Geneva Township regular meeting, Aug. 12^th, 2009.

Trustees returned from Executive Session at 9 am. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mills at 9:05 am. Those present were Mr. Mills, Mr. Pruden, Mr. Russell and Fiscal Officer Long. The minutes from the July 8^th meeting were approved on a motion by Mr. Pruden, seconded by Mr. Russell. Bills in the amount of $152,564.82 covered by warrant numbers 13588 – 13664 were approved on a motion by Mr. Pruden, seconded by Mr. Russell.

Mr. Russell gave the Fire Dept. report. He indicated that the Fire Station Committee meeting was held recently and it went very well. The 1 mil levy for the new Fire Station has been submitted to the Board of Elections and will be on the ballot in November. He also indicated that Township funds cannot be used to promote the levy. A committee will be formed requesting donations to promote the passage of the levy.

Mr. Russell gave a report on the Marc Radio System. The State is promoting its use, Ashtabula County is short on towers, which has created a problem with the Marc System. Possibility to add an antenna to our cell tower, we would also need a contract with the State. Presently they are being used by the Sheriff’s Dept. in Ashtabula County. A motion by Mr. Russell, second by Mr. Pruden to continue discussion in respect to adding something to our tower to increase the liability of the Marc’s System.

Mr. Cerjan gave the zoning dept. report. He indicated 2 permits have been issued for polebarns, he was waiting for a reply from a letter to the Prosecutor’s Office on 2 items. To date he has not received a response. There were a number of drainage issues that were reported to Mr. Cerjan, which he has looked into. They do not appear to be a problem.

The car on the corner of Myers and Rt. 20 is now gone. Mr. Cerjan indicated Iapola had put up a metal fence but still has a number of vehicles. He also indicated the salvage yard has obtained a license from the State and he is working with Tony Caranci on the property on Austin Rd. to get that situation resolved. On a number of items he will need a ruling from the County Prosecutor, for which he will be sending a letter in the near future. Also it was indicated the lawn mower shop on Rt. 20 has items within the right of way. Mr. Cerjan will look into that.

Mr. Russell gave the road dept. report. He indicated Barnum Rd. is 95% complete. There are a couple of slopes that need some additional attention as well as seeding of the side of the road. He also indicated that we should have a couple of street lights at the curve. He has also asked the County for a speed study. Total cost of the project is around $350,000. He indicated the Hydro-seed at Barnum Rd. should be completed next week as well as chip and seal being started next week. He also indicated a lot less chip and seal will be done this year than last year. This is estimated to be between $30,000 and $35,000 as compared to $68,000 spent last year.

Mr. Mills has reported that he has contacted Rocky Road Paving in respect to repairs on Tuttle Rd. as well as a number of other roads within the Township.

Mr. Pruden indicated there was a street light out on Rt. 84 west of Myers. He said to let him know if there were any others so he can report them all at one time to First Energy.

Resolution 2009-08, adding Northwest Saving Bank to our list of designated depositories was approved on a motion by Mr. Pruden, seconded by Mr. Mills. Roll call indicated all yes votes.

Mr. Long gave a report on his Columbus trip. He updated the Trustees with current changes that are occurring.

Mr. Russell asked whether or not we had Earthquake and Flood Insurance in our Ottama Policy, Mr. Long said he would check that out and report at our next meeting. Also Mr. Russell indicated the Governor’s Safety Grant could be available through ODOT. It is a 3 year program which includes    limitary road signs, it is in conjunction with the legislation that was passed indicating that all signs have to be a different visibility intensity in the future. The study costs about $100 per mile, which would equal about $2500. The Grant would pay 90%, the Township10%. By 2012 the policy will be in place for all high reflective signs. The second year the State will provide signs, they will pay 80%, the Township 20%. Third year they will replace the rest of the signs. By the end of the third year it should be all completed. Mr. Mills made the motion, Mr. Pruden seconded unanimously approved for Mr. Russell to seek the grant and for he and Fiscal Officer Long to sign the necessary paperwork.

Mr. Pruden reported on the Bike Trail ribbon cutting ceremony at the State Park and the Lodge indicating that the path is strictly for bikes and no other vehicles are allowed. He indicated the total cost was about $447,000 for the bike trail and all of it was funded through grant dollars. Again Mr. Pruden had indicated whether we had sent a letter to the Cleveland Museum in respect to property that they had purchased, which now becomes exempt and if there was any possibility of funds coming forth to offset that. Mr. Long will pursue that.

Mr. Mills gave a report on the new Cemetery Building which should be completed in the near future. Tentively the Cemetery Board has scheduled their next meeting on Tues. Sept. 8^th at 9 am in the new building.

Mr. Russell reported on the needs for updating the mapping program presently used by 911, he indicated that cost to be about $300,000.00 most of which will come from Grants. But he indicated at this point the Commissioners are not willing to do that upgrade due to financial restraints. He said there are many errors in the present mapping system, which need to be corrected.

Again there some questions on the rock located at Rt. 20 and Myers Rd. that is a tribute to Platt R. Spencer. A discussion took place as to the possible movement of the stone and it was indicated that it was there because his home was on Myers Rd. The possibility of moving it will be looked into, maybe to the new school on Austin Rd.

There being no further business, Mr. Russell made the motion to go back into the Executive mode to discuss litigation at 10:10 am, seconded by Mr. Mills and unanimously approved.

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