The Chester Township Board of Trustees met in regular session Thursday, March 24, 2005, in the Town Hall Meeting Room at 6:31 p.m.  Chairman Charles R. Stevens, presided.

 

All trustees and the clerk present.

 

PLEDGE

 

The Board led the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

PUBLIC INPUT/QUESTIONS

 

No input/questions from the audience.

 

PRESENTATIONS

MBI SOULUTIONS, INC.

 

Presentation by Paul Hutsonpillar, MBI Solutions, regarding Ambulance and Emergency Service billing process and procedures.  The process begins with a 911 call.  After the transport is validated from paperwork completed by rescue personnel, the system will electronically send an invoice to an insurance provider.  In addition, only non-residents will receive an invoice requesting payment for their deductible or co-pay amounts.  MBI Solutions, Inc.’s fee is 10% of the gross amount collected.  All charges associated with this program would be deducted, and the balance forwarded to Chesterland Fire Rescue, Inc.  It is estimated that once the program is up and running for a year, the collections could amount to about $150,000.00 annually.  If emergency service is needed without a transport, no fee will be charged.

 

Nick Gattozzi, Jr. from Key Bank was present to clarify any financial questions which were raised.

 

Discussion ensued regarding use of a lock box for the funds collected from the insurance companies to Chester Fire Rescue, Inc. including all fees for use of the lock box. 

 

Chesterland Fire Rescue, Inc. will be setting up another informational meeting on the billing for emergency services within the next month along with a flyer being published in the Chesterland News so if there are any questions which may arise when this ambulance billing takes effect, then the concerns of the public can be addressed.  The Board of Trustees will also attend this meeting. 

 

CHESTER FIRE RESCUE, INC.

 

Fire Chief William Russell of Chesterland Fire Rescue, Inc. and William Laditka, Sr., President, of Chesterland Fire Rescue, Inc. presented the Organizations Strategic Plan for 2005-2009 giving a summary of their current responders’ certification, equipment, and equipment needs.  The department presently has six firefighters, two EMT—B’s, one EMT-1 and 32 FF-EMT’s.  The department’s vehicle replacement schedules consists of one 1995 Brush vehicle to be replaced this year, one inspector vehicle to be replaced in 2006, one 1987 engine to be replaced in 2007, and a 1994 squad unit scheduled to be replaced for 2007. 

 

Current levies for fire and rescue services generate approximately $910,000.00 annually with a 1985 0.5 mill levy that generates about $75,000.00 per year which expires at the end of this year.

 

Chief Russell read a letter as a preamble to the Chesterland Fire Rescue Strategic Planning presentation (attached to the minutes).

 

Comment raised from the floor regarding a survey taken in regards to the future of the needs of the community.

 

G-TV PRESENTATION

 

Geauga Local Access Cable Corporation Manager David Jevnikar provided the Board a percentage sampling of access channel programming if Chester Township joined in.  G-TV operates in a community utilizing their cable franchise fee to be used for program funding by entering into a 1, 2, 3 or more year agreement between the Township and G-TV.  Chester receives approximately $30,000.00 a year from Adelphia in franchise fees. 

 

Mr. Jevnikar explained that overall programming is provided on three levels and shared among those communities that have a relevant connection to the expense incurred or the event covered.  All administrative costs, all equipment purchases, and programming of county-wide interest are shared by all funding communities in proportion to the amount the communities have contributed from their franchise fees.  School programming is provided in direct proportion to the school population residing in our service area. 

 

Comments taken from the audience included one person in favor of spending the franchise fee monies for a public access channel, and one person against the idea based on the priority of taking down the old Chester School or using the money toward developing of Chester’s North Park for recreation purposes. 

 

Trustees offered their individual comments regarding this subject and an invitation will be extended to Dr. Podojil, Superintendent of the West Geauga School District, to attend a future meeting with the Board of Trustees.  This subject will be addressed in May, 2005, for further discussion.

