaoh.org.

Monthly Reports - July 2007

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Barhorst, that the monthly reports for July 2007 be adopted. Voice vote, Aye: Barhorst, Vogt, Hudson, Patrizio, and Terry. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson declared the monthly reports for July 2007 adopted.

Roy Howard voiced his opinion and concerns about problems with abatement on grass mowing, and several other issues involved with being a landlord/property owner in the City of Piqua.

Bill Shinell, 1612 New Haven Road, voiced his concerns over several issues that were discussed at the Commission meeting.

Jean Franz, 536 S. Wayne Street, asked what the status was of the Southview Neighborhood Team.

City Manager Enderle explained what has been done so far and stated it is an ongoing process.

Ms. Franz asked if the next neighborhood area has been decided on yet?

City Manager Enderle stated that there has not been a definite area decided on yet.

Robert Bridges, 500 Roosevelt Avenue, a resident of Roosevelt Manor voiced his concerns about the disrepair of Commercial Street. Mr. Bridges also stated he felt that Roosevelt Avenue should be a one-way street or have no parking on one side because two cars cannot safely pass now.

Commissioner Vogt congratulated the Heritage Festival Committee and all the volunteers on a very successful festival again this year.

Commissioner Vogt also stated he would like to see the traffic lights on College Street at North Street and Ash Streets have flashing lights instead of traffic signals. Commissioner Vogt would like to see a traffic light installed at the corner of Sunset and Park Avenue by Washington School.

At the last City Commission meeting Commissioner Vogt brought up the issue of cats roaming the neighborhoods, and wanted to let everyone know he likes cats and is not against citizens having cats.

Commissioner Barhorst thanked the Heritage Festival Committee and all the volunteers for all their hard work in putting together such a great festival again this year.

Commissioner Patrizio thanked all who attended the Heritage Festival. The City employee's who helped, and the Piqua City Schools and all the volunteers who help make it such a success. Volunteers ranged from the ages of 10 years to 80 years old said Commissioner Patrizio.

Commissioner Terry stated she enjoyed the Heritage festival very much, and feels it is a wonderful event for the City of Piqua.

City Manager Enderle stated the City of Piqua would be hosting a Business Appreciation Day on Monday, September 10, 2007.

City Manager Enderle also stated the Annual City Employee Picnic will be held on September 20, 2007 from 11:00 to 1:30, and encouraged retirees to attend.

City Manager Enderle announced citizens would be able to get on line and go to the City web site at http://www.piquaoh.org/pr 090407 egov services.htm. This is a new process where citizens can get on line twenty-four hours a day to report problems and get information on city services and calendar events.

Mayor Hudson inquired if there has been any activity on the hospital project yet.

Harry Bumgarner, Economic Development Director/ Assistant City Manager, stated nothing has been started at this time.

Mayor Hudson asked if a new Parks and Recreation Director has been chosen yet to replace Scott Myers?

City Manager Enderle explained what is being done at this time to replace Mr. Myers.

Mayor Hudson stated the Heritage Festival attendance was about 80,000 - 100,000 this year according to Lou Havenar of the festival committee, and was very rewarding economically to the city.

Mayor Hudson thanked everyone who attended, worked, and volunteered to make the Heritage Festival such a great success again this year.

Moved by Mayor Hudson, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, to adjourn from the Regular Piqua City Commission meeting at 8:45 P.M. Voice vote, Aye: Vogt, Hudson, Patrizio, Terry, and Barhorst. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

_____________________________
THOMAS D. HUDSON, MAYOR

PASSED: _______________________

ATTEST: _______________________
REBECCA J. COOL
CLERK OF COMMISSION