Minutes

DEFIANCE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES

December 27th,  2005 MONTHLY MEETING

 

The Defiance Township Trustees met in regular session at VFW Post 3360 in Defiance Township, Defiance,  Ohio,  on Tuesday December 27th,  2005 at 7:30 p.m.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance the meeting was called to order by Chairman Robert H. Layne.  Answering to the Roll were Trustees Charles Bakle, W. Tom Wiseman & Board President Layne.  Also present was Tim Houck, Township Clerk.  All three (3) members of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES having answered the roll a quorum was present.

 

Visitors present:   Mr. James Schlegel, Township Zoning Inspector,  Richard Ankney,  Mary Ankney,  & John Diemer Township employees.   Other(s) present were:  Ruth Ann Schofield (of the Twp Zoning Bd of Appeals) & Robert Schofield -15968 Campbell Rd,  Dan Peck 505 Wayne St,  Conrad Beck of Beck Ins – Archbold,  Ohio,  & Marilyn Steele 15107 St Rte 66s. 

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS NO. 1

 

Review and approval of minutes of the previous session.

 

Chairman Layne requested a motion to approve the minutes from the November 29th,  2005,  session. 

 

MOTION:   Charles Bakle

             SECOND:   W.  Tom Wiseman                                                        

 

YEA(s) 3          NAY(s) 0                      Passed            X                     Failed

 

The MINUTES of the November 29th,  2005,  session were approved. 

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS NO. 2 -  citizens concerns

 

a)   Marilyn Steele of 15107 St Rte 66s was in attendance.  The Chair asked if she had any concerns.  She said no she was just observing the session. 

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS NO. 3  -  FINANCES – 

 

The following financial reports provided to the Board were reviewed.

b)   The November monthly Reconciliation – noted a reconciliation balance of $360,269.28 as of November 30,  2005.. balance is minus the outstanding checks. 

i)     The balance was $44,493.92 more than the previous month’s balance. 

c)   Receipt & Payment reports

i)     Receipts for December were $12,301.15.  Bills for December totaled $23,091.89. 

d)   The Cash fund summary through December 30th,  2005,  showed an “ending cash balance” of $349,478.54. 

e)   The unencumbered cash balance “cash available” was $334,254.50 which is the balance after encumbrances are subtracted from the cash balance. 

f)            Appropriation Status showed that through December 30th, 51% of the years’ appropriations had been expended.  The budget is in line with the goals set by the Trustees to put aside a cash reserve to be applied to the 2nd half of the Kiser Road re-build project which is scheduled tentatively for the 2007 construction season & to have one year’s payment available for the Twp fire contract with the city of Defiance.  All reports will be on file in the Clerks office.

 

g)   The Trustees reviewed and signed the bills for the month.

 

h)   Payroll for December was then reviewed and checks signed by the Trustees.

 

Mr. Layne asked for a motion to accept the financial reports.

 

MOTION:    Charles Bakle           

             SECOND:    W. Tom Wiseman                                            

 

YEA(s) 3          NAY(s) 0                      Passed            X                     Failed

 

The financial reports were approved as presented.

 

i)    2005 budget issues were reviewed by the clerk;

i)     the clerk reported that he sent the co auditor data requesting an “amended certificate” to adjust 05 budget to reflect the posting of the issue ii funds and to reduce the anticipated revenues in the 2231 fund line “permissive motor vehicle license tax” this was necessary as;

(1)            the beginning year estimate of revenue for the 2231 fund was for $7,537

(2)            year to date received as of the Dec 05 meeting was $6,228

(3)            the auditor must amend the appropriation down so that the sum received is equal to or greater than the amount appropriated.  The clerk requested a fund reduction of $1,500

(4)            the clerk request the Trustees approve a motion to adopt a re-appropriation of funds in this account line for 05 to $6,037.00

 

Chairman Layne requested a motion to reduce the appropriated funds in fund line 2231 by $1,500 in order to ensure that the actual revenues of 05 are within the appropriation limits as required by law.     

 

MOTION:    Charles Bakle           

             SECOND:    W. Tom Wiseman                                            

 

YEA(s) 3          NAY(s) 0                      Passed            X                     Failed

 

The motion to reduce the fund line was passed.

 

b)   The Trustees then reviewed information provided by the clerk relative to the 2006 Twp Budget & 05 year end

i)      The clerk noted that no expenses may be incurred until the 2006 budget has been adopted either temporarily or permanently

ii)   the budget will be presented at the Jan 17th reorganization meeting for Trustee review and action

(1)            trustees were provided a copy of the proposed draft of the 06 budget during the November meeting.  That budget was submitted to the county auditor.  The auditor will review and return the Twp’s 06 budget “amended certificated”.  It is this document that the Trustees will approved during the Jan 17th,  re-organizational session.

