Minutes
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Regular Meeting
Monday, February 18, 2008
Meeting called to order: 7:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Trustee Lee Kehoe, Trustee Lynda Bowers, Trustee Donald Butler, Fiscal Officer Shirley Bailey
Sue Lousher – Director of the Medina County University Center – Mr. Kehoe introduced Ms. Lousher. Ms. Lousher
welcomed the audience to the center. Programming started in January this year. Enrollment is 121 students this first
semester. There are about 25-30 classes being offered. The university prides itself on personal touch. The University
also focuses on Work Force Development as well as Public Policy Training Seminars. Ms. Lousher stated that the
facilities are available to the public for rental for community events. She thanked the community for their partnership
and support.
Mr. Kehoe informed the community that Ms. Louscher and staff would be providing tours after the meeting.
Swearing in Ceremony for Shirley Bailey – Judge John Lohn swore Ms. Bailey in for the office of Fiscal Officer.
Minutes – No minutes were available for approval.
Correspondence –
• Medina County Prosecuting Attorney – decision of the Board of Zoning Appeals
• Medina County Department of Planning Services – regarding application for the Chippewa Lake Overlay. They
are reviewing the text amendment that was submitted by Lafayette Township and will prepare a recommendation.
Financial Report – Ms. Bailey reported that the review of the bank reconciliation had been completed by Mr. Butler in
December and by Ms. Bowers in January. The checking balance is $625,310.21 and the investment balance is
$1,514,433.61.
Requisitions – Ms. Bailey presented the requisitions. The total for Fire is $11,858.61 and for Service is $27.90. Ms.
Bowers moved to approve and Mr. Butler seconded. All voting in favor.
Department Reports:
Zoning report received.
Service Department report received.
Fire – 2 applications were turned in this evening by Mr. Garver for Mr. Dennis Boggs and Mr. Bobby Joe Morgan. Mr.
Kehoe will get copies to the other board members and they will review. Mr. Kehoe asked Mr. Garver if background
checks had been completed on these applicants. Mr. Garver stated that they generally wait until after the board
approves the candidates before doing the background checks.
Old Business:
Cemetery – Ms. Bowers reported that a citizen had reported to her that Mr. Boreman of the Medina County Engineers
Office did not understand why the township was having all the additional roads put into the cemetery. In Mr. Boreman’s
opinion, it wasn’t necessary. Ms. Bowers had not heard this in the past. Ms. Bowers stated that if the drives aren’t
necessary it would allow additional space for more plots. She would like to discuss and verify this information with Mr.
Boreman. Mr. Kehoe asked if Mr. Boreman had recommended the driveways to begin with. Ms. Bowers replied that had
been her understanding through the former clerk. Ms. Bowers suggested not rescinding the board’s former decision but
holding off until this new information can be verified.
Ms. Bowers reported that she located a set of Cemetery Rules that were adopted in 2/7/04. In August of 2005, Ms.
Bowers had suggested several updates to these rules. There is no record that any of those changes were
incorporated. Ms. Bowers asked the board if they would like a clean copy of the 2004 rules or a copy of her current
marked up set of rules. Mr. Kehoe replied that a copy of her set would be fine.
New Business:
RESOLUTION 09-08 – A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE MEDINA COUNTY INNOVATION PARK
The board agreed to table the resolution at this time for further review.
Comprehensive Plan Presentation – Mr. Bob Arnold, presenter and facilitator
Mr. Arnold reported that the committee has been working on this plan for a little over a year. The Comprehensive Plan
has been based upon using Values & Issues to determine what is important to Lafayette Township.
1. Discovery Phase
a. Vision & Idea Discovery Map
b. Strength Weakness Opportunities Threats Analysis (SWOT)
c. 8 Values (Recreation, Nature Preservation, Rural Character, Build Community, Facilities & Services, Attraction,
Education, Business)
d. 14 Issues consolidated down to 10 Issues- assigned to task force (Education, Recreation, Rural Character,
Development & Growth, Businesses & Jobs, Corridors & Infrastructure, Township Services, Town Center & Community
Facilities, Revenue, Collaboration)
2. Exploring Phase
Some key points that Mr. Arnold wanted to point out included:
• Growth is occurring from the east side
• The 20 year Sewer Plan – Chippewa Lake Station will be updated. Having sewer on the east side will bring
development.
