Submitted by Terri Crothers
The Board of Adams County Commissioners met in regular session on November 7, 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 Alicia Shaffer via teleconference. Common Pleas Court Administrator Veronica Grooms was 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.
The board held discussion on asbestos testing required in the Courthouse Training Room 102 when wall coverings were removed without knowledge or permission of the custodians of the building. Commissioner Pell stated the invoice for $1,547.66 was in question of the responsible party for payment. Court Administrator Veronica Grooms stated she was not aware of testing (RE: Oct. 25, 2022, RES. 2022-574) and referred the board to Judge Brett Spencer for further questions. Commissioner Ward stated the issue could have been avoided had ORC been followed. Vote: Moore, aye; Pell, aye; Ward, nay.
It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Barbara Moore to approve the transfer of funds. Vote: All aye.
The following reports was submitted to the board for their review: Dog and Kennel Activities Reports for week ending November 4, 2022; Adams County Veteran Services Monthly Report for October 2022.
Dale Egbert, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, met with the board to present a check in the amount of $182,243.36 from the sale of timber harvested from public lands. The funds will be distributed as follows: County- $45,560.84; Franklin Township- $14,681.21; Jefferson Township- $30,879.63; Adams County/Ohio Valley Local School District- $91,121.68.
Job and Family Services Director Angela Richmond met with the board to discuss the following issues: JFS Building Roof Replacement- Project commenced on Saturday, November 4, 2022. Shingle installation complete, flashing ordered and will be installed this week; Credit Card and Personnel Policy Updates- Approval for revisions to policy concerning credit card usage and personnel policy; Personnel- New Hire-J. Bayless; Incentive Funding- MOU agreement for stipulations of single event; Renovations- Plans submitted to state.
It was moved by Barbara Moore and seconded by Ty Pell to approve the employment of Jaimie Bayless as a Clerical Specialist 1 at the Adams County Department of Job and Family Services commencing November 28, 2022 as submitted by JFS Director Angela Richmond. Vote: All aye
It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Diane Ward to approve an amendment to the Department of Job and Family Services Personnel Policy Manual for credit card policy to reflect the Adams County Best Practices Personnel Policy and for the criminal background check that would reduce from ten years to five years as recommended by JFS Director Angela Richmond. Vote: All aye
Adams County EMS Chief Dusty McCleese, Captain Wade Hook, and EMS Maintenance Blake Swayne met with the board to discuss the following issues: 2016 Ford F450 Ambulance update- Vehicle repairs complete and returned to Adams County; Run Volume- 81 runs for the past week; Jefferson Township, larger call volumes; Village of Seaman volume nearly half compared to 2021; Obsolete Equipment- Obsolete pagers sold to another government entity- $500.00; Govedeals.com- Bids higher than expected market value on two squads listed; Pike County EMS- Will remain private through 2022; inquired with Adams County of contracting services; coverage will fall back to municipality; Drug Vending Machine- Moved to Station #300 due to faulty internet at Station #200; EMS Parade Participation- Peebles School Parade, November 10, 2022; Veteran’s Day Parade, November 11, 2022; Cyber Security- Current system non-compliant with HIPAA; Grant application to be submitted for funding to upgrade system to compliant standards; Medical Billing- Interviews with additional billing companies; review of agreement with Medicount for termination clause; Training- Captain Hook presented information on upcoming “Stop the Bleed” training to be held in the Annex conference room on November 17, 2022 from 3 – 6 p.m.
It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Barbara Moore to approve the status change of Frank Uchtmann from part-time to full-time status with Adams County Emergency Medical Services effective October 31, 2022 as recommended by EMS Chief Dusty McCleese. Vote: All aye
It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Diane Ward to accept the resignation of Shira Newland with the Adams County Emergency Medical Services effective November 1, 2022 as recommended by EMS Chief Dusty McCleese. Vote: All aye
Sheriff Kimmy Rogers and Jail Administrator Jason Hayslip met with the board to discuss an application for State of Ohio Capital Improvement-HB 687 funding for jail construction/renovations. Sheriff Rogers stated the jail building is in need of plumbing improvements and numerous other renovations and was in favor of applying for the grant. The possibility of a new jail detention facility on property owned by the county would alleviate the overcrowding and maintenance issues currently being faced by the county. Sheriff Rogers and Jail Administrator Hayslip will travel to other counties and view facilities for recommendations. The Highland County Detention Center was discussed as a favorable design due to having the Municipal Court adjacent to the Detention Center; therefore, eliminating the need to transfer inmates for court appearances. The deadline for application of the grant funding is November 30, 2022. Also discussed was OPOTA training; email licensing; and funding for MARC radios.
