St. Albans Township/Alexandria Merger Commission Meeting

Agenda/Minutes 4/16/25

1. Call to order, pledge of allegiance

Chairperson Carianne Meng calls to Order the St. Albans Township/Alexandria Merger Commission Meeting of April 15, 2025 at 7:02PM.

2. Committee Member Roll Call:  

Baer: Present / Not Present 

Barnes: Present /Not Present 

Burton: Present /Not Present

Lodder: Present / Not Present

Meng: Present / Not Present 

Robertson: Present / Not Present 

Schiller: Present / Not Present 

Taylor: Present / Not Present

Thorpe: Present / Not Present  

Zanks: Present / Not Present 

Two Commission members, Thorpe and Zanks, have been unable to attend meetings due to unavoidable and legitimate circumstances. Member Thorpe is undergoing treatment for a cancer diagnosis and, as an immuno-compromised individual, is unable to participate in public gatherings according to his care team. Member Zanks experienced a career change after the Commission’s formation, resulting in a work schedule that directly conflicts with our meeting times. Both members have remained informed of the Commission’s work and findings throughout their absences.

Additional Attendees:

Zac Walker, Tad VanNess, David Lees, Mitch Peters

3. Review and Approval of Minutes

Minutes from St. Albans Township/Alexandria Merger Commission Meeting 4/2/25

Barnes made a motion; seconded by Lodder, to approve the 4/2/25 minutes. All in favor?

Chair declares motion failed / carried. 

4. Old Business 

Flood plain and plat review – tabled; Barnes to reach out.

Payments from Village and Township in process.

Discussion of Plank Law Responses and current Merger Condition draft: 

ORC 709.462 outlines the process: the commission will need a collective report that addresses reasoning behind adopting each condition. Meng to create a table of contents for this report if the commission agrees to move the merger to ballot.

5. New Business

Financial review:
-Removed failed 2024 fire levy revenue

-Removed failed road and bridge levy

–Removed fire levy expenses associated with 2024

–Will use gasoline tax to cover what isn’t paid by the road and bridge levy

-Discussion of “savings” vs expenditures

-Current finances presented are “worst case scenario”
General Updates:

Future Timeline for Approval for Ballot

Each member of the Commission will need to have a statement/report that is read into the minutes that summarizes why they voted the way they voted about putting the merger on the ballot.

Target date: Wednesday, April 16 is the latest date for lawyered conditions to be in the Commission Members’ hands

Target date: Wednesday, May 14 is our deadline to have the Commission Decision about whether to put the merger on the ballot. We will meet on this date at 7PM. STATEMENT TEMPLATE HERE.

6. Citizen Comments (3-minute time limit)

Lees asked about money in road signs, Peters provided to VanNess

7. Meeting Announcements

May 14, 2024, 7PM

8. Adjournment
Robertson made a motion; seconded by to Lodder adjourn.
All in favor? Chair declares motion carried / failed. 

Chairperson Meng declares the meeting adjourned at 8:10PM.