The Board of Adams County Commissioners met in regular session on Aug, 2, 2021 at the Government Center with the following members present: Diane Ward, Barbara Moore and Ty Pell. The meeting was called to order by President Ward and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Ward. Common Pleas Court Administrator Veronica Grooms was present for the session.

It was moved by Barbara Moore and seconded by Diane Ward to approve the minutes. Vote: All aye.

It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Barbara Moore to approve the bills for payment. Vote: All aye.

It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Ty Pell to approve the transfer of funds. Vote: All aye.

Bryn Stepp, Southeast Ohio Regional Representative, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted’s Office, met with the Commissioners to discuss county interest and concerns including the Winchester Industrial Park groundbreaking ceremonies, broadband grant updates and opportunities along with satellite internet pilot projects.

Holly Johnson, Director of Economic Development, met with the Board to discuss the following issues: Abandoned Gas Station Cleanup Status Fund Reports; Federal Eviction Moratorium expiration; Old jail parking lot resurfacing project; ODOT township stimulus opportunities; ARC Broadband Environmental Project update; State Route 41 Sewer Project; RFQ /Adams Lake Welcome Center Project.

It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Barbara Moore to authorize Commissioner Ward to sign the Disbursement Status of Funds and Progress Reports for the Grooms General Store, Monroe Quick Stop, Manchester Bi-Lo Abandoned Gas Station Cleanup Grant Project as recommended by ECD Director Holly Johnson. Vote: All aye.

JFS Director Angela Richmond met with the Board to discuss the following issues: Non-custodial parent location services; COVID PRC Back-to-School Program/Walmart agreement; Fraud investigations/First Stop; JFS internet telephone system upgrade.

It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Barbara Moore to approve a participation agreement between Adams County Child Support Enforcement Agency, County Commissioners Association of Ohio Service Corporation and West Publishing Corporation for non-custodial parent location services through the Consolidated Lead Evaluation Reporting database (CLEAR) as recommended by Director Angela Richmond. Vote: All aye.

Adam Dozier, EMS Assistant Director met with the Board to discuss the following issues: New Squad updates; Personnel meeting; CARES Funding, ARP Funding.

Court Administrator Veronica Grooms addressed the Commissioners for permission of court employees to use alternate access to the courthouse due to an increase in COVID cases in Adams County. Discussion included Supreme Court Courthouse Security guidelines, installing key code access, expenditures to replace locks and keys and public attempts to access unsecured entries. Commissioner Moore stated this is a waste of taxpayer funds to replace the locks again.

A teleconference was held with John Lancione, Lancione Law Firm, to discuss the proposed Opioid Settlement Plan and submission deadlines for documentation.

ECD Director Holly Johnson discussed with the Commissioners damage of personal property that had been left on county property. Also discussed was courthouse security per Supreme Court guidelines and employee access.

Sheriff Kimmy Rogers met with the Commissioners for funding opportunities to host the West Union Boot Camp for children.

Jason Hayslip, Maintenance Supervisor, met with the Board to discuss the following issues: HVAC system replacement estimate for Government Center building; HVAC blue system for Courthouse building; HVAC system issue for Airport office building; Air filtration systems compatible with ARP Funding.

A teleconference was held with Karen Howlett, Director, Tom Peterson, Deputy Director, EMA to discuss reappointments of individuals and businesses outside of Adams County.

Assistant Prosecutor Dana Whalen met with the Board to discuss the following legal issues: Otis Elevator Maintenance Agreement-Mid contract increase; ODNR MOU/Adams Lake Project; Airport Authority Fiscal Officer, Grant drawdowns; Public Defender Indigent Defense Reimbursements.

It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Barbara Moore to approve the addendum to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Justice Reinvestment and Incentive Grant (JRIG) as presented by Chelsea Blevins. Vote: All aye.

It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Barbara Moore to approve the Task Order Two IFE Cost Analysis for Airport Improvement Program Project Grant #3-39-0112-012-2021 at the Alexander Salamon Airport and to authorize President Ward to sign on behalf of the county. Vote: All aye.

