Policing the City of New Carlisle remains a hot topic with City Council members.  Police Administrator Sgt. Ralph Underwood reported that there had been some schedule changes within the Department.  “I find this scheduling totally unacceptable,” said Council member Rick Lowrey as he threw his pen to the desk.

“I’d rather see deputies patrolling than running traffic,” said Lowrey.  “Not that I don’t want speed laws enforced, but I can only remember a handful of incidents resulting from excessive speed in the time I’ve lived here.”

In February, deputies issued 34 traffic citations in the city, compared to 11 in January.

Lowrey asked City Manager Kim Jones if she attended the deputies’ meeting in which the scheduling changes were made, and she said that she was not.  Jones stated that she was informed that the meeting would be occurring, but she believed that the deputies knew best how to give the city the best police protection.  Lowrey then asked Mayor Richard Zsambok if an executive session could be scheduled to discuss the scheduling.  He was told by City Law Director Miquel Pedraza that the Ohio Revised Code does not allow discussing scheduling issues behind closed doors.  “There are seven areas that can be discussed in executive session, and scheduling is not one of them,” said Pedraza.

Council member John Krabacher mentioned news reports stating that violent crime was on the increase in other nearby communities, but that a similar increase was not happening in New Carlisle.  Sgt. Underwood agreed, saying “We have a safe community.”

Heidi Cole, chairwoman of the New Carlisle Crime Watch organization informed council that they would be joining thousands of communities nationwide by holding a “National Night Out” on August 3 at Smith Park.  National Night Out is designed to promote community spirit and police-community partnerships.

Fire Chief Cathy Reittinger reported that the average response time for EMS crews was only three minutes and seven minutes for fire crews.  “This is amazing,” said Lowrey. “I don’t know how you can get the truck started, open the garage doors and be on the street within three minutes.”

Public Service Director Howard Kitko reported that winter has taken a heavy toll on city streets.  He said that as soon as the asphalt plants open – usually in mid-April – city crews will be out “in full force” to fill the potholes throughout town.  He also reported that utility work on Addison-New Carlisle Road has been progressing more rapidly now that the snow has melted.  The work is about 70% complete and should be done within two weeks.

Planning Director Tim Howard reported that he will be throughout the city surveying for nuisance properties once the weather breaks.  He also said that anyone can call the City Offices to report nuisance properties.

City Manager Kim Jones reminded council that we are approaching tornado season and that there would be a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 24 at 9:50 AM.  She also reported that one 50-year-old siren and one undependable siren are expected to be replaced by one more efficient siren.  Location of that unit has not yet been determined.

Council passed two routine ordinances:
10-07 places ordinances from the past year into the Codified Ordinances of the city.
10-09 is the City’s budget.

Council also introduced Ordinance10-10, dealing with providers of Cable TV and other video services.  Public hearing and action on that ordinance is scheduled for the next council meeting on  April 5.
You can hear audio recordings of many New Carlisle City Council meetings at audio.newcarlisleohio.net