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 6^th and the hearing scheduled for September 27^th.

· 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 6^th 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 5^th grade program was conducted on May 24^th.

· 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 3^rd grade).

· There will be a rain barrel painting workshop on August 17^th 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