Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: city hall

  • Council candidate asks, “Who’s watching out for Loveland’s resident taxpayers?”

    Council candidate asks, “Who’s watching out for Loveland’s resident taxpayers?”

    by Cory O’Donnell

    Who’s watching out for Loveland’s resident taxpayers? Our city leaders have ventured down a road with a questionable road map. The city is in the midst of possibly the most expensive civic project ever with $7+ million of resident taxpayer money on the line to construct a parking garage. 

    Cory O’Donnell lives in the White Pillars Subdivision and is a Loveland City Council Candidate

    Who would argue the need for a parking facility given the explosion of visitors to the downtown area? Certainly, there needs to be adequate parking to support the masses that want to enjoy the available offerings.  Visitors welcome the day when they don’t have to circle the downtown area for what seems to be an eternity to secure a valuable parking spot. Alternatively, some come to spend their time and money only to turn around and go home…nowhere to park.

    Imagine the business owners that are giddy with the prospect of the resident taxpayers footing the bill to get more cash through their doors.  Who could blame them for the smiles on their faces? Not me; what a gift!

    But here’s where the roadmap leads to resident taxpayer disaster. There is no published plan to recover the $7+ million and make the taxpayers whole. Further, my calculator can’t get to a full lot, 365 days a year for 30 years, that will recover resident taxpayer investment.

    I am far from knowledgeable about developing, constructing and managing a public parking garage. My assumption is our city leaders are well versed in public policy, zoning, codes, and other daily municipal functions, but there are specialists in private development that have the knowledge and expertise to make this happen on a for-profit basis.

    Is it too late to get the proper road map that assures resident taxpayers are not left holding this massive debt?

    P.S.  Our city is already committed to close to $48,000 annually in debt service for the Christman Farm property on Butterworth Road acquired in 2007 which has remained vacant all these years and has disappeared from the city council’s interest. This translates to hundreds of thousands of resident taxpayer’s dollars being flushed down the proverbial toilet for too many more years.

    Can you afford more?  Who’s going to step up to the plate and get the answers?


  • City of Loveland Council Candidate Forum on October 16

    City of Loveland Council Candidate Forum on October 16

    EDITOR’S NOTE AND CORRECTION: This article originally stated the wrong date for the November election. The correct date is November 5, 2019
    Loveland, Ohio – There will be a City of Loveland Council Candidate Forum on Wednesday, October 16, at 7 PM at the Loveland Middle School Media Center.
    The evening is a joint production of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance and Loveland Magazine. The evening will be recorded and re-broadcast by LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV. If possible, it will be live-streamed on Loveland Magazine’s Facebook Page as was done in 2017.

    The format will follow the same as in the past:

    • Candidates will each present for 2 minutes in the beginning to introduce themselves
    • Questions will be asked for 60 minutes allowing each candidate two minutes to reply or pass
    • After 60 minutes candidates will close with a 2 minute speech

    Residents will be putting their questions into a “hat,” and all questions will be screened for duplication by a third party. We will ask as many of the questions as time allows in the 60 minutes.

    The Little Miami River Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman has asked the Honorable Judge Brad Greenburg (Hamilton County Courthouse) to serve as the emcee.

    The Chamber and Loveland Magazine feels it is important to allow the residents/voters to meet and ask questions before going to vote on November 5. We intend to provide the community with the opportunity to ask questions and make an informed choice when voting.

  • [VIDEO] Parking garage coming to Historic Downtown

    [VIDEO] Parking garage coming to Historic Downtown

    Loveland, Ohio – City Council held a public hearing on August 13, to hear public comments on the proposed purchase of 1.15406 acres of land in Historic Downtown and to construct a parking facility. An entrance to the garage from Rt. 48 is an integral part of the plan presented by City Manager, Dave Kennedy.

    The property includes eleven parcels contiguous to First Street to the west and Second Street/State Route 48 to the east. The parcel total 1.15406 acres.

