LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: loveland council

2-story 275 space garage pivots to 140 space surface lot

This Loveland Magazine file photo shows where a new surface lot is proposed. Visitors to Historic Downtown already use the semi-improved lot for parking. Much of the soil will be removed if a new lot is constructed. Previously an “Indian Mound” was thought to be at the site.

Loveland, Ohio – On May 9, City Manager Dave Kennedy proposed to City Council that a new surface parking lot be constructed on city-owned property located at 213 N. 2nd Street in Historic Downtown. The city previously planned for the construction of a two-storied downtown parking garage on the property. Approximately 275 new parking spaces were proposed on the parcel which the taxpayers purchased in 2019. The land is behind City Hall and adjacent to the Works Restaurant between First Street and S.R. 48.

The cost of the garage was estimated to be $6,292,627, which amounted to almost $23,000 per/vehicle.

In a May 9 memorandum to City Council, Kennedy said:

“Recognizing that there is not currently a viable outside funding source to reduce the amount of debt funding needed to construct the parking garage, and realizing the impact that the COVID pandemic has had on inflating construction costs, city staff is proposing that we pivot and utilize grant monies already awarded to the city, for construction of a surface parking lot in the same location as the proposed parking garage.”

Kennedy added, “If a surface parking lot is the desired direction of City Council, we anticipate being able to construct a lot, similar to the Linda J. Cox Trailside Parking Area with a minimum of 140 spaces.” The Linda J. Cox Trailside Parking Area near Eads Hardware and Loveland Canoe and Kayak has 125 spaces.

The surface lot would provide vehicular and pedestrian access to and from State Route 48 into the downtown business district, according to the City Manager.

In preparation for the eventual construction of either a garage or surface lot the City contracted with the firm Environment & Archaeology to complete both a Geophysical Survey and a Phase I Archaeological Survey in an effort to determine if “cultural resources” were on the land. Previously, an “Indian Mound” was thought to be at the site. The supposition was based on an 1848 map of Loveland. In his report, Kennedy said that archaeological survey determined that the possible Indian Mound consisted of fill dirt and not a “pre-contact cultural feature”. The archeological studies cost $40,020. (Questions arise about possible Native American remains and “Mound” at site of proposed Parking Garage in the Historic District)

To date, the city has received $900,000 in grant funding from the Ohio Capital Budget which is administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), and $250,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), a total of $1,150,000. ODNR receives $18,000 of the capital funding for project administration. This reduces the total available to the City to $1,132,000.

In April of 2022 resident Lauren Enda said at a council meeting that according to Loveland’s Director of Finance, Mark Medlar, Loveland taxpayers had already spent $980,000 on purchasing the site, demolition, and design engineering for the “multi-million dollar” proposed garage. Enda had advocated for residents to be given the chance to vote the proposed parking garage up or down at the ballot box.

Kennedy reported to Council, “Although the estimated cost for construction of the surface lot will not be known until the design process is completed, the project engineer feels that a surface parking lot and underground detention can be constructed with the existing grant funding. To assure there is adequate funding to complete the project with maximum parking space and acknowledging that construction will extend into 2024, city staff recommends earmarking all FY2024 Downtown TIF revenue towards project costs which may exceed the grant funding. Utilizing Downtown TIF dollars towards the surface lot is a proper use of these funds as they are directly generated by private investment into the downtown district.”

The report recommended that all parking be free of charge.

The total cost of the engineering and design proposal is estimated to be $51,500. Kennedy said the project would be completed by May of 2024.

A resolution was introduced authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with McGill Smith Punshon Design for design and engineering services related to the construction of the downtown surface parking lot. All Council members approved moving forward with the revised plan.

The previously proposed 2-storied parking garage.

Jun 20, 2023
Council approves purchase of Mobil station in Historic Downtown

by David Miller

Loveland, Ohio – Last night by a unanimous “emergency” vote, City Council voted to allow City Manager Dave Kennedy to proceed with the purchase of the Mobil gas station at the corner of West Loveland and State Route 48 in Historic Downtown Loveland.

The ordinance authorizes the City Manager to execute a purchase agreement for the property located at 106 West Loveland Avenue for the construction of a turn lane and other traffic improvements.

You can read the background and details of the purchase here:

City Council set for emergency vote on purchase of Mobil Gas Station in Historic Downtown

In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV segment, you can watch Kennedy explain why the Ordinance was declared an “emergency”, some of the financing of the project, how tax increment financing will be used, the turn lane, and a pocket park he intends to construct on the site.

Mar 9, 2022
[Video] Kim Lukens is concerned about so much promotion of drinking in Historic Downtown Loveland

Loveland, Ohio – Loveland resident Kim Lukens went to the open forum podium at the Loveland Council meeting on Tuesday, October 23, to express her views about alcohol consumption and the Council’s promotion of drinking in Historic Downtown.

Lunkens is a licensed professional social worker and counselor. She told Council that they are encouraging “irresponsible alcohol habits.” She asked, “I wonder if you all can think of another way to bring prosperity into our City that doesn’t involve alcohol?”

She added that she doesn’t encourage her adult children to visit Loveland because of the “tremendous” focus on alcohol.

Lukens started by reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

Nov 30, 2021
Loveland Magazine “Local Voter Guide” to issues and candidates

If you find value in this Voter Guide and the expense involved in putting it together, please…Loveland, Ohio – Below you can read the ballot language for the increase in taxes the Loveland Board of Education is asking you to approve. You can also read the text of current and proposed changes City Council wants you to approve to the City Charter.

Loveland City Council at Large – 3 to be elected – 4-year term

Pat Ahr

Clermont Co. –

Hamilton Co. –

Warren Co. –

TOTAL –

Kathy Bailey

Clermont Co. –

Hamilton Co. –

Warren Co. –

TOTAL –

Andy Bateman

Clermont Co. –

Hamilton Co. –

Warren Co. –

TOTAL –

Kent G. Blair

Clermont Co. –

Hamilton Co. –

Warren Co. –

TOTAL –

Cory O’Donnell

Clermont Co. –

Hamilton Co. –

Warren Co. –

TOTAL –

Angela L. Settell

Clermont Co. –

Hamilton Co. –

Warren Co. –

TOTAL –

Loveland Board of Education – 2 to be elected – 4-year term

Arthur R. Jarvis

Clermont Co. –

Hamilton Co. –

Warren Co. –

TOTAL –

Kathryn Lorenz

Clermont Co. –

Hamilton Co. –

Warren Co. –

TOTAL –

Symmes Township Trustee – 1 to be elected – 4-year term

Phil Beck

CJ Carr

Symmes Township Fiscal Officer – 1 to be elected – 4-year term

Joseph C. Grossi

Milford Council at Large – 4 to be elected – 4-year term

Edward J. Haskins

Kyle Mitchell

Benjamin Redman

Sandra Russell

Milford School Board

Emily Chestnut

Clermont Co. –

Hamilton Co. –

Warren Co. –

TOTAL –

Mike Durkee

Clermont Co. –

Hamilton Co. –

TOTAL –

Dave Meranda

Clermont Co. –

Hamilton Co. –

TOTAL –

James Rhodes

Clermont Co. –

Hamilton Co. –

TOTAL –

Goshen Township Trustee

Bob Hausermann

Bill Pitman

Goshen Township Fiscal Officer

Laura Engled

Goshen School Board – Full term 2 to be elected

John Benthien

Julie Casey

Derrick Holmes

Goshen School Board (unexpired term) – 1 to be elected

Deborah S. Gray

Miami Township (Clermont County) Trustee

Ken Tracy

Miami Township (Clermont County) Fiscal Officer

Eric C. Ferry

Judge of Hamilton County Municipal Court – 1 to be elected per district – 6-year term (District 5)

Kari L. Bloom

Heather S. Russell

ISSUES

Loveland City Council will ask voters to approve a Revised Charter.

Clermont Co. –

YES –

NO –

Hamilton Co. –

YES –

NO –

Warren Co. –

YES –

NO –

TOTAL –

YES –

NO –

Loveland Board of Education is asking voters to approve a combined Operating and Bond Levy.

Clermont Co.

YES –

NO –

Hamilton Co.

YES –

NO –

Warren Co.

YES –

NO –

TOTAL –

YES –

NO –

Goshen Local School District

Bond Levy 5.24 mills – 34 years

For –

Against –

Milford City

Renewal with an Increase 17 mills – for Fire & EMS – for 5 years

For –

Against

Goshen School Bond Levy

Shall bonds be issued by the Goshen Local School District, Counties of Clermont and Warren, for the purpose of site acquisition, new construction, improvements, renovations and additions to school facilities and providing equipment, furnishings and site improvements therefor, in the principal amount of thirty‐one million dollars ($31,000,000), to be repaid annually over a maximum period of thirty‐four (34) years, and an annual levy of property taxes be made outside of the ten‐mill limitation, estimated by the county auditor to average over the repayment period of the bond issue five and twenty‐four hundreds (5.24) mills for each one dollar of tax valuation, which amounts to fifty‐two and four‐tenths cents ($0.524) for each one hundred dollars of tax valuation, commencing in 2019, first due in calendar year 2020, to pay the annual debt charges on the bonds, and to pay debt charges on any notes issued in anticipation of those bonds?

