RICHFIELD TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
July 15, 2004

The regularly scheduled Richfield Township Trustee Meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. on July 15, 2004.

Roll call: Trustees present: Shano Cica-Mraz, Laurie Peters Gilmore & David Wyatt
Township Administrator: Linda Bowmer
Clerk & Zoning Inspector: Laurie Pinney

Legal Counsel: John Slagter
Two attendees

Motion made by Ms. Gilmore and seconded by Mr. Wyatt to accept the minutes of June 17, 2004. Motion passed by unanimous approval of those in attendance, with Ms. Cica-Mraz abstaining.

Motion made by Ms. Gilmore and seconded by Mr. Wyatt to accept the minutes of June 22, 2004. Motion passed by unanimous approval of those in attendance.

Motion made by Ms. Gilmore and seconded by Mr. Wyatt to accept the minutes of June 24, 2004. Motion passed by unanimous approval of those in attendance.

Motion to accept warrant report items 10607-10700 made by Ms. Cica-Mraz and seconded by Ms. Gilmore. Motion passed by unanimous approval of those in attendance. Items #99998 & 99999 on the warrant report represent 2003 audit adjustments and were vouchers, not actual warrants.

Clerk Report provided by Ms. Pinney – A draft copy of the 2005 Alternative Tax Budget was distributed and the method for providing data was discussed. A motion was made by Ms. Gilmore and seconded by Mr. Wyatt to approve a transfer of $1012.35 from the General Fund 01 to the General Note Retirement Fund 15 and to increase the 2004 appropriations in Fund 15 to $674.90. The motion passed with unanimous approval.

Zoning Report provided by Ms. Pinney – The Board of Zoning Appeals is scheduled for July 19 at 7:00 p.m. and the Briarwood Estates proposed subdivision has withdrawn from the hearing. The Summit County Prosecutor has issued legal opinions regarding the succession of Richfield Furnace Run Associates from ODF Properties, which the Trustees will discuss in the executive session portion of this meeting. The Zoning Commission will meet on August 12, 6:30 p.m. at the township office to discuss conservation zoning with Laura DeYoung of Enviroscience. The Ohio Turnpike Commission court date, scheduled for July 13 was rescheduled for August 26, 9:00 a.m. Last Thursday, July 8, representatives of Summit County Planning, Engineering and Soil & Water met with the township and representatives of the Monastery Marcha to discuss the site plan for a proposed cemetery and with representatives of Rising Valley Park to discuss the park site. Summit Soil & Water Conservation District has requested on occasion that permits be withheld for new construction on sites that are nonconforming. The Trustees agreed that township zoning regulations should have a requirement for conformance with other agencies regulations as part of the zoning application process. The Zoning Commission can look into adding language to accomplish this goal.

Administration Report provided by Ms. Bowmer – J & J Refuse, the township-provided trash hauler has called on two occasions this month because they were unable to get through East Glencoe, in Glencairn Forest because of construction vehicles, landscaper trucks and cars parked on the private road. The Trustees asked that she look into the responsibility of the township to provide trash pickup along private roads and to check with other communities and J & J to see how they handle similar situations. Ms. Bowmer also reported that there was some confusion regarding the trash pickup schedule on the week on July 4th, with residents erroneously believing that pickup would be delayed one day because of the holiday. The township is looking at various options, including signage, to make residents aware of holidays that will cause a pickup delay. The CDBG inspection was today. Since we are now required to verify both age & income level on CDBG applications, the inspection was done to insure that we are keeping accurate records. The representatives were satisfied with the Richfield Township CDBG files.

Road Report provided by Ms. Gilmore – Jerry Schall, Road Foreman reports that ditching has been completed on Boston Road. The July brush chipping was done this week and the cemeteries were mowed. The township will need to look into bidding requirements for the replacement of a culvert on Newton Road.

In new business: Resolution 06-2004, providing cafeteria benefits for employees and officials, was discussed. The plan provides for an in-lieu payment of 25% of the cost of the insurance premium to those individuals covered by another health-care plan and who do not wish to participate in the township-provided health care plan. A motion to adopt Resolution 06-2004 Cafeteria Plan Benefits was made by Ms. Cica-Mraz, seconded by Ms. Gilmore and received unanimous approval. The benefit plan will be made available immediately to eligible employees, but officials must wait until a new term to participate in the optional plan. Ms. Cica-Mraz asked Ms. Bowmer to contact the Richfield Fire Department regarding the format and information provided in the monthly fire reports. Ms. Cica-Mraz also stated that she would like to see the reformation of a township safety advisory committee to conduct ongoing analyses of safety services.

Announcements: Community Day weekend is August 6-8. The township will have vehicles in the parade on Friday, August 6 and there will be a Richfield information table under the tent on Community Day, Sunday August 8.

Citizen’s Forum: No comments

Motion made by Ms. Gilmore to go into executive session to discuss pending legal issues with John Slagter, township legal counsel. Motion seconded by Ms. Cica-Mraz and received unanimous approval. Issues include the prosecutor’s opinions regarding the Briarwood Estates subdivision, the Ohio Turnpike Commission hearing and the JEDD negotiations.

Motion was made to go out of executive session and adjourn at 10:05 p.m. by Mr. Wyatt and seconded by Ms. Gilmore. The motion passed by unanimous approval.

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Last updated: 02/25/2006