Minutes

LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Regular Meeting

Monday, August 11, 2008

 

Meeting called to order:  5:36 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Members Present:  Trustee Lee Kehoe, Trustee Lynda Bowers, Trustee Donald Butler, Fiscal Officer Shirley Bailey.

 

(The minutes are being listened to from a tape borrowed from a resident due to a malfunction in the normal recording device.  The tape is not as clear as the regular recording device would be and every attempt has been made to provide an accurate record.)

 

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

 

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

 

Executive Session convened at 5:38 p.m.

 

Resume Regular Meeting – Mr. Butler motioned to reconvene the Regular Trustee Meeting at 6:02 p.m.  Ms. Bowers seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.

 

OTARMA Insurance Coverage Presentation – Mr. Dale Roberts with Padgett-Young Insurance of Lodi would like the opportunity to quote the insurance for the township with OTARMA (Ohio Township Association Risk Management Authority).  He introduced Mr. Jim DeLucas.  Mr. DeLucas stated that there are four factors the township should use to consider insurance:  cost, coverage, service, and stability of program.  He then discussed these factors with the board.

 

Mr. Butler motioned to allow Padgett-Young to quote OTARMA coverage for the township.  Ms. Bowers seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.

 

Minutes:

6/16/08 – Mr. Butler apologized to Ms. Bowers and Ms. Bailey with regards to questioning the “March” issue on these minutes.  Ms. Bowers motioned to accept the minutes as revised on 7/31/08.  Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.

 

7/16/08 – Mr. Butler motioned to approve the minutes as revised on 7/31/08.  Ms. Bowers seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.

 

7/23/08 – Ms. Bowers moved to approve the minutes.  Mr. Butler seconded the motion.  All voting in favor. 

 

Mr. Kehoe tabled approving the minutes of 7/21/08 and 7/31/08 due to questions he had regarding information contained in the minutes that he would like to verify. 

 

Correspondence – Mr. Kehoe reviewed the following correspondence:

  • Time Warner – letter of July 25, 2008 regarding price changes for service.
  • Medina County Prosecutor – letter regarding HB9 – Public Records Training
  • Grassroots Clippings
  • Armstrong – notice of commencement of service
  • MetroLife Flight – safe landing zone
  • Lorain County Engineers – notice of Executive Committee Meeting
  • Medina County Safety Council – vendor showcase
  • Lafayette Zoning Commission – July 1, 2008 Regular Meeting minutes
  • Lafayette Township Board of Zoning Appeals – July 3rd Regular Meeting minutes
  • Board of Zoning Appeals - Public Hearing Variance for July 22, 2008
  • Board of Zoning Appeals - Public Hearing for Conditional Zoning Site for Country Club on July 23, 2008
  • Memo from Marlene Oiler, Zoning Secretary – Zoning Text Amendment was approved for the country club.  Public Hearing needs to be set.

 

Ms. Bailey reported that she had received an email from the Medina County Safety Council requesting a response as to who would be attending the meeting. 

 

Fiscal Report – Ms. Bailey presented the Fiscal Report.

            Checking Account - $1,060,408.06

            Investments             - $1,593,709.50

 

Ms. Bailey stated that she has done considerable study with regard to the investments.  She feels that for the safety of the township’s tax dollars, which she is committed to keeping safe for the township, she prefers to stay with the CDs and Star Ohio.  Discussion was held regarding the collateralization of Star Ohio and Charter One. 

 

Ms. Bowers reported that she had done some investigation of her own as well.  She listed the sources she had studied and discussed with, including Medina County Treasurer John Burke.  Her conclusion is that Star Ohio is highly recommended as a consistently good performer for townships based on our budget and investment ability.  Ms. Bowers continued stating the Trustees also have to prepare and approve a Public Investment Policy, which has to be sent to the State Auditor’s office, approved by the State Auditor and sent back before additional investing can be done.  Ms. Bowers asked if the board wants to prepare that policy and get it ready in the event things change and there is a reason to move out. 

 

Ms. Bowers stated that she had questioned from the last meeting whether it is the Trustees’ obligation to check on the collateralization.  She was advised by Star Ohio that they have people who do that.  The Board continued to discuss the investment situation. 

