PRESENT: Mayor Maxine Gilman; Council Members Bill Ennis; William Gordon; Jack Jensen; Linda Lotspaih and Jeff Sanner; City Manager Tracy Williams; Law Director Patrick Carney; Police Chief Don Rice; Finance Director Tom Reilly; Service Director Don Hill and Assistant Clerk of Council Patricia Replogle.

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The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gilman. Pastor Mark Pierce of First Presbyterian Church gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call followed.

MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Sanner to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of June 9, 1998. Mr. Jensen seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Mr. Gordon abstained; all other members voted yes and the motion carried. Mr. Gordon made a motion to approve the minutes of the Work Session of June 16, 1998. Mr. Ennis seconded the motion. All members voted yes to a roll call vote and the motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

There were no Public Hearings.

COMMUNICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Certificate of Recognition - Pauline Stamps

Mrs. Stamps was nominated by Mrs. Lotspaih in recognition of her many years of dedicated work in hosting parties for special people at the West Carrollton V.F.W. Post 3438. Mrs. Lotspaih read the Certificate of Recognition and presented it, along with Mayor Gilman, to Mrs. Stamps. Mrs. Stamps was accompanied by Gilbert Barnes, past commander of the Post and Jody Jones and Alpha Johnson, members of the Ladies Auxiliary. Mrs. Stamps thanked Mrs. Lotspaih and her husband, the V.F.W. and the Ladies Auxiliary. Mayor Gilman cited Mrs. Stamps as another example of the wonderful citizens this community is blessed to have living here.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

PRIMROSE AREA FLOODING

Mayor Gilman requested Mr. Williams present an update of the progress being made regarding the flooding in the Mayrose area. Mr. Williams stated that they have received a couple of proposals from engineering consultants. They will decide in a few days which firm they will contract. Mr. Williams stated that we need real, practical solutions to the problem of lessening the flooding in various areas. One solution may be to widen the stream at the Primrose tributary but that remains to be seen until the engineers have reviewed the problem. Mr. Williams said that they have gone through the names on the petitions they have received and will notify those people when a meeting is scheduled with the engineering firm. Mr. Williams said that they hope to have a report back within 2 to 3 months with possible solutions. He assured those affected by the flooding that the city does recognize the need for something to be done. Mr. Williams stated that realistically it is doubtful that we can eliminate the flooding but hope to be able to reduce the frequency of it. Mr. Williams noted that last week the rain had been intense and had caused high waters in areas that normally don’t have that problem. Mr. Sanner noted that he saw that the Miami Conservancy does not appear to have cleaned out the bridge. Mr. Williams said that he would check on that. Mayor Gilman also stated that she had checked with the Fire Department as there had been speculation that they will pump out basements. The Fire Department does not pump out basements. Mr. Sanner said that someone had been misinformed when they stated that he had the Fire Department pump out his basement. Mr. Sanner stated that the Fire Department was in that area for other reasons. He has his own pumps.

COMMENTS BY THE AUDIENCE

RESIDENTS’ CONCERN REGARDING FLOODING

Ray Horn of Primrose Drive said that he felt the City could save the cost of the survey by using some of his suggestions. He feels that the construction work on Alex Road has made the flooding worse. He said that the retaining pond is not holding the water. Mr. Horn said that he feels that waiting three months for the engineers’ report will be too late. Mr. Horn suggested that a bulldozer be used to clean out the creek and bridge. Mayor Gilman responded that we need to make sure that the actions taken are the right ones and will not adversely affect another area. Mr. Horn said that they have been cleaning out the manhole on the street and they are going to start charging the City for their time. Mr. Hill noted that the rains hit so hard and so fast that the Department was unable to get there. Mr. Hill noted that Dayton Power and Light has removed two trees. He also stated that eight trees have been removed by the City and Dayton Power and Light is waiting on property owners’ permission to remove four other trees.

Chuck Coughlin of 925 Primrose Drive addressed Council. He said that he has pictures of children playing on the concrete slabs in the creek and is concerned about the danger this poses. Mr. Hill said that those slabs will be used to protect the banks by Hintermeister Park and will be moved shortly.

U. L. Cooper of 236 Tulip Drive presented pictures to Council of some of the flooded areas. He feels the City should impose a heavy penalty for using the creek as a dump site. Mr. Carney noted that the City does have an Ordinance prohibiting the dumping but they need to know who is doing it before they can prosecute. Mayor Gilman noted that it is difficult to enforce the Ordinance. She also noted that this will be mentioned in the City Newsletter. Mr. Cooper invited the entire Council to come out and look over the area. He said there are other trees that need to be removed. Mayor Gilman asked Mr. Hill about the trees to be removed. Mr. Hill noted that only the trees that are hazardous and may fall into the creek are marked for removal. Mr. Jensen said that maybe there need to be more trees removed since the last rain. Mr. Jensen thanked Mr. Cooper and Mr. Coughlin for the pictures. Mayor Gilman asked if they could keep the pictures for a short time to review them. Mr. Cooper and Mr. Coughlin agreed.

Mr. Jensen asked Mr. Hill why the retention pond is empty so quickly. Mr. Hill said that the surface course is not completed yet and that affects the water flow.

Mr. Ennis said that the creek looks better than it did four years ago when he was walking the creek but he hopes that if anyone sees someone dumping there, they should notify the Police Department. Mayor Gilman reiterated this.

