Submitted by Terri Crothers
The Board of Adams County Commissioners met in regular session on September 19, 2022, at the Government Center with the following members present: Barbara Moore, Ty Pell and Diane Ward. The meeting was called to order by President Moore and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Pastor Tom Claibourne. Juvenile Court Clerk Christy Kirker and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Randalyn Worley were present for the session.
It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Ty Pell 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 Barbara Moore and seconded by Diane Ward to approve the transfer of funds. Vote: All aye.
The following report was submitted to the board for their review: Dog and Kennel Activities Reports for week ending September 16, 2022.
Job and Family Services Director Angela Richmond met with the board to discuss the following issues: Obsolete items to be advertised for bid; State of Ohio Grants-Due to the extraordinary efforts of the Adams County Department of Job and Family Services in the timeliness percentage of reporting, the following funding has been awarded to the department through the State of Ohio- Fraud Department— $13,000 received in funding and will be used for increased training of department staffing; SNAP Timeliness Reporting- $27,246 in funding received to be used at the discretion of the department; Contracts- CCMEP, Title XX TANF Transfer, TANF/PRC Child Welfare Program, Home Delivered Meals; Travel Request Approval
It was moved by Barbara Moore and seconded by Diane Ward to approve the following travel request:Angela Richmond OJFSDA General Session Mtg Columbus, Ohio 9/8-9/9/22 $278.85, Vote: All aye.
It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Barbara Moore to approve an agreement between Adams County Department of Job and Family Services and Adams Brown County Economic Opportunities, Inc. for the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP) in the amount not to exceed $265,000.00 ($250,000.00 Program and $15,000.00 Administration) as recommended by Director Angela Richmond. Vote: All aye.
It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Ty Pell to approve a subgrant agreement between Adams County Department of Job and Family Services and Adams County Children Services Board to increase Title XX/TANF transfer in the amount of $200,000.00 as recommended by JFS Director Angela Richmond. Vote: All aye.
It was moved by Barbara Moore and seconded by Diane Ward to amend a subgrant agreement between Adams County Department of Job and Family Services and Adams County Children Services Board for TANF/PRC Child Welfare in the amount of $15,000.00 in TANF ADM and $125,000.00 in TANF Regular for a total agreement amount not to exceed $140,000.00 as recommended by JFS Director Angela Richmond. Vote: All aye.
It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Barbara Moore to approve the contract by and between Adams County Job & Family Services and Adams Brown Counties Economic Opportunities, Inc., for provision of home delivered meals not to exceed the amount of $15,000.00 upon the recommendation of JFS Director Angela Richmond. Vote: All aye.
Executive Director Nick Sloan, Adams County Library Board, met with the board to discuss an appointment to a vacant seat on the Library Board. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Randalyn Worley was present for the discussion and stated there is nothing in the statute that the position needs to be advertised and the Board of Commissioners generally takes the recommendation of the Library Board of Trustees.
It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Barbara Moore to rescind Resolution 2022-270 to reappoint Alan Foster to the Adams County Library Board of Trustees as Mr. Foster is deemed ineligible to serve due to no longer residing in the Adams County. Vote: All aye.
It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Diane Ward to appoint Sarah Shelton as a member of the Adams County Public Library Board of Trustees in order to fill a vacant board member position term that will expire June 30, 2029 upon receipt of a letter of recommendation from the Adams County Library Board of Trustees. Vote: Moore, abstain; Pell, aye; Ward, aye.
Adams County EMS Chief Dusty McCleese and Assistant Samantha Daniels met with the board to discuss the following issues: Personnel-Swayne, Hook; Ambulance- The original ambulance ordered in March 2022 under CARPA funding did not have order cancelled when alternate squad was purchased. EMS personnel were notified the vehicle is due to arrive in January 2023. The Board of Commissioners reviewed information on the ambulance purchase agreement and a board decision was made to continue with the purchase of the original 2022 Ford F450 Lifeline Ambulance; Local Festivals- Participation and presence at local festivals and parades; Peebles-September 15-18, 2022; Seaman-September 21-24, 2022; Run statistics and response times out of Scott Township building; Personal vehicles being entered at Seaman location; Sheriff’s Department notified.
It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Barbara Moore to approve the employment of Blake Swayne as part-time building maintenance with the Adams County Emergency Medical Services effective September 19, 2022 at an hourly rate of $10.00 per hour as recommended by EMS Chief Dusty McCleese. After successful completion of the EMT program, Mr. Swayne will be offered part-time employment. Vote: All aye.
It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Diane Ward to approve the promotion of Wade Hook to Paramedic/Training Captain with the Adams County Emergency Medical Services effective September 26, 2022 at the salary rate of $45,000.00 per recommendation of EMS Chief Dusty McCleese. Vote: All aye.
It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Ty Pell to enter into executive session at 10:11 a.m. with Adams County EMS Chief Dusty McCleese, Assistant Samantha Daniels, and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Randalyn Worley at 1:50 p.m. to discuss Personnel (Complaint Against a Public Employee, Discipline) in accordance with ORC 121.22 (G) (1). Vote: All aye. Commissioner Moore reconvened the session at 10:39 a.m.
