Meeks called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. at the Jackson Township Hall with all Trustees, Fiscal Officer, Lyon and Fitzgerald present.
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to go into Executive Session for Management and Part-time Personnel (Appointment/Employment/Compensation).
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to go into Executive Session for Zoning Department Personnel (Appointment/Employment/Compensation) – Interview Data Coordinator applicant.
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to go into Executive Session for Police Department Personnel (Appointment/Employment/Compensation) – Interview Secretary 3 applicant.
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to go into Executive Session for Legal Department Personnel (Appointment/Employment/Compensation) – Interview part-time attorney applicant.
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to go into Executive Session for Conference with Attorney for the public body concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action.
Upon return from Executive Session, Meeks opened the Work Session with Rich LaRocco from ME Companies for an update on the Fulton/Wales project.
WORK SESSION
Fulton Wales Project Update
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 A
Mr. LaRocco said the stage 3 review has
been completed by ODOT. Originally there were 228 comments on the
plans which have been reduced to about 9 items that require change and
modification to the McCoy contract.
Pizzino moved and Meeks seconded a motion to authorize modifications to the McCoy Associates contract of $35,650 for the base fee and an additional $14,650, if needed.
Mr. LaRocco updated the Board on the right-of- way. A right-of-way clear date has been established as April 2, 2007, everyone who has signed has signed for the fair market value. Two have not signed but they are not anticipating any appropriations. The gas company will be giving the Board a presentation on the costs of relocating the lines in the intersection.
He also updated the Board on the streetscape. Included in the plan are sidewalks and lighting, with different types of lighting. A presentation will be given to the Board when it is complete and the numbers have been tweaked.
Jackson Local School Levy
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 B
Paula Blangger with the Jackson Local
School District spoke to the Board asking for their support on the upcoming
levy. She also presented information explaining why the levy was
needed. She asked the Board if they thought the levy needed to pass.
Meeks said he has said many times, especially when they are working on agreements to keep businesses from leaving the community that they also need to get behind the school district because it benefits the community by helping the kids. He said, personally, he has always been behind the schools and will always be behind the schools. He pointed out that the reason Jackson provides a quality education is because they care so much about the kids. He said if there are other issues involved, they should be addressed in a different manner. He said the levy is needed.
Cheryl Haschak, Superintendent of Jackson Local Schools, told the Board the campaign this time is not really a campaign. They have been going out to the neighborhoods and talking with small groups at homes. She said it has been a good experience. People have asked questions that perhaps wouldn’t have come out at a larger meeting. She reported that in the last two years they have cut over $1.8 million from the budget. This coming school year has been cut by over $700,000. She reviewed some of the requirements made on the school district by the State which affects costs. Ms. Haschak said the State provides the school district with about $1,300 per student while the actual cost per student is $8,100.
Meeks said that the perception out there is that whatever the statistics tell you about the ratio of students to principal or assistant principal, in these times of need, should we not get away from statistical data and do what is effective for the kids. He asked if that is being done.
Haschak said most meetings come down to finances. She said she realizes the quality of the programs offered by Jackson and that these are what often makes the difference in a person receiving a scholarship, it’s not all grades. Ms. Haschak asked for the Trustees’ support and help. She reminded them the levy isn’t for her, it’s for the children.
Meeks asked Ms. Haschak to explain how
the pay to play athletic program works. He said it touches everyone who
has children who need to participate and want to participate. He pointed
out that getting involved in different sporting events and extra curricular
activities is very important in molding individuals, that values learned
in team play are carried throughout the rest of a person’s life.
He said he has two athletes in his household and that it was cheaper for
him to pay the additional tax than to cut the checks for the pay to play.
Haschak explained that money collected
went into the general fund since that is where the costs are paid from,
and was used to pay for referees and buses for traveling. The amount
collected was a little over $400,000 with approximately $1,200,000 in costs
for all sports.
Mr. Gonzalez related that his daughter graduated in the top 4% of her class at Penn State and she felt one of the reasons for that was because of her education at Jackson. Also that two of the youngest managers in the history of her company in Columbus are graduates of Jackson.
