Focus Group Minutes
September 21, 1999
PRESENT: Mayor Maxine Gilman; Deputy Mayor Bill Gordon; Council Members Jack Jensen and
Linda Lotspaih; City Manager, G. Tracy Williams. Citizens who attended were: Claudia
Dixon, 10 West Pease Avenue; Charles and Linda Gau, 5010 Marcy Road; Sandra Neff, 1368-40
Black Forest Drive; Gail and Lucinda Tolene, 1412 Royal Archer Drive; Bob Wild, 1032
Catalina Drive; Larry and Mary Thompson, 4914 Marcy Road; Joe and Tammy Hardin, 15 West
Pease Avenue. Council Members not present, excused: Bill Ennis, Don Mounce, Jeff Sanner.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room.
The Citizens Focus Group was called to order by Mayor Gilman.
Mayor Gilman welcomed the citizens and expressed appreciation to them for taking an
evening to meet with City Council. She indicated that while the Focus Group was an open
forum and Council would welcome discussion on any topic or concerns that the citizens
might have, she suggested the four following topics for consideration:
What can be done to improve the quality of life for our community
What should be done to improve the appearance of the community
What can be done to make West Carrollton a more family-friendly community
What are West Carrollton's best selling points to attract new residents
A discussion was held concerning the possibility of establishing a recreational facility
for citizens of all ages. It was suggested that if something could not be done on a large
scale because of the cost, that possibly a smaller scale recreational facility could be
built in the future. City Manager Williams noted that the city not only needed to consider
the initial capital cost to construct the facility, but also the ongoing annual expense to
operate and maintain such a facility. The citizens expressed a great deal of interest in
such a facility if the city could afford it. Also, interest was expressed in providing
better programs and better facilities for the senior citizens.
Discussion was held concerning the possibility of providing a latchkey program for youth
who need more structured activities between the time school is dismissed and the time
their parents return home.
The citizens present indicated that they like the small hometown feeling that exists in
West Carrollton, and felt that this sense of a small close knit community is one of the
best selling points that West Carrollton has to offer. However, they noted that the
biggest concern facing the community is the quality of West Carrollton schools, or at
least the perception that West Carrollton schools are not as good as schools in
surrounding areas. It was noted that the schools must be improved if West Carrollton is to
attract families with school age children.
The citizens noted that West Carrollton has attractive neighborhoods, and generally the
community is well maintained; however, concern was expressed about some properties which
need maintenance. It was noted that often these are rental properties with absentee
landlords who simply do not take care of their properties. Council noted that the city has
adopted a property maintenance program, and has an ongoing inspection program to address
property maintenance concerns.
It was suggested that at some point in the future the city might consider constructing
a bike trail along the Holes Creek channel.
It was suggested that when the city modifies its Zoning Code, provisions be made to ensure
that multi-family housing units provide a larger amount of green space for children who
live in these areas to have a place to play.
Concern was expressed about water pressure in the area of Wilson Park Drive and Heincke
Road. It was noted that over the years, because of increased development in the area,
water pressure has been reduced.
Concern was also expressed about the amount of salt which the city uses during the
wintertime. One citizen suggested that the city should not use so much salt, particularly
in flat areas. He also expressed concern about the snowplows plowing in property owners'
driveways.
Concern was expressed about individuals who use plastic bags to dispose of their refuse.
It was noted that frequently these bags become torn open and this causes trash to be blown
and scattered around the neighborhood.
Mayor Gilman again expressed appreciation to the citizens for attending this meeting, and
assured the citizens that the City Council and city staff are dedicated to providing the
best possible services to them. She continued, asking them to please contact either a City
Council member or the city staff directly with any concerns they might have in the future.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
____________________________ ___________________________
MAYOR CLERK OF COUNCIL