By: Rebecca Miller
Commissioner Brian Davis, who has been working on the MARCs Tower project, led part of the December 10, 2020 Thursday morning Williams County Commissioners meeting, giving an update on the project. Also on the Zoom meeting were Amanda Spencer of Hull Engineering and Dick Miller from MARCs (Multi Agency Radio Communications).
Spencer shared that they have been working to finalize the Bid Book, getting it completely updated and ready for a final review by the commissioners. She continued that based on the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Administrative Code, the dates that have been preliminary set were to run the ad on December 15 and 22 with a bid opening on December 29, 2020.
Davis pointed out that the first week of January would work better for them and Spencer agreed that it could be adjusted to fit their needs. Also a point of importance mentioned was that it needs to be “turnkey” or completely ready with no additional work that they would need to have done on their part.
Miller and Spencer both assured the commissioners that it would be turnkey ready. Miller thanked the commissioners for the partnership and stated, “Once you guys bid this, anything above and beyond that is solely on MARCs. We are a partner in this and obviously we are going to make good on that partnership…”
Commissioner Lew Hilkert brought up the topic of a construction driveway that would allow the heavy vehicles an entry to keep from ruining the parking lot on the north side of the property where the tower will be erected. It was agreed that a temporary drive will be put in to keep that from happening. Commissioner Terry Rummel asked Assistant Clerk Robin Kemp to send out a notice to all of the entities in the county who will be using the tower for their MARCs Radios, so they are all aware of the information.
It was also agreed that an MOU needs to be written up between the Commissioner and the Clerk of Courts, to utilize the property, so that in the future there is no confusion over what was done and how it was done.
In Regular Business, the commissioners voted to approve:
•Resolution 360 Supplemental Appropriations on behalf of Auditor – Unclaimed Funds Budget; Auditor on behalf of Communications; Board of Elections; Commissioners; Coronavirus Relief Funds; Dog Pound; Hillside; EMS; Prosecutor’s office; Sheriff; and Veteran Services
•Resolution 361 Approving lease agreement with Perry ProTech on behalf of Department of Aging for main office
•Resolution 362 approving lease agreement with Perry ProTech on behalf of Department of Aging for Senior Centers
•Also signed: Change Order #1 – Final – Project #3-2020 Bridge Replacement; Permit to work within County/Township Road Right of Way for Ohio Gas; Monthly Credit Card Expenditures – Prosecutor’s office – December, 2020; letter to Premier Office Cleaning concerning JFS Courthouse Annex Building; Updated letter to elected officials and department heads on Health Insurance Costs; special Hauling Permit #20-060 for Stephan Trucking, Inc.
•Minutes of December 7, 2020 and payment of bills
Commissioner Rummel reported that the PPE that has been in storage at his warehouse needs to have a permanent home and that he has been in communication with Apryl McClaine with EMA to come up with a solution. So far she has divvied out four pallets of supplies to the nursing homes and hospitals but they still need long term storage for the other four.
He gave them a quote for a 40 foot mobile office or construction trailer that could be kept heated or cooled as needed, at around $25,000 for delivery and set up. They would then need to “figure out how to help the EMS pay the electric bill.” Rummel said he would send the info to the other commissioners for future discussion.
He also updated them that he has been doing some communications on the solar project in Jefferson Township area. Following his information, the commissioners agreed that he should contact County Prosecutor Katie Zartman to see if she is the one who should speak with the Preble County Assistant Prosecutor, Katie Wells, before they move on.
In response to a question from Commissioner Hilkert, Rummel shared that due to the fraud that happened in Lucas County, he has reached out to the Insurance Agent for Williams County and found that WC has $1 million coverage for fraud.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com