MADISON
TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES WORKSHOP
April 12th,
2011 at 6:00 PM
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.
Mr. Brotzman welcomed Jason Boyd, Director of the Lake County Planning
Commission. Mr. Boyd discussed a Balanced Growth Planning Project that the
Commission is working on through a grant program. This grant is funded to look
at land use and zoning issues on a watershed basis as opposed to political
jurisdiction. They were one of five entities across the state of Ohio that was
funded for this project. He stated that they have selected a small watershed
encompassing approximately a 19,000 acre watershed. There are three target areas
in each community; Priority Conservation, Priority Development, and Priority
Agriculture areas, he noted that these maps do not supersede zoning, local
zoning, or subdivision regulations, but rather a tool for the boards to use. Mr.
Boyd also noted that the Development area is pertaining to commercial and
industrial, not residential. Mr. Boyd then discussed the maps with the Board and
noted that the State is working on a caveat that if there is farm or park in a
Priority Agricultural Area, they will keep more points on the farmland
protection grants. He is requesting a resolution of endorsement from the Board.
Mr. Brotzman thanked Mr. Boyd for his time.
Chief Del Calzo informed the Board that the two new Crown Victoria’s are
outfitted and in full service. He added that he will be asking at the Regular
meeting for a motion to approve the sale of two vehicles on GovDeals.
Chief Del Calzo also informed the Board that he has asked Lt. Brown to write a
policy on internship with the police department, which he is having Mr. Graham
look over.
Chief Del Calzo stated that at the regular meeting he will be discussing the
2010 year end reports from the Painesville Municipal Court and an internal
report. He will also mention some on-going radio upgrade issues.
Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek stated that the Village and the Fire District have had
discussions for finding more cost effective rates for health insurance and Tony
Long, Village Fiscal Officer, asked her some questions that she wanted to
discuss with the Board. She stated that the next group rate would be if we had
fifty more employees in the group and adding the Village and Fire District would
put us in that group. She stated that Mr. Long asked if we could provide him
with employee names and birth dates of those that carry insurance with the
Township so that he can get some quotes. Mr. Brotzman asked who their insurance
carrier is and Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek stated that she did not know. Mr. Advey
stated that giving a name, age, and birth date is useless without a medical
history. Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek stated that they may be just looking to see if
we have enough to go with the group and then take the next step from there. Mr.
Advey stated that we tried to go with the County before and we found that we
were better off without them. Mr. Advey stated that he has shopped this many
times and would like to know more of what is being proposed. Mrs.
Gerred-Ditchcreek stated that she will get some more information and thought
that maybe it had been discussed at the Fire District meeting. Mr. Wayman stated
that there is no harm in checking it out, since it does not cost anything to
look and if it provides a cost savings. Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek agreed and stated
that many communities are going to try to combine services to get a cost
savings. Mr. Advey stated that we are currently with the Ohio Township
Association health plan, which is a pool of Townships, but we are still by
ourselves when it comes to the group rating. Mr. Brotzman asked if other
Villages and Fire Districts can’t be pooled as well. Mr. Advey stated that you
could, but we would still be by ourselves. Mr. Graham stated that Mr. Advey is
correct and that a lot depends on the pool. Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek asked the
Board if they wanted her to provide the information or if they would like to
talk to them. Mr. Wayman stated that he is okay with the initial information and
that it wouldn’t hurt. Mr. Advey stated, again, that it doesn’t mean anything
until the medical histories are provided. Mr. Wayman stated that they will speak
Mr. Long at the next Fire Board meeting.
Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek stated that they have received several calls from
employees regarding the Governor’s health care proposal which entails the
employees paying 15%. She stated that it is not law yet and that in the meantime
the Fiscal office will put together a spreadsheet showing the additional 10%.
She noted that the 5% that employees are paying is based on last year’s premium,
not this year’s premium when we had an extensive increase and that the 10%
increase will also be based on last year’s premium because that’s what we agreed
to do. Mr. Advey stated that the law states that the Township cannot pay more
than 85% of the premium. Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek stated that an agreement was
made with the police and Mr. Advey stated that the State law supersedes. Mr.
