Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. with members Bob Cook, Stacy Phillips, Eleanor Kilmer, Bob Steele and Mike Mocniak present.

Bob started this meeting explaining how we started this entire process with the seven (7) committee members as the blight committee. There were also many residents that would attend their meetings with their own comments and concerns. The ordinance was then written up and approved by the Planning Commission. It then had been taken to the attorney whom at that time wrote up the penalties and enforcements portion of the ordinance, so that it was enforceable in a court of law.
Bob also wanted the residents to know that the largest concern of blight is the R-3 districts because these are the high density areas. There are numerous homes that are abandoning and have numerous blighted conditions which are a concern for the health and welfare of the surrounding homes and properties.
Bob also stated that per the attorney this ordinance was very well written and thought about. The committee did a very good job.

Public Comments: At this time Bob had opened the floor to the public’s questions and concerns.

• Jim McMinn began with commenting that it was very well written and should do the job intended, but he would like to know how to we plan on enforcing the ordinance. He would recommend that we have a job description in effect, and a form prepared that this enforcement officer must sign stating that they will uphold their duty/job and that they do not go outside of this job description. Also, that this enforcement officer is fully aware of what is expected of them. Bob stated that the board is in the process of putting a job description together, along with a possible wage, and he complete agrees with Jim as far as the scope of this enforcement officers job. The board would like to hire someone local and knowledgeable with all the ordinances. This person should be approachable and does not demean the residence. The board would like the enforcement officer to take all the circumstances in account, whether the resident is an elderly person, and can not take care of their blighted condition or in a financial burden to take care of their issue that the resident is given an opportunity to explain this and be able to come to a fair conclusion.

• The question was has the board figured out the budget to determine how much we are going to need if any of these issues go to court. At this time the board has not come up with any figures, but they are aware that this could arise and will budget for it.

• Whom will the enforcement officer ultimately have to answer to if they have a violation, all the board members or just the zoning administrator? When there is a violation it will get handled in the proper manner (as the blight ordinance states) and the Township board will make it’s determinations from there. The board is hoping that any violations will get resolved quickly.

• Will the enforcement officer handle all the complaints that come in by themselves or will they go through the Township board, and then go through the enforcement officer? How will the board keep track of complaints and keep records of how many complaints are coming in? The enforcement officer will have to report to the board on a monthly basis or more if needed. All this depends on what happens initial when the ordinance is passed and the number of complaints that come in to the board and/or enforcement officer.

• What about those properties that have gone back to the state due to back taxes, who is responsible to handle those blighted situations? Bob was not sure and would have to check on that. Chris Yens stated that an option was for the Township to put a tax lean on those properties.
• When would this ordinance take effect? At the next regular board meeting on the 1st of February the board would be voting on whether to adopt the ordinance or not. Then the ordinance would be published and take effect immediately.

• The board and floor then had a discussion on farm machinery and what was considered blight, or used for parts and operable. Bob stated that the intentions of this blight ordinance was not to attack agricultural land and the farm machinery sitting around, but to clean up certain blighted conditions. • The board will prioritize the complaints/issues by where they stem from the most and then go from there.

• This should not affect the taxes the board will determine the budget, to handle the blight ordinance, based on the existing monies that the township already has on hand.

With no other comments or concerns the meeting was motioned for adjournment at 8:10 p.m.