Transcript

2026 meeting of the Delaware County

Commissioners. Would you please rise and

join me in the pledge?

I pledge allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America, and to

the republic for which it stands, one

nation under God, indivisible, with

liberty and justice for all.

All right, thank you. Um I'm Jeff

Benton, president of the board this

year. To my right is our vice president,

Commissioner Gary Merrell. Commissioner

Lewis is not here today. Our

administrator, Tracie Davies, deputy

administrator, Dawn Garris, are both

here. Don Houston and Eric Gostel.

Our clerks, Brandy Wilson, Jennifer

Waller. We can begin.

Resolution number 26-303,

in the matter of approving electronic

record of proceedings from regular

meeting held April 27th, 2026.

So moved. Second. Discussion. Vote. Vote

on motion 26-304.

Mr. Merrell. Aye. Mr. Benton. Aye. We do

not have any public comment today. That

brings us to item number three,

resolution number 26-304,

in the matter of approving purchase

orders and announce certificates and

payments of warrants in batch number

CMAPR0501.

So moved. Second. Discussion. Vote. Vote

on motion 26-304. Mr. Benton. Aye. Mr.

Merrell. Aye.

Resolution number 26-305,

in the matter of approving travel

expense requests.

So moved. Second. Discussion. Vote.

Vote on motion 26-305.

Mr. Merrell. Aye. Mr. Benton. Aye.

Resolution number 26-306,

in the matter of declaring May 2026 as

Building Safety Month in Delaware

County.

So moved.

Second.

Discussion. Welcome, Dwayne.

Good morning, Commissioners. Dwayne

Matlack, chief building official for

Department of Building Safety.

And I thank you for allowing us to come

over here and

we're doing a proclamation for building

safety month.

Uh with me, I brought our leadership

team. So, Jamie Church is our office

coordinator.

Back in the back who evidently don't

want to come out

is Joe Amato, our lead electrical

inspector.

Um

Greg Miller, he is our lead residential

plans examiner. And Drew Shorter is the

lead building

inspector. So,

the leadership team for building safety.

Uh I had a few talking points before we

get to the proclamation

and just wanted to express the

importance of building safety and what

we do.

Um

building codes are essential regulations

that set a minimum standard

uh for the design, construction, and

maintenance of building projects.

Uh public health, safety, and the

welfare of the public.

They ensure structures are safe,

functional,

and resilient against hazards.

While also promoting substantial

sustainability

and energy efficiency.

Um

I would like to say that typically it's

a partnership with the health

department, which are not here, and with

the fire inspectors of all the fire

jurisdictions. We work hand in hand um

when inspecting structures.

Um

The first point uh would be safety and

risk reduction.

Building codes establish requirements

for structural integrity,

fire safety safety, accessibility, so

getting in and out, and energy

efficiency.

They help prevent tragedies by

addressing hazards such as fires,

earthquakes, windstorms,

floods, and extreme weather.

Um FEMA estimates that

$132 billion

in property damage losses will be

prevented by 2040.

So, it's an important thing that

that we look for.

Uh public

health and welfare.

By regulating plumbing, electric

systems, ventilation, and accessibility

codes,

it ensures buildings are habitable,

safe, and inclusive for all occupants.

It also addresses health risk from poor

ventilation,

unsafe materials, and inadequate exits.

Uh sustainability and resiliency is one

of the things that most people don't

think about. We build for the future and

so that things last. Um

modern codes integrate and intricate

sustainability goals such as energy

conservation

and climate resiliency

into safety requirements.

Reduces long-term costs,

lowers carbon emissions,

and ensures buildings can withstand

future climate challenges.

There's also economic benefits to

building codes.

Compliance with building codes can

increase property values.

Inspections mean the houses are

resilient

and lower insurance cost

uh for property owners.

Non-compliance risk, legal penalties,

costly repairs, and reduced

marketability

of their properties.

Um

Codes are

consistent a consistent benchmark. Um

building

builders and inspectors

ensuring all projects meet the same

safety and quality standards.

Enforcement through inspections and

penalties

detours unsafe practices.

Continuous improvement. The codes are a

living document. Technologies change. We

continually update the codes to meet

those new technologies and

to address issues that have happened

that would require changes.

In summary, building codes are a

cost-effective, life-saving measure

that protects people, property,

[clears throat] and communities.

They're vital

to safety, sustainability, resiliency,

and economic stability.

And their enforcement is critical

in realizing these benefits.

With that, um,

we're happy to have this proclamation.

Jamie's going to go over what building

safety

month is and the

portions of it that, uh,

happen each week.

Okay. Great. Well said, Dwayne.

Welcome. Good morning. Jamie Upchurch,

building safety coordinator.

So, building safety month is an

international campaign that takes place

every May. Um,

the campaign reinforces the need for the

adoption of modern, regularly updated

building codes, and it helps

individuals, families, and businesses

to understand what it takes to create

safe and sustainable structures.

Each year, the International Code

Council decides on a theme for, um, the

month. So, this year's theme is built to

last, and this campaign is going to

highlight how modern building codes,

safety professionals, and resilient

construction practices protect homes and

communities,

um, not only locally, but in the state

level and around the world. Um, lots of

other locations use the International

Code Council for their codes as well.

