9-11 Memorial at Police and Fire Memorial in Loveland tonight, Friday, September 11 @ 8 p.m. highlights the events of the week.

WEEKLY UPDATE: David Kennedy, City Manager, Loveland, Ohio

LOVELAND, OH (September 11, 2020) –

David Kennedy, City Manager, Loveland, Oh (Provided)

Administration

Tuesday, Assistant City Manager, Tom Smith, Fire Chief, Otto Huber, Police Chief, Sean Rahe, Public Works Director, Scott Wisby, Property Maintenance Inspector, Ralph Vilardo, and I met to review a Neighborhood Preservation Program within the Loveland Heights.  The program, which was development by Chief Huber, involves focusing on specific streets within the Heights, and promoting through social media and various presentations, properties which have been revitalized. During this street by street preservation plan, the Public Works department will review and address the needs of each street, such as signage replacement, curb repairs, streetlights, hydrant painting, etc. The intent of the program is to, street by street, work to revitalize the Loveland Heights through both public and private improvements.

In conjunction with the proposed preservation program, the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) met Monday evening to review their potential participation in the program.  The CIC is reviewing the issuance of loans or grants to owner occupied residents needing exterior or safety improvements to their residences. Staff will supply the CIC with sample programs and guidelines from other communities.

Wednesday, I attended the second week of the Loveland Citizen’s Police Academy which was held at Sora’s Towing in Milford.  The day included attendance from academy members from Miami Township and the City of Milford. Along with a landing and tour of the University of Cincinnati Air Care Helicopter, the day included presentations from the Miami Township and City of Milford Firefighters on the tools used for extraction of car crash vehicles.  Some of the academy attendees, including Mayor Bailey, accepted the offer for hands-on use of the jaws of life and cutting tools.

Thursday, I had the opportunity to speak with Roxanne Anderson, Brownfield Coordinator for the Ohio EPA.  In advance of our call, Ms. Anderson had reviewed the various environmental studies which have been completed for the city’s Chestnut Street property.  The call was very valuable to better understand the next steps and resources which they have available towards meeting the long-term goal of remediating the environmental barriers which have inhibited economic development on the property.

Also on Thursday, Mayor, Kathy Bailey, Councilmember, Tim Butler, and I attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the LIFE Food Pantry at their new location, 541 Loveland Madeira Road. LIFE Food Pantry, Executive Director, Linda Bergholz expressed her excitement to be located in the expanded facility and thanked the community for their continued outpour of support to the organization and their mission.

Friday, I provided Peter Sexton and David Scott, both members of the Comprehensive Master Development Plan Committee, a detailed tour of the city.  As the committee members embark on the process of preparing the city’s comprehensive plan, I hope these tours give added insight into the opportunities and challenges within the city.

Also on Friday, I participated in a web-demonstration of IGM Technologies’ Gravity budget book software.  The city is reviewing various budgeting software for purchase in 2021, to be utilized for the 2022 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

Finance

Director of Finance, Michelle Byrde and I met on Wednesday to review the funding disbursements of the proposed 2021 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), as we continue to work on preparing next year’s operating budget. Also, Michelle continues to monitor projected tax revenues for the 2021 budget.

Public Works

Tuesday, Public Works Director, Scott Wisby, and I walked Main Street for an up-close look at the decaying road conditions.  While full repairs cannot be completed at this time due to the need to replace the aging water mains first, patching of the street will be completed next Wednesday.  In preparation of the work, a letter was mailed to all Main Street residents,  explaining the delay in the full repairs to the street, thanking them for their patience, and requesting that their vehicles be moved from the street on Wednesday to accommodate more thorough repairs.

This week, Public Works assisted with an extended private water leak at the Trails of East Loveland Apartments, which left their residents without water service for an extended period of time. Water service was restored Thursday evening, and the management team for the apartments thanked the city for their assistance.

Police

This week LPD discovered scammers calling area residents with threats of arrest if they didn’t pay a fine immediately. LPD posted warnings about the scam on social media. Officer Kyle Bibelhausen and K9 Mack located drugs on a traffic stop for Hamilton County Deputies in Symmes Township. The citizens police academy attendees participated in a mock vehicle crash investigation this week. Special thanks go to the Loveland Symmes Fire Department for letting us borrow their turn out gear. Lieutenant Scott Humphrey is representing LPD at the September 11th ceremony on Friday hosted by the Loveland Symmes Fire Department.

LPD Officer Vicky Johnson is in Round Rock Texas at the Back the Women in Blue training. The course focuses on shooting, handcuffing, knife defense, and scenario training and is designed especially for female police officers. Back the Women in Blue is co-sponsored and funded by Sig Sauer and A Girl and a Gun Shooting League. Vicky joins just 19 other female officers who were selected to attend from nominations across the United States.     

Upcoming Events and Meetings

A 9/11 memorial event is scheduled for Friday, September 11, at 8:00 p.m. the Police & Fire Memorial located at 200 Harrison Avenue.

On Monday, September 14, the Comprehensive Master Development Plan (CMDP) Economic Development Sub-Group will hold a Zoom meeting at 5:50 p.m. Followed by a CMDP Residential/Neighborhoods Sub-Group Zoom meeting at 6:30 p.m., both meetings will be streamed on the City’s YouTube channel.

The Beautification Committee will also meet on Monday at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

The Ad Hoc Committee to Review Council and Committee Rules will hold a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, September 15, at 5:30 p.m.  The meeting will be streamed on the City’s YouTube channel.

The Arts Commission will also meet on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.

The Public Relations and Communications Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 16, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

NOTE: The weekly update from City Manager David Kennedy is also available on the City’s website