Oxford Township Trustees                                           Back to MinutesMay 12, 2008

ITEM

Call to Order 64-08

Bid Opening for Truck Body, Snow Plow and Salt Spreader 65-08

Approval of Agenda 66-08

Recognition of Guests 67-08

Presentation of Oxford Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan 68-09

Approval to Table the of Oxford Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan 69-08

Approval of Minutes of April 14, 2008 70-08

Approval of Financial Report 71-08

Approval of Appropriation Modifications 72-08

Standing Items 73-08

Other Items 74-08

Approval to Replace Six Batteries on the Weather Warning Sirens 75-08

Acceptance of Bid for Truck Body, Snow Plow and Salt Spreader 76-08

Approval to Pay Bills 77-08

Executive Session 78-08

Adjournment 79-08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oxford Township Trustees

Minutes

May 12, 2008

 

64-08 Call to Order

At 7:00 p.m., Mr. McDonough called the meeting to order at the Oxford Township Building.

Present: Mr. McDonough, Mr. Salmon, Mr. Frimerman

Absent: None

65-08 Bid Opening for Truck Body, Snow Plow and Salt Spreader

Mr. Rowan stated that one bid was received from J.W. Devers & Sons, Inc and Chief Goins stated that Constable Van Winkle was standing by the post office at 7:00 p.m. to confirm that no additional bids were received.

Mr. Rowan stated the bid submitted by J.W. Devers & Sons, Inc was in the amount of $34,765.00 and included a bid bond and statement indicating that there were no delinquent personal property taxes. Mr. Rowan stated the public estimate was $36,000. Mr. McDonough asked Mr. Hoelle to review the bid to ensure that the bid was submitted in accordance with the specifications.

66-08 Approval of Agenda

Mr. Salmon moved, Mr. Frimerman seconded the motion to approve the agenda as amended.

Aye: Mr. Frimerman, Mr. McDonough, Mr. Salmon

Nay: None

Mr. McDonough declared the motion carried 3-0

67-08 Recognition of Guests

Mr. Alan Kyger introduced himself as the new Director of Economic Development for the City of Oxford and stated he was looking forward to working with the Trustees. Mr. Kyger reported that the Oxford CIC formed a partnership with the Miami Heritage Tech Park and would be working together to seek grant funding.

 

 

 

 

68-08 Presentation of Oxford Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Mr. Jim Rubenstein presented the Oxford Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan that was prepared by a citizens committee of 15 appointed in March 2007 by the Oxford Township Trustees. The draft plan was presented in April 2008. Upon approval by the Oxford Township Trustees it would be forwarded to the Butler County Planning Commission for approval. Mr. Rubenstein stated he would like the draft placed on the website for public review as soon as possible. Mr. Rubenstein stated the public response has been positive and non-controversial.

Comments from audience:

Gerald Norris expressed concern over how the remaining land would be utilized under the clustering scenario. Mr. Norris had no problem with a conservation easement but stated more public participation is needed to show other options prior to approval by the county. Mr. Frimerman asked if the five acre lots could be further subdivided. Mr. Rubenstein stated that sewers would be the driving force behind subdividing the property.

Joanne Martin asked what was meant by "encouragement" under the proposed conservation development. Mr. Rubenstein stated the plan is more strategic in nature and is not meant to micro-manage the actual implementation. Mr. Rubenstein stated that conservation development is tough to achieve at this moment and the goal is to remove the barriers to make it more preferable. The conservation development was meant to provide economic incentives to the land owner.

Bob Sherman stated that there are number of things that are left out of the plan that are important. Bob Sherman stated that additional statements should be made regarding what is desired and preferred but doesn’t necessarily exclude other possibilities from consideration. Bob Sherman expressed concern over the fiscal viability section in that the plan lacks detail in building the economic base to support public services. Bob Sherman stated that assist living developments would cause growth in the tax base without impacting public services dramatically. Bob Sherman suggested that the plan include a list of acceptable developments. Mr. Rubenstein stated that a Joint Economic Development District was suggested to generate additional taxes to the City of Oxford and Oxford Township through non-residential developments. Mr. McDonough stated that light industry is needed to generate some additional revenue but has been difficult to attract. Bob Sherman stated the criteria for identifying environmentally sensitive properties in the Plan such as flood plain and wood lots are currently permissible to build. Mr. Coe Potter stated that landowners would retain the same legal rights regardless of the environmentally sensitive areas outlined in the Plan. Mr. Rubenstein stated the Plan suggests additional care when developing in sensitive areas. Mr. Rubenstein stated the Plan was intended to provide more options rather than restricting options.

Bernadette Unger stated that the neighborhood of Springwood fully supports the plan as presented.

Jenny Gelber stated the Brown Road Corridor Association fully supports the plan as presented.

Coe Potter stated that resolutions should be presented to the Butler County Planning Commission in support of the plan.

Ashor Seidel expressed concern with certain developments negatively impacting residential property values thus reducing revenue to the Township.

69-08 Approval to Table the of Oxford Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Mr. Salmon moved, Mr. Frimerman seconded the motion to table the Oxford Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan contingent upon finalizing the plan with the inclusion of the following items:

Encourage development patterns to keep large parcels of agricultural land intact.

