Hamilton County commissioners celebrate Black Music Walk of Fame

The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Driehaus. Silent prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance were the first order of business, followed by approval of the minutes from the last meeting.

Commissioners present:
Denise Driehaus, president
Alicia Reece, commissioner
Stephanie Summerow Dumas, commissioner
Jeff Aluotto, county administrator
Patrick Dressing, assistant prosecuting attorney

Motions:
Driehaus referred to the establishment of the Hamilton County Accessibility Advisory Board (AAB). This board, composed of individuals needing accessibility, is designed to ensure people of different levels of accessibility need, have access to county programs and facilities. The board will make recommendations to the commissioners to improve services, programs and accessibility for disabled citizens. She thanked the AAB for their work and made the motion to pass it; the motion to pass was affirmed by all commissioners.

Comments/Reports:
Driehaus allotted time for each commissioner to report on their respective activities. 

Dumas, recipient of the first World Bridge Builder Award given by Best Point, talked about her participation in various community events. Best Point’s 161st annual meeting was a highlight as she was recognized for her impact on the human spirit. 

She stated that Ohio House Bill 5, the Repeat Offender Act, creates a repeat offender classification and increases penalties for certain firearm offenses. The bill limits judicial discretion, changes expungement processes, and could increase the incarcerated population. She proposed the commission write a letter saying this House bill may be detrimental to incarcerated people.

David Holthus, an independent journalist, interviewed Dumas to get her opinion of an Ohio House bill pertaining to village dissolution. She said the bill says it will create a standard, automatic process of dissolution for citizens to use when village governments are unable to provide core services to their residents.  

Lastly, she expressed her joy at being part of the Black Music Walk of Fame (BMWF) celebration of Black music.

Reece congratulated Dumas on receiving the award and participating in the varied events and representing the commission. Reece focused much of her report on preparation and engagement for the upcoming Veterans Appreciation Day (Sawyer Point) on Aug. 23 and upcoming BMWF events. The VAD event focuses on veterans/military families, with sign-ups for services, programs and more. The 513 Relief Bus will be there, and there will be free food, parking and entertainment.

Reece reiterated June is Black Music Month and there are several key events recognizing it. In partnership with Hard Rock Casino, Cincinnati kicked off its Black Music Walk of Fame celebration on June 4. Reece thanked all the teams, especially her staff, who worked to put the opening celebration together. She also thanked Lincoln Ware – who is the chairperson of the Walk of Fame volunteer committee – Kroger, and Procter & Gamble for their support and hard work.

Reece went on to talk about upcoming events at the BMWF. Reece said the goal this year is to attract 250,000 visitors. Being inducted into the BMWF on July 26 are three of Ohio’s own: The Mighty O’Jays, The Ohio Players and the late Nancy Wilson (with a special tribute by Regina Belle). The ceremony will kick off at 11 a.m. with a line dance festival at the Andrew Brady Center.

Commissioner Dumas will be leading the Cincinnati Juneteenth celebration with the raising of the Juneteenth flag on June 16 at 1 p.m. This opens the door to the Father’s Day celebration featuring Big Rob releasing his new song “The Good Guys,” written especially for fathers. This celebration, complete with music, giveaways, jazz festival tickets and a best-dressed dad contest, will take place at the BMWF. 

Rounding out Reece’s report, she said that Drake Hospital Cincinnati  is closing and the impact will be felt throughout the area. This closure represents a loss of jobs and services. Reece requested a report of the status of workers (placements, workforce assistance) and services (rehab services, etc.).

Driehaus expressed appreciation and sadness as she said goodbye to her intern, Victoria Strawbridge, on her last day, and hello to Trey Warden, the new intern. She also welcomed Morgan Dalton as a fellow. She reminded everyone that this is National Pride Month and said she was happy to have the flag flying in the month of June.

Events she attended during the month included the Chamber of Commerce Local Government Day (city, county and state elected officials come together to discuss the current status of local government), the Pride flag raising occasion, and the One Ohio meeting discussing the distribution of funds to combat the opioid epidemic held at Talbert House. The commissioners’ role is to help direct the use of funds to “curb the issues related to addiction in this community,” per Driehaus. Driehaus said she attended the Community Development Fund meeting to discuss affordable housing and appreciates their partnership.

Driehaus attended the Black Music Walk of Fame kickoff and described it as ”an annual celebration of not only the Walk of Fame, but also Black culture, Black history, Black excellence in this community.” She thanked Reece for the invitation.

Lastly, Driehaus relayed the status of the budget relative to stadium funding. After speaking to the leader of the Ohio Senate, the speaker of the Ohio House, and the finance chair (ensuring Hamilton County is on their radar), she learned there is over $3 billion in unclaimed funds of which $1.7 could be used for funding stadiums under the budget proposal from the Senate. Of that $600,000 would go the proposed Browns Stadium, leaving $1.1 billion for other localities to apply for stadiums in their communities. She expressed her optimism that Hamilton County would receive something.

Driehaus moved to hear the report from Aluotto.

Regular agenda

Engineer:
Items 1 and 2 were approved, with all commissioners affirming the vote. Todd Long, chief deputy engineer, said bids for road salt are being accepted in preparation for winter weather.

Consent Agenda

Commission administration
Aluotto said Lisa Webb, assistant county administrator, has been asked to follow up on the status of Drake Hospital Cincinnati. He advised that Michael Patton, director of Hamilton County Job and Family Services, will look into assistance for dislocated workers and other areas of concern and keep them informed of matters relating to Drake Hospital Cincinnati. Aluotto congratulated Cincinnati Metro CEO Darryl Haley on all his years of service as he ended his career.

He reported that a new weather warning siren was installed in Green Township. Items #1 through#24 were approved.

Aluotto asked the board to look at the by-leave agenda items (see attached agenda) starting with BL #1; review followed. BL #6 proposes authorizing the purchase of elevators and escalators for Paycor Stadium. Reece asked about the safety of the elevators and escalators in the stadium. Aluotto responded that there is a refurbishment project underway to take care of immediate elevator and escalator needs in the stadium; new elevators have been replaced in the Justice Center.

Reece said, “So with that today, I can’t support anything that’s not in the current lease until we get a new deal.”

Dumas echoed Reece’s sentiment. Commissioners voted on BL#’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and will hold BL#6 for further discussion. 

Reece asked Aluotto about Item #10 on the regular agenda regarding road salt mixture and the potholes she received so many complaints about. Aluotto explained the different additives in the salt and why certain mixtures were chosen. She went on to ask about Item #4, the deposit of $150 million into various banks. She expressed concern that “no money should be deposited into banks without a track record of diversity, lending, contracts, treatment, reinvesting in communities.”

Reece clarified Item #6 referencing a request for a security booth. She stated she was displeased with the security company last year; hence, she did not ask for a security booth. Aluotto advised Reece that a new security company was hired for this year.

The meeting adjourned to executive session. 

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