The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on July 28, 2009. Those in attendance were Trustees Bonnie Howe, David Armentrout and Diane Dillon, JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer, Chief Palmer, Van Black and Julie Gonzales.

Resolution No. 2009-149 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to accept the minutes of July 14, 2009. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Bonnie reported the following:

Darrell has a meeting with the County Engineer regarding Issue II on Friday, July 31st.

The tanks will be pulled this week.

Resolutions No. 2009-150 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to purchase a weed whip in an amount not to exceed $350.00. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

There was one (1) cremation since the last meeting.

The new storage building at Homeland Cemetery is completed. The doors have not been installed yet.

The old storage building at the cemetery is ready to be torn down. JoAnn will advertise for bids to see if anyone is interested.

The painted signs have been installed at the park.

Dave received several complaints from residents on Case Avenue because of the increase in traffic and driving over the speed limit as residents enter the park.

Resolution No. 2009-151 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to install “Child At Play” signs on each sides on Case Avenue. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Resolution No. 2009-152 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon agreed to install the Homeland Cemetery Rules and Regulations at both entrances of the cemetery. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

ZONING INSPECTOR REPORT

Bonnie reported there were two (2) acts of business.

FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT

Chief Palmer reported the Dominion East Ohio Energy; our natural gas supplier reduced the rate from $9.95 per cubic foot to $7.97 until July 2010 when the contract expires.

Resolution No. 2009-153 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to place a 1.3 mill renewal levy on the ballot for November 2009 election. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

For the month of June 2009 they billed $5,100.00 for non resident ambulance billing, collected $3,015.43. Year to date they have collected $19,338.61 and billed $32,450.00. The collection rate is approximately 65%.

Chief Palmer reviewed the medical insurance for the fire department and the proposed rate is $73,676.88 or an increase of $14,457.96 annually.

For the month of June the following calls were made:

EMS:	55		Mutual Aid:
Fire:	17		Given:	8
Car Accidents:	6		Received:	4
Total:	78

Diane has been meeting with Justin and Bobby regarding the First Alert System. They are working on procedures for weather alert notification.

Public Hearing - Zoning Commission amendment 2009-003 – Landscaping, Yard Completion Deadline

Dave Armentrout opened the public hearing at 6:00 PM.

The Rootstown Zoning Commission unanimously approved to require a deadline for yard and landscaping of new residential construction in Section 310.05.

The Rootstown Zoning Commission proposed the following amendment:

Section 310.05 – YARD REQUIREMENTS FOR O-C, R-1, R-2, AND R-V DISTRICTS.

Principal buildings shall be located on a lot in a manner that maintains the minimum required yards set forth in this section for the district in which the lot is located, except as otherwise regulated in Chapter 320 for planned residential developments. Every part of a required yard shall be obstructed and open to the sky, except as otherwise specifically permitted in this Chapter.

The following shall be completed within 1 year from the start of construction

1. Final grading and final stabilization (see Chapter 150) of soil
2. Grass seeding or placement of sod

The Portage County Regional Planning Commission approved the proposal the township’s legal counsel, Chris Meduri, endorsed the wording as to legal form.

Resolution No. 2009-154 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon agreed to modify (shown in bold) the proposed amendment to:

Section 310.05 – YARD REQUIREMENTS FOR O-C, R-1, R-2, R-O AND R-V DISTRICTS. Principal buildings shall be located on a lot in a manner that maintains the minimum required yards set forth in this section for the district in which the lot is located, except as otherwise regulated in Chapter 320 for planned residential developments. Every part of a required yard shall be obstructed and open to the sky. The following shall be completed within 1 year of final inspection and/or occupancy whichever occurs first

1. Final grading and final stabilization (see Chapter 150) of soil
2. Grass seeding or placement of sod

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

The Rootstown Zoning Commission proposed to add to Chapter 150 – Definitions – FINAL STABILIZATION: All soil disturbing activities at the site are complete and a uniform perennial grass or sod cover (e.g., evenly distributed, without large bare areas) with a density of at least 70 percent cover for the area has been established on all unpaved areas and areas not covered by permanent structures or equivalent stabilization measures (such as the use of landscape mulches, rip-rap, gabions or geotextitles) have been employed.

Rationale: Creating a deadline would help blend new construction into the existing neighborhoods in a timely fashion and also follow soil stabilization guidelines for controlling run-off, etc.

The proposed amendment has been reviewed and approved by the Portage County Regional Planning Commission and by Chris Meduri, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office.

Resolution No. 2009-155 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to accept Zoning Amendment 2009-003 adding to Chapter 150 as presented by the Zoning Commission:

The Rootstown Zoning Commission proposed to add to Chapter 150 – Definitions – FINAL STABILIZATION: All soil disturbing activities at the site are complete and a uniform perennial grass or sod cover (e.g., evenly distributed, without large bare areas) with a density of at least 70 percent cover for the area has been established on all unpaved areas and areas not covered by permanent structures or equivalent stabilization measures (such as the use of landscape mulches, rip-rap, gabions or geotextitles) have been employed.

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

Resolution No. 2009-156 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to accept the rationale presented by the Rootstown Zoning Commission’s but to include a second rationale as follows (shown in bold):

Rationale: Creating a deadline would help blend new construction into the existing neighborhoods in a timely fashion and also follow soil stabilization guidelines for controlling run-off, etc. Final stabilization will allow the property owner a better surface to control noxious weeds and help prevent vermin infestation.

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

The public hearing closed at 6:20 PM.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution No. 2009-157 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon agreed to name the pavilion at the park the “Swinehart Pavilion”. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

George Tishma attended to check on the status of the roads being dedicated to the Township in Marsh Creek Development. The Board had referred the issue to Chris Meduri. Julie will send a letter to Chris Meduri to check the status.

FISCAL OFFICER

Resolution No. 2009-158 - Motion by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

JoAnn gave the Trustees a copy of a letter from the Rootstown Water Company regarding several hydrants that are out of service.

We received a letter from the Regional Planning Commission notifying us as of June 28th we have 40.75 hours remaining.

Dave reported the Regional Planning Commission will be meeting with the Commissioners’ on Thursday request funding to upgrade the Subdivision Regulations. The current regulations are 25 years old.

Resolution No. 2009-159 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon for the Rootstown Township Trustees to move into executive session at 6:35 PM to discuss personnel matters Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

Resolution No. 2009-160 - Upon conclusion of the above referenced discussion a motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon that the Rootstown Township Trustees move out of executive session at 6:45 PM. Upon roll call the vote as follows: David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea, Bonnie Howe, yea.

After exiting Executive Session, the Trustees took no action.

Dave said the sewer system alarm was ringing; he will notify Darrell.

Resolution No. 2009-161 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to approve the Non Profit Organization Request Form. Chris Meduri also approved the form. This form will be kept on file for use of any non profit organization requesting financial assistance or use of Township equipment. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Resolution No. 2009-162 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to place a plaque on the new storage building at Homeland Cemetery in memory of “Donald and Bertha Farley” who donated $25,000.00 to be used for the Homeland Cemetery. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Resolution No. 2009–163 - Motion by David Armentrout to adjourn at 7:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

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Bonnie Howe, Chairperson

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JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer