I. Call To Order

John Beattie called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Clayton Community Center.

II. Members In Attendance:

Clayton:
John Beattie
Steve Gross
Don Hutchinson
Janice Ward

Absent:
Robert Peters

Randolph Township
Don Imbus
Joyce Deitering
Debbie Lieberman
Mike Longo

Absent:
Tim Gorman

Ex-Officio Members Attending:
John Simmons
Gary Vest
Brian Elkins
Dave Evans
Ted Gudorf
Charlie Ward

III.Minutes Of The February 6, 1995 Meeting

96-03Motion to approve and second vote: all members in favor

IV. Guest Speaker Mike Ratcliff, Trotwood City Manager

Mr. Ratcliff served as Co-Chair of the Trotwood-Madison Merger Commission, which began in 1991. Their merger was a response to annexation from the City of Dayton. The Trotwood School Board, the Township Trustees, and the City Council had a meeting to address their concerns. There were conflicts in the past between the respective groups. Yet, they developed five common goals:
1) Protect the integrity of the Trotwood-Madison community;
2) Stabilize the boundaries and the tax base;
3) Maximize salt-control over the direction, growth and development of the government;
4) Provide the most cost effective government for local residents; and,
5) Enhance opportunities for economic development.

Merger was the only option for Trotwood-Madison. They hired an outside firm to help them with the process. The goal of the merger is to provide every resident with a quality of life that it is equal to or better than the conditions before the merger. Mr. Ratcliff outlined their merger commission process and structure.

V. Guest Speaker Benjamin Marsh, Attorney

Mr. Marsh is a legal consultant on the merger process. His firm worked with Trotwood-Madison and Cuyahoga Falls- Northampton Township. He gave the commission insight into how his firm interacts with the governmental legal counsel.

VI. Finance Report - Mr. Imbus said the Finance Committee does not have a written report. He ask for budget information from the respective committees.

VII.Structure Report -

Mr. Beattie said the committee met earlier evening. They discussed the ward structure. The year 2000 appears to be a potential target date. Mr. Beattie spoke with Eric Frayer of Miami University. Mr. Frayer will be at the next meeting is March 19, 1996, at 6:30 p.m. Bill Forbes, the Village Solicitor, said we can set the time of the merger when ever we want. He said that all elected officials of both communities will end their term at the time of the merger. We need to consider the codification exceptions made in both Riverside and Trotwood.

VIII.Safety Committee -

Mr. Vest said the committee met on February 13, 1996. Randolph Twp. Asst. Chief Bergman compiled an assessment of resources and equipment for the fire department. Lt. Potts provided an estimate of costs for uniform and equipment marking for the police department.

IV. Services -

Mrs. Lieberman reported that the township has 97 miles of roads. They anticipate the addition of a leaf sweeper, 3 trucks, and 2 full-time employees. Their next meeting is March 19, 1996, at 6:00 p.m.

Mr. Ted Gudorf told the committee that Randolph Township and spent $50,000 on a land use plan. He suggested we look at different forms of government, including a safety service director. St. Mary's Ohio has this form of government.

X. Visitors

Ben Marsh of Marsh & McAdams Law Firm, Janet Gantt, Phil Sussman, Max Haney, Jean Haney, Sam Cox, Franklin Cohn, Jim Henderson, Bill Schindler, Scott Theibert, and Jim Campfish.

Visitor Comments:
Mr. Phil Sussman ask about the bridges. Mr. Imbus said we are working with the County Engineer's Office to have bridge repair completed where needed before the merger.

XI. End of Meeting

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

John Beattie, Co-Chair Gary Vest, Secretary