Knupp No Tax Increase for Seven Years – 2 – 1 Beer Garden Vote – Goose Creek Traffic Issue

Fairly interesting meeting and as usual it is best to listen to the issue of interest. I did not listen to the Jackson Ditch #829 review.  As much as I hate missing it, there are time restraints.

File 4 has Diane Knupp in and she informed the commission that it looks like they may be able to go seven years between requests to the public for another levy. This is good because given the current economic climate, I don’t see another being approved anytime soon.

File 5 & 6 involve discussions on the good financial shape that Chris Washington and Certificate of Title are now in after the raise to an across the board $15 fee. He would like to give $10,000 to the Sheriff’s Department which has used ¾ of the money budgeted for fuel this year already.

File 7 had a 2-1 vote on allowing a beer garden for the Bridges, Bikes and Blues event scheduled for June 18. Commissioner Wesler voted no and that brought a comment from Commissioner Stonecash. My memory is that Commissioner Wesler had previously mentioned he would vote no. The Bridges, Bikes and Blues event is a good one but I can also understand the concern and I am also sure that there are citizens of Preble County that probably do not care for the idea of a beer garden at the courthouse.

File 8 has the unfortunate approval of an agreement in the amount of $234,623 for the leachate force main to be built to Lakengren. On economic development grounds, the force main going there is a travesty.

There is also some silent reading of comments from the Ohio EPA on the operational report of the landfill from 2010. I will request copies.

File 9 has the commissioners and others back in chambers after a visit to the Pilot Truck stop on the issue of truck congestion. Nothing said or presented here changes my mind that the area is an extremely poor choice for spending millions. There is actually discussion of finding a way to expand the Pilot, which could very easily draw more trucks to an area with two truck stops already.

File 10 closes the day with a short discussion on spending $1,200 a year to give the public access to GIS information online.  This is a great idea and should be pursued but it was dropped for now shortly after it was revealed that the Preble County Engineer had failed to make his agreed upon payment by June 1. That payment is the first of two that is to be paid by the Engineer’s Department for its share of the GIS Department expense.

Preble County, Ohio

County Commissioners

June 8, 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 JUNE 6TH REGULAR SESSION MEETING

VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS

End 2.54 minute mark on CD – 660 KB

File 2

PUBLIC HEARING – JACKSON DITCH #829 – 6-YEAR REVIEW

30 minute mark on cd  

27.07 minutes – 6.2 MB

File 3

PUBLIC HEARING – JACKSON DITCH #829 – 6-YEAR REVIEW

1 hr.  .9 minute mark on cd  

30.55 minutes – 7.07 MB

File 4

DIANE KNUPP – BUDGET AMENDMENTS

1 hr.  2.5 Minute mark   Meeting starts

Discussion on union negotiations.

blacktop

cameras on buses for security.

1 hr.  6.5 Minute mark   Commitment to not go back to the taxpayers after last levy for five years should be able to stretch to six or seven years.

1 hr.  8.5 Minute mark   Stretching dollars with federal grant money.

Levy cycle should be pushed back significantly.

1 hr.  10 Minute mark   Bridges dollars – local funding bringing back 80% more.

1 hr.  11.25 Minute mark    Making better use of Medicaid funding.

54 employees but not all are full time. Possibly 28 are full time.

1 hr.  17 minute mark on cd  

16.06 minutes – 3.68 MB

File 5

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. # 359-11-151

RE: AUTH. EXPEND. – $22,858.85 FOR PURCHASE OF VARIOUS SIGNS, REFLECTORS AND SIGN POSTS – ENGINEER

B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #360-11-151

RE: TRANSFER OF FUNDS – VETERANS’ SERVICES

AGREEMENTS & CONTRACTS

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

RE: JUVENILE COURT FUNDING APPLICATION & GRANT AGREEMENT W/ OHIO DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES – JUVENILE COURT

B. NOTE RECEIPT OF AN EXECUTED AGREEMENT

RE: LPA COUNTY SIGN UPGRADE GRANT AGREEMENT W/ODOT – ENGINEER

1 hr.  21 Minute mark   Connie – speaking on the transfer of cash mentioned on the agenda for the upcoming meeting with Chris Washington. Explains steps for doing it.

1 hr.  22.5 Minute mark   Comments on Sheriff Department fuel costs. Connie – He was appropriated $42,000 he has expended $30,608 and has a balance of $11,391.

Connie – He gets billed by Steve, his cruisers pull into Steve's lot…. monthly bill automatically absorbed out of the gasoline line item.

