Minutes
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Regular Meeting
Monday, October 19, 2009
Meeting called to order: 7:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Trustee Donald Butler, Trustee Lynda Bowers, Trustee Lee Kehoe, Fiscal Officer Shirley Bailey.
Announcements – Mr. Butler related the following:
• Township Halloween Party on Saturday, October 31st, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Donations of candy would be
appreciated.
• Comprehensive Plan Open House to review the draft document will be held October 22nd at the Lafayette United
Methodist Church, 7:00 p.m.
• Medina County Health Department – a H1N1 Hotline has been established. This information will be posted on the
township website.
Minutes:
August 17, 2009 – Ms. Bowers moved to approve the Minutes of August 17, 2009. Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion. All
voting in favor. Motion passes.
September 21, 2009 – Mr. Butler clarified that the comments on page 2, regarding medical insurance, were not quotes,
but hypothetical information. Mr. Butler also requested that the line about discussion of police cruiser insurance should
either be elaborated upon or deleted. The minutes are tabled to request more information on the police cruiser
insurance discussion.
Fiscal Report – Ms. Bailey reported the following:
Checking Account - $1,072,038.22
Investment Accounts - $1,747,590.17
HRA Account - $94.96
Total Checking Balance - $1,071,943.26
Requisitions – The total for requisitions being presented is $57,480.91. Ms. Bailey reviewed the requisitions with the
Board. The majority of the Service Department requisitions are for winter salt purchase. Mr. Kehoe motioned to
approve the requisitions as presented. Mr. Butler seconded the motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes.
Life Force Agreement – Ms. Bailey explained that Assistant Prosecutor Bill Thorne has reviewed the agreement and has
no problem with it. A resolution will also need to be adopted by the Board.
RESOLUTION 29-2009 – A RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH LIFE FORCE
MANAGEMENT INC., TO ASSIST WITH COLLECTING REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS FOR EMERGENCY AMBULANCE
SERVICES / EMS. Ms. Bowers moved to approve Resolution 29-2009. Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion. All voting in
favor. Resolution 29-2009 is adopted.
RESOLUTION 31-2009 – TO ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010 AS SUBMITTED BY
THE MEDINA COUNTY AUDITOR’S OFFICE. Mr. Butler moved to approve Resolution 31-2009. Ms. Bowers seconded
the motion. All voting in favor. Resolution 31-2009 is adopted. (In discussions at the meeting, this resolution was
referred to as #30-2009.)
Natural Gas Service – Ms. Bailey explained that Columbia Gas will be moving the township service to Consumer Gas
Cooperative. An agreement form needs to be signed and returned by November 2, 2009. Ms. Bowers moved to
approve the agreement with Consumer Gas Cooperative. Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion. All voting in favor. Contract
is agreed to.
RESOLUTION 32-2009 – MEDINA COUNTY SOIL AND WATER BALANCED GROWTH INITIATIVE FOR THE UPPER
CHIPPEWA CREEK WATERSHED. Ms. Bowers reminded the Board that a decision is requested regarding this
resolution by November 6, 2009. Support of the Resolution would provide incentives for grants. Mr. Butler moved to
approve Resolution 32-2009. Ms. Bowers seconded the motion. All voting in favor. Resolution 32-2009 is adopted.
The Fiscal Officer’s office will produce the Resolution for signatures.
Junk Car Law – Mr. Butler explained that this had been on the August 17th agenda. Ms. Bowers moved to approve
adoption of the Junk Vehicle Laws newly adopted by the state, abandon the prior policy, and adopt the new regulations
and paperwork as submitted by the Medina County Prosecutor. The paperwork includes three different resolutions that
would be utilized at the appropriate time. A member of the audience, Mr. Joe Villioni, asked for clarification, which Ms.
Bowers provided. Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion. All voting in favor. The policy is adopted.
Snow Plow Program – Mr. Butler stated that he found out today that the Legislature is considering a bill dealing with the
Snow Plow Program, determining if money can be spent on this program. Hinckley Township has suspended their
program until the state determines this bill. Ms. Bowers explained that Hinckley Township was the reason that Senate
Bill 184 was introduced. Lafayette’s program is fine and has been approved by the Prosecutor’s Office. The only
change that would need to be made for Lafayette Township’s policy is the change to 4” of snow as opposed to 3”.
Discussion was held on the requirement of the applicants 1040 tax form. Ms. Bowers does not want to have the
township take possession of the tax forms, but to verify eligibility through sight only. Ms. Bailey pointed out that if a
person’s income is below a certain level, it is possible a form is not filled out. The Board discussed whether the income
qualification chart and additional occupants should be included on the form. Ms. Laura Gushue pointed out that the
income and the number of occupants of the home determines the qualification of whether that home is considered
Federal Poverty Level. Ms. Bowers would like to accept the application form submitted with the change of the 2008 tax
form “may” be necessary as opposed to “shall/will”. Mr. Butler and Mr. Kehoe feel the form needs to be sight verified but
not retained. Mr. Butler, Ms. Bowers, and Mr. Kehoe agreed that a sight review of the tax information would be
acceptable. Ms. Bowers motioned to approve the proposed Snow Plow Program for 2009-10. Mr. Kehoe seconded the
motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes.