So, um, each week also has a theme that

we promote. So, this um, month's themes

are the first week is safe homes and

strong communities, which is going to

focus on simple actions that homeowners

can take to improve the safety of their

home.

Week two is Voices of the Built

Environment, which spotlights building

safety professionals and the roles they

play in keeping communities safe.

Week three is Prepare to Protect, and

that's going to encourage community

preparedness, and highlights how

disaster resilient building codes

protect people and property. The last

week, week four, is Communities Without

Limits, and that showcases the

importance of accessibility in building

construction and design. Now, each week

our office is going to promote the

weekly theme by educating the public on

how inspectors and plans examiners,

um, permit techs and contractors,

architects, and anyone else in the built

environment provides the community with

safe, accessible, disaster resilient

homes and public buildings. We're also

going to provide the public with ways

that they can contribute to safe homes

and stronger communities.

Thanks. Great. Thank you, Jamie.

That it for your presentation? That is

our presentation. All right. I'll thank

you. Turn it over to Commissioner

Merrill for Well, I think you, between

the two of you, pretty well said

everything that I could say in the

resolution. Well, I think you can

complete it.

Safety is extremely important, and I

know you you, plural, all of you in here

in the room is involved with it, takes

it very seriously, and when I've had a

somebody call me with a question or

concern,

you, plural again, have always been

quick to respond to them, and I

appreciate that as well. We take the

safety of our residents very seriously,

and thank you for all you do.

Yeah, um, kind of building on that.

Your your team, thank you all for all

you do. Um, your team is very busy,

um, you know, and um, I know one thing

I've really appreciated is you've built

a flexible staff where you outsource

when you get to peaks. You know, you

outsource some of the activity rather

than staffing for the peaks and then

having downtimes.

So, you know, I really appreciate that.

I know

the residents and so on do as well.

But again, thank you for all you do.

It is a you know, we're living in a

great community

code and zoning are all all a big part

of that. So, thank you. I'll I'll read

the resolution and then we'll we'll take

a vote on the resolution.

Um

although again, you've you've kind of

covered most of the topics, I'll still

read it.

Whereas building safety month is

sponsored by the International Code

Council to highlight the vital role

played by our code

officials, the often unrecognized public

safety professionals who ensure the

safety, sustainability, and

affordability of the buildings that

support our prosperity. And whereas

modern building codes and standards

include safeguards to protect the public

from hazards such as hurricanes,

snowstorms, tornadoes, wildland fires,

floods, and earthquakes. And whereas the

structural integrity of homes,

buildings, and infrastructure play an

essential role in the growth and safety

of Delaware County both in everyday life

and when disasters strike. And

whereas our confidence in the resilience

of these buildings is possible thanks to

the devotion of vigilant building safety

personnel, fire prevention officials,

architects, engineers, builders,

tradespeople, design professionals,

laborers, and others in the construction

industry who all work year-round to

ensure buildings are constructed safely.

And whereas these professional

professionals are committed stewards of

the built environment working to

safeguard us in the places where we

live, learn, work, and play.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the

Delaware County Board of Commissioners

recognizes May 2026 as Building Safety

Month and encourages our citizens to

join us in honoring the valuable work

performed by those in the construction

industry. Signed Commissioners Jeff

Benton, Barb Lewis, and Gary Moore.

So, thank you all for everything you do.

And you want to get a picture, Dwayne?

Can we get a vote first? I'm sorry,

what? Can we get a vote first?

>> [laughter]

>> Vote on motion 26-306.

Mr. [clears throat] Moore? Aye. Mr.

Benton? Aye. Thank you, sir.

>> All right, now we'll get a picture.

Thank you, Howard.

All right, we've got more things to

celebrate and resolutions to go, so we

can begin again. Resolution number

26-307,

in the matter of recognizing Alice

Frazier on the occasion of her selection

to the COAAA

16 over 60 class of 2026. So moved.

Second. Discussion.

Fair, did you want to

say anything? Alice, I don't see Alice

here.

Good morning. Um, thank you very much.

I'm sorry that Alice couldn't be here uh

this morning, but I she's been um a

wonderful made a wonderful contribution

to our community in a variety of ways,

all the different service areas. She's

served on many boards, including um both

past president um

and president of the Source Port Source

Point Board, and she's also um served on

the board of League of Women Voters as

well as the Historical Society. So, and

and having served as a medical

professional, a doctor for many, many

years in this community, we're just so

excited to be able to recognize Alice

and there will be a celebration in

Columbus by hosted by COAAA coming up in

this month and so we're really excited

about this opportunity. That's great.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Vera.

Let's take a vote.

>> Okay.

Vote on motion 26-307. Mr. Benton. Hi.

Mr. Merrell. Hi. Resolution number

26-308

in the matter of recognizing Becky

Williams on the occasion of her

selection for the COAAA

16 over 60 Classic 2026. So moved.

Second. More discussion. Yes. Yes. Thank

you again for recognizing Becky. Becky's

been a volunteer for SourcePoint for

many years and has made many

contributions to the organization and

many other service groups in the

community and so we thank you for this

opportunity and again she will also be

recognized at the dinner

in Columbus later this month. That's

great. Um

Let's take a vote, Jennifer. Vote on

motion 26-308. Mr. Merrell. Hi.