He also said the most important thing a child learns in sports is not the competition against the other team, it’s competing with their best friend for a position. It’s learning about competing for a position and still remaining friends.
He said Jackson puts out good citizens. It’s important to see the government class at the Trustees meeting every week. And as the President of the Board of Elections, he sees them registering to vote every year and it’s impressive. It’s the fact that the school district is putting out good citizens that’s important and it isn’t possible to put a price tag on that.
Pizzino related a situation where a resident called and blamed the Township Board of Trustees about overspending on the schools. He explained that the Township Trustees have nothing to do with the schools. They support the schools but it’s a different body that runs the schools. He said it appears the word just hasn’t gotten out there yet and it’s difficult to show everything the school system does for the students. He said the Board members, individually, support the schools.
Meeks said people have a tendency to take things for granted and having a great school system is one of those things. He pointed out that there are a lot of misconceptions out there, one of which is not understanding funding. He offered to host or sit on a panel to help he would do so.
Gonzalez said that last week he was in Columbus to testify in front of the House about a bill that will eliminate the Estate Tax. In his statement, he pointed out that a way needed to be found to get townships out of the same funding source as the school districts. Right now the only means of funding for both townships and school districts are through property taxes.
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to host a coffee with the Board of Trustees, representatives of the Jackson Local Schools and the Jackson Belden Chamber of Commerce at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 3, 2007.
At 6:00 p.m., Meeks called the General Session to order with all department head present. He requested that all cell phones and pagers be turned off at this time.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Public Speaks – None
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 C
Meeks presented the following proclamation
to Ashley Spencer after which a short break was taken to allow for pictures.
Whereas, Ashley Spencer, Jackson Township resident and Jackson High School graduate, competed on the television show, “Grease: You’re the One That I Want”, and
Whereas, Ashley demonstrated her talents in singing, dancing, and acting throughout the competition.
Whereas, Ashley was one of two finalists in the competition for the lead role of “Sandy” in the Broadway revival of “Grease”, and
Now therefore be it resolved that we, the duly elected Board of Trustees of Jackson Township, Stark County, Ohio, hereby proclaims special recognition in honor of Ashley Spencer’s outstanding accomplishments, and offer support for her future success in the field of entertainment.
In witness whereof, we have set our hands this 9th day of April, 2007.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 D
Meeks opened the 6:25 p.m., continued
public hearing on Zoning Amendment 559-07.
Joni Poindexter presented a memo from the Zoning Commission to withdraw amendment 559-07.
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to accept the Jackson Township Zoning Commission’s decision to withdraw Zoning Amendment No. 559-07.
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to set a public hearing for Zoning Amendment 560-07 on May 14, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
RESOLUTION 07-35, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
in accordance with ORC Section 519.16, we hereby authorize the hiring of
Andrea Paumier for the full-time position of Data Coordinator in the Zoning
and Planning Department, effective May 9, 2007.
Be it further resolved that Andrea Paumier will be compensated at the rate established for Data Coordinator in the Negotiated Agreement between the Jackson Township Board of Trustees and the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council, Inc., Office and Clerical Employees.
Be it further resolved that Andrea Paumier will serve a six-month probationary period during which time she may be terminated without cause by the Board of Trustees.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 E
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to approve a request from Paul R. Tomko for a continuance of the public
hearing for zoning amendment 555-07 until June 11, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
Administration Department
RESOLUTION 07-031, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion
pursuant to attached ORC Section 505.707, we hereby determine that:
1. The YMCA of Central Stark County is an organization that serves a community purpose and is exempt from federal taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the “Internal Revenue Code of 1986,” 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 1, as amended and as described in the attached April 22, 1999 IRS letter.
2. To appropriate from the Township general revenue fund $10,000, which are moneys not appropriated for any other purpose, for the Board of Trustees monetary commitment for the attached described YMCA matching grant program which serves a community purpose.
