(PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
ENGINEER … Fulton County Chief Deputy Engineer Rod Creager speaks to the Fulton County Commissioners and others present during the first hearing for ditch petition 2153 – Clinton Township.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Fulton County Commissioners held their first meeting of the week on Tuesday, September 10th. The meeting began at 8:59 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. Minutes from the previous meeting held on August 29th were approved next, along with the current agenda and payment of the bills.
Reviews were then conducted for the following items. The Dog Warden reports for periods ending August 17th and August 24th, an amended certificate of estimated resources, certificate of non-compliance, and treasurer to auditor balancing report.
Also reviewed was the sheriff’s annual report for fines and costs collected, Prosecutor’s annual report for criminal cases handled in Common Pleas Court, Clerk of Courts annual report for fines assessed and collected, and the Engineer’s report for road vacation 2024-2 German Township. The following agenda items were then approved.
-Resolution 2024-679 Increase & Transfer Appropriations for Various Departments.
-Resolution 2024-680 Dispose of Unneeded, Obsolete or Unfit Property for Senior Center.
-Resolution 2024-681 Approve Recommendation of County Engineer for Load Rating Reductions on Various County Bridges.
-Resolution 2024-682 Approve Oversight of Contract 2024-89 with Swanton Local Schools on Behalf of JFS.
-Resolution 2024-683 Approve Oversight of Contract 2024-90 with Fayette Local Schools on Behalf of JFS.
-Resolution 2024-684 Approve Oversight of Contract 2024-91 with Archbold Area Schools on Behalf of JFS.
-Resolution 2024-685 Approve Oversight of Contract 2024-92 with Todd Guelde on Behalf of JFS.
-Resolution 2024-686 Approve Oversight of Contract 2024-93 with Lamar Companies on Behalf of JFS.
-Resolution 2024-687 Approve Oversight of Amendment #1 to Contract 2023-118 with Northwest State Community College on Behalf of JFS.
-Resolution 2024-688 Accept Renewal Rates for 2025 Employee Benefits.
-Resolution 2024-689 Approve The Center for Child and Family Advocacy as Qualified Agency to Received Fees Collected from Marriage Licenses and Dissolutions for 2025.
-Resolution 2024-690 Accept Recommendation of Loss Control Coordinator for Workers Compensation Claim.
-Resolution 2024-691 Approve Change Order #1-Final and Payment Request #1-Final to Contract 2024-35 with Geddis Paving for Reconstruction of County Road 11.
-Resolution 2024-692 Approve Payment Request #3 to Contract 2024-67 with Gerken Paving for Asphalt Resurfacing Program.
-Resolution 2024-693 Approve Payment Request #2 to Contract 2024-63 with Ward Construction for Seal Coat and Cold Mix Program.
-Resolution 2024-694 Authorize Engineer to Participate in OPWC State Capital Improvement Program and to Execute Contracts as Required for Resurfacing of Road 11 from Road B to Road D.
-Resolution 2024-695 Approve Purchase Orders and Travel Requests.
A recess was then entered into at 9:11 a.m. before returning shortly thereafter at 9:13 a.m. Commissioners heard an Economic Development update from Matt Gilroy of the Fulton County Economic Development Corporation.
It was stated that questions for the All-Ohio Future Fund were recently completed, along with other requirements for Phase 1.
It was also stated that two companies have recently come through for site visits and that they are looking at a variety of industrial sites. Some upcoming events, including the annual golf outing and Fulton Leadership University Program, was touched on as well before the conversation concluded. The meeting was then adjourned at 9:18 a.m.
The commissioners then held their second meeting of the week on Thursday, September 12th. The meeting began at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. Minutes from the previous meeting held on September 10th were then approved along with the current agenda.
Reviews were also conducted of an investment report for August 2024 and the Dog Warden reports for periods ending August 31st and September 7th. The following items were then approved.
– Resolution 2024-698 Increase & Transfer Appropriations for Various Departments.
– Resolution 2024-699 Enter Into Contract 2024-94 with Fayette Methodist Church on Behalf of Senior Center.
– Resolution 2024-700 Enter Into Contract 2024-95 with Fait Evangelical Church on Behalf of Senior Center.
– Resolution 2024-701 Accept 2025 Rates for Anthem Life Insurance.
– Resolution 2024-702 Re-Appoint Member to Zoning Commission.
– Resolution 2024-703 Approve Oversight of Contract 2024-96 with Bridge of Care Group Home on Behalf of JFS.
– Resolution 2024-704 Approve Oversight of Amendment #1 to Contract 2024-22 with NOCAC on Behalf of JFS.
– Resolution 2024-705 Approve Purchase Orders and Travel Requests.
Commissioners then moved to enter into recess at 9:05 a.m. and returned at 9:16 a.m. Upon their return, Commissioners heard from Rod Creager during the first ditch hearing for petition 2153 – Clinton Township.
Creager explained that work will be needed to replace tile along County Road 17 and County Roads A and B. The tile currently located in the area was put in place during a road improvement petition back in 1915 and has been maintained by Clinton Township since. The tile drains into an open ditch system and affects 316 acres with 17 parcels.
One resident of the area spoke up during the presentation and stated the area ends up looking like a lake during certain times of the year.
Creager informed the commissioners of a few different ways they could go to fix the issue, including putting in either a 15-inch smooth wall pipe or moving up into an 18-inch pipe.
The total cost of the project is currently expected to be set at $93,390 for the 15-inch option and $98,340 for the 18-inch option. Numerous benefits of the project were also discussed before moving on to open the meeting up for testimony at 9:55 a.m.
Dale Damman was then sworn in and explained that there have been sinkholes due to the tile breaking down and that when one area of tile is taken out the next area falls in.
Damman also stated his belief that the tile in the area will continue to break down if it is not taken care of. The opportunity for testimony was then closed at 9:56 a.m. before commissioners moved to deliberate.
Commissioner Jeff Rupp stated he believes it is obvious, following picture evidence, discussions, and the testimony given, that the area requires attention.
Both Commissioner Jon Rupp and Commissioner Joe Short agreed with the assessment given by Commissioner Jeff Rupp and moved to go ahead to the next stage of the petition. With that, a final engineer’s report was set to be delivered on Tuesday, December 10th.
If the commissioners decide to move forward with the project at the December meeting, a notice will be sent out to landowners who will be affected. This letter will inform them of a final hearing date.
With no other items to attend to, the meeting was adjourned at 9:58 a.m.
