RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
The minutes of the meeting held February 1, 2024.
PRESENT WERE TRUSTEES JOSEPH RABATIN, JIM MILLER, AND DANIEL HODGE: AND FISCAL OFFICER VALORIE LEWIS
Also present were:
Jim Zimmerman Ben Troyer
Mayor Rodney Mackey Steve Wolfe
Josh Hlavarty Tom Ballinger
Bill Albright Kayla Atchinson
Dave Compston
Mr. Jim Miller called the regular meeting to order at 6:56 pm.
A motion to approve the January 11, 2024 regular meeting minutes was made by Mr. Daniel Hodge and seconded by Mr. Joseph Rabatin with Mr. Jim Miller concurring.
Mr. Tom Ballinger who is running for Wayne County Sherriff wanted to touch base and thank the Board and Fire Department for their support at the Johnny Appleseed Festival and wanted to know of any further concerns they may have. Mr. Ballinger asked for their support in the upcoming election.
Mr. Steve Wolfe introduced himself and informed the Board he is running for Wayne County Commissioner. Mr. Wolfe further informed the Board he currently works for the Wayne County Sewer Department and serves on several different committees for the County. Mr. Wolfe asked for their support in the upcoming election.
Mr. Josh Hlavarty introduced himself and informed the Board he is running for State Representative in the upcoming election. Mr. Hlavarty informed the Board that he grew up in Wayne County and believes elected officials in Columbus want to bring their values to Wayne County but he believes that the elected officials need to bring Wayne County values to Columbus. Mr. Hlavarty asked for their support in the upcoming election.
Mayor Mackey informed the Board the Village is putting in a 6” water line on Villard Street and replacing two hydrants and adding two hydrants. Mayor Mackey informed the Board he was working on getting a grant to repair Park Street and asked for letters of support from the Board. Mr. Jim Miller asked Mayor Mackey for details of the project as the Wayne County Engineer Scott Miller did for the buggy lane on Kidron Road so that letters of support could be drafted correctly.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Page #2 of February 1, 2024 mins.
Mr. Bill Albright introduced himself and informed the Board he is running for State Representative in the upcoming election. Mr. Albright informed the Board he has 10 years in public policy and has also served in the military. Mr. Albright asked for their support in the upcoming election.
Ms. Kayla Atchinson from Representative Max Miller’s office, was not they’re on official business, she was supporting her friend Mr. Bill Albright, but she updated the Board on several things Representative Miller was working on.
Mr. Joseph Rabatin asked if anyone knew of grant money for the house at the corner of Apple Creek Road and Route 250 which is a hazard for pulling onto Route 250. Ms. Kayla Atchinson suggested the Realtors Association. Mr. Bill Albright suggested the Corp of Engineers. Mr. Steve Wolfe suggested talking with Ms. Barb Pittard with the EMA office. Mr. Josh Hlavarty suggested talking with ODOT regarding the hazard.
The Fiscal Officer presented the Board with Wayne County Auditor Jarra Underwood’s retirement open house on February 29, 2024.
The Fiscal Officer presented the Board with the Certificate of Estimated Resources available for Expenditures for 2024.
The Fiscal Officer presented the Board with the approved 2024 permeant appropriations.
The Fiscal Officer presented the Board with the 2024 Schedule B.
A motion to approve Resolution 01-2024 as follows was made by Mr. Daniel Hodge.
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of East Union Township met in regular session on February 1, 2024 at 7 pm in an open meeting pursuant to notice duly given in accordance with the provisions of Ohio’s Open Meeting Act.
NOW THEREFORE IT IS RESOLVED, that the Board of East Union Township Trustees, Wayne County, Ohio, hereby appoint Fiscal Officer Valorie Lewis as the contact person to correspond with the Wayne County Prosecutor via the Matrix to draft the necessary resolutions and ballot language to put the .90 mill renewal Fire District levy on the November ballot.
It was seconded by Mr. Joseph Rabatin.
A roll call vote was taken:
Page #3 of February 1, 2024 mins.
Daniel Hodge YES
Joseph Rabatin YES
Jim Miller YES
A motion to pass Resolution 02-2024 as follows was made by Mr. Daniel Hodge.
