Council Meeting

MINUTES OF MEETING INDIAN HILL VILLAGE COUNCIL August 18, 2025 A meeting of the Indian Hill Village Council was held on August 18, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was held in the Council Chamber of the Village Administration building. Council present: Mr. Stephen H. Krehbiel, Mayor Mr. Richard J. Hidy, Vice Mayor Mr. Andrew A. Byer, Council member Mr. Jeffrey G. Gibson, Council member Mrs. Elizabeth C. Isphording, Council member Mr. Shayne O Manning, Council member Mrs. Pat Stern, Council member Staff present: Ms. TaraLyn M. Riordan, City Clerk of Council Ms. Monique A. Sewell, City Comptroller Mr. Scott D. Phillips, City Solicitor Ms. Dina C. Minneci, City Manager Mr. Jon West, Assistant City Manager Mrs. Jessica Chaney, City Director of Administrative Services Mr. Mike Dressell, Chief of Police Mr. Ron Freson, City Water Works Superintendent Mr. Scott Gardner, Information Technology Manager Mr. Scott Gully, Finance Director & Tax Commissioner Ms. Cindy Klopfenstein, City Engineer / Project Manager Visitors present: Ms. Megan Ante, 6376 Hamilton Mason Road, Hamilton, OH 45011 Mr. Chris Brausch, 6200 Harrison Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45247 Mrs. Diana Camardo 6346 Greenbriar Dr, Fairfield, OH 45014 Mr. John Camardo 6346 Greenbriar Dr, Fairfield, OH 45014 Mr. Joseph Carroll, 6265 Hunters Trail, Cincinnati, OH 45243 Mr. John Crowell, 10150 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242 Mrs. Mary Guanciale, 7895 Shawnee Run Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45243 Mrs. Maryanne Harsh, 6215 Hunters Trail, Cincinnati, OH 45243 Mr. Dennis Janson, 9524 Cunningham Road, Cincinnati, OH 45243 Mr. Bob Lindner, 4585 Drake Road, Cincinnati, OH 45243 Ms. Jill Lindner, 7445 Old Hickory Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45243 Mrs. Marcie Longenecker, 7708 Chumani Ln, Cincinnati, OH 45243 Mr. Mark Longenecker, 7708 Chumani Ln, Cincinnati, OH 45243 Ms. Anne McCarren, 7885 Shawnee Run Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45243 Ms. Carrie Minton, 7149 Ridge Road, Amberley Village, OH 45237 Mr. Greg Titgemeyer, 10500 Reading Road, Evendale, OH 45241 Mrs. Cait Wetterich, 9935 Pebbleknoll Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45252 Mr. Matt Wetterich, 9935 Pebbleknoll Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45252 Mr. Rob Zimmerman, 8180 North Clippinger, Cincinnati, OH 45243 Virtual Visitor: Mr. John Krinks, AECOM (in attendance from Salt Lake City, Utah) 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Krehbiel opened the Council meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL: The Pledge was followed by Mayor Krehbiel’s call to order and a roll call by Clerk Riordan. 3. COUNCIL MINUTES: The Minutes of the regular meeting of June 16, 2025 had previously been distributed to each Council member. Upon confirming that no Council members had submitted change requests to City Manager Minneci, Mayor Krehbiel declared the minutes accepted as issued. 4. SWEARING IN OF PATROLMAN JOHN BURTON: Mayor Krehbiel invited Mr. John Burton to stand before all present for his Ceremonial Swearing-In. In so doing, Mr. Burton swore to faithfully, honestly and to the best of his ability, discharge the duties of the Police Minutes of Council Meeting August 18, 2025 Page 2 Department of the City of Indian Hill. Following his oath of office, Ranger Burton was congratulated with a round of applause by colleagues, Council, family and community members in attendance. Chief of Police, Colonel Mike Dressell then carried-out the ceremonial tradition of inviting Ranger Burton’s wife to pin her husband’s badge upon his uniform. Mrs. Christina Burton subsequently joined her husband and pinned his badge in front of all in attendance. Following her actions, Colonel Dressell took a moment to speak to Ranger Burton’s prestigious professional background and high personal character, noting that he is “one of the best that there is” and that the Village was lucky to have Ranger Burton join the force. Before closing his remarks, Colonel Dressell extended an official welcome and expressed personal words of gratitude to Ranger Burton, Christina Burton and their two young daughters, Scarlet and Ava. 5. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Mayor Krehbiel then opened the citizen participation portion of the meeting, and respectfully asked all wishing to speak to please keep their comments brief (preferably no more than three minutes) and where possible, to please avoid repetition. He further requested that speakers raise their hand and wait to be called upon. At which time, visitors should state their name and street address (for the record) before addressing Council. The first citizen to address Council was Mr. Joseph J. Carroll of 6265 Hunters Trail, Cincinnati, OH 45243. First, Mr. Carroll followed-up on the status of Camp Jim B as part of the Green Areas Trust. Mr. Carroll reiterated the concerns he noted on this topic during the May, 2025 Council Meeting (please see associated Minutes). He then reminded Council of his request for a formal statement reaffirming that Camp Jim B is in the Green Areas Trust, and asked Council if they plan to take a position on his request. Mayor Krehbiel confirmed with City Manager Minneci that this topic has not been addressed during Council’s Summer break, but committed to bringing it up in future Council reviews. Secondly, Mr. Carroll asked if the Village would be receiving and considering an official proposal from the City of Cincinnati before making any decisions on the water tower. Mayor Krehbiel replied that the Village has not received a proposal from the City of Cincinnati, and shared that the Village is working with Tetra Tech to better understand the Cincinnati regionalization topic, which will be discussed in a future meeting. Vice Mayor Hidy further added that the findings of the Regionalization Study are expected to be received in October. The next citizen to address Council was Ms. Anne McCarren of 7885 Shawnee Run Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45243. Ms. McCarren inquired when there would be an update on the feasibility study of using the current water tower site on Miami. Mayor Krehbiel explained that the current focus of Council’s review process is the broad GIS Analysis (scheduled to be presented momentarily), but the Miami Road location will be looked at carefully. The analysis of the existing Miami Road location should be available in September or October. He noted that there is a lot of interest in this topic, and Vice Mayor Hidy mentioned that Council is truly looking forward to this study. 6. WORK SESSION: a. AECOM Presentation: Mr. John Krinks, Technical Water Leader of AECOM, joined virtually from Salt Lake City, Utah to share findings of his company’s GIS Desktop Analysis. Minutes of Council Meeting August 18, 2025 Page 3 Prior to Mr. Krink’s presentation, Mayor Krehbiel explained Council’s desire to share the findings of AECOM’s GIS Desktop Analysis as soon as they become available. However, he specified that Council is also actively studying the feasibility of using the current water tower site on Miami Road, and that AECOM will present those findings as soon as they are completed. Further, if the Miami Road site is found suitable, then there will be no need to do significant research on the GIS locations identified this evening. On the other hand, if it turns out that the Village does need to look at the GIS locations, then parcels that meet the weighted criteria standards (as determined by Council) will be evaluated. City Solicitor Phillips then announced for the record, that this portion of the evening’s meeting was being treated as a “work session”. Accordingly, Council would not be taking questions or comments from the audience about AECOM’s presentation to Council. Mayor Krehbiel then formally introduced Mr. Krinks. Mr. Krinks apologized for not being able to attend the meeting in person, and explained how AECOM was assisting the Village in considering both the option of a) building a new water tower somewhere in the Village (including the viability of doing so at the Miami Road site) and b) retro-fitting the existing tank on the Miami Road site. However, tonight’s presentation would focus upon AECOM’s city-wide GIS evaluation of where a new water tower could go. This specific analysis included AECOM’s independent evaluation of initial findings in the Village’s Water Master Plan and the viability of locations possibly not explored. Mr. Krinks then shared AECOM’s approach and methodology for their analysis. Specifically, AECOM started with the City GIS map database and applied a series of pass/fail criteria to determine whether or not a site made sense for housing a water tower. AECOM’s initial criteria included: • Properties with a minimum of four acres • Properties with an average elevation of at least 830 feet above sea level • Properties with boundary lines in proximity to a 12 inch or larger water line This resulted in a consideration set of approximately one hundred sites. AECOM then eliminated residential properties with an existing home, noting that these properties could be brought back into consideration if the Village ultimately wishes to purchase homes from residents. Applying this additional filter reduced the set to approximately 30 properties. AECOM then worked with Council and Village Administrators to apply weight scoring criteria to this subset of properties Mr. Krinks then presented a color-coded view of the properties under consideration, most