>> Mr. Benton.

>> Hi.

Um comments any any

you know again two great individuals who

do so much for

you know, for the community.

I don't know that I have a lot to add.

This is an honor that

well earned well deserved by both. And I

Allison are brother together so I see

her every meeting.

As you are.

And

I just congratulations.

Yeah. Yeah. Alice is just all over the

place. She's done so many things,

involved so many things and and she's

just a great member of our community. So

it's neat that we can we can pause and

and uh recognize her and then also

written, you know, as well.

Um just

you know, the the work she did at

SourcePoint. I mean, the trips and the

miles and volunteer hours are in the

thousands. I mean, it's it's incredible.

Yes.

>> The dedication, so.

>> We can't do what we do at SourcePoint

without our our volunteers. That's for

sure.

>> Yeah. Um okay, so I we won't read the

pre the proclamations um since they're

not here, but I'll give you those.

Great. Thank you. And um make sure they

get them as well. We will do that, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, Brett.

And and we're not done. Right. We got

one more proclamation. [laughter]

Resolution number 26-309

in the matter of proclaiming May 2026 as

Older Americans Month in Delaware

County.

So moved. Second. More discussion? Yes.

Yes. Well, thank you very much. Um

thanks for recognizing

um Older Americans Month and also

inviting us to share an update with you.

Um

since I had provided an update um

well, first let me let me pause and say

who I brought with us um here today. We

have um Jody Kaminski. Um she is our

community planner.

Um

uh SourcePoint's community aging

planner. And we also have Allison

Yeager, who is our advancement um chief

advancement officer. And Amelia Tutrone,

who is our chief programs officer. And

I'm Thea Wawa with SourcePoint. Um

So, since I had provided a general

update towards the end of of the year in

2025

um

when we were here and purchased the

building and celebrated the the end of

that bond issue, I thought um you may be

interested in hearing about

SourcePoint's age-friendly initiative

and I'll talk about here about our

progress that we've made and so

to make that presentation I want to

introduce reintroduce Jody Kaminsky who

will who will walk through those that

progress. Okay. Great.

Welcome.

Thank you. So appreciate the time to be

here and I'm going to start this with

the video.

>> start with the video?

>> Yes, please.

So it's a just a brief video and then a

couple of slides.

I don't know.

It worked earlier. The people in the

room saw it earlier.

>> [laughter]

>> Or if not I can direct this to the video

later. Okay. We'll try again later. So

the video is on our website

sourcepoint.

mysourcepoint.org on the new age

friendly pages.

So

but the the video really just sets a um

sets the tone for this presentation.

It's about creating hope and it's an

uplifting message for our community. So

back in how do um

How do I get the slides back on the

screen?

Cuz this isn't showing up there.

So, that's the right slide. It's just

not showing on the screen anymore.

Is it maybe

showing on someone else's screen?

Okay.

This one's showing right now.

I'm sorry. I have no idea what is wrong.

It all worked before session started.

I will talk to the slides and then

um Jennifer can see them later. So,

2017-2018,

um the county commissioners supported

SourcePoint and the Delaware Public

Health District in starting the age the

first age-friendly plan. And um

since [clears throat] then there's been

an evolution within the country within

the movement. So, there are now over

1,000 age-friendly communities across

the United States. AARP estimates 83-84%

of older adults living in an

age-friendly community, and last

September Governor DeWine made Ohio an

age-friendly state. So, we're the fourth

age-friendly state in the country. And

so, there's a myth out there that older

adults drain a community's resources,

and that really is not true. And so,

part of what age-friendly does is help

to debunk that myth. It shows that

age-friendly is good for a community,

the older adults within the community

are good for the community. They have an

impact on multiple levels from a

financial impact, having an outsized

economic impact. So, in 2018,

AARP estimated

that [clears throat]

while older adults accounted for

um

30

uh

37%. So, people over 50 accounted for

30% of the population in uh Ohio, we

accounted for more than 41% of the GDP.

Um and then also just in terms of the

impact on the unique culture of a

community, older adults really shape the

fabric of a community.

So, talking about age-friendly 2.0 and

what that means for our community, I

think you've probably heard the trends.

America's getting older. There's more

older adults. So, uh Scripps Gerontology

estimates that by 2040,

in Delaware County, people over 60 will

account for a quarter of the population.

But the thing that's really important is

that our population over 85-plus is also

growing. So, we'll have over 7,000 older

adults over 85. And that's a population

that's going to need more supportive

services to be able to age safely in

place. And so, what age-friendly does is

it lets us be proactive, plan and shape

the community that we want going

forward, and think about not being

separate, doing separate things for

older adults, but really creating a

community that works better for

everybody. So, Age-Friendly 2.0 has the

same foundation as the first plan. The

mission, the vision, the domains haven't

changed. I gave you copies of the the

new plan up there.

