MADISON
TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES WORKSHOP
AMENDED
January
11TH,
2011 at 7:00PM
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bill Brotzman
with the following people present: Mr. Wayman, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Advey, Chief
Del Calzo, Township Solicitor, Ron Graham, Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek, and Tony
Long.
Mr. Long discussed the Senior Center budget with the Board.
Mr. Long stated that the total budget is $152,727.00 even though that’s an
increase by about $25,000.00 – there has been a decrease in what the Township
and Village contributes by $7,000.00 and $3,000.00, respectively. He stated that
the reasons for the decrease are that the carry-over is more than they expected
and also because Jessica has done a great job leveraging money from United Way,
the Senior Levy, etc. Mr. Long stated that the funds from the Senior Levy that
recently passed are being re-allocated meaning that there is a possibility of
receiving another $10,000-$15,000 more incoming to the center, which may result
in a larger decrease. Mr. Long further discussed the budget income and expenses
with the Board, noting areas of income which includes a $12,000.00 increase that
is generated from trips the seniors take. Expenses include a $3,000.00 increase
in personnel due to the additional aide that was hired. Mr. Long expressed to
the Board the level of quality the Senior Center holds. He feels it is a very
nice center and feels that the changes to the Board is a good move and that both
Marina and Lindsay will do a fine job.
Chief Del Calzo
discussed the cost of upgrading the radio system through Lake County. He stated
that the Township’s cost is approximately $180,000.00 and that the amount could
be more depending upon the cost of the radios. Chief Del Calzo noted that
Madison Village’s upgrade costs are at approximately $18,500.00 just for the
backbone and that doesn’t include the cost of the radios. He stated that the
most recent cost of the radios is between $2,500.00-$3,500.00 per radio. Chief
Del Calzo informed the Board that he has written a letter to the County
Commissioners asking them if the Township would still be able to maintain
interoperability with the County system if we use our own radio system. Mr.
Stefanko, of the Emergency Operations Center, obtained a copy of the letter and
the Chief believes Mr. Stefanko is under the impression that Madison Township
has made a decision to pull out of the system. The Chief also stated that he
emailed Mike Santilli, which is the Geauga County equivalent of Mr. Stefanko.
Homeland Security has provided an interoperability vehicle to both Lake and
Geauga Counties. The purpose of that vehicle is to provide interoperability
between jurisdictions that are not on the same radio system and the Chief wanted
an assurance from him that the Township would have this. Mr. Santilli stated
that the Township would have it. The Chief has not heard from the County on this
issue yet and feels we should be able to request having an 800mhz radio at the
Township for the catastrophic emergency situation, even if the Township pays for
it. He noted that the Coast Guard, Veteran’s State Park, and the Game Warden all
have 800mhz radios for emergency purposes as well. The Chief also shared an
article out of Cincinnati regarding the problems they are having with their
digital radio system.
Chief Del Calzo
presented the Board with the Ordinance from Madison Village regarding the
dispatching agreement for the Board to sign.
Mr. Advey reminded
the Board of the meeting with the Madison Soccer League to discuss the use of
Stanton Park for the spring & fall leagues. He noted concerns of damage to the
fields from this use and the parking issues it poses. Mr. Brotzman stated that
the fields can be used and he has no concerns for the fields being damaged.
Mr. Advey informed
the Board of the Lake County Health District is having a Bike Day event in
September and would like to have participation by as many communities. The
program would provide $500-$1,000 to the communities to assist with the planning
and implementing.
Mr. Advey discussed
adding a work safety boot allowance policy. He stated that he would like them to
be allowed up to $125.00 per year. He stated that the policy would allow them to
go purchase their boots from the store of their choice and submit the receipt.
Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek asked if this would apply only to full time employees.
Mr. Advey stated it would, but he would also like to allow John Snyder,
recycling attendant, to receive it as well but not for the parks summer help.
The Board agreed to this policy.
Mr. Advey informed
the Board that the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation has informed the
Township that, after we have met our first year eligibility requirements,
we are no longer eligible to receive the
discounts from the 10-Step Business Plan. This is due to the fact that the EM
(experience modifier) is down to 1.05 and the Township was capped at 2.0. Mr.
Advey stated that he will continue the safety program that has been started as
it is still a money-saving program. He also noted that the Drug Free Workplace
program discount is no longer available as well. The Township is also no longer
eligible to receive the 2%-4% discount on the Safety Council luncheons because
we are in the retrospective group program now. Mr. Advey will continue these
programs as loss-time injuries can be devastating to our premiums. He stated he
has Steve Heilman documenting incidents and working on implementing camaraderie
and looking out for each other to attempt to eliminate these accidents.
Mr. Advey discussed
the longevity pay for the Administrative portion of the Township and noted that
the bargaining employees just received an increase in their longevity and is
requesting the Board consider giving the non-bargaining employees an increase as
well. Mr. Wayman asked what the current schedule is. Mr. Advey didn’t have the
exact numbers but thought that it starts on the Administrative side at $250 and
$500 for the police union. Mr. Brotzman asked if it is needed right now, Mr.
Advey said it is not and that he would put something together for the Board to
review.
Mrs.
Gerred-Ditchcreek discussed the budget with the Board. She noted that the
appropriations are currently at 5,597,000. She stated that if any fine-tuning is
needed, she would like to get the final budget completed because the audit
starts in March. She noted that there currently is a 32.6% decrease in the
carryover for next year. Mr. Wayman stated that this is not the final numbers
and that it could be more or less, Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek confirmed. Mrs.
Gerred-Ditchcreek stated that overall the Township spending was only at 78-81%.
She noted that one of the factors that helped is that no one took an increase
for two years. Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek stated that the biggest increase was in
hospitalization. She noted line#1000-110 Medical hospitalization was at
$66,077.00 for 2010 and it is $100,523.00 for 2011. Mr. Advey stated that this
includes the co-pay amount that the Township is fronting. He stated that last
year we had an exposure of $160,000.00 but we will be saving around
$45,000.00-50,000.00, he added that hopefully the Township won’t have as big of
a hit this year. Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek stated that it shows the maximum
exposure because the Township is liable for it. She stated that the Worker’s
Comp numbers may change as she just received the bill with the rates, there will
be election expenses, auditing expenses. The Board discussed the rest of the
budget.
Mr. Wayman
complimented Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek on the layout of the budget.
Mr. Brotzman asked
Mr. Advey about some resolutions regarding the consumer council. Mr. Advey noted
that may have been the Ohio Township Association, Mr. Brotzman asked that they
look at supporting it.
With no further
business to come before the Board, Mr. Brotzman adjourned the Workshop Meeting
at 7:33 p.m.
___________________________
_________________________________
William A Brotzman, Chairman
Terry Gerred-Ditchcreek, Fiscal Officer