Turner to leave council; residents discuss local issues
Lead Summary
By
Caitlin Forsha-crforsha@gmail.com
Council members heard from a number of local residents and were informed that they would be losing a fellow council member in Mary Brown Turner at the July Hillsboro City Council meeting.
During roll call, the absences of council members Peter Pence and Rod Daniels were excused, while council president Lee Koogler explained the absence of Mary Brown Turner. Koogler announced that Turner has permanently moved into the Highland House assisted living facility, meaning that she no longer lives in the ward she represents on council. Koogler told council that he and council member Bill Alexander met with Turner, and that Turner plans to write a letter of resignation in the near future.
"I want to offer heartfelt thanks for her service," Koogler said. "She cares greatly about the community."
Koogler said that council will go through the "appropriate protocol" to replace Turner, with the Democratic Central Committee tasked with filling the seat.
Six Hillsboro citizens came before council to discuss various issues, complaints and concerns.
• Steve Stapleton, who attended the meeting along with his wife and neighbors, addressed council on issues with an alley in the area of Highland Avenue/Willettsville Pike.
Stapleton said that his neighbors have young children, and he feels that the alley poses a threat to the neighborhood due to nonstop traffic and drivers going through the alley at high speeds. Stapleton said that he had 14 years' experience in law enforcement and suspected illegal drug activity was also taking place in the alley, which he has reported to the police.
Koogler suggested Stapleton make an appointment to meet with safety and service director Todd Wilkin.
Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings told Stapleton that he would be looking into the matter as well.
"My concern is for those kids," Stapleton said. "These kids can't even go outside and play."
• Doug Wagoner, of Hillsboro company Doug Wagoner Insurance, read a prepared statement to the board regarding the city's insurance contracts. Wagoner told council that in December, they unanimously approved a motion to accept Wagoner's bid and entered a contract with his business to provide insurance for city employees. In May 2013, Wagoner said that Wilkin told him his services were no longer needed, and the city entered a contract with a Cincinnati Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield agent.
Wagoner said his bid was approximately $70,000 lower than this agent's bid.
"[I've] worked with three past city administrations," Wagoner said. "Neither the mayor or the safety director have ever taken an active role in insurance decisions."
Wagoner said that the city administrators told him that they had hoped a larger insurance company would help with Obamacare mandates and union negotiations.
"Five months into the contract, the administration decided to change brokers without even a mention to city council," Wagoner said.
"This makes a complete mockery of the city's bidding system."
Wagoner provided members of council with information from the 2012 council meeting in which the motion to accept Wagoner's bid was passed.
• Joe Mahan attended the meeting on behalf of the Hillsboro Uptown Business Association (HUBA) to request immediate approval for the organization's annual holiday parade. Mahan said that this year's parade is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. Council member Brian Waller moved to grant approval, which was unanimously accepted.
• Paul Garringer, a resident from East Main St., addressed council on concerns regarding a request by Thompson Funeral Homes to change the zoning for three lots on East Main St.
"Has this been determined to really be the best solution for all concerned?" Garringer asked.
Garringer said he did not understand why it was necessary to change the zoning on two other properties in addition to the funeral home's building and questioned why a variance process could not be used.
City Law Director Fred Beery said he would have to look into the matter.
"I'm not trying to say that it's not the best thing for some houses to become businesses, because in some cases that saves the structure," Garringer said.
Garringer said his concerns involved trying to maintain East Main Street as a residential street; maintaining the historic nature of the street; and trying to avoid changing the street.
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• Hillsboro business owner Jim Treadway came to council with a "complaint" regarding Hastings.
"On May 2, I received a very rude, vulgar phone conversation from our mayor," Treadway told council.
Treadway said he was "very much offended."
"I'm a taxpayer, a business owner, I have children in this community," Treadway said. "I think the mayor tries on some things, but he's very out of line with the way he treats people."
