Tag: election

  • Future of City Hall: An open letter to City Council

    Future of City Hall: An open letter to City Council

    Can you please tell me, what is the harm in slowing this process down just a little?



    by Stacy Mullenix

    Dear Council and City Manager,
     
    Good afternoon.  I am a relatively new resident, having moved my family from Blue Ash to Loveland in 2014, though I grew up in Symmes Twp. and have spent a great deal of time in Loveland since childhood. 
     
    I am writing to share my disappointment in the recent activities and decisions regarding the future of City Hall, as well as ask some questions so that I may have a better understanding of the process.   
     
    There are many questions being circulated amongst residents, of which I am sure you are aware. There was a motion made at the May 9 th meeting by Mr. Weisgerber to engage with the public in discussions and idea-sharing sessions, to hold a true dialogue. To me, this would be a tremendous step towards resolving some of the hostility currently being displayed between residents and council. 
    [pull_quote_right]To those of you who voted against this motion, your lack of willingness and openness to this engagement is disheartening at best.[/pull_quote_right]
     
    To those of you who voted against this motion, your lack of willingness and openness to this engagement is disheartening at best, sorely disappointing, and quite frankly, feels like a violation of the trust we, as residents, should have in our elected officials.  
     
    I am not opposed to change and well-planned, well-thought out growth and development, but I do have many questions about the City Hall project. As much as I appreciate the opportunity to attend the CIC meetings to possibly get answers to these questions, I am unable to do so. Like so many residents, I hold a full time job during the day which precludes me from attending, so I am posing some of my questions here. 
     
    I have copied Mr. Kennedy as well in hopes that someone can and will provide some insight for me on the following. 
     
    1. Can you please tell me, what is the harm in slowing this process down just a little, for, if nothing else, the sake of repairing relations with the citizens you are supposed to be representing? 
     
    2. Are there significant financial (or other) consequences of pushing this project back 6-12 months to allow for better education of and input from residents? 
     
    3. If Loveland does not have the infrastructure (streets, parking, etc.) to accommodate large community events, how will the increased traffic and stress of so many additional apartment units be handled? 
     
    4. Have any environmental studies been conducted, or when will they be done? I am curious about this given the proximity to the river and the floodplain status of the property, as well as for the impact the dust and debris will have on neighboring businesses and residents. 
     
    5. How can we be assured the architecture and design of any new building will fit in and help maintain the quaint, historic charm of our downtown? Something that was missed with Loveland Station and the new “Historic Downtown” sign at Veteran’s Park. Will there be scheduled and announced times for residents to provide any input on the design plans?   
     
    Thank you for your time.
    Stacy Mullenix
     

  • Councilwoman Angie Settell to residents: “Enough is enough.”

    Councilwoman Angie Settell to residents: “Enough is enough.”

    “Yeah sorry, you’re gonna have to listen.”

    Loveland, Ohio – This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video was recorded during the April 11 Loveland City Council meeting.

     



    Loveland Sweets – Fine Candies

     
    Loveland Sweets is a purveyor of hand-crafted chocolates, caramels, marshmallows, and ice creams. Our house-made candies are prepared in small batches.


     
  • Chamber asks for Loveland Council to return their two signature events

    Chamber asks for Loveland Council to return their two signature events

    In describing her version of how the dust-up transpired, Pam Gross turned to Kathy Bailey and said, “And, you can sit there and think, oh, whoopee-do – but, it’s a big deal.”

    Loveland, Ohio – CeeCee Collins, the President of the Little Miami Chamber Alliance appeared at the  Loveland Council meeting on April 11 and spoke at the open forum about the Chamber’s recent expansion into Miami and Symmes Townships. She talked about Chamber programs and how they have helped new members since the expansion.

    Collins also commented on what she described as, “The two events that were taken from the Chamber” by the City of Loveland: Christmas in Loveland and the annual Fourth of July Celebration. She said, speaking about their Firecracker Festival and why it was moved to Symmes Township, “Make no mistake, we were consulted by City Staff and Council to do so.” She said the event was moved to “appease” leadership at City Hall. She said the Chamber wants to reach out to the City and let them help with these two events that last year cost the taxpayers over $20,000 when the two events were organized by City Staff. She said if the City should decide to again to partner with local businesses, the events would cost taxpayers nothing or a minimal amount.

