[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6488332,"mediaKeyId","5602139-4e89b7c11d462408f0e1f1fcfc9b6030","parentId",5602139,"title","Votes at a glance: council moves multiple items forward including grant submissions, insurance renewal and a capital lease","audioSeconds",177,"startMs",4704000,"endMs",4881000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602139-4e89b7c11d462408f0e1f1fcfc9b6030&start=4704&end=4881","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602139-4e89b7c11d462408f0e1f1fcfc9b6030/thumbnail_4704000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6488332/Huber-Heights/Montgomery-County/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-council-moves-multiple-items-forward-including-grant-submissions-insurance-renewal-and-a-capital-lease","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488332-74a8cb571f8a826e72b9d231fd2eaad2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438016&Signature=ifpERyHTeAvXYv8VG7qdDOlLX2fNgW6MYgTmz8iGZREDkSjAKbVWQJDIxU0LwzWLjRGwFQR8qqiirbzwDiS1aRd0KqR6CMqI8WxbzttV~Obb9rK0o1tr7IzSOFqhUN25ZgD5MwmEcCfE~a8qLF5vsbYt0wSd0xOfE2aBIMrOMCOfkXSnW4yYYJQV9d0o0F-8Rsj09xurq2GzJmjPS6MRfjF1ppVajJSWcBglLW-GBw7saVqGq0pqBZ2c1Esoo49GEi14KfLR0U-Gz7tuboudSqQKNQVQCY5xGeltZwAJ7QAamwDWRC3CpztTwbMhAtjPeTE0w3P3TxV0Dhb-uK2MoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Huber Heights","date","2025-08-19T00:00:00Z","article","Huber Heights council heard a number of resolutions and ordinances during the Aug. 19 work session and moved them forward for formal action. Several items were presented with staff requests for second-reading waivers or for placement on the regular-meeting agenda; council recorded no objections when the chair asked to advance the matters.

Key items moved forward or presented:

Land and Water Conservation Fund playground grant (item 3d): staff presented a resolution to authorize the city manager to submit a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to build the Cloud Park playground. The grant amount discussed was \"up to $500,000\" and staff noted it requires a 100% local match. Staff said the grant is aimed at a \"large, highly accessible playground.\" Council asked questions and there was no recorded objection to moving the resolution to the regular meeting agenda.

ODNR Urban Tree Grant Fund (item 3e): staff presented a resolution to submit an ODNR urban-tree grant application, up to $100,000 and not requiring a match, to remove invasive Callery pear trees in eligible census tracts and replace them at a 2-to-1 ratio. Council raised questions about street locations and replacement species; no objection was recorded to forwarding the item.

City liability insurance renewal and cyber liability addition (item 3f): staff recommended renewing liability coverage with the city's carrier (Selective) while purchasing cyber liability coverage with Travelers. Staff described the cyber coverage as more robust following a prior local cyber incident and noted a not-to-exceed total premium of $423,000 (including a $25,000 contingency for additional premiums/deductibles tied to new facilities). Council discussed House Bill 96 (a new cybercrime-related statute signed June 30) and the need for a legislative incident-response policy; staff and the insurance agent said an incident-response plan and insurer processes will be coordinated. The council recorded no objection to moving the legislation forward for formal approval.

County assessment authorization (item 3g): staff presented the annual assessments package to Montgomery County covering lighting, grass/weed charges, property-maintenance abatements and unpaid utility bills. Staff requested waiving second reading so the assessment list can be delivered to the county by Sept. 8; the chair asked twice about objections and none were recorded.

Capital lease for a new medic (item 3h): staff explained the city placed the order more than two years ago and sought financing bids; U.S. Bank provided the winning financing with a 4.51% rate and a total principal-and-interest cost of $431,277.10. Staff said the bank will escrow funds to lock the rate and hold them until delivery (anticipated November). Council agreed to waive the second reading and move the leasing legislation forward.

Police and fire pension service purchase (item 3i): staff presented identical legislation for police and fire allowing payroll-deduction, pre-tax service purchases so members can buy back qualifying military service credit into the Police & Fire Pension Fund. Staff said Police & Fire members will become eligible for tax-advantaged payroll pickup under the new legislation; council recorded no objection.

Board appointment (item 3j): staff recommended appointing James Weidman to the military and veterans commission (term ending Dec. 31, 2028). Council agreed to include the appointment on the regular meeting agenda.

What council did: for each item the chair asked for objections before advancing the item to the regular meeting agenda; no objections were recorded during the work session. For items that staff explicitly requested waivers of second reading (assessments, capital lease), council agreed to waive the second reading and send the measures forward.

