NEWS RELEASE
Thursday,
July 27, 2017
The Board of Defiance County Commissioners
met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2017 in the
Commissioners’ Session Room at 500 Court Street, Defiance, Ohio 43512.
Commissioner Ryan Mack called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners Mick Pocratsky
and Gary Plotts, and Stephanie Metz, 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.
Jason Roehrig,
Defiance County Soil & Water Conservation District, met with the
Commissioners to provide a quarterly update.
· Jason informed the Board that the final assessment
letters were recently mailed to the landowners for Kohout
Extension; preliminary work is continuing for Culp Ditch. Jackman Ditch has the
view scheduled for September 6th and the hearing scheduled for
September 27th.
· They are working on the following private/mutual
drainage projects: lateral to Eberle Ditch; Hammersmith
Road Ditch; Scott Road Ditch; Fish & Game, ODOT, and Tiffin Township ditch
and culvert; and Baker Ditch.
· Jason stated that the Ohio EPA notified the agency
that the mitigation is complete for Penney Nature Center. All cattails were cut
prior to the final inspection; there were over 750 trees planted this spring
and shelters were reset. The District is released from any future monitoring;
the wetland area must adhere to provisions of the conservation easement in
place. Eleven volunteers from Sauder Woodworking assisted
on May 6th to plant and shelter over 175 bald cypress trees along
the drive. They will be reviewing the master plan for the site and seeking
cooperation with other organizations to increase trails and/or improve the
outdoor learning opportunities.
· Powell Creek Grant was completed in the spring. $284,738 was directed
to ag/water quality best management practices in Defiance and Putnam Counties;
$28,228 went to the District for technical assistance, engineering, and grant
administration.
· Platter Creek Grant has obtained an additional $30,000 towards match
for innovative practices.
· Classroom education programs were completed in the spring with the
following topics: Enviroscape, virtual watershed, worms/composting, wildlife, and aquatic macroinvertebrates.
· The Defiance City 5th grade program was conducted on May 24th.
· Kid’s Outdoor Science Camp was held at Camp Palmer June 5-8 with 80
students (30 from Defiance County).
· Penney Nature Center Camp was conducted June 13-15 with 39 students (Kindergarten
through 3rd grade).
·
There will be a rain barrel painting workshop on
August 17th at Just Be Original. $80 fee includes: rain barrel,
paint and instruction. This is sponsored by Defiance Soil & Water
Conservation District and Defiance Development and Visitors Bureau.
Emily Hunter,
Field Director NW Marsy’s Law for Ohio, met with the
Commissioners to inform them of a ballot initiative campaign for equal rights
for crime victims. Marsy’s Law is a crime victims’
rights constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot this November.
Release Approved: ____________________________________________________
Ryan
Mack, Defiance County Commissioner