Merry Christmas Preble County!

This meeting had plenty of Merry Christmas wishes.  There were also multiple mentions of the county giving a used Sheriff’s Department cruiser to the Village of Gratis which expressed a need for one. It was the right thing to do.

There was no report turned in this month by Shawnda Combs the Preble County Economic Development Director.  I started posting those reports a few months ago as an effort at not only transparency but to counter comments on my interpretation. Video of all Preble County Commission meetings would be best but the commission commitment to transparency is only as deep as the next photo op. Shawnda gave a decent report that had the Stateline mentioned multiple times. Time will tell how valid the remarks are but there is a need for emphasis in that area as well as Camden.  Preble County gets it butt kicked by Wayne County, Indiana and the Buxton Study done at a cost of $50,000 named the Stateline as their best area for development. Exit 156 A is the Eastern Gateway to Indiana and any Preble County official that claims the Western Gateway to Ohio is Goose Creek needs kicked to the curb with a map. Exit 156 B is the Western Gateway to Ohio.

Preble County, Ohio

Preble County Commissioners

December 21, 2011

Three Commissioners in attendance

File 1

I. OPEN MEETING

II. CALL OF ROLL

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

IV. PRAYER

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING THE JOURNALIZATION & NOTE RECEIPT OF THE CD RECORDATION BOTH AS THE OFFICIAL MINUTES FOR THE DECEMBER 19TH REGULAR SESSION MEETING

VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS

VII. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING THE VOUCHERS AS SUBMITTED BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR

End 3.19 minute mark on CD – 780 KB

File 2

INVESTMENT ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

Interest income this year $102,000 with an additional $27,000 expected in December.

High point a few years ago was $750,000 in a single year.

10 Minute mark   Commissioner Stonecash mentions Goose Creek.

11.5 minute mark on cd  

8.13 minutes – 1.88 MB

File 3

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #712-11-154

RE: AUTH. PAYMENT- COMMON PLEAS COURT ($664.99; $1,775.00; $220.00); LANDFILL ($305.29)

B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #713-11-154

RE: SUPPLE. APPROP. FY2012 –WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUND ($1,476.79)

C. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #714-11-154

RE: AUTH. EXPEND. – $20,846.00 FOR PURCHASE OF (14) VEHICULAR REPEATERS & INTERFACE CABLES – SHERIFF

CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A LEGAL AD

RE: NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING – SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE – RECYCLING

AGREEMENTS & CONTRACTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING (2) ADDENDUMS TO TURF MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT W/HOUSE FAMILY LANDSCAPE & LAWNCARE

RE: ADDENDUM #4 – REMOVAL OF PARCEL #10, SWMD RENTAL HOUSE, PARCEL 12, COUNTY COURTHOUSE, PARKING LOT & VICTIM WITNESS YARD AND ADDENDUM #5 – ADJUST COST OF PARCEL 3 – COMMISSION

B. CONSIDER A MOTION TO RESCIND APPROVAL OF PROBATION SERVICES AGREEMENT W/ OHIO DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION & CORRECTION APPROVED ON OCTOBER 17, 2011 – COMMON PLEAS COURT

C. NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING AN AGREEMENT

RE: PROBATION SERVICES REVISED AGREEMENT W/OHIO DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION & CORRECTION – COMMON PLEAS COURT

22 minute mark on cd  

10.33 minutes – 2.41 MB

File 4

Commissioner Wesler – I wanted to talk about Rick Van Winkle from New Paris. He called me yesterday and wanted me to come down and meet with him, it had to do with the electric aggregation. I guess they have a meeting coming up Saturday and ahh the Wednesday after and ahh Sharon Schroder had proposed a different option to the village. So they were going to look over that option. I guess if they deviate from what the residents of the village voted on, I just wanted to make sure there weren't any legal ramifications. Talking to Connie and to Bill Bradish, until they sign that resolution they are not under any

Connie – They are not obligated.

Commissioner Wesler – not obligated so ahh I just told Rick that in my estimation – whatever is best for the residents of New Paris and the Village Council makes that decision. That I am totally behind whatever the council's decision is. We're still carrying through with us trying to get the lowest and best possible rate for the townships that voted that in. So obviously New Paris is under the gun with going to be turning out their street lights so I think this is some kind of, well I guess we will just see Saturday morning. I'm not going to that meeting but I know Rick said there should be quite a few people there concerned about them turning off the lights.

 

Commissioner Wesler on a meeting in Dayton that he attended. Discussion on combining jails with other counties – regionalization as a means of saving money by combining costs. This issue could grow in importance in the near future.