 

Mr. Kehoe asked about the checking account balance.  Mr. Butler stated that it is getting 2.99% right now and that is the best investment the township has.  Ms. Bailey agreed.  Ms. Bowers asked if the trustees wanted to start working on an investment policy.  Mr. Kehoe stated he thought they ought to.  He asked Mr. Butler if he would be willing to spearhead this project. 

 

Mr. Kehoe motioned to move forward to investigate the strategy for the township’s investments.  Ms. Bowers stated that if they were looking to do an investment policy, she could send Mr. Butler the information she received from the State Auditor’s office and the State Treasurer.  Ms. Bowers and Mr. Butler seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.

 

Requisitions – Mr. Kehoe reviewed the requisitions by department.

Service - $414.37                    (Shipping from Northern Tool, Bulbs, paint, & quick connects)

Administration - $21.92            (lights & storage boxes)

Fire Department - $1,969.56    (repair to 107-2, bulbs, CDRWs, custom tool box for 104-1,             Regional fire school 1-day class for 3 and 2-day class for 5, refrigerant, addendums, and cleaning supplies)

Total - $2,405.85

 

Mr. Butler reported that he had received a letter on Thursday from the Sheriff’s Office regarding Deputy Clark’s X26 taser.  Mr. Butler read the letter.  The taser has a broken safety switch.  The repair will cost $550 or a new unit would be $814.95.  A new unit would come with a battery, a blade, holster and one year warranty.  A discussion was held with the board and Deputy Simonton as to the best solution.  Sharing a taser and having a secure locker were issues discussed.  Ms. Bowers motioned to give Mr. Butler the authority to make the decision if there is no other reasonable recourse.  Mr. Kehoe seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.

 

Ms. Bowers motioned to accept the requisitions presented.  Mr. Butler seconded the motion.  All voting in favor.

 

Department Reports - Mr. Kehoe reported he had received reports from the Fire Department, Zoning, and the Service Department.  He also received a copy of two resignations from the fire department.

 

Mr. Kehoe commented on vandalism that had occurred at Fire Station 1 the previous Friday. 

 

Mr. Butler reported that the township had received a $19,688.00 bill for the month of July from the Sheriff’s Office.  Almost $2,000 of this was for repair.  The Board and Deputy Simonton discussed the mileage on the cars and lack of surplus money at this time. 

 

Ms. Sue Heiszek asked what the numbers of the township vehicles were.  Deputy Simonton replied 11, 12, & 13. 

 

Mr. Kehoe stated that there was a motion on the floor to accept the reports and it had been seconded. All voted in favor.

 

 

Old Business

Police Contract – Ms. Shanley passed out copies of the contract and stated that this was the contract that was approved by resolution with the strike-outs taken out.  It is ready for signatures.   

 

Road Projects – Ms. Bowers reported that at the last meeting the board approved three road projects subject to Ms. Bowers getting a second quote and reporting to the board if she found anything different out.  She did find something different.  Ms. Bowers reported on discussions she had with Kokosing and with Fred Boreman of the County Engineer Office.  Mr. Boreman  feels that Carlton and Egypt were roads that could wait another year and be evaluated then.  Deerview definitely needs to be done.  A chip and seal had been proposed for Deerview at a cost of approximately $20,000.  Ms. Bowers explained that Mr. Boreman feels that Coon Club (s/b Deerview) has reached a significant base and is ready to start converting.  Ms. Bowers gave copies of Mr. Boreman’s data to the rest of the board.  In this data, Mr. Boreman has laid out the conversion in stages and how much it would cost.  It will cost approximately $80-$90,000 to take Deerview to a wider harder surface.  The pro of doing this would be less maintenance, a better surface, and a cleaner pavement.  The con is it is a wider nicer pavement and people tend to go faster.  She would like the input of the residents on this issue as well.  Ms. Bowers proposes holding Carlton and Egypt and revisiting that in the spring to see what they look like then.  She would like to look at Deerview and see if the township should do the fix now to prolong the life of that road just the way it is or to start putting money into the conversion. 

 

Mr. Figgers commented that somewhere along the line the cracking on Carlton going into Palker and Palker to Columbia still needs to be addressed.  The side is cracking and needs to be sealed.  Ms. Bowers clarified that Mr. Figgers and Mr. Boreman determined that the seal on Carlton still needs to be done.  Mr. Figgers agreed. 

