Township Meeting Minutes

May 6, 2014 Trustee Meeting Minutes

Walnut Township Trustees Meeting

May 6, 2014

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Trustees William Yates, Doug Leith and Terry Horn were present.

Sergeant Hendershot, Community Services for the Fairfield County Sheriff’s department, was present to discuss Noise Issues in Walnut Township. He made suggestions to the trustees regarding the wording of the existing noise ordinance.

A noise violation is a minor misdemeanor; every occurrence will be logged when the sheriff is called. At the third occurrence, at which point a ticket will be issued.

Amy Anderson, Old Millersport Road, discussed the noise situation at her neighbor’s property with ATV and motorcycles.

There was a discussion regarding the barking dogs at Feeder Creek Veterinary Hospital.

Trustee Horn made a motion to make the suggested changes to the Noise Ordinance in Section B. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Jon Patrick Kochis, Director Fairfield County Emergency Management Association, presented an update on the installation of the Dam and Tornado siren. The Dam breach siren is fully operational as of May 9, 2014. In the case of a dam breach, an audible sound will be presented followed by a voice announcement.

Their future plan is to have evacuation route signs posted around Buckeye Lake, which would be a first in Ohio. They will have a website with all the information, a twitter account to notify residents of any problems, a phone callback notification program, and a smart phone app.

Trustee Leith made a motion to approve signing the contract for the siren and accept responsibility for maintenance of the siren. Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

The minutes for April 15th were presented for approval. Trustee Horn made a motion to approve the minutes with changes. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Trustee Leith made a motion to approve checks 24314 through 24332 and EFTS 259-2014 through 323-2014, after being certified that funds are available and appropriations have been made by Fiscal Officer Kraner. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Fiscal Office Kraner mentioned that the Trustees should be thinking about the budget for 2015. The budget must be prepared; a public hearing must be held and approved by the Trustees by July 15, 2014.

Comments from the Floor

Kelly Roberts asked what can be done about the junk cars and the cars parked in the roadway at 13520 Juniper.This not a zoning issue, however, if the cars are parked in the right-of-way, the sheriff should be called.

Department Reports

Chief Hite – Thurston Walnut Township Fire Department – Marshall Berry finished his training and his salary should be increased to $10.50/hour. Bench tests on airpacks have been completed. There was a question regarding the Keller fire hydrant in the Thurston trailer park, who has the responsibility for it.

Trustee Leith made a motion to approve the personnel changes for TWTFD. Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Roads and Parks – Tim Morris – Sergeant Hendershot will check if No Parking signs are needed by Stop signs.

Tim Upp removed the cattails in the ditch on Cattail Road. Tim and Mike cleaned the ditch on the east side of the road so it will drain better; at the last rain, it didn’t overflow.

Truck 6 needs work done on the transmission due to the back transmission lines rusting through. The cost is approximately $1,400. Tim will check to see if stainless steel is available.

The repairs needed on Truck 2 will be partially the responsibility of the township. They determined that lack of lubrication contributed to the stress on the bed. The cost will be approximately $3,072.

Tim will check into a sealant for the bottom side of the trucks to protect against salt damage.

Trustee Leith made a motion to approve all truck repairs. Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Tim and Mike have started digging on Summerland Beach, at the property of Chad Dupler, to find the blockage of the drain tile that is causing the water backup.

The bid opening for the Cedar Road repaving project through the CDBG will be this Thursday.

Tim will be attending the CDBG meeting to present the 4 applications to the Fairfield County Commissioners.

Detria Hiles – Zoning Inspector – There have been 25 permits, 1 appeal and 3 variances this year to date. She has completed the update of the zoning applications.

Detria is working on enforcing the requirement of a fence around a swimming pool. She is checking on the exact wording in Ohio Law. Property owners will be notified that this will be enforced.

Old Business

Trustee Leith stated that the tires at 13050 Shell Beach Road are due to be removed this week. Trustee Yates will check to see if Chet Irwin is still available to assist in the removal of debris from the property. If all else fails, the township can still remove the debris and add the cost as an assessment to the tax record.

