02 February 2014

Walnut Township Trustees Meeting

February 18, 2014

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

Fiscal Officer Kraner asked for approval for attendance of the UAN conference in March. Trustee Horn made a motion to approve the conference. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

There was a discussion of comp-time versus overtime payment. Historically, the trustees have requested that the roadworkers take time off later in the week to avoid overtime. The employees have the option to receive comp-time or overtime pay in the event that it is not possible. There was a discussion regarding having part-time help available on an as needed basis.

Trustee Leith made a motion to approve permanent appropriations for 2014 based on the temporary appropriations and the approved budget. Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Trustee Horn made a motion to approve checks 24219 through 24237 and EFTS 79-2014 through 113-2014, 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.

Tim Morris checked with several waste haulers for prices on weekly dumpster service. Fiscal Officer Kraner will find out what his recommendation is.

Comments from the Floor

Ray Sowers, Fairfield Beach, commented on what a good job the township has done on the snow removal this year. He asked if there was any new information regarding the vacation of Decker Rd at Fairfield Beach.

Zoning Interviews

There are three positions that need to be filled – Zoning Commission an alternate position, Zoning Board of Appeals, a regular seat and an alternate position. There are three candidates for the positions – Mark Helms, Randy Quillian and Greg Groves, all who are n attendance. The Zoning Inspector will provide an update on the terms of the positions. A regular term is 5 years.

Greg Groves lives on St Rt. 37 and has been a resident for over 25 years. He is retired from the Post Office.

Mark Helms lives on North Bank and is a field supervisor for a commercial construction company in Columbus.

Randy Quillian has lived on Canal Rd since 1979. He worked with the Thurston Fire Department for 18 years.

After discussion, Trustee Horn made a motion to appoint Randy Quillian to the BZA regular seat for the term of 2014 through 2018. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Trustee Leith made a motion to appoint Mark Helms as the BZA alternate. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Trustee Horn made a motion to appoint Greg Groves as the ZC alternate. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Copies of the Zoning Resolutions will be distributed by Billy Phillips, they are also available on the website in a searchable format.

Old Business

Trustee Horn discussed the clean-up of 13050 Shell Beach Rd with Billy Phillips. Horn requested that a 10-day notification be given to have the RV and camper removed from the property. At this time, they are still on the property. Chet Irvin is willing to assist in the cleanup of the property and it was recommended that he work directly with the homeowners.

Trustee Horn suggested sending a letter to the homeowners setting a date to have the property cleaned up. After discussion, it was agreed that a completion date of April 15th be set. This letter will be a precursor to a 10-day letter to be given if there is no progress. Trustee Horn made a motion to send a letter of warning to 13050 Shell Beach Rd to clean-up the property by April 15th or they will receive an official 10 day letter and for Billy Phillips to issue 10 day letter for removal of the RV & camper and any other vehicle in violation immediately. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

The lion is still at 13748 Queen Rd and the application is still within the 90 day window for approval by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Trustee Horn has informed the ODA that the Walnut Township Trustees are not in favor of the approval of this application. Trustee Horn suggested contacting Troy Balderson, the author the Dangerous Wild Animals Bill, to share items that the Trustees would like to see addressed as an amendment to the law.

New Business

A Public Records request for any documents related to 3765 North Bank Rd was received. After discussion, it was decided that Fiscal Officer Kraner would send an email to Zoning Inspector Billy Phillips and Zoning Secretary Sandi Wagner regarding gathering the following information

– The terms of the Walnut Township Trustees from 2007 – present

– The Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals from 2007 – present , including length of terms

– Trustee minutes and Zoning minutes pertaining to 3725 N Bank Rd from 2007 – present

– All emails pertaining to 3725 N Bank Rd

Trustee Horn reminded everyone that emails are not to be deleted.

Trustee Horn made a motion to dispose of the light bulbs in the upstairs as they are of zero value. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

At 8:24 pm Trustee Horn made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss pending litigation. The motion was withdrawn.

Comments

Bobby Slater suggested that the Trustees write a letter to AEP to request they pay to repair Blacklick Rd. He doesn’t feel that the residents should have to bear the cost of repairing the road.

Trustee Horn moved to pass Resolution 05-14 to request the Fairfield County Engineer to reduce the weight limit on Blacklick rd. as soon as allowed and through the allowed period. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

At 8:44pm, Trustee Horn made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss pending litigation. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

At 8:51pm, Trustee Horn made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Trustee Horn moved to pass Resolution 06-14 in regard to the zoning violation at 13748 Queen Rd as notified by the cease and desist letter dated 11/1/13, since no action has been taken; to forward to the County Prosecutor for review and processing. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

At 8:54 pm, Trustee Horn made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a complaint against a public employee. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

At 9:11 pm, Trustee Horn made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

At 9:11 pm, Trustee Horn made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss Economic Development. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

9:36 pm, Trustee Horn made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Action Items –

– Trustee Horn will contact John Carlisle & work on Blacklick Rd

– Trustee Leith will work on Dock Rules for Leib’s Island

– Fiscal Office will contact Billy Phillips and Sandi Wagner

9:39 PM Trustee Leith made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

 

Respectfully submitted –

 

 

Walnut Township Trustees Meeting

February 11, 2014

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

The minutes for the January 17th 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.