Um what we do focus on is engagement and

access, combating ageism, and focusing

on the most vulnerable. Because while we

know that older adults control uh the

majority of the wealth in this country,

we also know that that's not the story

for everybody, and there are older

adults out there who are living on fixed

incomes and have very limited

discretionary income. So, what the plan

does is it highlights the

interdependence within our community,

both within people and systems. That's

why the coalitions that we have and the

collaborations are so vital to the

success of Age-Friendly and the older

adults in our community, and we really

focus on creating hope for everybody.

So,

if you could see this slide, it would

paint a very bleak message. Uh Ohio

ranks 43rd in the country for health,

38th uh for older adults social

isolation. That's a new report that came

out from the Health Institute Policy of

Ohio uh just this month. And ageism in

health care costs the country $63

billion

a year.

Um and so, you can see where the

intentionality of Age-Friendly has had a

has had measurable results. In Delaware

County, our life expectancy is one of

the highest in the state. Um and we're

consistently ranked one of the

healthiest counties. So, that shows you

that well-resourced neighborhoods

neighborhoods that focus on the

resources that are available to their

residents support healthy behaviors.

Um and so, I would just encourage us to

continue thinking about proactive and

thoughtful investments in housing,

transportation, access to health care

that really help build the community for

the changing demographics that's that is

coming.

So,

the last slide I have is all about hope.

Hope is belief paired with action

turning possibility into progress. So,

age-friendly is not a list of of

tactics, things that we're going to do.

It's really about creating a culture.

It's about opportunity, connection,

belonging,

creating hope and excitement within the

community. What you can expect to see

next, the Ohio Department of Aging is

adding age-friendly to the next state

plan on aging. And within the

age-friendly ecosystem,

uh health care systems is the next uh

area that has really been a focus. So,

John A. Hartford and the Institute on

Health Care Improvement are leading

that. And then within Delaware County,

you can see it in a number of different

places. We have the Delaware Public

Health District that uh SourcePoint

partners closely with working on the CHA

and the CHIP, the Housing Alliance, um

which is so important in terms of

allowing older adults to age safely in

place, thinking about the quantity of

housing, the quality of housing, the

suitability of housing. It's been a nice

little work

talking housing this same month, um

really because it's about afford housing

affordability, right? So, all of that

goes into the affordability of it, um

and not just for older adults, but also

the people who are going to be

supporting them.

So, housing, uh creating new

communication channels, we're working on

a digital community bulletin board, and

we're currently piloting an expanded

medical transportation for residents who

need to leave the county.

That was um everything that I had. And

then the last thing was homework for you

guys.

Um you can visit the new age-friendly

pages on the SourcePoint website. You'll

be able to see the video on that

homepage that I would have shown.

Um you have the action plan in front of

you and next uh Saturday, this coming

Saturday, is a walk with a doc at

Charmar. It's a new program that we just

started with AARP Ohio, Preservation

Parks, the Health District. Um we've all

been a a partner in getting AARP Ohio

Health partner in getting it going. So,

thank you.

And I think we're up.

Thank you, Jody. In addition to our

age-friendly plan, um SourcePoint's

board is looking forward um to the our

future as well. As you may know, because

as stakeholders you received a survey,

we are in the midst of updating our

strategic plan.

Um we will hold two focus groups this

month and wrap up our plan with a 2-hour

board retreat in November later this

year. Um this will help us move into the

future, prepare for the future, and move

forward um in the coming years. Um and

also this year, before we uh conclude

the end of the year, we hope to be

finished with some renovations that were

um doing in the building to help better

um

uh to kind of repurpose some of the

space using the current footprint that

we have so that

as you may know, many of our classes are

quite full. We get um a lot some of our

classes, especially the morning morning

classes, fill up within minutes of uh

registration. And so, we're trying to

repurpose, as I say, some space to allow

for greater participation.

Um so, we're looking forward to that in

the future. So, thank you again for this

opportunity. Thanks for recognizing

Older Americans Month and thank you for

allowing us to share this update. Do you

have any questions? Any questions at

this point? One, how how many members of

SourcePoint are there right now? And

membership is doesn't There's no cost.

Right.

>> to register. So, how many do you have

now? Are we growing and we are growing.

Uh yes, we are we have been growing and

our participation has been growing as

well, as I mentioned, but I think 3,000

about 3,000.

3,000 active what we consider active,

but closer to 5,000

You may want to repeat that since you

can't Yes, um

it is 3,000 active members who

participate routinely in our programming

and 5,000 that are registered

um as members of SourcePoint. So, yeah.

Age minimum 50? 55 and over.

>> 55 55 and over. 55 and better, as we

like to say. Seems like all every time I

go out there, all 3,000 of the active

members were there. [laughter]

It does on some days. Um I'll not I

always I've recently started telling the

story about 3 weeks ago, I came in and I

literally had to drive around and wait

in the parking lot to find a spot. And

we try to park further away from the

building. I ended up having to park

closer cuz that's all there was.

>> [laughter]

>> Amazing.

Yeah, well, SourcePoint is an incredible

asset for the community and as evidenced

by our participation. I know

Commissioner Merrell goes out there as

well and all the times you've been out

there, it is very busy. Yes. So,

appreciate everything you do. Um

>> Thank you. We do have the proclamation

to read, but we need to approve it

first, right?

