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The following is an AI Generated summary of the June 23rd meeting of the Celina City Council:

Meeting Notes

1. City Council deliberations on major wastewater infrastructure project, public safety technology, and community engagement.

• Opening and Roll Call
  The meeting began with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, reminders to silence cell phones, roll call, and confirmation of council member attendance.

• Agenda Amendment and Acceptance
  The agenda was amended to add Ordinance 26-25-0 and 27-25-0, followed by motions and votes to accept the amended agenda.

• Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
  Correction noted for a spelling error in the June 9th meeting minutes. Motion and vote held for acceptance.

• Utility Committee Report – Wastewater Treatment Plant Project
  Detailed discussion of the wastewater treatment plant upgrade, including EPA compliance, project schedule, design, capacity, costs, funding sources, and technical aspects. Key numbers: design capacity increase from 3 MGD to 4.25 MGD, bypass events up to 7.7 million gallons, project cost just under $32 million, and timeline adjustments (permit to install by October 2026, construction April 2027–April 2029).

• Public Communications – Regatta Committee
  Regatta committee thanked the city and workers for support during the recent event.

• Public Questions – Wastewater Project
  Sophia Rodriguez raised questions about grant writing responsibility, project timeline, and impact on consumer bills. Responses indicated consultants would write grants, construction is scheduled April 2027–April 2029, and cost impacts to consumers are still being evaluated.

• Preliminary Design Contract for Wastewater Project
  Discussion of the upcoming contract for the first 30% of design work, with cost just under $380,000. Need for full council and public input before approval.

• Resolution 4-25-R – Flock Safety LPR Camera Project
  Resolution to authorize grant application for Flock Safety LPR cameras for the police department. Chief Wale explained system benefits, privacy safeguards, and costs: $15,000 annual fee, $5,000 installation, with potential for multi-year contracts and expansion.

Conclusion

1. All council members present except for one abstention on minutes approval due to absence.

2. Agenda amended and accepted unanimously.

3. Minutes approved with correction.

4. Preliminary design to begin after contract approval; further committee meeting needed.

5. Thanks acknowledged; no further action required.

6. Questions noted for future meetings; no immediate answers on consumer cost.

7. Contract legislation to be brought at next council meeting; further committee meeting planned.

8. Resolution introduced; council questions addressed; no final vote recorded in transcript.

2. City Surveillance Expansion, Grant Application, and Property Sale for Community Use

• Expansion of Flock Camera System in Mercer County and Celina
  Discussion on adding four new Flock cameras within city limits to supplement the existing ten in Mercer County, with emphasis on their investigative value, recent successes in solving crimes, and privacy considerations.

• Flock Camera System Features, Add-ons, and Costs
  Exploration of Flock system capabilities, including basic and enhanced features, add-ons like live view and traffic analytics, and annual costs ranging from $15,000 to $21,000. Discussion on the flexibility of upgrading features later without initial cost penalties.

• Training, Auditing, and Usage Oversight for Flock System
  Clarification on training requirements for personnel, audit procedures to monitor system usage, and protocols for addressing misuse.

• Flock System Contract Duration and Renewal
  Discussion on contract terms, including one-year and multi-year options, and whether discounts are available for longer commitments.

• Flock System Use Cases: Investigations, Alerts, and Limitations
  Explanation of how the Flock system is used for investigations, including missing persons, AMBER and Silver Alerts, and its limitations in accident investigations.

• Grant Application and Emergency Submission Timeline
  Discussion on the need to submit the grant application after July 8th and the potential for emergency submission.

• Sale of Miller Woods Property to Mercer County Commissioners
  Presentation of ordinance to authorize the mayor to sign a letter of commitment and intent to sell 15.69 acres (parcel 27-030400.0000, Miller Woods at Westview Park) to Mercer County Commissioners for $157,000, to be used for a Clean Ohio Fund Green Space Conservation Program grant.

• Future Use and Development of Miller Woods
  Discussion on the intended use of Miller Woods by the county and fair board, including nature paths, educational tours, and invasive species management, contingent on grant approval and deed restriction negotiations.

Conclusion

1. Council supports the expansion, citing significant investigative benefits and successful case outcomes, and agrees to pursue a grant to offset first-year costs.

2. Decision to start with the basic package and consider upgrades if cost-benefit is demonstrated; add-ons can be included in future contracts without extra initial cost.

3. Training will be provided; audits will be conducted regularly to ensure appropriate use, with violations to be addressed strictly.

4. No discount for multi-year contracts; council opts for a one-year contract to evaluate public response and system effectiveness before renewal.

5. System is primarily an investigative tool, effective for tracking vehicles and alerts, but not designed for accident fault determination.

6. Acknowledgement of the need for timely submission; emergency procedures will be used if necessary.

7. Council approves the ordinance with an emergency clause for expedited processing; sale will enable community use and educational development of the property.

