October 22, 2001

Minutes for Richfield Township Trustees Meeting.

Regular scheduled Richfield Township Board of Trustees meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m.

Roll Call: Trustees - Robert Hooper, Shano Cica-Mraz and Robert Luther
Clerk / Treasurer - Mark Uhrich

Others present: Laurie Gilmore - Office Administrator, Sergeant Joe Davis

Mr. Hooper made a motion to approve the October 8, 2001 minutes, seconded by Ms. Cica-Mraz: Mr. Luther – No; Mr. Hooper – Yes; Ms. Mraz – Yes, motion passes by majority.

Mr. Hooper made a motion to approve warrant report 6395 to 6438, seconded by Ms. Cica-Mraz, motion carried unanimously.

Sergeant Davis presented the Police Report – He indicated that the merger of the two departments has gone well.

Mr. Luther indicated the Township passed the final county inspection for the new service garage. The new truck is at Great Lakes Truck and they will be preparing the truck to our specifications.

Mr. Hooper read a letter from a resident complimenting Richfield Township Service department employees Jerry Schall and Phil Hrusch.

Ms. Mraz instructed residents that incurred tar and other related damage to their cars from the Columbia Road resurfacing project by the County Engineer to document all damage and forward the information to Township offices.

Mark Uhrich presented the clerk report – In response to Mr. Charlie Easton’s statement about the townships prospect of bankruptcy, and wants to reassure the residents that Richfield Township is in no danger of bankruptcy, Richfield Township is in sound financial condition. He will be reviewing the township’s internal control procedures and security of Township records.

Laurie Gilmore presented the Administration Report – We received tentative approval for $4,000 in CBDG money for senior citizen snow plowing and Med-Alert program and $13,000 for our portion of the Senior Citizen center.

Mr. Hooper clarified our Township’s Office Administrators role and duties. These duties are essentially the same as defined by Ohio Revised code as a Township’s Administrator.

Ms. Mraz summarized the outcome of a law suit that was filed against Richfield Township -- Citizens for Choice (CFC) on September 27 filed a complaint to place a Temporary Restraining Order on the Township to prevent the Police contract from moving forward. The Complaint was denied and hearing on this matter was set for October 16. CFC withdrew this complaint at the last minute. Richfield Township incurred significant costs to defend this action.

Mr. Slagter of Buckingham Doolittle and Burroughs spoke about the CFC’s unsuccessful attempt to place an injunction on Richfield Township. The conduct of the CFC and their lawyers appear to have been frivolous in this action. Therefore, Richfield Township may have remedies at their disposal for the recovery of legal fees that were incurred by the township.

Mr. Hooper made a motion to pursue recovery of legal costs from CFC, motion seconded by Ms. Mraz; , Ms. Mraz – Yes, Mr. Hooper – Yes, Mr. Luther – No.

Citizens Forum:

Mr. Rich Fleming, 2780 Columbia, commented about having three weeks to review the police contract before the trustees took action.

Noel Shriver, 2597 Columbia, Columbia Road has big holes in it, Please look in to this matter.

Ms. Mraz responded - she’ll contact the County Engineer to review this matter.

Mr. Ralph Schneider, 5276 Black Road, has seen more police cars then in the past ten years.

Mr. Hooper made a motion to enter in to executive session at 9:15 p.m. to review pending legal matters, seconded by Ms. Mraz, motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Mraz made a motion to end the executive session at 9:35 p.m., seconded by Mr. Hooper, motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Mraz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m., seconded by Mr. Hooper, motion carried unanimously.



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Chairman Clerk