Return To Meeting Minutes Index Page

The regular meeting of the Franklin Township Board of Trustees was called to order by Chairman Tim Guyton at 6:30 P.M. June 10, 2010 at 2193 Frank Road. 

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

 

Chairman Guyton gave the welcome.

 

ROLL CALL: Tim Guyton, yes, Don Cook, yes, Paul Johnson, yes. 

         

MINUTES

          Chairman Guyton moved to dispense with the reading of the regular meeting minutes for May 27, 2010.

Trustee Johnson seconded the motion.  Vote taken: Guyton, yes, Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

 

                Trustee Johnson moved to approve the regular meeting minutes for May 27, 2010, as typed.

Vice-Chairman Cook seconded the motion.  Vote taken: Guyton, abstain, Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

 

          Chief Howard said annually there is an EMS Week and different agencies or hospitals will nominate personnel who have done something beyond the normal to save a life.  Chief said there were only seven regions that had nominations this year.  Franklin Township Firefighters Daryl Jordan and Austin Kwon were nominated for services and both of these men received the EMS Star Life Award for saving a life during a medical emergency in Franklin Township. The audience applauded.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

          The Board has not adopted a Township Computer Usage Policy as yet and Chairman Guyton said the Board is not ready tonight for a decision.  Trustee Johnson said we should blend the Jackson Township policy with the policy our Fire Department already has in place.  Chairman Guyton said the new Police Chief should be involved in the decision since there had been an issue in the Police Department.  Trustee Johnson said the Board should make a decision by the next meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

          Dewey Stokes attended the meeting to talk to the Board and the audience about the Willowbend area and Ponderosa Drive.  The residents of the area are upset about the Potter House Church wanting to build a bridge across the creek behind the church and attach it to Willow Bend Drive and then build a new bridge on Nixon Drive to have access to Fisher Road.  The residents say they are concerned about the increase in traffic through the area, worried about the security of the neighborhood, and concerned about their property values.  The residents have said no one has talked to the neighborhood about the various plans the Church has.  The community in the Willowbend area would like to help with a solution.  The residents are also concerned about the Church cutting trees which would stop the filtering of noise and fumes from the freeway. 

Mr. Stokes asked the Board for their approval to not let the Church widen Lowell Drive.

 

          Vice-Chairman Cook said he agreed with the residents to not increase the size of the road or increase the size of the bridge because it is a residential area.  There was a discussion regarding as to what amount of the area the Church owned.  The City of Columbus will not take care of the bridge so the residents feel the Church will be taking care of it. Mr. Stokes feels the Church has not talked to the residents since the Church and the property they own have been annexed to the City. 

 

          Chairman Guyton suggested to Mr. Stokes to go to the Franklin County Commissioners, who in turn will go to the Franklin County Engineers to vacate  Willowbend Lane.  Chairman Guyton said the process takes about ninety days and costs approximately $200.00.   Chairman Guyton said the Church has not approached the Franklin Township Board of Trustees.  Chairman Guyton said that a traffic study and an impact study would need to be done by the Church at their expense.  This study should be done when the Church is letting the congregation in and out.  When the Church completes the plans, the Board will  take them to the County Engineers for review.  Jim Stevens said he gets information from the County Engineers all of the time and he has not seen plans from the Church yet.

 

          Mr. Horn asked Mr. Stokes if he has written a valid Out Reach to the  Church.  Mr. Stokes said he has written and called the Minister and he has had no response and he is concerned that this means a rejection. Mr. Stokes said many of the residents have written to the Church and have received no response.  Mr. Horn is concerned that the letters are not getting to the proper people.  Vice-Chairman Cook said the Church has a plan and they don’t seem to care about the residents in the area. 

 

          Chairman Guyton said the Trustees would not allow the Church to widen Lowell Drive anymore than legally required.  The Trustees would also help set up a meeting for the residents with the Church. He said the small bridge just passed inspection, but the Trustees will be part of the study to see if the bridge can handle the additional traffic.

 

          Chairman Guyton answered the question about maintaining the Police Department in Franklin Township.  Chairman Guyton said the Trustees are responsible for the taxpayers and they need to show the residents how their money is spent.  Economically, the decision was made before that the Sheriff Department would not take over the Police Department for the Township and the answer is still the same today.  Chairman Guyton said the Board is interviewing on Monday, June 14, 2010 for a new Police Chief.  They will interview four and when a decision is made, that person will have a physical test and a psychological test on Tuesday, June 15, 2010.  The Board has established a starting salary but when a raise for the new Chief is due, it will go into a bank, and he will not receive that raise for five years.  The Board is trying to make sure he remains Chief for Franklin Township for a long time.

