Minutes of the Meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees,
MARCH 28, 2006The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on March 28, 2006. Those in attendance were Trustees Bonnie Howe, David Armentrout and Diane Dillon, JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer, Darrell Stephens, Van Black and Julie Carpenter.
Resolution No. 2006-063 - Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to accept the minutes of March 14, 2006. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; David Armentrout, yea; Diane Dillon, yea.
ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Darrell still hasn’t received a response from the County Engineer regarding surveying Curtis Drive. Julie will send another letter.
Darrell received a breakdown on the estimate for the doors for the Town Hall from AllStar. The door combos (steel and screen door) are $750.00/each. We will need 4 doors. The windows were $650.00. Dave will get another proposal.
All the Veteran flags and markers have been ordered for Memorial Day.
JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer opened the proposals for mowing.
Homeland Cemetery Gracie Field Total/each mow Accent Lawn Care $ 350.00 $ 175.00 $ 525.00 Scott’s Landscape $ 330.00 $ 245.00 $ 575.00 3rd Day Creation $ 400.00 $ 225.00 $ 625.00 JoAnn noted she asked that a $100.00 certification fee be submitted with their bid. 3rd Day Creation did not send one in - the other two did comply.
Darrell said the lowest bid is Accent Lawn Care. Diane said she has dealt with them and have no complaints.
Resolution No. 2006-064 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to award contract to Accent Lawn Care to mow Homeland Cemetery in the amount of $350.00 and Gracie Field $175.00 for a total not to exceed $525.00 for each mow. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; David Armentrout, yea; Diane Dillon, yea.
Tim Tapscott, owner of Accent Lawn Care was present and assures the Trustees if they have any problems to contact him and he will resolve them.
The road material proposals will be due at the end of April.
Darrell asked if the Township could apply for a credit card to purchase hardware items. JoAnn said the Ohio Revised Code specifies you cannot purchase materials or supplies. This credit card could only be used for travel, Internet service, lodging, emergency repairs to a vehicle or gasoline.
The latches for the benches of the Town Hall do not work. The benches are now locked but there is a key available to adults.
Darrell stated after talking with Cintas the cost to rent shirts and cleaning would be $780.00. Only one employee wears them. Another option is they could purchase shirts at a cost of $250.00. Bonnie mentioned also purchasing several sweatshirts. The current clothing allowance is $200.00 per year; Darrell suggested increasing it to $250.00. One of the employees will keep their current shirts.
Resolution No. 2006-065 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to increase the road crew’s clothing allowance not to exceed $250.00 and purchase ten (10) t-shirts for three (3) employees (total of 30 shirts). Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; David Armentrout, yea; Diane Dillon, yea.
Darrell reported there is a still problem with the front end of the F-450. He has taken it to Rivers and Langes. JoAnn suggested he contact CTR.
There were no funerals since the last meeting.
The water in the park will be turned on within the next week. Bill Hahn will be opening and closing the park.
Darrell asked if we put something in the newspaper about the Lions Club street trash clean up and noting that is has nothing to do with the Township’s clean up day. JoAnn will put something in the newspaper.
Beginning April 3rd the road crew will be working their summer hours from 6:00 AM-2:30 PM.
Bonnie asked if there was any progress with a turning light at the intersection of State Route 44 and Tallmadge Road. Darrell said he thinks having the turning lane on Tallmadge Road going east making a left on Route 44 confuses people; they are not using the turning lane to turn they are going straight. We will send another letter to the County.
FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT
Chief Palmer was not able to attend but submitted his report to Diane Dillon.
The Trustees were given a donation list from the Copac family.
For the month of February we have billed $4,580.00 to non-residents who were transported to the hospital and collected $1,835.00. To date we have collected $2,370.00.
The firemen are still training at Terrace Hall with area fire departments. They are testing the mutual aid agreements and training levels of each department, training will continue until the first of June.
ZONING INSPECTOR’S REPORT
Van reported that Jim sent two (2) violation letters. Both residents live on Ruth Drive. The first letter that was sent was regarding a vehicle not being tagged and the other was about a disabled truck, which will be, moved this Saturday.
Jim requested a letter be sent to the Prosecutor’s Office to take the necessary action regarding the ongoing issue on Jay Street. Diane said more than one violation should be sent before contacting the Prosecutor’s Office. Van would ask Jim when he returns from vacation how many were sent.
The Drennen status hearing is tomorrow at 2:00 PM. The Trustees and Van will be attending.
NEW BUSINESS
Vera Hamrick submitted her report from the residents of Baronwood Allotment. Diane said in regards to closing the street during trick-or-treat; Hidden Knolls currently has their own event. Diane suggested contacting them on how they do this.
Resolution No. 2006-066 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon upon the recommendation of the Zoning Commission to hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed amendment ZC 2006-002. The public hearing is scheduled for April 25, 2006 at 6:30 PM at the Town Hall. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; David Armentrout, yea; Diane Dillon, yea.
Resolution No. 2006-067 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to authorize the purchase of Breakneck Creek stream identification road signs for nine (9) crossings (one on each side of the road) in an amount not to exceed $900.00. The County Engineer will be installing the signs. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; David Armentrout, yea; Diane Dillon, yea.
