Weekly Update to City Council
from the City Manager
April 11, 2010

Swap Shop Enforcement
Our Police Detectives have visited each store that might be involved in second hand
merchandise and have made the store owners aware of our new ordinances. We will begin enforcement in the next several weeks. As I’ve discussed before, we want to encourage an appropriate, legitimate business environment.

Take Home City Cars
In response to a question asked by a council member, we have the following information regarding take home vehicles for the City of Middletown. As you know, most take home vehicles are for call out/emergency personnel. We have 21 vehicles that are taken home; in addition, we provide 4 car allowances (3 department heads and City Manager). Employees who drive their cars for city business can also receive mileage reimbursement. The car breakdown is
as follows:

2 fire division
9 police division
10 public works and utilities
21 Total

As you may recall, there was an article in the Hamilton newspaper regarding the City of Hamilton’s number of take home vehicles. Their number was somewhere around 47; they then cut that number to 25. Middletown has been going through a budgetary decline for a number of years and as such has already taken many of the cost savings measures that other entities are just now incorporating.

Impound Lot
We are working on establishing an impound lot for use by the police and courts at the Orman Building until such a time as the building is demolished or redeveloped. The cars will be operational and will be concealed behind a wooden fence. It will be in essence a parking lot, not a salvage yard. This lot will be an additional source of revenue and will cost very little in terms of staff time.

I’d like to thank the police, court, economic development and planning personnel for working together on this project. We may need to come to council for legislation on this matter but are still determining the parameters.

If any council member has concerns about the use of the Orman building for this temporary use, please advise at your earliest convenience. As you’ve seen with our downtown plan, we have marked the Orman Building for green space or possible redevelopment.

Recycling Dumpster in Smith Park
Below is a notice about the recycling dumpster sent to all employees

Notice to all employees:

Please be reminded of our procedure below, posted originally on August 14, 2008, regarding documents that need to be shredded. While we highly encourage recycling, if you are disposing of documents or copies of documents according to our records retention schedule, you should shred any documents that contain personal or sensitive information.

Personal or sensitive information might include: SSN, driver’s license number, account number, name, medical information, password, PIN, credit/debit card number, date of birth or any type of identification number. Our current arrangement is that the recycled paper is taken from the city building over to the Smith Park recycling dumpster for pick up by a private hauler. The papers can be in the dumpster at Smith Park for an extended period.

While the Public Works and Utilities Department is working on revamping our entire recycling system, (adding more materials to the list of recyclables, changing the procedures) this system will still be in effect for a while. If a large volume of documents are to be shredded, please box them up, mark the boxes “Confidential – To Be Shredded,” and contact Information Systems to coordinate the pickup with Cintas. Information Systems will help you store the boxes in a locked, secured area until Cintas can pick them up for shredding. I appreciate your cooperation in this matter, thanks, Judy

Census Status
We encourage everyone to complete your census form and return it! We have had such a great campaign: sky divers, parades, literature, public announcements, etc. Our Complete Count Committee has put great effort into the census campaign so that Middletown will be counted and I’d like to extend my thanks on behalf of the city!

Salute to Dispatchers

April 11- 17 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. I would like to recognize the men and women of emergency dispatch who are the first link in our Police and Fire Divisions. They do a great job! Stop by dispatch this week and say hello and thank them for all that they do.

Douglass Park Volunteers
Last week I covered plans for neighborhood improvement in the Douglass Park area by Berachah Church in partnership with Community Revitalization for May 13-16. I am very pleased to report that volunteers from the Oaks Community Church will be joining in the efforts to work on code enforcement repairs.

The church is located Downtown and is firmly committed to serving the city of Middletown. They will be providing over 20 volunteers during this time. The excitement is building! Again, this project is one example of the types of projects that help improve our community image. If anyone has access to materials, volunteers, or anything else that would improve this project, please contact Doug Adkins, Director of Community Revitalization @ 513.425.1856 or via email douga@cityofmiddletown.org

Keep Middletown Beautiful – Douglass Park and other activities
“Keep Middletown Beautiful” is an organization comprised of mainly volunteers that works to make our community a better place to live. KMB continues in their efforts to create community awareness concerning the importance of litter prevention, recycling and community beautification.

They have many projects on the calendar to further these efforts. On the heels of the April 10th Douglass Park Project with the Kiwanis Club is the Great American Cleanup on Saturday, April 17, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Jacot Park. Supplies are made available at the park.

You may then go to the neighborhood of your choice. Scout troops and children’s groups are welcome. Earth Day is celebrated Thursday, April 22nd , 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Douglass Park. Many groups and businesses have volunteered funds and time to this project. Duke Energy will have 20 employees available and have donated $1000 for supplies and materials.

