NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2005

 

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 Monday September 26, 2005.  The meeting was called to order by Chairman Otto L. Nicely.  Also present were Commissioners Thomas L. Kime and Richard L. Cromwell; Becky Wagner, Administrator, and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

 

 

8:30 A.M.     General Session      Clerk, Lyla Gurwell presented various resolutions, contracts and documents for approval of the Commissioners.  Commissioners also approved several travel requests, reviewed the agenda items and the calendar of events, discussed upcoming meetings and updated information for the calendar of events.

 

The Commissioners and staff will be attending the Northwest Ohio Commissioners & Engineer’s Association quarterly meeting on October 3, 2005 in Erie County. 

 

The Commissioners will also be working at the Defiance Area Society for the Handicapped pancake and sausage supper on Monday, October 17th catered by Charlie’s On The Road.  This event begins at 4:30 at Zion’s Lutheran Church located at 1801 East Second Street, Defiance, OH.  There will be a free will donation.  Serving will end at 6:30 p.m.

 

10:00 A.M.    Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer discussed Aerial Photography with the Commissioners.  Auditor, Marlene J. Goodwin later came in to have further discussion on this same topic as her office will be involved.  It is important that the Engineers Office along with the Auditors Office maintain updated information. There was further discussion about the possibility of grant money being available for this project.  Marlene will also contribute to the project as well as Warren Schlatter. 

 

Also, the 911 Center will be involved in this project to enable them to locate emergency calls when cell phones are used.  There will be a maintenance fee to keep the photography updated as residency changes occur and new homes are built.  There will be further conversation to discuss the needs of the County office.  The three offices involved are the 911 Office, Commissioners Office and the Auditors office,

 

10:30 A.M.    Greg Reinhart, Defiance County Waste Water Operations manager met with the Commissioners to discuss The Indian Bridge Lane Sewer Project.  Commissioners discussed the Indian Bridge Lane Debt Service billing. 

 

Also discussed relocating the 3” forcemain line on Haller Road in Brunersburg, OH.  Mr. Reinhart received several quotes submitted to the Commissioners on the relocation of the line.  The Commissioners decided to go with Lingvai Excavating located in Bryan, OH.  The quote submitted from Lingvai was $9,800 to relocate a 110 foot of line. 

 

11:15 A.M.    Marlene J. Goodwin, Defiance County Auditor came in to discuss the purchase of a new copier and laser printer. The Commissioners approved the purchase of both items.

 

 

 

1:30 P.M.     Tina Mohring and Heather Huffman came in to update the Commissioners on the Help Me Grow Program.  Tina mentioned the Access to Better Care – ABC Initiative – ADAMHS Board just approved contracts for FY 06 Family and Systems Team Money (FAST).  Tina Said that an additional $11,200 will be coming to Defiance County for children with non-behavioral health issues.  Half of the money will go to Defiance Job And Family Services and the remainder will go to Family & Children First Council. 

 

Tina also reported that there is an additional $70,000 that will go to the ADAMHS Board to be divided between four counties.  The funds are for children with behavioral health diagnosis.

 

Heather reported that the Help Me Grow Program distributed 211 family service guides last month.

 

Both Tina and Heather discussed the upcoming 98.1 Christmas for Kids Broadcast.  The location of this broadcast will be at the Defiance County East Building the first week of December.

 

The Help me Grow website received an increase of 40% more hits since the billboards went up around the county.  They currently have 3 billboards placed in different locations around Defiance and one in Hicksville which are drawing attention to the program.

 

Also reported the total number of referrals as follows: 

 

Child Abuse Treatment Prevention          13

Children’s protective services                    4

Family Member Referrals                       14

Friend Referrals                                      1

Help Me Grow Referrals                        15

Hospital Referrals                                    1

Hospital Child Find Specialist                    3

Human Services                                       2

Newborn Home Visit Nurse             3

Other                                                      1

Physician Referrals                                  3                                   

 

 

2:00 P.M.     Lee Sonnenberg from Rural Development came in to complete the paperwork necessary for the Indian Bridge Lane project.  The grant money for this project was $60,000.

 

 

 2:30 P.M.    Tina Hiler, Director of Defiance County Senior Center came in to update the Commissioners.

 

Tina mentioned the continued need for a vehicle that will accommodate the Senior Center.  Tina stipulated that this car would need to have low mileage, be sufficient size for easy access for seniors, large trunk space for wheelchair and have good gas mileage.  Tina continues to look and will notify the Commissioners when she finds a suitable vehicle. 

 

Tina mentioned that she will be talking to the Mayor during “Coffee with the Mayor” show on October 26th.  She will also be speaking with WDFM on Mondays, WONW on Wednesdays to discuss the Senior Center.

 

Also, Tina would like to add a 6th delivery route to pick up meals at the hospital.  The Senior Center has restricted hours for pick-up and delivery and want to stay within those guidelines.

 

 

Approved for news release:          _____________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Commissioner