Ending: staff said several items will appear on the upcoming regular meeting agenda for formal vote and/or final passage.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Huber Heights - Council Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Huber Heights council moved multiple resolutions and requests forward on Aug. 19, including two ODNR grant applications for Cloud Park, an urban-tree grant, a liability-and-cyber-insurance renewal and a capital lease to finance a new medic unit.","taxTitle","Huber Heights, Montgomery County, Ohio","taxId",55050,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6488336,"City manager highlights EMS whole-blood capability, economic grants and community events",183,57000,240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602139-4e89b7c11d462408f0e1f1fcfc9b6030&start=57&end=240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602139-4e89b7c11d462408f0e1f1fcfc9b6030/thumbnail_57000.jpg","/articles/6488336/Huber-Heights/Montgomery-County/Ohio/City-manager-highlights-EMS-whole-blood-capability-economic-grants-and-community-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488336-9e6221e8295d7a39cb5b89ea34550275/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438016&Signature=CjTCTAASIoWO5Hg8JMySWTRMpMiY5JjBRtI7NAEwYc4TclOAXCSTPbtgyJ4PqSmlATgI83-TmpCOs28hOgSQySADlnhGHW0cPbWT84OfKvYiQoRDmvzEcWjTmQAbfn4xKMe9xjTV5oOPemrCf12prZkHGwsXVtpoTWrdAErE9IXr4UKP66AqB-LELrX8L7vYAM5QghXgSCQ3C6LFt5Fy7f7sZ2wN7H2FXaEYs07WSWp1i1azUeaIGIXyH1CvaO2vgrzc2GyVcoM9FBjUshsItPjaaBkE9eI8BCApoONXlFf4fIoesfrhTm4Y6IHsB1MlwTygrfv4i0EIuSj82DaTiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Huber Heights city staff used the Aug. 19 work session to update council on emergency medical advances, staffing and several city initiatives.

City Manager John (staff) reported the fire/EMS division became one of the first two units in Ohio to carry whole blood in pre-hospital settings and described a recent field transfusion for a trauma patient on Chambersburg. \"As of last Friday, we have the ability now to give blood to trauma patients,\" John said, adding thanks to Fire Chief Keith Nisley, paramedics and the city's medical director, Dr. McIntosh.

The manager also noted the police department graduated its first police cadet cohort and that recruit Zach Stapleton will start police-academy training this month. Staff said the recently approved staffing model that funds cadets is beginning to deliver new personnel.

Economic and community updates: the city opened a first-year economic-development grant program offering $125,000 across four categories: $50,000 intended to be combined with other grant programs and three $25,000 pools for small businesses/nonprofits, veteran-owned businesses and minority- and women-owned businesses. The application period runs through Oct. 17; staff reported seven applications already received.

Other items: staff said the city secured a $20,000 foundation grant to add a bus stop at Brant Pike near The Village apartments and plans to apply to the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in the new year for an 80/20 match if the RTA program proceeds. The fire division also received a nearly $20,000 grant from BWC for a new rescue tool, staff said. Citywide events were previewed (\"Bites in the Heights\" at the Rose Music Center, food trucks and car show) and staff reminded residents about a new stop sign at Taylorsville and Rustic Woods effective Aug. 29 and a community garage sale Sept. 11'14 (sign-ups through Sept. 8).

Condolences: the manager asked the council to note the recent death of former Mayor Ron Fisher and offered the city's condolences to his family.

Ending: staff invited council questions; Council Member Baker asked for clarification that the economic-grant program requires the business to be located in Huber Heights, which staff confirmed.","City Manager delivered a multi-item update including the fire division's new ability to carry whole blood in the field, a police cadet academy enrollment, the new economic development grant program and local event logistics.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6488341,"Huber Heights council reviews master plan for Thomas Cloud Park, OKs grant submissions",2691,434000,3125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602139-4e89b7c11d462408f0e1f1fcfc9b6030&start=434&end=3125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602139-4e89b7c11d462408f0e1f1fcfc9b6030/thumbnail_434000.jpg","/articles/6488341/Huber-Heights/Montgomery-County/Ohio/Huber-Heights-council-reviews-master-plan-for-Thomas-Cloud-Park-OKs-grant-submissions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6488341-ba7d63cefc93122546c0090e2800052f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438016&Signature=mM3GIqT5gd3-O5XgR0Mj13sHiNsQhRJksPNwl2kOdIwlY6odSChIHk03kXfMTKgjwZd3IU7THq6f~TEXR~iMQ1MJffDr9CSY2daKjJFOrxTA8VcUZmIVBAJHO9QnZMOSh6EQ8kG~i3clTXsJVZQs~Y3YDZ-tZW76y-sNF3kJdJrMxu7N-PapPbRuHVPD0O3wW6k31H9TfbCjVkyyRbJMNl1qiLUT3Q5B4LG-xIMF~Nqvs4gTaO-TXtktRzJOrG1bdPHlkmO4~Q0h3VykYotEch-iaJhE~7bxeGf23Xa1AizdqEH6ONpQ-9Gw3jhl4n2gN7XMg7hXeDOk4LDm6xDwbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials and park designers presented a master-plan validation and concept design for Thomas Cloud Park on Aug. 19, focusing new facilities at the park's southeast entry and asking the council to move forward with two grant applications to help pay for a larger playground and invasive-tree removal.

