Minutes
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Meeting called to order: 7:10 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Trustee Lee Kehoe, Trustee Don Butler, Fiscal Officer Shirley Bailey
Members Absent: Trustee Lynda Bowers (other members had been notified in advance of absence)
Minutes:
1/2/08 – Mr. Butler moved to approve the minutes with the correction on page 3 of Steve Harmon to Frank Harmon. Mr.
Kehoe seconded. All voting in favor.
Trustee Meeting:
Mr. Kehoe stated that the next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 18, 2008 at the University Center. Mr.
Kehoe asked Ms. Bailey to reconfirm that date. The University Center will also be hosting an Open House for the
residents of Lafayette Township at that time. The Trustee meeting will start 7:00 p.m.
Lafayette Township Benefit Dinner:
Mr. Kehoe reminded the audience that this Saturday, January 26, 2008 is the annual dinner/dance & auction put on by
Jack Chester. Tickets are still available. The dinner starts at 6:30 in the township hall.
Correspondence:
• Lafayette Township Board of Zoning Appeals – minutes of regular meeting on 12/6/07
• Lafayette Township Zoning Commission Workshop – 11/12/07
• Lafayette Township Zoning Commission – regular meeting of 11/15/07
• Lafayette Township Zoning Commission – continuation of public hearing – 12/4/07
• Lafayette Township Zoning Commission – Workshop of 12/11/07
• Lafayette Township Zoning Commission – regular meeting and continuation of a public hearing – 12/12/07
• Lafayette Township Zoning Code – letter from Marlene Oiler
• Ohio Department of Commerce – concerning Armstrong Cable
• Medina County Budget Commission – asked for additional information regarding temporary appropriations
• Medina County Economic Development Cooperation – meeting of 1/29/08
• Armstrong – notice of rate adjustment
• Lafayette Township Zoning Commission – draft copy of letter of 1/14/08
• Letter to Cloverleaf Local Schools – advising termination of lease on 4/18/08
• Evaluations of Lafayette’s Deputies (Steve Clark, Larry Covey, Scott Simonton) – all met or exceeded the job
requirements
• Medina County Engineer – list of subdivisions in which drainage assessments are collected
• Medina County Engineer – letter thanking Trustees for checking mileage certification – there are 25.92 miles of
public roads that are maintained by the township.
• Memo from Marlene Oiler regarding public hearing held 12/12/07 and continued on 1/14/08 relative to the
proposed map amendment submitted by Stan Scheetz. The Trustees will need to schedule a public hearing. Zoning
Inspector, Alliss Strogin, clarified that the trustees have 20-40 days to schedule this meeting. Mr. Kehoe suggested
having the meeting on 2/12/08 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall.
• Workers Comp Worst Case Scenario Form
Financial Report:
Ms. Bailey explained that the financial reports will not reflect for January due to the system not being closed out for year
end. She explained that there is still an amount outstanding on the December reconciliation that is attributed to the
investments and how the system is handling those figures. Since the figures are not correct, she did not present the
numbers for the meeting. Ms. Bailey will have the auditors review this situation. Mr. Kehoe asked if this situation was
going to delay paying bills, etc. Ms. Bailey replied that it is delaying her paying of bills. She can not issue any checks
until the 2007 year is closed out.
Ms. Bailey reported that Mr. Butler had spoken with Kimberly Ray at National City and the bank will be changing the type
of account the township has to better accommodate our situation. This will offer a better rate on the township’s money.
Ms. Ray will also assist in setting up an HRA account with National City to be used for HRA (Health Reimbursement
Account) insurance claim deductions only.
Requisitions:
Ms. Bailey presented the requisitions. Mr. Kehoe stated each requisition aloud. Mr. Butler moved to approve the
requisitions, Mr. Kehoe seconded. All voting in favor.
Certificates of Deposit:
Mr. Butler commended Ms. Bailey for rearranging the Fire District CDs into a better financial situation. With interest
rates falling, Ms. Bailey was able to spread out the CDs into a 15 month ladder, with an average of close to 4%. Mr.
Kehoe thanked Mr. Butler for his time and research into this matter as well.
Department Reports:
Fire Department report was received. Chief Sheppard stated that there were 429 calls for the year. Mr. Kehoe asked if
the false alarms with the University Center have been resolved. Chief Sheppard replied he believed it has been.
Service Department report was received. They have done some maintenance on the town hall.
Zoning Department – Alliss Strogin, Zoning Inspector, spoke from the audience. She stated that the valuations are
almost $5.5 million. Mr. Kehoe read the valuations at $5,780,000.
Service Department – Mr. Kehoe stated that a request has been received from Roy Delaney to rollover 7 vacation days
from 2007 to 2008. Dave Figgers has requested to rollover 3 vacation days from 2007 to 2008. Mr. Delaney will use
his days by March 1, 2008 or lose them. Mr. Figgers has asked to use his days on February 21, 22 & 25. Mr. Kehoe
moved to allow these employees to rollover these days, seconded by Mr. Butler. All voting in favor. Ms. Bailey will notify
the Service Department of this result.
Old Business:
Zoning Position – Mr. Kehoe asked if there had been any response to the advertisement for the BZA and Zoning
positions. Ms. Bailey replied there had not been. Mr. Kehoe announced that if anyone is interested, please let the
board know. Determinations need to be made at the next Trustee meeting.
