Thursday, June 26, 2008

June 2008 Township Update

Welcome to this month's issue of Talk of the Township. There are several items in this issue which are very timely and relate to making sure we maintain a quality community.

The Delimma of Storm Debris

Sylvania Township has been receiving numerous phone calls and emails regarding storm debris pickup from residents expecting us to pick-up storm debris that has been placed in the roadway by residents. At the same time, we have also been fielding phone calls from residents who are complaining about neighbors who are placing yard debris in the roadway, obstructing parking spaces, making it difficult to see on-coming and cross traffic, and unsightly refuse piles. Who should we respond to, those expecting additional services or those who believe their neighbors are not tending their own lawns appropriately?

So let me start off with our policy on brush pickup. We provide brush pickup services twice a year, once in April and once in September. There is no policy to pick up storm-related debris after severe storms go through the area. On a case-by-case basis, trustees (former and current) have directed the public works department to perform brush pickup in certain areas and after certain severe weather. But there was no consistency with regard to when it was done, who received the services, or what other projects may suffer in order to provide this un-stated service.

Where does that leave us with regard to the current brush piles located in some roadways? At our last regular meeting, the trustees discussed the issue and agreed that we could not pull our crews off of some very necessary and important infrastructure jobs for the 4-5 weeks it would take to complete a township-wide brush pick-up. These infrastructure projects include long-delayed maintenance of Schlicker Ditch to prevent flooding, asphalt patching, roadside mowing, street sweeping, catch basin and storm drain repairs and resurfacing projects.

In 2008 we received $599,000 in grants and loans from the Ohio Public Works Commission for local road resurfacing and reconstruction projects. We are required to complete certain services and projects in order to receive these monies. If we do not complete these projects, in violation of our agreements, we default on the current loans and grants, and hinder our ability to receive additional loans and grants in the future.

These projects maintain our infrastructure which contributes to a quality community. If we divert resources to brush pickup, we are in essence emphasizing aesthetic priorities over the need to keep our infrastructure maintained. In the long run, failing infrastructure will be more detrimental to our community than unsightly debris in roadways after storms.

This fall's brush pickup will start September 8. If you wish to dispose of yard waste prior to that, I would encourage you to contact your private refuse company or use the free drop-off facility maintained by the Lucas County Solid Waste District at 6505 West Bancroft St.

If you have placed debris in the street in front of your house, I suggest you remove it; it is illegal to obstruct the roadway as it interferes with road safety and street sweeping. Help keep our community clean.

7510 Wind River Drive

"Public notice has been posted pursuant to Ohio Revised Code §505.86 that the Sylvania Township Board of Trustees intends to conduct a hearing on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. at the Sylvania Township Hall located at 4927 Holland-Sylvania Road, Lucas County, Ohio to determine if the structure located at 7510 Wind River Drive, Sylvania, Ohio is unsecured, unsafe or structurally defective and if so, whether the structure should be removed, repaired or otherwise secured."

Many residents have inquired about this property since it was the subject of a sever fire in October 2006. The township has worked diligently within our legal powers to address the concerns of our community working with county agencies and other stakeholders. This process has led us to the meeting mentioned above.

Due to the legal rights of interested parties, and the legal obligation of the Board of Trustees, I cannot comment beyond letting residents know that this hearing has been scheduled.

Fire Department Overtime

Earlier this year, after the fire levy was passed, a document was put together by several members of the Fire Department regarding the cost of overtime and the potential benefit of hiring more firefighters in an effort to reduce overtime. This report seemed to indicate that overtime would almost be eliminated if three firefighters were to be hired into the department.

Unfortunately, further review of the information indicated problems with the assumptions, calculations and methodology used. At our June 17 trustee meeting, Fire Chief Welsh acknowledged that the data used to make calculations was inaccurate and the methodology was flawed.

Reality is that numerous factors contribute to overtime, including training schedules, family and medical leave, military leave, minimum manning, shift holdovers, large incidents, etc. While hiring an additional fire fighter may lower some categories of overtime, it will actually increase other categories of overtime.

I am constantly reviewing financial information to make sure we are operating as efficiently as possible while maintaining the high level of services our community is used to. This includes analyzing the affects of recalling firefighters from laid-off status. At this point, due to retirements, etc., we have been able to recall two of the three laid-off firefighters. We are maintaining 52 firefighters on staff until we begin to receive the proceeds of the 1.25 mill levy next February, at which time we can begin to implement the staffing proposals of the levy.

Rocket Ventures and the LCIC

Recently, the township was approached about investing in Rocket Ventures, a venture capital group, via our membership in the Lucas County Improvement Corporation (LCIC). County Commissioner Pete Gerken encouraged the member entities of the LCIC to invest with the prospect of great returns. I have looked into the possibility of Sylvania Township 'investing' in Rocket Ventures via the LCIC and what I have found out concerns me greatly when it comes to the role of the LCIC and its member entities.

Point blank, townships are not allowed to make an investment in a venture capital fund. We are restricted to 'safe' investments, so that the taxpayers' money is not put at risk. Further review of the rules regarding townships and Community Improvement Corpoations (CICs) indicate that townships are allowed to make financial contributions to CICs to help defray administrative expenses, but we are not allowed to give additional monies.

Basically, the suggestion that the township's use the LCIC to side-step our restrictions on 'safe' investments is not allowed under the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). This attempt to invest in a venture capital fund by way of the LCIC is illegal and something that I will not support.

I have also talked to several people regarding the county's ability to make such an investment. Per my conversations, the county is under similar restrictions regarding their investments and therefore a direct investment in Rocket Ventures would not be allowed under the ORC. Sidestepping those laws by using the LCIC is, in my opinion, highly suspect as well.

It is my opinion that the LCIC should not be used to by-pass the laws established for the safekeeping of taxpayer funds. If our member entities cannot directly make this investment, we should not allow the LCIC to be used as a middleman. I am opposed to the LCIC making an investment in Rocket Ventures on behalf of member entities. If member entities have the ability to make the investment (or believe they have the ability to make the investment) they should do so directly and not drag the LCIC into this issue.
Thank you for joining me in this township update. I encourage you to forward it on to other township residents and businesses.

Sincerely,

DeeDee Liedel
Sylvania Township Trustee