Following an Executive Session to discuss compensation, with Judge Gallagher and Craig Bills present (with no action taken), the Williams County Commissioners began the March 29, 2021 morning session. Approved that morning were:
- Resolution 123 Supplemental Appropriations on behalf of Williams County Commissioners; Family and Children First; and Treasurer
- Resolution 124 Entering into an agreement on behalf of WEDCO with Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
- Resolution 125 Entering int a Lease Renewal (LOT C) on behalf of WC Clerk of Courts for an additional term beginning July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023
- Also signed were Special Hauling permits 21-018, 21-019; Dog Warden Report for the weeks of March 8-14, 2021 and March 15-21, 2021; Title Sheet for Project 5-2021
- Minutes for March 25, 2021 and payment of bills
Commissioner Terry Rummel reported that the Vaccine Clinic on Saturday, March 27 went well. They are still looking for people to call the 419-636-0081 number and are changing the hours so they will be open till 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Commissioner Brian Davis clarified that the asbestos is in the 4th floor, not in the Courthouse. They also discussed the need to “bring in someone to do some architectural review of the 4th floor and what can and cannot be done; to talk about the appropriate use for the fourth floor; and who to call to get that started.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned. During the Thursday, Morning, April 1, 2021 meeting the commissioners approved:
- Resolution 126 Supplemental Appropriations for WC EMA
- Resolution 127 Entering into a First Amendment to Grant Agreement with Ohio Development Services Agency for the purpose of assisting with the assessment/corrective action of the former gas station located at 303 S. Main St., Bryan
- Resolution 128 Entering into Contract for Construction testing services for Kunkle Sewer Project with Bowser Morner on behalf of the WC Engineer
- Also signed letter from Fred Lord requesting a rate change to $30 a day for back-up on-call pay; Credit Card Appropriation on behalf of WC REcorder’s Office for the month of April; Special Hauling Permits #21-020 and 21-021; Office of Community Development Job Certification Summary for Love’s Travel Stop and Country Store and Title Sheet for Project 5-2021
- Minutes date March 29, 2021 and payment of bills
Commissioner Brian Davis updated the other commissioners regarding the 4th floor of the Courthouse and what they might be able to there with a remodel. Following a short recess, the Board of Commissioners heard a presentation on the Mentors for Williams County program.
Judge Karen Gallagher had asked for the session, so turned the time over to her and some people who were present, or on the Zoom meeting, to assist in the presentation. Gallagher began by sharing the history of how the group, Mentors for Williams County, was started.
She said that she felt it was important because, “We want you to understand how much value we are putting in the Williams County mentoring program.”
A group of individuals from the community who are part of the Leadership of the Chamber got together and identified this as a need in the county. “They have done everything that they needed to do to make that come to fruition,” Gallagher said.
“There is no greater story than that, on volunteerism, to take that and to take people who weren’t by any other means bound together, saw what needed to be done, and came together for that.” AJ Nowaczyk and his board went very early in the process to speak with the judge and get her thoughts on the idea of this program.
The program is ready to go now, and she sees it as, “one of the most important programs that we can think of now, to really get behind and sponsor and to help.” She continued, “We have kids after kids that we could give to AJ and say here, match them so we can use those people, good people in our community who will help the kids as well.” John Karacson, who is a probation officer for the WC Common Pleas Court Juvenile Division suggested that the county officials encourage county employees to recommend people who could be mentors, and turn it into a reward type thing such as the way the Blood Drive was handled.
Following some details on possibilities for that idea, Nowaczyk said that they are ready to train the volunteers, and are in great need of more people to become mentors. This idea would be a great help. Karacson suggested that they go beyond just county employees and ask local manufacturers to offer a day off or something like that to someone who has a successful mentor placement of their recommendation.
The best way right not to sign up is to go to mentorswc.org and fill out the Become a Mentor Form. Those who are approved, following a background check and much vetting, need to commit to one year. It was agreed that Judge Gallagher will write up a letter of explanation for the Mentor raising campaign and the commissioners will approve a resolution such as the one they do for the United Way. Gallagher ended by saying, “This program has the potential of being really great for our community.”
Before adjourning for the day, the commissioners went into an Executive Session for Compensation of Personnel with Vickie Grimm, and with Patti Rockey on Zoom. There was no action taken and the meeting adjourned.