Community Reinvestment Area Program (CRA) Discussion – Sy Thompson
The Board advertised this discussion to see if any residents were interested in the CRA. Sy Thompson was present to explain how the program works. The Community Reinvestment Areas are areas of land set up within your community that permits tax exemption on real, commercial or industrial property and could also include residential. Some communities use this program to upgrade their existing housing spot. For commercial or industrial property there must be an agreement on each project. Anything within the Township would have to be approved by the County Commissioners’. There is currently a CRA in Edinburg. The proposed area in Rootstown is located from the town center to the Antique Mall. This would promote businesses to build along I-76 and provide a business owner to put an addition on their business or construct a new business. Each particular case would have to be negotiated – the amounts could go up to 100% or for new construction up to fifteen (15) years of tax break. If a business would request the CRA program the school districts would have to get a minimum of 50% of the taxes they would have received if no incentive were given (Edinburg gives 50% for 10 years). It would take approximately 6 weeks to get the program certified.
Dave asked if the Board of Commissioners’ would be the appointing officer. Sy said the Commissioners’ would have to pass the legislation and enter into the agreement. The Commissioners’ would let the Township provide the number of years and percentages.
Diane said she is not in favor of any tax abatement. She doesn’t think it is fair to have these programs within the Township to release tax probabilities when they are using our services. According to the Ohio Revised Code the community reinvestment permits to designate areas where investment has been discouraged. She can never remember anytime that the Board has discouraged any revitalization. Sy believes the ORC did not intend on building being discouraged-perhaps the fact that investment is not taken place.
Roger Wilhelm was present and explains to the Board that he has been looking for ways to make the project that he is building a little more feasible. This is a multi-million dollar project that would bring in many jobs and good things for the community. Tax abatement is very helpful with big projects. Mr. Wilhelm approached Sy to help with his project.
Dave feels very strongly with any help we can give residents who want to settle in our Township, a business, should be given the opportunity to have an area that would encourage this.
Diane said Rootstown is growing just fine. The Township is not having problems with businesses building.
Rob Dillon, a resident of Rootstown Township was present and asked if this program was set up for areas that are not feasible for current development? Why would we deem an area for development when there is already development? We are not set up for abatement in the Township; usually you have to have city income tax. Sy said schools would get 40% no matter what. Dave said if there would be a less encouraging way to have businesses come into the Township he would then consider it. Mr. Dillon asked how feasible is it for the Township to start giving abatements. We are growing roughly 5-7%. Dave said several years ago the Trustees felt it was favorable because they offered enterprise zone to FSI; which brought that business here. Bonnie said one of the requirements was the school district had to approve the program at that time. FSI did not go through the full 10 years this was a 7-year abatement and it did not change anything or encourage businesses to come to our area.
Bonnie said there are numerous businesses we get nothing for such as the College of Medicine, ODOT and E-Check because they are State exempt.
Dave said he thought when Lynn Road was rezoned we wanted more opportunity for commercial to balance our residential area. Mr. Dillon said at that particular meeting he was told Lynn Road was added because there wasn’t enough commercial area. Dave said with the overlay district this would give more opportunities. Dave said we want to have this commercial growth and at the same time we are not going to do anything to encourage it but rezone and let it sit there. Mr. Dillon asked if he wanted it to grow up within a year. Dave said he would like the opportunity for growth on Lynn Road. We would have the tool to say yes or no and have more control on who builds. The Trustees would act on behalf of the residents. We would want some choice of whom we want to invite to our community. Diane doesn’t feel the Trustees, including herself, should have any control over what businesses could open up in Rootstown.
Resolution No. 2006-068 – Motion was made by David Armentrout –due to a lack of a second this motion died to enter into an agreement for a Community Reinvestment Area Program for Lynn Road.
Resolution No. 2006-069 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe that the Trustees agree they are not interested in the Community Reinvestment Area Program at this time. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea; David Armentrout, nay; Diane Dillon, yea.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The Board discussed the Zoning Inspector’s hours. Dave is concerned on how we will serve the public if hours are decreased. Diane said she would be in favor of the Zoning Office being open during an evening to be more accessible to the public. Dave suggested meeting in executive session at the next Board meeting with this employee. The Board agreed.
FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT
JoAnn said no one has registered for the Zoning Commission Training Workshop. Dave said he is undecided as to whether he will be attending.
JoAnn gave the Board of copy of the resolution exempting parkland.
Resolution No. 2006-070 - Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to pay bills on file with the clerk. Upon roll call all yeas and no nays.
Dave contacted the railroad again regarding the crossing on Lynn Road that was started last summer and is still very rough.
Dave mentioned Misty Dulaney, who cleans the Town Hall should be under an updated contract. JoAnn will get her a copy of Michele Stuck’s contract.
The Board agreed the current employee application is adequate.
Resolution No. 2006-071 - Motion was made by Bonnie Howe to adjourn at 7:35 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
_________________________________
Bonnie Howe
Chairperson__________________________________
JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer