Visual Improvement Program

Washington Township, Ohio

3:30PM

VIP members present: Marlene Tiernan, Chairperson; Gordon Dodane, Sandra Drain, Mable Leyes, and Bob Harrington. VIP Consultant, Sandra Spees, Greg DeLong, Senior Planner, and Tom Toberen, Deputy Administrator were present. Guests, Lynn Eddington of LAMAR Management and Buddy Mullins, property manager of J. Alexanders, were present also.

The meeting began with introductions of guests and a review of the reason for their attendance. When Spees met with April Baker, representative of the new Fricker’s Restaurant, she learned of concern for the retention pond that is adjacent to the restaurant property. To determine what needs to be done to improve the management of the pond Eddington and Mullins, as well as Baker, were invited to attend the VIP meeting. Mullins, Eddington and VIP members discussed concerns about the appearance of the pond. Spees noted that the pond is a mosquito breeding area because the water is still and should have some mechanics to move the water so the insects cannot breed. Because the property is managed by LAMAR, as the business owner’s association, that entity has authority to determine the landscape care and maintenance. They have worked with a landscape company to clean the bank of the pond. Weeds and scrub will be removed approximately 25 feet down the bank. To control erosion grass will be planted and mowed regularly. After the clean-up is complete LAMAR will meet with Spees to discuss further landscaping.

Photos of the September Beautification Award nominees were presented to the VIP members. Voting was completed and the following addresses won.

1701 Provincetown Road

1936 West Spring Valley Pike

6150 Locust Hill Road

7626 Kings Run Road

9651 Burnet Isle Drive

224 Edinburgh Village Drive

Drain presented mock-ups of the drawings she did for the spring, winter and summer banners. Three companies submitted quotes (see attachment) for all. Leyes moved to accept Bronner’s as the maker of the banners. Tiernan seconded. The motion was passed. The information will be submitted to the Township Trustees for approval.

Spees gave updates about landscape projects.

Some of the plants have been installed on Paragon Road islands. The shrubs installation will be completed soon. The trees to be included will be planted in late October or November depending on weather conditions. Nurseries are not digging trees because of the extreme heat of the summer and lack of sufficient rain.

The globe arborvitae have been installed at the rear of the Public Works building.

The soil test results sent to Spectrum Analytic has not been received.

Master Gardener, Norm Fogel, has agreed to spread compost south of Fire Station 45. This will prepare the area for additional landscaping in the spring of 2006. Chief Parks has agreed that there is a need for enhancement of that area.

Spees asked VIP members to consider the use of Master Gardeners for planting in 2006. A need that was noted is for maintenance, especially of medians, for next year. The VIP will investigate the possibilities to determine the most effective and most cost effective way to approach this.

Spees and the previous horticulture consultant, Yvonne Dunphe, note the need for some additional landscape beds— Rahn Road at Mad River Road and Rahn Road at Grantland Drive. The small cemetery on Paddington Road and the Woodbourne Plaque across the road could be landscaped to be a focus for the historical area.

The small area on South 48 which had been planted previously will be sodded in 2006.

The beds on the medians of Paragon Road south of Route 725 and the boulevard islands on Rahn could be landscaped to include a banner pole. Toberen noted that these roads are county roads and would need approval from the county.

Drain moved to buy a digital camera for approximately $200. Tiernan seconded. The motion passed.

Drain moved to buy landscape software for the use of the VIP. Tiernan seconded. The motion passed. Drain is to submit information to Toberen.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra Spees