    Peter and Matthew Ross agreed to a selling price of $550,000 which matched the appraisal obtained by the City. The total “appropriation” cost according to Kennedy, will be $571,150. Council has already authorized Kennedy to purchase the land.

    Council gave the City Manager authority to complete the purchase in May once he completed studies to see if there were such things as environmental or soil problems that would prevent the city from building a garage on the site. These videos are of Kennedy’s report to Council and the public comments they received during the public hearing. After the public hearing, Council debated whether or not to give the City Manager further direction and support for moving ahead with the purchase.

    To built the garage would cost between 6 and 6.8 million dollars in addition to buying the land.

    Here is LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video from the public hearing.

    You can view the slides the City Manager presented below, or by opening this .pdf in a separate window: Ross Presentation.

  • Andy Bateman joins Bailey and Blair in pursuit of Council Seat

    Andy Bateman joins Bailey and Blair in pursuit of Council Seat

    Loveland, Ohio – There will be 3 elected to a 4-year term of Loveland City Council on November 5, and as of Monday evening 3 have submitted sufficient signatures on Nominating petitions to be placed on the ballot. Current Mayor Kathy Bailey, incumbent Kent Blair, and on his second try, Andy Bateman, have all have qualified.

    Andy Bateman

    Bateman told Loveland Magazine last week that he had submitted sufficient signatures to the Hamilton County Board of Elections (BOE) and that the signatures have been validated. He ran a distant 5th is his first try to be on City Council in the 2017 election.

    All three are guaranteed victory if no one else files to run.

    Current Councilwoman Angie Settell’s term ends this December.

    Blair is 2-year incumbent

    Blair is running for the seat he was appointed to when former Mayor Mark Fitzgerald quit office on August 14, 2017 after petitions were circulated putting his recall and his council seat on the ballot. The petition recall effort could have resulted in a head-to-head race, Fitzgerald vs. Neal Oury who circulated the petitions.

    Up until August 18, of 2017, Blair was one of nine candidates on the ballot for four City Council seats. Blair removed his name from consideration so he would not take votes away from Rob Weisgerber, Ted Phelps, Neal Oury, or Tim Butler. It was a pre-arranged deal, under a possible scenario if Fitzgerald’s seat was not going to be on the ballot. After a ruling by the City Attorney, Mayor Bailey was allowed to appoint Blair to the seat that was still open in January of 2018.

    Weisgerber, Phelps, Oury, and Butler were elected in 2017.

    Word on the street is that former Councilwoman Pam Gross has picked up petitions from the BOE, however, that would not necessarily mean that Gross is running. She may or not circulate petitions, or she may have picked up the petitions for someone else who is interested in being on Council. Gross also ran in 2017 to keep her seat however was roundly defeated for re-election, finishing behind Bateman.

    Loveland School Board race

    No one has yet filed petitions to be a member of the Loveland Board of Education. There are 2 open seats for 4-year terms. Current Board Vice-President Kathy Lorenz is, however, gathering signatures. Word on the street is that current Board President Art Jarvis is also collecting signatures.

    The deadline for candidates to file nominating petitions to the BOE, either in the City Council Race or for a School Board seat is Aug 7.

    Loveland City Council will ask voters to approve a revised Charter on November 5 and the Loveland Board of Education is expected to place a Bond Issue on the ballot.

  • [Loveland Magazine TV] Councilwoman Angie Settell expresses concerns about proposed City Charter

    [Loveland Magazine TV] Councilwoman Angie Settell expresses concerns about proposed City Charter

    Loveland, Ohio – While speaking about proposals to change the City Charter, Councilwoman Angie Settell raised concerns about whether the Finance Director should be reporting to the City Manager or City Council.

    She said that the Council’s first responsibility is to be the keeper of the taxpayer’s money and that there needed to be checks and balances and a level of protection was being eliminated for no valid reason.

