Richfield Township Board of Trustees
November 6, 2003

The regular meeting of the Richfield Township Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:04 p.m. with the following in attendance:

Shano Cica-Mraz, Chairperson
Laurie Peters Gilmore, Vice Chairperson
David Wyatt, Trustee
Laurie Pinney, Clerk
Linda Bowmer, Office Administrator
Dale Canter, Richfield Police Chief
Joe Stopak, Richfield Fire Chief

Motion made by Ms. Cica-Mraz, seconded by Ms. Gilmore to approve minutes of October 2, 2003. Motion passed by unanimous approval.

Motion made by Ms. Cica-Mraz, seconded by Ms. Gilmore to approve warrant report of warrants #8028 and #10083-10149. Motion passed by unanimous approval.

The Clerk’s report was provided by Ms. Pinney. The Summit County Fiscal Office has provided a draft resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county fiscal officer. Since Richfield Township has not received formal notification of the Ramblewood/Alger annexation approval, it is possible that future amendment to the resolution will be necessary to reflect accurate post-annexation figures.

Motion made by Ms. Cica-Mraz, seconded by Ms. Gilmore to accept Resolution 08-2003 accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county fiscal officer. Motion passed by unanimous approval.

Joe Stopak provided the fire department report for the month of October. The fire department personnel were at Hillcrest School for about three weeks, providing fire protection training to approximately 800 students. The new squad is expected to be ready for pickup in two to three weeks. Firemedic Jason Purkey will be on a goodwill tour with the Reserves in Africa for the next month.

Dale Canter provided the police department report for the month of October. The call report was provided for the township records, with 394 total calls, 93 in the township, for a rate of 23.5%. Richfield has become a member of the Metro Swat Unit as of October 15, which they have been working on for several months. Cost for yearly membership will be approximately $2000 per year, payable beginning in 2004. The Richfield Police will provide the Shop with a Cop program again this year. The focus will be on children from Summit County communities and they are expected to take 60-100 children shopping. Raffle tickets to fund the event can be purchased from any police officer or at the police department. The color guard has continued to be active and was at the funeral of retired Richfield Police Officer Glen Kramer on November 4. The also are scheduled for an upcoming Cavs game. Chief Canter concluded his report by offering congratulations to all the Richfield Township and Village officials who were successful in seeking office.

The zoning report was provided by Ms. Pinney. The Zoning Commission is scheduled to meet November 13, 6:30 p.m. for a public hearing to consider amendment to regulations for substandard lots and parking of commercial vehicles in residential districts. The Board of Zoning Appeals is scheduled to meet November 17, 7:00 p.m. There will be openings for members and/or alternates on the Zoning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and Rising Valley Park boards. Ms. Cica-Mraz would like to have notices placed in the Richfield Times and the West Side Leader and the Trustees will interview candidates the last week in December.

The road and service department report was provided by Ms. Gilmore. The township is again offering the snowplow program for senior citizens. This program is federally funded and the requirement was added this year for proof of household income. The township accepted bids for the snowplow contract in conjunction with the Village and the awarded bidder was S & K. Motion made by Ms. Gilmore, seconded by Ms. Cica-Mraz to hire S & K for snowplowing at the rate of $11 per plow. Motion received unanimous approval. Ms. Bowmer noted that the township has had 23 applicants to date this year and had twenty-nine last year. Ms. Gilmore reported that the paving project at Seneca Hills is complete and was phase 2 of the 5-tear repaving program planned by the Trustees.

Ms. Cica-Mraz brought up the issue of the transfer of Hawkins Road to Summit County, which has been suggested by the county. Her position is that is would not be in the resident’s best interest to agree to the transfer, but the issue can be further discussed with SC Engineer Greg Bachman, during his visit to the township at the November 11 Trustee meeting.

Ms. Bowmer gave the administration report. We have been principally occupied with the recent move of the administration office and want to extend a special thanks to Jerry Schall, Jason Mays and Phil Hrusch of the Road and Service Department for all of their hard word during the move. Also, James Gilmore came into the office over the weekend after the move and got the computers hooked up and the dsl line working for internet service. The Summit County Health Department will be providing flu shots at the senior center on November 11 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Richfield Village will have a meeting to discuss possible plans for a recreation center on November 10, 7:00 p.m.

Ms. Cica-Mraz brought up the issue of the Ohio Turnpike Commission appeal of the Board of Zoning Appeals decision. The Court of Appeals has granted a temporary injunction to allow the OTC to shingle the roof of the salt dome. The hearing on the permanent injunction is scheduled for early 2004. Judge Cosgrove was greatly displeased with the OTC’s lack of communication with the township and strongly encouraged them to attempt to reach a compromise.

Mr. Wyatt brought up the possibility of having an emergency notification system placed in the new administrative office, due to its more remote location. Chief Canter said a panic button would not only be possible, but that it had already been recommended by the police department.

Floor was opened for Citizens Forum. Frank Gindraw, of 4280 Oviatt Road asked if the trustees anticipate the OTC making an acceptable attempt at compromise. Ms. Cica-Mraz responded that we are planning on standing firm on having the structure moved. We may be able to be accommodating in terms of a timeline for their compliance.

Tom Johnson, of 2788 Stubbins Road raised the possibility of certifying police officers as Rising Valley Park Rangers, so they may have more authority to control speeding within the park. Chief Canter replied regarding the authority the police have to enforce speeding and other violations.

Frank Gindraw asked how many Board positions would be open. Ms. Cica-Mraz responded that one or two positions would be open on each zoning board, in addition to alternate positions and that one position would be open on the Rising Valley Park Board.

Diane Kraynik of the Richfield Times asked about regulations for speeding in Richfield Woods.

Agenda Requests – none

Motion to adjourn made at 8:20 by Ms. Cica-Mraz, seconded by Mr. Wyatt and received unanimous approval.

_______________________ _________________________
Chairwoman Clerk

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Last updated: 02/25/2006