The plan, developed by MSA designers Amber Wazinski and Amy Benetti, centers a new playground, splash pad, community building and amphitheater near the Grange Pike/park entrance to create a stronger street presence and a large central green intended to hold both daily uses and major events such as the city's fireworks. \"If we could consolidate some of these new program elements, the playground, the splash pad, the amphitheater in this area, improve that street presence, and then also address some of those entry concerns,\" Wazinski said, \"this would really hit a lot of those priorities.\" Benetti added the master plan is a \"road map\" and emphasized the plan will be refined in schematic design and construction-document phases.

Why it matters: designers and staff told the council the consolidation improves access, creates event-ready space and opens opportunities for grant funding. Sarah (city parks staff) said the city is seeking a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to help build the large, highly accessible playground; that grant can be up to $500,000 and requires a 100% local match. The council also agreed to move forward with an ODNR urban-tree grant application, up to $100,000, to remove invasive Callery (Bradford) pear trees and replace them at a 2:1 ratio.

Design highlights and trade-offs: the concept places a VIP/drop-off loop with ADA parking near the amphitheater and expands the main parking footprint by roughly 115 spaces. Designers described a 9.5-to-10-acre central green positioned to hold both regular community events and the approximately 20,000 people who attend the city fireworks. The amphitheater was designed to function for small community events most of the time and scale up for occasional large events.

Council members pressed on sports-field impacts and site details. Council member Scott asked specifically about baseball diamonds removed in the plan; designers said moving a diamond north appeared expensive because of grade changes and that options include converting an existing field and adding lights or rethinking parking expansion. Sarah said the master plan is phased: phase 1 would not eliminate soccer fields; phase 2 would remove two soccer fields currently rented by an outside group and those teams could be accommodated at Shoal Gate and Cottonwood; phase 3 could trigger further conflicts with youth fields and would require re-engagement with user groups.

Acquisition and natural area: staff said the city has submitted a grant application to acquire an additional 9 acres adjacent to the park and earmarked that parcel as preserved natural space with interpretive creek access and walking paths. \"Currently, we have submitted for a grant to acquire that 9 acres, and in doing so, we have earmarked it for natural space,\" Sarah said, noting earnest-money deposits have been made and that the legislation approving the agreement is contingent on receiving the acquisition grant.

Accessibility and playground design: the designers said the proposed playground and splash pad would substantially increase capacity and be designed for accessibility, including ramped access, sensory-friendly elements and seating/fencing approaches that balance safety and openness. \"We are starting to... make sure that we're being inclusive as we approach that design,\" Benetti said, listing ramping, sensory and fence/seat-wall options.

Other operational points: designers and staff said circulation improvements will be explored in traffic and sight-line studies; the new drive into the park will likely be two lanes in and two lanes out to aid large-event circulation. Council member Fred raised concern about sun angles on the amphitheater stage; staff said they had considered orientation in prior outreach and will design shading elements into the pavilion.

Next steps: staff said schematic design and design development will follow, with additional stakeholder outreach when specific amenities and finishes are selected. Council and staff also agreed to present the two ODNR grant submissions (Land & Water Conservation Fund and Urban Tree Grant Fund) for formal approval on the upcoming regular meeting agenda.

Ending: designers and staff thanked the steering committee and community for participation and noted the master plan remains a flexible guiding document during later design stages.","City officials and consultants presented a finalized concept master plan for Thomas Cloud Park that concentrates new amenities near the park entrance, and the council moved forward with two grant applications to fund a larger playground and tree work.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: council moves multiple items forward including grant submissions, insurance renewal and a capital lease

City manager highlights EMS whole-blood capability, economic grants and community events

Huber Heights council reviews master plan for Thomas Cloud Park, OKs grant submissions