28 Minute mark   Commissioner Stonecash on 10:30 trip to Gratis to give used Sheriff's Department cruiser to the Village of Gratis. This is good thing but it also sounds a lot like trying to address the issue raised in the Register Herald with regard to Camden officials feeling the village had not received any aid on the water issue that has been an issue there. At the Monday meeting Commissioner Wesler said as much in a call to Eddie Mowen of the Register Herald.   I am happy for Gratis but the Camden concern is valid.

Commissioner Wesler goes on to elaborate and mentions that the Sheriff also requested that Meigs County was in need of a car. See June 1, 2011 post. I have friends that live in Meigs County and the county was in need and continues to be so. Preble County could have obviously sold the car and deposited the money in the general fund or bought more equipment for our county. The Sheriff requested the car be given to Meigs and the County Commissioners complied with that request

Extended discussion on how the current commission has addressed the needs of the Sheriff's department over the last couple years. Commissioner Stonecash mentions that last year (2010) the Sheriff chose to add a dispatcher instead of a road deputy. This could also be seen as a political ad for the upcoming Republican Primary so I will not transcribe it. I recommend people listen to the audio file and draw your own conclusion. It should also be recalled that this commission decimated the Sheriff's Department with cuts the first year with commission over spending when they first came into office.  Please reference the September 26, 2011 meeting for these commission comments:

 File 9A ***2 hr. 47.6 Minute mark   Commissioner Wesler – Well as you know we use to advance a lot of places a lot of money the first of January and that caught up with us ahh several years ago. So even though they still get that same amount of money we just up fronted it and got you know short at the bank. So I don't see where the $38,200 is gonna be any effect, they are going to get it throughout the year anyway.

Commissioner Day – Three years ago it would have been a factor laughter

Commissioner Wesler – That's what I am saying. We up fronted, we advanced, made so many advances in January and that's where we you know. My goodness we're ahh ran the bank account down.

Commissioner Stonecash – We just spent too damn much money. laughter

Commissioner Wesler – Well yeah I  

31.5 minute mark on cd  

14.17 minutes – 3.27 MB

File 5

SHAWNDA COMBS – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

To avoid comments attributed to "my interpretation" for the last few months I have been requesting and posting the report Shawnda Combs turns into the commission for these updates. For some unmentioned reason there was no report this month.

Shawnda brought Christmas treats for commission.

34 Minute mark  Mentions Dayton Daily News article of Henny Penny sales reaching $150 million this year which is about a $30 million improvement over 2009. It is a nice article, if you have time read it.

Mentions youtube videos for promotion.

Partnership looking at USDA grants for funding – Shawnda, Mike Snell and Matt Appenzeller are working on this.

35.5 Minute mark  Mentions Project Tool and Rt. 40.

He thinks it better getting help from internet for which foods you should include in your daily meal to boost your manhood. try address viagra price

Project JT. Also mentioned for Rt. 40. Above ground and below ground tanks. Mentions Ohio being more difficult than Indiana. This is apparently a Co Op. Will have a store. Looking at the Lewisburg exit. Shawnda mentions that she would like to see them go to the New Paris as a benefit to the community – Old truck wash was mentioned by David at the New Paris Chamber meeting. Would like to be open by April 1. Regulatory issues mentioned.

41.5 Minute mark   Project ITF – builds prototypes for IT industry. Would create 3 – 5 jobs.

Project ??? – Man acquired a building in Eaton and is looking to turn it into a reception hall. Worked with Land Use Management.

42.5 Minute mark  Project ??? Statewide project search mentioned.

43.5 Minute mark   54 properties mentioned as now being in county data base. This is a significant improvement. Attributed to addition of Sarah (recently hired part time employee).

44.5 Minute mark   Retention visit. Had dinner at Historical Society. Company mentioned as expanding Georgia location and also building in Mexico. Labor costs cheaper in Georgia.

46 Minute mark   Project Dean – Provimi going to Brookville. Real Estate Company has plans to market building.

Project TIP ?? Got a commitment letter from Jobs Ohio. Deadline in February. $109,000 commitment from state.

Project Cross – Company at Stateline looking at expansion and zoning some thingss.

Mentions also working with GoMart folks (old stateline truck stop) and Bob Smith (Archway Campground).

48.25 Minute mark  Shawnda mentions New Paris will have to step up and help.  My memory is that a few years ago New Paris had an estimate of running water and sewer out to that area for around $3.5 million. This is far lower than the projected costs for water and sewer at Goose Creek. I recommend checking with the Mayor of New Paris as I discussed this issue with him last summer. In fact the combined cost of doing both the leachate line to Camden and the lines to the stateline form New Paris are probably less than the Goose Creek Project. Camden has rail and the stateline over looks 10's of millions of retail development in Richmond. This county has far better options than available at Goose Creek and any commissioner that continues to lead the county down that road before addressing better options in the county needs removed from office.

