PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
PROJECT REVIEW … From left are Williams County Port Authority board members Shawn Rupp, Tyler Sailer, Cheryl Andres, and Rachel Walz, who discuss the updated project report at its monthly meeting on Monday, July 27.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Port Authority approved money for studies needed to complete an agreement for infrastructure installation at a future development at its regular meeting on Monday, July 27.
The grant is for $600,000 from the United States Department of Agriculture and is hoped to keep the costs of housing units in the development down.
Board member Dave Newcomer said the grant comes with several requirements. Among the USDA’s requirements, according to Newcomer, they are required to present an environmental report and an engineer’s report.
He said the environmental report contains such things as studying whether endangered species are on the property, cultural resources, wetlands, air and water quality reviews and a migratory bird assessment.
Newcomer said initially the estimated cost was $70,000, and the reports could take a year to complete, but in talking with Dennis Miller of Maumee Valley Planning Organization (MVPO), the cost should be much lower by going through them.
“We’re not allowed to move an ounce of dirt until we get this done,” said Newcomer. “We wanted to start digging in about two months, but we can’t do anything until it’s done.”
He then made a motion to enter into a service contract agreement with Maumee Valley Planning for $2,000, so they want to get this whole thing going. Bill Martin seconded the motion, and it was approved.
The authority had hoped to have a couple of lots built on using the Welcome Home Ohio (WHO) program, which provides grant money for new homes.
However, due to the time factor on the reports, that will not happen in this round of funding for the program.
As of July 27, there have been five houses already sold since January 7. They include houses located on 408 Clear Fork Drive and 404 Clear Fork Drive, Pioneer; 402 Empire Street, Montpelier; 228 North Beech Street, Bryan; and a duplex on 314 West Curtis Street, Stryker.
A duplex located on 108 South Depot Street, Stryker, is currently listed on the market at $195,000.
Currently under construction is a house located at 421 South Cherry Street, Bryan. It was noted the foundation and some framing has been installed on the property.
Four more houses are waiting to break ground including two duplexes located on West Wabash Avenue, Montpelier; a duplex at 323 South Michigan Avenue, Edgerton; and a long narrow structure on 408 South Michigan Avenue, Edgerton.
The board approved a pair of prospective lot sales to Heller Creations for a two-lot property on Elm Street in Stryker ($30,000) and to Valentine/Ringgold Rentals for a property on 500 West Curtis Street in Stryker ($10,500).
In other business:
-Approved Denise Dahl of Epiphany Planning and Development as the official submitter of information for the USDA grant portal.
-Approved motion to pay Coldwell Banker a $100 fee for listing agents to cover MLS and E&O Insurance.
-Approved Dave Newcomer, Dawn Fitzcharles, and Joe Kimbell as authorized signers for certificate of incumbency.
-Agreed to pay $1,000 for the option to purchase property for the Abbey Meadows subdivision near Montpelier.
If the board agrees to purchase the property later, the price would be $303,000. The board would try to sell the property to a home builder.
-Discussed the latest financial audit for the authority from the state, which has been completed without any issues.
The board went into an executive session for the purpose of considering the purchase of real property. No action was taken.
Next meeting will be on Monday, August 24, at 1 p.m.