 

          Chairman Guyton said the Board would need to make a decision tonight about Township-wide Trash Collection but the Township is not locked into any plan at this time and can still get out of a bid if it is not acceptable.  Chairman Guyton said the goal is try to get under $15.00 per household, per month to legally haul trash from the Township.  The Board does not think recycling or yard waste removal needs to be included in the bid.

 

          Jerry Tabor of 23 Broadlawn Avenue thought a committee was being formed for responses from the residents of the trash collection in the Township.  He has never heard anymore on this.

 

          Chairman Guyton said the Board has listened to the suggestions from the residents about Township-wide trash collection.  The Board checked with Board of Elections and the Board cannot put the trash collection issue on a ballot for people to vote on because we are not a “Home Rule  Township”.  Some of the residents said for the Board to send letters because they did not receive the Newsletter with the information about trash collection.  Chairman Guyton said we would be working with the same database so if a resident did not get a Newsletter, they would not get the letter. 

 

          Bobbie Kean of 2889 El Paso Drive said none of her neighbors on El Paso Drive, Furlong Drive, or Lowell Drive received the Newsletter. She didn’t feel that a fair amount of the Township received the information on the Township-wide Trash Collection.

 

          Clyde King of 56 Coolidge Avenue asked the Trustees why the Board was getting involved with the trash collection.  Chairman Guyton said the Franklin County Engineers Office said the Township needs to reduce the wear and tear on the roads from the many trash vehicles on the streets everyday though the Township.  He said the Board of Health said Franklin Township lead Franklin County with the amount of complaints about trash in 2008 and 2009.  Chairman Guyton also said that with a single hauler, there would be a reduction of the amount of illegal dumping in the Township.  He said the Board will have Senior Citizen Discounts.

 

          John Maynard of 3605 Harding Drive said most of the people he has talked to do not want Township-wide Trash Collection in the Township.

 

          John Hughes of 4326 Oakview Drive had a meeting in his community and the residents sent him to speak for them.  He said he met with about thirty-five residents and they were not aware of Township-wide Trash Collection and did not want it.  They were concerned about putting the small haulers out of business. 

 

          Trustee Johnson said it is hard to believe that the residents do not want trash service when they do not know the bottom line as to what the service will be and the cost for the service.  Chairman Guyton said that all of the Townships in Franklin County have a single hauler, except for Prairie Township and Franklin Township.  Chairman Guyton said when he was campaigning, he asked all residents if they would be interested in Township-wide Trash Collection if it were the same or better service and less cost and everyone he talked to said they would agree to it.  Jim Stevens said there were 251 complaints called into the Board of Health in the last three months and 99 of the complaints were for trash in Franklin Township.  Jim said he and the Board of Health are legally bound to go through a process to remove trash from or cut the grass at a residence.

 

          Bobbie Kean said she wanted to know what would happen after the five- year contract is up for trash collection in the Township and how much the trash service would increase in cost for the residents with the fuel and tipping fees increasing.  Robyn Watkins of 3347 Dover Road asked who would pick up the trash in at the houses with foreclosures.

 

          Trustee Johnson said there are a couple of important dates to know.  Bid submission for all required collection services should be submitted around August 26, 2010.  On September 29th, 2010 is the date a contract is awarded for all required collection services.  Trustee Johnson said the Board would need to take each step that is required of the other entities within the Consortium.  He said the Board would need to make a decision tonight to find out the cost for trash service in Franklin Township.

 

          Connie Price of 3719 Harding Drive suggested that the Board put the Town-ship wide trash collection issue in the Columbus Dispatch and give both sides of the story.  There was further discussion between the Board and the residents about what they currently pay for trash collection.

 

          The document that the Board would sign tonight is only the first step for making the decision for Township-wide Trash Collection.  There was further discussion between the Board and the residents about how they felt about what the Board was signing and about coming to meetings after the Board has the final outcome for trash collection in the Township.  Trustee Johnson would like to see a full house for that meeting. 

 

Chief Howard of 3470 Maple Shade Court who said he is a resident and Fire Chief of Franklin Township.  He lives on a street with 23 houses and there are a total of 5 haulers that are on Maple Shade Court every week.  He said all the Board is doing at this time is staying in the process for Trash Collection to see if they can save the resident’s money. Chief asked if the concern is what is going to happen with the trash service contract in five years, then ask yourself, what will everything cost in five years?