It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Diane Ward to approve the FAA Annual FY 22 AIP: 3-39-0112-012-2021 Report, FAA Annual FY 22 AIP: 3-39-0112-013-2021 Report and FAA Annual FY 22 AIP: 3-39-0112-014-2021 and to authorize Commissioner Moore to sign on behalf of the county as submitted by Delta Airport Consultants. Vote: All aye
It was moved by Ty Pell and seconded by Diane Ward to enter into an agreement between the Adams County Board of Commissioners and The Wilson’s Children’s Trust for the purchase of property located at 923 Sunshine Avenue, West Union, OH 45693 for the appraised value of $300,000 and to authorize Commissioner Moore to sign documents on behalf of the county. The funding from the purchase will go to the Wilson’s Children’s Trust for expansion of the Wilson’s Children’s Home. Commissioner Moore stated the sale of the property and future expansion will benefit all the children in custody in Adams County. Vote: All aye
ECD Director Holly Johnson met with the board to discuss the following issues: ODNR Amendment/Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program application; Rome Sanitary Sewer Plant- Meter readings; Quotes on two pumps, mixer; Airport Package Plant- Maintenance update; Surface water drainage update; Appalachian Community Grant- Governor HB 277- Advertise for list of needs from schools; school based health centers. Mayor Partnership- Reaching out to villages to apply; Ohio River Way-Requests to thread funding.
At 11 a.m. four (4) bids were received for the FY23 Adams County Pavement Markings Project and read as follows: 1.) Griffin Pavement Striping- $170,512.70; 2.) Ogelsby Construction, Inc.- $195,249.70; 3.) Aero-Mark-$ 184,031.50; 4.) A&A Safety- $163,704.80. The bids were turned over to Deputy Engineer Adam Carroll to be taken under advisement.
Director Jill Wright, Adams County Children Services, stated the theme for November 2022 Adoption Awareness Month is “Small Steps Open Doors”. Adams County currently has 12 adoptions for the year and an additional four pending. Six of those adoptions remained within Adams County. Commissioner Moore thanked the group for their efforts in the adoption processes which can be very mentally and emotionally taxing; the work is appreciated. Commissioner Ward stated Adams County is very fortunate to have the Board of Children Services for the children of parents who are unable to perform their duties as parents.
Children Services Board Member Holly Johnson stated as being a foster to adopt child, she is very grateful for the work and truly appreciate all. Adoptive parent Jeremy Grooms stated there is not enough praise given to the employees of Children Services, and it was important to his family to adopt to break the cycle.
It was moved by Barbara Moore and seconded by Diane Ward to proclaim November 2022 as National Adoption Month in Adams County. Vote: All aye. Those present for the reading of the proclamation were as follows: Executive Director, Jill Wright, Outreach Coordinator Emily Stephens, Foster/Adoption Specialist Kelsey Redmond, Ongoing Casework Supervisor Sonja Meyer, Ongoing Caseworker Lindsay McDaniel, Ongoing Caseworker Brooklyn Fleshman, Investigator Ashlee Moore, Case Aide Denise Sowards, Investigator Cheria Thacker, Adams County Children Services; Director Holly Johnson, Board Member Dane Clark, Adams County Children Services Board; Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Adrienne Callihan; Superintendent Liz Lafferty, Adams County Board of Developmental Disabilities; Fiscal Officer Stephanie Edgington, Adams County Health Department and adoptive parent Jeremy Grooms.
It was moved by Diane Ward and seconded by Ty Pell to adjourn.