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of East Union Township met in regular session on February 1, 2024 at 7 pm in an open meeting pursuant to notice duly given in accordance with the provisions of Ohio’s Open Meeting Act.
NOW THEREFORE IT IS RESOLVED, that the Board of East Union Township Trustees, Wayne County, Ohio, hereby approve a Resolution Declaring the Necessity of Levying a Tax in Excess of the Ten-Mill Limitation pending response from the Matrix.
It was seconded by Mr. Joseph Rabatin.
A roll call vote was taken:
Daniel Hodge YES
Joseph Rabatin YES
Jim Miller YES
The Fiscal Officer presented the Board with the 2023 Annual Financial Reports and Notes to the Financial Reports.
Discussion was held regarding moving money to earn more interest. After discussion a motion to move $300,000.00 from the Primary Checking to Star Ohio from the Fire District Fund was made by Mr. Jim Miller and seconded by Mr. Daniel Hodge with Mr. Joseph Rabatin concurring.
A motion to approve receipts for January 2024 of $41,733.61 warrants 12376 – 12430 totaling $276,817.52 and bank reconciliation and financial reports as submitted was made by Mr. Jim Miller and seconded by Mr. Joseph Rabatin with Mr. Daniel Hodge concurring.
Chief Zimmerman reported 40 squad runs, 4 fire runs, and 2 mutual aid runs for January 2024 for a total of 211.00 hours plus an additional 76.00 training hours for January 2024.
A motion to approve $297.86 in squad supplies was made by Mr. Joseph Rabatin and seconded by Mr. Jim Miller with Mr. Daniel Hodge concurring.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Page #4 of February 1, 2024 mins.
Chief Zimmerman informed the Board that the gear extractor was repaired for approximately $700.00.
Chief Zimmerman informed the Board that the extraction tools the Association purchased in 2019 for approximately $11,000.00 could have a preventative maintenance contract for $1,140.00 a year for all 5 units. After discussion a motion to approve the preventative maintenance contract for the 5 extraction tools for $1,140.00 per year was made by Mr. Daniel Hodge and seconded by Mr. Jim Miller with Mr. Joseph Rabatin concurring.
Chief Zimmerman informed the Board that 104 and 105 were going into Dale James Ford for service.
Chief Zimmerman discussed the issues with 108 being under powered coming off the line. Chief Zimmerman informed the Board that the options to take care of this issue is replace the transmission or change the gearing inn the transmission. After discussion a motion to have DMS change the gearing in 108 for $7,925.00 with a 3 year no questions asked warranty was made by Mr. Daniel Hodge and seconded by Mr. Joseph Rabatin with Mr. Jim Miller concurring.
Chief Zimmerman informed the Board that the 105-power load cot was still having issues and that the service person was going to replace the board and battery again.
Chief Zimmerman informed the Board that the Engine Committee was planning on going to Supthen February 23, 2024 for final inspection, then it would go to FMI to be outfitted.
Chief Zimmerman informed the Board he received the safety grant from BWC for $52,905.60, BWC portion $39,679.20 our portion $13,226.40 for 132 50-foot sections of hose with fittings. A motion to approve up to $660.00 additional to have serial numbers imprinted on the hose fittings was made by Mr. Joseph Rabatin and seconded by Mr. Jim Miller with Mr. Daniel Hodge concurring.
Mr. Ben Troyer presented a power point on the new tanker truck the truck committee would like to go to bid for pending the Association approval at their meeting on February 7, 2024.
A motion to approve Resolution 03-2024 as follows was made by Mr. Daniel Hodge.
Page #5 of February 1, 2024 mins.
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees approve to request from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Matrix a response for the following request. WHEREAS the Board of East Union Township wishes to go to bid for a replacement tanker for the Fire Department, and requests the Prosecutors Office to help prepare the bid documents pending the Association approving of the bid specs presented. The Board further appoints Fiscal Officer Valorie Lewis as the contact person regarding this request.
It was seconded by Mr. Jim Miller
A roll call vote was taken:
Daniel Hodge YES
Jim Miller YES
Joseph Rabatin YES
The Board approved for Mr. Dave Compston to attend the OTA conference next week.
The Board approve sick time for Mr. Dave Compston on January 16, 2024.
