CITY OF READING, OHIO
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – REGULAR SESSION
February 3, 2015 - 7:30PM
CALL TO ORDER
President of Council Cris Nesbitt called the meeting to order at 7:30PM.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE
Mr. Nesbitt led those in attendance in the Our Father and the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present:
Mr. Gertz, Mr. Lynd, Mr. Albrinck, Mr. Ashbrock, Mr. Lindeman & Mr. Fischesser.
President Cris Nesbit made a motion to excuse Mr. Heckle and there were no objections.

Other City Officials Present:
Mayor Bo Bemmes, Safety Service Director Patrick Ross, Treasurer Mel Gertz & Law Director Dave Stevenson.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Jim Miller expressed concerns regarding Alwil Drive's deteriorating streets & curbs as well as some safety concerns in relation to Carol Ann on-street parking.

REPORTS OF OFFICIALS
MAYOR: Robert “Bo” Bemmes
- Condolences to the families of the Wright Family.
- Keep veterans & active military in your prayers.
- Reminder to support Reading businesses as they support our churches, schools & organizations.
- If anyone has any questions, concerns/suggestions on how we spend money/operate please call us.
- February 5: 7:00 pm, Historical Society will be holding a talk about the history of our flag from the National Flag 
  Company in Council Chambers.
- Saturday, February 7 St. Peter & Paul Academy Valentine's Day dance at the American Legion 
   ($15 per person presale, $20 per person at the door)
- February 21: 2:00 pm, Eagles hosting “God, Flag & Country” contest.
- February 28: Fundraiser for the family of John Steincamp at the Legion
- March 21: 16th Annual FOE Ladies Auxiliary Spring Fling Dance 
  (Tickets $15 each - Benefits Reading Fire Department)
- May 25: Memorial Day Raffle (Benefits various charities in our community)
- April 9: Sts Peter & Paul Church Mission Commission Bingo (Used to aid the poor – New Mexico Indian mission)
  Call Sandy Stall at 513-646-7368 or Faye Fischesser at 733-3280.
- Keep an eye out for any suspicious/illegal activity & call 513-733-4122 immediately to make a report.
- Call 513-733-3725 to report dangerous sidewalk block, pothole, street light that’s out, etc. 
- Police Officer receiving MADD award
- Electric Aggregation: Duke Energy Retail – You are automatically enrolled - you do not have to do anything to 
  participate.  If you choose to opt out please call 1-844-646-8411.
- Police Department: 
  - Activity for the month of January - 812 calls for Service, 18 auto accidents, 238 traffic citations.
  - Police Reminder: Ward off Theft - Please lock your cars & take valuables inside
- Fire Department:
  - Career Firefighter/Paramedic test was administered on January 24.  41 took the test & interviews have begun.
  - March 20th Terry Widman's last day.

SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR: Patrick Ross
- Attended suburbs presentation, Hamilton County Municipal meeting (several programs that might be of interest to 
  our businesses), preconstruction MSD meeting (hill street - bradley), pre-construction meeting for 5th & Flora
  (Spring start date).
- Park Rentals call 733-3725.  Rentals range $35-$50.  Please call 2 weeks in advance.

LAW DIRECTOR: Dave Stevenson
- No Report

TREASURER: Mel Gertz
- January Finance Update (Attached)
- We’ve collected $608,800.00 for the month of January (Running $20,000 behind January of last year).

COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE: Anthony Gertz
- Next meeting scheduled for next Tuesday, February 10 at 10:00 am to review the Permanent Appropritions.
 (We don't have budget commission certification yet)
- All funds holding their own to date.

UTILITIES, LANDS & BUILDINGS: Don Lindeman
- Electric Aggregation Program: 5.84 will begin on March 15 (in a 33 month contract with that)
 Caution: There will be a number of companies contacting you at a higher rate.
- Recycling: 624 responses (a little over 18%) 410 in favor, 188 not in favor.  Thank you for participating.
  Committee is still looking into this matter and no decisions are being made.
  For those now Recycling in the City of Reading, the rate will be increasing from $3.30 to $3.50

ZONING, PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT: Bob Ashbrock
- Mr. Ashbrock presented Council with a Power Point presentation in relation to Pike Street on-street parking
  - Mr. Fischesser requested his ideas in written form.  Mr. Fischesser also brought up the concern of how to fund 
    such suggestions.
LAWS AND CONTRACTS: Scott Heckle
- No Report (absent)

PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY: Randy Fischesser
- Gave further explanation regarding the Police Cruiser ordinance to be passed 
- Next Committee Meeting: March 24, 6:30 pm, Caucus Room - discuss Capital needs of the Fire Department

SERVICE: Dennis Albrinck
- The Service Department is on Malloy Roofing's schedule to repairing the roof
- Our full order of salt supply is in.

RECREATION: Tom Lynd
- Park rentals began yesterday (February 2) at City Hall at 7:00 am.  Numbers seem to be down in reservations.
  Encourages folks to rent the parks for your celebrations.  The more rentals we have the less chance of vandalism.
- Still working on Reds Field Day Clean Up (date to be determined – hoping for first Saturday in April)
- MND Theater is presenting "Clue" starting this weekend.  Please support your local high schools and their theater 
  productions.

OTHER BUSINESS 

READING OF RESOLUTIONS

READING OF ORDINANCES
(1) AN ORDNANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY/SERVICE DIRECTOR TO PURCHASE TWO (2) 
    POLICE VEHICLES THROUGH THE STATE COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM AND 
    DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Motion made by Mr. Ashbrock, seconded by Mr. Fischesser to suspend the rules requiring a second and third reading. Motion passed by a 6-0 roll call vote. Motion made by Mr. Ashbrock, seconded by Mr. Lynd to adopt the ordinance. Motion passed by a 6-0 roll call vote.

ORDINANCE ADOPTED                                                      ORDINANCE NO. 2015-15

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council went into Executive Session for the purpose of contract negotiations at 8:59 pm and returned at 9:28 pm.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was declared adjourned at 9:28 pm.

X______________________________________           X______________________________________
CARLA KACHER                                           Cris Nesbit
Clerk of Council                                             President of Council