Bid OK'd for Greenfield project
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Commissioners finalized preparations for this week’s visit by Ohio first lady Frances Strickland, while focusing on a number of other pending issues at their Wednesday board meeting.
In issues before the board, following a brief executive session on personnel, county commissioners Gary Heaton, Tom Horst and Shane Wilkin approved a recommendation from Mike McCarty of McCarty Associates to accept a low bid of $14,989.12 from Hunley Bobcat Services, LLC, of Mount Orab for the LaFayette Street sidewalk paving project in Greenfield.
Greenfield interim city manager Harvey Everhart and grant writer Peg Beekman attended the portion of the commissioners’ meeting devoted to the project.
Joe Hunley said he could begin the project as early as next week, weather permitting. He expected it to be completed in two weeks as long as the weather did not interfere.
Sheriff notes extension
of union negotiations
Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward met with commissioners to discuss employee negotiations. The department’s union is seeking “fact finding” for a wage and insurance re-opener, Ward said. A meeting was held last Friday, Ward said. The current contract runs through 2011.
Inspector seeks
county business
Leesburg area resident Bob Humphrey met with commissioners to request future business with the county as a third-party inspector of manufactured homes.
“I am a third-party inspector for the state of Ohio,” Humphrey said. “I am blocked from doing this in Highland County because Ross County has it sewn up.”
Wilkin said he was not familiar with the Ross County contract, but added, “We’ll be happy to look into it.”
The current contract runs through May 2010.
No action was taken on Humphrey’s request.
Agencies discuss
ongoing debate
In an ongoing and occasionally heated debate over a proposed grant application and other issues, Julie Wise, executive director of Highland County Community Action, along with Danielle Ratcliff, coordinator for Highland County Family and Children First Council, and Highland County Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Chuck Biggert met with commissioners.
Wilkin opened the discussion by referencing a number of e-mails “that have gone back and forth.
“We’re going to get these issues settled,” Wilkin said, then set the ground rules for the ensuing discussion. “Each person will have an opportunity to speak without interruption,” he said.
Biggert said the issue stemmed from an earlier grant application related to an early Head Start program and the Help Me Grow program.
According to Biggert, his board wanted to pursue the grant in conjunction with other county agencies.
Biggert said Wise wanted the grant for Community Action.
Wise confronted Biggert over e-mails that questioned her professionalism and said she’s “felt nothing but animosity” in working with him.
Biggert said his office would no longer oversee the Help Me Grow program after Dec. 31. “I can’t jeopardize funds for Highland County Developmental Disabilities over this agency,” Biggert told The Highland County Press.
The commissioners asked all parties to continue to work together for a resolution of their respective issues.
“In the future, if anyone has a problem with any one of us, let’s try and settle it right here, face to face,” Wilkin said. “I’d like to think everyone’s intent is to do what’s best for this county.”
In other action, commissioners approved the following resolutions, all by 3-0 votes:
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the Sheriff’s budget (Employee Salaries), from Unappropriated Funds (Methamphetamine Initiative Grant) to Sheriff Salary – Employees for $3,927.58.
• The acceptance of the resignation of Nancy Clark from the Salem Township Zoning Commission.
• The approval of the following transfer of funds, from Child Support Enforcement Admin. Fund (CSEA), Reimburse, to Public Assistance Account for $22,565.15.
• The authorization of travel for Tonya Brown and Rebecca McIntosh to attend an Ohio Department of Veterans Services training session on Dec. 9, 2009 in Columbus, and the approval of the use of the Veterans Service van for transportation to the meeting to eliminate travel expense, with no cost for the meeting.
• The modification of the Rocky Fork Lake Sewer District Budget from Equipment to Services in the amount of $18,000.
• The modification to the Unemployment Compensation budget from Workers Compensation to Unemployment Compensation, in the amount of $3,768.19.
• The acceptance of the bid from Hunley Bobcat Services, LLC, for the Greenfield CDBG Project (FY08 – Lafayette Sidewalk Improvements) in the amount of $14,989.12.
