October 17, 2005

 

 

         The meeting was called to order by Chairman John A. Eberly. Mrs. Wilma Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

         Motion by Eugene McCune, Jr. seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of October 3, 2005 as presented. VOTE:  McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:      

         Mr. Michael Bohinc, an Auburn resident living on Brookfield Drive, discussed the loss of power they have experienced in his area; most recently for over 5 hours. He stated it is the 6^th time in the last year and he has lost over $1,000 worth of food. Mr. Bohinc has lived in the area his whole life and regrets the “pay more for less service” status we find ourselves in. The trustees acknowledge the problems and noted that Mia Moore has been unmercifully attacked in the press recently. The problems are noted by all residents. They stated that the wiring is WW II vintage and that money is being spent by FirstEnergy to improve the situation.

 

REPORTS:

         Jeff Renner, President Auburn Volunteer Fire Department, was present and presented a report of 39 calls for September 2005 with 13 calls covered by daytime staffing.  The fire department has picked up a truck to use as a grass buggy for $29,800 replacing an old truck.  It became too hard to get parts for the older truck.

         Mr. Renner reported that the chili dinner hosted by the department was a great success serving over 100 people dinner.

         Elections took place for the fire department Board of Trustees with the following re-elected to office: Jeff Renner, President; Bob Holbom, Vice President; Keith Blazer, Secretary; Dan Matsko, Treasurer.

         The station will have Fire Apparatus training on October 29^th. The new squad is on schedule for delivery the end of the month or beginning of November.

 

         Eugene T.  McCune, Jr. thanked all residents and guests who attended the Adam Hall Grand Opening on October 9^th. There was a good turnout and while some people expressed “sticker shock” at the cost involved in the building, Gene pointed out that no money from the General Fund went into Adam Hall. All money used has been from Inheritance Tax dollars collected by the township. In addition to thanking Mr. Padegimas, who made it all possible with his gift of the building and land, Mr. McCune thanked Mr. John Reithoffer and Mr. Bud Skalsky who were both instrumental in getting the project started.

         Mr. McCune noted that the township collected $2,748.70 from Lake County from the estate of Mike Blusoe

 

          Motion by Eugene McCune, Jr. seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to transfer $2,748.70 collected as inheritance tax from Lake County from the General Fund to the Land Acquisition Fund. VOTE:  McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.

 

            Mr. McCune read a memo received from NOPEC’s chairman, Joseph Migliorini, regarding some electric rate codes which were dropped. He would like the minutes to reflect the following information from that letter: 

 

            “We have received a number of calls regarding some NOPEC electric customers who have received letters notifying them that their rate codes will no longer be serviced by Green Mountain Energy Co., NOPEC’s supplier. I will try to explain what is happening.

            A total of 3,650 customers, less than 1 percent of NOPEC’s electricity customer base, are affected. These are customers who for one reason or another are assigned to one of several specialized rate codes offered by FirstEnergy to certain accounts. NPOEC plays no role in the assignment of customers to these codes. The vast majority of NOPEC’s 450,000 electric customers are in standard rate codes that are unaffected by this change.

            Why have they been dropped? Last year, in approving FirstEnergy’s rate stabilization plan for the years 2006-2008, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio set the shopping-credit levels below the 2004 levels now in effect. Because of these lower levels, Green Mountain Energy made the business decision that it could no longer serve these rate codes.

            NOPEC played no role in dropping the rate codes, and in fact, did its best to prevent it. As most of you know, NOPEC formally opposed the FirstEnergy rate request before the PUCO. At the time, we warned that lowering the shopping-credit levels would have adverse ramifications for consumers. Unfortunately, Green Mountain’s decision to drop these special rate codes is one of those ramifications.

            The 3,650 customers were notified that their rate codes were being dropped in a special mailing of The Energy Advocate, NOPEC’s quarterly newsletter, before last summer’s opt-out. These customers also did not receive the opt-out mailing. A list of the dropped rate codes was included in the NOPEC Training Manual that was sent to all the communities before the opt-out period.