It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Diane Ward to place an additional tax levy on the Nov. 2, 2021 for the support of Adams County Children Services and the care and placement of children including Wilson Children’s Home in the amount of 1.0 mills for a period of five years. Vote: All aye.

It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Diane Ward to place a renewal tax levy on the November 2, 2021 for the purpose of current expenses of the Adams County Public Library in the amount of 1.0 mills for a period of ten years. Vote: All aye.

It was moved by Barbara Moore and seconded by Diane Ward to reappoint the following members to the Adams County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for a term commencing Aug.17, 2021 through Aug. 16, 2023 as recommended by EMA Director Karen Howlett: Jerry Kirker-Fire; Kimmy Rogers-Law Enforcement; Wendell Swearingen and Jason Francis- Elected Official; Karen Howlett and Tom Peterson-Emergency Management; Rick Bowman-First Aid; William Hablitzel and Jason Work-Health; Rick Adamson-Environmental; Mike Hughes-Transportation; Carletta Weyrich-Media; Ed Locke and Kim Paquette-Community Group; Kenneth Swearingen-Industry; Todd Calvert-Other. Vote: All aye.

Phil Dysard, Account Manager, Palmer Energy Company, met with the Board to discuss renewal of electric supplier consultant agreement and the CCAO solar project.

It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Ty Pell to appoint the County Commissioners Association of Ohio Service Corporation and Palmer Energy as the exclusive agent to consult and secure electric energy pricing information for the county buildings. This does not authorize Palmer Energy to sign any electric supply agreements on our behalf. Vote: All aye.

The Office of Budget Management has completed the Public Input Period for the ARP Funding Program. Final guidelines for funding disbursement will be presented in mid-August.

Nancy Stranahan, Executive Director, ARC of Appalachia along with David and Kim Baker, landowners, met with the board to discuss proposed projects and approval to apply for 2021 Clean Ohio Conservation Funds for property acquisition in Meigs Township. The ARC would like to acquire a 6-acre tract of road frontage adjacent to the Kamama Prairie Preserve to support public access to the prairie. Discussion included the proposed 97-acre Quiverheart Preserve and concerns of removing additionalproperty from the tax revenue base. A PILOT agreement was discussed, and the project was tabled until additional information is received.

It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Barbara Moore to adopt a resolution to permit the ARC of Appalachia to proceed with the application for the 2021 Clean Ohio Conservation Funds for the proposed acquisition of a 6-acre tract of property adjacent to Kamama Prairie Preserve, Meigs Township.

Commissioner Moore expressed this will alleviate the prairie from being landlocked and allow public access to the preserve. Commissioner Ward stated she could not vote for a resolution as the grant provides for the purchase of property through government funding which results in the loss of real estate tax revenue base as the ARC of Appalachia is tax exempt. Vote: Ward- nay, Pell- aye, Moore, aye.

A teleconference was held with Sylvia Lieb, who has concerns over inappropriate language on signage and flags in Adams County. The Commissioners understand the signs/flags are posted on private property but disapprove of obscene language along public rights-of-way. We encourage our citizens to consider the adverse impact that the language has on our impressionable youth and those traveling though our beautiful county.

A teleconference was held with Adams County Airport Authority with members Jose Gonsalez, Sharon Ashley, Dan Music and Dennis Barnd to discuss the following issues: Airport Authority to move funds out of County General and procedures discussed; ARGP grant funding, submission of SF-424; State Audit of public records; Fuel farm; Airport sewer plant upkeep.

Jason Buda, Mayor, Village of West Union and Danni Studebaker, Assistant Chief, West Union EMS, met with the Commissioners to discuss the county contract with the village and request an increase in funding. The decrease in tax base and loss of revenue after the closure of the DP&L plants was also discussed along with dispatch expenditures covered by the county and CARES Act funding that was not utilized by the village. Adams County EMS Deputy Chief Adam Dozier was also present for the meeting.

It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Ty Pell to approve an agreement between Adams County Department of Job and Family Services and Walmart for COVID PRC Back-to-School Supplies and Clothing Program as recommended by Director Angela Richmond. Vote: All aye.

It was moved by Barbara Moore and seconded by Diane Ward to adjourn