of which were North of Shawnee Road (a noted exception being Armstrong Church and several lower-ranking sites). The highest ranking under AECOM’s initial criteria and weighted percentages were North of Shawnee Road and near to Given Road. While reviewing an Excel view of the ranked sites, Mr. Krinks discussed how various criteria influenced AECOM’s site selection. Weightings were as follows: • 20% elevation (higher is better) • 20% water main distance (closer is better) • 25% number of property lines within a 500-foot boundary (fewer parcels is better) • 15% number of property lines within a 1,000-foot boundary (fewer parcels is better) • 20% tree cover (a lower degree of forestation is better) Mr. Krinks noted that many of the sites were Camargo Club properties, which were not very viable options. Her further clarified that this list was not a recommendation, and that AECOM was not to the point of exploring the viability of developing any of these sites. Vice Mayor Hidy inquired whether these criteria were consistent with those applied by similar municipalities making similar decisions. Minutes of Council Meeting August 18, 2025 Page 4 Mr. Krinks explained that other municipalities typically focus more on water modeling evaluations, and more so hydraulic / water user benefits, than resident impact. Noting that he has seen water towers built 30 feet away from someone’s home and he has seen forests cleared for water towers. He said that Indian Hill’s criteria is more involved than typical, and in his opinion, the Village had reached a maximum number of criteria. Council member Isphording then asked for further explanation on the weightings of the criteria and how they were decided. Mr. Krinks explained that AECOM had come up with the initial weightings and consulted Council before setting them as more or less equal. Council member Gibson then asked if elevation variances (e.g. a 20-foot variance amongst two otherwise similar properties) would cause one property to be more desirable than another. Mr. Krinks affirmed that a higher elevation would make a property more preferable. Council member Gibson then thanked Mr. Krinks for sharing his thinking and helpful, qualitative data. Before progressing to the next Agenda topic, City Manager Minneci and Mayor Krehbiel confirmed that AECOM’s presentation, spreadsheet and map will be accessible to all via the Village website. b. 2026 Strategic Planning: A draft of the 2026 Strategic Plan had been included in Council’s Meeting Packet. After referencing that dynamic document, City Manager Minneci explained how Village staff was also working on their 2026 operating and capital budgets, which were also provided in Council’s Meeting Packet. Mayor Krehbiel then asked if the Village would please review financial analyses around added head count for the Northern part of the Village - to ensure that adjusted taxes are appropriate for funding a new Ranger Beat, additional Public Works personnel and the like. Vice Mayor Hidy then asked about the recording of security camera live feeds, and Mr. Scott Gardner spoke to Village technology and surveillance processes. Council member Byer asked for a clarification between upsizing and replacing water mains. He also inquired about water billing frequency changes, and in turn, Council member Manning asked about sensing devices. Mr. Freson and City Manager Minneci addressed these questions in detail. To help Council prioritize items with the greatest cost variability, Council member Gibson asked for further detail on one-time (e.g. installation) costs vs. recurring costs (e.g. ownership and maintenance). Council member Isphording then asked about Rowe Arboretum reconstruction plans and an associated $200,000 donation. City Manager Minneci and Vice City Manager Jon West explained that a prior plan to build a new structure had been eliminated, and that the current plan is to remodel the existing structure’s interior, utilize the existing garage as a meeting space and adding a new garage for storage. Before the conversation moved on to standard Committee Reports, clarifying questions were then asked about items 3.b.vii.3 and 3.b.ix.3 on the draft strategic plan. City Engineer, Mrs. Klopfenstein spoke to grants the Village may pursue for these matters, and City Manager Minneci spoke to the annual income tax rate analysis that the Finance Committee will commence in October. 7. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Council member Gibson reported that the Finance Committee met on August 13, 2025. He then directed Council’s attention to the complete meeting minutes in the Council Meeting Packet and shared highlights from the Village Minutes of Council Meeting August 18, 2025 Page 5 financial statements. Please see memo titled, “Finance Committee Meeting” alongside June and July financial statements prepared by Comptroller Sewell. Following his report, Council member Gibson requested a suspension of the rules and to enter into emergency session. Council member Gibson’s request was moved by Mayor Krehbiel, and passed by unanimous roll call vote (7-0). Council entered into emergency session. Council member Gibson then expressed his desire to present the first reading of Ordinance 10- 25 and made a motion to waive the three readings of the Ordinance. Council member Manning seconded the motion to waive the three readings, and the motion was passed by unanimous roll call vote (7-0). Council member Gibson then recommended passage of Ordinance 10-25: ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 35.21 OF THE CITY OF THE VILLAGE OF INDIAN HILL CODE OF ORDINANCES, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY Council member Byer seconded the motion, and the Ordinance passed by unanimous roll call vote (7-0). Ordinance 10-25 was then enacted. 8. LAW COMMITTEE REPORT: Vice Mayor Hidy reported that the Law Committee met on August 7, 2025, and directed Council’s attention to detailed minutes in a memo titled, “Law Committee Meeting” included in the Council Meeting Packet. Vice Mayor Hidy then provided the updates from the Law Committee meeting. Vice Mayor Hidy then presented the second reading of Ordinance 08-25: ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 155 ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF INDIAN HILL CODE OF ORDINANCES Vice Mayor Hidy then presented the second reading of Ordinance 09-25: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 95 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO PREPARE AND MAINTAIN REGULATIONS RELATED TO THE USE OF VILLAGE PARKS AND TO ADD SECTION 95.03 TO ESTABLISH PROHIBITED USE IN PARKS Both Ordinance 08-25 and 09-25 were included in the Council Meeting Packet. Vice Mayor Hidy closed by requesting a suspension of the rules and to enter into emergency session. Vice Mayor Hidy’s request was moved by Mayor Krehbiel, and passed by unanimous roll call vote (7-0). Council entered into emergency session. Vice Mayor Hidy then expressed his desire to present the first reading of Ordinance 11-25 and made a motion to waive the three readings of the Ordinance. Council member Byer seconded the motion to waive the three readings, and the motion was passed by unanimous roll call vote (7-0). Vice Mayor Hidy then recommended passage of Ordinance 11-25: ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PLAT OF CUNNINGHAM RIDGE SUBDIVISION RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 498, PAGES 64-66 OF THE Minutes of Council Meeting August 18, 2025 Page 6 HAMILTON COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE, AND ACCEPTING THE DEDICATION OF A PORTION OF CUNNINGHAM ROAD CONTAINED THEREIN PARCEL ID NO. 629-0260-0044 Council member Byer seconded the motion, and the Ordinance passed by unanimous roll call vote (7-0). Ordinance 11-25 was then enacted. Vice Mayor Hidy then expressed his desire to present the first reading of Ordinance 12-25 and made a motion to waive the three readings of the Ordinance. Council member Gibson seconded the motion to waive the three readings, and the motion was passed by unanimous roll call vote (7-0). Vice Mayor Hidy then recommended passage of Ordinance 12-25: ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PLAT OF CUNNINGHAM RIDGE SUBDIVISION RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 498, PAGES 64-66 OF THE HAMILTON COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE, AND ACCEPTING THE DEDICATION OF A PORTION OF CUNNINGHAM ROAD CONTAINED THEREIN PARCEL ID NO. 629-0260-0044 Council member Gibson seconded the motion, and the Ordinance passed by unanimous roll call vote (7-0). Ordinance 12-25 was then enacted. Mayor Krehbiel thanked Vice Mayor Hidy for his Law Committee report and turned the conversation to Council member Byer. 9. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Council member Byer reported that the Buildings and Grounds Committee met on August 12, 2025. Council member Byer then shared the following from the Buildings and Grounds Departmental Activity Report (included in the Council Meeting Packet). As always, an update was provided on routine maintenance on all facilities, green areas, parks, bridle trails and recreational fields to keep these at the standard expected by village residents. While we label this work as routine, it’s important work. This maintenance ensures our facilities meet both resident expectations and also operability needs of village employees working at village facilities. We tend to notice when things are broken or don’t look good, but it’s the prep work and preventative maintenance work by village employees