Several resolutions focusing on an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Annual Phase II Storm Water Management report of 2008 compliance activities and a Notice of Intent to file for Coverage under the Ohio EPA Small MS4 General Permit were passed by the Monroe Township trustees on March 16.

During a detailed presentation at the Monday evening trustees meeting by Special Projects Coordinator Mary Lou Wilson, the 2008 EPA Phase II Storm Water Management Program report was laid out for the trustees before the resolution passage. Areas specifically noted in this report included rules mandating pollution control activities in small communities, delegation of authority on implementing Storm Water Phase II regulations in Ohio, and statement of an exact square mileage portion of the township designated as urbanized.

The Notice of Intent to file for coverage under the Ohio EPA Small MS4 General Permit notifies the Ohio EPA of a change of the status of Monroe Township from a permittee to that of a “co-permittee” with Miami County. The $200 fee involved for this permit will be paid by Miami County. The resolution passed by Monroe Township states that the Annual Discharge fee for the urbanized area of Monroe Township will be paid by Monroe Township. This discharge fee is based upon census figures to establish the number of square miles designated as “urbanized” by the EPA. Currently the annual discharge fee is $225. However, this could change once new census figures are in for the 2010 census.

The trustees also agreed at the Monday evening meeting to pay a 2009 membership to the Honeycreek Watershed Association; pass the 2009 permanent appropriations totaling $1,597,513.00; and pay this week’s bills totaling $34,793.16.
The annual springtime cemetery cleanup in the township begins March 23. After allowing a week for this cleanup, area residents are invited to place spring and Easter floral decorations anytime after March 30.

In other reports, those participating in the March 14 recycling event at the maintenance facility on Michaels Road numbered 86. As a reminder, a special used tire recycling program is being held at the Miami County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, March 31 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Pre-registration for Miami County residents is required by contacting the Miami Soil and Water Conservation District (MSWCD) no later than March 20. Tires are accepted if they are no larger than 17 inches and if the rims have been removed from the tire. There is also a charge of 50 cents per tire, and a limit of 10 tires per registrant.

The trustees discussed with Tipp Monroe Cable Access Commission (TMCAC) members, Dave Werts and Bryan Stewart, changes regarding Time Warner Cable’s franchise agreement with the township. Under a new Ohio law, Time Warner has applied for and been designated as a Video Service Provider (VSP) by the State. This automatically terminates the existing franchise agreement and replaces it with a VSP agreement. The township will collect fees through this agreement to replace the lost franchise fees, but Time Warner Cable will no longer pay the rent for the KIT-TV local cable access studio, nor will they provide further annual equipment funding of $3,000/year. TMCAC will be signing a new lease with the township and presenting a new budget and request for additional future funding to the trustees and the City of Tipp City.

The trustees will be attending a Tri-Agency meeting on March 30. This meeting is to be hosted by the Tipp City Board of Education.

The next regular township trustees meeting is set for Monday, April 6 at 7 p.m.

Tipp City community members and staff volunteers recently met to plan the "neighborhood coordination" segment of the "Yes! Tipp Schools" levy campaign.

The Tipp City school district will have two issues on the May 5, 2009, ballot: a renewal of the current 3-year, $2.7 million emergency operating levy, which will not increase taxes; and a new 3-year emergency operating levy for $990,000, which will cost the owner of a $100,000 home approximately $80 per year in additional taxes.

Levy Chairman Jim McKee said that both levies are needed to allow the school district to keep its current level of programs and services. He said even if both levies pass, the district will freeze wages for all employees for 2009-2010 and will continue other budget-reducing measures. Neighborhood Coordinators for the campaign are Amy Joseph, Lynn Hinkle, Tom Cochran and Amy Cochran. At least 40 additional neighborhood "captains" have teamed up with staff volunteers in their neighborhoods to assemble additional volunteers who will work to inform the community about all aspects of the May 5 levies.

McKee said, "This is truly a grassroots effort, where neighbors are enlisting the help of other neighbors to get the word out. By the time the neighborhood captains assemble other workers, we expect to have at least 500 volunteers involved in the campaign."

Campaign plans include the delivery of flyers, installation of yard signs, articles in area newspapers, programs on local cable access television and possible town meetings. A levy web site is now live and will be updated regularly. The address is: www.tippschoolslevy.com. Neighborhood captains are also planning activities that will be unique to their own neighborhoods.

Amy Cochran said, "In addition to factual information, there will be neighborhood surprises that we hope will prove to be a fun way to promote the levies. These are serious times and the school levies are serious concerns, but ultimately it is about our kids and our community. We hope by lightening the mood with a few of our activities we will encourage our neighbors to continue the support our schools need."

Along with McKee, a steering committee of community members and staff representatives is meeting regularly to work on the campaign. Members include levy treasurer Scot Clyne; Bob Bair, Lora Heddleston, Lynn Hinkle, Amy Joseph, Frank Maus, Sherry Priddy, Tim Priddy, Gary Riebe, Melinda Schall, Greg Smith, Mike Stucke, Nancy Carus, Amy Cochran, Alexis Dedrick, Sarah Gearhardt, Jan Green, Amy Grescowle, Jeanne Koch, Joan Lucas, Angie McMurry, Diana Davis-Miller, Peggy Osborn, Dale Pittenger, Chris Prokes, Heidi Silvers, Greg Southers, Suzi Walker, Karen Weber and Jenn Wysocki.