>> Just want to make a comment. Jody did a

great job in spite of the visual aids.

>> Yes. I

I apologize. Sorry about that.

Vote on motion 26-309.

Mr. Merrell? Aye. Mr. Benton? Aye.

All right. I will read the proclamation

and then we'll get a picture. Okay. Um

Whereas uh Delaware County is home to a

growing population of older adults who

strengthen our community through their

experience, service, and civic

engagement. and Older Americans Month

established 1963 is observed each May to

recognize these contributions and

reaffirm our commitment to supporting

the health, independence, and well-being

of older adults. And whereas the 2026

theme, Champion Your Health, encourages

older adults in our

community to prioritize wellness,

connection, and active aging,

and organizations such as SourcePoint

support older adults across Delaware

County by delivering nearly 250,000

meals annually, providing caregiver

support, and offering programs that

promote physical, mental, and social

well-being.

And whereas older adult volunteers are

essential to this impact, contributing

more than 60,000 hours of service each

year, supporting programs, delivering

meals, and strengthening connections

that help neighbors remain healthy and

independent. And whereas Delaware County

remains committed to ensuring older

adults have access to the resources,

support, and opportunities [snorts] they

need to stay healthy, engaged, and

connected. Now, therefore, be it

resolved that the Delaware County Board

of Commissioners hereby proclaims May

2026 as Older Americans Month in

Delaware County, Ohio, and encourages

all residents to recognize the

contributions of older adults and to

support efforts that champion their

health and help them thrive in our

community. Signed, Commissioners Jeff

Benton, Barb Lewis, and Gary Merrell.

Thank you. Thank you again for all you

do, and we're glad to get a picture.

Yes.

Thank you.

I know. I think she plans it that way. I

do. You know me so well.

>> [laughter]

>> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

No, that's

>> All right, Jennifer?

>> That brings us to item number 10,

resolution number 26-310.

In the matter of approving an

intergovernmental agreement between the

Delaware County Board of Commissioners,

the Delaware County Sheriff, Delaware

County Jail, and the US Department of

Justice, United States Marshal Service

Prisoner Operations Division, to house

federal detainee needs.

So moved. Second. Discussion?

Good morning, Commissioner. Sheriff Jeff

Balzer.

Since the late 1980s, Delaware County

has contract has had a contract with the

ability to hold prisoners for the United

States Marshal Service.

That contract uh has occasionally needs

to be updated, and we need to

renegotiate the rates. That's what we've

done.

The current rate

as of today

for a federal prisoner to be held in our

jail is $83 with a transportation rate

of $36 an hour.

As I said, we've renegotiated that. The

proposed rates will be $102

per day per inmate, and the hourly rate

to transport be $49.50.

Throughout the years,

this has been useful not just to us, but

our partners with the US Marshal Service

to be able to hold some prisoners up

here in Delaware County.

Just since 2020,

those prisoners that we've held for the

US Marshals have brought in over $1.4

million to the county.

It helps us uh in the cost of the jail.

Um it also establishes our rate that we

charge for other entities to uh pay for

the uh inmates they house with us. So,

that's what I'm asking today for the

approval to uh for this contract to go

forward with the new rates.

Okay.

Comments, questions?

Yeah, I have a couple of questions.

We have we have two hats on this. First

of all, we should do everything we can

to support the federal government, US

Marshals, and

I won't say any more than that. You know

what I'm talking about. And number two

is putting on my other hat is fiscal

responsibility. I'm glad to see we're

having an increase. I always feel like

we're behind the eight ball. We always

have it after three years, after

inflation, and we know what inflation

was like for the three, four years ago.

And I do appreciate the increase, but I

also noticed when I read the contract

that we have the ability

to renegotiate during the three-year

period.

I don't know if we've ever done that,

but I would encourage us we should take

a look at that and make sure that we put

ourselves in the best position. I think

it said you could renegotiate up to

twice during the three-year period, if I

read it correctly. So, I would ask that

we at least keep that

open for discussion. Sure. And they

usually put in there different time

lengths. Previously, it was five years.

This contract, we specifically asked

them no more than three because we

believe that we'll be in a position to

possibly increase that rate because of

our cost

within the next few years. And

Okay. Interesting. I didn't realize the

previous ones were I don't remember the

previous ones were five years.

Yes. So, okay. Well, that's good. Good

good thinking.

That's all right. Okay.

Again, you mentioned that the we're

changing the rate, and that's really the

the only

only substantive change of this

agreement. That's correct. They It's

interesting to me that

our assigned attorney from the

prosecutor's office noted how the

contract grows over the years, but I

think that's just attorneys making sure

they have plenty to do. But uh

the the substantive parts of it are the

same. Ever since late 1980s, we've had

the ability to house various prisoners

for the federal government. Since that

time, we've housed for the for the US

Marshals, and that hasn't changed

through me and my predecessors.

Okay. I think you Again, thank you for

the remarks. I think you've answered all

the questions I had. I had no more

questions. I think you've covered them,

so

Any other questions, comments? Let's

vote, Jennifer. Vote on motion 26-310.

Mr. Benton? Aye. Mr. Merrell? Aye.

