Oath of Office - Piqua Police Department

Deputy Police Chief Martin S. Grove
Deputy Police Chief Thomas M. Steiner

Law Director Stacy Wall administered the Oath of Office of Deputy Police Chief to Martin S. Grove and Thomas M. Steiner.

Executive Session

Move into Executive Session to review negotiations on compensation or other terms and conditions of employment for City personnel.

Moved by Commissioner Fess, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, to move into Executive Session at 7:34 P.M. to review negotiations on compensation or other terms and conditions of employment for City personnel. Roll call vote, Aye: Terry, Hudson, Fess, Vogt, and Martin. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Commissioner Martin, seconded by Commissioner Fess, to adjourn from Executive Session at 7:57 P.M. Voice vote, Aye: Hudson, Martin, Fess, Vogt, and Terry. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

Residence Pride Awards

Carl & Ruth White 303 Short Drive
Bob & Nancy Brading 1105 Drexel Avenue
Erik & Debbie Sprungman 711 N. Wayne Street
Carl Cantrell 211 South Street
Rick & Janice Robinson 511 Walker Street

A slide show presentation was given while Mayor Hudson read the names and addresses of the Residence Pride Winners. Mayor Hudson congratulated all the winners.

PIQUA HEALTH BOARD

Approval of Minutes

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Martin, that the minutes of the September 2, 2008 Piqua Health Board Meeting be approved. Voice vote, Aye: Martin, Hudson, Vogt, Fess, and Terry. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

RES. NO. H-298

A Resolution modifying the amounts charged for certified copies of Birth and Death certificates

There was discussion on the current fees for certified copies of Birth & Death certificates, amount of the increase, and the portion the City of Piqua receives from the fees. It was stated the State of Ohio has mandated through passage of Ohio Revised Code 3705.24 an increase of $5.00 in vital statistic fees for all birth and death certificates issued beginning October 16, 2009. The last increase was in 2005.

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Terry, to adopt Resolution No. H-298. Voice vote, Aye: Martin, Vogt, Terry, Fess, and Hudson. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Resolution H-298 adopted.

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, to adjourn from the Piqua Health Board at 8:25 P.M. Voice vote, Aye: Martin, Vogt, Terry, Fess, and Hudson. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

REGULAR CITY COMMISSION MEETING

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Moved by Commissioner Martin, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, that the minutes of the Regular City Commission Meeting of September 8, 2009 be approved. Voice vote, Aye: Hudson, Fess, Terry, Martin, and Vogt. Nay: None.

ORD. NO. 14-09 (3rd Reading)

An Ordinance amending Chapter 131 Offenses Against Property

Public Comment

No one came forward to speak for or against Ordinance No. 14-09

Moved by Commissioner Fess, seconded by Commissioner Terry, that Ordinance No. 14-09 be adopted. Voice vote, Aye: Fess, Terry, Hudson, Martin and Vogt. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Ordinance No. 14-09 adopted.

ORD. NO. 16-09
(1st Reading)

An Ordinance levying a five-dollar municipal tax on motor vehicle licenses pursuant to section 4504.06

It was stated this was included in the Long Range Financial Plan that was adopted by Resolution 115-08 in November 2008 and would be used strictly for street repairs. There was discussion on the reason for the five-dollar municipal tax, what the fees would be used for, and the estimated amount to be generated by the five-dollar fee. It was stated Miami County has the option to initiate a similar tax to all county residents and the money would go to Miami County. But if the City of Piqua initiates the tax first, one hundred percent of the fees collected would stay in Piqua, and Piqua residents would be exempt from paying the County fees. It was further explained the City would start collecting the fee in 2010, and add the additional fee in 2011.

Public Comment

Bradley Boehringer, Mound Street came forward to voice his opinion on the five-dollar municipal tax.

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Fess, that Ordinance No. 16-09 be given a first reading. Aye: Fess, Terry, Martin, Vogt, and Hudson. Nay: None.

ORD. NO. 17-09

An Ordinance levying a five-dollar municipal tax on motor vehicle licenses pursuant to section 4504.17

Public Comment

Larry Starrett, Fairfax Avenue, voiced his concern over the amount of the fees to be collected by the five-dollar municipal tax fees in the next few years.

