Work Session
Perry Township Board of Trustees
Work Session
November 13, 2012 6:17pm
The Board Previously Reserved the Right to Take Action at this Meeting
Excused absence: None.
Additions/Deletions to Agenda: None.
Public Hearings/Invited Guests:
The Board will call to order the meeting at 6:18pm for the purpose of conducting Department Head evaluations.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board adjourn into an Executive Session pursuant to ORC 121.22 (G) (1) concerning Department Head evaluations to include the Board, Fiscal Officer and Department Heads as called upon with no action to be taken; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Trustee Haines, yes.
The Board adjourned into Executive Session at: 6:18pm
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at: 7:54pm
Communications: None.
Public Speaks on items up for Board Approval: None.
Township Business requiring Board Action: None.
Unfinished Business: None.
New Business:
Trustee Chessler made a motion to approve bills in the amount of $34,747.12 for the week ending November 13, 2012; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Trustee Haines, yes.
Fiscal Officer:
Trustee Laubacher stated that he would like some edits made to the minutes of the November 6, 2012 Regular Meeting. The Board tabled the approval of the minutes until the next meeting.
Administration:
Discussion of Rotary Donation
Administrator Fetzer stated that Rotary would like to give the Township $10,000.00 for the next three (3) consecutive year’s specific to Fasnacht Farm. Administrator Fetzer asked for the Board’s direction on how they would like to move forward regarding the donation from Rotary. The Board has received a copy of master plan #1 regarding Fasnacht Farm Park and master plan #2 regarding Meredith Park. Previously, the Board had indicated an interest in continuing to make improvements at the Township’s current parks. Major improvements have been made to Summerdale Park and an Eagle Scout project is scheduled for the spring at Perry Park. Administrator Fetzer inquired if the Board would like to focus some of the donation money to Meredith Park. The master plan for Meredith Park depicts one (1) pavilion. This project would be a partnership with Perry Youth Soccer who will provide $4,000.00 and Perry Township Rotary who will provide $4,000.00. The Perry High School Building Traits program will construct this pavilion in the spring. Administration Fetzer stated that if the Board would like to use the other $10,000.00 from Rotary at Meredith Park, a second pavilion could be built or small playground equipment could be installed.
Trustee Haines stated that it would be a good idea to see how much use the first pavilion at Meredith Park gets before an additional pavilion is built. There is an unutilized area at Meredith Park that would certainly allow for a playground. Trustee Chessler inquired about Perry Park. Administrator Fetzer stated that there is an Eagle Scout scheduled to make improvements to Perry Park in the spring. There was also an anonymous donation that helped bring improvements to Lynch Park such as the rose bushes and signage. Trustee Haines stated that he would not be opposed to Perry Park because there are definitely some improvements to be made there such as the restroom facilities and pavilions. Administrator Fetzer stated that Rotary is going to want some type of recognition so they may prefer a pavilion or something similar to what was done at Summerdale Park. Trustee Haines stated that if Rotary is donating $10,000.00 he does not have a problem with them dictating a little bit on where it goes. Trustee Haines stated that he would even consider tearing down the Rowmont Pavilion at Perry Park and rebuilding. Trustee Laubacher suggested leaving the Rowmont Pavilion up but making some enhancements to it. Trustee Haines stated that the Rowmont Pavilion may have some structural problems that the Board needs to consider. Administrator Fetzer stated that she and Trustee Haines are going to be attending the next Board meeting for Rotary. Trustee Haines stated that they can get some direction from Rotary to get an idea of what they would like to see done with the donation. Administrator Fetzer stated that Rotary’s direction thus far is that the donation is to be used at Fasnacht Farm which is why she wanted to discuss this with the Board to determine if that was still their intention or if they would like to utilize the donation money towards anther park.
