June 11, 2001

Regularly 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; Laurie Pinney, Zoning Inspector; Chief Arbogast.

Review and approval of the minutes from May 14, May 16 and May 30 was tabled.

Ms. Pinney reviewed the items on the Zoning Agenda (see agenda for detail).

Chief Arbogast reviewed the police report for the first five months of 2001.

Ms. Gilmore reported: on the Hawkins Road project, she indicated that Jerry Schall, Karvo Paving and a representative from Summit County Engineers are going to meet on June 12 to review the punch list of items that Karvo must complete.

Also, she indicated that Campbell Associates donated Akron Aeros baseball tickets. Mr. Hooper made a motion to accept the donated tickets and forward them to the youth baseball league, seconded by Ms. Cica-Mraz, motion carried unanimously.

The exit Audit meeting is scheduled for June 18 at 8:00 a.m.

Reviewed the timeline for submitting Richfield Township budget: Budget is due by July 19.

Fellowship Hall had more extensive damage than previously thought and the entire ramp had to be removed.

The Trustees should review the current Road and Bridge Levy to determine if Richfield Township needs to pursue a renewal or new levy.

She stated that Richfield Township did not received many snow plow applications (noting the dead line for applications was June 6). She asked to extend the deadline and submit a news release to local papers to ensure qualified residents have an opportunity to participate in this program.

A Public Forum was held on Richfield Township entering into negotiations with Richfield Village to merge Police Departments per the recommendations of the safety committee.

The following residents spoke against merging: Stephen Schmidt 3124 Wheatley, Roger Giere 2748 Stubbins, Linda Ray 5010 Townsend, Elizabeth Shriver 2597 Columbia, Gail Luther, 5126 Alger, Becky Sheryak 3105 Brush, Greg Thoryk 5277 Broadview, Katie Clark 4065 Faroway Lane, Colleen Plent 4635 Black, Greg Thoryk 5277 Broadview, Rich Flemming 2780 Columbia, Stephen Schmidt Jr. 3124 Wheatley, Charlie Easton 5168 Streetsboro, Noel Shriver 2597 Columbia, Al Smith 2398 Southern, and Greg Thoryk 5277 Broadview. Collectively, these residents cited the following reasons: Requested to see the Safety Committee’s report, Trustees should wait to take action until the Supreme Court takes action on the separation issue, they were pleased with the current Township Police department, why not increase our police department staff, poor service provided by Village police, Township will receive second hand treatment from Village, volunteer to chair a police levy committee and Township residents will lose specialized care from current police staff.

Trustee Mr. Luther spoke against the merger, he stated that the Richfield Township has received Inheritance Tax in the amount of $185,000 dollars this year and $385,000 from last year, therefore, the Township has the money to pay for additional staff, he stated the Township has spent over $112,000 in legal fees this year and the fire contract was $85,000 in 1985 and now it’s $240,000 indicating that a Police Department merger will have similar costs increases. Mr. Luther made a motion to hire the best police candidate previously interviewed.

Mr. Phil Sipos 5030 Streetsboro, chair of the safety committee spoke on the key findings of their report: current work force is averaging 55 hours a week, the FBI recommends at least 2.5 officers per 1,000 of population - Richfield Township has 1.5, currently only one officer on patrol per shift. If Police Department was merged into the Village Police Department there would be stipulations such as Township officers are retained, no loss of tenure, etc.

Arlene Pepera 2617 Columbia spoke in favor of the safety committee’s findings.

 

Mr. Hooper and Ms. Cica-Mraz spoke in favor of entering into negotiations, citing: An objective outside consultant recommended the merger option, the safety committee recommended the merger, the Township would form a transition team to ensure a smooth integration and accountability from the Village, likely to be cost effective as the merger would offer greater protection and security for the officers and residents without raising taxes, and the merger would offer better staffing for police shifts. Also, areas of administrative record keeping and future ongoing staffing and retention would be eased.

Mr. Hooper clarified the Fire contract cost increase and the associated reference that a Police contract with the village would have substantial future increases: There were no paramedics available to the community in 1985, today there are three full-time paramedics available to help Richfield Township residents.

Elmo Midgley, councilman Village of Richfield, indicated the township only pays for operational costs of the fire department, they do not pay any capital investment cost. Similarly, it is likely that a contract for police coverage between the Township and Village would be limited to operational costs. Also, Richfield Township can not budget for or anticipate the use of Inheritance tax money to fund proposed hiring or other operations.

Ms. Cica-Mraz updated the board on the proposed Joint Economic Development District Agreement between the Village of Richfield and Richfield Township regarding Light Industrial District property.

Ms. Gilmore spoke on the OPWC, Columbia Road project. The Village of Richfield is receiving a zero percent interest loan and the Village at zero interest will invoice the Township portion of the project. Ms. Gilmore will draft a binding agreement to clarify this matter.

The Tennis Court renovation project is proceeding with the Village. Ms. Gilmore will develop an agreement with the Village to share the cost of this project.

Ms. Cica-Mraz: the Summit County Prosecutor contacted her and indicated that every community in Summit County is a defendant in law suit regarding instant bingo lottery machines. Summit County Prosecutor will represent Richfield Township in this case.

Public Forum:

Mr. Flemming wanted to know how much was the Township’s cost of the Columbia road project and was it proportional to roadway in the Township. The trustees indicated that the cost was proportional.