Visual Improvement Program

Washington Township , Ohio

3:30PM

VIP members present: Marlene Tiernan and Sarah Stanton, Co-Chairpersons; Gordon Dodane, Bob Harrington, Mabel Leyes, Angela Hodson and Sandra Drain. Guests included Bob Schumeth, Cheryl Mauer and Mitzy Lowery. Township staff members present: Andy Ehrhardt and Mike Wanamaker. Sandra Spees, VIP Consultant was also present.

The April 2006 minutes were accepted as written with the addition of Sarah Stanton being present.

Wanamaker gave an RTA update. The township is working on a grant for additional funds and on securing contracts.

Ehrhardt gave members a copy of Article 5, Residential Exterior Property Maintenance Standards. He explained the residential maintenance code. 12,000 properties get annual inspections. In the year 2005 four hundred complaints were received. If property owners do not meet the code they can be taken to Kettering court.

Ehrhardt also explained that townships must adopt the Ohio Revised Code; they cannot make their own.

Montgomery County no longer does interior inspections.

If sight distance problems occur they should be reported to Wanamaker.

Leyes moved to repeat the container gardening workshop at Public Works. Drain seconded. The motion was passed.

Tiernan moved to add gardening workshops through October. Leyes seconded. The motion was passed.

Spees passed on a request for placing additional trees at Fire Station 42 on Whipp Road. This will be considered for 2007 Arbor Day.

Due to the recent concern about the emerald ash borer infestation that is occurring in Ohio the membership agreed to sponsor additional workshops for township residents. Spees will plan continuing educational events.

Drain requested a printed budget for all VIP members.

Wanamaker will order more spring and summer banners for Route 48 north of Bethany Lutheran Village. There are 24 sets of banners on Route 725 and Route 48 north of Rahn Road.

Spees noted that a meeting will be held at the Centerville-Washington Park District headquarters to discuss the possibility of landscaping Woodbourne Park and Cemetery. All members are invited.

Hodson suggested giving orientation to new members. This would include the streetscape plan, banners, Arbor Day and other activities of the VIP.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:45PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra Spees