MINUTES OF THE ROOTSTOWN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
April 24, 2007

The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on April 24, 2007. Those in attendance were Trustees David Armentrout, Diane Dillon and Bonnie Howe. Fiscal Officer, JoAnn Townend, Darrell Stephens, Jim Mahood, Van Black, Chief Palmer and Julie Carpenter.

Resolution No. 2007-074 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to accept the minutes of April 10, 2007. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Darrell met with Dan from the County Engineer’s Office to begin processing bid books to repave Cobblestone.

Darrell is still working with Scott from the County Engineer’s Office on Issue II paperwork.

The abstract driving records have been completed. Darrell will give the forms to Diane to notarize and forward them to JoAnn for payment. Jim said he would not be using Township vehicles at this time.

Clean Up Day is June 9th from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM. Darrell will schedule two (2) road crew workers for that day.

Darrell met with the representative from Verizon. She suggested processing the road account on the Fire Department’s plan.

JoAnn will give Darrell the State Purchasing telephone number.

Wise’s has repaired the dump truck. The payment will now be released.

Darrell met with 3rd Day Creation regarding scheduling to mow the cemetery and park.

There was one cremation since the last meeting.

Foundations at the cemetery will be poured next week, weather permitting.

Darrell left a message for Rob Such regarding the survey of the cemetery.

The asphalt grindings has been delivered to the Park and Darrell will schedule the bobcat next week.

Dave spoke to Mr. Park a couple of weeks ago regarding the Eagle sign project at the Park. At that time it would approximately be 4-6 weeks or sooner.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Chief Palmer gave the Board a proposal from Verizon regarding the current phone account. This proposal places us in the government section instead of business section. The proposal is for nine (9) phones. This consists of five (5) for the fire department and four (4) for the road department. The cost is $28.34 per month/per phone. They recommended we be placed on the same account with different lines. The annual rate for the fire department is $1,700.40 and for the road department $1,360.32. The Board agreed to sign the contract.

For the month of March to amount that was collected for non-resident ambulance billing was $3,726.06 and billed $4,352.00. The total year to date is $9,462.72.

The Expedition will be delivered tomorrow. The insurance company has been notified.

RESIDENT’S COMMENTS

Greg and Diana Pastor of Harvest Hills were present with their concerns of the letter they received from the Rootstown Water Company. They wondered why the Board made the decision for the lawsuit regarding the fire hydrants. Dave said the Board feels they have been forced to ask for legal counsel for declaratory judgment. The Board questions do we have any obligations with the Water Company? There hasn’t been any written contract since 1952. The Board has been advised to not discuss this issue until a judge renders a decision. Bonnie said this isn’t a lawsuit; it is to get a declaratory judgment from a judge. Dave said we do not want to involve our fire department; they are completely neutral on this issue. They have procedures in place regarding fire protection.

Kurt Harris was also present to express his concerns of the Water Company issue. Mr. Harris said he thought the fire department services the fire hydrants. Chief Palmer said they are responsible to paint and lubricate the hydrants; the Water Company pays someone to flow the hydrants and inspect them. Diane said our legal council advises the Trustees not discuss details of the issue.

Resolution No. 2007-075 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to go into Executive Session at 6:10 PM for personnel matters. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2007-076 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to exit Executive Session at 6:17 PM. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Public Hearing ZC 2007-001, 002 & 003

David Armentrout opened the meeting at 6:00 PM.

Resolution No. 2007-077 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to accept the following zoning amendment ZC2007-001 - Section 320.01 Purpose as presented by the Rootstown Township Zoning Commission:

  1. To conserve natural historic and cultural features of the site, which contribute to the rural character of Rootstown Township.

    1. Large, aggregated, undeveloped land areas;
    2. Scenic vistas and rural views;
    3. Natural features such as woodlands, steep slopes, floodplains, wetlands, stream and river corridors, hedgerows, and rock outcroppings;
    4. Visually appealing topography such as hills and undulating terrain, vegetative screens such as woodlands and hedgerows and/or open space areas comprised of pastures and meadows;
    5. Significant historic features such as stone walls, old buildings, old barns and foundations, heritage trees, etc.;

  2. To maximize the preservation of the community’s natural resources by.

    1. Conserving areas of prime agricultural soils, to the extent possible;
    2. Avoiding development on and destruction of sensitive natural resource areas such as wetlands, natural ponds, marshes, floodplains and larger wooded areas;
    3. Maintaining natural characteristics (such as woods, hedgerows, natural vegetation, meadows, steep slopes, rock outcropping and streams);
    4. Reducing the amount of disturbed land, the conversion of natural areas to landscaped areas for lawns, and the use of invasive vegetation; and
    5. Reducing the volume and improving the quality of storm water runoff from expected development.