Board of Education representatives on the campaign committee are Scott Dixon and Kate Johnsen.

Council met on March 16, 2009 at 7:00 pm to discuss the financial position of the City. The General Fund had revenues of approximately $731,000.00 but expenditures of almost $820,000.00, leaving a negative balance close to $88,000.00.

Council was advised that this was normal for this early in the year. Last year’s figures were about the same.

Income tax revenues are about 5.3% above last year. Other tax receipts are about 3% higher but local government funding has dropped 8%. A windfall estate tax revenue helped brighten the picture some what as did the savings garnered by the lower gas prices.

With budget cuts made by Council earlier and the unexpected revenue increases, coupled with judicial spending in the future, the City has a good chance to have a balanced budget at the end of the year. Council is still looking at ways to save money, with hopes of increasing the Capital Improvement Fund to be able to move on some projects the City needs done.

Also discussed was a COLA of 2% for employees not covered by a bargaining unit. Mr. Kessler was concerned about the way it would be applied and did not think the time was right to implement a raise of any kind. After some discussion, Council entered chambers for the regularly scheduled meeting.
Council Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President Hale at 7:30 PM. After the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, a motion was made to amend the agenda with the removal of a resolution. The motion was approved, as was the motion to accept the amended agenda.
Mayor Evan gave a proclamation making March American Red Cross Month in Tipp City.

A motion was made by Mr. Kessler to bring an ordinance concerning the pay schedule of Chapter 37 employees off the table. The ordinance had been tabled at the previous council meeting. The motion was approved. Mr. Lovett removed his sponsorship of the ordinance. The ordinance died for lack of a sponsor.

A resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit applications for stimulus monies for two projects was approved. Mrs. Blakey asked about the need for the quickness to apply and Council was told that all applications for stimulus money were time sensitive. Mr. Lovett expressed concern about the way the government was burdening future citizens with the cost but also knew that if Tipp City did not apply, someone else would get the money.

Three ordinances were presented for their first readings. The first ordinance established the new fees for the Aquatic Center. The second ordinance would remove electric utility charge from the General Rules and regulation and allow them to become part of the utility fee schedule. The third ordinance would amend the schedule of fees to include the increased electric fees.

A motion to accept the recommendations of the Tax Incentive Revue Council passed 6-0. Mrs. Blakey was the dissenting vote. A motion to hire part time and part time seasonal employees was presented. There were 25% less than last year requested. The motion passed 6-1. Mr. Kessler cast the dissenting vote.

A citizen expressed concern about a traffic pattern change on Bel Air Drive. The repositioning of two stop signs was causing a safety issue at that location. He was advised that the City Manager would look into it and get back to him. Mr. Lovett thanked the EMS team for their professional service this past week-end.

There being no further business to come before Council, the regular meeting ended and Council entered into Executive Session.

Tipp City’s School Board met on March 5, 2009 for a special meeting to discuss the up-coming levy proposals and potential cuts. All board members were present.

President Scott Dixon opened the meeting at 6:00 PM by welcoming all in attendance and commented on the difficult decisions the board was dealing with.

The first piece of business discussed was allowing the school to implement open enrollment. Open enrollment would allow students from neighboring districts to attend Tipp Schools with out paying tuition. The extra monies received from the State because of increased enrollment, based on 25 students entering the system, would be a little over $143,000. By taking that action and assuming 25 students would take advantage of the open enrollment, some of the initially proposed staff reductions would not take place.

Three scenarios were presented to the board that considered the failure of both levies, the passage of the renewal only, and the passage of both levies.

The failure of both levies would have the greatest impact. Items considered for reduction or cuts under that result are reduced transportation of students. The limit proposed is any student living within 1.5 miles of the schools would not be bussed. There may be some areas exempted from that if there is a lack of sidewalks for the students to use. A “Pay to
Participate” would be implemented, charging fees to engage in athletics, band, and high school clubs.

Also proposed is the elimination of one assistant varsity coach from each sport, increase in health co-pays, the elimination of field trips, a wage freeze and the elimination of fifteen staff positions. Revenue will be brought in through the open enrollment, increased parking fees at the high school and charging Community Services for the use of school property.
Estimated savings under this plan are around $1.35 million plus around $162,000 in revenue.
If just the renewal passes, the fifteen staff will stay and participation fees will be slightly lower. Cost cutting measures in energy usage, reduction of some supplies and other steps will, combined with anticipated revenues from the same sources above, will create a savings of near $765,000.

If both levies pass, the wage freeze will stay in effect.
It was asked if an across the board wage reduction had been considered. The administration, and some board members, did not feel it would be an accepted proposal based on conversations with school staff.

If you have any questions or concerns, or would like a more detailed copy of the proposals, feel free to contact the school at 669-6302 or Jim McKee at 669-9098.

The next regularly scheduled Board meeting is 7:00 PM, Monday, March 23, at the Board office.