Pledge

President Michael Parker called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Roll Call:

Roll call indicated that all the Trustees were present, also present was Phillip David, Fiscal Officer/Zoning Inspector and Road Superintendent Andy Dunlap.

Minutes 

Mr. Stewart moved to approve the minutes for the January 4, 2024 meeting, Mr. Leber seconded the motion. Roll was called, with all present answering yes; motion carried.

Guests

Clark and Tiffany Garris and their daughter Millisa were present at the meeting, to see what was being done about the businesses that are being operated out of the buildings across the road from their house. (corner of Taylor and Campbell Street). After listening to Mr. David’s Zoning report, they were satisfied that something was being done. Mr. David told them to be patient about their complaint because the legal system moves slowly.

Zoning Report:

Mr. David said he had been in contact with Tim King at Erie Regional Planning and Assistant Erie County Prosecutor Charles Bennet, concerning the zoning complaint about the property at the corner of Taylor and Campbell Street. The property is zoned Agricultural and is being used for two Commercial venues, which is a none conforming use of the property. Mr. David said a registered letter is being sent to Mr. Schenk informing him of the violation. Mr. David said there is two ways that Mr. Schenk could correct the situation, one would be changing the property classification to Commercial, or to file for a Conditional Use. Both would require Mr. Shenk to file for a hearing in front of the Zoning Appeals Board. Mr. David said he wasn’t in favor of a zoning change to Commercial because that would be spot zoning, either way the surrounding property owners would be able to attend the meeting and voice their objections.

Mr. David reported that he was working with the contractor who is building John and Emily Mann’s new house at 8341 Patten Tract Road. He said the contractor is still gathering the sewer and water tap paper work needed to issue a permit.

Road Superintendent: 

Mr. Dunlap reported that the Columbia Gas had changed the meter at the Complex because it had a small leak and wasn’t reading correctly.

Mr. Dunlap reported that with help from Margretta and Groton Township, they were going to tear the paver down and do a much-needed service and repair. He said they were going to redo the burner boxes which keep the asphalt hot while they are paving. He said the clutch and bearings need gone thru and replaced. He said the tires needed replaced, he said they were hard to find, but pricing the tires he managed to find them for $1750.00 from Ohio Tire Terminal. Mr. Dunlap said cost of the overhaul had been approved by all three Townships and it was agreed the cost for the repairs would be divided by the three Townships.

Mr. Dunlap reported that he had gotten the bids back for the new purposed salt shed. He said for a new 24 X 40 hoop barn, the price would be $42,683.00, for a 24 X 40 pole barn with treated wood liner and four foot on center post spacing across the back wall the cost would be $43,070. After some discussion Mr. Stewart moved that Mr. Dunlap apply for a grant thru the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, H2Ohio Rivers Initiative: Chloride Reduction Grants, Mr. Leber seconded the motion. Roll was called, with all present answering yes; motion carried. Mr. Dunlap said he would get it filed.

Trustees: 

Mr. Leber – said he didn’t have anything to report at this time.

Mr. Parker – said he didn’t have anything to report at this time.

Mr. Stewart – reported that he had finally gotten some literature from Valley Ford for the new 2024 Freightliner Dump Trucks. They were distributed and reviewed by the Trustees.

Fiscal Officer 

Mr. David distributed copies of Resolution 2024-01-01 to the Trustees for their approval; 

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-01-01

Authorizing Expenditure from American Rescue Plan Act Funds

       _______________________________                                                                                   

   Be It Resolved by the Township Trustees of Oxford Township, Erie County, Ohio

WHEREAS, this date January 18, 2024 Trustee Stewart moved for the adoption of        the following Resolution:

WHEREAS, the Township has received a distribution of monies (the “ARPA Funds”) from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA” or the “Act”); and

WHEREAS, Congress passed the Act effective March 11, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Section 603 created the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund which, among other things, appropriated money to cities, nonentitlement units of local government, and counties to mitigate the fiscal effects stemming from the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19); and

WHEREAS, Section 603(c) generally provides that:

(1) USE OF FUNDS. Subject to paragraph (2), and except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), a metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county shall only use the funds provided under a payment made under this section to cover costs incurred by the metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county, by December 31, 2024 -

(A) to respond to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality;

(B) to respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID–19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers of the metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county that are performing such essential work, or by providing grants to eligible employers that have eligible workers who perform essential work;

(C) for the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue of such metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county due to the COVID–19 public health emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year of the metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of local government, or county prior to the emergency; or

(D) to make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.

WHEREAS, Department of Treasury Final Rule, published on January 6, 2022, 

            and effective April 1, 2022, provides in part that:

Treasury presumes that up to $10 million in revenue has been lost due to the public health emergency and recipients are permitted to use that amount (not to exceed the award amount) to fund “government services.”  [The “standard allowance”].

WHEREAS, the Rule further observes that:

The standard allowance provides an estimate of revenue loss that is based on an extensive analysis of average revenue loss across states and localities, and offers a simple, convenient way to determine revenue loss particularly for Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund’s smallest recipients. This change is intended to promote administrative efficiency and simply revenue loss calculation for smaller recipients. 

WHEREAS, the Rule further clarifies that recipients can use:

SLFRF funds on government services up to the revenue loss amount, whether that be the standard allowance amount or the amount calculated using the [Final Rule four-step process].  Government services generally include any service traditionally provided by a government, unless treasury has stated otherwise.

 WHEREAS, some common examples of “government services” expressly recognized 

             by the 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

WHEREAS, “Government services is [deemed by Treasury] the most flexible eligible use category under the SLFRF program, and funds are subject to streamlined reporting and compliance requirements;” and

WHEREAS, funds utilized pursuant to the standard revenue loss allowance continue to have certain restrictions, including:

• Deposit into pension funds 

• Satisfaction of settlements or judgments 

• Contributions to financial reserves or “rainy day” fund

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has identified a project which, in the judgment of the Board, qualifies as a permitted use of the ARPA Funds, in direct support of governmental services, which consists of the following:

Provide and install (1) 50-foot 110k, btu radiant tube heater in North bay.

Provide and install thermostat

Provide and install gas service line from tap brought to building by others

Provide lift to hang heater

Provide and install exhaust pipe through East side wall

All high voltage to be done by others

All permits to be provided by others or billed separate

Provide start up. (the “Project”).

NOW THEREFORE, it is hereby RESOLVED by the Board that: 

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

2. The Project is hereby authorized and shall be paid for from the ARPA Funds in the amount of not to exceed: $5,900.00 

3. The Project described herein serves the objectives of the Act by providing services traditionally provided by a government, namely:

x Public infrastructure

Trustee Leber seconded the Motion, and thereupon, the votes in favor of this Resolution were recorded and reflected by the signatures hereto.

Complete Resolution Available Upon Request 

Mr. Leber – yes

Mr. Parker – yes

Mr. Stewart – yes

Communications

There were no communications to review.

Old Business

There was no old business to discuss.

New Business:  

Mr. Stewart moved to pay the bills in the amount of $45,478.76, Mr. Leber seconded the motion, roll was called, with all present answering yes; motion carried.

No further business, Mr. Stewart moved the meeting be adjourned.