 

A discussion continued between the Board and residents because there was the concern, about the dumpsters being emptied early in the morning.  Bobbie Kean was asking the Board why the dumpsters have to be emptied at 4:30 A.M. around the schools on Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning.

 

Robyn Watkins would like feedback on what the Trustees find out on the trash options since she feels the website is not updated as often as she would like it. 

Chief Howard said there is always a problem with bulk mailing and this could be why some of the residents did not get the last Newsletter that was sent.  He suggested we affix a stamp on each copy before it is sent in the fall.

 

RESOLUTION #10-094

AGREEMENT WITH SWACO 

 

Chairman Guyton moved for the adoption of the following Resolution.

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Franklin Township of Franklin County, Ohio, that the Board approves to enter into an agreement to stay in the bidding process for a single hauler through SWACO Consortium #2 for waste hauling.

 

Trustee Johnson seconded the Resolution.  The roll was called for its adoption and the vote was as follows: Guyton, yes, Cook, no, Johnson, yes.

 

          Chairman Guyton said there is a new Sanitary Engineer and he said there would be two new projects started this year, Brown Road East and Mon-E-Bak.  There was a discussion between Chairman Guyton and Bobbie Kean.  She said there is a lot of sewage draining into the storm sewers and she thinks there is no one who cares about it.  Chairman Guyton told her that he was told the funding is there and the projects should be starting.

 

          Chairman Guyton gave an update on the Casino project.  The Weston Partnership Committee is going to the County and the City Representatives to ask for a market study, traffic study, and land use studies so we can move forward with a zoning overlay for Broad Street, Philipi Road, and Georgesville Road as to what type of businesses would work best around the Casino.

 

          John Hughes asked the Trustees to each give their views on the Casino.  Chairman Guyton gave details of the Casino as to how much money the Township would receive over the next 50 years.  A discussion was held between the residents and the Board as to why Chairman Guyton was the only Trustee who attended the meetings with the city about the Casino and the difference between a public and a closed meeting.  Trustee Johnson said the City did not have to give Franklin Township any money.  Chairman Guyton said he received compliments from the Ohio Township Association and the whole governing body on the negotiating he and our Township attorney had made for the Township.  Everyone in the entire area has stated what a good job was done except for Don Cook.

 

          Vice-Chairman Cook said that Columbus Mayor Coleman urged the panel to approve the Resolution saying on the upcoming ballot, local leaders have expressed support of the Casino.  If the Constitutional Amendment is adopted, the City of Columbus will annex Franklin Township and the Township will be compensated beyond the minimum that State Law requires.  Mayor Coleman said we want this to be a win-win for everybody in Central Ohio.  Vice-Chairman Cook said he doesn’t want this to be an equivalent of Manhatten for $33 worth of wampum.  He expressed concern that Franklin Township would get the short end of the stick. He feels Franklin Township was sold out.  He feels that Mayor Coleman did not give the Township a fair deal and this is why he will continue to vote “no” until the City of Columbus gives the Township a fair share.  Chairman Guyton said there would be no more votes regarding this because our vote took place April 29, 2010 and the State voters passed the ballot on May 4, 2010.  The issue is over.

 

Chairman Guyton said he received a call from the Director at Greenlawn Cemetery asking the Board if they would write a letter for an independent sound study for the cemetery because of a racetrack that might be built in the area.  Trustee Johnson and Vice-Chairman Cook agreed that a letter should be written.

 

Chairman Guyton said he received the final draft of a Clear Wireless Agreement to sublease a 7 x 7 footprint within the current fenced area that is already leased by Mobilitie.  It is required that Mobilitie and Franklin Township have to agree on the contract from Clear Wireless for a Five Year Lease with Five – 5-year extensions.  Clear Wireless would pay $300 a month above what the Township is already receiving.

 

RESOLUTION #10-095

GROUND SITE LEASE AGREEMENT

WITH CLEAR WIRELESS LLC

 

Chairman Guyton moved for the adoption of the following Resolution.

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Franklin Township of Franklin County, Ohio, that the Board approves to enter into a ground lease agreement with Clear Wireless LLC, a Nevada limited liability company for the purpose of subleasing a 7 x 7 lease within the fence area currently leased by Mobilitie SMS.

 

Trustee Johnson seconded the Resolution.  The roll was called for its adoption and the vote was as follows: Guyton, yes, Cook, no, Johnson, yes.