Mr. Dave Compston presented the Board with the proposed Secrest Road Improvement project. After discussion a motion to approve up to $4,559.00 for the Secrest Road Improvement project was made by Mr. Joseph Rabatin and seconded by Mr. Jim Miller with Mr. Daniel Hodge concurring.
Mr. Dave Compston presented the Board with pricing for a stump grinder for the mini at approximately $5,580.00.
A motion to advertise for various road bid materials and road work for 2024 to be opened at the March 7, 2024 regular meeting was made by Mr. Joseph Rabatin and seconded by Mr. Daniel Hodge with Mr. Jim Miller concurring.
Park Planning – Mr. Joseph Rabatin informed the Board he met with Mr. Brian Orr and they feel with an additional $20,000.00 from the ARPA funds and donations of material and labor the softball field could be completed.
After discussion a motion to pass Resolution 04-2024 as follows was made by Mr. Joseph Rabatin.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Page #6 of February 1, 2024 mins.
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) was signed into law effective May 17, 2021. Section 9901 of ARPA amended Title VI of the Social Security Act17 (the Act) to add section 602, which established the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund, and section 603, which established the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (together, the “Funds”). The Funds are intended to provide support to State, local, and Tribal governments (together, recipients) in responding to the impact of COVID-19 and in their efforts to contain COVID-19 on their communities, residents, and businesses; and
WHEREAS, Section 603(c)(1)(C) of ARPA allows use of the Funds for the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue of such *** non-entitlement unit of local government due to the COVID–19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year of the non-entitlement unit of local government to the emergency; and
WHEREAS, some examples of “government services” expressly recognized by the U.S. Treasury are as follows:
- Road building and maintenance, and other infrastructure
- Health Services
- General government administration, staff, and administrative facilities
- Environmental remediation
- Provision of police, fire, and other public safety services (including purchase of fire trucks and police vehicles)
- Maintenance or pay-go funded building infrastructure
- Modernization of cybersecurity, including hardware, software, and protection of critical infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, aside from “government services” being the most flexible use category under the Final Rule it continues to impose restrictions on use of the Funds, including offset a reduction in net tax revenue, deposit into pension funds, no debt service or replenishing financial services; no satisfaction of settlements and judgments; and
WHEREAS, the Township has elected to use the Standard Allowance by way of Resolution No. 04-2024 and its presumption of revenue loss due to public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Township has identified a project which, in the judgment of its board, qualifies as a permitted use of the Funds, in direct support of governmental services, which consists of the following:
The use $30,000.00 from the ARPA funds to install a new softball field at the East Union Township Park (“Project”).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Township Trustees of East Union Township, Wayne County, Ohio that:
Section 1. The Township elects to use the Standard Allowance and its presumption of revenue loss due to the public health emergency and to use the amount authorized herein to fund government services, namely the afore-identified Project.
Section 2. The Project is hereby authorized and shall be paid for from the Funds in the amount not to exceed: $30,000.00.
It is hereby declared that all formal actions of this Board concerning and relating to the adoption of this Resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Board, and that all deliberations of the Board which resulted in passage of this resolution were taken in meetings open to the public, in full compliance with the requirements of Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22.
It was seconded by Mr. Jim Miller
A roll call vote was taken:
Joseph Rabatin YES
Jim Miller YES
Daniel Hodge YES
Mr. Jim Miller stated he would like to use some of the ARPA Funds to put a digital sign at the Fire Station.
JEDD II – Mr. Jim Miller informed the Board there was nothing to report and they are not scheduled to meet for two months.
Mr. Daniel Hodge and Mr. Jim Miller attended the Board of the Wooster Hospital Board meeting on January 17, 2024 at 6:00 PM. They presented a check for $3,000.00 to the Township from the Hospital Board. A motion to deposit the $3,000.00 into the Park Fund was made by Mr. Jim Miller and seconded by Mr. Joseph Rabatin with Mr. Daniel Hodge concurring.
Mr. Daniel Hodge informed the Board he met with Mr. Jeff Kaufman and was informed Mr. Kaufman was going to do his best to make Ms. Smucker responsible for all the taxes on the solar panel property for the increased valve.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Page #7 of February 1, 2024 mins.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Fire Station.
A motion to adjourn at 8:55 pm was made by Mr. Jim Miller and seconded by Mr. Joseph Rabatin with Mr. Daniel Hodge concurring.