None of the properties that are eligible to be demolished by Moving Ohio Forward have been signed off by the owners. The Gearhart property is a non-conforming property so 25% of the structure must preserved.

Trustee Horn sent his proposed letter for AEP to Jeff Porter, Fairfield County Prosecutor’s Office, for any suggestions.Horn sent his letter to Ron Scott at AEP; it requested $156K towards the repair of Blacklick Road and a response by June 1st.

Trustee Leith reviewed docks with Jason, ODNR. The 1st and 2nd docks on Lagoon Lakeside are ready to fall down.It is the responsibility of the leasee to maintain the docks.

There was discussion regarding drainage on Lakeside Road. It is currently not affecting the roadway. The homeowner is stating that the roadway ditch has been changed, which is causing the flooding.

In regards to the Frost, Brown Todd public records request; the Trustees discussed that the records be available for them to look at here.

The Kenny’s Beach Re-plat was signed off by Billy Phillips.

The set-up of the phones and voice-mail has been completed.

There was a discussion of Economic Development; one property is needed to start the process. Trustee Leith will start the process of talking to property owners.

The 208 plan for Baltimore includes rights to both sides of 204, north of 256. Trustee Yates will run by John the information he has for

New Business

Tim obtained a Road Usage Agreement from the county. Trustee Horn made a motion to approve the implementation of the Road Usage Agreement. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Steve Treinish raised the issues with the drainage at the Fairfield Beach field. Trustee Yates made a motion to have Tim co-ordinate with the soccer association to add drainage to the field; into the open ditch north of the parking lot.Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

The Serving Together seminar has been moved to June 26th.

Linda LaTorre has offered her resignation to the Zoning Commission due to relocating outside Walnut Township.

9:25 PM, Trustee Leith made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Lynn Kraner, Fiscal Officer

William Yates, Chairman Terry Horn Doug Leith

April 15, 2014 Trustee Meeting Minutes

Walnut Township Trustees Meeting

April 15, 2014

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Trustees William Yates, Doug Leith and Terry Horn were present.

Randy Cotner, Superintendent for Walnut Township Schools presented information regarding Issue 6, operating levy, which will be on the May 6th ballot. The current levies were voted established in 1993 and 1994 and continue to generate the same amount – $250K and $258K. The school district only receives 21% of the funds from the state due to the student to dollar ratio. A home valued at $100K would pay an additional #241/year in taxes.

Bill Bradish, Palmer Energy presented information regarding the Electric Aggregation initiative that will be on the May 6th ballot. It is Issue 8 in Millersport, Issue 10 in Thurston and Issue 16 in Walnut Township. Historically, when a program such as this is put in place, the homeowner realized a savings of approximately $170/year. Electric bills are broken down into 2 areas – 50% +- distribution and Transportation – which is regulated by the PUCO and 50% +- Generation – which is the actual energy cost. The energy cost is where the savings will be seen. There are 35 counties in Ohio that are participating in this program.

Residents have the option to opt-out within 30 days of the program beginning. Palmer Energy will send out an RFP and once a contract is approved, then the program begins, most likely at some point in the fall. Residents will receive a second chance letter after the program begins that will allow them to opt-out at that point. Residents can opt-in at any point and receive the same rate. This program is only available to customers using under 70,000 kilowatts/year.

The minutes for March 4th were presented for approval. Trustee Leith made a motion to approve the minutes. Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

The minutes for March 18th were presented for approval. Trustee Leith made a motion to approve the minutes.Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes

The minutes for March 11th were presented for approval. Trustee Horn made a motion to approve the minutes.Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes

The minutes for April 1st were presented for approval. Trustee Horn made a motion to approve the minutes. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes

The minutes for April 3rd were presented for approval. Trustee Horn made a motion to approve the minutes. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes

Trustee Leith made a motion to approve checks 24292 through 24313 and EFTS 212-2014 through 258-2014, after being certified that funds are available and appropriations have been made by Fiscal Officer Kraner. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Comments from the Floor

Dale Bowers, Lieb’s Island wanted to know when the township would be cracksealing again. The trustees have already approved the budget to complete additional cracksealing this year.

Department Reports

Mr. Neeley – RPC – There is a potential for a legal case regarding the rezoning on North Bank.

Detria Hiles – Zoning Inspector – There have been 18 permits and 2 variances this year.

Roads and Parks – Tim Morris – Tim stated that Jim Butcher was able to have the damage on Truck #2 covered by warranty as a manufacturer fault.

John Sprout at the Buckeye Lake Winery is have a walk for Juvenile Diabetes on Sunday August 17th from noon to three and would like the approval for the trustees. No roads will be closed. The trustees have no objections.

Mike and Tim are generally available between 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm to receive used oil.

Old Business

The property at 13058 Elm Rd was given a residential permit and is actually B2. Trustee Horn stated that there are several different options to resolve the situation –

  • – Rezone the parcel to residential – Elm and Forest north to Alder – which includes 9 parcels and 7 homes
  • – The Zoning Commission could allow residential in a B2 district – there are currently only two other undeveloped parcels zoned B2
  • – Allow residential as a conditional use in B2

David Lyles, the property owner, stated that he is improving the look of the trailer, will put in a permanent foundation, a pitched roof, gutters and add residential siding.

There was discussion regarding Residential Mixed Use (RMU) which allows residential with commercial services – this was added in 2010.

Trustee Horn moved to pass Resolution 07-2014 to rezone parcels between Elm and Forest at Fairfield Beach (as shown in Exhibit A) to Residential Mixed Use and to submit the request to the Walnut Township Zoning Commission.Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

A concerned resident mentioned the noise at the Campground at Fairfield Beach and asked what can be done. He has spoken with the owner, but it has not resolved the issue. He has called the sheriff in the past but would like to resolve the issue once and for all. The trustees suggested contacting Lt. Tim Voris at tvoris@sherrif.fairfield.oh.us.

Trustee Horn and ZI Detria Hiles are continuing to work with the property owners at 13050 Shell Beach Rd.

Moving Ohio Forward update – There have been 3 letters sent to property owners regarding the removal of nuisances by the Health Department.

Trustee Horn will be sending out the letter to AEP this week regarding the damage to Blacklick Rd.

ODNR update – There are still 14 Lieb’s Island residents who have not returned the letters to reserve a dock. After the 21st, there is a 10-day leeway. After that point, other Lieb’s Island residents can apply for the docks.

New Business

Trustee Horn will get together with ZI Detria Hiles and put together a list of suggested changes to the Zoning Resolution. These will be submitted to the Zoning Commission for their input.

There was a discussion regarding the amount of money appropriated for legal expenses and the potential cost for the creation of a JEDD.

Trustee Yates has a new 3-year contract from Time Warner that will decrease the cost and add voice mail. There is a one-time setup fee of $99. Trustee Yates made a motion to approve the contract. Trustee Horn seconded the motion.The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

The trustees would like a status update regarding the Kenney Beach subdivision Replat of Lots 1-5 and Formation lots 1A-5A. Detria will follow-up with Jim Morgan and Holly Mattei.

There was a question regarding whether cell phone calls or texts from Ralph Reeb’s phone are available, per the request of Fallon vs BZA. There was also a question as to when John Harker was appointed to the Walnut Township BZA.

Trustee Horn purchased a 3-year contract with Geek Squad. They have already removed the virus on the township computer and updated the Accuglobe. It can also be used on the Fiscal Officer’s computer and the secondary computer in the office.

Bob Myers, South Bank Rd, stated that it is his belief that the township road is on his property. Trustee Yates will meet with Mr. Myers, a surveyor, Mr. Myer’s attorney and the Fairfield County Engineer’s office.

Trustee Horn made a motion to appropriate an additional $25,000 and encumber it for the retainer for Mr. Albers for the purpose of economic development. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

10:25 PM, Trustee Leith made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed 3 yes votes.

Lynn Kraner, Fiscal Officer

William Yates, Chairman Terry Horn Doug Leith

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. 

Lynn Kraner, Fiscal Officer

William Yates, Chairman Terry Horn Doug Leith