 

          Vice-Chairman Cook said it is costing the Township $100,000 with the agreement with Clear Wireless LLC.

 

RESOLUTION #10-081

BILLS & PAYROLL 

 

Vice-Chairman Cook moved for the adoption of the following Resolution.

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Franklin Township of Franklin County, Ohio, that the Board approves payroll in the amount of $114,916.33 and bills in the amount of $95,073.45 totaling $209,989.78 from check #22228 to check #22324.

 

Chairman Guyton seconded the Resolution.  The roll was called for its adoption and the vote was as follows: Guyton, yes, Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

 

Vice-Chairman Cook read the purchase orders:

Fire Department: 10-136 Finley Fire Equipment – Handle-loc for E193 $930.00, 10-137 Physio-Control – Adult finger sensor $208.25, 10-138 Earls – Repair left front and air brake on E192 $56.25, 10-139 Center City – Replace fuel injector and sensor on M193 $871.83, 10-140 Eitels – Tow M192 to Center City for repair $275.00, 10-143 D&M Distributors – Blanket P.O. for replacement emergency light bulbs for fire equipment $1,000.00, 10-144 Minuteman Press – EMS report pads $600.47, 10-145 Staples – Blanket P.O. for EMS office supplies $1,000.00.  Police Department: PD 10-31 Tuffy – Service for lube, oil and filter for Cars #6, #8, and #2 $65.85, PD 10-036 Jim Keim Ford – Transmission Cooler, motor, and fan assembly for car # 6 $1,123.93.  Road Department: 10-109-R NAPA – Hose clamps $4.47, 10-110-R Home Depot – Concrete anchors for installing bumper posts $15.78, 10-111-R Columbus Pipe – Pipe and mounting plates for bumper poles and around generator $232.40, 10-112-R Sutherland – Drill bits $13.99.  General Office / Administrative Use: 10-029-G Grove City Office Supplies – Multipurpose Paper $116.85.

 

RESOLUTION #10-096

AFFILIATED FOR COMPUTER SERVICES

 

Chairman Guyton moved for the adoption of the following Resolution.

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Franklin Township of Franklin County, Ohio, that the Board approves to contract with Affiliated for computer services.  The cost is not to exceed $1,667.50.

 

Trustee Cook seconded the Resolution.  The roll was called for its adoption and the vote was as follows: Guyton, yes, Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

 

RESOLUTION #10-083

KAPLAN CONTINUING EDUCATION

 

Chairman Guyton moved for the adoption of the following Resolution.

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Franklin Township of Franklin County, Ohio, that the Board approves to contract with Kaplan Continuing Education.  This is for Department EMS online training.  The annual fee is not to exceed $2,145.00.

 

Trustee Cook seconded the Resolution.  The roll was called for its adoption and the vote was as follows: Guyton, yes, Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

 

RESOLUTION #10-082

PHOENIX SAFETY OUTFITTERS

FOR TURNOUT GEAR

 

Chairman Guyton moved for the adoption of the following Resolution.

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Franklin Township of Franklin County, Ohio, that the Board approves to contract with Phoenix Safety Outfitters for six sets of replacement turnout gear.  The cost is not to exceed $11,662.26.

 

Trustee Cook seconded the Resolution.  The roll was called for its adoption and the vote was as follows: Guyton, yes, Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

 

RESOLUTION #10-085

EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIANS

 

Chairman Guyton moved for the adoption of the following Resolution.

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Franklin Township of Franklin County, Ohio, that the Board approves to contract with Emergency Medicine Physicians.  The cost is not to exceed $7,000.00.

 

Trustee Cook seconded the Resolution.  The roll was called for its adoption and the vote was as follows: Guyton, yes, Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT / CHIEF HOWARD

 

          Chief Howard explained how the Franklin Township EMS work under the Medical License Physicians.  Chief said that whatever the EMS does will go back on the Physician’s liability so he makes sure the paramedics are doing the job exactly as they should be.

 

          Chief Howard said the old fire truck was picked up on Monday by Northern Hardin County Fire District.  They purchased the truck for the sum of $7,000.00.  Chief said the insurance has been cancelled.

 

RESOLUTION #10-097

MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT

 

Chairman Guyton moved for the adoption of the following Resolution.

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Franklin Township of Franklin County, Ohio, that the Board approves to enter into a mutual aid agreement with the Village of Grandview for fire protection.