Thank you. Thank you, Chair.

Resolution number 26-311

in the matter of approving and

authorizing the county administrator to

execute a first amendment to the Sawmill

Parkway cooperative agreement with the

city of Delaware. So moved. Second.

Discussion.

Good morning. Eric Fostedtler, deputy

county administrator and general

counsel. This resolution will approve of

an amendment [snorts] to the Sawmill

Parkway cooperative agreement. If you

recall, that agreement was entered into

in 2014 and became effective in 2015

to provide for the financing and

construction of Sawmill Parkway in

cooperation with the city.

The payback for the city's share of that

project was through TIF revenues, which

just have not materialized. What this

amendment will do is it kind of

readjusts how those TIFs are structured.

It will support the Maridel development

and the AAA Blue Jackets development by

taking them out of the operation of the

agreement. Allow them to have incentives

that will get that project up and

running, which will be a catalyst for

the for the neighborhood. And it also

provides for a new TIF area

for an Addison development that would be

dedicated specifically to repaying the

county.

If projections hold, the the county

would be paid back in a relatively short

time period compared to the current

structure. So, happy to answer any

questions you might have.

Um, questions, comments? Well, I don't

have any questions. I appreciate the

work being done on this, and obviously

uh that that's an important issue to I

think the county.

Yeah, the Maridel project and AAA Blue

Jackets Foundation are very important,

really

positive developments in that area.

We've got some others, you know, that

are in in the in work the works as well.

But, uh I I think the restructure makes

a lot of sense. So, appreciate all your

work on it. I know others have worked on

it as well. It's it's it's a

complex topic, for sure.

Want to thank the city of Delaware, too.

Uh I know everybody's working hard to to

get this thing

going. So, appreciate that. And I I will

add, Bruce Daniels is for the Marysville

project, what a

what a great ambassador he is for this

project and for in the conversation I've

had, he spoke at our Rotary Club and the

conversations I've had with him since,

his dedication and commitment to

Delaware City proper

uh and impact he wants this to be a

positive impact for everybody. Uh

he he's a class act and this this is

this will be good for everybody. Yeah,

and I think those hockey rinks will fill

up yesterday, you know, with the demand

for hockey ice time.

>> My grandson has to play in Easton at

ridiculous hours in the morning. So,

that's why

>> Yeah, and that's it's it's incredible

the demand how the popularity of hockey.

Um okay, Jennifer, let's vote. Vote on

Resolution 26-311.

Mr. Mayor? Aye. Mr. Benton? Aye.

Thanks, Eric, for all your work on that.

Resolution number 26-312

in the matter of establishing

maintenance account, approving the

maintenance easement, and certifying the

drainage maintenance assessment

collection percentage for 2027 for the

Slate Lick Lateral number one drainage

improvement project. So moved. Second.

Discussion? Good morning, commissioners.

Brett Benton, deputy administrator, Soil

and Water Conservation District. Uh this

resolution will finalize the

construction costs for the Slate Lick uh

drainage petition project. Uh the final

cost of construction uh ended up right

at the final hearing estimate of

$43,395.95

uh and will also establish the drainage

maintenance easement for the project,

and uh we request your approval. Okay.

Further discussion? Vote, please. Vote

on motion 26-312.

Mr. Merrell? Hi. Mr. Benton? Hi.

Resolution number 26-313

in the matter of approving supplemental

appropriations.

So moved. Second. Discussion. Good

morning, commissioners. Justin Navin,

director of finance. Uh this one has

been submitted uh for a budget amendment

to the regional sewer district. And it's

in relation to the East Allen Creek pump

station project. This is a project that

was uh scheduled for next year, but it's

being moved up to the current year.

Right. Right. And Tiffany explained that

uh previously, so good to see this

moving forward.

Any other questions or comments? Vote,

please.

Vote on motion 26-313.

Mr. Benton? Hi. Mr. Merrell? Hi.

Resolution number 26-314.

A resolution of necessity for purchase

or lease of motor approval vehicles for

the various county departments. So

moved. Second. Discussion. Thanks,

commissioners. For the second item, uh

it's a request in relation to the

expiration of four vehicle leases for uh

various departments as well as a new

lease. And that's replacing an existing

vehicle that's uh past its useful life.

Okay. Any questions or comments?

Uh let's vote, Jennifer. Vote on motion

26-314.

Mr. Merrell? Hi. Mr. Benton? Hi. Great,

thank you. Thanks. Resolution number

26-315

in the matter of approving the owner's

agreement for the Howard Farms section

five. So moved. Second. Discussion.

Good morning, commissioners. Lee Bodnar

with the engineer's office. For your

consideration, this is a standard

owner's agreement uh for the developer

to begin construction on road and

drainage improvements

uh in relation to Howard Farms section

five development, which consists of 22

buildable lots located south of a

Cheshire Road and

east off of uh Piatt east of Piatt Road

in Berlin Township. and we recommend

your approval.

Okay.

Any comments, questions? Uh vote,

please. Vote on motion 26-315,

Mr. Merrill. Aye. Mr. Benton. Aye.

Resolution number 26-316 in the matter

of approving plan specifications and

setting the bid date and time for Dell

TR042-0.061,

Dent Road bridge replacement. So moved.