Commissioner Wesler – Well he has pretty much used 3/4 of his fuel allotment and we are not even half way into the year. Unless he has a good bit of money he can transfer from another line item.

Connie – Last year the Sheriff spent $48,000 on gasoline.

Commissioner Stonecash – How does that compare to previous years?

Connie – In 2009 he spent $34,384. Now I don't know, boy in 2008 he spent $91,829…. in 2007 he spent $72,370.

Commissioner Stonecash – So in 2010 when we are trying to reduce things further, he spent more.

1 hr.  26.75 minute mark on cd  

9.44 minutes – 2.2 MB

File 6

CHRIS WASHINGTON – TRANSFER OF CERTIFICATE OF TITLE MONIES

Chris explains discussion among other Clerks that have been finding their Sheriff's Department have been having a hard time of it with fuel costs. They have found that they are able to transfer funds through the General Fund to help that department out financially. Chris Washington offers to make $10,000 donation to Sheriff's Department gasoline fund. Also mentions salary needs.

1 hr.  30.75 Minute mark   Also after review some of Chris's staff is under paid and he plans to address that over a couple years. This topic was covered earlier in the year when the budget process was going on. Proposes .50 pay raise for legal staff. Title office is a little different and he will be adjusting job descriptions.

Clemans and Nelson study showed Chris Washington's staff was underpaid.

Commissioner Wesler – mentions that study and title fee increase from state…. brings up Chris's staff being paid overtime and perhaps it would be a good time to address issue with some of this money  

Chris – that is a possibility…. are you suggesting hiring another employee? That is the way it sounded to me.

Commissioner Wesler – brings up that there will be an impact next year with the fuel fund if it can't be done.

1 hr.  38 Minute mark   First part of Chris Washington's public career was as a police officer.

1 hr.  39 Minute mark   Commissioner Stonecash – Can I ask you about the $5,000? Salary adjustment at the Sheriff's discretion. I am just throwing that out there and where my mind is going is all of the employees of Preble County that haven't received a raise and I know he has got some office personnel.

Chris – Yeah.

Commissioner Stonecash – But that does I that sets a I am going to use the word bad example. That might not be the terminology I want to use, but all these other folks in the courthouse that haven't had a raise in three years the same as they haven't. I think that is who you are talking about.

Chris – Right

Commissioner Stonecash – That then raises his salary line from here, forever.

Chris – Right

Commissioner Stonecash – I guess I have a problem with that.

Chris – Again that is something he will have to figure out on his own… and what he would ultimately do with that if it were permitted to be done.

Commissioner Stonecash – We've got two girls out here that without a doubt deserve a raise…..

Are you feeling stressed out? Aren’t we all? Dealing with Check Prices levitra sale all of the ups and downs of work, money, family, and relationships it can be downright overwhelming sometimes.
1 hr.  41 Minute mark  Chris – My balance today is about $120,000.

Discussion on pay scales.

1 hr.  50.5 Minute mark   Chris – Preble County will be able to be sustained for 12 years with the current increase (2 years ago). ORC say that when there is a surplus it can be used by General Fund.

1 hr.  54 minute mark on cd  

27.17 minutes – 6.24 MB

File 7

Commissioner Wesler – Connie do you have anything else?

Connie – A contract between the Preble County Historical Society and the Board of Preble County Commissioners. For the use of the courthouse premises over the alley way on June 18 (Bridges, Bikes and Blues). From 1:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Commissioner Stonecash – I thought we already did that.

Connie – No that was for the use of the plaza. This is for the use of the beer garden to compliment the poker run and downtown musical event.

Commissioner Day – We didn't already do that?

Connie – No that was the use of the plaza for the music event after downtown Eaton.

Commissioner Wesler – Did they jump through all the hoops?

Connie – We've got three things going here. We've got Downtown Eaton using the plaza that day for a certain period of time. Then after that time period the Historical Society is using it for the musical event and then this is the third leg of this program to use the alley way for the Beer Garden.

Commissioner Day – I thought we approved that based on them providing all the legal documentation.

Connie – Marty Votel came up with a two page legal document for them to sign. They had to provide A,B,C attachments.

Commissioner Stonecash – And they have done that right?

Connie – Yes

Commissioner Day – I thought we approved it based on them providing those documents.

Connie – No.

Commissioner Wesler – The beer garden would run from 1:00 – 11:00?

Connie – 1 – 11 actually from 4 – 9 but set up and tear down.