Treadway said that he "would like council to look into this," but that if they would not, he would "address the issue" himself.
• Richard Stiffler came to council to discuss the lack of jobs in Hillsboro, stating that he has been looking for work and has not been able to find employment in town.
"Is it contingent on Hobart Drive going in for jobs to come to Hillsboro?" Stiffler asked. "Because Hobart Drive, it's my understanding, has been in the works for years."
Koogler told Stiffler that he hoped the Smith-Hobart Drive project will "expand the infrastructure" of the city and will add more jobs, and that he appreciated Stiffler's concerns as well as his interest in council.
In the mayor's report, Hastings announced the following:
• The death of Ruth Durham, who passed away May 19. Durham was a city employee who worked in the mayor's office as well as for the Hillsboro Police Department.
"She was one of the first people I met in this town," Hastings said. "She was a really nice lady."
• The western Hillsboro water tower painting project is now complete.
• The city's summer intern is conducting an economic development survey for uptown Hillsboro.
• An appraisal is ongoing for the old rest area on US 50, which the city would like to sell.
• Hastings discussed his recent meeting with the Highland County Historical Society, in which he asked the society to look into purchasing the Mother Thompson house to save it from demolition and volunteered assistance from the city. Hastings said the project "shouldn't cost the city much money, just time and energy."
• Hastings addressed Stiffler's concerns about the lack of new jobs in the city, saying, "I personally cannot create a job. I cannot force an employer here. All I can do is create an environment that makes people want to remain here, or employ people here, or open a business here."
Hastings said that economic development is a major concern for his office and that he feels they are "on the right track for economic development."
In the safety and service director's report, Wilkin informed council:
• Arbitration regarding the wastewater treatment plant has been scheduled for mid-October.
• The street department and water/sewer maintenance department have been working with the city's new DuraPatcher, filling potholes in the city. Areas treated thus far include Pleasant Street, the Governor Trimble alley and a new culvert in front of PAS Technologies on Hobart Drive.
• The city is currently "reviewing and amending" the city employee manual. Revisions include switching the city to a biweekly pay period and implementing a new time clock system, both of which Wilkin expects to save the city money. The administration is also updating the city ordinances.
• The city has received a bid to demolish the old bus building, including trees and debris. Wilkin said this would mean the city would need to find a place to store the 400 tons of road salt currently housed in the building, which is "corrosive in nature and has unfortunately damaged some of the steel beams within the shed." Wilkin said the city is looking at the prices of getting a new shed versus repairing the existing shed. Parr asked Wilkin how much the demolition would cost, and Wilkin reported it was $7,500.
• Wilkin said that "significant progress" has been made on the vacant building legislation.
• The city administration has met with Highland County commissioners "to establish a city/county partnership to share resources and reduce costs."
In the auditor's report, Gary Lewis presented the year-to-date bank and year-to-date fund reports, which balanced with each other, and asked council to accept the reports as submitted. The reports were unanimously accepted. Lewis also told council that a public meeting was held before council's meeting regarding the 2014 tax budget, and a resolution was ready to be presented to council for consideration later in the meeting.
In the planning commission report, Hastings said the commission met regarding the East Main St. zoning issue, which Garringer also attended. Hastings told Koogler he felt there was "enough genuine, dogged concern" to discuss or table the East Main Street issue at this time.
In the property maintenance and restoration report, Parr reported that the committee met in June as well as prior to the council meeting Monday evening to discuss sign ordinance revisions and a vacant land ordinance.
In other action:
• Council heard the first reading, by title only, of the sign ordinance.
• Council approved a resolution naming Wilkin as the city's appointment to the District 15 Public Works Integrating Committee.
• Council approved the tax budget for 2014.
Under new business, Koogler referred back to the East Main St. issue.
"Based on the comments we've had this evening by Mr. Garringer in regards to the proposed zoning change at Thompson Funeral Home and the three lots over there, I would like to see the matter placed back in committee," Koogler said.