    She asked Council to vote during the meeting to return both events to the Chamber. “We hope you will put your City and the businesses first.”

    Councilwoman Kathy Bailey made a motion to return the events to the Chamber. She said there is no question the City lost money on the events and, “We’ve got someone willing to run them – that’s run them well.”

    In making a case for the City retaining the events, Councilwoman Pam Gross said that the Chamber’s vision for a community event is not “Our vision of a community event.” Gross continued by going over her interpretation of why the Chamber’s Fourth of July event was moved to Symmes Township’s Home of the Brave Park. She said that behind the City’s back, Collins contacted Symmes officials in March of 2016 because the Chamber wanted to have the Firecracker Festival in one of their parks. She turned to Bailey and said, “And, you can sit there and think, oh, whoopee-do – but, it’s a big deal. “The point is, they want to grow their event and I respect that, but, logistics here in Loveland and the infrastructure here in Loveland does not fit an event of 10,000 or more people.”

    Gross said, speaking about Christmas in Loveland, “No one can steal events.”

    Laughter of disbelief came from the audience with someone saying, “Yes you did.”

    Gross responded to the audience by saying, “Excuse me. You cannot steal something that does not belong to you, OK? The events belonged to the community. These were community events. Cities all across the United States put on events and they put on these events because it fits what they think the community wants and needs.” Gross said she does not support Bailey’s motion.

    Councilman Steve Zamagias said he didn’t think Council should vote on issues that the Chamber and City staff should work out.

    Bailey, Ted Phelps, and Rob Weisgerber voted to return the events to the Chamber. Angie Settell, Steven Zamagias, Mark Fitzgerald, and Gross voted, “No.”

    BACKGROUND: “On the sly” – How City Hall pirated Christmas in Loveland

     



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  • Memo from CIC to Council for building a new City Hall

    Memo from CIC to Council for building a new City Hall

    Loveland, Ohio – This memorandum is the Community Improvement Corporation’s (CIC) update to City Council regarding their recommendations and options for build a new City Hall. This recommendation is set to be presented to City Council at their regular 7 PM meeting on May, 9. City Council is expected to vote on setting a date and time for public hearings on the recommendation.

    For Background: [Exclusive Video] How new City Hall project will be rolled out to the public





     

  • [Exclusive Video] How new City Hall project will be rolled out to the public

    [Exclusive Video] How new City Hall project will be rolled out to the public

    Loveland, Ohio – On Tuesday. May 9 at 7 PM during the Loveland City Council meeting, Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), President, Jay Stewart is scheduled to present their “City Hall Repurposing Recommendation” to Council.

    Council is expected to set a date for a public hearing on the recommendation.

    These LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV videos are the last CIC meeting on May 3 when they discussed how the new City Hall project should be rolled out to the public. (See background information here: [Exclusive Video] CIC’s talks dollars and cents on new City Hall)

    Also, here is the revised powerpoint presentation issued by the CIC that was prepared by consultant Ken Geis with facts and figures about what a new City Hall might look like and the costs associated with several variations. New slides were added last week to reflect a proposal by Councilwoman and CIC member, Pam Gross to include a 2-1/2 story building. This proposal is for an indoor/outdoor rooftop area to be used for such gatherings as weddings or events such as held at Receptions on Loveland Madeira Road, according to Gross. She also said that if a bar or restaurant is located on the first floor of the new building, they might want to lease the rooftop as well.

     



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  • [Exclusive Video] CIC’s talks dollars and cents on new City Hall

    [Exclusive Video] CIC’s talks dollars and cents on new City Hall

    The final videos have been up-loaded including recommendation to City Council

    Loveland, Ohio – The Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) got serious with numbers on April 24 when consultant Ken Geis brought slides with his facts and figures about what a new City Hall might look like and the costs associated with several variations.

    These LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV videos are the only recording of the meeting and will be presented in several parts so viewers can digest what is being proposed – stop, then go back at your viewing pleasure. Not all of the meeting video has been up-loaded yet, so return here tomorrow to see more. You will find that the conclusion of the meeting is most revealing.