    She also raised concerns about proposed changes to the role of the Vice-Mayor in situations where the Mayor is incapable of performing their duties.

    The occasion was during a meeting on June 11, when Council was holding a public hearing to receive comments regarding proposed revisions to the Charter of the City.

    Councilmembers, Ted Phelps and Tim Butler; and acting Solicitor Matt Fellerhoff responded to Settell’s concerns.

    Read the proposed and current charter here: Proposed Loveland Charter

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  • Loveland’s Independence Day Celebration and Parade

    Loveland’s Independence Day Celebration and Parade

  • [Video] Alex Burnett takes Loveland Police Department oath

    [Video] Alex Burnett takes Loveland Police Department oath

    Loveland, Ohio – Alex Burnett was sworn into office on Tuesday, June 11 at City Hall during the council meeting. Chief Sean Rahe introduced Burnett and Mayor Kathy Bailey administered the oath.

     

     

     

    Brunett’s bio provided by the City:

    Chief Rahe introduced Officer Burnett by stating that he immigrated to the United States from Russia in 2001. Officer Burnett joined the United States Marines thereafter and was deployed to Iraq in 2004. After a seven-month deployment he was assigned to a reconnaissance training where he was deployed to Iraq a second time with a scout team. After four years of service, Alex was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps. Alex put himself through the police academy and was hired by the Ohio State Highway Patrol where he served for the past seven years.

    What is  ?

    Did you know that you can watch this movie on the Loveland Magazine Youtube Channel in high definition on your television in your living room? It’s where we have published all of our videos since 2014!

    Most TV’s have the YouTube app built-in. Go to the app and search for Loveland Magazine TV. Bookmark us so you can easily return to see new videos! Thanks for watching!

  • Interview with Ray Kingsbury and Misty Cheshire about Loveland U

    Interview with Ray Kingsbury and Misty Cheshire about Loveland U

    Spots for the Loveland U experience are limited!

    Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Who wouldn’t want to learn about a community built on “Love?” Loveland’s Clerk of Courts, Misty Cheshire, and Loveland U Director, Ray Kingsbury, joined Loveland Magazine at the Loveland Magazine TV studio to talk about the program that Mayor Kathy Bailey said, “City Council is committed to finding ways to help our residents understand the decisions we make, become more involved, and connect with the community; this program accomplishes all these goals and more.”

    In this interview, you can meet Ray and Misty and understand what they love about Loveland.

     

    Loveland U will be an interactive adult learning environment with minimal lecture time that focuses on finding ways to help Loveland residents understand obtain first-hand knowledge and provide valuable input and feedback into the issues, plans, and activities of the Loveland community.

    Loveland U’s purpose is to provide a way for residents to become more involved and connect with the community.

    Spots for the Loveland U experience are limited! Check out the interview with Cheshire and Kingsbury to find out how you can secure your Loveland U spot! Oh and don’t worry the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, thanks to an anonymous, but very generous person is giving out scholarships for those who want to participate in the Loveland U experience, but need a sponsor to take on their 99 dollar participation fee – a fee that offsets the cost associated with the materials and meals for the sessions. After viewing the interview if this is something you’re interested in, email info@lmrchamberalliance.org or call 513-683-1544.

    For everyone else:

    If you have any questions, contact, Ray Kingsbury, Loveland U Director, at rkingsbury@lovelandoh.gov, or by phone 513-774-3090.

    Click on these links: Loveland U Brochure and Loveland U Application.

    Loveland U 2019 Class Schedule

    The City of Loveland, along with partners, Little Miami Conservancy, Loveland City Schools, Loveland Stage Company, and Loveland Museum Center have joined forces to launch Loveland U.  Limited to just 25 participants, Loveland U will utilize an interactive adult learning environment with minimal lecture time.