Veteran Paul Brown met with the board to discuss placement of a Veterans Memorial Wall within the Village of West Union.
ECD Director Holly Johnson met with the board to discuss the following issues: Adams Lake Project-Approval of Materials-Ohio EPA; Right of Entry-ODNR Agreement to authorize Right of Entry on the following projects: Sanitary sewer and easement for manhole; walk path paving; playground equipment installation; handicap swing including sidewalk and pad; basketball court. A verbal agreement has been received for the Adams County Welcome Center project; Annex Roof Replacement Project- 250 ceiling tiles to be replaced due to water damage; additional quote will be received for replacement of all ceiling tiles; Annex Building- Advanced Digital Systems- Quote for 4 security cameras to be placed in Annex building; G & J Pepsi to install vending machine; Adams County Training Center- Furniture has been
ordered; wiring for internet being installed; Salary Compensation- Documents being prepared by CIC and Landbank attorney.
CEO Alan Bird, Adams County Regional Medical Center, met with the board for the introduction of Hannah Hopkins, M.D., a new physician serving Adams County residents. Ms. Hopkins began seeing patients on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 in the field of Family Medicine with a background in various, all-encompassing training for patients of all ages. Also discussed was the Rural Residency Program established by Dr. Christopher Bernheisel, UC Health, leading clinical services at the West Union location through academic-affiliated practice, a first of its kind in Adams County. The Rural Residency Program will offer Adams County the opportunity to recruit new doctors to the area after completion of residency and offer higher quality of care through a selection of doctors in the program.
CEO Janie Phillips and Director Dan Wickerham, Adams Brown Community Action Partnership, met with the board to discuss the county vacation accrual policy in relation to a proposed change to the annual leave policy for ABCAP employees. The proposed change in the cap for annual leave would increase to 480 hours from the current 240 hours, with funding allocated at the time of accrual. Mr. Wickerham stated during the pandemic, employee vacation requests declined due to restrictions and closures causing an increase in the balance of annual time accrued. Also discussed was a proposed policy to pay out time when the cap is reached, allowing employees to continue to accrue annual leave hours. Mr. Wickerham added there would be discussion on merit raises at the board meeting to be held this week. Commissioner Ward stated she is not in favor of merit raises; there have been overall and cost of living raises in the past few years that have impacted the budget and does not feel merit raises are in order. Commissioner Ward also stated annual leave should not be paid out; it is the responsibility of each employee for using their accrued time under the guidelines.
It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Barbara Moore to enter into executive session with Attorney Matthew Teetor (via teleconference) and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Randalyn Worley at 11:44 a.m. to discuss Pending Court Action in accordance with ORC 121.22 (G) (3). Vote: All aye. Commissioner Moore reconvened the session at 11:56 a.m.
Recorder Chris Moore met with the board to discuss supplies for the recording of plat maps. The board authorized the purchase of thirty-five (35) envelopes for the plat map cabinet. Also discussed was an update of the Permanent Document Scanning Project and the Adams County Fairgrounds Mercantile Building Projects.
Dan Mitchell, Venture Productions, Inc. met with the board to discuss a proposed dog and kennel facility on county-owned property leased to Venture Productions, Inc. Mr. Mitchell stated the board has been made aware of the proposed improvement and is not in favor of the project to be located in the green space behind their facility, in which the board had other plans proposed for the space. Venture Productions, Inc. was presented with the idea of a collaboration with the Dog and Kennel Department for employment opportunities; however, Mr. Mitchell stated the board has declined the invitation.
It was moved by Barbara Moore and seconded by Ty Pell to enter into a renewal agreement with Delta Dental for county employee dental insurance coverage commencing January 1, 2023 for a period of one (1) year with a 3% premium increase over the previous agreement period. Vote: All aye.
It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Barbara Moore to enter into a consulting and brokerage agreement with Grady Enterprises, Inc. for services pertaining to medical, prescription drug plans, dental, vision and life coverage for the county health program. Vote: All aye.
Airport Authority Board Member Dennis Barnd held a teleconference with the board concerning property located adjacent to the Adams County Airport that has been offered for sale to the Board of Commissioners for airport expansion. An appraisal of the property and buildings has been received. Mr. Barnd has requested the board send a Letter of Intent to the property owner; however, the board stated funding would need to be in place before moving forward. The matter was tabled for further consideration.
It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Diane Ward to enter into executive session with Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Randalyn Worley at 1:34 p.m. to discuss Purchase or Sale of Property in accordance with ORC 121.22 (G) (2). Vote: All aye. Commissioner Moore reconvened the session at 1:50 p.m.
It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Diane Ward to approve a lease agreement with the Village of West Union for Adams County Clerk of Courts-Title Department for $750.00 per month for two (2) years commencing October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2025. Vote: All aye.
It was moved by Barbara Moore and seconded by Ty Pell to enter into executive session with Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Randalyn Worley at 1:58 p.m. to discuss Personnel (Discipline) in accordance with ORC 121.22 (G) (1). Kelly Brown participated in the session. Vote: All aye. Commissioner Moore reconvened the session at 2:08 p.m.
It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Ty Pell to adjourn.