NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2013 in the Conference Room in the Commissioners’ Office at 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512. Chairman Otto L. Nicely called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners James E. Harris, Jr. and Thomas L. Kime, Laura Howell, Administrator, Stephanie Metz, Clerk, and Angelica Abels, Deputy Clerk.

The Commissioners met in General Session and approved and signed various resolutions, contracts and documents. The Commissioners also reviewed the calendar of events and discussed upcoming meetings.

Based upon the recommendation of Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer, bids were awarded to the following contractors for various projects: 2013 Paving of Various Roads, Proposal “A” to Gerken Paving, Inc. in the amount of $224,228.50; 2013 Paving of Various Roads, Proposal “B” to Gerken Paving, Inc. in the amount of $971,589.75; 2013 Paving of Various Roads, Proposal “C” to Ward Construction in the amount of $226,844.86. Also approved was the Demolition Contract with Dennis Panning Excavation for the Moving Ohio Forward Program in the amount of $9,000.00.

Laura Howell, Administrator, met with the Board to provide her weekly update with various department and project updates. Laura stated that Jim Hall notified the Commissioners’ Office that the DARE Walk will take place on Friday, April 26 2013 at Defiance County East beginning at 5:00 p.m. Participants will use the DCE walking path/trail. The entrance will be shut off at the Second Street entrance but deputies will be on hand to help with traffic. The Biede entrance will remain open.

Randy Vogel, Defiance County Dog Warden, met with the Commissioners for a monthly update. Randy reported investigating 51 calls in February that resulted in 6 dogs taken to the shelter, 13 warnings issued, and 12 citations written. There were 3,432 miles driven and $504.50 received in Municipal Court fines. There has been $87,546.00 received for 2013 dog and kennel licenses, compared to $66,453.00 through February for 2012.

The Commissioners held the Second Public Hearing - Defiance County FY 2013 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program FY 2013 Home Investment Partnerships Program Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF). The purpose of the public hearing was to provide citizens the opportunity to review and comment on the above proposed activities. The county is eligible for $400,000 of Fiscal Year 2013 CHIP funding provided the county meets the applicable program requirements. On February 7, 2013, Defiance County conducted the first public hearing to inform citizens about programs available to the county as outlined in the State of Ohio Consolidated Plan. Funding for programs administered by Ohio Community Development (OCD) are provided by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and other funding sources as identified by the State. Based on citizen input and local officials' assessment of county needs, Defiance County is proposing to undertake the following CHIP activities for Fiscal Year 2013.

Activity	Amount	Source of Funds	Target Area
Private Owner Rehabilitation	$164,000.00	HOME	County-wide
Private Owner rehabilitation	$82,000.00	HOME	Village of Ney
Home Repair	$73,000.00	CDBG	County-wide
Home Repair	$18,000.00	CDBG	Village of Ney
Emergency Monthly Housing Payments	$15,000.00	CDBG	County-wide
Administration	$48,000.00	CDBG
Total	$400,000.00

The Commissioners attended the Defiance County Community Improvement Corporation’s Annual Meeting.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Defiance County Commissioner