The report of the purchase orders and Blanket Certificates for 2014 was distributed for review by the Trustees. Fiscal Officer Kraner stated that there is approximately $150K appropriated for road projects in 2014.

There was a discussion regarding the allocation of the cost of the 2012 – 2013 audit. Trustee Horn made a motion that the cost of the audit will be allocated based on the percentage each fund is of the total as of 12/31/13. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Trustee Horn made a motion to approve checks 24178 through 24230 and EFTS 53-2014 through 75-2014, 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.

The Bank Reconciliation for December 2013 was presented for approval. The current value is $1,640,766.11. Trustee Horn made a motion to approve the Bank Reconciliation for December 2013. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Waste Management sent a new contract for the dumpster at the Township office. It appears that the monthly fee will be around $125/month. Tim Morris will check around to see if he can get a better price.

An additional representative is needed for the Tax Incentive Review Council. Trustee Yates nominated Doug Leith to fill the position. Trustee Horn seconded the motion. Y – Y, L – abstain, H – Y. The motion passed with 2 yes votes.

Comments from the Floor

There were no comments.

Departments

Chief Hite, Thurston Walnut Township Fire Department – Chief Hite asked for a trustee to fill the vacant spot on the Dependency Board. David Burke is a new volunteer firefighter. Mitch Klosterman has resigned due to taking a fulltime position on the west side of Columbus. The issues with Claypool Electric have not been resolved and Chief Hite will be looking for a new electrician. Chief Hite has applied for a training grant of $2,880, equipment reimbursement of $38,727 and a revolving loan with a 5% payment.

Trustee Leith volunteered to accept the appointment to the Dependency Board. Trustee Yates seconded the motion.Y-Y, L-abstain, H – Y. The motion passed with 2 yes votes.

Mike King, Recycling – The pad is down and there has been little to pick-up around the containers.

Tim Morris – Parks & Roads – Tim spoke with Jason at ODNR about reinforcing the docks at Lieb’s Island that are on township property. He will waive the permit fee for the project that is being discussed. Walnut Township is only responsible for the organizing the assignment of the docks, not the maintenance. He will check with Jason at ODNR regarding using abated cement for dock reinforcement.

Tim has ordered 600 tons of salt this year and will order the balance of 120 tons. Currently there is approximately 150 tons on hand. The Villages have purchased 175 tons of salt this year. Tim has ordered 239 tons of grits and used them successfully throughout the township.

The snowplow blades are still on order. The back lights on Truck 6 are out and being replaced. The range inhibitor on the big trucks are malfunctioning and need to be repaired.

Tim is requesting approval to complete crack sealing again this year, two skids at approximately $4,000.

The application for the Community Development Block Grant was received. There are new standards this year and the total available is approximately $142,000. Tim will work on completing the paperwork.

The culvert at Fisher Marina was tentatively scheduled for February 24th.

Old Business

Trustee Horn stated that Billy Phillips will provide a recommendation for completion of the cleanup for the property at 13050 Shell Beach Rd.

As an update to the Lion at 13748 Queen Rd, Tessa Compton has applied for the permit to be issued for the Queen Road address. Billy Phillips has been working with Jeff Porter at the Prosecutor’s office due to the failure to correct violations. There was a question as to whether the landowner was aware of the violation. Trustee Horn will check with Jeff Porter regarding notification of the landowner. The Trustees would like to have the Ohio Department of Agriculture notify the local government whenever there is an application.

The Trustees have confirmation that we are on the ballot for Electric Aggregation. There will be community meetings at the County Courthouse in March and April. Trustee Horn stated that Thurston and Bern Township also have it on their ballot and wants to confirm if Millersport also does.

Tim Morris was told that the AEP project on Blacklick Road is to be completed around the first of June. Trustee Horn would like to send a letter to AEP to request they pay a percentage of the repairs. Tim requested copies of all the violations on Blacklick Rd due to trucks being overweight.

The Fairfield County Engineers have not released their price for Chip & Seal for 2014.

Trustee Horn requested that when the annual meeting is scheduled with the Fairfield County Engineers that it is scheduled for a Friday afternoon.

Tim will talk with Shelly regarding Blacklick Road and what needs to be done to repair it.

Trustee Leith will update the Dock Rules for Lieb’s Island.

As an update on the Moving Ohio Forward demolition, the property at 8920 Lancaster-Thornville Rd contains asbestos and will need to be abated before it can be demolished. The contract with Cox Paving for the demolition will be signed on February 21st. There is still $42k available for demolition if anyone knows of another property.

There was a discussion regarding who received copies of emails sent to contact @walnuttownship.com; the three trustees, fiscal officer and Tim Morris.

The invoice was sent to Don Bender for the asbestos testing on his properties at Shell Beach Rd.

New Business

The website is in the process of being updated.

The Township County meeting is March 15th at 6:00 pm.

The trustees and fiscal officer are putting an ad in the Corn Festival brochure at their own expense.

There are three interested parties for the opening for the Zoning Commission – an alternate position and the Board of Zoning Appeals – regular seat and an alternate position. They are Matt Helms, Greg Groves and Randy Quillian.Trustee Horn will clarify terms of office with Billy Phillips.

8:53 pm Trustee Horn moved to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss Economic Development. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

9:47 pm Trustee Horn made a motion to return from Executive Session. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

9:49 PM Trustee Leith made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

 

Respectfully submitted –