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS NO. 4 Township Zoning 

 

a)            Trustees reviewed the Status on the following zoning Issues as of this session: 

 

i)      Reprinting of Twp Zoning Rules – (Blue Zoning book)  - amended and adopted Oct 05 – clerk reported he continues to acquire bids:

(a)      from

(i)            Hubbards of Def – no bid submitted – awaiting bid

(ii)            Kinkos –

(iii)            Lawson’s Printing

(iv)            Hilltop Printing

(v)            Possibly from Miami U – Oxford Ohio

(b)      Bids will be presented at the Jan session for the Trustees to select the vendor for this project.

 

b)   Zoning Inspector Schlegel stated that a zoning Bd of Appeals session was requested

i)      Jerry Baden requests a hearing on his proposal to split property.

ii)      Session will be scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Jan 31st.

iii)      The clerk will publish the “Public notice” and send letter of notification to neighbors within 500’ as required.

 

c)            Monthly report  - Inspector’s Report -  Mr.  Jim Schlegel

i)      ZONING REPORT - DECEMBER 2005

(1)            Discussed zoning regs ref Mobile Homes with Margo Straman SR 66.
She paid her zoning fee. She also advised me that when this project was
discussed a few years ago she contacted Dave Branson and he advised her
to move the new home in and she did not need a zoning permit.

(2)            Received Soil & Water plans for a new home by Terry Heller on Bowman Rd.
At this time I have received no plans from Mr. Heller

(3)            Have been working with Jerry Baden whom owns property on Harding Rd. He
has requested a variance for building there and all paperwork and fees
have been turned over to the Clerk for zoning board meeting.

(4)            Year-end zoning receipts have been finalized and given to the Clerk.

(5)            I am currently working on year-end reports for the State of Ohio.
Respectfully Jim Schlegel Zoning Def Twp

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS NO. 5 --  Equipment;   

 

a)            equipment issues:…discussion

 

i)      UAN computer disposition

(1)            The clerk provided the Trustees with exhibit 5-a a letter from the prosecutor’s office which details allowable method of disposal

(a)      Twp Trustees directed clerk to contact the “Defiance County Senior Center” to donated the unit to this county gov’t group.

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS NO. 6 -  Trustee Report – Monthly Twp Rd inspection

 

a)            December  - Rd review by Trustee Wiseman

i)    – Mr.  Wiseman provided the clerk with a hard copy of the road review.

ii)      Copies will be made and distributed to the Township rd crew to determine work schedule

iii)      Trustee Layne will conduct the inspection in January inspection 

 

b)   The Defiance Co Engineer requested Trustees to sign off on number of Twp rd miles.  Trustees were provided a form from the Engineer to review this was presented as Exhibit 6-b

i)      Trustees concurred with the engineer’s assessment and signed off on the report.

 

c)            Trustees then discussed with the road crew the  existing road projects

i)      Berming on the Co Line Rd near the Bill Webb residence

ii)      Hammersmith use berm reclaimer in the 23000 block

(1)        Trustees were informed that all berming projects are on hold until spring.  Twp trucks are now set up for snow removal.

iii)      Trustees discussed a reported flooding issue on Sponseller Rd near the Hahn residence.  Mrs.  Schofield had noted that there was a “dip” in the road in this area & during heavy rains the road floods.  Trustees wanted the crew to check this concern and repair if possible as noted in the Nov session.

(1)        Crew reports they find no problem with this road.  Trustees instructed a review after the next heavy rain.

iv)      Trustees discussed the continuing Indian Bridge Lane issue- citizens have contacted trustees to address ponding and after construction issues to the median strip.

(1)        The clerk had been instructed to send a letter to the Defiance County Commissioners –

(a)      Commissioners wwere the gov’t agency that coordinated the sewer repair problems that allegedly led to the existing after construction issues

(i)            The Twp letter was presented to the trustees as exhibit 6-iv -1 and is on file with the minutes of this meeting.

(b)      The Commissioners responded with a letter which was reviewed – see agenda exhibit 6-iv -2 – letter will be on file in the meeting minutes

(i)            Commissioners will contact their contractor and discern if there is any further obligation on the contractor’s part.

 

v)      Schroeder Rd name issue was reviewed.

(1)        Trustees had directed the Clerk to write letter see (exhibit 6-v) of this meeting -- to Keith & Missy Arnett at 21488 Parkview dr (which is really Schroeder road) –letter is on file with this meeting

(a)      The letter indicated the Trustees position that the Arnett’s are to take up the issue with the Board of Commissioners who have sole authority to name or re-name roads in the unincorporated areas of the County

 

d)   New road projects were then discussed.

i)      2006 – Kiser Rd

(1)        per the Nov 05 session the Twp awaits cost estimates from the County Engineer for the full remaining mile and a half mile project in 06

(2)        this information will determine if any of the project will take place in 06.  Trustees anticipate the estimates by the Jan 06 session.

(3)        The clerk noted that the Twp budget can not handle the entire project in 06.

 

ii)      Parkview road sign

(1)        Trustees noted that a “Yield” sign should be erected where Parkview loops onto itself near the exit onto Power Dam.

(2)        Road crew to acquire sign and place.

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS NO. 7  - Personnel   

 

a)            Trustee elect - Dan Peck – was given a personnel Twp info packet – to be filled out.

i)      This data will be kept on file

b)   The Clerk reported that he will contact OTARMA to secure elected officials bonds for both of the newly elected Trustees.

