DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

News Release

Monday, September 23, 2002

OPENING:

The regular meeting of the Board of Defiance County Commissioners was called to order at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 23, 2002, in the Conference Room of the Board of Defiance County Commissioners, 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512 by Chairman Otto L. Nicely.

PRESENT: ABSENT:

Otto L. Nicely, Commissioner

Thomas L. Kime, Commissioner

Richard L. Cromwell, Commissioner

Becky Wagner, Operations Manager/Administrator

Alison Grimes, Clerk

D. Joan Brown, Deputy Clerk – morning session

Sherry Carnahan, Deputy Clerk – afternoon session

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes for the September 19, 2002 meeting were reviewed, and finding no additions or corrections, were approved as read.

Motion – Tom Second – Rich

Ø JOURNAL #130, RESOLUTION #02-09-537

B. RESOLUTIONS

The following Resolutions were submitted for consideration and approved:

Payment of Vouchers

Motion – Tom Second - Otto

Ø JOURNAL #130, RESOLUTION # 02-09-538

Commissioner Cromwell abstained from voting as some of the vouchers were to the Hubbard Company.

Approve Mowing Agreement - Landfill

Motion – Rich Second - Tom

Ø JOURNAL #130, RESOLUTION # 02-09-539

Approve Decertification of Assessment – Brunersburg Sewer - G. Engel

Motion – Rich Second - Tom

Ø JOURNAL #130, RESOLUTION # 02-09-540

C. OPEN ISSUES/DISCUSSION

D. APPOINTMENTS

8:00 a.m. Russ Herman, Defiance County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, met with the Commissioners for a review of documents currently pending his review and approval. All documents sent to his attention have been reviewed, approved and returned.

At 8:09 a.m., Russ requested EXECUTIVE SESSION regarding Pending Litigation (ORC 121.22 (G) (3).

Motion – Rich Second – Tom All eligible voted aye.

EXECUTIVE SESSION ended at 8:16 a.m.

He briefly reviewed the meeting last Wednesday at Paulding County with the Paulding County Commissioners, the Paulding County Prosecuting Attorney and the Defiance County Commissioners and the Defiance County Prosecuting Attorney’s office regarding the Auglaize River Sewer Project. Russ felt that everyone seemed to be current with all information and on the same page. A list of required items each county is responsible for completing is being compiled by the Defiance County Prosecutor’s office.

At 8:24 a.m., Russ again requested EXECUTIVE SESSION regarding Pending Litigation (ORC 121.22 (G) (3).

Motion – Tom Second – Rich All eligible voted aye.

EXECUTIVE SESSION ended at 8:31 a.m.

8:30 a.m. General Session

9:30 a.m. Gaylon Davis, County Engineer, scheduled for this time slot, was on vacation this week.

10:00 a.m. Andy Leavitt, representing The Flag Lady, the company from which the County purchased the newly-created county flag, was scheduled to meet with the Commissioners at this time, but called to cancel the meeting. He will reschedule for another time.

10:30 a.m. Jerry Hayes, Economic Development Director, met with the Commissioners to present two enterprise zone agreements.

The first project, Steele’s Five Acre Mill, is moving from Indiana and relocating in Hicksville. The company builds steel-case dividers, office furniture, etc. The project is estimated to total $1.2 million. The business is requesting an exemption of $100,000 on real property, and a $432,772 exemption is requested for personal property. The business will retain 20 employees and create 10 new full time positions within two years. School donations equal 11.5% for Hicksville Exempted and Four County will receive 3%. Steel also will be donating 3% per year to the Infrastructure Loan Fund.

Approve Steele Five Acre Mill Enterprise Zone Agreement

Motion – Rich Second – Tom

Ø JOURNAL #130, RESOLUTION #02-09-541

This resolution was approved pending the Prosecutor’s approval.

Commissioner Cromwell left the meeting at this time.

The second Enterprise Zone Agreement is for the Hubbard Company, located in the city of Defiance. The Hubbard Company is requesting $520,000 to update computers and equipment to remain competitive. Hubbard Company will retain 40 full-time and 3 part-time positions. School donations will be 27.2% to Defiance City Schools and Four County will receive 3%. The Hubbard Company will also donate 3% to the Infrastructure Loan Fund.

Approve Hubbard Company Enterprise Zone Agreement

Motion - Tom Second – Otto

Ø JOURNAL #130, RESOLUTION #02-09-542

This resolution is also approved contingent on the approval of the Prosecutor.

Mr. Hayes will bring the Enterprise Zone Agreements for Commissioners’ signatures when completed and approved by the Prosecutor’s office.

1:30 p.m. Karen Tubbs, County Treasurer, met with the Commissioners to hold the Third Quarter, 2002, Investment Advisory meeting. Also present were Jean Ziegler, Clerk of Courts, Marlene Goodwin and Jill Little, Auditor’s office and Karen introduced Bill Scanlon of Productive Portfolios, Inc, the Treasurer’s investment advisor to Commissioner Cromwell. Although the economy is weak, auto sales and housing remain strong. Consumers continue to spend – which is keeping the economy going, albeit slowly. Business spending is very weak which is a major drag on growth and the threat of war is hurting consumer’s confidence in the economy.

After review, the Board found all County investments in order.

Approve Third Quarter, 2002, Investments

Motion - Tom Second – Rich

Ø JOURNAL #130, RESOLUTION #02-09-543

2:00 p.m. Otto Gerdeman, Poggemeyer Design Group, met with the Commissioners for an update of various projects.

EXPRESS SEWER All easements have been negotiated and a re-bidding schedule can be set, possibly by next Monday.

CHRISTI MEADOWS SEWER Trying to get another meter set into the system. It was decided that the best time to do this would be next spring.

INDIAN BRIDGE LANE The Public Meeting for Indian Bridge Lane residents will be held Monday, September 30^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Services facility in Brunersburg. The Commissioners and Mr. Gerdeman reviewed the information to be presented at the

meeting. Mr. Gerdeman will have an agenda and a PowerPoint presentation prepared for the public meeting.

EVERGREEN LANE OFFICES/J.E.D.D. About 500 gallons a day are being used in the office complex, leaving 10,000 gallons available for the Defiance County J.E.D.D. leaving a reserve of 4,500 for the Evergreen complex or other projects. Mr. Gerdeman thought there was a strong possibility to be able to get a permit to expand the current plant.

Meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.

Approved for News Release: ______________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Commissioner