April 10, 2014 Trustee Special Meeting Minutes

Walnut Township Special Trustees Meeting

April 10, 2014

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Trustees William Yates, Doug Leith and Terry Horn were present. Also present was John Albers, Attorney for the Township

The sole purpose of this meeting is to meet with John Albers to discuss economic development options.

Mr. Albers suggested that a comparative analysis be completed comparing JEDDs, JEDZs, CEDAs and AAs. He provided handouts that contained this information as well as a summary of JEDDs.

There is legislation in Ohio that potentially could eliminate a JEDZ by the end of 2014.

The creation of JEDDs creates a partnership between a township and a municipal partner that is no more than one governing body away. There are several items that are generally discussed during the creation – income tax, water & sewer, and police & fire.

Generally the tax revenue is divided between the JEDD Board, the township and the other municipality. JEDDs contain non-residential property or those properties are carved out.

In the negotiations, the township can ask for a no annexation clause for 3 years or the term of the agreement – which can be up to 99 years.

A JEDD avoids the requirement of a township vote if – the resolution is unanimous, approved by the majority of the owners and is zoned appropriately.

The property in the JEDD does not need to be contiguous, can include only one parcel, can have an expansion area already determined, can be the entire township and works best in areas not yet developed.

A negotiated agreement is reached with the municipal partner prior to asking property owner to sign petition.

The Bricker and Eckler court case will be forwarded to John Albers.

The next step would be to start to meet and work through issues; create a strategy.

The typical cost to create a JEDD is between $15,000 and $25,000.

At 8:00 PM, Trustee Horn moves to go into executive session for the purposes of discussing negotiations with other political subdivisions for economic development assistance under the provisions of R.C. 121.22 (G) (8) and determines it is necessary to protect the possible investment or the expenditure of public funds. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

At 9:06 pm the trustees came out of executive session.

9:07 PM, Trustee Leith made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.