Regular Meeting
Perry Township Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting
May 15, 2012 7:00pm
Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance:
Excused absence: None.
Additions/Deletions to Agenda: None.
Public Hearings/Invited Guests:
Step II- Police Department Grievance Hearing Concerning Uniform Allowance
Trustee Chessler inquired if there was anyone in the audience on behalf of the grievant. Hearing and seeing none. Trustee Chessler inquired if this is a step II grievance. Mr. Hall stated that it is step II but the grievant and Chief Pomesky have come to a resolution. Officer Fisher stated that he spoke with Chief Pomesky and on behalf of the union they are going to sit down for further discussion to resolve the grievance. Trustee Chessler verified that the Board did not need to conduct a formal hearing regarding this grievance until they are notified accordingly that it was rescheduled or withdrawn. Mr. Hall stated that was correct.
Service Recognition of Officer, Jeff Caughey
The Board presented Officer Jeff Caughey with a certificate of appreciation for his fourteen (14) years of dedicated service to the Township and the community. Officer Caughey thanked the Board and stated that Perry Township has been a great place to work and he is only leaving because of a better opportunity that will open doors for him down the road.
Addition to the Agenda- First Energy Solutions Addendum
Trustee Chessler stated that pursuant to the Township Electrical Aggregation Program the energy supplier, First Energy Solutions, is proposing additional discounts. Mr. Hall was asked to review the addendum which will put the discounts into effect. Trustee Chessler asked the Board to allow this addition to the agenda. Mr. Hall suggested that if all of the Trustees have read and reviewed this addendum that they should have a resolution verbally since the Board does not meet for three (3) weeks.
Trustee Chessler made a motion to add the First Energy Solutions addendum to the agenda under “Unfinished Business- item #2” for the Board’s consideration; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Hearing II- Illicit Discharge MS4 Resolution
Trustee Chessler stated that the Board has previously discussed their obligations under the NPDES program and the obligation to pass a resolution to amend the Township’s policy by adopting a long term maintenance of water quality practices. Mr. Hall has provided the Board with a final resolution. Trustee Chessler inquired if Mr. Hall had anything to add or comment about regarding the resolution. Mr. Hall stated that he did not have anything to add to the resolution but its purpose is to make sure the Township is in compliance with state and federal regulations.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board adopt as presented a resolution to amend the Perry Township- Illicit Discharge and Illegal Connections Control Policy and adopt a Long Term Maintenance of Water Quality Practices Policy; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Communications: None.
Public Speaks on items up for Board Approval: None.
Township Business requiring Board Action:
Unfinished Business:
Consider Perry Township Business Exchange Program
Trustee Chessler stated that previously Administrator Fetzer presented the Board with a proposal to create a Business Exchange program in Perry Township. The Board was given information to review and asked to consider this in light of having a symposium or gathering that would be scheduled for June. The gathering would require advanced invitations to go out to the businesses within Perry Township. The information provided also included a rough outline of the organization and its purposes. The proposal has been reviewed by the Law Director. It is recommended that the Business Exchange obtain a tax ID number and consider taking the steps necessary to adopt a charitable status. Trustee Chessler stated that the Business Exchange will be facilitated by the Board of Trustees but will not be supported by Township tax dollars.
Trustee Laubacher made a motion that the Board facilitate the Perry Township Business Exchange program in an effort to cooperatively work together to promote, support and protect the interest of all Perry Township businesses; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
First Energy Solutions Addendum
Trustee Chessler stated that in 2012 the Board of Trustees approved the ballot issue to adopt an aggregation program for electricity. The measure passed at the ballot box and the Township set to the task of creating an aggregation program. First Energy Solutions was chosen as the supplier. Initially, First Energy Solutions had proposed that all of the customers in the service area, both AEP and First Energy, would get a minimum three (3) percent discount. As it has turned out, there has been a certainty in their regulatory areas at the state level and also some alternative suppliers have been making offers to both residential and consumer account holders to obtain discounts above and beyond three (3) percent. Taking all of this into account, the Township has been negotiating with First Energy Solutions and they are now in a position to increase the discount from three (3) percent to eight (8) percent. Again, they will also consider a ten (10) percent per account civic donation for the AEP customers. In order to take advantage of this, the Board has to pass an addendum to the existing agreement. Trustee Chessler inquired if Mr. Hall has had the opportunity to review the addendum. Mr. Hall stated that he has reviewed the agreement but has not seen the addendum.
Trustee Chessler stated that he wanted to clarify that the Township is divided roughly in half to suit two (2) service areas; AEP and Ohio Edison. It seems as though, in the near recent past that the cost or price of electric service has switched. Now, First Energy Solutions is now a lower provider of electricity than AEP. The discount for AEP is eight (8) percent and First Energy Solutions is six (6) percent.
