February 2024

Community Calendar

Village Council Video

Administration & Maintenance

Regular Hours 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Closed Monday, February 19 in Observance of Presidents Day



Dispatch Open

24 hours, 7 days a week

Trash & Recycling

Regular Friday Schedule



Please check the website for updates and schedule changes

Snow Removal Service

Please follow the guidelines in the video at right to ensure our ability to reach all residents in a timely manner. Key takeaways include:

• Do not park on the street during a snow event to allow plows to effectively remove snow and clear catch basins

• Keep trash cans, recyling bins and brush piles out of the street

Leaf & Brush Collection Services

• Brush pickup continues as needed, but is no longer assigned to a particular day.
• Brush pickup includes live, natural Christmas trees.
• Brush pickup will be secondary to snow removal.
• Leaf collection has ended for the season. Leaves can be placed in your trash receptacle for removal.

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT

PRO TIP:

Shoveling snow to the left side of your driveway (if you're facing it from the street)

will prevent plowed snow piles from blocking your access to the roadway!

Amberley Village recently posted a Crimestoppers alert in connection with a residential burglary that occurred in December. The posting was subsequently added to Village social media outlets, and shared across neighboring communities.

To date, law enforcement is still seeking information regarding the identity of the burglars, which were caught on camera in the image at right (click to view enlarged photo).

In addition, the Village is also heading up a "See something, say something" campaign to encourage partnership with residents in both this crime and the recent break-ins associated with a South American crime ring. Many of the leads provided by residents, including phone calls, video footage and general reporting of suspicious vehicles and behavior, have been instrumental in tracking down suspects.

At the January meeting of Council, Lt. Brian Blum reported that the Village's investment in flock cameras has already begun to reap rewards. Earlier this month, AVPD Officers identified and tracked down multiple individuals who were responsible for burglaries in Rollman Estates.

The suspects, who are believed to be tied to a South American "crime tourism" ring, were identified by the cameras, and subsequently led to their arrest.

Several of the neighborhoods in Amberley Village are now pooling resources to install additional cameras on their block. The additional cameras are paid for by residents, and then tied into the Police Department to allow access to the data.

Residents interested in coordinating flock cameras for their street should contact Sergeant Tim Schmidtgoessling at 513-531-2040 for additional information.

We've all experienced the frustration of driving down a seemingly smooth road, only to be jolted by the sudden presence of a pothole. Potholes are a common nuisance on roadways, and understanding what causes them can empower us to address the issue together. Your feedback is crucial in helping our Maintenance personnel identify and fix these road hazards promptly.

Potholes are depressions or holes in the road surface caused by the combination of several factors, including weathering and traffic load. The freeze-thaw cycle also plays a significant role. When water seeps into cracks in the road during warmer weather and then freezes during colder temperatures, it expands, causing the pavement to crack and weaken.

Add to that the constant weight and pressure from vehicles passing over a weakened road surface, and conditions are ripe for the formation of potholes.

Amberley Village residents' firsthand experience with road conditions is invaluable. By reporting potholes or damaged road surfaces, you play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and quality of our infrastructure. Your reports help our Maintenance personnel identify potholes quickly and prioritize repairs, keeping the roads safer and preventing further damage.

If you are aware of an open pothole or other damage to the roadway, contact Amberley Village Administration at 513-531-8675, or after hours call Dispatch at 513-2040.

____________________________________________________________________________

The video below highlights Amberley Village Maintenance personnel doing blacktop repairs over the course of a spring day a few years ago, and includes over 400 photos compiled as a time lapse.

With the recent distribution of property tax assessments, Amberley Village reminds residents that property taxes are set by the County Auditor. The graphic above shows the distribution of taxes in Hamilton County, with nearly 2/3 going to the School District, which in Amberley Village is Cincinnati Public Schools. The remaining dollars are distributed across a variety of County services, with just over 17% coming back to the Village.

Residents have the right to contest their home value by appealing to the Hamilton County Board of Revision, which is comprised of the County Auditor, the County Treasurer and the President of the County Commissioners (see link below for forms and information). Submissions must be mailed to the Review Board and postmarked no later than March 31, 2024.

In last month's issue of the Amberley E-News, staff reported that an income tax postcard had been mailed to residents, and included an enlargeable, printable version (just click on the postcard image). We are including the resource again in this month's issue to remind residents of a few key requests when filing your 2023 income tax return:

• All residents are required to file, even if no tax is due or you have no taxable income
• Taxes can be filed in person or via the Amberley Village website
• Hard-copy returns should not be stapled, and should be printed on one side only

PLEASE SHARE THE INFORMATION

BELOW WITH YOUR TAX PREPARER!

Amberley Village regularly asks its residents to help keep catch basins clear of debris. This is because of the vital role they play in the storm water system. Catch basins can help protect our watersheds by preventing stormwater from washing pollutants into our rivers and streams. 

