[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6094997,"mediaKeyId","2841265-c7988eec19b80a9dc376df0630180ff4","parentId",2841265,"title","City manager updates staffing and environmental filings; police and fire highlight community programs","audioSeconds",397,"startMs",1018000,"endMs",1415000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2841265-c7988eec19b80a9dc376df0630180ff4&start=1018&end=1415","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2841265-c7988eec19b80a9dc376df0630180ff4/thumbnail_1018000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6094997/Ohio/City-manager-updates-staffing-and-environmental-filings-police-and-fire-highlight-community-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094997-1bb65ffcaa50a2443de210042fcbca69/orig.mp4?Expires=1775205091&Signature=L8mGzCWlewqbji-BaDGyGY0R5VZENGkOoyUsBls0NYGu8NgHfRq8zIET58F21araq5AAZ2iNK41c5i8hZcwt30tKLcO6M~KaUI~C-BRtbADFTPC3jsK1hRoxF6lI6XHXrrxCibtzFK1pOiHA9IWsPhQ3dlMpCgOb4GIWsXod2kUTqgQ8VDziUP0Kxhff2aSIrQh56Zhz0TLEtKK581wHvdsKn3A0YaopougipwKKEqY1VJwluOJoOJizfbCiMj36luHTSPLu~Rgzb5EmrOd4SYuQ~rETTg3vzP1uWwh1-gjtvkbSnSaPdDV2niam7531z7zPJuvbt9QTcdrkLvfytQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","ICRC-TV: City Council of Milford, OH ","date","2025-03-26T18:41:33Z","article","City Manager Benjamin W. Gunderson told Milford City Council on April 1 that the city has received three IT vendor quotes, hired a water department supervisor, and submitted a remedial action plan to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the Old Milford Marathon Station parking lot adjacent to the Harvest Market.

“In 2018 I bought the property,” resident Don Holcomb said during public comment as part of a broader discussion about local sites; Gunderson’s report noted the remedial action plan (RAP) is under Ohio EPA review and staff will await agency direction on next steps.

Gunderson also reported coordination with Duke Energy and its subcontractor on a gas-line project along Short Lila and nearby streets. He said damaged sidewalks and other affected infrastructure will be replaced “to the extent in which it was previously,” and that work will proceed once concrete plants open.

Staffing and operations: Gunderson announced the city hired Zach Raab as water department supervisor (Raab has prior experience with the department). The city also recently added a code enforcement officer, a city planner, and a finance consultant as part of efforts to improve services and efficiencies.

Public safety and community programs: Chief Mills (Police) said the department was selected as Agency of the Month at the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum and noted participation in Autism Awareness Day; he directed residents to policemuseum.org for hours and details. Chief Baird (Fire & EMS) reported that cadet firefighters Braden Colton and Nicholas Stone — students at a local vocational school — taught CPR to a community group, won at the local vocational contest and advanced to national competition. Baird also said the department is using a spare ambulance from Wayne Township while one of its ambulances is being repaired.

Ending: Gunderson said he will keep council informed on the EPA review and on the Duke Energy project. Council members thanked residents for attending and noted upcoming community events, including an Arbor Day celebration on April 24 in Riverside Park.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Milford City Council 4/1/25","oneSentenceSummary","City Manager Benjamin W. Gunderson reported recent hires including a water department supervisor and submitted a remedial action plan to the Ohio EPA; police and fire chiefs highlighted community awards and cadet achievements.","taxTitle","Milford City Council , Milford City, Clermont County, Ohio","taxId",70385,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6095002,"Milford council approves appointments, health contract and consultant agreements",262,2593000,2855000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2841265-c7988eec19b80a9dc376df0630180ff4&start=2593&end=2855","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2841265-c7988eec19b80a9dc376df0630180ff4/thumbnail_2593000.jpg","/articles/6095002/Ohio/Milford-council-approves-appointments-health-contract-and-consultant-agreements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095002-6100adb2b23557a0fcfb42a8dfec5df4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775205091&Signature=BcrZGwAjsQmsP9SuDC-XOh9265wnE-K-nQQ1OJnjA1p-lQDUTUlZjQl52yZ-P~F6VbO~dqYgNAXZkKOSmiuyRDeylBkay8E5WBEF8MgIlwVk4T~nnZPKWegyl1wqw9cDRgxPTN~~FbpR6ILB~q6iyB14XNiIHp4jk3bKcfrA8abMAM0EvrbEvphA7ixXKV82JBPrmTGL5tP37eaZCRIDn2cVf0AEpti30cabRzfQU3kbVphCbMD8NtHQ4CC28sqIlkpFjP~nR4wJg7ia~LWqkBPe9wR5eK4SVMqf4Yt5vccS7vVnzxk3k7eTb~~Qv3QJ-pVcFMCktkM7i~7ritrTww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Milford City Council adopted a resolution and three ordinances April 1 that authorize an appointment to the Clermont County Land Bank, a two-year public health services contract, a professional planning and zoning services agreement, and a utility financial-rate study.

The council approved the following measures (all votes recorded as unanimous yes by roll call):

- Resolution No. 2025-661 — Appointment of Benjamin W. Gunderson to the Clermont County Land Bank Board of Directors. The council passed the resolution and appointed Benjamin W. Gunderson to the board (one reading; motion and second recorded; roll call vote: all present council members voted yes).

- Ordinance No. 25-347 — Professional planning and zoning support services agreement with Jay Stewart. The ordinance authorizes the city manager to enter into a professional services agreement with planning consultant Jay Stewart; council suspended rules and adopted the ordinance.