3. The services offered under the Grant Program are secular in nature and the Board finds that the programs do not support any specific religious activity.
4. That no religious activities or programs will be conducted during any of the attached described YMCA Matching Grant Programs, and that none of the funds may be used for any religious activity.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 F
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to approve the appropriation transfer request from account code 101.110.5387,
General Fund Discretionary, to account code 101.110.5235, Unemployment
Compensation, in the amount of $3,800.00.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 G
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to adopt the attached Amended Benefit Package for Management Personnel.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 H
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to authorize the following annual compensation increases for the following
Management Personnel Benefit Package and Part Time employees, beginning
January 1, 2007:
Class A Management Package – Effective January 1 of each year, a minimum percentage equal to the percentage increase as received by Jackson Township Firefighters Local 2280 as set forth in their Negotiated Agreement.
Class B and C Management Package employees and Part Time employees – Effective July 1 of each year, a minimum percentage equal to the percentage increase as received by the Jackson Township Firefighters Local 2280 as set forth in their Negotiated Agreement.
The Fire Department Battalion and Deputy Chiefs are not included above because they are included in a separate resolution.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 I
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion
to approve an additional 4 percent salary increase for Central Maintenance
Director, Carles Moore, effective January 1, 2007.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 J
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to approve and additional 4 percent salary increase for Township Administrator,
Marilyn Lyon, effective January 1, 2007.
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to re-schedule the May 28 Trustees meeting due to Memorial Day Holiday to Tuesday, May 29, 2007.
Fire Department
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 K
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion
to approve Budget Module No. 07-45 for Squad Coats and Jump Suits in the
amount of $32,500.00.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 L
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to approve the appropriation transfer request from account code 228.210.5385,
Other Expense, to account code 228.210.5652, Equipment, in the amount of
the $32,500.00.
RESOLUTION 07-032, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
whereas, in attached Resolution No. 06-110, we adopted and authorized the
posting and implementation of the attached Notice of Examination for the
positions of full time firefighter in the Jackson Township Fire Department.
Whereas, the steps described in the Notice of Examination prior to the establishment of the Eligibility List have been completed.
Be it resolved that, pursuant to the Fulltime Firefighter hiring policy, the Township’s Personnel Hiring Policy and authority granted in ORC Section 505.38 “to provide for the employment of such firefighters as it considers best”, we hereby establish the attached eligibility list for appointment to the position of Fulltime Firefighter.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 M
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to adopt and authorize the placement of the Board’s signatures upon the
attached Grievance Agreement.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 N
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to remove the attached list of employees from our active payroll roster.
Highway Department
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 O
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion
to adopt and authorize the placement of the Board President’s signature
upon the attached Eighth Supplemental Consultant Services Agreement for
the Fulton/Wales Intersection Improvement Project.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 P
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion
to approve Highway Budget Module No. 22-07-B for design fee plan modifications
of the Fulton/Wales intersection in the amount of $35,650.00 and $14,650.00
if needed.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 Q
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to approve Highway Budget Module No. 29-07-A for Stark Count Combined General
Health District.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 R
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion
to approve the appropriation transfer request from account code 204.310.5387,
Discretionary, to account code 204.310.5458, Professional Services, in
the amount of $13,814.00, and from account code 324.310.5387, Discretionary,
to account code 324.313.5710, Fulton/Wales Design, in the amount of $35,650.00.
Legal Department
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 S
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
pursuant to ORC Section 309.09, to authorize the employment of Celeste
DeHoff as Police Department Attorney, on a part time basis, not to exceed
28 hours per week, to perform the attached described duties, at the rate
of $26.50 per hour, effective May 7, 2007.
Meeks explained the reason for this position was to fill a need for a specialized attorney to work with the Police Officers to better prepare for court appearances, and to keep the officers updated on the Police Policy.
Park Department
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 T
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to approve Budget Module No 07-20 for fencing for basketball courts in
the amount of $3,795.00.
Meeks confirmed that this is being put in as a safety issue. It will stop the basketballs at the lowest end of the courts.
