Board of Trustees - Regular Meeting

It is 6 o'clock p.m. I call this meeting of the Miami Township Board of Trustees to order. Will you please rise and join me in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands nationy and justice for all. Roie present. Mr. C here. Mr. Barry here. Chief Nelson, you have the reading of casualties.

Yes, sir. I do. The police officer Dallas Hinton with the Thomasville Police Department, Alabama. End of watch on April 22nd. Reserve Deputy Constable Heather Avery with the Jefferson County Constable Office in Texas with an end of watch of April 24th. Police Officer John Bartholomew with the Chicago Police Department end of watch on April 25th and Sheriff's Deputy Richard Coyle with the Kittinden County Sheriff's Office, uh, Kentucky with an end of watch of April 30th.

Please join me in a moment of silence for these following first responders. Thank you. Next item on the agenda is the consent agenda. Matters listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion and one vote of consent. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If a discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately. I move we approve the consent agenda. Is there a second? I'll second. Any discussion? Mr. Poser. I. Mr. Co. I.

Mr. Bar. I moving on to new business. The first resolution is resolution 61-20226, a resolution to authorize a salary increase for the police chief. Administrator Schneider.

Good evening, board. Uh resolution 61-2026 does recognize the uh successful completion of Chief Adam Nielsen's first year um in that position. I do want to note a couple of uh notable items from his first year uh in this role. Uh again, the chief uh was uh a significant factor in establishment of the K9 unit, bringing that back to improve response time and capabilities for the department. Uh implemented a new and much more productive shift schedule, which has helped reduce overtime needs and improve the working conditions for employees. uh worked to initiate participation in the regional retail theft task force uh to help put more focus on preventing crime within our commercial corridors. The department under his watch achieved reertification through the commission on accreditation for law enforcement agencies. This in particular is a testament to the professional professionalism and dedication of the staff to meeting national standards. Uh the department successfully imp implemented safety town providing a new community resource to educate children at an early age about roadway safety and a fun interactive environment. Uh the department received significant grant funding to support our bodywn camera program again affirming our commitment to accountability while reducing the burden on taxpayers. Uh the chief has also been involved in numerous community events and recently implemented a new event ba event bash with the blue to further engage the community while highlighting our township park system. Uh the department has made great start strides but certainly isn't slowing down and we will be working together to further strengthen our police department in a cost-effective manner while working to

improve the services we provide to the community. So with that, you do have a resolution um for your consideration tonight uh regarding the chief's salary. Again, this information was res reed previously by the board in executive session. So there any questions? Thank you for that recitation and chief, thank you for your service over the past year. Uh I know you had quite a bit of life upheaval moving this far from Colorado and you've accomplished quite a bit in a single year's worth of time. We look forward to that continuing. Mr. Carlson, you have resolutions 62,63 and 64.

Yes. Good evening board. Uh first resolution for you tonight 62206 is a resolution to authorize the township administr administrator to execute a project agreement with Millipur Sigma for utilization of edge funding. uh as you know board uh two times a year McGomery County opens up the edge program which allows uh local governments within McGomery County to apply for uh funding support for businesses within the county that are both creating new jobs and planning new expenditures uh within our community. Uh Milor Sigma uh working with the township in communication uh has uh had initial planning efforts to uh expand their laboratory production and office space at their facility on Benner Road. uh the township went to them to learn more about the project, total expenditures, how many jobs are being created, uh and determined that uh the project would be a great fit for the edge program. So, we were able to apply uh and have received $75,000 uh to support their uh growth program. Uh this agreement is the first step. The at a future meeting, we bring another agreement between us and Montgomery County to sort of finalize the funds. uh at what point Milipur Sigma would spend the funds on the expansion, create the jobs and then at that point they are eligible to receive these funds. Um are there any questions on the edge agreement? Uh first

any questions?

I want to want to provide a quick update. Uh some residents here that uh we have been talking with uh neighbors of Millipor Sigma in the Quail Creek neighborhood uh joined us last month brought up another issue with Millipur Sigma. So want to be sure to provide a board an update. Millipur Sigma has been working with staff and provided a couple updates to to these folks. But uh Millipur Sigma has hired a couple of firms. They're trying to come out and obtain quotes for what it would actually take to truly reduce the sound coming off this equipment. They got one quote they weren't very happy with uh feeling that it was an adequate response. So they've now hired a second firm to come out. It's an engineering firm who deals with sound dampening technologies. Uh and once they get that quote back, they going they plan to review that with township staff to make sure that we feel that it is also adequate uh in reducing that noise. So certainly appreciate Millipur Sigma taking it seriously and very quickly authorized uh funds to hire these firms to come out and provide recommendations. So I just wanted to provide everybody with that update as well.