    Thursday, September 12  Restoring Loveland’s Front Porch at the Loveland Museum Center

    Saturday, September 21 Navigating Our National Wild and Scenic River & Riverfront Development with Little Miami Conservancy

    Wednesday, September 25 Joining the Loveland Stage Company for A Peek Behind the Curtain at the Loveland Stage Company

    Thursday, October 3 Connecting with the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department to Feel the Heat

    Thursday, October 10 Discovering A Citizen’s Role in the Downtown Plan

    Thursday, October 17 Diving into NIMBYs, CAVE people and Financial Reckoning

    Wednesday, October 23 Painting Our Portrait of a Tiger with Loveland City Schools

    Wednesday, October 30 Standing Behind the Badge with the Loveland Police Department

    Saturday, November 9 Proceeding with Caution – Work in Progress! with Loveland Public Works

    Thursday, November 14 Celebrating your journey at Loveland U Graduation…Lovin Life

  • City establishes new fixed rate for members in electric aggregation program

    City establishes new fixed rate for members in electric aggregation program

    A Press Release from City Hall

    Loveland, Ohio (April 4, 2019) – City of Loveland officials are pleased to announce that they have established a low fixed rate for members in the City’s electric aggregation program. The City selected Dynegy as the program’s supplier following a competitive proposal process for a two-year program starting with the May 2019 meter read.  Dynegy recently won a competitive proposal process and is replacing Constellation as the program’s supplier. Program members will pay a low fixed rate of 5.015 cents/kWh for their May 2019 through May 2021 meter reads. Residents should look for a mailer from Dynegy on or about April 8th, announcing the new rates, terms and conditions.

    “We’re excited about the two-year offer of 5.015 cents/kWh which is lower than the expiring rate that served us well. The savings will be a benefit to our residents,” said Dave Kennedy, City Manager of Loveland. Kennedy concluded by saying, “Current program members and those customers who are receiving their electric supply from the local utility, Duke Energy, will receive an opt-out letter. The letter will explain the low offer we negotiated and the means to opt-out should a customer not want to participate in the program. Residents will have 21 days to return an opt-out card to Dynegy, if they decide not to participate.”

    Mayor Kathy Bailey said, “We are delighted by the low fixed rate for Loveland residents and businesses. This low rate will allow residents to predict their costs for the next two years.  Our rate of 5.015 cents/kWh is very attractive, and we expect participation rates in our program to be high.  Customers who are currently served by other suppliers may also join the City’s program by contacting Dynegy at 888-682-2170.”

    Customers served by another supplier should review the obligations in their existing contract before joining the City of Loveland program, as many suppliers charge a fee for early termination. Customers wishing to join the program must be in good standing with their bill payment and cannot be part of the utility’s percentage of income payment program (PIPP).

    The City is pleased to have made this program possible but asks that you do not call the city offices.  They are not equipped to handle a large volume of calls.  If residents have any questions, they should contact Dynegy at 888-682-2170 after the opt-out notice arrives.

     

  • City Engineer reports suggested fixes to prevent crashes into the low clearance, train trestle

    City Engineer reports suggested fixes to prevent crashes into the low clearance, train trestle

    Loveland, Ohio – On February 26, City Engineer, Cindy Klopfenstein,  said that during the first nine months of 2018, the City experienced 33 reported vehicle crashes into the low clearance, train trestle on Karl Brown Way in Historic Downtown Loveland.* To reduce the number of wrecks and traffic congestion they cause, the City hired Choice One Engineering to complete a safety study of the area.

    Based on the study, Klopfenstein reported on her evaluation of the findings. This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video is Klopfenstein’s report to City Council.

    * From the minutes of the Council meeting: “City Engineer, Cindy Klopfenstein, noted that during the first nine months of 2018, the City experienced 33 reported crashes at the train trestle on Karl Brown Way.” We should have paid more attention to what the City Engineer actually said, rather than what the minutes reported she said. Klopfenstein says in the video, that the 33 crashes occurred from 2016 through the first 9 months of 2018, not just the first 9 months of 2018.