Council did not object, and the issue was tabled.
Council will next meet on Monday, Aug. 12.
During roll call, the absences of council members Peter Pence and Rod Daniels were excused, while council president Lee Koogler explained the absence of Mary Brown Turner. Koogler announced that Turner has permanently moved into the Highland House assisted living facility, meaning that she no longer lives in the ward she represents on council. Koogler told council that he and council member Bill Alexander met with Turner, and that Turner plans to write a letter of resignation in the near future.
"I want to offer heartfelt thanks for her service," Koogler said. "She cares greatly about the community."
Koogler said that council will go through the "appropriate protocol" to replace Turner, with the Democratic Central Committee tasked with filling the seat.
Six Hillsboro citizens came before council to discuss various issues, complaints and concerns.
• Steve Stapleton, who attended the meeting along with his wife and neighbors, addressed council on issues with an alley in the area of Highland Avenue/Willettsville Pike.
Stapleton said that his neighbors have young children, and he feels that the alley poses a threat to the neighborhood due to nonstop traffic and drivers going through the alley at high speeds. Stapleton said that he had 14 years' experience in law enforcement and suspected illegal drug activity was also taking place in the alley, which he has reported to the police.
Koogler suggested Stapleton make an appointment to meet with safety and service director Todd Wilkin.
Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings told Stapleton that he would be looking into the matter as well.
"My concern is for those kids," Stapleton said. "These kids can't even go outside and play."
• Doug Wagoner, of Hillsboro company Doug Wagoner Insurance, read a prepared statement to the board regarding the city's insurance contracts. Wagoner told council that in December, they unanimously approved a motion to accept Wagoner's bid and entered a contract with his business to provide insurance for city employees. In May 2013, Wagoner said that Wilkin told him his services were no longer needed, and the city entered a contract with a Cincinnati Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield agent.
Wagoner said his bid was approximately $70,000 lower than this agent's bid.
"[I've] worked with three past city administrations," Wagoner said. "Neither the mayor or the safety director have ever taken an active role in insurance decisions."
Wagoner said that the city administrators told him that they had hoped a larger insurance company would help with Obamacare mandates and union negotiations.
"Five months into the contract, the administration decided to change brokers without even a mention to city council," Wagoner said.
"This makes a complete mockery of the city's bidding system."
Wagoner provided members of council with information from the 2012 council meeting in which the motion to accept Wagoner's bid was passed.
• Joe Mahan attended the meeting on behalf of the Hillsboro Uptown Business Association (HUBA) to request immediate approval for the organization's annual holiday parade. Mahan said that this year's parade is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. Council member Brian Waller moved to grant approval, which was unanimously accepted.
• Paul Garringer, a resident from East Main St., addressed council on concerns regarding a request by Thompson Funeral Homes to change the zoning for three lots on East Main St.
"Has this been determined to really be the best solution for all concerned?" Garringer asked.
Garringer said he did not understand why it was necessary to change the zoning on two other properties in addition to the funeral home's building and questioned why a variance process could not be used.
City Law Director Fred Beery said he would have to look into the matter.
"I'm not trying to say that it's not the best thing for some houses to become businesses, because in some cases that saves the structure," Garringer said.
Garringer said his concerns involved trying to maintain East Main Street as a residential street; maintaining the historic nature of the street; and trying to avoid changing the street.
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• Hillsboro business owner Jim Treadway came to council with a "complaint" regarding Hastings.
"On May 2, I received a very rude, vulgar phone conversation from our mayor," Treadway told council.
Treadway said he was "very much offended."
"I'm a taxpayer, a business owner, I have children in this community," Treadway said. "I think the mayor tries on some things, but he's very out of line with the way he treats people."
Treadway said that he "would like council to look into this," but that if they would not, he would "address the issue" himself.
