DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2002

NEWS RELEASE

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in the Conference Room of the Board at 500 Court Street, Defiance, Ohio at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2002. Present on this date were: Commissioners Otto L. Nicely, Thomas L. Kime and Richard L. Cromwell, Becky Wagner, Administrator, Alison Grimes, Clerk and Joan Brown, Deputy Clerk.

8:30 a.m. Commissioners reviewed the agenda for the day and signed a number of resolutions presented by the Clerk. Also reviewed during General Session was the Solid Waste District Disposal Fee report for November. Tonnage received at the Defiance County Landfill was as follows:

In-District 4,687.77 tons

Out-of-District 150.58 tons

Out-of-State 28.15 tons

Total fees collected for the Solid Waste District were $8,937.35.

9:30 a.m. Becky Wagner, County Administrator, presented her weekly update.

10:30 a.m. Bruce Clevenger and Barb Roehrs, from the OSU Extension office, met with the Commissioners to present their quarterly update on various programs. Barb Roehrs presented information on some of the Family and Consumer Science programs held this last quarter.

ServSafe, a six-hour training for food service workers was presented. Participants reported an increase in awareness of the many causes of foodborne illness and the role they play in keeping food safe for customers. Participants passed the test and received certificates.

Seven families successfully completed the seven-week H.O.P.E. Program, for families experiencing difficulties. Families work together to enhance skills in communication, problem solving, anger management, stress reduction and scheduling time for family fun.

The Money in Motion program helped people set up a workable spending plan by identifying values and goals. Spending leaks were identified and methods to overcome them were discussed.

Bruce Clevenger noted that, during 2002, over 675 phone calls and/or personal visits were made to the county Agriculture/Natural Resources Agent. These calls were requesting information on crop production, pond management, insect/pest problems and farm management.

The 2002 class of Master Gardeners have completed their 50 hours of horticultural training and 50 hours of community service. Over 125 phone calls or personal contacts were completed on the Horticultural Hotline. Master Gardeners also had an exhibit at the Defiance County Fair and at two area retail centers. Four perennial flowerbeds were established at the Evergreen Lane Office Complex in preparation for Ohio’s Bicentennial Celebration is 2003. The project involved $2,300 of donated plant material and soil improvements and 103 Master Gardener volunteer hours. There are now 24 Master Gardeners in Defiance County and applications are being accepted for the February 2003 class.

It was also noted that 1,376 Defiance County youth participated in the 4-H program during 2002. Ninety-one adult volunteers provided leadership to 20 traditional 4-H clubs, 5 school enrichment programs and 12 special interest programs.

For more information on these and other programs, the Defiance County Agriculture and Natural Resources web site can be accessed at http://defiance.osu.edu or call the local office at 419.782.4771. The bi-monthly newsletter can be viewed at this site plus the quarterly pond management newsletter, current newspaper articles with references and follow-up, Ag events and a summary of Defiance County Production Agriculture.

11:00 a.m. Bids for the purchase of a new hot/cold home meal delivery vehicle (Hot Shot) for the Senior Services Center were opened at this time by Joe Coressel, Senior Services Finance Manager. The following bids were received:

Mobile Advantage $32,440.00 (2203 Dodge Dakota)

Eugene, Oregon

Custom Sales & Service $32,000.00 (2003 Dodge Dakota)

Paw Paw, Michigan

Commissioners voted to accept the bids as presented for review and future approval. Joe should have a recommendation by Monday.

1:00 p.m. Commissioners met in EXECUTIVE SESSION with Tim Houck, Environmental and Administrative Services Director, regarding Personnel (ORC 121.22 (G)(1))

1:30 p.m. Commissioners met in EXECUTIVE SESSION with Tim Houck, Environmental and Administrative Services Director, regarding Personnel (ORC 121.22 (G)(1))

2:15 p.m. Joe Coressel, Defiance County Senior Services Center, returned with a recommendation for the hot/cold home meal delivery vehicle. After review, Mr. Coressel recommended the bid be awarded to the following:

Custom Sales & Service $32,000.00 (2003 Dodge Dakota)

Paw Paw, Michigan

and the Board of Commissioners approved the purchase. The vehicle should be delivered in early March, 2003.

Approved for news release: _____________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Commissioner