    For most of City council and staff, this is also their only opportunity to see what transpired at this 1 PM meeting. The Fire Marshall came and reduced the number of attendees in the too small, crowded room which included some city staff who volunteered to leave. Some members of the public never quite made it into the undersized room in the first place.

    Also, as an exclusive to our readers, CLICK below to see all of the slides Ken Geis used while making his presentation to CIC.

     

     

    BACKGROUND



    Loveland Sweets – Fine Candies

     
    Loveland Sweets is a purveyor of hand-crafted chocolates, caramels, marshmallows, and ice creams. Our house-made candies are prepared in small batches


  • [Exclusive Video]  Jenny Lindgren has questions about a new City Hall

    [Exclusive Video] Jenny Lindgren has questions about a new City Hall

    Loveland, Ohio –  Jenny Lindgren said she was born and raised in Loveland and her family goes all the way back to the mid-1850’s, before Loveland was even a village. “Everything about Loveland is part of who I am,” she said. She spoke at the last Council meeting and said she didn’t know if she was upset about replacing City Hall, she just wanted to know why City Council was doing it.

    Lindgren also had questions about the size and parking. She asked if it will it take away parking or will it affect traffic during construction. Lindgren lives nearby and says sometimes the traffic is so bad she can’t get off her own street. She wanted to know how it was going to be financed, from borrowing, or money the City already has. 

    She said she has heard that the project will not be put out for bids and wanted to know if that was true.

    She also asked about the design because she said there are people that are unhappy with the  looks of Loveland Station Apartments across the street in Historic Downtown. 



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  • [Exclusive Video] CIC’s talks dollars and cents on new City Hall

    [Exclusive Video] CIC’s talks dollars and cents on new City Hall

    Loveland, Ohio – The Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) got serious with numbers on April 24 when consultant Ken Geis brought slides with his facts and figures about what a new City Hall might look like and the costs associated with several variations.

    These LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV videos are the only recording of the meeting and will be presented in several parts so viewers can digest what is being proposed – stop, then go back at your viewing pleasure. You will find that the conclusion of the meeting is most, revealing.

    For most of City council and staff, this is also their only opportunity to see what transpired at this 1 PM meeting. The Fire Marshall came and reduced the number of attendees in the too small, crowded room which included some city staff who volunteered to leave. Some members of the public never quite made it into the undersized room in the first place.

    Also, as an exclusive to our readers, CLICK below to see all of the slides Ken Geis used while making his presentation to CIC.

     

    BACKGROUND



    Loveland Sweets – Fine Candies

     
    Loveland Sweets is a purveyor of hand-crafted chocolates, caramels, marshmallows, and ice creams. Our house-made candies are prepared in small batches


  • [Exclusive Video] Oury will run to replace Fitzgerald in recall election

    [Exclusive Video] Oury will run to replace Fitzgerald in recall election

    Loveland, Ohio – Neil Oury began an election speech during the public forum at Tuesday’s council meeting by reading part of the preamble of council rules:

    As leaders of the community, City Council as a body and as individual members must lead by example and as such, shall hold themselves to the highest professional and ethical standards at all times. Council members are expected to be honorable and courteous while conducting city business.

    He said the preamble was why he was there speaking at the council meeting. “I feel it is very important for open and honest dialogue to happen at all times. That every person’s voice be heard and acknowledged, to understand each others’ views and opinions, but most importantly it is time to make sure we as citizens and a council do what is best and approved by for the City of Loveland.”

    Oury further said he was unhappy with the “Current majority actions and that recent changes to the membership of the CIC Board do not project transparency. The City is being rushed into a multi-million dollar public-private partnership without resident sanctions.”

    Loveland Mayor Mark Fitzgerald had no comment at the council meeting about the efforts to recall him. (File Photo)

    The CIC (Community Improvement Corporation) is a private corporation allowed under Ohio law to be a quasi-government development arm of municipal governments.

    [pull_quote_left]Oury said he feels that Mayor Mark Fitzgerald has lost the trust of the residentsl.[/pull_quote_left]Oury said he feels that Mayor Mark Fitzgerald has lost the trust of the residents and in his eye it’s time for change on City council He said he has twice asked him to resign and since he has not, he is presenting a petition for recall to the City Solicitor and the Council Clerk. (See Petition below)

    When the meeting was over Fitzgerald was asked if he had any comments he wanted to make about the recall petition. He said, “No” and walked away from the camera. The petition was being circulated at the meeting for residents to sign.