• Local Commercial needs sewer. The current town center is not on sewer.
• The Steering Committee is looking for areas where growth would make sense.
• One Issue is a Town Center for the township to have an identity. Three locations to consider are a) 162 & 42
b) Chippewa Lake Park c) Lake & 162.
• Rural Character is a major point being considered along with balanced growth.
• 37% of the township is farmland.
• 10% of the township is owned by the park district or other non-tax paying entities.
• Utilizing the Balanced Growth Initiative provided for the Upper West Branch of the Rocky River.
Mr. Kehoe opened up for questions.
Paul Calvo asked if water would be coming into the township. Mr. Arnold replied that the whole township will get water as
soon as two years. Water will only be run where it is asked for by a majority of the residents. Mr. Calvo asked if more
houses come in without sewer, there is a chance that the land could become polluted. He feels the township needs to
be careful of how many buildings it allows to be built.
Karen Schoonover asked if the continuing meetings would be open to the public and if they would be listed on the
website. Mr. Arnold replied that he notifies Ms. Bailey and Mr. Kehoe stated that he feels the meetings should be
published on the website. Ms. Schoonover wanted to know if the Open House will be promoted in the paper and/or with
signage. Mr. Kehoe said it would be promoted. It is the trustees responsibility to do so.
Dave Hollish asked if it would be published in the Gazette. He also asked if Mr. Arnold facilitated with other townships in
Medina County. Mr. Arnold replied at this time, no. Mr. Hollish is an advocate of never stopping growth of high density
housing, but is concerned about the infrastructure keeping up. The roads seem to be falling apart. The county and
state do not seem to be keeping up with the growth on their roads. With the new development at the golf course, how
many homes are going in there? Mr. Kehoe replied that nothing has been approved on that as yet. Mr. Hollish
wondered if we shouldn’t be lobbying to the state to help with these infrastructure problems.
Mike Cavey stated that 2% of the township is involved in farming and there are very few jobs in the township. The
committee determined that this area is a commuter community. They agree that those corridors are a high priority.
Mr. Kehoe noted that these meetings have been publicized in the newspapers.
Warrants – Ms. Bowers moved to pay the warrants, seconded by Lee Kehoe.
Fire Report was submitted by Mr. Steve Garver. Ms. Bowers moved to approve this report. Mr. Kehoe seconded.
Dave Hollish asked if the accounts that were missing at the last meeting had been found and if the state had come in
and helped resolve the issue. Ms. Bailey and Mr. Kehoe responded that it had been taken care of. Mr. Hollish asked
how much exactly is in the Fire & Rescue Fund. Ms. Bailey replied $1,234,362.80. He asked how much was for the new
building. Ms. Bailey replied that $750,000.00 had been set aside for a building. Mr. Hollish asked if that money was
accruing interest of it’s own. Ms. Bailey replied that several accounts are drawing interest. The Fire Fund has grown
from around $900,000 to $1,100,000 while she has been Fiscal Officer.
Jack Heiszek asked if the interest goes to the Fire Fund. Ms. Bailey replied that the interest goes in the General Fund
but is credited to the Fire Fund.
Lisa Takach asked if there was a reason that the special meeting regarding the country club development was being
held in the day rather than at night. Mr. Kehoe replied that it was the best time to get everyone together. Ms. Takach
asked if a meeting could be scheduled in the evening to accommodate those who can’t make a day meeting. Mr. Kehoe
replied not this time since the meeting was already set up. Ms. Bowers offered to have any of those who can’t attend to
send something in writing and the board would make sure that it was read into the record.
Mr. Butler moved to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Bowers.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.