YES

NO

Kings Local School District

Shall bonds be issued by the Kings Local School District, for the purpose of site acquisition, new construction, improvements, renovations and additions to school facilities and providing equipment, furnishings and site improvements therefor, in the principal amount of $89,975,000 to be repaid annually over a maximum period of 37 years, and an annual levy of property taxes be made outside the ten‐mill limitation, estimated by the county auditor to average over the repayment period of the bond issue 4.96 mills for each one dollar of tax valuation, which amounts to $0.496 for each one hundred dollars of tax valuation, commencing in 2019, first due in calendar year 2020, to pay the annual debt charge on the bonds, and to pay debt charges on any notes issued in anticipation of those bonds?

YES

NO

Hamilton County

Tax Levy (Renewal) – .34ml 5yr – Family Services & Treatment Programs

For –

Against

Tax Levy – (Renewal) – 4.13ml 5yr – Developmental Disabilities

For –

Against

Sycamore School Bond Issue

Shall bonds be issued by the Sycamore Community City School District for the purpose of new construction, improvements, renovations, and additions to school facilities, and providing equipment, furnishings, and site development and improvements, and all necessary appurtenances therefor, in the principal amount of one hundred twenty-seven million five hundred thousand dollars ($127,500,000), to be repaid annually over a maximum period of thirty (30) years, and an annual levy of property taxes be made outside of the ten-mill limitation, estimated by the county auditor to average over the repayment period of the bond issue four (4) mills for each one dollar of tax valuation, which amounts to forty cents ($0.40) for each one hundred dollars of tax valuation, commencing in 2019, first due in calendar year 2020, to pay the annual debt charges on the bonds, and to pay debt charges on any notes issued in anticipation of those bonds?

FOR THE BOND ISSUE

AGAINST THE BOND ISSUE

Nearby Warren County Issues

Hamilton Township Fire Levy Additional 1.0 mill CPT.PDF

For –

Against

Hamilton Township Police Levy Additional 1.0 mill CPT.PDF

For –

Against

Kings Schools Bond and Tax Levy $89,975,000 averaging 4.96 mills for 37 …

For –

Against

Lebanon City Schools Additional Levy 4.99 mills for 4 years

For –

Against

Helpful Links:

Clermont County Board of Elections

Hamilton County Board of Elections

Warren County Board of Elections

Ohio Secretary of State

League of Women Voters

League of Women Voters of Cincinnati Area

Smart Voter

Register to vote, find your polling place, ballot info, and more:

VISIT VOTE411.ORG

If you find value in this Voter Guide and the expense involved in putting it together, please…

Aug 10, 2019
Meet the Council Candidates Night on Thursday, October 26

Photo not provided by Stephen G. Zamagias

Loveland Chamber and Loveland Magazine partner to bring you Meet the Candidates for Loveland City Council Night

Loveland Middle School Media Center

801 South Lebanon Rd.

Thursday, October 26 at 7 PM

Doors Open at 6:30 PM

by David Miller, Publisher

Will City Hall be demolished? One, two, or four-story? Who will be Loveland’s next Mayor? Who will be appointed to fill the remaining two-year term vacated by former mayor Mark Fitzgerald? Will pro-growth or slow growth protect our values and environment candidates be elected? Which candidates will be more transparent? Which candidates will have the best temperament when their actions are brought into question? Who will shorten your commute time? Who has the thickest skin and a pleasant disposition? Will new bosses be just like the old bosses?

What would you like to ask those who want a special seat of trust at City Hall for the next four-years?

I am pleased that Loveland Magazine can partner this year with the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance to bring the candidates for Loveland Council together in one room to face voters and their questions. Voters will have the opportunity to meet the candidates at 6:30 PM and at 7 PM the candidates will begin presenting their case and asking for your vote.

LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV will be broadcasting the forum “live” on Loveland Magazine’s Facebook page, so, people that cannot be at the forum to meet the candidates in person, can watch it wherever they are. Folks can watch on their smartphones, tablets, computers, or even on the widescreen of their smart TV in their family room. Organize your own watch party.

The forum will be rebroadcast on both our Facebook Page and at www.lovelandmagazine.com so folks can watch at any time leading right up to election day.

Residents can comment in “real-time” on the Loveland Magazine Facebook page during the live broadcast or afterward by watching the re-broadcast.