Graham stated that we’ll have to see what happens, that if the Governor signs it
he feels the opponents of Senate Bill 5 will file an injunction and once that
happens the law will probably be stayed. He stated that the Governor has signed
the bill and once the effective date approaches, if there is not an injunction
filed, the law will go into effect. He added that if it goes into effect, the
law will supersede any agreement the Township has made. He noted that the
Township can only do what the State allows us to do, but that doesn’t mean that
the union doesn’t have some sort of lawsuit. He added that the police may win on
that contract but the rest of the employees will be stuck since they are
non-union. Mr. Brotzman asked how the referendum affects this, he asked if we
get enough signatures and put it on a ballot will it hold up the law. Mr. Graham
stated it will not and he believes an injunction needs to be filed. Mr. Brotzman
asked then if there is no injunction, this law could be in effect from July to
Election Day. Mr. Graham stated that the referendum has to be voted on and if it
overturns Senate Bill 5 then it would go back to the old way. But he thinks that
someone needs to file injunction to stop the law from taking effect and that
just filing a referendum will not stop the law from taking effect. Mr. Brotzman
asked Mr. Graham if, in his opinion he feels the injunction will be filed. Mr.
Graham stated that he thinks it will. Mr. Brotzman asked who has to file the
injunction and Mr. Graham stated the affected people, he thinks the unions would
probably file it. Mr. Brotzman stated we should file one and Mr. Graham stated
that anyone who is an affected party can but feels strongly that the unions will
get together to do it. Mr. Brotzman asked what it costs to file an injunction,
Mr. Graham stated that whatever the complaint filing fee is and it would have to
be filed in Franklin County since it is against the legislature of the
Government. Mr. Graham stated that the Township could be a “friend” of whoever
files it and then we would file a brief along with it.
Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek stated that she and Mr. Advey received the spreadsheet
from Heidi Fought from the State regarding the Tangible Personal Property tax
and the Township will only receive it this year and next year. Mr. Advey stated
that it is in the House Bill 153 committee right now and the TPP was always
going by the wayside, but they are stepping up the timeframe. Mr. Advey stated
that they cannot find the CAT tax that was supposed to replace it, but noted
that it was going away in 2019 also. Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek also stated that the
Estate Tax, according to what they are proposing in Columbus is that it is
getting backdated to January 1st, 2011. She noted that she hadn’t
budgeted for that money anyway. She stated that a lot of funding can still be
cut, she read a statement in one of the briefs that someone testified on in
Columbus that the Governor is continuing to say that people are going to get the
benefit of casino money, but Townships do not get casino money and then today he
put the casinos on hold because he wants more from them and the banks don’t want
to lend the money to them now. She stated that the picture of funding we were
going to get is getting bleaker.
Mrs. Gerred-Ditchcreek reminded the Board about the May Bicentennial meetings to
plan the remainder of events, which will take place May 10th at
5:30pm.
Mr. Klco stated that they are inviting Mr. Boyd to their May 9th
meeting to go over his Balanced Growth Planning project. Classic Ford will be
building a two million dollar dealership and will be breaking ground in a couple
weeks. The schools will be coming in on Thursday to request a conditional use
permit. Mr. Klco stated that he received a call from a representative from the
Slovenian home who will be coming in to see what they can do, and it will be 180
units.
Mr. Cook stated that he is contact with Conrad Signs in Geneva for a sign at the
cemeteries and feels a metal sign would be sufficient. He stated that the cost
is less than $500.00 for four signs, but wood signs would cost $2,000.00. Mr.
Evangelista is working on a flag pole for us for the Rt 84 cemetery and he found
one at a building we just acquired and will be moving it to the Middle Ridge
Road cemetery so all cemeteries will be marked with names and flag poles.
