Regular meeting convened on August 14, 2025 at 6 p.m. All commissioners were present.

Commission President Denise Driehaus opened the meeting with silent prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Driehaus explained this is a quarterly meeting, with others to follow in different locations. The meeting included approval of the minutes of the previous meeting and followed the agenda, with some modifications to its order, as outlined. Driehaus introduced the mayor of Springdale, Lawrence Hawkins, III, who welcomed the commissioners and attendees. He introduced his council members after he gave a report on the progress of revitalizing the Springdale area. Specifically, he named several new businesses (Slick City, Flying Ace, Ditch, etc.) relocating to the area. He also mentioned residential developments offering increased employment, housing and entertainment. He also plugged the upcoming Pretzel Fest.

Commissioner Stephanie Summerow Dumas complimented Hawkins on the development progress in Springdale. Commissioner Alicia Reece thanked Hawkins for his work.  She also stated the county is glad to partner with Springdale in the rebuilding of the community.

Public comments: 

Matthew Smeal, citizen, expressed his concern for the Brent Spence Bridge development and design project.  He traveled in Europe as a student and found its transportation routes were better designed than those in the Cincinnati area.

He stated, “Transportation in Europe is phenomenal unlike here.” He is concerned about the amount of money being spent without officials listening to citizen concerns.

Driehaus thanked him for coming out and expressing his concerns. She then introduced the presentation of the Commission on Women and Girls.

Commission on Women and Girls 

1. -2025 Resolution Appointing Members to the Hamilton County Commission on Women and Girls

Women and Girls presentation:

Mary Maude, program administrator for  the Commission on Women and Girls, presented the 20 new youth and women inducted to serve a 12-month term within the commission.  

Its mission is to elevate women’s and girls’ voices within the community, create community partnerships, develop public information and educational campaigns, and make recommendations to county commissioners. The commission is composed of 20 women who serve two-year terms, and 10 high school girls who serve one-year terms.  

Maude also reported on initiatives and projects completed by the commission. One of their most successful recommendations was the proposal, adoption and implementation of the menstrual equity resolution adopted in public schools and public buildings in Hamilton County. This resolution directs public schools and public buildings to provide menstrual supplies to women and girls. A photo op with the commissioners followed the presentation. 

Commissioner’s Report:

Dumas

• Met with Phil Castellini regarding plans for the use of the Heritage Arena; no plans have been finalized. The Family and Children First Commission had an audit. Dumas said the audit  was clean, and they are doing great work there. 
• The video shoot for the Veterans Administration Celebration on Aug. 23 went well, and  she was proud to be involved.  
• Dumas also stated she met with Glenn Welling, interim director for the Veterans Service Commission. 
• She also attended the Investment Advisory Committee meeting with the RedTree Group. Lastly, she attended the Hamilton County addiction response update webinar, which she found interesting. 

Reece  

• Reece opened her remarks by announcing the Military and Veterans Appreciation Day celebration this weekend at Sawyer Point.   The event will run 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 23. Over 80 vendors have committed to provide an array of services. Music, fireworks, free food, free transportation, a kids zone, and various social services will be available. 
• She acknowledged the 513Relief Bus hosted the annual back-to-school event at at Agape Love Ministries. 
• She also attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the Martin Luther King Jr. statue.e She noted the Black Music Walk of Fame has exceeded 290,000 visitors and may be featured in Tourism Magazine. 

Driehaus

• Driehaus  participated in Paddlefest on the Mill Creek waterway, and said she enjoyed it. She also participated in the Newtown Summerfest by delivering a proclamation from the county, attended the ‘Tailgate for Tomorrow,’ a fund raiser for Maddie’s House. 

Alluto

• Thanked the Springdale  Springdale City Manager Brian Uhl for their hospitality. He also welcomed several new Hamilton County employees. With the agreement of Driehaus, he proceeded to present the ‘By Leave Items’ for adoption before proceeding with the remaining agenda items. 

Commissioners approved the following 26 items on the agenda. See full agenda here.

The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

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