Thank you.

Thank you. Uh resolution 63 2026 resolution to authorize a contract for lighting services. Uh, our previous 10-year lighting agreement has now expired. As you recall, board, we've had a couple of extensions while Miami Valley Lighting was negotiating this contract with Miami Valley Communications Council. Uh MVCC uh as we did 10 years ago has negotiated on behalf of uh many communities within Miami Valley, many cities and then many townships like Washington Township, Harrison Township, Butler Township, uh all worked with MVCC to uh share in negotiations to get a better deal for our residents on these lighting uh agreements. Uh at the expiration of the 10-year agreement, we opted in to do the same thing, have MVCC negotiate on our behalf. uh they have provided the uh full agreement that was provided to the board in their packets. This is uh instead an 8-year agreement from 2026 through the end of 2032. Uh in which they have provided many of the similar services that we have uh enjoyed through the previous agreement. Uh but this does have a higher annual price increase for the first two years uh to catch up to what we all know are rising energy costs. Um and then they lower back to a a consistent rate for the last several years of the agreement. Uh talking with MVCC staff, we certainly feel that this is a fair agreement. Uh and that the services they are planning and providing inclusive of the service to upgrade all of our older lights to newer LED fixtures is certainly a great step forward in energy efficiency as well. Are there any questions on this agreement?

Thank you, board. Uh last resolution I have 642026 is the resolution to authorize the township administrator to execute the phase 2 addendum to the project management financing agreement uh with the county transportation improvement district and RG properties for the RG or for the Austin crossing project uh board. This is sort of the third of three uh documents that we really needed to get this project off the ground. As you remember, we did the first PMFA, which is what authorized the county T started getting appraisals for some of the ground knowing that we had this potential land swap coming up. Uh we executed the development agreement with RG Properties saying that we intended to do these things, get the appraisals, do a land transaction for some public roadway uh in exchange for developable ground. Uh and then this is the third agreement that is now authorizing the T steps to uh actually get all of the ground under control and start the swap with RG properties and the township. So this is a three-party agreement. Uh we'll we'll finalize all of the steps necessary to get the ground in the right hands for development. Uh under this agreement uh we are anticipating and preparing for necessary imminent domain. uh we've worked pretty uh handinhand with the two property owners that we're pursuing in the domain. They are very aware aware of the strategy we're pursuing uh for timeline of the project. One of the property owners has um expressed agreement wanting to functionally get the donation in our hands. So, they're still working toward that. The other had the same thing, but due to some HUD restrictions, it just wasn't going to work for the project timeline. So, this is a much more streamlined process. So far, everybody has been in great communication and there don't seem to be any hiccups, but again, this document would finalize the T all the necessary steps to file the necessary documents to achieve that goal. Um, beyond that, um, I think RG Properties

is here if there's any additional questions, but I think for the township side, I think it's a a a great project. It's going to do a lot of safety improvements to the Austin corridor, bring some new land uses to the corridor as well, and look forward to getting the project underway. Any questions? Any questions for the T or RG properties? All right. Thank you, board. Thank you.

The last resolution for today is the resolution 65-2026, a resolution to approve an amendment to the fiscal year 2026 appropriation of funds for capital improvements at Chromemer Park. Miss Bogner. Good evening board. So in 2025 we recognized Chromemer Park as uh potential for a community development block grant. At the time the estimated construction costs came in. We also received a grant uh from the Miami Town or a donation from Miami Township Community Foundation. uh and in the full package uh we were awarded this uh block grant in 26. So some of the construction construction costs have risen slightly. Um also we have to relocate the playground from what wasn't a flood plane to outside a flood plane. So we had to we have to encumber a few extra costs but this appropriation allows us to get the uh project underway. uh with completion by spring 2027. Uh once completed, we will receive $60,000 reimbursement from the community development block grant program. But again, wanted to highlight that uh this was possible made by the community foundation's contribution of $85,000. So happy to answer any questions regarding this appropriations resolution.

Any questions for Mr. Schwick? Thank you. Thank you. Next item on the agenda is public comments. This is the portion of the meeting where you, the residents of Miami Township, are invited to share your thoughts with the board. Please know that this time has been taken set aside for the board to listen to you and your comments are valued and be taken into careful consideration. The board will not engage in dialogue at this time and presentations are limited to five minutes each. Is anyone wishing to come forward? road compress.

Thank you. Anyone else wishing to come forward? Moving on to considerations of resolutions and motions. I move we adopt resolution 61-2026, a resolution to authorize a salary increase for the police chief. Is there a second? I'll second. Any discussion? Mr. Posey. I. Mr. Cole. I. Mr. Barry. Hi. I move we adopt resolution 62-2026, a resolution authorizing the township administrator to execute a project agreement with Millipur Sigma for utilization of EDGE funding. Is there a second? I'll second. Any discussion? Mr. Posey. I. Mr. P. I. Mr. Mr. Barry.