James Cruse, N. Co. Rd. 25-A asked if the five-dollar municipal tax fee could be pushed back a year to begin in 2011 instead of 2010. Finance Director Cynthia Holtzapple explained the reason for not wanting to move the collection of the fees back until 2011.

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Fess to give Ordinance No. 17-09 a first reading. Voice vote, Aye: Hudson, Martin, Fess, Terry, and Vogt. Nay: None.

RES. NO. R-88-09

A Resolution of intent to vacate Public Right-Of-Way

The applicant withdrew Resolution NO. R-88-09 at this time, no further action was taken.

RES. NO. R-89-09

A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to sell, assign and transfer securities of the Elder Beerman Stores Corporation obtained through bankruptcy

There was discussion on the amount owed for utilities previously, the value of the stock when received, and the value of the stock at this time. It was stated the stock is to be cashed in to apply the funds toward the past due utility account balance. This Resolution would authorize the City Manager to sell, assign and transfer the securities of Elder Beerman Stores Corporation obtained through bankruptcy at this time.

Public Comment

No one came forward to speak for or against Resolution No. R-89-09.

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Martin, that Resolution No. R-89-09 be adopted. Voice vote, Aye: Hudson, Fess, Martin, Terry, and Vogt. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Resolution No. R-89-09 adopted.

RES. No. R-90-09

A Resolution of authorization for an Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) grant application for the E. Ash Street Reconstruction Project

There was discussion on the portion of the money the City of Piqua would receive and when the project is scheduled to begin. It was stated the project is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2011 and would take about a year to complete.

Public Comment

No one came forward to speak for or against Resolution No. R-90-09.

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Fess, that Resolution No. R-90-09 be adopted. Voice vote, Aye: Vogt, Martin, Fess, and Terry. Nay. None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson declared Resolution No. R-90-09 adopted.

RES. NO. 91-09

A Resolution approving the fiscal year 2009 Community Development Block Grant Tier One Downtown Revitalization program application

Public Comment

No one came forward to speak for or against Resolution No. R-91-09.

Moved by Commissioner Fess, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, that Resolution No. R-91-09 be adopted. Voice vote, Aye: Hudson, Fess, Vogt, Martin, and Terry. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Resolution No. R-91-09 adopted.

RES. NO. R- 92-09

A Resolution supporting the fiscal year 2010 United States Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Assessment Program application

City Manager Enderle stated the City of Piqua is applying for $400,000 in grant money to perform environmental assessments on parcels of land where contamination might exist. The City's Comprehensive Plan has identified redevelopment areas where environmental issues may exist. It was noted that the City of Piqua has applied for these funds in both 2007 and 2008, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency was generally pleased with the applications and encouraged the City of Piqua to re-apply for these funds.

Public Comment

No one came forward to speak for or against Resolution No. R-92-09

Moved by Commissioner Terry, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, to adopt Resolution No. R-92-09. Voice vote, Aye: Fess, Martin, Terry, Vogt, and Hudson. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson declared Resolution No. R-92-09 adopted.

RES. NO. R-93-09

A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Workers, Inc. (AFSCME), Ohio Council 8, Local 984

City Manager Enderle stated this resolution would authorize the City Manager to enter into a three -year collective bargaining agreement effective October 1, 2009 with the AFSCME with terms as agreed upon and stated in the contract.

Public Comment

No one came forward to speak for or against Resolution No. R-93-09.

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Martin, that Resolution No. R-93-09 be adopted. Roll call, Aye: Fess, Vogt, Martin, Terry, and Hudson. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hudson then declared Resolution No. R-93-09 adopted.

OTHER

Mayor Hudson read a proclamation declaring the week of September 20-26, 2009 as National Adult Day Care Week in the City of Piqua.

Public Comment

Dick Hemm, N. Downing Street, voiced his concern over the traffic turning lanes at the intersection of North and Main Street. City Engineer Amy Havenar stated the intersection of Main and North is one of the intersections they are going to be looking at with in the Intersection Study.

Kevin Pryfogle, N. Downing Street, inquired as to the possibility providing an area in Piqua for a local Dog Park. Mr. Pryfogle stated he goes down to the "Bark Park" in Tipp City each week with his dog and would like to have some place in Piqua to go to.

There was discussion on the need for a dog park in Piqua, where the money would come from, who would be responsible for the maintenance of the area, and etc.