Mr. Cook presented the Board with an outline of the Stanton Pool issue. He
stated that it would cost between $28,000.00 and $30,000.00 to run the pool
based on the last figures from when it was ran, approximately two years ago. He
stated that the pool brings in roughly $8,000.00 to the pool showing a loss of
$20,000.00. Mr. Cook stated that the first year the pool was open it took a loss
due to attendance being down, as no one knew the pool was there and he foresees
the same situation for this year if the Board chooses to reopen the pool. He
stated that the other numbers pertain to replacement parts ($2331.98), repairing
water lines ($2,389.00), pressure testing the pipes under the deck
($500.00-$1,000.00), and painting of the pool ($26,250.00), he stated since
receiving the quote to paint the pool a technician came out and stated to get
the pool running they only need to spot paint the rust areas and such and that a
full paint job would be needed at some point. The other estimate is to purchase
a EZ Pool lift with anchor to be ADA compliant at a cost of $2,331.76). The
approximate total cost of getting the pool running is $7,951.00 without the full
paint job and approximately $34,201.00 with the full painting. He added that the
insurance increase to have the pool in operation will be $400.00. He noted that
another cost will be to make the drain in compliance with the Virginia Graeme
Baker Act in the Ohio Revised Code 3701-31. This cost is less than $500.00 and
would be advisable to replace it while the pool is empty. Mr. Cook then
explained the costs of maintaining the pool. He stated that it takes
approximately one to two hours daily to check the water, accounting and cleaning
of filters. He stated that two years ago his staff was dropped to three summer
labor workers. Mr. Brotzman stated that he has already made his opinion known
that he does not wish to re-open the pool and left it to the other trustees to
decide. Mr. Wayman stated that he is aware we had an individual had offered to
donate $1,000.00 toward the pool, but he feels that it would be difficult to get
donations of that level in this economy. Mr. Wayman added that the roof on the
Chapel is bad and he feels it is much more important to get that repaired.
Mr. Advey discussed the Route 20 paving project that is scheduled to begin on
April 18th. He stated they will begin on the sidewalks at the east
end of Green Road and go west to Townline Road. He stated that they will
starting in Perry on Center Road with the grinding and paving and the completion
date is set to mid-October.
Mr. Advey advised the Board that Mr. Wayman’s inquiry of registering snow plow
drivers at the last meeting was addressed and he spoke with Mr. Graham who feels
it is not allowed. Mr. Advey also did a search with OTA and it appears that no
one does it. Mr. Wayman asked the Chief if they ever found the plow driver,
which Chief Del Calzo stated that they have pretty much hit a road block and
they suggested to the resident that maybe they have a civil issue.
Mr. Advey reminded the Board that the annual Lake County Engineer’s meeting is
on Wednesday at 6:00pm in Concord.
Mr. Advey stated
that we have received one price on the Station 3 roof and looking to receive a
few more.
Mr. Advey informed the Board about the Lake Road project that the Lake County
Engineer’s office is about to begin, they have begun staging and it is believed
that they will be working four ten hour days.
Mr. Advey updated the Board on the Township Park Beach Enhancement project, he
spoke with John Matricardi who is working on the modification to the littoral
sand monitoring and the submerged land lease and he is hoping to get that
completed shortly and get the permits back so that we can proceed. Mr. Advey
stated that he spoke with Steve Heilman, Service Department Supervisor, who
expressed interest in getting a small front end loader to help out around the
yard and for emptying the recycling bins. Mr. Advey suggested going for a medium
loader as it would be useful in moving sand regarding this project.
Mr. Advey stated that he received an email from Evan Francis, stating that the
Metroparks is willing to consider an easement for the drainage of the area and
that’s it. He believes Mr. Francis may be willing to contribute out of his own
pocket and Mr. Advey will go to the area in the morning with Steve Heilman and
get an idea of the engineering and cost estimate and will come back to the Board
on it.
Mr. Anderson asked if the lifeguard salary was included in the pool estimates,
Mr. Cook stated it is included in the $28,000.00 to $30,000.00 and also includes
water, electric, lifeguards, and chemicals. Mr. Anderson asked how much the
lifeguards were paid. Mr. Cook stated it
was approximately $18,000.00 for the year. He stated they did cut the
lifeguard’s hours but noted that the pool runs 24/7.
Mr. Brotzman stated that it is his understanding that the Recreation Board is
going to be at the meeting this evening to ask for some money.
Mr. Brotzman asked Mr. Advey if he was approached by the group from the Softball
association. He stated he has not and noted that there is a new contact for the
Illuminating Company, as Mark Jones has moved on, in case anyone wanted
information regarding the demand meters. Mr. Advey added that he does not want
to put that in the Township’s name because he does not want to have to act as a
bill collector for the leagues that use it. Mr. Advey also noted that the
electrical panel box needs updating and the cost is over $7,000.00.
With no further
business to come before the Board, Mr. Brotzman adjourned the Workshop Meeting
at 6:50 p.m.
William A Brotzman, Chairman
Terry Gerred-Ditchcreek, Fiscal Officer