I. I move we adopt resolution 63-2026, a resolution to authorize a contract for electric lighting services for use on public grounds and streets in Miami Township, McGomery County, Ohio, commencing January 1, 2026 and expiring December 31st, 2032. Is there a second? I'll second. Any discussion? Mr. President, I Mr. Cole I. Mr. I I move we adopt resolution 64-2026, a resolution to authorize a phase 2 addendum to the project management and financing agreement with McGomery County Transportation Improvement District and RG Properties, Inc. for the Austin Crossing project. Is there a second? I'll second. Any discussion? Mr. Py, I. Mr. Cole,

I Mr. Bar. I move we adopt resolution 65-2026, a resolution to an approve an amendment to the fiscal year 2026 appropriation of funds for capital improvements at Chromemer Park. Is there a second? I'll second. Any discussion? Mr. By I, Mr. I, Mr. Barry, I. Moving on. Department head comments. Chief Nielsen.

Yes. Thank you, board. Hard to believe it's been a year since I started here, but I just want to thank uh all of staff and the board for um your time and attention and and support. Like was stated earlier, we did our first ever bash with the blue about a week and a half ago. Had about 300 residents come out. Um and it was nice to see the support and engage with them. So that was a great time. Threw us right into the registration for uh Safety Town, which started on Friday. It's filling up quickly. We're going to be doing that for uh two weeks in June. So that's been great. But overall, um, it's been a great year. We've had a great time. I think we're doing a lot of great things for the township, for the residents and some of the business owners and things like that, all the different things going on. So, u, very proud to be here and be a small part of the great things going on at the PD. So, thank you.

Thank you, Chief. Mr. Schweer,

just want to start off by congratulating uh the chief on his first year. Um, it's been great getting to know you and working alongside uh you on several different projects and I think he's a great asset to our organization. So, uh, great having you here, chief. Um, the other thing I just want to touch on real quick, board, is, uh, there's been some new provisions enacted in the OC, uh, 45504181. It gives the board of trustees authority to charge, uh, a $5 fee, um, on registration on top of our previous $5 fee that we enacted in 2016. I would like to note that, uh, these fees are a fixed cost. they don't fluctuate with the market. And since 2016 when we enacted this um we've had rising costs and and this uh these funds go to specifically road construction uh storm water infrastructure some of the equipment that we use to manage and maintain those assets. So, um, board, I'd just like to, you know, see if there would be any objections to moving forward and bringing this information forward in future. We'd do some public hearings and get feedback from our community and then put it before the board and see if it's a a way that we can fund more road resurfacing and and other storm water infrastructure projects. So,

uh, I think that sounds like a good idea. Our residents consistently say that road uh road condition is one of their primary concerns and anything we can do to facilitate improving that would be out. Thank you board. Thank you Mr. Carlson. I have no comments tonight board. Mner administrator Snider.

Uh I did just quickly want to note for the board uh an update on the energy aggregation program. So, the new uh price to compare rates are coming out uh from AES. We're still waiting on some of the Duke information, but um it appears that the next year's price uh for folks will be 10.8 cents through the standard choice offer, the price to compare rate that will be listed. um that is about one cent higher than our energy aggregation contract that we entered into. So effectively we will be saving about 10 it'll be about a 10% reduction for all of our residents that are under the energy aggregation program that are as customers at least

the metered energy not the distribution the metered energy yes that's that's just the electric supply cost um there is obviously a distribution cost as well so but just want to pass that along so again that that is uh does appear that that will be over the next year saving our our residents some money there. So that's all I have. Board comments. Mr. Clingerman. Uh, no comments this week, Mr. Barry.

Also like to congratulate the chief on one year. It's awesome getting to hear all the successes that you've had and the Bash with the blue was a great event. I love getting to go out and see more of the officers and all the cool stuff you can do. The drone stuff is wild. That was awesome to see. I got a whole rundown of that. That was great. So, um, I'd love to move forward. No objections with at least moving forward about that. Sounds good on the roads. And then I think that's all I got. Thank you, Mr. Cult. I'd like to thank the chief for a great year. I know you came into a difficult situation and uh it's just been incredibly smooth from what I view. So, I appreciate everything you've done over here.

I'd like to echo Mr. Culp's comments. Um sometimes we only learn about things through friction and we really haven't heard much from the police department that's not positive in the past year. So, We will congratulate you for that and hope that you continue it into the future. With that, I adjourn a meeting at 6:19 p.m. Thank you.