CDs – Mr. Kehoe asked if signatures would be required. Ms. Bailey replied that is not necessary with the CDs.
Meeting Recorder – Mr. Kehoe discussed the broken recorder and what should be done with it. Ms. Bailey stated that
she could have it sent out to be repaired, but was not sure it would be worth it. No decision was made.
Zoning Question – Mr. Dave Hollish spoke from the audience and asked if there was specific paperwork to turn in if he
was interested in applying for the open positions on the BZA or Zoning Boards. Mr. Kehoe stated that a letter needed to
be turned in expressing interest and any background information.
Hall Rental Fees – Mr. Kehoe stated that the board has not heard from anybody who would like to take on the task of
taking care of the hall.
Cemetery Deed – Mr. Kehoe stated that Ms. Bowers had come up with a revised form. He wants to make sure the form
is in a proper format.
Cemetery Road – Mr. Kehoe stated that the township will have to wait until springtime to correct this issue. A bid of
$1300 has been received.
Zoning Fees Update – This is in progress. Ms. Strogin stated that many of the townships have in place that if work is
started without a permit, the permit fee is doubled.
VFDI – Mr. Kehoe stated that an organization meeting is needed to be held.
Old Police Building – Mr. Kehoe stated that to proceed with the renovation, the township needs to talk to the building
department and look into permits. Ms. Bailey suggested going ahead with estimates. Ms. Strogin stated that she would
need to issue a remodeling permit. Mr. Kehoe will check with the former architect to acquire a building blueprint. A
member of the audience asked where the funds were coming from for the renovation. Mr. Kehoe replied they were in
the General Fund. Karen Schoonover asked if it would not be reasonable to go ahead and have estimates done by
qualified, bondable people, just as would be done for an individual’s home. The contractor would have knowledge of
what needs to and could be done. Ms. Strogin stated that a blueprint would not be needed until the township is ready to
go to the county. Nanci Shanley stated that it has been her experience that the contractors themselves pull the permits
for work to be done. A member of the audience asked if the township was going to remodel the garage of the building.
Mr. Kehoe replied at this point in time, no. Right now we are looking at the basic office facility. Ms. Bailey stated that the
work being requested is very minimal. Ms. Schoonover stated that if the building is not current with the codes that would
need to be addressed. Ms. Shanley asked if the garage conversion would be part of a stage II. Mr. Kehoe replied that
as far as he is concerned, it is. Mr. Steve Kile offered his connections with a dozen years in the construction business.
Mr. Dave Hollish suggested that the township may need a stamped set of drawings for the county, along with 3 qualified
bids per trade. Mr. Kehoe stated that the township would probably act as its own general contractor since the project is
expected to only cost between $15-25,000.
New Business:
Medical Insurance Proposal – Mr. Butler asked to table this proposal. The proposal is supposed to be effective 1/25/08,
and Anthem will not have the HRA in place. Mr. Butler stated that the change is to set up a Health Reimbursement
Account. This will save the township at least $21,000 in premiums a year. The deductible is very high, which cuts
Anthem’s premium. The township will pay part of the deductible, and will still save anywhere from $22,000 to $34,000.
A member of the audience asked what the deductible will be. Mr. Butler replied it will be $4,000 per family/$2,000 per
individual. The township will pay $3,000 per family or $1,500 per individual. There are 4 employees who utilize the
insurance. Mr. Kehoe explained the benefit package. Mr. Butler explained that there is also an incentive program in
place to keep the cost down. Mr. Butler further explained that since the employees were receiving a better plan, the
employees will be asked to contribute $25/person or $50/family per month. Mr. Butler removed his request to table and
made a motion to accept Anthem Option 17 program along with the employee contributions of $25/individual or
$50/family on a monthly basis. Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion. All voting in favor.
Dispatch Agreement – Mr. Kehoe explained that from 1/1/07 – 8/13/07 the dispatch services for the Sheriff’s Department
were not included in any of the fees. The Sheriff’s Department has sent a revised agreement for approval of these
fees. Beginning 8/13/07, the dispatch fees were included in the contract with the Sheriff’s Department. The amount of
the outstanding fees is $7,242.00. Mr. Kehoe motioned to approve the agreement for dispatch services for 1/1/07 –
8/13/07. Mr. Butler seconded the motion. All voting in favor.
Public Participation:
Sue Heiszek – question regarding the Open House at the University Center. Mr. Kehoe replied that he will confirm and
information will be available.
Karen Schoonover – Will the BZA and Zoning Commission meetings be posted on the website? Mr. Kehoe replied that
they should be. Also asked if the board had received a copy of CR overlay district.
Sue Heiszek - Did Sheriff’s contract that was signed in August include the dispatch fees? Mr. Kehoe explained that
these fees are paid in arrears. She questions if the fees were included in the first contract signed in August of 2006.
Ms. Bailey responded that the County Commissioner’s Office had wanted the township to pay the fees for the entire
year. Sheriff Hassinger told the Commissioners that the contract had been signed in August that included the fees from
that point on. Ms. Bailey further explained that Lafayette has a five year contract that includes these dispatch fees.
Chief Sheppard explained that the fees for the fire dispatch will go up for the next year due to several townships pulling
out of the system.
Mr. Butler moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Kehoe.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.