Minutes

LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Regular Meeting

Monday, November 17, 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.

 

Mr. Kehoe shared that Susan Hambley, wife of Medina County Commissioner Stephen Hambley, passed away last week.  She was a respected member of the community.

 

Mr. Kehoe stated that Mr. Jack Chester will be sponsoring his annual Auction / Dinner on January 31, 2009.  The proceeds go back into the community.

 

Correspondence:

 

·        Memo from Jack Blank – resignation from the Board of Zoning Appeals.  The Board thanks Mr. Blank for his years of service and wish him the best of health.

·        Ohio Insurance Service Agency – January 1st renewal of dental plan.  $24.79/month/prescriber or $67.13/month/with one or more dependents.

·        Remminger Attorneys at Law – Eck vs. Bady vs. Lafayette Township

·        Lafayette Township Zoning Commission minutes of 10/7/08.

·        Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation – Drug Free Workplace Program Status

·        Medina County Economic Development Corporation – change of meeting date

·        Medina County Department of Planning Services – preliminary plan for Wedgewood Villas PDU – meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008.

·        Time Warner – expiring networks

·        Medina County Sanitary Engineering Department – notice re: solid waste management district.

·        Sagamore Companies – recycling of organic green waste

·        Resolution 08-0999 from Medina County Commissioners – University of Akron signage easement approval

·        Mary Taylor – Best Practices

·        Wedgewood PUD request for comments by November 19, 2008.

·        Seibert-Keck check for reimbursement has been received.

·        Armstrong

 

Mr. Kehoe moved to recess into Executive Session to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official, or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee.  Mr. Butler seconded the motion.

 

Roll call:  Mr. Butler – yes, Mr. Kehoe – yes, Ms. Bowers – yes

 

Executive Session convened at 7:15 p.m.

 

Mr. Kehoe moved to reconvene the Regular Meeting at 7:53 p.m.  Ms. Bowers seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.  Motion passes.

 

Minutes:

9/24/08 – Mr. Butler commented that the written letter he has from Mary Beth Gunther does not substantiate the amounts referred to in the minutes of 9/24/08.  Mr. Kehoe stated that the actual amount of the difference in millage for the Police Levy would be $11,700.00.  Mr. Kehoe moved to accept the minutes of Special Meeting 9-24-08 as previously corrected.  Ms. Bowers seconded the motion.  Mr. Kehoe and Ms. Bowers voting in favor, Mr. Butler voting no.  Motion passes.

 

11/16/08 – The board tabled these minutes.

 

Fiscal Report – Ms. Bailey presented the requested Supplemental Changes to Mr. Kehoe.  Ms. Bailey reported the following balances:

            Checking -          $551,727.20

            Investments -    $2,035,334.61             Total - $2,587,061.81 as of 11/17/08

 

Department Reports – Mr. Kehoe reported that he has received reports from Zoning and the Service Department time logs. 

 

Fire – Assistant Chief Brad Winter summarized the report that was presented to the Trustees regarding Squad 107-2.  To replace this unit with a like unit would cost about $180,000.00.  There are several maintenance problems that need to be addressed to make the current unit road-worthy.  Many of these problems are due to lack of maintenance.  The International chassis has approximately 30,000 miles on it.  The cost to correct the maintenance items only would be about $24,000.00.  Carnegie Body has also provided an estimate to take care of the corrosion problems with the paint as well as additional upgrades and repairs.  These items would bring the amount to about $52,000.00.  The representative from Carnegie Body stated that with these repairs the department would have a 2008 squad on a 1986 chassis.  In their opinion the unit should provide another ten years.   Mr. Kehoe mentioned that the last squad purchased for the Fire Department was about $130,000.00.  Mr. Winter commented that the current chassis is heavy-duty and preferred.  Carnegie Body would also be applying preventative measures to help with any future corrosion. 

 

Mr. Kehoe motioned to move forward with the refurbishing of Squad 107-2 based upon the appraisal provided by Carnegie Body.  Ms. Bowers seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.  Motion passes.

 

Mr. Kehoe noted that the squad will be out of service for approximately a month.  Mr. Winter stated that the department would be calling mutual aid if necessary.