Second. Discussion. Yes, commissioners,

again for your consideration, this

resolution approves the plan

specifications and sets the bid opening

for 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2nd for

the Dent Road bridge replacement

project, which is located off uh over

the Eastport Rattlesnake Creek.

Look located between State Route 37 and

Ross Road in Trenton Township. I just

like saying that name. I apologize for

the hesitation.

Uh the bridge is a precast structure uh

that will be wide enough to accommodate

future road improvements and uh road

widening. The project will begin in this

September, and it will be completed by

the end of this year, and we recommend

your approval to move forward.

Okay. Questions, comments? Vote, please.

Vote on motion 26-316,

Mr. Benton. Aye. Mr. Merrill. Aye.

Resolution number 26-317,

approving right-of-way board permit

summary sheet.

So moved. Second. Discussion.

Seven standard right-of-way utility

permits with nothing out of the ordinary

to share. We would recommend your

approval. Okay.

Uh vote, please, Jennifer. Vote on

motion 26-317,

Mr. Merrill. Aye. Mr. Benton. Aye. Thank

you, commissioners. Thanks, Lee. The

adopted time is 10:13

a.m., and then we have the public

hearing on the application to add

certain property to the Evans Farm New

Community Authority District.

Yes, we do.

Um

we have uh Do you want to hear comments

first?

>> Yeah, we have a couple hearings to to

get going first. Um

The I don't have I don't have

instructions for this one, Jennifer.

>> No, we just have the hearing. Um

Representative uh Mike Ringel is here.

So, if you could

Okay.

Welcome

uh Mr. Mr. Ringel. Mike Ringel with

Bricker & Graydon LLP representing the

Evans Farm New Community Authority's

legal counsel. But, thank you for the

opportunity to speak to the petition

that you have before you. There's a

parcel of land approximately 18 acres in

Berlin Township that is just south of

Peach Blow Crossing that wasn't included

in the original formation for the Evans

Farm New Community Authority, but the

developer for that uh

area, that development, has since

acquired that property and they would

like to add this parcel to the Evans

Farm New Community Authority so it can

um be part of that cohesive community

and also uh assist in financing the

build-out of that community.

So, happy to answer any questions that

you might have about this application

that you have in front of you or um

I have some limited knowledge about the

site itself, as well. Okay. I don't know

if Commissioner Merrell has any

comments.

>> question. Yeah, I know this this has

been expected and we've been informed of

this coming. Eric, any any comments or

questions? Okay. Um

So, Jennifer, what's the next step?

>> Well, the next step would be to ask if

there is anyone that would like to

comment is since it is a public hearing.

Okay.

I'd be here away heard that. Is there

anybody who want wants to comment on

this application?

Uh

last chance. All right. All right, we'll

note the time is 10:17 and then the

resolution for consideration. Resolution

number 26-318.

A resolution approving the application

to add a parcel of real property to the

Evans Farm New Community Authority

District and to amend the petition for

the establishment of the Evans Farm New

Community Authority as a New Community

Authority under chapter 349 of the Ohio

Revised Code. So moved. Second. Any

further discussion? I think it's pretty

pretty straightforward. It's been

through the process and makes sense.

Jennifer, let's vote. Resolution number

26-318.

Mr. Merrell? Aye. Mr. Benton? Aye.

Okay.

That takes care of the public hearing on

the new on the Evans Farm additional

parcels and now we'll do the final

hearing. Yes, we are getting out the

time again. The old 10:18 a.m. Final

public hearing for for the proposed

vacation of a portion of the existing

McNamara ditch and drainage easement and

the creation of a new relocated section

of the ditch within the new easement.

So moved.

Second. Discussion?

>> just for the record that we don't have

any public comment at this point.

>> Yeah. Um let me go through what will

happen with this hearing before

we have our

director on on this. Um

First of all,

I'll introduce the board again.

Commissioner Merrell and Commissioner

Benton.

Um

I'd like to welcome everyone to the

final hearing for the consideration of

the proposed vacation of a portion of

the existing McNamara ditch and drainage

easement and the creation of a new

relocated section of the ditch with a

new easement.

This is an unusual situation. We don't

I'm not sure we've had one of these

before, but

it is just a

subtraction of one part of it and then

and then adding other.

There's a sign-in sheet circulating

room. We ask that you please sign the

sheet and indicate your attendance.

Here's a view of what will happen today.

We'll hear a summary of the final

hearing report from the county engineer

and soil and water conservation

district. Following the summary

presentation, there'll be time for

questions from the board. After board

questions, the board will hear any

interested owners that wish to testify.

Those speaking for or against the

petition must be an owner as defined in

section 30 61-31-01

of the revised code.

And that is a issue we've had challenge

we've had issues with that in the past,

so please you must be a an owner or

attorney basically representing an

owner. Board will acknowledge receipt of

any landowner written testimony before

hearing live testimony. Have we received

any, Jennifer?

I assume. We did not receive anything

written. Okay.