Bohannon Roofing has replaced the roof on the shelter at no charge and currently are involved in several other projects at the park. Asplundh Tree Expert Co., a vendor of Duke Energy has graciously trimmed trees, vastly improving the appearance of the park. Mulch Plus has waived all fees for their services.

Martin Excavating has made their services and equipment available, as well as Lewis Horticultural Services. Bern’s and Brown’s nurseries have provided tree and plant purchases at huge discounts. Team Fastrax has agreed to provide parachutists for entertainment. Lakeview Nursery in Fairfield and Arborcare of Middletown have also donated to the project.

Many thanks to the City’s Public Works Department - Director Dave Duritsch, Ron Phelps and staff, who has overseen the restoration of selected water fountains, as well as Doris Baden, who has lent her expertise in horticulture.

Our Fire Department will be have off-duty employees volunteering and will have EMTs on call for any emergency that may arise. Saturday, April 24, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. is Volunteer Day at Douglass Park. A HUGE finish is planned for the park this day! This date will allow weekend volunteers who could not make it on Earth Day to contribute to the efforts of the community to enhance the park. The month-long activities will finish on Arbor Day at Douglass Park beginning at 11:30 a.m.

The festivities will begin with the photo shoot capturing the ceremonial cherry tree planting honoring our sister city, Osaki, Japan. Please keep in mind that KMB is always looking for volunteers- single or groups - to aid in their endeavor to make Middletown a better place to dwell. You may contact Jeff Michel, Director
of KMB @ 513.425.7750.

Pro Recognition Award: Candi Stultz
I am very pleased to announce that an internal award the “Pro Recognition Award” had been awarded to Corrections Officer Candi Stulz for service above and beyond the call of duty. Candi continually seeks perfection in her work and encourages others to do the same. Her aim for excellence is an accomplishment that is well appreciated. Many thanks to Candi for a job well done!

Dixie Hwy and Manchester Road – Road Improvements
Although this project is not one of ours, this improvement does impact our daily lives and I wanted to share the information with you. The Warren County Engineer’s Office will be at work on Dixie Highway and Manchester Road, starting April 19, 2010 for three (3) weeks, weather permitting.

The project is located between Coles Road and the Franklin Corporation Line on Dixie Highway and between Dixie Highway and the Middletown Corporation Line on Manchester Road. The John R. Jurgensen Company is completing the work which will include the construction of new curb ramps, new traffic signal loops, road resurfacing, and re-striping. If you have questions, the Warren County Engineer’s Office can assist you at (513) 695-3301.

*Extended Income Tax Division Hours*
The Middletown Tax Office will have extended hours to aid our citizens in getting their taxes filed on time. As an added service, the Tax Department also assists residents with preparing their local tax returns. Residents who desire assistance should bring the appropriate paperwork, i.e., W-2s, 1099s, Federal returns, etc. This service is free of charge, on a first – come, first-served basis. The extended hours are as follows:

Tuesday, April 13th 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 14th 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 15th 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Upcoming Events
April 12 Golf Commission – Weatherwax Golf Course 6:00 p.m.

April 13 Board of Health meeting – Conference Room 2C 7:30 a.m.

April 13 Town Hall meeting w/ Councilman Josh Laubach - Middletown Area Senior
Citizens on Central Avenue, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

April 14 Planning Commission meeting – Council Chambers (LL) City Building 6:30 p.m.

April 17 Great American Cleanup Keep Middletown Beautiful – Jacot Park 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.

April 18 Bull’s Run Dog Walk – 3909 Rosedale Road – 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. (Leashes)

April 18 Bull’s Run Autumn Dr. Wildflower Walk 4:00 p.m. Turn off Manchester Rd.
onto Autumn Dr. & park @ dead-end near water tower.

April 19 Middletown Friends of the Library Board meeting – Library 11:00 a.m.

April 19 Middletown Board of Education – 1515 Girard Avenue 6:30 p.m.

April 20 Middletown Library Board of Trustees – Library 4:00 p.m.

April 20 MPHA meeting – Council Chambers 5:30 p.m. City Council – Council Chambers (LL) 6:30 p.m.

April 22 Earth Day – Douglass Park 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

April 24 Community Volunteer Day @ Douglass Park 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

April 24 NAACP Fundraiser Banquet -Tried Stone Baptist Church 6:00 p.m.

April 25 Wildflower Walk – Bull’s Run 2:00 p.m.

April 30 Arbor Day – Douglass Park 11:30 a.m.

Links for additional information:

City Manager’s Weekly Update: www.cityofmiddletown.org

Middletown Community Calendar: http://www.calendarwiz.com/middletowncalendar (copy and paste in your web browser)

Pothole Patrol: www.cityofmiddletown.org or call 727-3691 (Option 2)

Have a great week!

Judy