Trustee Laubacher inquired if a gentleman had gotten in touch with the other Trustees. Trustee Chessler and Trustee Haines stated that they did not receive a phone call. Trustee Laubacher stated that the improvements to the ingress/ egress at Fasnacht Farm are going to cost approximately $100,000.00 so the donation money will not be enough to do that. Trustee Haines stated that $30,000.00 in donations from Rotary will not even touch the surface of the needed improvements at Fasnacht Farm. Trustee Laubacher stated that he would like to make all the improvements to Fasnacht Farm but there just isn’t enough money to do it. The donation money from Rotary would be better suited for Meredith Park or Perry Park that need improvements as well.
Trustee Chessler inquired if there is an assurance that these other ideas for improvements will be well received by Rotary. Administrator Fetzer stated that she will have a better idea after she and Trustee Haines attend the meeting. Trustee Chessler stated that the Board is appreciative of any donation that would improve any of the Township’s parks. Administrator Fetzer confirmed that the Board of Trustees would be fine with the donation money being redirected towards the park system. The Board stated that was correct.
Consider Setting a Date for the 8th Street- Street Lighting Hearing
Trustee Chessler stated that the Board needs to set the date for the 8th Street, street lighting hearing. Previously, when the Board conducted the meeting for 8th Street there was some information that was relied on which has proven to be not accurate as far as the assessments go. The Board will go back to square one and reschedule the hearing. Mr. Hall stated that Administrator Fetzer has to work around the publication schedule. Administrator Fetzer suggested that the hearing be held December 4, 2012. Certified letters and publication in the Canton Repository would be completed by November 19, 2012. The Board confirmed that the 8th Street, street lighting hearing would be conducted on December 4, 2012.
Trustee Laubacher stated that he doesn’t understand why the Township can not begin taxing the affected residents beginning this coming tax bill. Mr. Hall stated that the tax begins at the time of certification and the taxes are running a year behind. Therefore, the money will not be received until the following year. Trustee Laubacher stated that the Township is then paying for the lights. Mr. Hall stated that the Township pays for the lights initially. Mr. Schlegel explained that the Township may pay for the lights initially but then they are reimbursed. Mr. Hall stated that there will be a gap from the shift of the Township paying from the General Fund before the assessment starts being received. Trustee Haines inquired about the assessments from the already established lighting districts on Sedwick and Rolena. Mr. Hall explained that those lightings districts will show up on the 2013 tax bills but the increases will not show until 2014.
Consider Street Lighting Discontinuation
Trustee Laubacher stated that the Board received a letter from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) regarding three (3) street lights: two (2) by the railroad tracks on Faircrest and one (1) at the intersection of Shepler Church and SR 627. ODOT has determined that they do not want to pay for the lights. The utility company in this area is American Electric Power (AEP). Trustee Laubacher pointed out on a map where these lights are located. These three (3) lights will be discontinued.
Trustee Laubacher stated that there are eight (8) lights on the east side of Whipple Avenue located in the City of Canton. The utility company is AEP. Trustee Laubacher pointed out on a map where these lights are located. These lights stretch down Whipple Avenue from 11th Street to 13th Street. The City of Canton did not respond to the correspondence sent from the Township regarding these lights. These eight (8) lights will be discontinued.
Trustee Laubacher stated that there are three (3) lights located at Whipple Avenue and Navarre Road located in Canton Township. Canton Township did not respond to the correspondence sent from the Township regarding these lights. The utility company is AEP. These lights will be discontinued.
Trustee Laubacher stated that there are five (5) lights located by T.C. Knapp Elementary School. Nobody in the area responded to the Township’s correspondence regarding these lights. These lights will be discontinued.
Trustee Laubacher stated that he spoke with Brian Cole, Stark County Engineer’s Office, regarding the lights that fall on county roads (Stark County Commissioner’s). There are a total of forty-four (44) lights on these roads. The utility company is AEP. Mr. Cole stated that he would be sending a letter back to the Township regarding the street lights. Trustee Laubacher stated that they are looking at keeping the following lights: one or two lights at the intersection of 12th Street/Perry Drive NW, one or two lights at the intersection of 12th Street/Woodlawn NW, one (1) light at Dunkeith Drive/Woodlawn NW and several lights located on Southway SW and Navarre Road SW. The rest of the lights will be turned off. The Township is waiting on the formal letter from Mr. Cole. Mr. Hall inquired what the process is after the letter is received to transfer the cost of the lighting through the utility company to Stark County. Administrator Fetzer stated that Stark County would have to have start their own account. Perry Township would have to have the lights turned off and would not be responsible for any other part of the process after that.