    Oury also announced that he was running for council to replace Fitzgerald. He said the recall committee will need 600 signatures of registered Loveland voters, and he will need 400 signatures on his own nominating petition. It is unclear if the recall election will be held on August 8, the date the Ohio Secretary of State has set for a “Special Election” or if the recall election will be held on the General Election date of November 7.

    Fitzgerald is currently into the 2nd year of a four-year term which ends in December of 2019.

    There will be 4 seats open for Council this November. The terms of current members, Pam Gross, Ted Phelps, Robert Weisgerber, and Stephen Zamagias will expire on December 4, 2017.

     

     



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  • [Exclusive Video] Farmers’ fee fight ends with bitter bite

    [Exclusive Video] Farmers’ fee fight ends with bitter bite

    Loveland, Ohio – This acrimonious, City Council debate may have brought to close the months-long debate over fees the Loveland Farmers’ Market and other groups planning public events in the City will have to pay. It will almost certainly not bring to end citizen debate about future vision for the City.

    [quote_left]”The majority’s unilateral decision to welch on the deal is nothing short of outrageous.” – Kathy Bailey[/quote_left]The debate at the Council meeting on April 11, angry and loud at times, was over the last piece of legislation regulating public and private events. The Transient Businesses and Vendors, Mobile Food Vendors and Food Trucks ordinance was approved. The last contentious provision was that people and businesses supporting public and private events in the City will be required to undergo fingerprinting and background checks. The ordinance also regulates vendors going door-to-door selling goods and services.

    Councilwoman Kathy Bailey said that after many hours negotiating what she thought was a compromise agreement that Council would vote on, a different ordinance was placed on the agenda. Council members, Rob Weisgerber and Ted Phelps also were surprised that the replacement ordinance appeared. Bailey said she did not know where it came from or who wrote it. The ordinance passed with Bailey, Phelps, and Weisgerber opposed. Mayor Mark Fitzgerald, Vice-Mayor Angie Settell, Pam Gross, and Steven Zamagias voted, “Yes.”

    Gross did not agree with Bailey’s assessment of a compromise, saying, “I have no idea why you think there was an agreement.”

    [quote_right]”You can’t renege on something no one has ever agreed to.” – Pam Gross[/quote_right]”Bailey said, “The blue line version that was distributed on March 28th represented the compromise reached between the majority and the minority, with Ms. Gross and myself representing each respectively, with Mr. Braun acting as an intermediary.” Joe Braun is the City Solicitor.

    Bailey said that everything in that version had been previously agreed to by all parties. The major changes from that version versus what the majority surprised us with in the April 11th packet have to do with the fees charged. According to Bailey, the agreed-upon version capped fees for special events. “The version sprung upon us by the majority removes that language. I thought the blue line version represented a fair compromise and would like to have seen that passed. If the majority disagreed, the time to raise the issue was during our many hours of discussion and negotiation, not two weeks after agreeing to the blue line version.”

    Bailey said that she was encouraged that, despite all the recent turmoil, the majority and minority were able to come together, albeit through an intermediary, and engage in a dialogue to reach a compromise. But added, “The majority’s unilateral decision to welch on the deal is nothing short of outrageous. The majority’s nonsensical explanation that there was no deal is patently false, and does not bode well for future collaboration, as without trust there can be no meaningful dialogue.”

    In the end, Bailey was able to push through two amendments. The ordinance now says the event organizers, instead of City staff, will be responsible for ensuring individual vendors, or the event itself, has suitable insurance. The event organizers will also now be responsible for the background checks.

     
     
     
     
    In this video below, Bailey expresses her dismay that the compromise ordinance was not in front of Council for a vote. Pam Gross said, “Ms. Bailey, first of all, you can’t renege on something no one has ever agreed to.”  Debate on the compromise that Gross said never happens ensues and a final vote is taken. 
     
     
     
     
     
    Farmers’ Market spokesperson, Peggy Goodwin told Loveland Magazine that despite the last-minute changes the market will open May 2. Read her Guest Column:
     

    The “BLUE LINED” version