At the October 28, 2015 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, the commissioners approved the rezoning of 24.42 acres on E. National Road from R-1 - Rural Residential to A-1 Agricultural District. The rezoning includes 5.23 acres at 9027 E. National Road for Eric Johnson, 14.2 acres at 9071 E. National Road belonging to Patricia Stephens and 5 acres at 9093 belonging to Joshua and Carrie Hall. According to Allan Neimayer, Planning and Zoning, the properties were zoned R-1 Residential in 1971; however, the area is predominantly an agricultural and rural residential area. The zoning and land use has remained the same since the zoning was adopted. When the property owners purchased the land, they were told the zoning was agricultural and have used the land for various agricultural businesses for many years. The rezoning request was made to align the zoning with the current uses of the properties. Neimayer recommended the properties be rezoned to put the properties in the proper zoning district. The commissioners unanimously approved the rezoning.
In addition, they acknowledged receipt of an expedited Type 2 Annexation Petition for 0.469 acres in Moorefield Township for Robert and Lisa Lee. The petitioners are requesting the annexation to obtain city water and sewer.
In other land use business, the commissioners passed two resolutions in support of Applications for Clean Ohio Open Space Program. The first resolution was for two properties near Medway. Anthony Cantrell requested 18 acres at 0 Spangler Road and Dearth Properties requested 33.06 acres at 0 US 40 be included in the Clean Ohio Open Space Program for conservation easements with reserves to acquire thoroughfare right of way and future bridge replacement along the tracts According to John Detrick, Commissioner, this program gives money to farmers for conservation and preservation of the land. He said, “This land, which is behind the Tavernette in Medway is included in the program because of the need to preserve the aquifers in the area and insure the safety of our future water supply.”
In addition, the commissioners passed a resolution in support of Thomas Q. and Sandra J. Patton for 102.81 acres at 5359 E. County Line Road in Moorefield Township for the Clean Ohio Open Space Program.
For the Community Development Director, the commissioners authorized a contract with the Village of West Jefferson to provide Building and Electrical Inspection Services for Commercial and Residential construction projects. According to Detrick, “Clark County has a contract with Madison County and London to provide inspection services for all building in the county. Madison County saves money and we make money by providing the services. With this new contract only Plain City is not using our services.” The contract is effective as of January 1, 2016.
For the Engineer Department, the commissioners approved a payment of $2,500 for the release of the cash bond for improvement on Dayton-Springfield Road to Phillips Companies.
They also authorized a Memorandum of Understanding with UAW Local 502 to revise the collective bargaining agreement to grant additional holidays on December 23, 2016 and December 30, 2016 to match the holidays granted by the Clark County Commissioners to all other county employees.
For the Prosecutors Office, the commissioners accepted two grants from the Ohio Attorney General VOCA for $76,883.22 and SVAA for $5,935.48 to fund the Victim Witness Advocate position and supplies from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016.
In regular business, the commissioners acknowledged the Treasurer’s Investment Report. Currently, the county has approximately $83.77 million in their investment portfolio. The Treasurer expects to earn over a million dollars in interest income this year. The interest goes into the general fund.
They also approved warrants for then and now payments for approximate $13,400. Then and Now payments result when the funds are encumbered after the date the service was provided or the department received an invoice for services for unanticipated expenditures. Richard Lohnes, Commissioner, commented, “This has to stop. The Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) has to come up with an improvement plan to prevent this from happening in the future.”
Nathan Kennedy agreed, “This has gone on long enough. This is a DJFS issue.”
In addition, the commissioners approved the County Wellness Incentives for 2017. According to Michelle Noble, Personnel Director, “The wellness incentives are moving toward performance based programs rather than more passive participation. The ability to earn the points has shifted away from passive programs to the Fitness and Lifestyle categories in which participates have to take positive action toward achieving their health goals. The points were increased for participation in competitive events and for maintaining a normal body mass, normal glucose levels, and smoking cessation programs.” In addition, the commissioners approved the employee plan contributions to their health can insurance plans as well as the contributions for insurance premiums for elected county officials.
Representatives from the SAY group from the Adult with Developmental Disabilities Program visited the county commission meeting and thanked the commissioners and county employees for the support the commissioners provide to the group. The SAY group is a self-advocacy group that is learning to speak up for themselves. In addition, the group hosted political debates during the last election and is active in advocating for doing the right things.
Several residents talked to the commissioners about the state highway patrol patrolling the city streets. They advocated that when the Highway Patrol is patrolling the city streets they make contact with the Sheriff’s Department and the City Police department when they are inside the city limits. Lohnes agreed, “ I will be meeting with the local leaders and ask them to all be on the same page. The Sheriff and Police department should know when the highway patrolmen are in town.”
Detrick reported that he had been working with the EPA on resolving the Tremont City Landfill problem. He stated, “I felt good about the meeting and hope to see positive support for the cleanup from the EPA soon.”
The next regular meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for November 4, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. in the commission conference room at 50 E. Columbia Street.