Additional language not precluding certain types of development.

Language stating that development is not prohibited in environmentally sensitive land.

Delete bullet 2 on page 33

Mr. McDonough stated the work session would be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Oxford Township Building. Mr. Rubenstein stated he would update the draft plan and circulate it to the committee and get it up on the website for public review.

Aye: Mr. Salmon, Mr. Frimerman, Mr. McDonough

Nay: None

Mr. McDonough declared the motion carried 3-0.

70-08 Approval of Minutes of April 14, 2008

Mr. Frimerman moved, Mr. Salmon seconded the motion to approve the minutes of April 14, 2008 as presented.

Aye: Mr. Frimerman, Mr. Salmon, Mr. McDonough

Nay: None

Mr. McDonough declared the motion carried 3-0

71-08 Approval of Financial Report

Mr. Rowan presented the financial report and indicated that the $1,200,000 in the form of a certificate of deposit was maturing on May 14th and would be renewed for 30 days. Mr. Rowan stated that a few advances are still pending for the Gasoline Tax Fund and Road and Bridge Fund.

Mr. Salmon stated that a settlement has been reached with a former police officer as a result of a termination costing the Township $2,500 in the form of a deductible. Mr. Salmon stated that there were no winners in the case. Mr. McDonough stated the insurance company paid approximately $20,000 on behalf of the Township.

Mr. Frimerman moved, Mr. Salmon seconded the motion to approve the financial report as presented.

Aye: Mr. Frimerman, Mr. Salmon, Mr. McDonough

Nay: None

Mr. McDonough declared the motion carried 3-0

72-08 Approval of Appropriation Modifications

Mr. Rowan stated that appropriation modifications continue to cover costs associated with maintenance/repair of vehicles, purchase of salt and other types of expenses. Mr. McDonough stated that problems are starting to occur on Ringwood Road that will need to be addressed. Mr. Rowan stated we may need to consider a General Fund transfer to cover some of the unanticipated expenses.

Mr. Frimerman moved, Mr. Salmon seconded the motion to approve the appropriation modifications as presented.

Aye: Mr. Frimerman, Mr. Salmon, Mr. McDonough

Nay: None

Mr. McDonough declared the motion carried 3-0

73-08 Standing Items

-Cemetery Report

-Mr. McDonough stated he is having difficulty getting help on the cemetery.

-Road Report

-Mr. Hoelle provided a road report to the Trustees.

-Police Report

-Chief Goins provided a police report to the Trustees.

-Committee Reports

Comprehensive Plan/Land Use

Oxford Township

-Presented earlier in the meeting.

Oxford City

-Mr. Frimerman stated the City is seeking public input. Mr. Frimerman stated there is commonality with the Township and the City Comprehensive Land Use Plans. Mr. Frimerman stated that there are some differences as it relates to the Tech Park on South 27 and there seems to be some controversy over the proposed development.

Emergency Management Meeting

-No Report

Community Improvement Corporation (CIC)

-Partnered with Miami Heritage Tech Park to seek grant funding.

74-08 Other Items

Mr. McDonough stated that he has received a petition of over 100 signatures opposing a proposed thoroughfare.

Mr. Salmon presented a letter from Len Endress regarding batteries for weather warning sirens. Estimated costs to fix the three batteries that are damaged are $1,675 or to replace all six would be $3,350. Mr. Salmon stated that Len Endress has been replacing these for us at no cost and he is retiring in the near future. Mr. Salmon asked if we should replace all six while he is still available to install them. Mr. McDonough expressed the Township’s appreciation for all that Les Endress has provided.

75-08 Approval to Replace Six Batteries on the Weather Warning Sirens

Mr. Frimerman moved, Mr. McDonough seconded the motion to approve the purchase of 6 batteries for the weather warning sirens at an approximate cost of $3,350.

Aye: Mr. Frimerman, Mr. McDonough, Mr. Salmon

Nay: None

Mr. McDonough declared the motion carried 3-0.

76-08 Acceptance of Bid for Truck Body, Snow Plow and Salt Spreader

Mr. Hoelle reported that the bid was submitted in accordance with the published specifications.

Mr. Frimerman moved, Mr. Salmon seconded the motion to accept the bid from J.W. Devers & Sons, Inc in the amount of $34,765.

Aye: Mr. Frimerman, Mr. Salmon, Mr. McDonough

Nay: None

Mr. McDonough declared the motion carried 3-0.

77-08 Approval to Pay Bills

Mr. Frimerman moved, Mr. Salmon seconded the motion to approve the payment of bills.

Aye: Mr. Frimerman, Mr. Salmon, Mr. McDonough

Nay: None

Mr. McDonough declared the motion carried 3-0

78-08 Executive Session

No executive session was held.

 

 

79-08 Adjournment

At 9:30 p.m., Mr. Frimerman moved, Mr. Salmon seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting.

Aye: Mr. Frimerman, Mr. Salmon, Mr. McDonough

Nay: None

Mr. McDonough declared the motion carried 3-0

 

Respectfully submitted,

James M. Rowan, Fiscal Officer

 

 

Trustee Trustee

 

Trustee Fiscal Officer