January 21, 2014 Trustee Meeting Minutes

Walnut Township Trustees Meeting

January 21, 2014

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

The bids for the Demolition Project were opened by Trustee Horn and recorded by Fiscal Officer Kraner.

All bids were reviewed for the required information and bid amounts were announced –

• Ashbaugh Trucking, all paperwork received, bid $27,100
• Spohn Excavation, all paperwork received, bid $19,730
• Cox Paving, all paperwork received, bid $19,441.53
• Ricketts Excavating, all paperwork received, bid $24,750
• Seals Construction, addendum #1 received was not indicated, bid $40,9000

The low bidder was Cox Paving. Trustee Horn made a motion to award the contract for the demolition of three houses in Walnut Township to Cox Paving. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Donna Fox-Moore, Head of Housing in Fairfield County, stated that the asbestos inspection was done on January 15th, and it will be three to four weeks for the work to proceed.

The minutes from December 17, 2013 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 minutes for the December 30th Special meeting 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 the January 2nd Re-Organizational meeting 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 the January 2nd regular Trustee meeting were presented for approval. Trustee Horn made a motion to approve the minutes with corrections. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

The Resolution from Vinton County bank to update the signatures on the checking account was executed by the Trustees and Fiscal Officer. Trustee Horn made a motion to add Trustee Yates as the second signature on the Safety Deposit box at Commodore Bank. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Trustee Leith made a motion to approve checks 24175 through 24176 and EFTS 26-2014 through 51-2014, after being certified that funds are available and appropriations have been made by Fiscal Officer Kraner. Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Comments from the Floor

There were no comments

Departments

Chief Hite, Thurston Walnut Township Fire Department – Chief Hite would like to add Luther Tate as a part-time Basic EMT. He has completed his 240 hour requirement. The issues with Claypool Electric and fixing the light pole continue. Chief Hite confirmed with the Trustees that the demolition of the property at 8721 Lancaster Thornville Rd had been cancelled.

Jason Smith asked that the Trustee Yates sign-off on the resolution from MED3000 to increase the charges for EMS services to the Medicare allowed amount.

Larry Neeley, RPC – Mr. Neeley thanked the Trustees for allowing him to continue on the RPC board as the representative for Walnut Township. He mentioned that there is a controversy on the North Bank Road regarding a lot split. The lots would both be .12 acres. It will be discussed further at the RPC February 4th meeting.

Mr. Neeley stated that the EPA is doing studies on what is flowing into Buckeye Lake. It is his understanding that the EPA is considering changing the feeders into wetland ponds. It was suggested that Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow would be the group to contact regarding additional information.

Old Business

Trustee Horn received the final minutes for November 11th and December 3rd. The final appropriation report for December is not available yet.

Trustee Horn stated that Billy Phillips had stated there is an individual who has equipment and has offered to assist in the cleanup of the property at 13050 Shell Beach Rd. Horn checked with the insurance carrier and as long as the Township drafts a resolution stating everyone is volunteer, then the township does not have any liability. Cold weather is hindering the cleanup by the owner, as soon as the weather allows, it can be cleaned up.

The owners of the lion at 13748 Queen Rd have applied for a permit to house the lion at another location. The ODA has 90 days to approve.

Trustee Horn had a discussion with Tim Upp regarding the Cattail Road culvert. Potentially, on the east side of the road, they may be able to extend the ditch toward the creek. Flood water potentially could make its way down there before flowing over road. Eric McCrady will look at the elevations and see if that would help. Horn suggested that they discuss this further with the County Engineers at the February Yearly meeting. There are about 90 acres going into the 24 inch culvert that crosses at Cattail Rd.

Trustee Horn asked about the Licking County Wastewater payment. A replacement check will be cut and mailed.

There was a discussion regarding the paper for the official minutes. Fiscal Officer Kraner will present her suggestion on the Minutes book.

The township will be sponsoring the county-wide Township meeting on March 15th at 6:00 pm. Trustee Yates confirmed that the Walnut Township High School commons is available for the gathering. The Township Association will provide the speaker. The cost of the gathering will be paid out of the General Fund.

New Business

Trustee Horn made a motion to appoint Trustee Leith to be the township’s representative on the Health Department District Advisory Council. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Trustee Horn provided additional information regarding the Electric Aggregation program. If passed, the public will receive a letter giving them 21 days to opt out of the program. Trustee Horn has requested that the consultant consider a 6 month grace period for residents. Palmer Energy is the consultant, retained by the county, for the program. They will request bids from several electric companies. This program will only be available to AEP customers and they can expect a 10 to 15% savings.

The Electric Aggregation program would last for 2 – 3 years. The Board of Elections will invoice the township and the County Commissioners will reimburse the Walnut Township. Two public hearings will be required. The trustees will encourage Charlie Prince to attend so that he can include information about the program in the Buckeye Lake Beacon. Trustee Leith moved to pass Resolution 04-14 to allow the residents of Walnut Township to vote on adopting the Electric Aggregation program. Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Trustee Yates made a motion to approve Luther Tate as a part-time firefighter for Thurston Walnut Township Fire Department. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Trustee Horn is requesting that the township website be upgraded from JOOMLA to WordPress software. Wordpress will be easier to update and it will help prevent hacking. The cost for Chad to complete the conversion will be from $300 to $600 and take approximately 12 hours.

Trustee Horn made a motion to approve Chad Myers moving the township website from JOOMLA to wordpress with a budget of $600. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Mr. Bender submitted an additional payment toward his debt for the asbestos testing for his properties on Shell Beach Rd. Fiscal Officer Kraner will send monthly invoices for $40 to Mr. Bender at his Westerville address.

There was discussion regarding the AEP project on Blacklick Road. The project is expected to be completed in May or June. The Trustees will discuss the road situation with the Engineers at their yearly meeting in February.

The Fairfield County Engineers have asked if the township would like to participate in their chip and seal contract.Last year their cost was $1.70/sq. yd. and Shelly was $1.46/sq. yd.

The Trustee asked what is built in the budget for Road Work in 2014. Fiscal Officer Kraner will have the budget available at the next meeting.

Trustee Leith and Yates attended the Lieb’s Island Road meeting with ODNR and the County Engineers. They discussed the next five years for the road; ODNR wants to know who owns the road.

There was a discussion regarding the Township Dock Rules. A resident of Lieb’s Island has questions about who is responsible for the repair of the docks that are on township land. Trustee Leith will go over and look at dock and find out who owns the dock.

The Community Theater asked if the Trustees want to place an ad in their flyer. The Trustees and Fiscal Officer have previously placed ads at their own expense. Trustee Leith made a motion to place the ad with personal funds.Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

The CAUV is up for renewal for the 6 acres the township leases to Mike Wolfe. Trustee Horn will obtain the information for the application.

The furnace went out and had to be replaced. Trustee Horn made a motion to create a purchase order to Capital City for the replacement of the furnace. Trustee Yates seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Trustee Horn will follow-up with the bidders who were not selected for the demolition contract.

There was a discussion about firefighters insurance. At this time the requirement is for 50 fulltime firefighters, so the department is not required to provide insurance.

9:00 pm Trustee Leith moved to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss Economic Development. Trustee Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

10:05 pm Trustee Horn made a motion to return from Executive Session. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

10:05 PM Trustee Yates made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Leith seconded the motion. The motion passed with 3 yes votes.

Respectfully submitted –