 

Ms. Bowers asked about Egypt Road.  Mr. Figgers replied that Mr. Boreman stated that Egypt could be let go.  Ms. Bowers clarified that the board has already approved Carlton.  Mr. Kehoe instructed Mr. Figgers to move on the portion of sealing the road on Carlton.

 

 

 

New Business

Mr. Figgers’ Personal Equipment - Mr. Kehoe motioned to have Mr. Figgers do an inventory of all the material (tools, equipment, etc.) that are Mr. Figgers’ personal property in the township garage.  Mr. Figgers replied that would not be a problem.  Mr. Kehoe asked for a listing with serial numbers, if available, and description.  The listing will be given to the prosecutor to have an agreement drawn up that would allow Mr. Figgers to use the tools and hold the township harmless for any problems.  Ms. Bowers seconded the motion.  All voting in favor. 

 

Public Hearing – Mr. Kehoe stated that a public hearing needs to be set for the Proposed Zoning Map Amendment for the golf course community.  Mr. Kehoe proposed setting the public hearing for September 15, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. 

 

Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures – Assistant Fire Chief Steve Garver reported that the department has put together SOPs that are ready to go to the Medina County Prosecutor for approval.  The officers would like for the Board of Trustees to give their approval to go ahead and put these SOPs in service while waiting for the Prosecutor’s approval.  After discussion, Mr. Kehoe stated that there is an agreement of the board that there is no problem in going ahead and using the SOPs.  He asked for a copy to review. 

 

Telecom Pioneers – Ms. Alliss Strogin reported that Telecom Pioneers is the largest private philanthropic 501c3 in the United States.  Nine major telecom companies, including AT&T, support this with their employees.   Ms. Strogin is retired from AT&T and still involved with this organization.  One of the projects they have undertaken is to provide fire departments with oxygen masks for pets.  Ms. Strogin presented three of these to the Lafayette Fire Department. 

 

Public Participation

Ms. Sue Heiszek – Commented on a letter written by Ms. Bailey and read by Ms. Bowers that was an attachment to the minutes of 9/17/07.  In her opinion, the letter has been altered.  The letter originally stated that Ms. Turpin was hired to be the Office Assistant to the Fiscal Officer and was changed to Office Assistant.  (At this point, the borrowed tape ended.  The following information is based on notes taken at the meeting.) 

 

Ms. Heiszek asked Ms. Bowers if she had given her education credentials to Mr. Thorne or to Mr. Holman.  Ms. Bowers replied that her husband had taken them to the Prosecutor’s Office.

 

Mr. Gene Garbaccio – discussed with Zoning Inspector Alliss Strogin about the junk issue with his neighbor.  Mr. Garbaccio stated that House Bill 50 addresses this issue and states that a junk vehicle should be in a garage.  (The second tape picks up the conversation at this point.)  Mr. Kehoe states that Mr. Thorne says this is an acceptable situation.  Mr. Garbaccio continued, stating that according to the new state law that was passed this year, House Bill 50, even if it is a collector vehicle, and meets junk vehicle classifications, it must be in a garage.  Mr. Kehoe stated that he doesn’t know about House Bill 50, but will look into it to get an understanding of what the township can and cannot do. 

 

Budget Hearings - Mr. Butler asked if the trustees do budget hearings.  The last quarter is coming up and he would like to spend some time on the budget, line by line.  Mr. Kehoe thinks that needs to be looked at.  Ms. Bowers stated it is usually best to start them in September. 

 

Executive Session - Ms. Bowers motioned 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. Kehoe seconded the motion. 

 

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

 

Executive session convened at 7:38 p.m.

 

The Regular Trustee Meeting reconvened at 7:50 p.m.

 

Mr. Kehoe motioned to pay the warrants of the township.

 

Ms. Bowers moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Butler.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

 

Approved:________________________                                ________________________

                                                                                                Lynda Bowers, Trustee

 

 

                                                                                                ________________________

                                                                                                Donald Butler, Trustee

 

 

                                                                                                ________________________

                                                                                                Lee Kehoe, Trustee

 

_________________________________

Shirley Bailey, Fiscal Officer