Judge Brad Greenberg is the Presiding and Administrative Judge for the Hamilton County Municipal Court.

At the Forum, residents will be putting their questions into a “hat,” and all questions will be screened for duplicates by Pastor Bill Hounshell. Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge and former Loveland Mayor Brad Greenberg will be the moderator for the evening and ask as many questions as time allows.

CeeCee Collins, President of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance said, “I feel it is important to allow the residents and voters to meet and ask questions prior to going to vote on November 7. Our intent is to provide the community the opportunity to ask questions and make an informed choice when voting.”

There will be a similar Meet the Candidates Night for voters on, October 25, at 7 PM at the Loveland Middle School Media Center. The School Board Meet the Candidate Night will be moderated by former Board President Dr. Judy McClanahan.

The doors will open at 6:30 PM on both nights.

Oct 18, 2017
Off and on again Council meeting for Tuesday?

by David Miller, Publisher

Loveland, Ohio – Apparently Tuesday’s City Council meeting will take place, however, there may be no business conducted. On Thursday, September 21 Loveland Magazine received the following email from Loveland’s Vice Mayor Angie Settell:

Never before receiving a press release from an individual member of the council, Loveland Magazine proceeded cautiously on reporting the press release. In this highly charged election season, it seemed prudent to verify Settell’s message and verify that it, in fact, came from her. Press releases are almost always either sent out from the City Manager’s office or the Clerk of Council. Add to that, the release sent by Settell referred to “We” as if it was being sent on behalf of others or from City Hall.

After receiving the “Press Release” we looked on the City Web site to see if in fact the meeting was canceled as the release might suggest. It was not. It was still listed as a public meeting and there was no “Press Release” on the website such as the one Settell sent out, the City Facebook page, or the City Twitter page. Looking at the City Facebook page also confirmed that there was a council meeting on Tuesday, September 26.

An email was sent to the Clerk of Council and the City Manager asking for clarification. We asked two questions. Did it come from Settell? Is there a meeting?

City Manager Dave Kennedy answered at 2 Pm on Monday simply saying, “There will not be enough members for a quorum at tomorrow’s meeting.”

Clerk of Council Misty Cheshire responded at 5:43 PM on Monday by saying, “The press release did not come from the City and was independently done by an individual council member. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow night and will take place if a quorum is present.”

After the recent resignation of former Mayor, Mark Fitzgerald there remains six members of Council. A quorum of Council would be four. Settell’s release would suggest that three of the six council members do not plan on attending Tuesday’s meeting. She did not say which members would not be attending.

Not on the meeting agenda, but a decision that could be made at any future meeting is a vote on who will take Fitzgerald’s seat and serve the remaining two years of his vacated term. It will require at least four members to agree on a replacement. A 3-3 split council as it is today is a delicate attendance balance.

You can read the Agenda for the meeting where apparently none of the business listed will be conducted.

LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV will be at City Hall tomorrow night at 7 PM and be broadcasting live on our Facebook Page.

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.

Sep 25, 2017
[Video] Dick Dyson still wants answers about Pam Gross

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Please excuse the quality of our recent video work from the Loveland City Hall council chamber. After the City recently hired a Public Information Officer (PIO), LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV, USA-Today videographers, and Cincinnati Area TV stations have been put into a small corral to one side of the room, and the podium was placed so that when the public rises to speak, they have their backs toward the audience and our camera. We have talked to the PIO, City Manager and the Clerk of Council about how this arrangement significantly degrades our video, “The old set-up allowed a video camera to swing back and forth between those at the podium and the council table. That arrangement had been used for decades.”

Our plea has fallen on deaf ears. The PIO, however, did respond saying, “Unfortunately, the arrangement of the media area will not be moved to accommodate better angles at this time.”

So, for the time being, LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV is forced to show butts instead of faces, except when Councilwoman Pam Gross uses the podium. (See this recent video)

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Its like talking to the wall

Loveland, Ohio – At the June 13 Council meeting, Dick Dyson spoke at Open Forum. He said that at the previous Council meeting, he asked if it was appropriate for a City Council member to sit on the Planning and Zoning Commission and also serve as the Vice President of the Community Improvement Corporation. He to date has received no answer, so he was asking the question again. He said, “Its like talking to the wall,” he said.

He said that Councilwoman Pam Gross has considerable influence and far more influence than should be allowed. Mr. Dyson wanted to know how he could get an answer to his question.

Now Enrolling at All About Kids at Wards Corner today!

Jul 19, 2017