that avoids those conditions. This past month’s activities included building maintenance and repairs, clean up from storms and dead trees, playground mulching and repairs and continued improvements at Rheinstrom Park. Across an array of Buildings & Grounds project work, I’m pleased to report continuous progress and on-track vs schedules, with one specific follow-up being pursued for South Given stream restoration repairs via the Village Solicitor with Beavercreek Hydrology’s insurance provider. On Reforest the Hill, which this year features Drake Road in front of the Indian Hill Middle and High schools, more than $22.5K in donations have been received to date. Fall is the start of the rec sports cycle (it syncs to the school year) and registrations to date are quite healthy. 10. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT: Council member Stern reported that the Public Works Committee met on August 12, 2025. Council member Stern then proceeded to present highlights from the Public Works Departmental Activity Report. Please see memo titled, “Public Works Committee Report” for full details (included in the Council Meeting Packet). Minutes of Council Meeting August 18, 2025 Page 7 Council member Stern then presented highlights from the Public Works Project Management Report. Please see memo titled, “Public Works Project Management Report” for full details (included in the Council Meeting Packet). Council member Stern closed with a motion to approve Resolution 12-25. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY ENGINEER TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND/OR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS AND FOR THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED Council member Manning seconded, the motion passed by unanimous voice vote (7-0), and Resolution 12-25 was approved. Upon passage of this Resolution, Council member Stern’s report concluded. 11. WATER WORKS COMMITTEE & UTILITY DEREGULATION COMMITTEE REPORT: Council member Isphording reported that the Water Works Committee met on August 12, 2025. Council member Isphording then proceeded to present highlights from the Water Works Departmental Activity Report. Please see the “Water Works Committee Meeting Report” for full details (included in the Council Meeting Packet). Council member Isphording then presented highlights from the Water Works Project Management Report. Please see the “Water Works Project Management Report” for full details (included in the Council Meeting Packet). 12. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE REPORT: Mayor Krehbiel reported that the Public Safety Committee met on August 8, 2025, and shared the updates with Council. Please see the “Public Safety Committee Meeting Report” for full details (included in the Council Meeting Packet). Mayor Krehbiel closed with a motion to approve Resolution 13-25. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE FINAL HAMILTON COUNTY 911 PLAN PURSUANT TO OHIO REVISED CODE CHAPTER 128 Council member Gibson seconded, the motion passed by unanimous voice vote (7-0), and Resolution 13-25 was approved. Upon passage of this Resolution, Mayor Krehbiel’s report concluded. 13. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: Council member Manning shared the outcome of two matters reviewed by the Planning Commission on July 16, 2025. a. Recommended approval of a variance to reduce the rear yard setback to construct a covered deck addition onto a non-conforming home and deck. The property is located at 6830 Tupelo Lane. b. Recommended approval of a variance to reduce the side yard setback for the construction of a new garage in the same non-conforming location as the former barn. The property is located at 8475 Indian Hill Road. 14. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT: City Manager Minneci shared the following with Council: a. The Administration Building will be closed September 1 in observation of Labor Day. b. The August 8 Movie Night was very successful for the community. Minutes of Council Meeting August 18, 2025 Page 8 15. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Krehbiel requested a motion to go into Executive Session for the purpose of conferencing with attorney for public body concerning disputes involving it that are subject of pending or imminent court action. Mayor Krehbiel’s motion for Council go into Executive Session for said purpose was seconded by Council member Manning, and passed by unanimous roll call vote (7-0). Council then entered into Executive Session. Council returned from Executive Session. 16. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before Council, Mayor Krehbiel declared the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Stephen H. Krehbiel, Mayor ATTEST: TaraLyn M. Riordan, Clerk