Business News Pages 5-6 www.fairfield-city.org Parks Rec & reation February 2007 News Pag es 9-29 PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE CITY OF FAIRFIELD, OHIO South Trace Golf Course to get new clubhouse Work is underway to construct a new clubhouse at the South Trace Golf Course on John Gray Road. In mid- January, crews demolished the aging clubhouse and adjacent reception facility built in the late 1960s. Site preparation began immediately after debris was cleared for the construction of a 7,000 square foot clubhouse with a concession/grill area, new pro shop and a meeting space to accommodate golf outings of up to 150 people. The new clubhouse is expected to be completed in November. In the interim, operations will be maintained out of a construction trailer located near the The new building is designed with size of the facility has been slightly construction site. increased energy efficiency. Even the downsized from the former buildings which housed about 12,000 square feet. Annual Home Improvement Expo The clubhouse, with its new flexible design and amenities, is expected to attract an increasing number of casual golfers, as well as those participating in moves to Community Arts Center outings and leagues. Annually, golfers play more than 40,000 rounds at the Fairfield’s popular — and free! — Home to be offered. In past years, the grand South Trace, formerly known as the Improvement Expo returns Saturday, prize has been a central air conditioning Pleasant Run Golf Course. March 31, for its fifth year. The event system, with installation. features a variety of As with the former facility, the new contractors eager Other City departments also have joined clubhouse will be available for private to share their in with safety exhibits and items such functions. Its location overlooking the knowledge to as free recycling bins. greens will continue to make it a help residents Bucky the Beaver, popular venue for wedding receptions, with creative home who made his debut parties and business meetings attracting enhancements large at the event last year, up to 150 guests. and small. plans his return as part of the family-oriented This year’s event is moving entertainment being Inside This Issue to the Community Arts Becky & Bucky scheduled. Other Center, and will begin an are back! entertainment will include City adopts 2007 budget . 2 hour later, opening at 10 a.m. strolling clowns and more to and closing at 4 p.m. to better provide children with fun and Residents sought accommodate residents’ busy games while their parents for boards & commissions . .3 schedules. gather helpful information for their next improvement project. Area bracing for arrival In years past, valuable door prizes were of Emerald Ash Borer . .32 given away amid informative exchanges Details are still being finalized by the with exhibitors demonstrating the latest various volunteer committees Volunteers make concepts and designs in home responsible for the elements of the highly a difference . .34 improvement trends and techniques. At successful expo. For the latest plans, least one major grand prize is expected visit www.fairfield-city.org. Fairfield’s Projected 2007 Revenue Fairfield’s Planned 2007 Expenditures Total: $63,982,300 Total: $58,519,638 (INCLUDING TRANSFERS) (INCLUDING TRANSFERS, DEBT AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS) Income Tax General $22,950,000 Government $7,098,884 Other Revenue Public Safety $15,854,044 $596,500 Public Health Investment Income & Welfare $2,098,123 $1,623,250 Transportation Grants/ $3,678,348 Entitlements Property Public Utilities/ Parks $8,639,550 Tax Solid Waste Development Charges $4,041,204 for Services $5,220,000 $7,872,907 Services $14,391,800 $1,395,687 Council approves a $58 million operating budget The City of Fairfield will invest $58.5 equals $15.9 million dollars. projects and a contingency in the event million in services to residents during of unanticipated expenses. 2007, up 5.7 percent from 2006. Public Revenue projections for the year Fairfield’s single largest source of Safety Services topped the spending anticipate income of $64 million, a 6.3 revenue is the City income tax, which priorities for the year, gaining nearly 27 percent increase over 2006 levels. The should generate nearly $23 million in percent of the planned budget, which budget allows for capital improvement 2007. Energy conservation diverts $200K for better uses While gas prices have retreated from Fairfield’s Energy their record highs and a mild start to Team includes winter has offered some energy Brian Rose (top economies in area homes and center) and businesses, the City of Fairfield’s (counter clockwise) aggressive commitment to energy Dwight Culbertson, Tina conservation has continued. Having Williams, Barb established earlier benchmarks for Pitman, Jim comparisons, efforts to date have Howell, James Price enabled significant savings allowing and Drew Young. funds to be channeled to other more (Alan Hadley and important community needs. Chris Schuster are not pictured). Conservative estimates show that Fairfield employees have managed