 

Trustee Johnson seconded the Resolution.  The roll was called for its adoption and the vote was as follows: Guyton, yes, Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

 

          Chief Howard said the Fire Department is required to maintain turn out gear, by cleaning, inspecting and certifying, for full service.  Apex Fire Services takes care of the gear at Franklin Township.  Chief said the turn out gear needs cleaned, inspected, and repaired from chemicals for the safety of the Firefighters and so the material will last longer.

 

RESOLUTION #10-098

APEX FIRE SERVICES FOR TURNOUT GEAR

IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

Chairman Guyton moved for the adoption of the following Resolution.

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Franklin Township of Franklin County, Ohio, that the Board approves to contract with Apex Fire Services at a cost of $92.95 per element, per year for maintaining the turn out gear in the Fire Department. 

 

Trustee Cook seconded the Resolution.  The roll was called for its adoption and the vote was as follows: Guyton, yes, Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

 

          Chief Howard compared buying a new medic vs. rechassis Medic 192.  He said the total estimated cost of rechassis is $179,500 and the total estimate of a new medic would be $215,000.  The Fire Department has been offered a trade in value of $12,500 for the old medic, which would leaves the price of $202,500 for a new Medic Truck, which means the difference between rechassis and the new truck is $23,000.  The Board and Chief had a discussion about the budget.  Based on the numbers provided by the Chief, the Board agreed that purchasing a new medic instead of refurbishing, was better.

 

          Chief Howard said he should have some information for the Board by the next meeting about a new server for the computers.  He is looking into a system that would link the phones to the Internet so each of the Department Heads, Trustees, and the Fiscal Officer could receive phone messages through their email.

 

          Chief Howard said he would need an Executive Session with the Board to discuss internal promotions in the Fire Department because a couple of the experienced personnel may retire soon.

  

ROAD DEPARTMENT / Jim Stevens

 

          Jim Stevens said he hoped by the end of next week to be done with the crack seal on the roads in the Township.

 

          Jim requested from the Board a Resolution for salt for 2010 / 2011 winter season.

 

RESOLUTION #10-093

CARGILL, INC. FOR SALT 

 

Chairman Guyton moved for the adoption of the following Resolution.

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Franklin Township of Franklin County, Ohio, that the Board approves to contract with Cargill, Inc. for 180 ton of salt for 2010 / 2011 winter season at a cost of $58.98 per ton.  Franklin Township is required to take delivery of 80% minimum.

 

Trustee Johnson seconded the Resolution.  The roll was called for its adoption and the vote was as follows: Guyton, yes, Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

 

          Jim said the Road Department used 240 ton of salt this past winter season.  He said the crew removes the snow off of the road and then applies the salt.

 

          Jim and the Board had a discussion of the backhoe accident that occurred in July of 2009.  Jim had given a verbal reprimand, but had a document with two signatures that will be kept in a file.  He also talked to the whole department about this.

 

          Vice-Chairman Cook asked Jim if there was an update on Garry Parkhurst and Jim replied that Garry is still looking into retirement.

 

RESOLUTION #10-080 (Amended from Resolution #10-075)

BOARD ADOPT PUBLIC RECORD POLICY

 

Chairman Guyton moved for the adoption of the following Resolution.

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of Franklin Township of Franklin County, Ohio, that the Board adopt the Public Records Policy issued by Mary Taylor, Auditor of State by removing all references to State Personnel and State Departments and inserting the appropriate name(s) of Franklin Township where the name of Auditor of State is shown.

 

Trustee Johnson seconded the Resolution.  The roll was called for its adoption and the vote was as follows: Guyton, yes, Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.

 

QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE

 

Ralph Horn of 1610 North Eastfield Drive said the Southwest Area Commission Plan reported that the Franklin County Board of Commissioners would discontinue authorization of conditional use of home occupation in the southwest planning area.  Mr. Horn said a resolution has been adopted and he wanted to bring this to the Board’s attention.  Chairman Guyton said this applies to all those who were not acting legally with the home occupation use and Mr. Ben Weiner is reviewing those.  Further discussion was held between the Board and Mr. Horn and regarding this.

 

          Chairman Guyton moved with no further business to discuss to adjourn the meeting.  Trustee Johnson seconded the motion.  Vote taken: Guyton, yes, Cook, yes, Johnson, yes.  Meeting adjourned at 10:42 P.M.

 

 

_________________________                                   

Timothy Guyton, Chairman                         

                                     

_________________________                          

Don Cook, Vice-Chairman

 

_________________________

Paul Johnson, Trustee

 

_________________________

Lisa Morris, Fiscal Officer