Trustee Laubacher stated that there are thirty-three (33) lights located on 13th Street between Whipple Avenue and Edison Jr. High. When the Board talked about this previously, they decided they were going to try and keep some of these lights on. Trustee Laubacher suggested that all of the lights be turned off. Chief Pomesky researched the amount of cars traveling this roadway at night and the number is minimal. The Board had talked about only keeping the lights located at intersections. Trustee Laubacher stated that he does not feel that is necessary. The only light in this area that the Board should consider leaving on is located at the intersection of 13th Street and Bordner (by the football stadium). A lot of people run this stop sign and it is only a two way stop. Trustee Laubacher also suggested keeping the light at the intersection of Sippo and 13th Street SW. This is a heavily traveled, four-way stop intersection because of the schools. The rest of the lights located in this area can be discontinued. Trustee Laubacher stated that a lot of these lights are already not working. The utility companies do not have a maintenance program. Trustee Laubacher suggested that all of the lights on Bordner between 13th Street and W. Tuscarawas be discontinued except for the light at Bordner and 13th Street as previously discussed. Discontinue the lights on Sippo, 12th Street, 13th Street and 14th Street. Continue illumination at 13th Street/ Bordner and 13th Street/ Sippo.
Trustee Laubacher stated that none of the residents from the Dee Mar allotment have responded to the correspondence from the Trustees regarding street lighting. Administrator Fetzer stated that two (2) residents inquired but that was it. Trustee Laubacher suggested that the eleven (11) lights in the Dee Mar allotment be discontinued. The Board agreed. Mr. Schlegel stated that after the lights are shut off the residents could always petition for a lighting district if they change their mind.
Trustee Laubacher stated that he had a meeting with representatives from Perry Local Schools regarding the street lights located on 13th Street SW. There are three (3) entrances located at Perry High School where the school would like to continue illumination. The rest of the lights on 13th Street can be discontinued. The light at Leonard and 13th Street should also be discontinued.
Trustee Laubacher stated that there are seven (7) lights located on Marion (from Hilton, Rayanna and Greenpark). The representatives from Perry Local Schools are considering their options on whether or not they would like to keep these lights on. Trustee Laubacher suggested that the Township go ahead and shut the lights off. If the schools would like to have them turned back on and start paying for them then they can do that on their own. Trustee Laubacher suggested having the lights on Austin, Canford and Bailey discontinued as well. None of the residents responded to the correspondence sent by the Board.
Trustee Laubacher stated that Perry Local Schools is also considering the light on Genoa in front of Genoa Elementary and on 12th Street in front of Whipple Elementary. Trustee Laubacher suggested turning the lights off for now. Mr. Schlegel stated that the Board should shut off all the lights that they want. Whatever lights the schools decide that they want to keep on can be turned back on and paid for by the schools. Administrator Fetzer stated that the schools are exempt from lighting and would like to pay the Township for the lights along with the salt. Mr. Schlegel stated that the schools should be able to call the utility company and say that they want to pay for the lights. Administrator Fetzer stated that they can but it would be more expensive. Mr. Schlegel stated that it should be the same rate that the Township receives. Trustee Laubacher stated that the schools do not receive the government rates like the Township does. Therefore, the schools would like the Township to bill them for the cost of the lights. Trustee Haines inquired how the Township would track that. Trustee Laubacher stated that the Township will get a special bill and then the Township will turn around and bill the schools. Mr. Schlegel stated that he finds it hard to believe that the schools can’t just start an account with the utility company and pay for the lights themselves. Administrator Fetzer stated that they could do that but it would be more expensive for them. Mr. Schlegel inquired how much more it could actually cost. Trustee Laubacher stated that he did not know but the Township could just bill the schools for the lights just like they do with the salt. Trustee Haines stated that he thinks that this would be difficult to track. Mr. Schlegel inquired what Trustee Chessler wanted to do in regards to the lights for the schools. Trustee Chessler stated that it sounds to him that any of the discontinued lights can be turned back on if anyone changes their mind and then the assurance can be made of how the lights will be billed. Trustee Chessler suggested shutting the lights off now and waiting to see what happens. Administrator Fetzer stated that it takes four (4) to six (6) weeks to have the lights turned off. The Board agreed to shut the lights off.