            I hope this answers any questions you might have about this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me or your county’s representative on the Board of Directors if you require additional information.”

 

            Patrick J. Cavanagh also thanked everyone for attending the Adam Hall Open House. Many people commented on the lack of a stove and Mr. Cavanagh stated that from maintenance and an insurance perspective, it was prohibitive. The building was designed with a catering kitchen and there is more than adequate electric load to handle warming pans, etc. for the kitchen. A refrigerator/freezer will be added to the kitchen.  While the art bid was cut from the building package, it is our intention to do something for the walls. Mr. Cavanagh would like to see old documents/pictures from Auburn’s history hung on the walls. He has a meeting on October 25 with the architect, Tim Olland, and Eileen Roth from Art Source. Ms. Roth did the historic pictures that can be seen in the Geauga YMCA on Bass Lake Road.

            Mr. Cavanagh commented on a letter received from Mark Freeman stating his intent to resign as board member of the Auburn Bainbridge Recreation Board effective 12/1/05.  As an advisory board member of the Board of Kenston Community Education, he represented the Auburn community over the past 15 years. His well-earned retirement will leave two Auburn vacancies on the Board. The trustees would like to invite Scott Barron to a meeting of the Board of Trustees to discuss the situation. The KCE Board of five members should be comprised of at least two Auburn residents and two Bainbridge residents.

            The Board extends gratitude to Mr. Freeman. He did a wonderful job.

 

         John A. Eberly stated he believed the Grand Opening of Adam Hall was a success and a good dry run in that we used a caterer who brought in everything needed. It all worked out well and he is sure it will be used for many years to come by the residents of Auburn and surrounding communities.

         Mr. Eberly reported that the Planning Commission in Chardon granted LaDue Trails a variance to have one drive for two houses. Both Mr. Kitko and Mr. Eberly attended the meeting. While this situation is not advised, in this case it will save many trees from being removed and since the drive crosses a riparian area, one drive will be more environmentally sound than two. The drive will be improved with cement stabilization, be 16’ wide with 18” berms with tar on each side. The builder agreed to all terms and the Planning Commission granted the variance. Mr. Dietrich did an excellent job of working with the township and considering our wants.

         The trustees said that with the next census, we will have to face EPA storm water issues but we will be better positioned now due to our riparian zoning regulations.

         Mr. Eberly commented on a note received from a Lucky Bell Lane resident thanking us for prompt attention following his faxed over complaint about the bad condition of his road. The road department did a great job of fixing up Lucky Bell.

 

         Susan Plavcan, Clerk, had financials, a blanket certificate and a purchase order as well as warrants for signatures by the trustees. The clerk reported on a memo received about National Incident Management System (NIMS) training. There are two sessions being offered by the county on October 25^th. The trustees will ask Dave Wilmot to attend.

         The clerk reported that we are still retaining $13,000 per the county’s recommendation to ensure that grass grows on Taylor May Road where the Issue II work has been done. The trustees discussed this and will ask Dave to get an estimate from Wheeler to have seed blown where grass did not take and that amount will be deducted from the $13,000 retained.

 

         Motion by Gene McCune seconded by Patrick Cavanagh to call Wheeler Landscaping for a quote on reseeding along Taylor May Road.  VOTE: McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes.  The motion passed.

 

         The clerk will send a letter of thanks to the girl scouts who donated two arborvitaes which have been planted at Adam Hall. The trustees discussed that Ralph Hastings mentioned that 7 Life Boy Scouts are or will be looking for Eagle Scout projects. They will give some thought to possible Adam Hall projects.

 

ADAM HALL:  The trustees discussed the water at Adam Hall. There is a problem and a filter system and/or softener system is going to be needed. The trustees will contact Mr. Button at Kinetico. Kinetico helped the Fire Department with their water problem.