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS NO. 8 – Hand outs were distributed as noted below:

 

a)   The Monthly (December 05) GrassRoots clippings newsletter was provided as exhibit 8-a

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS NO. 9 Old Business 

 

a)   The 2006 Ohio twp Association Annual winter meeting was discussed.  The clerk reported:

i)    the conference will be held Feb 1, 2 ,3 & 4

ii)      Trustees attending  were registered by the clerk as directed. 

iii)      Travel/information packets will be distributed at the Jan session.

 

a)   Twp Web – site – is activated however, the clerk is yet to provide info to the web master

i)      Clerk noted this will be done when time permits as we are in year end and the Twp accounting needs are very time consuming.  Anticipate info be provided to the web master in early Jan

 

ii)   Tjh is then to write a news release stating the site is activated

 

b)   There was no other old business

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS NO. 10 –  New Business:

 

a)  Trustees reviewed an easement request from Don Brown,  20472 Kiser Rd – Defiance,  Ohio.

i)      Exhibit 10-a – was provided to the Trustees

(1)            Request was to allow property owner to discharge waste water into the Kiser road ditch.

(2)            Mr.  Wiseman stated that he was told Mr. Brown had contacted the “Co Health Dept” and they had no opposition to the project

(3)            Mr.  Layne said he contacted the Co. Engineer’s Office.  He was told there is not sufficient flow in the Kiser ditch for this type of discharge and that in the dry months a stench would develop.

(a)      Layne also noted that a ditch with proper flow is available through the woods adjacent to the Brown property and that Mr. Brown has an easement to that ditch. (Colwell ditch).

 

Chairman Layne requested a motion to approve or deny the request.

 

Mr. Bakle moved to deny.

MOTION:    Charles Bakle           

             SECOND:    R. Layne                                            

 

YEA(s) 2          NAY(s) 1                      Passed            X                     Failed

 

The motion to deny the request of Mr. Brown was passed.

 

b)   Twp liability insurance coverage for 2006 was discussed

i)      The clerk provided the trustees with a packet from our current insurers – OTARMA

(1) See packet - exhibit 10 – b on file in the clerk’s office

(2)            Premium is $2,000 more than in 2005.

ii)      Trustees then recognized Mr. Conrad Beck, of Beck’s Insurance of Archbold,  Ohio   

(1)            Mr. Beck represents Ohio Insurance Plan and competitor to OTARMA

(2)            Mr.  Beck presented a bid for what is believed to be like insurance coverage of $5,403 per annum

(a)      This is approximately $2,000 less then the OTARMA bid

(3)            Beck explained the need for a drivers background review and that if Twp drivers have three moving violations in three years that employee would not be insurable

(4)            Under the Ohio program per beck

(a)      There is a discount program for years without an incident ( this changes based on state wide incidents)  discount currently can range from 5 to 10%

(b)      Also – there is coverage by the Ohio program on an incident even if after the incident the Twp should change insurers – this is not the case – per Beck – under OTARMA

(5)            Beck noted his program covers

(a)      Richland, Highland, Adams and Milford Twp in Def Co & Hicksville village

iii)      Trustees decided to have the OTARMA representatives present at the Jan session

(1)            A decision will then be made.

 

c)   Home Sewage Treatment Rules – HB 231

i)      Information on this house bill was presented to the Trustees in exhibit 10-c a letter from St Rep James Hoops

(1)            Trustees to review and contact Mr.  Hoops with comments if necessary.

 

d)   A request from the Co. Engineer for the 2006 Rd projects which would be handled via bids of the engineer was presented as exhibit 10-d

i)  Trustees to considered the projects and provide a response to the engineer by the 1-26-06 annual Twp Association – Engineer meeting.

ii)  The Clerk noted that it is advisable to keep project totals below $20,000 for the year.  A larger amount will impact Twp ability to pay for Kiser Rd project in 07.

 

e)   Trustee Wiseman was recognized by the chair

i)    Mr.  Wiseman offered his thanks to all Twp personnel during his term which concludes as of the end of Dec.

ii)   Mr.  Bakle also offered his appreciation of the work of the Twp staff. 

iii)      Both gentleman conclude their term as of Dec 31st, mid night.

iv)      Trustees welcomed and congratulated in coming Trustee elects

(1)            Dan Peck &

(2)            Richard Ankney

 

 

11)       NEXT MEETING:

Date:               Tuesday January 17th,   2005  - annual re-organizational session

           

 

 

 

 

 

            Time:               7:30 p.m.

Place:              VFW Post 3360 – 221 North Clinton Street - Defiance,  Ohio

 

 

Chairman Layne requests a motion to adjourn this meeting of December 27th,   2005 

 

            MOTION:    Charles Bakle           

                        SECOND:    W. Tom Wiseman                                             

 

YEA(s) 3          NAY(s) 0                      Passed            X                     Failed

 

MEETING ADJOURNED

 

Respectfully submitted,

  Tim Houck,  Financial Officer