Regular Meeting, April 8, 2002
Richfield Township regular meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm April 8,
2002
Roll Call: Trustees: Present – Shano Cica-Mraz, Laurie Gilmore, Robert Hooper
Clerk/Treasurer: Mark Uhrich – Absent at start of meeting, arrived at 7:35 p.m.
Others present: Linda Bowmer-Office Administrator, Chief Canter-Village of
Richfield Police and Chief Stopak-Village of Richfield Fire Department.
Ms Cica-Mraz made a motion for Linda Bowmer to start taking the minutes as Mr
Uhrich was detained, seconded by Ms Gilmore; motion carried unanimously.
Ms Cica-Mraz made a motion to approve the March 27, 2002 meeting minutes with a
one-word correction, seconded by Ms Gilmore; motion carried unanimously.
Ms Cica-Mraz made a motion to approve warrant report 6796 to 6828, seconded by
Ms Gilmore; motion carried unanimously.
Chief Canter reported there were 105 incident reports in the Township during the
month of March. This was approximately 30% of the total number of calls
received, up from 27% in previous months. Chief Canter mentioned the bloodmobile
schedule at the Church of Christ and encouraged members of the public to give.
The police will again be running Safety Town this year. In order to give more
individualized attention to the children, they are running two smaller groups –
one in June and another in August. The Richfield Police will be participating in
the DARE program with the schools during the 2002/2003 year and are working to
coordinate the program with the Bath Police Department. On the questions of
alarm drops, Chief Canter stated up to two calls a month is OK, on the third
they send a letter and on the fourth the person is fined.
Chief Stopak discussed the highlights of the Fire Department annual report,
mentioning the significant increase in the number of people in Richfield during
the day, resulting in over 100 calls per month. Alarm drops were discussed and
the Chief said that if they go to the same building 2-3 times a month, they
would consider charging. The Department holds CPR classes the 3rd Monday every
month, except in summer. Space must be reserved, as they like to have at least 5
people to hold a class. There is no charge to Richfield residents. During the
school year they run Safety House, a program they take to the schools. Last year
they had over 800 students through this program. In the summer they run Bandage
Camp, an 8-hour class teaching basic first aid to children. They give talks and
teach one-day classes on first aid and first safety to organizations. Richfield
is part of a mutual aid group with 5 other departments and is hopefully to
receive a grant for equipment for their rapid intervention team. Both the Fire
and Police Departments are now moved into the new building.
Ms Cica-Mraz apologized for the zoning commission meeting being held at the same
time as the trustee meeting due to a scheduling conflict. The commission is
working on a comprehensive plan with the Village to have a coordinated approach
to development in Richfield. They are also looking at regulations for accessory
buildings.
Ms Bowmer said the new large entry signs for the township will be done by April
10th and Ms Cica-Mraz asked if these could be installed by the end of the month.
It was also pointed out that our second meeting in May would fall on Memorial
Day. Ms Cica-Mraz made a motion to reschedule the meeting for Wednesday, May
29, 2002, seconded by Ms Gilmore; motion carried unanimously.
Ms Gilmore reported that the road department has found a field mix for the
baseball fields from Newcastle for $20/ton delivered. We would require 30 ton or
a total of $600. Ms Gilmore made a motion to purchase this mix, seconded by
Ms Cica-Mraz; motion carried unanimously.
Ms Gilmore made a motion to allow Jan Buzzelli, Administrative Assistant, to
attend a 2-day Access training course at New Horizons for $225.00, seconded by
Ms Cica-Mraz; motion carried unanimously.
Ms Gilmore read resolution 02-2002 to adopt the Ohio Public Employees
Deferred Compensation Program, seconded by Ms Cica-Mraz. After some discussion
and clarification from the Clerk, the motion was unanimously adopted.
Ms. Gilmore reported on that the tennis court demolition and removal is almost
complete. The township is prepared for the Police auction this weekend.
Ms. Mraz indicated that the Ohio Department of Transportation has denied the
Township’s request to reduce the speed limits on Boston Mills, Columbia, and
Medina roads.
Ms. Mraz reviews a list of additional miscellaneous equipment and makes a
motion to declare this equipment surplus property, seconded by Mr. Hooper:
motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Mraz reviewed an opinion from the Summit County Prosecutor regarding the
formation of a cable TV regulatory commission. The opinion states that a
township has the authority to regulate customer service but can not form or
delegate their authority to a regulatory commission; therefore Richfield
Township can not participate in a regulatory commission.
Ms. Mraz indicated that there is a CDBG meeting on April 18 and noted that Ms.
Gilmore will be attending this meeting.
Public forum:
Mr. Midgley, 3764 St. Nicholas, announced and invited all to a joint Historical
Society meeting tomorrow.
Mr. Rich Fleming, 2780 Columbia, asked the fire chief how many false alarm drops
were from the township.
Chief Stopak was not sure, but though it was a pretty small number.
Mr. Hooper made a motion to enter in to executive session at 7:55 p.m. to
discuss pending legal matters, seconded by Ms. Mraz; motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Hooper made a motion to end the executive session at 9:20 p.m. , seconded
by Ms. Mraz; motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Hooper made a motion to hire Buckingham, Doolittle and Burroughs to handle
the Kurtz matter, seconded by Ms. Mraz; motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Hooper made a motion to conclude the meeting at 9:20 p.m., seconded by Ms.
Mraz; motion carried unanimously.
_______________________ _________________________
Chairwoman Clerk