8. Council and mayor express strong support for the project, anticipating community and educational benefits.

3. City Council Legislative Actions, Staffing, and Community Updates

• Ordinance 27-25-0: Salary Schedule Adjustments for Exempt Personnel
  Discussion and approval of amending salary schedules for Assistant Wastewater Treatment Superintendent and Assistant Water Treatment and Distribution Superintendent positions, moving them from salary range E to D due to competitiveness and recruitment challenges.

• Recruitment Challenges for Superintendent Positions
  Council discussed the difficulty in attracting qualified candidates for Assistant Superintendent positions, referencing a point-factor analysis by Clemens Nelson Associates and the limited number of Class 3 and Class 4 operators in Ohio.

• Ordinance 23-25-0: Partnership Agreement for PY 2025 CHIP Program
  Authorization for the mayor to sign a partnership agreement with Mercer County for the PY 2025 Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program, with a deadline of June 25th.

• Ordinance 24-25-0: Final Plat Approval for Wheatland Acres 7
  Approval of a final plat for Wheatland Acres 7 to enable expansion and new housing construction on the west side.

• Ordinance 25-25-0: Lease Agreement for Westview Park
  Authorization of a lease agreement between the City of Celina and the Greater Celina Area Soccer Boosters for Westview Park, with event dates September 19-21.

• Resolution 2-25-R: Solid Waste Management Plan Adoption
  Adoption of the Solid Waste Management Plan for Mercer County Solid Waste Management District, with an amended version dated 6-9-2025.

• Resolution 3-25-R: Appointment of Clerk of Council
  Approval and recommendation for Carrie R. Fox to be employed as Clerk of Council, declared an emergency.

• Community Events and Tourism
  Updates on recent and upcoming community events, including the Governor's Cup, Small Town Pride, War on the Shore, and the 4th of July, with emphasis on increased tourism and community recognition.

• Public Works and Pool Slide Update
  Progress on the Public Works Building and pool slide installation, with delays due to pending state permits for concrete footers.

• Fire Department Staffing
  Welcoming new firefighters and paramedics, discussion of current staffing levels (18-19 firefighters), and upcoming chief's oral exam.

• Police Department Staffing
  Update on police staffing: two officers in field training, two in the Academy (graduating July 3rd and mid-August), one starting Academy in August, and search for two more candidates. Assistant Chief Harting retired; testing for replacement on August 28th.

• Park Maintenance and Recreation
  Concerns raised about Eastview restrooms' condition, swim team activities, and DuraPatching of alleys. Updates on rec baseball, softball, and soccer sign-ups.

• Committee Arrangements for Wastewater Legislation
  Discussion on scheduling a committee of the whole to review upcoming wastewater legislation and the need to bring legislation for the upfront 30%.

Conclusion

1. Ordinance amended for pluralization, passed as an emergency measure with a 7-0 vote.

2. Council agreed on the need for competitive salaries and succession planning; ordinance passed to address immediate hiring needs.

3. Ordinance passed as an emergency measure with a 7-0 vote.

4. Ordinance passed as an emergency measure with a 7-0 vote.

5. Ordinance passed third reading with a 7-0 vote.

6. Resolution passed third reading with a 7-0 vote.

7. Resolution passed as an emergency measure with a 7-0 vote.

8. Events well-attended; anticipation for larger events next year.

9. Pool is open; slide pending permit approval.

10. Fire department at full staffing; chief's exam scheduled for Friday.

11. Staffing improving; full staffing anticipated within several months.

12. Issues noted for follow-up; recreation activities ongoing.

13. Committee of the whole scheduled for July 14th at 6:00 PM.

Next Arrangements

 [ ] Bring preliminary design contract legislation for wastewater project to next council meeting.
 [ ] Hold another committee meeting for full council and public input on wastewater project.
 [ ] Continue evaluating grant opportunities and funding sources for wastewater project.
 [ ] Address public questions on project cost impact to consumers in future meetings.
 [ ] Apply for a grant to offset the first-year cost of the Flock camera system.
 [ ] Conduct regular audits of Flock system usage to ensure compliance.
 [ ] Submit the grant application after July 8th, using emergency procedures if necessary.
 [ ] Proceed with the sale of Miller Woods (15.69 acres, parcel 27-030400.0000) to Mercer County Commissioners for $157,000, pending Clean Ohio Fund grant approval.
 [ ] Add an emergency clause to the Miller Woods sale ordinance for expedited processing.
 [ ] Negotiate with the Snyder family regarding deed restrictions on Miller Woods.
 [ ] Committee of the whole meeting scheduled for July 14th at 6:00 PM to discuss wastewater legislation and upfront 30%.
 [ ] Chief's oral exam for fire department scheduled for Friday.
 [ ] Police Assistant Chief testing scheduled for August 28th.
 [ ] Soccer sign-ups ongoing; encourage early registration.
 [ ] Continue DuraPatching alleys as time allows.