NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2006

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Board of Defiance County Commissioners, 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512 on Thursday, January 12, 2006. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Thomas L. Kime. Also present were Commissioners Richard L. Cromwell and Otto L. Nicely, Lyla Gurwell, Clerk.

8:30 A.M. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Russ Herman met with Commissioners for his biweekly update.

Russ reported that he is currently working on a Lease Agreement between American Ag Fuels and the Defiance County Board of Commissioners. Russ reported that he met with the attorney representing AAF, Erin Strausbaugh and Steve Lankenau (American Ag Fuels). They are currently working out details to move forward with this agreement.

9:00 A.M. General Session - The Commissioners were presented with various resolutions and documents for approval. Commissioners also reviewed agenda items, discussed upcoming meetings and reviewed and updated the calendar of events.

10:00 A.M. Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer met with the Board of Commissioners during his regular session.

Warren brought in an updated Road Right-of-way map that had been handed out during the Annual Defiance County Township and Elected Officials Meeting on January 26, 2006.

The Commissioners received notice of the Adams Ridge Road closure. Portions of the road will be closed intermittently for culvert replacement. There will no emergency access or general public access as noted by Defiance County Engineer.

Warren also discussed the Elliott Road project. The deadline for this paperwork to be complete is April 1^st, 2006.

Warren felt when construction of this project was complete, the drainage in this area will be better than it has been in the past. Warren also indicated that they are not filling in any ditches in the area, just excavating. No one has requested that anything specific be done, also noting that if the property owner wanted any special work done they would have to pay to have it done.

Warren also discussed the Schick Road Canoe Launch. Warren’s technicians were at the site last week setting pins and staking the parking area.

10:30 A.M. Mike Boff – Technician Defiance County Soil & Water came in for a bid opening for the Beerbower Road Ditch project. Shininger Surface Drainage submitted a bid for $3,635.00 and Zenz Farms submitted a bid of $3,699.00. The Commissioners will take the bids under advisement and will make a decision by next week.

11:00 A.M. Liz Keel from Maumee Valley Planning came in to discuss the Community Housing Program (CHIP) with the Commissioners. Liz explained that this program funds housing rehabilitation, Home Repairs, Down Payment Assistance/ Rehabilitation and Rental Rehabilitation.

The applicants must meet the 2005 HUD Section 8 income limits for Defiance County. Assistance is given to homeowners who need help with necessary home rehab or improvement such as plumbing, heating, roof repair/ replacement, water issues/ well replacement, sewer issues and electrical issues, home repair, down payment/ rehabilitation and rental rehabilitation.

Liz also indicated that the applicants receiving help with down payments for the purchase of a home would need to complete Homebuyer Education Classes at the Defiance County Extension Office.

1:30 P.M. Jerry Hayes, Director Defiance County Economic Development came in to present paperwork for the approval of an Enterprise Zone Agreement for Keller Warehousing & Distribution, LLC located at 1160 Carpenter Road in Defiance County.

The proposed Enterprise Zone Agreement relates to the investment of a new warehouse facility to add to their capacity and capability at their Carpenter Road facility. The addition will create 4 additional permanent full-time jobs within 2 years. The enterprise currently employees 7 employees at their Carpenter Road facility. The project could begin as early as March of 2006 with a completion date of January 2009.

2:30 P.M. Study Session – Commissioners met with Engineers with R.D. Zande and Associates,

to discuss the proposed sanitary sewer system construction at the Defiance County Regional Airport. No decisions were made at this time. The Commissioners will need to have further discussion with Zande Engineers before final decisions can be made.

News Release Approved: _____________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Commissioner