48.9 Minute mark  Mention of website statistics.

Marketing team working toward a theme for the stateline development.

49.75 Minute mark   Met with the Farm Bureau and the Preble County Partnership and how to work better together.

Had a conference call with Buckeye Power about Goose Creek – Co-Op services the site.

51 Minute mark  Commissioner Wesler mentions attending the Chamber meeting in New Paris the day before.

Shawnda mentions time restraints to address plans for all areas. Drop Goose Creek.

Next year mentioned as addressing stateline as another great place in the county.

53 Minute mark  Commissioner Wesler mentions Wayne County does a wonderful job, has millions to work with over there. Discusses Bio Diesel project. Level playing field discussed with competition from Indiana. Guys, this is not just a state vs. state issue. As commissioners you levied a transient sales tax that puts lodging on the Ohio side at a competitive disadvantage with Richmond, Indiana and Oxford, Ohio. We were already are at a disadvantage with properties in Wayne County that collect less tax than properties in Preble County. Your incompetence is just as much to blame as the state because you harm businesses already here.

Shawnda on comparisons to Indiana.

57 minute mark on cd  

25.31 minutes – 5.84 MB

File 6

58 Minute mark   Connie mentions email from John Jones on Sewer District 2 and arrangement.

Conversation between Chris Day and Shawnda Combs going on in back ground (reception desk).

Discussion on email.

1 hr. 2 minute mark on cd  

5 minutes – 1.15 MB

File 7

MINDY ROBBINS – GENERAL FUND FINANCIAL UPDATE

Report posted below.

RECESS FOR LUNCH

1 hr.  11.5 minute mark on cd  

9.5 minutes – 2.16 MB

File 8

KATIE WORTHINGTON – GOOSE CREEK CROSSING ZONING

For those interested in this issue I recommend listening to the audio.

The audio from all the meetings today appears much better.

This is a very long meeting and I did not listen to the last half hour of it.

1 hr. 50 minute mark on cd  

38.5 minutes – 8.81 MB

File 9

GIS MEETING

Kyle Cross announces that he passed his test to get a surveyor's license. Kyle is running unopposed to be the next Preble County Engineer. A state of Ohio requirement to be a County Engineer is that a person must have an Engineering degree and a Surveyor's license. Steve Simmons will be retiring.

6 inches

Lidar four foot contours.

2 hr. 14.25 minute mark on cd  

24.16 minutes – 5.55 MB

File 10

Commissioner Stonecash – Zack Burgess coming in to discuss the sign knocked over by car that struck the courthouse clock.

Motion made to approve a letter from Ohio Attorney General and approve by signing. Commissioner Stonecash and Wesler approve. Commissioner Day had doctor appointment.

2 hr. 18 Minute mark   Mindy Robbins on an ISSG? contract that was under disagreement on licensing cost of programs going back to 2009. Agreement on cost was finally made and that is why bill appears to be paid late. Mindy offers explanation of this software maintenance agreement.

2 hr. 22.5 Minute mark     Further discussion on 10:30 delivery of used Sheriff Cruiser to Gratis. Mike Zimmerman from Register Herald on hand for photo op and apparent story.

Randy Kemper current Mayor of Gratis very appreciative.

2 hr. 24 Minute mark   Commissioner Wesler mentions that working together with villages is also been attributable to Connie and then also named Ken Moreland former county admin and Village of Camden Admin at the time he died. Ken Moreland was a big supporter of the leachate line from the landfill going to Camden. This commission with a 2 – 1 vote are sending that line to Lakengren. There is zero economic development potential on the Lakengren route. The Camden route had highway frontage with rail access. It is nice that Gratis was given the Sheriff's department cruiser. That gift does not wash away the stain of what has been done to Camden and the future economic development potential of Preble County. Not by a long shot.

Commissioner Wesler again brings up an article also done by Mike Zimmerman that featured quotes by Camden officials. The article is an apparent sore spot for the commission.

2 hr. 25.5 Minute mark   Commissioner Wesler on an effort to take of some parcels around the county that need to be taken care of. Junk tires and vehicles have been mentioned in the past. I agree with this effort.  One place has 500 tires.

2 hr. 27 minute mark on cd  

5 minutes – 1.15 MB

File 11

Zack Burgess comes in chambers. He would like to make replacing sign recently destroyed his Eagle Scout project.

Commissioner Stonecash asks about lighting.

Discussion on project.

ADJOURN

2 hr. 32.2 minute mark on cd  

5.08 minutes – 1.17 MB

The audio files will remain up for only a limited amount of time. If they are needed please email.