E-News September 2015

Lower Stormwater Utility Fees

The Village’s Storm Water Utility was created in 2002 and passed in 2003.  The utility was created to effectively manage and finance a storm water system within the Village.  The intent was to establish and maintain fair and reasonable storm water management service charges for each lot or parcel in the Village as each property contributes to storm water runoff and benefits from effective management of storm water.

The utility generates approximately $332,000 per year or $83,000 per quarter.  Village code requires the funds generated be exclusively used for storm water utility purposes.  

Since 2003, the Village has invested over $3.3 million into the storm water infrastructure. With the majority of larger and more expensive storm water projects completed in recent years, the 2015 Budget reflected a decrease to the utility fee rate. 

The Storm Water Advisory and the Streets, Public Utilities and Sewers Committees held meetings to consider the proposed reduction.  After reviewing the major accomplishments and potential future projects, the consensus recommended to Council was to reduce the fee.  Three readings of the ordinance to reduce the fee occurred and Council adopted Ordinance 2015-6 at its June meeting, which reduced residents’ storm water rate by 30% and went into effect on July 23. 

Residents will receive a pro-rated rate reduction on their bill beginning with the October billing cycle and the full 30% rate reduction will be reflected on their January bill from Cincinnati Water Works where the storm water utility fee is itemized.

Calendar Events

September 7 Labor Day – Offices Closed
September 8 Board of Zoning Appeals 7 p.m.
September 9 Council Meeting 6:30 p.m.
September 28 ESC Meeting 7 p.m.

Watch the August Council Meeting

August Council Meeting Highlights

75th Anniversary Parade & Celebration

Thanks to everyone for coming out to the Amberley Village 75th Anniversary Parade and Celebration August 16! A very special thanks to all of those who volunteered, donated, and assisted with making this a memorable day for the community!

         75th Anniversary Photo Gallery

Photo Contest for 75th Anniversary Accepting Entries until September 30

Did you take pictures at the 75th Anniversary event? Enter the Share Your Best Photo Contest by September 30 for a chance to win a restaurant gift card!

Contest Rules:
Theme categories: people, activities, overall event

Print Newsletter in October

The Village sends a print newsletter via regular mail twice per year to every household to ensure that it reaches out to all residents.

The next print newsletter is scheduled to arrive in mailboxes in early October.

Leaf Collection Begins October 19

The Village’s annual leaf collection program will begin on Monday, October 19 this year.  The Maintenance Department has readied its equipment and the crews will make regular routes throughout Village to provide leaf collection to residents until December 31, 2015.  

The black and white advisory signs will be posted at the entrance to your neighborhood in advance of the crews, projecting the estimated day of collection in your area.

Crews will stay on schedule as much as possible.  Weather, equipment, parking on the street, and debris mixed with leaves all affect the Village’s ability to collect leaves.

The Village’s Maintenance Department crew will concentrate on bulk leaf collection during mid-October through December.   The last pick-up day for residents will be their regularly scheduled pick-up day during the week of October 12 through October 16.  Brush pick-up will resume in January.  To find out the last day of brush pick-up on your street, please visit the News section at AmberleyVillage.org.

The school buses are back on the roadways which reminds drivers to be on alert for an increase in pedestrian and traffic congestion.  Slow down! The Amberley Village Police Department says slowing down and not becoming distracted while driving are two of the most important things that drivers can do to help prevent accidents as the roads become busier during the school year.

Drivers can also use this reminder about stopping for school buses to help keep kids safe:   

Ohio law requires motorists approaching from either direction of a stopped school bus to stop at least 10 feet from a bus loading or unloading passengers.  If a school bus is stopped on a road divided into four or more lanes, only traffic driving in the same direction as the bus must stop.

The Police Department urges motorists to do their part and pay attention while driving, not only during the school year, but at all times while driving.  Stay safe! 

This month the Environmental Stewardship Committee’s healthy home series is bringing awareness to cleanliness in the kitchen.  The opportunity for food-borne illnesses, pest infestations and exposure to contaminants is likely where food is often handled.   Routine cleaning of focus areas in the kitchen include:

• Clean your sink with a good detergent every day:  Oil, fats, and food particles can coat your sink, especially in the corners making it a breeding ground for bacteria. 
• Wipe down countertop and cutting board surfaces well after use or spills: Doing so right away will ensure that surfaces are clean and will not cross contaminate food.
• Clean the crevices in your kitchen: The corners of the kitchen sink, counter top, the spots between kitchen tiles and the crevices of the kitchen floor (especially where garbage is kept) can collect dirt, grime and food particles. It is essential that these areas be cleaned at least once a week with a good kitchen cleaner.
• Clean your drain twice a month: Sink drains can be home to pests.  Use an appropriate cleaner at least twice a month.
• Use a covered waste basket in the kitchen: Waste baskets are a breeding ground for insects and other pests all of which can spread a number of diseases.
• Clean your refrigerator and microwave regularly: These two places are often ignored but are very ripe breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses that can cause food-borne infections.   Be sure to clean regularly.

Source:  http://www.thehealthsite.com   

For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/healthyhomes or http://www.surgeongeneral.gov. 

Amberley Village currently offers discounted energy rates for residents through its gas and electric aggregation programs.  The first half of this year, Village residents and businesses saved $53,208 on electric and natural gas bills when compared to Duke Energy’s Price-to-Compare rate.  If you are with another supplier and would like to switch to the Village’s aggregation programs, contact IGS Energy at 1-800-280-4474 (8 am – 8 pm weekdays) to sign up.  There are no additional fees associated with the Village’s aggregation programs, but before you switch you should check with your existing supplier for related cancellation fees.

The Village now offers a mobile app for residents to access the latest news, community calendar and even pay your taxes! Download it on your iPhone or Android today!