Minutes, Week of November 13, 2001 s5

MINUTES, WEEK OF FEBRUARY 13, 2017

The Board of Trustees met on Monday, February 13, 2017, at the Butler Township Government Center, 3780 Little York Road, Dayton, Ohio, at 7:00pm for a Regular Session to transact the business of the township.

Joseph Flanagan, President, called the meeting to order.

Township Administrator, Erika Vogel was excused from the meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Minutes of January 23, 2017, Regular Session, were submitted for approval. Michael Lang made a motion to approve the Regular Session Minutes of January 23, 2017, as submitted, with Joseph Flanagan seconding and approving the motion.

HEARING OF THE PUBLIC

Aja Delaney stated that she is the home owner at 7125 Westfall Drive. She stated that she had recently purchased the property and realized that the lane is private. She indicated that she has spoken with Ms. Vogel to obtain a maintenance record and that the lane has been deteriorating over the years. She explained that her goal is to obtain a dialog to understand and correctly follow the rules on maintenance and service. She also stated that she is concerned with fire coverage along the lane since there are no fire hydrants located there. She noted that she has been speaking with Captain Batz in understanding the current fire plan and to make sure that there was a plan in place to protect all the investments along Westfall Drive. She stated her other concern was the maintenance on Westfall and was told that it was a private lane without snow plowing or maintenance from the township. She inquired about taking steps to bring Westfall Drive up to standards. She wanted to know when and why weren’t the residents notified when the road was designated a private drive. She noted that the residents there want to understand how to address fire safety and to have Westfall Drive a dedicated road in the township.

Fire Chief Alig stated that since she has been in contact with Captain Batz they can have a meeting to discuss the fire plan. He noted that they are very familiar with those situations in the township that do not have fire hydrants. He stated that along that area they would bring in extra help from surrounding jurisdictions such as Englewood, Clayton, Union, Vandalia or Harrison Township.

Aja Delaney stated that the structures along the lane are very old and noted that she would have a better piece of mind if the fire department would provide a walk through to understand the fire plan. Chief Alig stated they would be in contact with her to do that.

Michael Lang stated he lives not far away and he does not have a fire hydrant either, but having worked on the fire department for 15 years he is not worried. He stated that rural water movement is something the township’s fire department has done for a very long time because there are large parts of the township that have no fire hydrants. He assured her that the fire department has fast and efficient ways of moving water to a fire even to Westfall Drive.

Aja Delaney stated that some of the neighbors were concerned that maybe there was not the technology or a filter in place to pump the water. She indicated that she feels very confident with Captain Batz and that they will have peace of mind.

Joseph Flanagan indicated that Westfall Drive has never been a public road and the lane has never been dedicated (accepted by the township to maintain). He stated that the township has a number of roads that have not been dedicated. He explained that the road was never been built to subdivision specifications (no width, no base, and no asphalt). He noted that this issue has come up multiple times over the last 15 years. The normal process is for the residents to come together with a petition asking for road improvements. Then the County Engineer’s Office would determine what improvements the road would need. He explained that this is the residents’ responsibility to bring the road up to those standards.

A resident from Westfall Drive wanted to know what her taxes were paying for.

Joseph Flanagan explained that the taxes residents pay are to provide services to the residents and explained that whoever built that subdivision never built it to design standards, basically it is a driveway not a public thoroughfare. He stated that it would be unfair if the township would take tax money and rebuild Westfall Drive with it. He noted that the township does not get any road mileage taxes from Westfall Drive, because it is not a dedicated street, it is private lane. He stated that the township does not build roads, the township maintains roads. He gave an example on a neighborhood improvement district, Echoing Oaks. In that case the township put money up front to improve the road then the residents paid the township back for a period of 5-10 years as an assessment against their property. He noted that Westfall Drive is not owned by the township, but by the residents living there. He reiterated that the township receives gas tax money for every dedicated road that the township maintains.

There was additional discussion about Westfall Drive maintenance.

Michael Lang stated that for cost savings the service department did reduce services because certain roads were not township dedicated roads. He explained that the issue here is to find out what would be required to bring that road up to standards. He stated that it was his understanding that Ms. Vogel is aware of the issues and certainly she will help move the process along, but the first steps would be checking with the County Engineer’s Office.

Chief Alig confirmed with Ms. Delaney that Ms. Vogel has been in contact with her regarding the issues on Westfall Drive and that Ms. Vogel has her contact information for any follow-up when she returns.

ADMINISTRATOR’S RECOMMENDATIONS

Resolution #17-07 was submitted. Kenneth Betz made a motion to approve Resolution #17-07, Authorizing the Administrator To Enter Into a Two-Year Agreement to Purchase Electric For Township Owned Buildings, as submitted, with Michael Lang seconding the motion.

Michael Lang noted the cost savings of approximately $14,000 a year.

Joseph Flanagan called the roll for a vote: Kenneth Betz – Yes, Michael Lang – Yes, Joseph Flanagan – Yes. Resolution #17-07 was approved, 3-0.

Resolution #17-08 was submitted. Kenneth Betz made a motion to approve Resolution #17-08, Establishing A Special Revenue Fund #2081 For Continued Professional Training, as submitted, with Michael Lang seconding the motion.

No discussion was made from the board on this item.

Joseph Flanagan called the roll for a vote: Kenneth Betz – Yes, Michael Lang – Yes, Joseph Flanagan – Yes. Resolution #17-08 was approved, 3-0.

Resolution #17-09 was submitted. Kenneth Betz made a motion to approve Resolution #17-09, Finding It Necessary to Amend the Revenue and Appropriations Budgets for Changes Made During FY2017, as submitted, with Michael Lang seconding the motion.

Michael Lang noted that revenue is increasing in the Vandalia JEDD and JEDZ accounts. He also noted there is a $10,000 appropriation for repairs and maintenance in the police fund.

Joseph Flanagan called the roll for a vote: Kenneth Betz – Yes, Michael Lang – Yes, Joseph Flanagan – Yes. Resolution #17-09 was approved, 3-0.

INFORMAL BUSINESS

Police Chief Porter reported that the police department received its final approval through Ohio Collaborative by meeting all the minimum standards required and will be receiving a final certificate. He noted that Lt. Chris Guthrie was very instrumental in getting that portion of the certification complete and if not for him they would not have received it as quickly as they did. He also informed the board that Officer Scott Hammond will be leaving the township and will be joining the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and they are in the process of filling his position. Michael Lang wanted to wish Officer Hammond the best in his future endeavors.

Fire Chief Alig had no further business to report.

Fiscal Officer, Mark Adams wanted to welcome Ken Betz to his first board meeting as trustee.

Trustee, Kenneth Betz had no further business to report.

Trustee, Michael Lang wanted to also welcome Ken Betz to the board and noted that he is very excited to work together and move the township forward.

Trustee, Joseph Flanagan also welcomed Ken Betz.

Chief Alig reported that currently there are openings for appointments to the Budget Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals. He stated if residents are interested to serve to please email Township Administrator, Erika Vogel.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

Kenneth Betz reported that the trustees have reviewed the financial statements and made a motion for approval to pay the bills of the township, as submitted, with Michael Lang seconding and Joseph Flanagan approving the motion.

Kenneth Betz made a motion for approval to adjourn the meeting at 7:34PM, with Michael Lang seconding and Joseph Flanagan approving the motion.

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JOSEPH FLANAGAN MARK ADAMS

PRESIDENT FISCAL OFFICER