• The approval of an advance in the Block Grant Fund (T-4), from transfers to advances out in the amount of $30,500, and from advances out to block grant expenses in the amount of $30,500.[[In-content Ad]]
In issues before the board, following a brief executive session on personnel, county commissioners Gary Heaton, Tom Horst and Shane Wilkin approved a recommendation from Mike McCarty of McCarty Associates to accept a low bid of $14,989.12 from Hunley Bobcat Services, LLC, of Mount Orab for the LaFayette Street sidewalk paving project in Greenfield.
Greenfield interim city manager Harvey Everhart and grant writer Peg Beekman attended the portion of the commissioners’ meeting devoted to the project.
Joe Hunley said he could begin the project as early as next week, weather permitting. He expected it to be completed in two weeks as long as the weather did not interfere.
Sheriff notes extension
of union negotiations
Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward met with commissioners to discuss employee negotiations. The department’s union is seeking “fact finding” for a wage and insurance re-opener, Ward said. A meeting was held last Friday, Ward said. The current contract runs through 2011.
Inspector seeks
county business
Leesburg area resident Bob Humphrey met with commissioners to request future business with the county as a third-party inspector of manufactured homes.
“I am a third-party inspector for the state of Ohio,” Humphrey said. “I am blocked from doing this in Highland County because Ross County has it sewn up.”
Wilkin said he was not familiar with the Ross County contract, but added, “We’ll be happy to look into it.”
The current contract runs through May 2010.
No action was taken on Humphrey’s request.
Agencies discuss
ongoing debate
In an ongoing and occasionally heated debate over a proposed grant application and other issues, Julie Wise, executive director of Highland County Community Action, along with Danielle Ratcliff, coordinator for Highland County Family and Children First Council, and Highland County Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Chuck Biggert met with commissioners.
Wilkin opened the discussion by referencing a number of e-mails “that have gone back and forth.
“We’re going to get these issues settled,” Wilkin said, then set the ground rules for the ensuing discussion. “Each person will have an opportunity to speak without interruption,” he said.
Biggert said the issue stemmed from an earlier grant application related to an early Head Start program and the Help Me Grow program.
According to Biggert, his board wanted to pursue the grant in conjunction with other county agencies.
Biggert said Wise wanted the grant for Community Action.
Wise confronted Biggert over e-mails that questioned her professionalism and said she’s “felt nothing but animosity” in working with him.
Biggert said his office would no longer oversee the Help Me Grow program after Dec. 31. “I can’t jeopardize funds for Highland County Developmental Disabilities over this agency,” Biggert told The Highland County Press.
The commissioners asked all parties to continue to work together for a resolution of their respective issues.
“In the future, if anyone has a problem with any one of us, let’s try and settle it right here, face to face,” Wilkin said. “I’d like to think everyone’s intent is to do what’s best for this county.”
In other action, commissioners approved the following resolutions, all by 3-0 votes:
• The authorization of additional appropriation to the Sheriff’s budget (Employee Salaries), from Unappropriated Funds (Methamphetamine Initiative Grant) to Sheriff Salary – Employees for $3,927.58.
• The acceptance of the resignation of Nancy Clark from the Salem Township Zoning Commission.
• The approval of the following transfer of funds, from Child Support Enforcement Admin. Fund (CSEA), Reimburse, to Public Assistance Account for $22,565.15.
• The authorization of travel for Tonya Brown and Rebecca McIntosh to attend an Ohio Department of Veterans Services training session on Dec. 9, 2009 in Columbus, and the approval of the use of the Veterans Service van for transportation to the meeting to eliminate travel expense, with no cost for the meeting.
• The modification of the Rocky Fork Lake Sewer District Budget from Equipment to Services in the amount of $18,000.
• The modification to the Unemployment Compensation budget from Workers Compensation to Unemployment Compensation, in the amount of $3,768.19.
• The acceptance of the bid from Hunley Bobcat Services, LLC, for the Greenfield CDBG Project (FY08 – Lafayette Sidewalk Improvements) in the amount of $14,989.12.
• The approval of an advance in the Block Grant Fund (T-4), from transfers to advances out in the amount of $30,500, and from advances out to block grant expenses in the amount of $30,500.[[In-content Ad]]