• Richard Stiffler came to council to discuss the lack of jobs in Hillsboro, stating that he has been looking for work and has not been able to find employment in town.
"Is it contingent on Hobart Drive going in for jobs to come to Hillsboro?" Stiffler asked. "Because Hobart Drive, it's my understanding, has been in the works for years."
Koogler told Stiffler that he hoped the Smith-Hobart Drive project will "expand the infrastructure" of the city and will add more jobs, and that he appreciated Stiffler's concerns as well as his interest in council.
In the mayor's report, Hastings announced the following:
• The death of Ruth Durham, who passed away May 19. Durham was a city employee who worked in the mayor's office as well as for the Hillsboro Police Department.
"She was one of the first people I met in this town," Hastings said. "She was a really nice lady."
• The western Hillsboro water tower painting project is now complete.
• The city's summer intern is conducting an economic development survey for uptown Hillsboro.
• An appraisal is ongoing for the old rest area on US 50, which the city would like to sell.
• Hastings discussed his recent meeting with the Highland County Historical Society, in which he asked the society to look into purchasing the Mother Thompson house to save it from demolition and volunteered assistance from the city. Hastings said the project "shouldn't cost the city much money, just time and energy."
• Hastings addressed Stiffler's concerns about the lack of new jobs in the city, saying, "I personally cannot create a job. I cannot force an employer here. All I can do is create an environment that makes people want to remain here, or employ people here, or open a business here."
Hastings said that economic development is a major concern for his office and that he feels they are "on the right track for economic development."
In the safety and service director's report, Wilkin informed council:
• Arbitration regarding the wastewater treatment plant has been scheduled for mid-October.
• The street department and water/sewer maintenance department have been working with the city's new DuraPatcher, filling potholes in the city. Areas treated thus far include Pleasant Street, the Governor Trimble alley and a new culvert in front of PAS Technologies on Hobart Drive.
• The city is currently "reviewing and amending" the city employee manual. Revisions include switching the city to a biweekly pay period and implementing a new time clock system, both of which Wilkin expects to save the city money. The administration is also updating the city ordinances.
• The city has received a bid to demolish the old bus building, including trees and debris. Wilkin said this would mean the city would need to find a place to store the 400 tons of road salt currently housed in the building, which is "corrosive in nature and has unfortunately damaged some of the steel beams within the shed." Wilkin said the city is looking at the prices of getting a new shed versus repairing the existing shed. Parr asked Wilkin how much the demolition would cost, and Wilkin reported it was $7,500.
• Wilkin said that "significant progress" has been made on the vacant building legislation.
• The city administration has met with Highland County commissioners "to establish a city/county partnership to share resources and reduce costs."
In the auditor's report, Gary Lewis presented the year-to-date bank and year-to-date fund reports, which balanced with each other, and asked council to accept the reports as submitted. The reports were unanimously accepted. Lewis also told council that a public meeting was held before council's meeting regarding the 2014 tax budget, and a resolution was ready to be presented to council for consideration later in the meeting.
In the planning commission report, Hastings said the commission met regarding the East Main St. zoning issue, which Garringer also attended. Hastings told Koogler he felt there was "enough genuine, dogged concern" to discuss or table the East Main Street issue at this time.
In the property maintenance and restoration report, Parr reported that the committee met in June as well as prior to the council meeting Monday evening to discuss sign ordinance revisions and a vacant land ordinance.
In other action:
• Council heard the first reading, by title only, of the sign ordinance.
• Council approved a resolution naming Wilkin as the city's appointment to the District 15 Public Works Integrating Committee.
• Council approved the tax budget for 2014.
Under new business, Koogler referred back to the East Main St. issue.
"Based on the comments we've had this evening by Mr. Garringer in regards to the proposed zoning change at Thompson Funeral Home and the three lots over there, I would like to see the matter placed back in committee," Koogler said.
Council did not object, and the issue was tabled.
Council will next meet on Monday, Aug. 12.