DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2003

NEWS RELEASE

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Board of Commissioners, 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512 on Thursday, May 8, 2003. The meeting was called to order by Thomas Kime, Chairman. Present were Commissioners Thomas L. Kime, Otto L. Nicely and Richard L. Cromwell. Also present were Becky Wagner, Administrator; Alison Grimes, Clerk and Joan Brown, Deputy Clerk.

8:30 a.m. Russ Herman, Chief Assistant County Prosecuting Attorney, met with the Board to review several documents. He reviewed information concerning a cash farm lease for county property located adjacent to the Landfill. The acreage will be farmed by Andy Shininger until the land is needed for Landfill expansion. At 8:45 a.m., the Board entered EXECUTIVE SESSION regarding Pending Litigation (ORC 121.22 (G) (3). EXECUTIVE SESSION ended at 8:54 a.m. No decisions were made.

9:00 a.m. General Session – Commissioners approved and signed various resolutions and documents, approved several travel requests, reviewed the agenda items and the calendar of events, discussed upcoming meetings and updated information for the calendar of events.

9:30 a.m. Becky Wagner, Administrator, presented her weekly update at this time. Bob Arend, Computer Consultant informed her that the JayHawk software for Wastewater Operations is going through testing next week. The company creating the software is not yet able to guarantee a completion date.

Applications are still being reviewed for the position of Director at Job and Family Services. Becky will be meeting on Friday with Susan Jackson, Interim Director, to continue the review process.

Ken Maag, Poggemeyer Design Group, informed Becky that meters were installed at Christi Meadows and flow is being measured during the recent heavy rains.

Jean Ziegler, Clerk of Courts, requested the Commissioners purchase a new printer (replacing one that is 7 years old, broken and beyond repair) for her department. Three quotes were received: one from Manatron for $2,274 which includes software. The other two quotes received were $2,005 and $2,025, but do not include software. Bob Arend, Computer Consultant, recommends the Manatron quote as that company provides the software for her computers. Commissioners approved the Manatron purchase.

Becky and Diane Mayer, Senior Services Director, will be reviewing the applications for the position of Business Manager at the Senior Services facility later today.

At 9:55 a.m., Becky requested EXECUTIVE SESSION regarding the Hiring of Personnel (ORC 121.22 (G) (1). EXECUTIVE SESSION ended at 10:12 a.m. More information will be obtained before a decision is made.

10:30 a.m. Amy Murphy, Family and Children First Council Director, met with the Board for an update of activities. All the families in the Help Me Grow program got together and held a garage sale to assist with costs of the program.

Their audit has been completed and Amy is waiting for the audit report. She reviewed the recommended funding for Ohio Children’s Trust Fund applicants: Center for Child and Family Advocacy’s Meeting Place - $6,850; Women and Family Services’ Stop Abuse of Kids Project - $7,650; Family and Children First Council Administration - $500 for a total of $15,000 for all applicants.

Programs are all on target in the Wellness program. A new building lease has been signed for the Family Resource Center facility with NOCAC. The back stairs, as they are deteriorating, are only being used for emergency purposes. NOCAC is evaluating the stairs for repair needs.

The next Family and Children First Council meeting is scheduled for noon on May 27 at Defiance Regional Medical Facility.

11:00 a.m. Gary Keys and Jeff Minnick, First Energy/Toledo Edison, met with the Commissioners for an update. Their facility on Jefferson Avenue in Defiance has been sold to Sherwood bank and they have moved to a new location at 711 Summit Street, Defiance. Bill paying, customer service and a drop-box will be available at this site. Phone numbers remain the same. An open house will be scheduled in the near future.

11:30 a.m. Mark Hopper, Public Safety Services Coordinator, met briefly with the Board to review information concerning the Emergency Alert System. It needs to be moved to the Sheriff’s Department at a cost of $1,132.75. It is currently at the EOC. That facility is not manned 24 hours per day and the alert system needs to be moved to a manned location. Commissioners okayed moving the equipment.

At 1:15 p.m., Jerry Overmier and Terry Beilharz, Beilharz Architects, met briefly with the Board regarding construction at the fairgrounds. Beilharz has designed an open-sided barn which will be erected at the Fairgrounds as a new Beef barn. Jerry also discussed their architectural services with the County. Russ Herman, Chief Assistant County Prosecuting Attorney, came in to the meeting at 1:40 p.m. and was asked about the pros and cons of a yearly contract versus a job-to-job contract with Beilharz. A standard form for services will be sent from Beilharz which will go to the Prosecutor’s for review and approval.

Today’s meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m.

Approved for news release: _____________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Commissioner