Geneva Township regular meeting, Mar. 14^th, 2007.

Trustees returned from Executive Session at 7:30 p.m. Mar. 14^th, 2007. Chairman Mills called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Those present were Mr. Mills, Mr. Pruden, Mr. Russell and Mr. Long. Minutes from the previous meeting as well as the Executive Session were approved on a motion by Mr. Pruden, second by Mr. Russell. Mr. Pruden made the motion, Mr. Russell seconded payment of bills in the amount of $63,484.60 covered by warrant numbers 11663-11729.

Mr. Schupska gave the road dept. report. He indicated all the weight limit signs had been erected as well as straightening of road signs that had been moved during the snow plowing season. He indicated that we presently have 4 driveway pipes that need to be fixed as well as a number of mailboxes that have been fixed. We received a new salt spinner, we have been working on both Addison Rd. and Barnum Rd. Mr. Schupska indicated that the present grease gun which we have had for 15 years is no longer functional, Mr. Mills made the motion, Mr. Pruden seconded the purchase of a new one for an amount of $383.65 from Atco. He indicated that approximately 500 feet of french drains along with 400 tons of stone have been installed on Barnum Rd. which was closed for 8 days.

It was reported we have received our new International Truck, it is presently waiting for Concord Equipment to install the box and the other parts contracted for. We were able to purchase it for an estimated $8,000.00 less than the state bid. The box will be stainless steel.

There was an area at Maple Ave. and Wheeler Creek Rd., when we broke up the ice that had backed up, this had helped in reducing the amount of flooding in that area. It was indicated that we should probably order stone needed during this spring and summer, especially No. 8, which would be used for chip and seal prior to April 1^st and a price increase. We are waiting for the County to bid out Addison Rd., which should be very soon. We will also ask the County Engineer to provide specs for a number of small courts, which we hope to pave at the same time we do Addison Rd.

A discussion took place in respect to Issue 1 Projects, it was indicated we are still in the running for the Barnum Rd. project but we probably will not know until October or November where we stand on that. Mr. Pruden indicated that we should submit a Lake Rd. Paving Project, it was indicated by the other Trustees that we would hope that Geneva on the Lake would apply for the grant from Issue 1 as a joint project and then we would apply for our project as being the south end of Wheeler Creek Rd. Mr. Somppi will be approached on that possibility.

At this point Chairman Mills turned the meeting over to Vice Chairman Pruden. Mr. Arkenburg gave the Fire Dept. report. He indicated that in the first 3 months in conjunction with Northwest Ambulance we have been monitoring the Opticon System, which is a GPS based system that turns the lights green upon the approach of the Fire Trucks. Mr. Arkenburg covered the various community fire prevention programs that are in place and described them at some length. He indicated that presently an inventory is being taken on all the fire equipment, he also indicated the Training Center should be built this year, presently it is still slated for Austin Rd. The Fire Dept. is presently working on upgrading their Smoke Detector Program, Mr. Arkenburg indicated the calls are up this year so far and he projected this will probably be the 2^nd or 3^rd busiest year in our history.  He indicated items such as kerosene heaters are being used as heating devices and these are not designed for long term use.

A discussion surrounding the fire out at Countyline and Lake Rd. was covered, primarily the discussion of the out of service fire hydrant as well as one that was frozen. It was indicated that the Water Co. is responsible for maintaining the fire hydrants. The fire dept. tries to keep most of the hydrants cleared of snow and have done a good job with keeping up with that. The out of order hydrant had been out of order for a period of 3 days, the one on the corner of Countyline on the lake county side was frozen.

Vice Chairman Pruden turned the meeting back over to Chairman Mills at that point. Mr. Mills presented the Zoning Dept. report. He indicated a permit had been issued on Lake Rd., the Zoning Inspector indicated we are receiving more calls in respect to problems as the weather breaks. It was pointed out that the house at Spencer School has been cleaned up and relatively in good shape. There was some question about tractor trailers being parked on N. Countyline Rd., that will be turned over to Mr. Cerjan to look into.

Mr. Long presented Resolution 2007-03, in respect to support of the half mil levy the school has on the May Ballot, without that levy the release of $53,000,000. from the state is not possible. Mr. Pruden made the motion, Mr. Russell seconded and it was unanimously approved.

During the discussion phase Mr. Russell indicated he supports the resolution, however he will address the School Board’s practice in respect to the public portion of their meetings.

Mr. Long indicated that the audit has been completed and was released to the State Auditor’s website on February 22^nd, 2007. Mr. Russell pointed out the CDBG grant for waterline extension on Maple Ave. to Austin Rd. as well as replacement of some waterline on Rt. 534 is a possibility. Mr. Russell was asked to provide information to the County to assist with the grant. He also indicated the Countyline Water Project will be advertised in the near future with a bid opening slated for April 6^th, 2007.

Mr. Pruden pointed out that a Chain Saw Safety Seminar was held on Feb. 27^th, 2007. Fifty five people attended from Geneva Township, Geneva on the Lake, Geneva City, Saybrook Township as well as Brobst Tree Service. Mr. Russell indicated that in the future a Fire Safety Seminar and a CPR Training Seminar would be held for our Road Dept. employees. Mr. Pruden asked if Mr. Mills was going to attend the Ashtabula County Health Dept. annual meeting, Mr. Mills indicated he had a training session on that night. Mr. Pruden indicated he will attend the meeting.

Mr. Pruden will pursue with Waste Management having our Spring Cleanup on Saturday May 19^th, 2007. Mr. Schupska indicated the problem with the pole at the onset of Spencer Circle and Spencer Dr. is a portion of it that the County did has been completed, The Illuminating Co. has not yet fixed the pole. Mr. Pruden pointed out the County Trustee Meeting will be held on March 15^th at the County Engineer’s Office, the program will be on different insurance programs.

Mr. Russell indicated that the Opticon System is being installed and will cover 10 intersections, however he did indicate that some of the lights involved were not up to standards to accommodate the Opticon System and it appears to be about $7000 short to complete the project. He indicated that NAD is looking for contributions from different entities to make up for this deficit. It was also pointed out that the Ohio American Water has gone to the Public Utilities Commission to increase water prices by an estimated 22%, if this increase is granted it could increase our water costs by 11%.

Mr. Russell made the motion, Mr. Pruden seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss possible litigation at 8:40 p.m.

Last modified: 05/21/08