 

Furnace Repair/Replacement – The furnaces at both fire stations had been red-tagged by Lake Refrigeration upon inspection.  A used furnace was installed at Station 1 with labor and some materials being donated by Mr. Thacker of Lake Refrigeration.  Mr. Butler mentioned that $1,400.00 of material and labor was donated.  Mr. Kehoe stated that the furnace at Station 2 is a new furnace.  The total for both furnaces so far is $3,300.00. 

 

Mr. Kehoe motioned to pay the estimate, when due, for Lake Refrigeration totaling $3,300.00 for furnaces at Fire Stations 1 & 2.  Ms. Bowers seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.  Motion passes. 

 

Ms. Bowers motioned to make a supplemental appropriation of $55,000.00 to the appropriate account for repairs for Squad 107-2 from the unappropriated balance in the Fire & Rescue Fund.  Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.  Motion passes.

 

Upgrade Fire Programs – Assistant Fire Chief Brad Winter reported that the department has the opportunity to purchase the upgrade for Fire Programs with a Fire Programs Assistance Grant.  This would need to be done by December 30th.  With the grant, $1,316.67 can be deducted from the amount of the program, which is half the cost.  The support and upgrade service runs $500 a year.  Mr. Winter explained that with the new upgrade the department would actually be receiving a year and a half worth of support. 

 

Mr. Kehoe motioned to approve the purchase of the upgrade for the Fire Programs.  Ms. Bowers seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.  Motion passes.

 

Ms. Bowers motioned to make a supplemental appropriation of $1,350.00 from the unappropriated balance in Fire & Rescue to the Computer Support Account.  Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.  Motion passes. 

 

Requisitions – Ms. Bailey reviewed the requisitions with the Board.  The totals for the departments are:

            Service -          $   531.79

            Admin. -           $     35.55

            Zoning -           $   123.52

            Fire -                $6,412.34                    Total - $7,103.20

Mr. Butler moved to approve the requisitions.  Ms. Bowers seconded.  All voting in favor.  Motion passes.

 

Old Business –

Cemetery Rules – Ms. Bowers reported that on 3/5/08 she had distributed copies of the Cemetery Rules, consisting of seven pages, to the Board for review.  After no feedback, she distributed a second set on 9/15/08 condensed to three pages with the same information and asked for feedback.  Mr. Kehoe and Mr. Butler have no comments or concerns. 

 

Ms. Bowers motioned to approve the three page version of the Cemetery Rules as distributed on 9/15/08.  Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.  Motion passes.

 

Cell Phone Program – Mr. Butler reported that with the cancellation of the Sheriff’s Deputies phones, as well as others, he asked Ms. Shanley to research possible alternatives.  Ms. Shanley explained that research was done to determine if it was best to consolidate the phones now or wait to avoid the cancellation fees.  The township would be going down to five phones.  To consolidate now, the cost would be approximately $1,386.00.  This would include the service from now until the end of the contract.  To wait and consolidate at the end of the contract would be $1,883.00.  The Board, Ms. Strogin, and Ms. Shanley discussed the details of the current and future plan.  There will be 700 shared minutes with the new plan.

 

Ms. Bowers motioned to consolidate the cell phones at this time and go forward with the new cell phone program as presented.  Mr. Butler seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.  Motion passes.  Ms. Shanley will notify AT&T of changes.

 

Long-Distance Phone Line – Mr. Kehoe stated that at a prior meeting the board had discussed adding a long-distance package line to the Administration Building for a set rate of approximately $20 a month. 

 

Mr. Kehoe motioned to add the set rate long-distance package to the Administration Building phone line.  Mr. Butler seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.  Motion passes.

 

Employee Equipment – Mr. Figgers reported that he will follow the directive in the letter that Mr. Kehoe presented to him at the beginning of the meeting.  Mr. Kehoe commented that Mr. Figgers has had personal equipment at the township garage and it is now being removed.

