WEEKLY UPDATE FROM THE OFFICE OF LOVELAND CITY MANAGER DAVID KENNEDY – JUNE 12, 2020

WHISTLE STOP CLAY WORKS RECOGNIZED AND PARK PROJECT NEWS HIGHLIGHT THE WEEKLY REPORT OF CITY MANAGER DAVID KENNEDY. HERE IS THE UPDATE FOR JUNE 12, 2020 FOR OUR READER’S CONVENIENCE. IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON THE CITY WEBSITE

CITY OF LOVELAND

MEMORANDUM

TO: Mayor and Council

FROM: David Kennedy, City Manager

RE: Weekly Update

DATE: June 12, 2020

LOVELAND, OH (June 13, 2020) –

COVID-19 Updates:

The City’s CARES Act legislation for reimbursements of expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic was accepted by Ohio Office of Management and Budget (OMB). With this action from the OMB, and a completed online registration, the City can now commence with itemizing and recording expenses for reimbursement.

Non COVID-19 Activities:

Administration

Thursday, Mayor Kathy Bailey, Councilmembers Kent Blair and Tim Butler and I, joined the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance in saluting the 10th anniversary of Whistle Stop Clay Works. Mayor Bailey presented Kay Bolin and Tim O’Grady a proclamation honoring the occasion.

Loveland Mayor Kathy Bailey presents Proclamation to Kay Bolin-O’Grady and Tim O’Grady (Chuck Gibson)

Also, on Thursday, Mayor Bailey and I attended a Clermont County Mayor’s Association meeting in Batavia, Ohio.

With the completion of the Nisbet Park Restroom Renovation project, the City submitted all of the required forms for reimbursement through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), NatureWorks grant program. The City will receive a reimbursement of $18,294 in grant funds towards the total project cost of $25,685. Due to some under-run funding, the City was able to add the re-roofing of the picnic shelter adjacent to the restrooms to the project scope.

Finance

Director of Finance, Michelle Byrde participated in a webinar titled “Financial Leadership: Map a Course through the Crisis”. It was sponsored by the Ohio GFOA. Michelle feels that it was beneficial to hear what other municipalities are doing and possibly implementing some of those here as well.

Building and Zoning

Dollar Tree was issued their temporary Certificate of Occupancy (CO). It is anticipated that they will open next month. Two of the five lots in the subdivision on Cedar Drive have also been issued CO.

Zoning and Economic Development Specialist, Eva Wisby and Assistant City Manager, Tom Smith met with the Economic Development Director for Deerfield Township to discuss their strategies, plans, processes, and resources for economic development. Both Eva and Tom are working on developing an economic development plan for the City.

Public Works

This week, Public Works began installing new landscaping around the recently renovated Nisbet Park Restrooms.

Also, this week, work began on the final phase of improvements to McCoy Park. The project, which will be completed next week, includes a new swing set and basketball poles, goals, and  backboards. 75% of the project cost is being supplied through the Clermont County Community Parks Improvement grant program.

Also, in McCoy Park, two new portable pickleball nets were placed. Thanks, as always, to the City’s pickleball aficionado, Jerry Ernst for assembling the nets.

Following City Council’s approval on Tuesday, the Phillips Park sewer connection contract was sent to JW Brennan and all required Hamilton County and MSD permits for the project were submitted

The Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) replacement project RFP was publicly advertised this week. The SCADA controls the operation of the City’s water system and its replacement was a priority project in the 2020 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Proposals are due back to the City on June 25.

Police

This week things at LPD remained steady. Officers assisted a senior citizen from Carthage who lost his cell phone while enjoying the bike trail. On the same day, PO Bibelhausen and his trusty sidekick Mac assisted the Clermont County Narcotics Unit with a drug sniff of a suspect’s vehicle. The contraband and charges will be handled by Clermont County.

Officers also assisted a resident who had fallen and was unable to get back up. LSFD forced entry to the residence and assisted the woman back to her chair. Luckily, the person didn’t suffer any injuries as a result of the fall.

On Thursday, officers responded for an auto accident involving the train trestle. Fortunately, the vehicle was able to be extracted from under the trestle with minimal effort and nobody was injured.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

The Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) will meet on Monday, June 15, at 5:00 p.m., at City Hall in Council Chambers.

The Ad Hoc Committee to Review Council and Committee Rules will meet on Tuesday, June 16, at 5:00 p.m. using Zoom.