Mr. Hall reviewed the addendum and found it to be in accordance with the standard format. This is beneficial to the residents. Mr. Hall approved the addendum in its legal sufficiency.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board approve the second addendum to the master agreement to provide services to an aggregated group. This addendum being between Perry Township, Stark County, Ohio and First Energy Solutions Corporation; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
New Business:
Trustee Chessler made a motion to approve bills and payroll in the amount of $189,557.87 for the week ending May 15, 2012; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Fiscal Officer:
Trustee Laubacher stated that he did not have a chance to review the minutes.
Trustee Chessler made a motion to table the minutes from the May 8, 2012 Work Session; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Administration:
Consider MCO Representative
Trustee Chessler stated that previously the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation system had changed to require political subdivisions to obtain a third party administrator of claims and a managed care organization (MCO). The re-enrollment period is this month. It was a rather quiet thing that came about and should the Board fail to act, the incumbent provider is automatically re-enrolled as the Township’s MCO. Trustee Chessler stated that he asked Administrator Fetzer to go out and obtain some information for the competing providers. There are seventeen (17) providers throughout the State of Ohio. The four (4) major providers are; 1-888 Ohio Comp, Careworks, Comp Management Healthcare Systems and Frank Gates Medical Provider. The providers are judged and compared to the speed with which they get the injured person back to work, the first report to injury turn around and other statistics.
Administrator Fetzer stated that Careworks by far stands out the most in regards to the return to work performance and the first report of injury. According to the 2012 MCO Report Card, Careworks is rated number one. It only takes Careworks half a day to get the documents circulated. Some of the other providers take up to a day and a half. Administrator Fetzer stated that the Board did a good job by selecting Careworks and they have served the Township well over the last four (4) years.
Trustee Haines inquired who deals directly with Careworks. Administrator Fetzer stated that she does. Trustee Haines inquired if Administrator Fetzer had any problems or concerns. Administrator Fetzer stated that she does not have any concerns and Careworks has provided excellent customer service to the Township.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board renew their agreement with Careworks as the Township’s managed care organization; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Fire Department:
Consider Address Numbers on Brook Ave. NW
Chief Martin stated that the Fire Department responded to an incident on May 2, 2012 at an address on Brook Ave. NW. As a result of how the streets are laid out and the street numbers there was a delay in the units being able to locate the address. Even the GPS units didn’t direct the apparatus to the correct address. The numbering system on Brook Ave. SW makes no rhyme or reason. In looking at an overview picture from Pictometry, the numbers go up and down randomly. There is also a house that has a Brook Ave. address but sits directly across from a house on Southview Circle. Chief Martin stated that the address numbering needs to be rectified because it is a serious problem.
Trustee Haines inquired if this is something that Stark County Regional Planning would have to re-lay out for the Township. Mr. Hall stated that there is a subdivision called the House Numbering Department under the County Commissioners and it falls under the Stark County Regional Planning guidelines. Many years ago, previous Fire Chief’s had brought this problem up but it wasn’t followed through with. Mr. Hall stated that with the Board’s permission he would like to take this information to the appropriate officials at the county level and see what kind of response is given in regards to re-numbering. Though this issue presents a safety concern the Township may get some push back from the county regarding this issue because they don’t like to re-number houses because it effects the postal service, IRS and everyone else. If the county sees the diagram provided by Chief Martin and Scott Weckbacher it really illustrates the concern at hand. Mr. Hall stated that he will follow up with this matter and he will report back to the Safety Officials and the Board.
Consider Purchase of Smoke Detectors
Chief Martin stated that the Fire Department is requesting that the Board consider the purchase of 1,296 smoke detectors from BRK Brands Incorporated at a total purchase price not to exceed $19,310.40. This will meet the ten (10) percent contribution that the Fire Department has to contribute to the $84,000.00 that was rewarded from FEMA. At this point and time, over three thousand (3,000) smoke detectors have been installed in eight hundred (800) structures.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board authorize the purchase of smoke detectors from BRK Brands Incorporated for a total purchase price not to exceed $19,310.40; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Police Department: None.
Road Department: None.
Law Director: None.
Zoning: None.
Parks/Recycling: None.
Department Matters Not Requiring Board Action:
Administration: None.
Fire Department: None.
Parks/Recycling: None.
Police Department: None.
Road Department: None.
Zoning: None.
Law Director: None.
Upcoming Events: None.
Public Speaks-Open Forum:
Steve Toohey- 642 Summerdale NW. Mr. Toohey thanked the Police and Fire Departments for their participation in the Special Olympics.
Executive Session(s):
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board adjourn into Executive Session pursuant to ORC 121.22 (G) (1) to consider the investigation of complaints or charges against a public official to include the Board, Law Director and Police Chief; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
The Board adjourned into executive session at: 7:30pm
The Board adjourned from executive session at: 8:18pm
Adjournment:
With nothing further to come before the Board, Trustee Chessler made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:18pm; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Craig E. Chessler, President
Joe Schlegel, Fiscal Officer