Trustee Laubacher suggested that the twenty (20) lights on Genoa from Lincoln Way to Southway be discontinued. The one (1) light on Highland will be discontinued. Trustee Laubacher stated that the four (4) lights by Summerdale Park can be discontinued as they haven’t been working anyways. The two (2) lights located in Oak Manor Trailer Park can be discontinued. The one (1) light on Newport can be discontinued because it is not even there. Trustee Laubacher stated that there are twenty-eight (28) lights located in Perry Park. Trustee Laubacher suggested keeping three (3) lights that will illuminate the park and parking lots. Maintenance Supervisor Gary Swisher will be getting together with Park/ Recycling Superintendent Kenny Shreffler to discuss lighting options for the pavilion and garage.
Trustee Laubacher stated that there is one (1) light located at Brunnerdale and 12th Street. Trustee Haines stated that the Board previously discussed keeping that light on. Trustee Laubacher stated that the Township is going to discontinue the lights at 12th/ Genoa (1), Richville/ Navarre (1), NEO Model (1) and Navarre/ SR 21 (4). Trustee Laubacher suggested that the Board continue the lights at Bunkerhill/ Genoa (1) and Genoa/ Mollane (1). The Board agreed.
Mr. Hall suggested that when Trustee Laubacher speaks with AEP and Ohio Edison he should pressure them to give the Township a credit for the lights that simply do not exist yet the Township has been paying for them for years. Trustee Chessler suggested that the cost for removing those particular lights should be waived to off set the cost. Mr. Hall stated that this could be used as a negotiating tool. The Board agreed.
Fire Department: None.
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:
Road Department: None.
Zoning: None.
Law Director: None.
Upcoming Events: None.
Public Speaks-Open Forum:
Tim Blythe- 2956 Bridgton St NW. Mr. Blythe inquired what the projected saving will be to the Township once the lights are turned off. Mr. Schlegel stated that he is not sure at this time. Now that the Board has identified the lights that will be discontinued, Mr. Schlegel stated that he will be able to look at the numbers and determine the projected savings. Mr. Blythe stated that he is concerned that the assessments for the other street lighting districts are incorrect. Trustee Haines showed Mr. Blythe what the Township received from the utility company in regards to rates and estimates. Mr. Schlegel stated that even if the numbers are off slightly the numbers will be updated when the streets are re-assessed. Mr. Blythe stated that ideally the Township should want to be as close as possible so that there isn’t a knee jerk reaction. Mr. Schlegel stated that the reason they are re-doing 8th Street is because the assessment was way off. The Board can start all over with the rest of them but that would be their decision. Regardless, the Township will get that money back. When its time for re-assessment, Mr. Schlegel will assess them to make up the difference if the assessment was off.
Executive Session(s):
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board adjourn into an Executive Session pursuant to ORC 121.22 (G) (1) & (4) concerning Police, Fire and Road to include the Board, Fiscal Officer and Law Director; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Trustee Haines, yes.
The Board adjourned into Executive Session at: 8:51pm
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at: 9:46pm
Adjournment:
With nothing further to come before the Board, Trustee Laubacher made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:46 pm; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Chessler, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Haines, yes.
Craig E. Chessler, President
Joe Schlegel, Fiscal Officer