The regular meeting of the Rootstown Township Trustees opened at 5:30 p.m. on February 24, 2009. Those in attendance were Trustees Bonnie Howe, David Armentrout and Diane Dillon, JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer, Jim Mahood, Chief Palmer and Julie Gonzales.

Resolution No. 2009-041 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout to accept the minutes of February 10, 2009 with changes. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

ROAD SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Resolution No. 2009-042 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to amend Resolution No. 2009-036, adopted February 10, 2009 regarding hiring English Plumbing to install new pipes at the rental house. Upon recommendation of the Road Superintendent additional work needs to be completed; the lowest quote is now Steve’s Plumbing. The Board agreed to hire Steve’s Plumbing in an amount not to exceed $2,000.00. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

There was one (1) funeral since the last meeting.

The Board agreed to schedule Clean-Up Day for either May 30th or June 6th. Dave will contact Bill Steiner, District Coordinator.

The sewer lines have been installed across Cook Road and will go to West Drive. There will be two (2) hook ups for the Township.

The Board discussed lowering the cost of pre-sale lots at the Homeland Cemetery.

ZONING INSPECTOR REPORT

There were no acts of business.

The Zoning Board of Appeals agreed to re-appoint Troy Cutright, Chairman and Deron Boring as Vice-Chairman.

Jim asked for a copy of the judge’s decision regarding Portage Salt for the Zoning Board of Appeals file.

Jim believes there will be a good turn out for the Joint Meeting on March 9th.

The Board agreed for Darrell to get a quote from Jeff who mowed Homeland Cemetery last year.

Bonnie will ask Darrell if any of the road crew is interested in opening/closing the park this year.

Resolution No. 2009-043 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to set a public hearing for Zoning Commission amendment – Digital/Electronic Sign Definition and Zoning Amendment 2009-02 – Alteration/Removal Non-Conforming Signs to be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 6:00 PM at the Rootstown Town Hall. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Public Hearing - Zoning Commission amendment 2008-010 – Landscaping Deadlines, Section 310.05 and 430.06

Dave Armentrout opened the public hearing at 6:00 PM.

The Rootstown Zoning Commission unanimously approved to add landscaping and grading completion deadlines in Section 310.05 and Section 430.06 for residential homes.

The Rootstown Zoning Commission proposed the following amendment:

Section 310.05 – YARD REQUIREMENTS FOR O-C, R-1, R-2, R-O AND R-V DISTRICTS.

Principal buildings shall be located on a lot in a manner that maintains the minimum required yards set forth in this section for the district in which the lot is located, except as otherwise regulated in Chapter 320 for planned residential developments. Every part of a required yard shall be obstructed and open to the sky, rough grading to be completed with 90 days of final inspection and/or occupancy and seeding completed within 150 days, except as otherwise specifically permitted in this Chapter.

Section 430.06 – LANDSCAPING AND MAINTENANCE OF YARDS

Required yards and all other portions of the lot not covered by permitted structures shall be landscaped with grass, trees shrubbery and/or other appropriate ground cover or landscaping material, which at all times shall be maintained in good and healthy condition. The rough grading will be completed within 90 days of final inspection and/or occupancy and seeding completed with 150 days.

Regional Planning Commission’s rationale is to be proactive and have deadlines for landowners to make sure the completed new construction blends well into neighborhoods.

Chris Meduri, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office endorsed the wording as to legal form and found no legal authority that would prevent enacting the amendment as presented.

After discussion the Board agreed to the following resolution:

Resolution No. 2009-044 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to reject the recommendation as proposed by the Rootstown Zoning Commission and to re-consider the following items:

• The timeframe of 150 days
• The Commission’s definition of landscaping vs. seeding
• Check for terminology

Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Dave Armentrout closed the public hearing at 6:20 PM.

The Board agreed for Jim Mahood to be Property Manager of the rental house.

FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT

Chief Palmer received a certification for the elevator at the Fire Station.

Resolution No. 2009-045 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Dave Armentrout to enter into an agreement with the City of Ravenna for dispatching services in an amount of $15,000.00 upon the review of Chris Meduri, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Resolution No. 2009-046 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by Dave Armentrout to enter into an agreement with the Fire Company for 2009 in an amount of $4,800.00. This will be distributed quarterly in an amount of $1,200.00 per quarter. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

The cell phones are now working.

Resolution No. 2009-047 – Motion was made by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon for the Rootstown Township Trustees to move into executive session at 6:40 PM to discuss personnel matters. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

Resolution No. 2009-048 - Upon conclusion of the above referenced discussion a motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout that the Rootstown Township Trustees move out of executive session at 7:00 PM. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

After exiting Executive Session, the Trustees took no action.

Chief Palmer said they are looking into the Knox-Box. This is a heavy-duty key box that stores keys, access cards and other small items for homeowners and the Fire Department would have access in case of an emergency. A lot of commercial businesses have these.

Chief Palmer also mentioned the "File of Life" refrigerator magnet which is a red vinyl packet containing a medical information card for each household member.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Diane reported she will be meeting with Municipal Publications regarding the flyer/map. Diane asked JoAnn to give her a listing of all businesses we have dealt with in Rootstown. The only cost to the Township would be mailing.

Dave attended the Portage County Township Association Meeting this past Saturday. Jon Barber, Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management spoke about Fire Com and 9-1-1.

Dave spoke to the LNE Group in regards to scheduling a meeting for seeking grants. The LNE Group will be contacting Dave at a later date to schedule an appointment.

FISCAL OFFICER REPORT

Resolution No. 2009-049 - Motion by David Armentrout and seconded by Diane Dillon to pay bills on file with the Fiscal Officer. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

JoAnn gave the Trustees a copy of a letter from Middleburg Heights regarding a resolution they adopted regarding using ODOT as a rock salt vendor. This will be the second time we have submitted the form.

JoAnn gave the Trustees a copy of the Township Audit Report for 2006 and 2007. JoAnn recommended the following resolution:

Resolution No. 2009-050 – Motion was made by Diane Dillon and seconded by David Armentrout set a policy that Township employees must deposit money to the Fiscal Officer within three (3) business days upon receiving it. Upon roll call the vote as follows: Bonnie Howe, yea, David Armentrout, yea, Diane Dillon, yea.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Robert Bossow contacted Dave to see if the Trustees are now interested in the open space that he is willing to donate to the Township.

Resolution No. 2009–051 - Motion by Diane Dillon to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

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Bonnie Howe, Chairperson

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JoAnn Townend, Fiscal Officer