New Fire Truck Financing – Mr. Kehoe reported that a proposal had been received from one of the leasing companies
under the state bid program. At that time, there had not been a rush to get the financing. National City / PNC sent a
letter outlining possible financing. The $360,000.00 note can be purchased at the following interest rates: 5 yrs –
3.92%, 7 yrs – 4.09%, 10 yrs – 4.49%, 15 yrs – 4.71%. This would be tax exempt, bank qualified, with no prepayment
penalties, principal and interest would be based on a 30/360 day basis – payable on a semi-annual or annual basis.
The township is currently receiving approximately .17% interest on investment monies. Mr. Kehoe suggests paying for
the truck outright. Ms. Bowers agrees since the money had been saved and is available to buy the truck. Delivery is
expected at the end of December or the first of January. Ms. Bowers moved to approve purchasing the fire truck with
funds already available in township funds. Mr. Butler seconded the motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes.
Ms. Bailey asked the Board if they would like to cash in the two Certificates of Deposit that are maturing November 9th.
They are each worth over $200,000.00. Mr. Kehoe noted that $362,000.00 will be needed to pay for the truck at the
time of delivery. Discussion was held and it was determined to extend the CDs for 30 days. Fire Chief Hall would like to
have the department take care of the delivery from Hamlin, Ohio. No one on the Board expressed any objection.
Department Reports:
Fire – Fire Chief Hall submitted a requisition for a monthly service with Cintas for sanitizers. This should cost half of the
current yearly rate – about $60 a month. Ms. Bowers moved to approve the additional requisition for a monthly service
with Cintas for sanitizing materials. Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes.
Ms. Bowers asked if arrangements had been made with the Emergency Medical Agency for our First Responders to
receive flu shots. Chief Hall replied one clinic had already been held and another would be on October 29th. The
Service Department indicated that they have already received their shots.
Police – Ms. Bowers replied the department is on budget. The old cruiser will be sold next week at auction.
Cemetery – Ms. Bowers reported that there have been close to $2,000 sold in lots in the last few months. Mr. Don
Weiland is well below budget on restoring the stones at Waltz Cemetery with approximately 75 stones having been
restored. The Gazette ran a front page article on the restoration work, as well as Channel 3 doing a documentary for
their website.
A meeting was held with Judge Chase to begin the work for the Community Service Project in 2010.
Zoning – Ms. Bowers distributed an updated copy of the Zoning Fee Schedule reflecting the new handicap ramp fee
information.
Medical Insurance Coverage – Mr. Butler reported that a proposal was requested based on underwriting and the group
was turned down. (The proposal had been requested from Mr. Robert Lamm with Associated Underwriters Insurance
utilizing Medical Mutual.) The current program will stand as is. The first $3,000 per family is covered by the Health
Reimbursement Account (HRA), the next $2,000 is picked up by the individual. Anthem added a separate deductible for
drugs this year that starts after the $3,000. This can go as high as $1,000 per person / $2,000 per family. The
Township’s current agent, Mr. Frank Harmon, suggested this could be left for the employees to pick up or the township
could under separate funding, fund a portion of this deductible. Mr. Butler proposes leaving the new deductible as is,
picked up by the insured. The renewal was October 1st, and the prescription deductible started at that time. Ms.
Bowers suggested looking at any adjustments to the HRA at budget time.
Internet and Email Use Policy – The policy as offered by the Prosecutor’s Office was presented. Fire Chief Hall has no
problems with the policy. Ms. Bailey reported that this policy was put out for the Fire Department’s consideration over a
year ago and she would like to make the policy a township policy. Ms. Bowers moved to approve the proposed
Lafayette Township Internet and Email Policy. Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes. Ms.
Bailey suggested having a session to educate the employees of the township. Mr. Kehoe recommends changing the
terminology on the policy to include all of Lafayette Township and unlicensed software should also be addressed.
Clerical Procedure Forms as Recommended by OTARMA (Ohio Township Association Risk Management Authority) –
These are log sheets that are recommended to be completed by the Service and Fire Departments. Ms. Bowers moved
to approve the implementation of the OTARMA recommended clerical procedure forms. These forms will document that
there are no problems with equipment, roads, etc. Mr. Butler seconded the motion. All voting in favor. Motion passes.
Mr. Kehoe will go over the forms with the Fire Department and Mr. Butler will review the forms with the Service
Department.
Mr. Butler motioned to pay the warrants of the township.
There were no comments from the audience for public participation.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Approved:________________________ ________________________
Donald Butler, Trustee
________________________
Lynda Bowers, Trustee
________________________
Lee Kehoe, Trustee
_________________________________
Shirley Bailey, Fiscal Officer