to that reduced the impact of increasing with a furnace that uses waste oil. save in excess of $200,000: electricity costs, saving $30,000 to I I $35,000 annually. Thanks to advanced planning in Workers at the Wastewater I designing the Community Arts Treatment Plant found efficiencies Employees in the Public Works Center and Justice Center, energy that lowered bio-solids disposal Department participated in a driver costs have been reduced by costs by approximately 30-35 awareness and run-time monitoring approximately $115,000 annually. percent, amounting to an annual program, saving approximately The savings is credited to early staff savings of $50,000. $2,000 annually in gasoline/diesel involvement with design engineers I fuel. An additional $3,500 is saved who included operational/ The Wastewater Division introduced in energy costs by using an HVAC management strategies that an energy management initiative management system in combination maximized energy use. 2 Vacancies open on Fairfield’s Boards & Commissions Positions abound for residents seeking to serve COMMUNITY FOREST COMMISSION If you have ever considered community four-year appointment. The Planning service, now may be the time to get Commission is responsible for plans and Three positions available, two of which involved. On April 1, several openings maps, development and modifications to are for a three-year appointment, one of will be available on a variety of boards Fairfield’s Comprehensive Plan, the which is for an unexpired term ending and commissions serving residents and location and character of public utilities, March 31, 2008. The Community businesses of Fairfield. land use and zoning, subdivision and Forest Commission serves as an land development regulations, and advisory body to the City for the Applicants development/ purpose of maintaining and must be redevelopment/renewal of increasing the amount of tree cover residents of areas within the City. on public and private land by Fairfield and BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS coordinating, initiating and meet any publicizing activities that affect the specific One position available for a community forest. qualifications five-year appointment. The CULTURAL ARTS ADVISORY COMMISSION noted for each Board of Zoning Appeals position listed. hears appeals from zoning Seven positions available, each to be Applications decisions and has the appointed to staggered one, two and are available authority to grant zoning three year terms of office beginning on online or in the variances. April 1. Thereafter, all members will Clerk of FAIR HOUSING BOARD serve three year terms of office. The Council’s Cultural Arts Advisory Commission Office at the Three positions available, serves as an advisory group to the Municipal each for a three-year term. Fairfield Parks and Recreation Building. Duties of the Fair Housing Board, dedicated to the promotion Applications must be received by Board include investigation of of cultural arts activities within the February 16. complaints of unlawful housing City of Fairfield. The commission practices, resolution of complaints, assists in informing the public of Questions regarding the following conducting hearings on matters under arts activities, the solicitation of openings can be directed to the Clerk of investigation, written reports of its available grants for arts Council’s Office by calling 867-5383: activities and recommendations to City programming, and exploring PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Council, recommendations—as cultural arts opportunities for the needed—regarding educational and City of Fairfield. Two positions available for a three-year other programs designed to promote the To download an application for appointment, or to see a list of who is currently serving, log onto the City’s Web site at appointment. Duties of the Parks and purposes stated under Fair Housing www.fairfield-city.org/Council/councilboards.cfm. Recreation Board include determining regulations. programs and activities regarding parks and recreation, authorization of monies and the awarding of contracts for the In honor of service to country... operation and maintenance of the City’s parks and recreation programs, the adoption of rules and regulations and If you have a son or daughter serving in the military systems of streets, boulevards, or or getting ready to leave for active duty, Mayor Ron parkways as the Board believes to be in D’Epifanio would like to honor Fairfield’s hometown the best interest of the efficient and orderly use and operation of the City’s heroes at an upcoming City Council meeting. To parks and recreation areas. appropriately prepare each tribute, the Mayor’s CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Office will need the soldier’s name, rank, address, branch of military, deployment One position available for a three-year date, current location of service, and the appointment. The Civil Service date your son or daughter anticipates Commission administers the Civil returning home, either on leave or Service provisions of Ohio laws for on a permanent basis.