         A refrigerator/freezer is needed. Mr. Cavanagh knows of an auction coming up and questioned whether one could be purchased that way. Mr. McCune said to make sure that anything bought meets code. Mr. Cavanagh will check with the health department to determine if commercial grade is required.

 

         The trustees discussed the one remaining request for payment from Tenant Construction that was sent here by the Community & Economic Development department. They decided to hold it till the next meeting as there are still no “Handicapped Parking” signs installed; Szoka Excavating spent time there reinstalling a swale damaged by Tenant; and Auburn Bainbridge Excavating repaired a damaged sewer line broken by Tenant.

 

CATHAN FARM:  Per Eric Drake, Assistant County Prosecutor, changes to the contract were incorporated and several typos were fixed. Mr. Eberly noted that it appears 3 acres of land were set aside for parking and drives to parking. He questioned if that is sufficient. Since one of our main objectives is to have ball fields, we don’t want to be left short. Mr. Eberly is going to talk to Joe Gutoskey who has offered to help us lay this out.

 

         Motion by John Eberly seconded by Gene McCune to change and initial the sentence “up to 15 acres may be used for active recreation uses” to 25 acres; and to change and initial the sentence stating no more than 3 acres shall be permitted in the Open Field Area for parking, restrooms, etc. to 5 acres. VOTE:  McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes; Eberly, yes. The motion passed.

 

         The changes were made and initialed. Susan Plavcan will drop the executed contracts off at the Chagrin River Land Conservancy along with a $10,000 warrant for deposit.

 

         Mr. Eberly sat on the Board of the Chagrin River Land Conservancy for seven years and can pass along that this contract will ensure there are no ATV’s, goose hunting, disturbance of the woods except for maintenance, nor paths paved. Mr. McCune stated that he and Mr. Eberly and Diane Grindell drove through the township many, many times looking for parcels of land for a use like this. When Auburn is fully built, this green space will be savored and appreciated.

 

         Mr. Eberly read a letter from the County of Geauga, Board of County Commissioners advising that they voted to accept Frostwood Drive in the Frostwood Farms Phase II subdivision for total maintenance by Auburn Township. The motion was made by Mr. Young and seconded by Ms. Samide on October 13, 2005.

 

ADAM HALL:

         Susan Plavcan was asked to send our Draft Contract for Adam Hall Rental to Eric Drake of the County Prosecutor’s office for his approval and sign-off.

 

         The trustees and several meeting attendees discussed pricing for events at Adam Hall and also discussed that we need a plan for the landscaping so that if we receive requests for a donation, we will have a plan to work from. The trustees would love to see and would appreciate community involvement. The Garden Club and Boy and Girl Scouts have already expressed interest in helping out.

 

         After discussion, the following pricing was set:

 

        

Auburn resident	$50.00 per hour
Non resident	$75.00 per hour
Cleaning	$150.00
Security Guard	$20.00 per hour

 

         The trustees discussed the proposed zoning amendment, ZC2005-02.

 

             Motion by Patrick Cavanagh seconded by Gene McCune to adopt the recommendation of the Zoning Commission as presented in proposed amendment ZC2005-02, known as Fire Ponds. VOTE:  McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes. The motion passed.

 

            The trustees discussed the upcoming November 8 election and the 1-mill road levy replacement which will be on the ballot. Mr. Eberly said he would write up an informational flyer and the trustees will pass it out the weekend before Election Day. Mrs. Brockway offered to help in passing them out. It is so important for this levy to pass. A fifth truck is needed for the road department. We will be experiencing 7-hour plow routes this winter. Auburn has taken on about 6 miles of road since 1996. Derbyshire Lane needs to be redone and that expense ($400,000) would wipe out our whole budget.

            The trustees pointed out that we run our road department on a fraction of what neighboring communities run theirs on. We need to remember that a paved road is much more cost effective than a dirt road.

 

         Motion by Patrick J. Cavanagh to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Eugene McCune.  VOTE:  McCune, yes; Cavanagh, yes. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned.