<p> CITY OF READING, OHIO COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – REGULAR SESSION April 2nd, 2013 – 7:30PM</p><p>CALL TO ORDER President of Council Cris Nesbitt called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.</p><p>INVOCATION AND PLEDGE Mr. Nesbitt led those in attendance in the Our Father and the Pledge of Allegiance.</p><p>ROLL CALL Council members present- Mr. Roth, Mr. Gertz, Mr. Lynd, Mr. Albrinck, Mr. Lindeman, Mr. Ashbrock, Mr. Fischesser. Other City Officials Present- Mayor Robert Bemmes, President of Council Cris Nesbitt, Treasurer Mel Gertz, Safety Service Director Patrick Ross, Clerk of Council Scott Heckle.</p><p>APPROVAL OF MINUTES Without objection, the minutes for the March 19th and March 26th council meetings were approved. </p><p>AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Andrew Heckle (age 11) residing at 105 E. Vine St., addressed council to discuss the upcoming 4th of July fireworks. He thanked Mr. Lindeman and all citizens and businesses in Reading who donated money for the fireworks. Mr. Heckle said the fireworks display is a part of Reading and would hate to see it gone. </p><p>Todd Levy, President of the Wyoming Board of Education, thanked the city of Reading for being so helpful with the Wyoming School District. There were talks about leasing the Saints Peter and Paul facility for Wyoming schools use. Ultimately, the Wyoming Board of Education decided not to lease the building due to lack of room and scheduling conflicts. </p><p>REPORTS OF OFFICIALS Mayor- (Robert Bemmes) – Mr. Bemmes hoped that everyone had a wonderful Easter. He offered condolences to the family of Virginia Hutzel. The city Easter egg hunt was well attended. We had nearly 80 volunteers that welcomed the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund. They were here to present a check to VYO for $6,000. This Thursday the Saints Peter and Paul mission commission bingo will be held. Also on Thursday the Reading Historical Society will have an event at 7pm at the American Legion. Cleanup Reading Day will be Saturday, April 20th. The event will start a 9:00am at Koenig Parks small shelter. Mr. Bemmes read Mr. Martin’s report for exterior property maintenance. During the 1st quarter of 2013, Mr. Martin sent out 236 letters encouraging people to keep their properties maintained. Mr. Martin does an excellent job for the city of Reading. The progress on the restrooms at Vorhees Park continues. If the restrooms are not complete in time for spring rentals, port-a-lets will be available if necessary. Mr. Fischesser offered condolences to the family of Bonnie Wettenberg. </p><p>Safety Service Director- (Patrick Ross) – No official report.</p><p>Treasurer – (Mel Gertz) – Mr. Gertz discussed the tax receipt summary for the month of March, 2013. We were $14,600 short of where we were last March. Year to date we are about $35,500 behind this point in 2012. COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 2ND, 2013 PAGE 2</p><p>COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance- (Anthony Gertz) – Mr. Gertz is hopeful that revenues will increase and the economy will improve. Looking over the balances at the end of March, we are in good shape to handle our streets and curbs obligation. He complimented the administration for securing projects for our city. Mr. Gertz explained the difference between funds that are designed for streets and curbs repair and the general fund. He feels administration did a great job with the appropriations for 2013. </p><p>Utilities, Lands and Buildings- (Don Lindeman) – Mr. Lindeman thanked Mr. Andrew Heckle for coming to council and speaking about the fireworks. He felt that Mr. Heckle did a great job and thought maybe he has some political aspirations down the road. Mr. Lindeman spent some time with Mr. Ross to discuss some of the water ordinances. Mr. Ross had some suggestions that his committee is going to look into. The Cleanup Reading Day will be on April 20th starting at 9:00a.m. Mr. Bemmes outlined what generally happens on cleanup day. Mr. Ross announced the city garage will be open that morning from 8a-2p for residents to bring items to the city dump. We cannot accept hazardous materials. Call city hall for details on what can or cannot be dumped. Mr. Ashbrock mentioned that he is going to try to attend the Millcreek Canoe Trip. He encourages everyone to volunteer on April 20th. </p><p>Zoning, Planning and Environment- (Robert Ashbrock) – No official report. </p><p>Laws and Contracts- (Lee Roth) – Mr. Roth received a letter from an organization that opposes the monopoly that Rumpke has on garbage in the surrounding counties. He wants to pass the information along to Mr. Stevenson so he is aware and our city doesn’t get into any trouble in the future. Members of council, Mr. Bemmes and Mr. Ross discussed this topic with Mr. Ross. We appreciate the work Rumpke does for the city of Reading. </p><p>Public Health and Safety- (Randy Fischesser) – Mr. Fischesser announced his committee will meet on April 9th, at 6:30pm. They will be meeting with the police chief and go over the budget. The new police cruisers have been ordered. The computer server upgrade has been complete. We should receive an ordinance for the repairs in the booking room shortly. He is happy to see Terry Widmann back to full duty after his hip replacement. </p><p>Service- (Dennis Albrinck) – Mr. Albrinck said that with the potential upcoming retirements in the service department, he would like to discuss future staffing levels with Mr. Bemmes, Mr. Ross and Mr. Courtney. The service department is working on the completion of the restrooms at Vorhees Park. It is noted that the service department volunteered to take on this project which will end up saving the city tens of thousands of dollars. They are still waiting to do some of the repairs to the bucket truck. Mr. Fischesser asked how our city did with its salt supply this year. Mr. Albrinck said he didn’t have the figures in front of him, but they did receive the 500 tons that we had from last year. He doesn’t believe they have taken delivery of the salt ordered for this year as of yet.</p><p>Recreation – (Tom Lynd) – Mr. Lynd said his committee met with the St. Saviour Golden Bears football team about their use of the Reading football stadium. It was agreed this will probably be their final year COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 2ND, 2013 PAGE 3</p><p> playing on the football field. Their fees will increase by 50% for this year. The gator has been getting a lot of compliments. He thanks the administration for getting the gator for the parks and service departments. We are getting the baseball and soccer fields ready for the start of the new season. Anyone who would like to get a basketball, tennis or volleyball league scheduled in Reading, please contact Susan Slavey (842-1677). Pool signups will start in May (4th, 11th and 18th). Reading Cleanup Day will be April 20th starting at 9:00a.m. Mr. Tony Gertz complimented our cities insurance company and our administration for getting the new pavilion and restrooms at Vorhees Park put up so quickly. </p><p>READING OF ORDINANCES Mr. Heckle read by title only of Ordinance 2013-40 that passed during the March 26th meeting. </p><p>ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:17pm. </p><p>CRIS NESBITT SCOTT HECKLE President of Council Clerk of Council</p>