  3. To ensure the economical and efficient use of land and reduce infrastructure costs through unified development, such as encouraging traditional rural settlement patterns characterized by cluster of compact groupings of development.

  4. To ensure the flexible spacing of lots and buildings in order to encourage the separation of pedestrian and vehicular circulation; the provision of readily accessible open space and recreation areas; and the creation of functional and interesting residential areas.

  5. To ensure that Planned Residential Developments are compatible with surrounding neighborhoods and comply with these objectives by requiring the submission of development plans and establishing a review process to ensure that all developments are consistent with regulations.

  6. To establish development review criteria which promote creative design solutions in a manner which best conserves the area’s resources.

  7. To establish a review process that maintains local review and approval of the overall development plan and which results in the timely consideration of an application.

  8. To allow for more efficient use of the land than is generally achieved through conventional development practices.

  9. To ensure that the proposed Planned Residential Development complies with the objectives of Rootstown Township as expressed in the Rootstown Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2007-078 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to accept the following zoning amendment ZC2007-002 - Section 320.02 Approval of Planned Residential Developments as presented by the Rootstown Township Zoning Commission to Section B:

B. Significant buffer zones with adequate landscaping shall be provided between the proposed development and adjacent residential areas and existing road right-of-way;

Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2007-079 – Motion was made by Bonnie Howe and seconded by Diane Dillon to accept the following zoning amendment ZC2007-003 - Section 320.06 Minimum Project Area as presented by the Rootstown Township Zoning Commission:

  1. 25 acres in an O-C District
  2. 20 acres in an R-1 District
  3. 20 acres in an R-2 District
  4. 5 acres in an R-V District

Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Dave Armentrout closed at 6:30 PM.

ZONING INSPECTOR’S REPORT

Jim reported the hearing for the Board of Appeals for skill gaming was denied.

There were ten (10) acts of business.

Jim spoke to Chris Meduri regarding the homes on Broadway (Baker & Blankenship). Jim reissued violation letters and they did not get returned. Mr. Blankenship has been making an effort to clean up his property, but hasn’t heard anything from Mr. Baker. Jim will send a final notice and if nothing is done we could take legal action.

Jim ordered a six (6) pack of ink cartridges from Dell in an amount of $157.00.

Jim has been receiving numerous calls for the Clean Up Day (June 9th from 8:00 AM-Noon).

Dave spoke to Ken Grafton who is on the “unformed” Marsh Creek Condo Association. There has been rowdy behavior from residents who rent in that area. Dave spoke to the Sheriff’s Department and they agreed to patrol Pine Drive more often. Dave also spoke to the Dean of Students at NEOUCOM to inform them of this issue and they do have student conduct and would review any students who live on that street.

Dave reported Mr. Mehl refused to apply for the Regional Planning Commission CHIP grant. He has done a lot of improvements to his property.

PARK

Diane reported the purchase agreement has been reviewed by Chris Meduri, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office and is ready to be signed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

The Board agreed to remove the flagpole and ask Darrell to make arrangements to hire a crane to remove it.

FISCAL OFFICER

Dave will contact Charlie Ramer to confirm the Clean Up Day.

JoAnn gave copies to the Board of several e-mails from residents regarding the Rootstown Water Company issue.

Resolution No. 2007-080 - Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call all yeas and no nays.

NEW BUSINESS

The Portage County Environmental Round Table Discussion will be April 30th.

Dave received a notice from the Health Department to drop off dead raccoons to their department.

Dave will be attending a session in Randolph Township tomorrow regarding Breakneck Creek Coalition. James Bierlair of Soil & Water will be the speaker.

Resolution No. 2007-081 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Bonnie Howe to hire Bill Hahn at a rate of $10.50 per day to open and close Gracie Field Park. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Bonnie asked JoAnn if Working Partners has an updated list of the road crew employees. Bonnie said it seems they always call Darrell for the random drug testing. JoAnn will contact Barb Miller.

The Board reviewed forms that were typed by Julie.

Resolution No. 2007-082 - Motion was made by David Armentrout to adjourn at 7:35 PM.

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David Armentrout
Chairman

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JoAnn Townend
Fiscal Officer