Commissioner Wesler – Ok  4 – 9 is the actual.

Connie – Marty has it stated in here from 1 – 11.

Commissioner Wesler – Security would come from

Connie – Would come from the Preble County Sheriff's Department.

Commissioner Wesler – Yes, I know Mike said he would want him to be part of that not the city since it is on County property.

Commissioner Stonecash – And they have two deputies already hired.

Commissioner Wesler – Ok so we need to note receipt and approve.

Connie – Note receipt and approve by signing a contract with the Preble County Historical Society.

Use of parking lot east of building as a beer garden. Motion passes with 2 -1 vote. Commissioner Wesler voted no.

Commissioner Stonecash – The other day you wouldn't go for a 2-1 vote on item if it couldn't go 3-0.

Commissioner Wesler – Are you guys both there helping out that day? Helping the Historical Society pour beer?

Commissioner Stonecash – I am helping on a bridge to start with. With the motorcycles.

Commissioner Wesler – Are you? Oh good.

Commissioner Stonecash – I'll be up here doing whatever needs to be done. If somebody needs help. They are looking for volunteers.

Commissioner Wesler – What time do you have to be at the bridge?

Commissioner Stonecash – I don't know yet. We just talked about it last evening.

Commissioner Wesler – Ok I might be able to help to.

1 hr.  58.25 minute mark on cd  

4.05 minutes – 959KB

File 8

Connie – Next I have resolution 2011-1 from the Preble County Budget Commission that we need to note receipt of. Which waves the 2012 county tax budget process.

Passes 3 – 0

Connie – Next we need to rescind the agreement with DP&L Energy resources. Issue with DP&L…. new rates will be quoted….

2 hr.  .3 Minute mark   Connie – Next I have we need to note receipt and consider approval by signing an agreement regarding the landfill extension agreement with Lake Erie Electric in the amount of $234,623 for the leachate force main construction.

Commissioner Day – Move to note receipt

Commissioner Stonecash – Second

Commissioner Wesler – Connie will you please call the roll?

Connie – Commissioner Day?

Commissioner Day – Yes

Connie – Commissioner Stonecash?

Commissioner Stonecash – Yes

Connie – Commissioner Wesler?

Commissioner Wesler – Yes

Commissioner Stonecash – How soon will they be working on that? How soon?

2 hr.  3.1 Minute mark   Connie – Jill ??? the Ohio EPA had comments on the landfill's 2010 annual operating operational report. You will see what her comments were, along with John's response.

Papers being turned as Commissioners apparently read comments. I'll request letter and response.

2 hr.  8.25 Minute mark  Commissioner Wesler – I might give Wes a call this afternoon and make sure he gets on this as soon as possible.

2 hr.  9.8 Minute mark   Connie – Next I am passing out back in I would say 2009 the state examiners had issues with some of their procedures. Mean while Becky responded to those issues back in May. Yesterday I received from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services that they did accept her letter of explanation on all of the findings that were issues. I think the last issue that we need to resolve is the lease payment with JFS, which we are in the process of doing.

Connie – I think that is all I have at this point in time.

Commissioner Wesler – After lunch we will go up to Pilot and then we will come back here afterwards and least say what we heard or observed. Right now we will go ahead and recess for lunch.

2 hr.  12 minute mark on cd  

13.46 minutes – 3.15MB

File 9

MEETING AT PILOT W/ PILOT & ODOT – TRUCK TRAFFIC

Commissioner Wesler – Ok well we are just freshly back from our visit hot visit up to Pilot. With Jay Hamilton with ODOT, we had Steve Simmons and Kyle Cross from the Engineers office, Shawnda from economic development, Mike Zimmerman went along and the commissioners.

Discussion on reconfiguration and Hazelwood.

Apparently the trucks are getting into somebody's yard.

Commissioner Wesler mentions safety issues and property damage…. apparently the station not being large enough.

Discussion of having Pilot expand.

2 hr.  25.6 minute mark on cd  

13.35 minutes – 3.11 MB

File 10

Connie – the web hosting for the GIS information that we had talked about earlier, about letting the public have access to the all the GIS. Is $1,200 a year. I have the agreement here if you would like to proceed with that.

Commissioner Stonecash – Did you say 1,200?

Connie – $100 a month it would be placed on you know like a economic development's website, ours, several other people.

Commissioner Wesler in favor.

Engineer payment for GIS share of funding was due June 1, this is June 8.

ADJOURN

2 hr.  28.25 minute mark on cd  

2.43 minutes – 6.37 KB


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