Miami Township Monthly
May 2020
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Public Health Advisory: COVID-19
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A Message from Trustee President John Morris
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Miami Township joins the world as we slowly walk the path to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully, we will soon return to whatever normal comes after an event like this. With so many projects on hold, businesses closed, people sheltered in place, the primary concern remains rightfully focused on the well-being of our people while halting the spread of this virus. Our prayers are going out to those who’ve already been impacted and those still to come.
While this is an unprecedented event in our lifetime and there is no script on what to do, I am so very proud of the leadership being shown within our township. The administration, police, fire, public works departments, and citizens are all working together as best we can to keep our services operational while protecting employees and citizens, maintaining social distancing, sanitizing buildings, furniture, door handles and vehicles. Prior investments made in online solutions are allowing us to conduct development, zoning and permit work without face to face contact. Employees can work remotely while everyone is on call as needed.
The economic impact of this event is only now unfolding; but the administration and trustees are already looking forward and making projections for the future. Miami Township is fortunate to receive a significant amount of revenue from our hotel/motel taxes - those facilities are empty today. Our revenue will be down as well. Joint Economic Development Districts (JEDDs) such as the one at Austin Landing are another wonderful source of funds for our roads and parks improvement projects. JEDDs are often funded via taxes on operations revenue - when stores are closed – JEDD money goes down. Some exciting roads and parks improvements planned for 2020 and 2021 may need to be delayed.
Thank you for choosing to live in Miami Township and please understand that we are all working to get our services, growth and investments in our community back to “normal” as soon as we can.
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Township meetings via teleconference
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Miami Township is making every effort to comply with social distancing protocols during this COVID-19 public health crisis. As a result, our regularly scheduled public meetings are being held via Zoom, a third-party telecommunication vendor. By using
Zoom’s services, the township is working to comply with the
Ohio Open Meetings Act
while conducting official township business:
The Open Meetings Act requires public bodies in Ohio to conduct all public business in open meetings that the public may attend and observe. This means that if a public body is meeting to discuss and vote on or otherwise decide public business, the meeting must be open to the public. ORC 121.22. - Ohio Attorney General’s Office
For the schedule of meetings and to register to attend a virtual meeting, including the Board of Trustees, Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals,
CLICK NOW
.
Meetings will be held virtually until further notice.
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The bi-annual newsletter you typically receive in the mail this May is delayed until Fall 2020.
But, there are still plenty of opportunities to stay connected.
We have already ramped up our online presence through our website, social media and this monthly email. As the township continues to increase our digital presence, we are considering whether to discontinue the mailed newsletter.
A recent survey we conducted asked about how you receive township information. It suggests that most residents get the information they need from our social media and website.
As we consider ending home delivery of the biannual newsletter via the U.S. Postal Service, we want your feedback first. Should the mailed newsletter continue? Please email your thoughts to
contact@miamitownship.co
m
.
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2020 National Night Out Postponed
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National Night Out is being delayed to Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
We want to act on the side of caution while still making our top-rated celebration the best it can be.
Organizers will begin to take applications for neighborhood events in June. Please visit the
NNO webpage
for more information.
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Donations make officers safer
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Thanks to our community, township police officers are staying safe while out on patrol. A special thanks to
Think Patented
, a printing company in Miamisburg. Their team made and donated face masks for our officers.
And, to
Battle Sight
in Dayton, for donating bottles of its custom-made hand sanitizer. The Miami Township Police Department is deeply appreciative of these donations.
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Contact us with your questions
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Administration: 937-433-9969
Community Development:
937-433-3426
Public Works: 937-866-4661
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Email Administration:
contact@miamitownship.com
Email Community Development:
planning@miamitownship.com
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While our main lobby will remain closed to visitors for now, Government Center essential staff office hours currently remain Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - noon. The police department lobby is also closed, but you can call from a lobby phone to reach an officer.
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Apply online with Citizenserve
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A reminder to keep using Citizenserve to apply online for zoning certificates and to pay permit application fees! It is free and easy to use.
Click
to submit an online application now.
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Township parks remain open to use the trails and green space, but play equipment and shelters remain closed. Park reservations are being accepted, dependent on the status of the COVID-19 stay at home order.
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Fruit for All Reasons has been making delicious smoothies at a kiosk inside the Dayton Mall for 20 years. Loyal customers line up like clockwork for their fruity protein boosts, at least they used to. Many are employees at the nearby hospitals. So, when the COVID-19 lockdown kicked in, Fruit for All Reasons owner, Bryon Ingram, jumped into action. His business was forced to close, but that didn’t stop him.