 

TRUSTEE DISCUSSION

 

2005-142.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve paying the Administrative Assistant for vacation earned but not received in the amount of $437.60 based on her 1997 hourly wage.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Discussion of the information prepared by Mr. Stevens regarding the future development of the Chester North Park.  This matter to be discussed at the April 7, 2005, Board of Trustees meeting. 

 

2005-143.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve an Application for Use of the Chester Town Hall Parking Lot by the West Geauga Kiwanis for the set up of ball teams for the 4th of July Parade on July 4, 2005, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-144.    Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign Boy Scout Proclamation for Reed

Wayne Ruthenberg on his attainment of the Eagle Scout Award to be presented on

Sunday, April 3, 2005.  Clerk’s note:  the celebration will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Willoughby, Ohio.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-145.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign letter addressed to Mr. Joe Sulak,

Chester Township, regarding violation of Chester Twp. Policy 1301, Appendix D, of the Chester Township Policy Manual public nuisance.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-146.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign letter addressed to Jeremy  Iosue,

Gortz and Associates, Beachwood, Ohio, confirming their attendance at the April 7th BOT meeting and request for a proposal for drug and alcohol use and testing policy and proposal for updating our Policy Manual to be in compliance with State Law.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Discussion of public notification program for Storm Water Education Program; cost is

$99.00 to advertise in the Geauga Times Courier Newspaper to publicize four informational meetings to be located in Chester Town Hall.  Mr. Stevens will investigate this matter due to the possible misinformation received regarding the cost for this advertisement.

 

Mr. Stevens will be attending the Health District Advisory Council on March 29, 2005.

 

CLERK

 

2005-147.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve Trustee Mula and Chief Orosz to attend a

liquor hearing with TAP LLC (Clark Gas Station) in the County Commissioners Office at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2005.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Clerk Austin explained the Amended Certificate of Amended Resources totaling $6,111,896.81 for all resources.  The Department Heads have submitted their Permanent Appropriations for 2005 to the Clerk.  Some adjustments will be made some time during the year for the Road Department to the permanent appropriations for 2005.  There is only one change to the Police Department permanent appropriations for 2005.   Detailed explanation by Clerk Austin of the amounts on the Amended Certificate of Amended Resources.  The total appropriated amount is $5,267,488.34.  The carry over is considerably less than last year.    

 

2005-148.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign the Chester Township

Permanent Appropriations Resolution for 2005 for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005, in the amount of $5,272.488.34.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Roll call vote:  Mr. Montague, yes; Mrs. Mula; Mr. Stevens, yes.  Resolution passed.

 

Mrs. Mula complimented the Clerk on the compilation of the above report.

 

2005-149.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve that effective April 1, 2005, Chester

Township will bill the insurance companies of residents and bill non-residents and/or their insurance companies for the delivery of ambulance or emergency medical

services that include transportation to an area medical facility.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

                       

2005-150.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve that Chester Township establish the

following rates for providing ambulance or emergency medical services that include

transportation to an area medical facility:  ALS $894.00, ALS2 $617.00, BLS $520.00, Mileage:  $10.55 (per mile).   Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-151.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve that a separate fund be created called the

“Ambulance and Emergency Medical Service Fund” into which all payments will be                         directed.  (These monies can be used to fund all EMS related expenses.)  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-152.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve that the Chester Township Board of Trustees authorizes Chesterland Fire & Rescue to enter into a Billing Service Agreement with MBI Solutions, 4750 Hempstead Station Drive, Kettering, Ohio 45429, for the purpose of billing resident and non-resident ambulance and emergency medical services including transportation to area medical facility.   Mrs. Mula seconded and emphasized that Chester Township residents will not be billed for any deductible for ambulance services.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-153.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve instructing the Chester Township Clerk to

establish a “Lock Box” with Key Bank for the purpose of collecting ambulance or

emergency medical services payments and credit the “Ambulance and Emergency Medical Service Fund”.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-154.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve changing the telephone service provider

from LDMI to SBC for the lines needed in the set up of the new dispatch service with the Sheriff’s Office, 440-729-1234 and 440-729-1235.   Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote: Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-155.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign Purchase Order #PO 22-2005 to