Mr. Horn said the Conservancy doesn’t do anything except move the gravel out and the rain washes it back in. Wade Brewer said that he realizes that the City can’t pick up everything and he feels that the creek needs widened. He feels that the bridge at Blossom Hill will eventually wash away. Mr. Horn noted that they have contacted an attorney to see what can be done about the problems they are having. Mr. Brewer asked that the City please move more quickly on this problem. Mr. Horn asked if another manhole would help. Mr. Hill said that they will be consulting with the engineering firm to see if this is a possible solution to help with the flooding. Mr. Williams said that there are many aspects to be considered and they will try to expedite matters. Mr. Coughlin asked if the area behind the Paper Company by Dixie Drive is creating a problem. Mr. Hill said that downstream won’t cause a problem. Mr. Sanner said that it could be a problem for his area.

Mr. Coughlin asked about the work being done at the proposed Rite Aid site. Mr. Hill noted that the work was supposed to have started at the first of the year.

Mr. Jensen and Mr. Cooper commented on how quickly the water has risen during the last couple of rains. Mayor Gilman and other Council members thanked the citizens for coming and the pictures they had brought.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution No. 17-98: Participation in MVRMA Worker’s Comp. Group Plan for 1999

Resolution No. 17-98 - A resolution authorizing the City of West Carrollton’s participation in the Miami Valley Risk Management Association’s Workers’ Compensation Group Rating Plan for 1999.

Mayor Gilman noted that the staff report indicates that there were savings in 1997 and 1998 and they should be able to save again in 1999. Mr. Williams stated that he recommends that the City stay in the pool. There are twelve cities participating in this pool. Mr. Jensen introduced and made a motion to approve Resolution No. 17-98. Mr. Sanner seconded the motion. A unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.

REPORTS BY OFFICERS

Mr. Williams noted that the 1997 sidewalk assessment program is underway and explained the process. He requested an Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter.

UNSCHEDULED BUSINESS

COMMENTS BY THE AUDIENCE

There were no comments by the audience.

COMMENTS BY COUNCIL

Mr. Gordon thanked all the participants in the Paper Festival and Boat Show.

APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBER

Mr. Ennis noted that they need to appoint a Council member to fill the vacancy from Mr. Garrison’s resignation.

Mayor Gilman noted that there were nine applicants for the position. She stated that it has been a difficult decision. All applicants expressed a sincere interest in serving the community.

Mr. Ennis made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sanner, to nominate Mr. Don Mounce for the Council member position. Mr. Jensen made a motion to close the nominations with Mr. Gordon seconding. All members voted yes to a roll call vote and the motion carried. Mr. Ennis then made a motion to appoint Mr. Mounce as Council member. Mr. Sanner seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Mr. Sanner-yes; Mayor Gilman-yes; Mr. Ennis-yes; Mr. Gordon-yes; Mr. Jensen-yes; Mrs. Lotspaih-no. The motion carried. Mayor Gilman thanked all of the applicants and noted for the record that Mr. Dana Green had withdrawn his application before a decision was made. Mr. Jensen said that it was a difficult decision.

Mayor Gilman complimented Mr. Gordon on the success of the Paper Festival. She noted that he had been in the hospital just a few days before the festival but had been released and worked as hard as ever on the preparations. She also informed the public that an Open House will be held on July 12^th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Senior Citizens/Community Center in honor of Mr. Garrison.

RECESS

A motion was made by Mayor Gilman, seconded by Mr. Gordon, to recess to an Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter and to a Work Session to discuss the items on the agenda. A unanimous roll call vote carried the motion.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The City Council went into the Executive Session concerning a personnel matter. G. Tracy Williams, City Manager, was also present.

Councilmember Gordon made a motion to reconvene into the regular session. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Jensen. All members present voting Yes, the motion carried.

WORK SESSION

MORAINE’S HERITAGE DAYS PARADE

Deputy Mayor Bill Gordon indicated he would drive his convertible for the parade in Moraine planned for this Saturday, and invited any of the other councilmembers who were interested in going to ride with him.

STAFF CARS

City Manager Williams thanked City Council again for his new car, and noted that the City did acquire the car from Bob Ross Buick-GMC under the state bid contract which they hold for this area. Also, he noted that the price he paid for the car was the same price that he would have paid had he bought the Bonneville which was the low bid from Rodgers Pontiac; a cost of $18,703.

Further, Williams requested authorization from City Council to buy a new staff car for the Police Chief. Williams noted that this item was included in the 1998 Budget; however, the funding for this item is currently on hold. Williams noted that this purchase, if approved, would allow the City to dispose of a 1994 Ford police car which is currently being used by one of the detectives and is in bad condition. City Council concurred with this recommendation and requested that the City Manager place the bid ordinance on the next agenda.

DARYL GARRISON’S RETIREMENT

City Council discussed arrangements for the dinner planned to honor former Councilmember Daryl Garrison who has given over twenty years of service to the City.

CARROLLTON CENTER

A brief discussion was held concerning the Business Focus Luncheon which was held at noon today with many of the business operators and property owners from the Carrollton Center area. Also, City Council indicated that they wanted to give further consideration to the letter which they recently received from the Carrollton Center area. Mayor Gilman suggested that a letter be sent acknowledging receipt of their letter and advising them that the City Council was taking their comments and concerns under consideration.

COMMENTS BY COUNCIL

Councilmember Jack Jensen made a brief report on the recent meeting with the School Board-Local Government Liaison Committee.

Deputy Mayor Bill Gordon suggested that members of Council might want to take time to walk the Primrose Tributary.

Mayor Gilman requested that City Manager Williams prepare a letter to the candidates who applied for the vacant position on City Council, for her signature.

Newly appointed Councilmember Don Mounce arrived during the Work Session and remained until the end of the meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

Having no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Ennis, seconded by Councilmember Sanner. All members present voting Yes, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:40 p.m.

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