Surface water enters the system through catch basins (also called storm sewers), and then travels to creeks through the storm water pipes. The Maintenance Department performs regular inspections to reduce the number of larger repairs.

Residents can do their part to keep water from backing up and allowing only clean water to flow through by ensuring catch basins are free of debris. In winter months, catch basins tend to work overtime due to fluctuations in temperature, the use of melting agents and damage from frozen water and debris. Be sure to report any cracks in the asphalt or chunks missing around the outside of the catch basin. Help keep foreign objects out the storm sewer by sweeping or shoveling debris from the gutter, as roadside litter in winter months can often be hidden by snow.

When Amberley Village staff ran this winter checklist two years ago, it instantly became one of the most downloaded E-News documents in recent years. We're sharing this again in response to the January temperatures and the fall of our first snow, but also because winter weather can roll in with little warning. The checklist can be printed for handy reference - just click the button below. It's just one resource of many the Village offers to residents, including our Emergency Preparedness Guide, which is free and available upon request at the Amberley Village Municipal Building. Pick yours up today!

Amberley Village residents responded to our social media challenge to send in their best photos from the double rainbow on the morning of January 12, 2024. The photo above was taken by staff to initiate the challenge, with winning photos submitted by James Campbell from Meadow Ridge Lane (bottom left), and Kate Grise from French Park (bottom right). Click the button below the photos to view the online gallery!

Amberley Village offers a meaningful and lasting way to commemorate a loved one, thank a neighbor for their service, or celebrate a significant achievement or milestone. Our Tree + Bench donation program brings positive impact to the community, enhances beauty and marks a permanent contribution honoring someone special. Find out more about options and costs below, or contact Carolyn Wallis at 513-531-8675 or cwallis@amberleyvillage.org for additional information.

Above, the Lacebark Elm donated in memory of former Councilmember Ed Hattenbach after his passing in 2021.

At left, the Kwaanzan Cherry Tree donated by staff to commemorate Tom Muething's ten years as Mayor and 12 years on Council

The U.S. Government recently renewed its commitment to safeguarding the well-being of citizens with the reintroduction of free COVID tests for citizens. As of September 25, Americans can visit www.covid.gov/tests to request a few free COVID-19 rapid tests be mailed to their homes.

Find out if your on-hand tests have new expiration dates

Our February banner campaign (pictured above) highlights the Village's commitment to home safety, and reminds residents of the importance of police/community partnership in solving crime. Residents are reminded to contact Dispatch with information on any suspicious vehicles or individuals at 513-531-2040.

Amberley Village Council meets on the second Monday of each month (unless there is a conflict). The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 12, 2024 at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, located at 7149 Ridge Road.

Residents may submit comments in writing or attend in-person to participate. To speak at the meeting or submit written comments, please contact Clerk of Council Tammy Reasoner by noon the day of the meeting at 513-531-8675 or at tpreasoner@amberleyvillage.org. Speakers for the public hearing may also sign up in Chambers prior to the start of the meeting.

Copies of the agenda and council packet are posted on the website by noon on the day of each meeting via the Agendas and Minutes button, or by clicking the button below:

Resolution 2024-01, Authorizing the Village Manager to Enter into a Contract for Ballfield Renovations

Resolution 2024-02, Authorizing a Rate Increase for CT Consultants

Whether your nearest library is Deer Park, Reading, Pleasant Ridge or Blue Ash, our local libraries are an excellent resource for kids and adults alike! Amberley Village E-News makes it easy for you to check out library programming for the upcoming month via the button below. 

For more information regarding the Featured Program, click on the Featured Program block below.

Featured Program:

Don't miss your opportunities to be heard! Be sure you're registered for the 2024 Presidential Elections according to the following schedule from the Hamilton County Board of Elections. You can check their website to see if your information is up to date, view a sample ballot or locate your polling place. Please note that elections in Hamilton County are overseen by the Board of Elections, and that questions should be directed to them at the link below, or by calling (513) 632-7000.

Join us on Nextdoor, YouTube & Facebook

rbardach@amberleyvillage.org

afrankel@amberleyvillage.org

bhunt@amberleyvillage.org

kpaul@amberleyvillage.org

brosen@amberleyvillage.org

jshatz@amberleyvillage.org

dwood@amberleyvillage.org

Amberley Village is committed to keeping lines of communication open and accessible between residents and government officials. In this spirit, Amberley Village has incorporated Village-issued email addresses for Councilmembers into its digital communications protocol.

These measures unify the format, making it easier for residents to send a message when an issue comes to mind. The member's first initial followed by last name (no space) @amberleyvillage.org will get your message on its way to members of the Amberley Village Council.

Even easier, visit our website and just click on the links to reach your elected officials!