“I started to think about our regulars and how they were doing because many of them work at Sycamore, Southview and the Franklin ER,” Ingram said. “What better way to pay tribute to all their sacrifice and hard work than by providing them healthy smoothies as way to thank them.”
Ingram’s family-run business set up a fundraiser on their Facebook page and donations poured in to help. Enough money was raised to allow them to deliver nearly 200 smoothies and counting, to the hospital staffs.
“This is a great way to keep busy, so why not think of my loyal customers and help them out.”
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Ingram is thankful to Dayton Mall management for allowing him to make the smoothies at his kiosk as he struggles to make ends meet for his family.
“I’ve applied for the loans and deferral plans available to me, so, in the meantime, I’ll keep delivering smoothies to medical staff as long as the donations keep coming.”
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Dayton Mall Donation Drive
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The Dayton Mall is teaming up with area non-profit organizations for a donation drive. Residents are asked to donate non-perishable food items and everyday essentials such as diapers, toilet paper, soap, pet food and school supplies.
The drop off location is at the front of the mall, between the DSW shoe store and the old Elder-Beerman site. It is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., until further notice.
In a news release, mall owners said, “Now more than ever, Dayton Mall remains committed to serving Miami Valley residents as a community partner. This is one example of parent company Washington Prime Group’s continued efforts to unite communities nationwide in times it is needed most.”
The donations will benefit organizations such as For Love of Children (FLOC), Shoes for the Shoeless, Crayons to Classrooms, No Child Hungry, House of Bread and the Humane Society of Greater Dayton.
Dayton Mall encourages people to make a donation while out making essential trips. Donation bins are well marked and adhere to social distancing protocols.
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Photo Gallery - Coping with COVID
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Officer Bens wishes young Max a happy birthday
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Inspiring message along Spring Valley Pike
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Villages of Miami egg hunt
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Gift bags for police officers thanks to Target.
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At Your Service - Other News
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A reminder that several township roadways are currently under construction or nearing completion. Among them, a bridge along Cordell Drive between Owendale Drive and Lynpark Avenue is being replaced. The start date is May 4 weather permitting. The project is expected to take approximately 60 days to complete.
Washington Church Road between Spring Valley and Lyons is being paved, as is Benner Road from Lyons to the corporation line and a small section of Shepherd Road. Several roads in the Villages of Miami are also being paved.
Please use caution in these areas and slow down to keep everyone safe.
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Nearly 60% of township residents have filled out the census, but there is still work to be done.
Please visit
2020census.gov
now for those who still need to participate. It takes only a few minutes and the benefits to our community are great! Your answers help determine how much federal funding our community will receive for projects that matter to you, like road construction and health care!
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Meet the Employees
Adrianne Bell
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Adrianne Bell is a 27-year employee of Miami Township. As the administrative technician for the Public Works Department, she is most likely the first person you speak with when you call. Among her many duties are record keeping, payroll and invoices. We asked Adrianne a few questions so that you can get to know her better.
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How did you get started at the township?
I was working at the Mound when I became aware of a position open with the Public Works Department, which at that time was called the Service Department. Rumors had just begun about the Mound closure, and fortunately for me, I got the position and have been here ever since.
The Public Works Department does a lot of hard work. What impact would you say it has on the community?
Public Works is usually the behind the scenes department. We keep the community on the move providing roadways that are safe, passable and clearly identifiable to commuters. Additionally, providing parks that are well maintained with play equipment, shelters and ball fields to name a few of the recreational opportunities available to our residents.
Any funny stories to share about your co-workers or working with residents you’d like to share?
One particularly funny story I remember from several years ago was the duck family that was saved after jumping into a catch basin. Workers were flagged down by a group of residents anxious about the ducklings' welfare. The basin was opened and entered, and the chase began to gather the ducks, who obviously did not understand this was for their own good. The ordeal ended with the duck family safe, relocation to a safer area and cheers and applause from the large crowd that had gathered.
How do you spend your time outside of work? Family? Hobbies?
Outside of work I stay busy with my husband raising hay, milk goats and taking care of our horses. But my favorite way to spend time is with my four grandchildren who are 11, 6, 2 and 9 months.
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- Township administrative offices are closed Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. Offices reopen Tuesday, May 26, at 8 a.m.
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