Burnam & Flower Ins. Group, Kalamazoo, Michigan, for $1,465.00 for payment of

the Clerk’s Bond from appropriation #1000-110-383-0000.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-156.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign Purchase Order #PO 23-2005 to

OPERS, Columbus, Ohio, for $53,785.36 for employer share of OPERS from appropriation #2031-330-211-0000 for $13,118.45; appropriation #1000-110-211-0000 for $4,372.82 and appropriation #2081-210-211-0000 $36,294.09 and approve and sign Voucher Warrant #VW46325.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-157.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve moving $75,000.00 to Machinery,

Equipment and Furniture Appropriation #2031-760-740-0000 from appropriation #2031-330-360-0000 Contracted Services.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-158.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign Purchase Order #PO 24-2005 to

Southeastern Equipment Co., Inc., Cambridge, Ohio, for $206,000.00 for one Gradall

Model XL300 Wheeled Hydraulic Excavator from appropriation #2031-760-740-0000. 

Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-159.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign Purchase Order #PO 25-2005 to

Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan, Chardon, Ohio, for $25,000.00 for Chester Twp. vs.

Bank One, etal, litigation from appropriation #1000-110-599-0902.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-160.   Mr. Stevens moved to approve and sign Voucher Warrants #VW 46311 through 46324; Voucher Warrants #VW 46326 through 46348.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Clerk’s note:  The ending # on 3-17-05 was UAN #46310 the beginning # on 3-24-05 is UAN #46311.

 

Mrs. Mula said she may be able to attend the Quarterly Dinner Meeting of the GCTA on Wednesday, April 13th at Pineview Lake in Munson Twp.

 

2005-161.  Mr. Stevens moved to rescind Resolution 2005-117 to Atwell’s Police and Fire Supply, Painesville, Ohio,  and re-issue the same to Shuttler’s Uniform’s in the amount  of $1,500.00 for uniforms and equipment for Officer Cipriano.  Clerk’s Note:  The amount should be allocated from Police Fund #2081-430-0000.   Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-162.    Mr. Stevens moved to approve up to $25.00 for lunch for the Road

Superintendent and the Assistant Road Superintendent when they attend the Equipment

Exhibition and Trade Show on March 30, 2005.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

2005-163.  Mr. Stevens moved to approve up to $75.00 for a wreath for Memorial Day to be used at the 2005 Memorial Day Ceremony in the Chester Twp. Cemetery.  Mrs. Mula seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous.  Motion passed.

 

Mrs. Mula asked about the status of the Financial Report being provided by the Chester Park District.  The Clerk said she had not received any information from the Park District to date.

 

The Clerk advised the Board that she plans to attend the investment classes which will be sponsored by the State Treasurer’s Office this year in Columbus on May 25th & 26th.  The corresponding proposal is forthcoming. 

 

Clerk Austin addressed the matter of Board Resolution 2005-27 regarding the Clerk approving expenses which are necessary and read a letter she received from Rebecca Schlag, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney.  The Clerk requested an apology from the Board of Trustees regarding this matter which was discussed last week. 

 

The Board of Trustees expressed their opinions on this matter. 

 

Trustees Stevens and Montague apologized to the Clerk.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business before the Board, Mr. Stevens adjourned the meeting at 10:19 p.m.

 

                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

__________________________________             ______________________________

Charles R. Stevens, Chairman                                 Karen M. N. Austin, CPA, Clerk

 

 

 

__________________________________              _____________

Patricia M. Mula, Vice-Chairwoman                       Approval Date

 

 

 

__________________________________

James A. Montague, Trustee

 

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