 

Snow Plow Program – Mr. Figgers requested to know what the board wishes to do about offering a Senior Snow Plow Program for 2009/10.  He also asked what the board wishes to do with the 1-ton pick-up.  Ms. Bailey stated that four people have replied thus far for assistance with the program; however, the applications have not yet been sent out for this year.  Ms. Bowers stated that she will take care of the applications tomorrow and Mr. Figgers should plan on about the same number of participants.  The notification would normally have been taken care of in a newsletter, which did not occur this year.  The Board does wish to continue with the Senior Snow Plow Program.  Ms. Bailey presented the revised application to the Board.  Ms. Bowers stated that qualification for the program is tied to the service levels for assistance with the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging Council.  The Board feels that there should be an income qualifier for the program.  The Board approves for Ms. Bowers to follow-up with the program and make adjustments to the application if necessary. 

 

One-Ton Pick-Up – Mr. Butler questioned the need for keeping this pick-up.  Mr. Figgers responded that right now it is an extra truck that can be used as a back-up for snow plowing and for the Senior Snow Program.  Mr. Figgers estimates the value of the truck at auction to be between $7,000-$10,000.  Ms. Bowers questioned if the Service Department would be able to utilize the truck to make it worthwhile keeping.  Mr. Figgers responded that he feels the truck should be kept, but is willing to do whatever the Board decides.  Mr. Kehoe asked about drivers for the various trucks.  Mr. Figgers responded that Jeff Hall and Ernie Hoffman have indicated they would be willing to help with the snow plowing.  Ms. Bowers is aware of another gentleman who has expressed an interest in plowing and will forward that information to Mr. Figgers.  Mr. Figgers stated that there is a problem in storing the truck.  Since it is a diesel, it may be difficult to start if stored outside.  The tractor is also without a storage facility as yet for this year. 

 

The Board discussed the various means to dispose of the truck.  Chief Jeff Hall stated that the Fire Department has items that need to be auctioned/disposed of as well.  Ms. Bowers pointed out that the emergency calls for the Senior Snow Program tend to come in at the same time that the Service Department is out working on the township roads.  The extra truck would be available for additional drivers with CDLs to use during those times.  She suggests waiting until the spring for disposal to allow usage of the truck this winter.  Mr. Kehoe suggests that if this is not an opportune time to dispose of the truck, it should be kept in service and the Board should make a commitment that in the spring the truck will be disposed of.  Mr. Butler suggested placing an ad in the paper to see if there might be a bidder.  Chief Hall noted that the Fire Department is willing to use their new plow to help with the Senior Snow Program. 

 

The Board suggested advertising the truck in the Plain Dealer, The Gazette, The Post, and the Beacon.  Bid opening will be December 15, 2008 at 7:15 p.m.  The Board will have the right to reject any bid. 

 

Mr. Butler moved to place the 1-Ton Pick-up up for bid in the local papers.  Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.  Motion passes.

 

New Business -

RESOLUTION 37-2008 – A RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH MEDINA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO PERMIT TOWNSHIP TO PURCHASE MATERIALS FROM COUNTY ENGINEER.  Ms. Bowers moved to approve Resolution 37-2008.  Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.  Motion passes.

 

Community Service Arrangements – Ms. Bowers reported that she had met with the Probation Department of the Medina County Municipal Court and they are willing to provide Community  Service people to scrub the pioneer stones starting in Waltz Cemetery.  The township would need to provide the materials (ammonia, brushes, spray bottles, etc.).  The county has their own insurance to cover the Community Service people.  Ms. Bowers stated that these people are available for other programs as well. 

 

Ms. Bowers moved to proceed with the Community Service Program through the Medina Municipal Court for work in the cemeteries.  Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.  Motion passes.

 

The Board paid the warrants of the township.

 

Public Participation:

Joy Turpin – asked the status of a printer for her work computer.  Mr. Kehoe asked Ms. Bailey to order a printer cable. 

 

Mr. Butler moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Kehoe.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

 

Approved:________________________                                ________________________

                                                                                                Lynda Bowers, Trustee

 

 

                                                                                                ________________________

                                                                                                Donald Butler, Trustee

 

 

                                                                                                ________________________

                                                                                                Lee Kehoe, Trustee

 

_________________________________

Shirley Bailey, Fiscal Officer