RESOLUTION 07-033, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to transfer $3,795.00 from the Discretionary Appropriation Code 326.510.5387
in the Park Capital Projects Fund #326 to the Basketball Courts Appropriation
Code 326.510.5771 in fund #326 for the purchase of fencing.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 U
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to approve the appropriation transfer request from account code 326.510.5387,
Discretionary, to account code 326.510.5771, Basketball, in the amount
of $3,795.00.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 V
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to authorize the hiring of Matthew Marlett as a seasonal park maintenance
worker, through the temporary service, subject to a negative drug screen,
at the rate of $7.50 per hour, effective May 7, 2007, per the recommendation
of the Park Operations Director.
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to authorize the hiring of Christopher Diroll as a seasonal park maintenance worker, through the temporary service, subject to a negative drug screen, at the rate of $7.00 per hour, effective May 7, 2007, per the recommendation of the Park Operations Director.
Police Department
RESOLUTION 07-034, ATTACHED
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to authorize the hiring of Angela Beadle for the full-time position of
Secretary 3 in the Police Department, effective April 29, 2007, who will
be compensated at the rate established in the Negotiated Agreement between
the Jackson Township Board of Trustees and the Fraternal Order of Police,
Ohio Labor Council, Inc., Office and Clerical Employees.
Be it further resolved that Angela Beadle will serve a six month probationary period during which time she may be terminated without cause by the Board of Trustees.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 W
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion
to authorize advertising for two vacant positions of full-time patrol officer.
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to accept a $500.00 donation to “Hooked on Fishing” from P.A.T.T. Jackson Middle School.
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to accept a $200.00 donation to “Hooked on Fishing” from Belden Village Towing Co., Inc.
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to accept a $100.00 donation to “Hooked on Fishing” from James Kulick.
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to accept a $500.00 donation to “Hooked on Fishing” from Stark Commons, Ltd.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 X
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to approve the appropriation transfer request from account code 209.250.5387,
Discretionary, to account code 209.265.5502, Juvenile Services Materials,
in the amount of $15,000.00 and from account code 209.250.5387, Discretionary,
to account code 209.250.5363, Hooked on Fishing, in the amount of $1,300.00.
Fiscal Office
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 Y
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion
to pay the bills in the amount of $221,011.29.
ATTACHMENT 04/23/07 Z
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion
to approve the minutes of the April 9, 2007 Board of Trustees meeting.
Routine Business
Announcements
New Business
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion
to accept a $100.00 sponsorship donation for the Community Celebration
from Belden Village Towing Co., Inc.
Meeks moved and Burger seconded a motion to accept a $1,000.00 sponsorship donation for the Community Celebration from YMCA of Central Stark County.
Gonzalez explained that although the Estate Tax is not a good tax or a great way to tax people, but it is a loss of $2.2 million a year on an average. If that money hadn’t been received the Safety Center, the Highway facility and over $1 million in fire trucks would have had to have been raised by putting levies on the ballot. He pointed out that with the loss of the Estate Tax and the loss from Personal Property within the next ten years with these two bills, Jackson Township could lose close to $6 million. He stated that at this time there is no way to make that up except by going back to the taxpayers for more property tax.
Public Speaks – Open Forum
Paul Biedenbach, 4865 Andette, wanted to point out a correction to a Citizens Advisory Committee. The Skatepark Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m., at the Township Hall.
Meeks moved and Pizzino seconded a motion to go back into Executive Session for Police Department Personnel (Appointment/Employment/Compensation) – Interview Sergeant applicants.
At 9:15 p.m., Meeks called the meeting back to order.
Neftzer recommended that at the next Board of Trustees meeting that Jim Monigold be promoted to the position of Sergeant.
Meeks pointed out that there were many strong candidates and it was a tough decision.
Pizzino also agreed with Chief Neftzer’s recommendation.
Pizzino moved and Meeks seconded a motion to adjourn.
| _____________________________ | _____________________________ |
| Steven Meeks, President | Randy Gonzalez, Fiscal Officer |