- Ordinance No. 25-348 — Contract with the Clermont County General Health District for public health services, 2025–2026. The ordinance, citing Ohio Revised Code section 3709.08, authorizes the city manager to execute a contract under which Milford will pay $29,031.38 for public health services covering May 1, 2025, through May 1, 2026; payment is payable semiannually in May and November.

- Ordinance No. 25-349 — Financial study and rate plan agreement with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc., for $29,000. The ordinance authorizes the city manager to engage Raftelis to perform a financial and rate analysis covering water, wastewater and stormwater rates and to provide recommendations.

Why it matters: The health-district contract ensures legally required public-health coverage and sets a defined annual payment for the city. The planning contract and rate study reflect near-term investments in staff capacity and utility-rate planning; the land-bank appointment fills a local-government slot on a regional property-reuse body.

Votes and process: Each item was introduced in committee of the whole or under new business, the law director was directed to draft the ordinances/resolutions where required, and council moved to suspend the rules and read by title where noted. All recorded roll-call votes show unanimous approval by the council members present at the meeting.

Ending: Council also noted a pending discussion about amending a development agreement for Kirk Jewelers and said the city manager would continue negotiating with the developer; no formal additional action on that item was taken at this meeting.","At its April 1 meeting the Milford City Council adopted a resolution and three ordinances including an appointment to the Clermont County Land Bank, a two-year public health contract, planning consultant services and a utility rate study agreement.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6095007,"Milford residents urge preservation of Claritoma Park; council votes not to consider sale",811,90000,901000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2841265-c7988eec19b80a9dc376df0630180ff4&start=90&end=901","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2841265-c7988eec19b80a9dc376df0630180ff4/thumbnail_90000.jpg","/articles/6095007/Ohio/Milford-residents-urge-preservation-of-Claritoma-Park-council-votes-not-to-consider-sale","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095007-b02bc2040b9958a00f75c4686dbf196b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775205091&Signature=kLBR3W6exR5SkLVJsX-irSZ7CVQdyhV4m1MW31MgikTJZc7vAvanaq4WBas29QC2zmd76nH-I0TskZM3GFcXJ1U0NJaxjH3xgUz6g6enmecGJWMIT8RnvoqEeyjwld3HnXBtv8xlkVRoZDAaRxOQLzYdeaXPtlWLDIyXsFRlDvjAzp9ut5jABS3LJTLl3mtohteZkzOHdaiOzVd~1lk2w7-iul98i61s9PHaMUA7QUxDzPfdbKNznsVSGjIVEwhb7jT9G1bFSPpIPMwZxk1ypYzTg-RNlbpW1G5XV898QPKbpCahFtiiyNq~X3g9qahbE2SGgnXDXv3qURdTlNqsbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Milford City Council voted April 1 that the city will not “entertain nor consider selling Claritoma Park,” following more than 20 minutes of public comment urging preservation and improvements.

The vote came after residents described regular use of the park and raised concerns about a private inquiry the city received about purchasing the land. “It would be a loss if we got rid of it,” Stephen Oliver said. “To sell an entire park for a residential development — one person wins while the rest of us lose a public space.” Oliver gave his address for the record as 637 Keystone Drive.

Why it matters: Council members said they have discussed Claritoma Park for years, including a 2017 comprehensive-plan provision that called the site “underutilized” and suggested exploring new programming or disposal. Residents and a chamber intern urged the city to invest in signage, safety improvements and multiuse upgrades rather than a sale.

Several residents recounted personal uses and memories. Don Holcomb, 871 Garfield Avenue, said the 2017 study’s findings matched his observations and warned about engineering and access challenges if the park were turned into a flagged residential lot. “You’re actually going to create a situation where we already have some pretty intense housing,” Holcomb said, noting fire truck access and drainage concerns. James Gallagher, a Milford Miami Township Chamber intern, encouraged revitalization, citing a lack of park signage and out-of-date equipment.

Other commenters raised related concerns. Stephen Oliver and another speaker questioned whether a real estate agent who inquired about buying the park would have a conflict of interest if the land were sold. Several commenters also expressed wariness of proposals involving FC Cincinnati that they said had been discussed previously, and urged the city to protect green space.

Council action and scope: A council member moved that the city “does not entertain nor consider selling Claritoma Park.” The motion was seconded and passed by unanimous roll call. The minutes and roll calls show all present council members voting yes; the motion was described by council as effective immediately while also not binding on future councils.

Context and next steps: Multiple speakers requested improvements rather than sale: updated signage, addressing safety concerns and multiuse programming. Resident Katie Toler, 27 Apple Lane, said the park is “a forgotten park” that is mowed but not updated and asked for restoration to make it usable for her child. Council members acknowledged the public comments and said they heard residents’ requests. Mayor Evans noted the park discussion predated current staff and that no sale decision had been made prior to the inquiry.

Ending: Council repeatedly emphasized that no sale had been finalized and that the motion removed the active consideration of selling Claritoma Park. Several residents asked for follow-up on specific park improvements; council did not set a timeline in the meeting for a restoration plan but acknowledged the interest and invited continued engagement.","After multiple public comments asking the city to preserve Claritoma Park, Milford City Council moved and passed a motion that the city will not entertain or consider selling the park at this time.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City manager updates staffing and environmental filings; police and fire highlight community programs

Milford council approves appointments, health contract and consultant agreements

Milford residents urge preservation of Claritoma Park; council votes not to consider sale