City Manager Enderle stated Mr. Pryfogle should contact the Parks & Recreation Director Rob Stanford with his ideas for the Dog Park.

Terry Wright, W. North Street, voiced his opinion of the number of vacant lots in the neighborhoods and suggested possibly turning them over to the Neighborhood Associations to be used as "Victory Gardens."

Mr. Wright also inquired as to the information on the City of Piqua website concerning Economic Development and asked if it could be updated.

William Murphy, Economic Development Director/Assistant City Manager stated currently there is a monthly program on Channel 5, APTA and he will be doing a monthly article in the Piqua Daily Call.

Jim Cruse, County Road 25-A, inquired about the time frame on the properties along E. Ash Street that are scheduled to demolished in the future.

City Engineer Amy Havenar explained they are working on finalizing the plans and they should be taken down by the end of year.

Mr. Cruse also inquired on the plans the City of Piqua has on working with the South Koreans on business opportunities.

William Murphy stated they are still working on getting possibilities together and will continue to work with them.

Pat Forsythe, Third Street, voiced her opinion about the parking situation in Piqua for over the road truck drivers who want to come home for several hours, and have no place to park their big trucks.

Mike Perando, Third Street, voiced his concern over the cat population and the number of problems they cause in the City of Piqua.

Commissioner Vogt stated there is a Ferrell cat program in Norwalk, Ohio where they have a catch and release program where the cats are brought in for spaying and neutering which helps to control the problem.

Commissioner Vogt congratulated the two new Deputy Police Chiefs on their appointments and congratulated the Residence Pride Winners.

Commissioner Vogt stated the Commissioners were invited to attend a pre-opening dinner at Toon P's at the Plaza on Friday evening, and Mr. Black was a very gracious host and they were served a very delicious meal.

Commissioner Martin congratulated both of the Deputy Police Chief's on their appointment, and the Resident Pride Award winners.

Commissioner Martin stated he too attended the pre-opening dinner at Toon P's and was very pleased with the food and the service he received.

Commissioner Martin stated he looked over the Wastewater contract with Burch Hydro, Inc. and voiced his concern over the bidding process.

Commissioner Fess congratulated both of the Deputy Police Chief's on their appointments, and also the Resident Pride Award winners.

Commissioner Fess stated she enjoyed Mr. Murphy's article on Economic Development that appeared in the Piqua Daily Call recently. Mr. Murphy stated he plans to have articles in the Piqua Daily Call the third Saturday of each month.

Commissioner Fess commented on the wonderful services provided by the Adult Day Care Centers.

Commissioner Fess stated it is very difficult to vote and make decisions on increases in services, but have to look at what is best for the whole community when doing so. Commissioner Fess commented she does not like to have to pay higher fees either.

Commissioner Terry congratulated both of the Deputy Chief's on their appointments, and also the Residence Pride Award winners for keeping their properties in such good condition.

Commissioner Terry voiced her opinion on the possibility of a Dog Park in the City, citing she is worried about the children not having enough parks to play in first before putting in a dog park.

City Manager Enderle stated Toon P's at the Plaza's pre-opening dinner was a chance for the cooks, waiters and staff to work out the bugs before opening. The food and service were very good, said Mr. Enderle.

City Manager Enderle stated he plans to reinstate the monthly Economic Development Updates and Quarterly Goal Updates soon.

Mayor Hudson stated Toon P's at the Plaza is planning on having a "soft opening" on Wednesday September 23, 2009.

Mayor Hudson inquired as to the status of the water fountain in front of the Municipal Government Complex, stating it has been off for quite a while.

City Manager Enderle stated the fountain has some major problems they are working on, but it should be fixed by spring.

Mayor Hudson thanked Ms. Forsythe for her information on parking semi trucks in the City, and stated it is not up to the City of Piqua to provide a place for truck drivers to park.

Mayor Hudson stated he would like to initiate a program where a citizen is nominated on a quarterly basis for their contribution to the community and city.

Moved by Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Martin, to adjourn from the Piqua City Commission at 9:15 P.M. Voice vote, Aye: Vogt, Martin, Terry, Hudson, and Fess. Nay: None. Motion carried unanimously.

_____________________________
THOMAS D. HUDSON, MAYOR
PASSED: _______________________

ATTEST: _______________________
REBECCA J. COOL
CLERK OF COMMISSION