>> [snorts]

>> Um

we'll first call all those wishing to

testify in favor of the project. We'll

then call all those wishing to testify

in opposition to the project. Before

testifying you'll be asked to take an

oath. After all those wishing to testify

for or against the the project have been

heard, there will be an opportunity for

responsive or rebuttal testimony. The

board will close the public hearing

after all testimony and evidence has

been presented. After listening to

testimony and the report of the

engineer, the board will decide if the

vacation will be conducive to public

welfare and if the relocated improvement

is necessary conducive to the public

welfare and the benefits derived exceed

the cost incurred for the creation of a

new relocated section of the ditch with

the new easement. Or the board may

dismiss the petition and set a set aside

the previous order. Board must consider

the following factors in making its

decision:

whether the vacation of the existing

portion of the ditch will be conducive

to the public welfare, whether the

proposed relocated improvement is

necessary, whether the proposed

relocated improvement will be conducive

to the public welfare, and whether the

cost of the proposed relocated

improvement will be less than the

benefits the improvement provides.

Okay, with that

uh we have a map now of the

full-blown map of the

the

ditch area.

Um

Okay, so I will turn first thing is turn

it over to to Brett Bacon, Soil and

Water, and walk us through the final

hearing report.

Good morning, Commissioners. Brett

Bacon, Deputy Administrator, Soil and

Water Conservation District. Uh this

vacation was requested uh by the

developers of the Jennings Sports Park

in order to accommodate

uh their uh desired configuration of uh

their portion of of the improvement on

their property. Uh specifically, Jen, do

they have the the map with the letters?

Is that what you gave them? I gave them

the big that big map that you have in

front of you. I think that was

>> the A B? Yes. Yes. Okay. So, uh the

portion that we're specifically uh

was worked on would be from B to C in

the uh cross-hatched area. Um

they reconfigured the infrastructure uh

to go from B to C in the orange area.

Uh that would be uh installation of a

new swale and uh installation of new

subsurface drain tile to reroute from

the original configuration. Uh the

orange

uh

area that you see, that represents the

footprint of the new easement. The work

has been uh completed. The work was

inspected by our staff and the as-built

certified uh by their engineer and

looked at by uh engineer Bauzerman.

Uh so, this is just merely uh vacating

that existing portion of the easement,

reestablishing the new easement, and

accepting that new infrastructure onto

drainage maintenance. Uh this work was

done at no cost to the rest of the

landowners in the watershed. Uh the

increased value of the relocated

infrastructure has been assigned to uh

the Jennings Sports Park property. Uh

everybody else's uh base in the

watershed stays the same. As a side

note, we have not collected drainage

maintenance assessments uh on this

project for probably

3 to 4 years. There's sufficient um

money in the drainage maintenance

account to do the work that's been

required. And And most of this area will

probably be incorporated into

subdivision, you know, in the near

future. So, we don't anticipate needing

to do collections, but we do need to

establish the base should that become

necessary.

Um okay. Uh

there is some cost associated with

getting going through this process and

That has been assigned to Jennings

Sports Park.

>> Not the rest of the homeowners. That's

correct. Yeah. And that that is just our

uh we did not

front the money for construction or

anything like that. That is just uh our

time, my staff's time doing the

inspection of the work and and looking

at the plans and doing this part of the

process.

Yep.

Okay.

Uh

and so no question no further questions

for for Brett at this point. Um at this

point then we'll

uh call all those wishing to testify in

favor of the project.

If if anyone No one has to testify.

Um

And again, anybody who wants to testify

in favor?

Is there Okay, so one is there anyone

who wants wishes to testify in

opposition to the project?

Anyone who wish to testify in

opposition? Okay. We will um move along.

Um we'll So, then at this point we close

the public hearing. We will note the

time as 10:23.

Okay. And then

direct

>> that we read the motion in favor. Okay.

Resolution number 206-319

in the matter of finding in favor of the

improvement, affirming the order, and

confirming the assessment for the

vacation of a portion of the existing

McNamara ditch and drainage easement,

and the creation of a new relocated

section of the ditch within the

easement. So moved. Second.

Any further discussion? I just think it

meets the criteria that we're asked to

judge based on and that it meets the

public conducive to public welfare,

uh relocated improvement is necessary,

and the improvements will be

as I said conducive to public welfare,

and

the benefit the improvements I exceed

the cost.

Yep, I agree.

Um, fairly straightforward, I think. Um,

so

need to wrap this up. We'll take a vote,

Jennifer? Vote on motion 26-319. Mr.

Benton? Aye. Mr. Merrill? Aye.

All right, that brings us to

administrator reports. Nothing today,

thank you.

Don? Eric? Anything?

Mr.

>> things today. I'm doing it in

chronological order. I attended regional

planning Thursday night, and uh meeting

was uh fairly short, about 45 minutes,

and uh

uh Tuesday, I had the privilege of

attending Derby High School, and

acknowledging

two great students, uh Ben Curren, who

three of the last four years has been a

national winner.

Over 3,000 applicants this year, and he

finished first again.

I assumed he had to be a junior or

senior, but I asked that question before

I went to the meeting, and he's only a

sophomore. He can win this thing two

more times before he graduates. He's

unbelievable. And second place

also was Derby High School, with 3,000

applicants, and I asked the question

during my comments to the lady from

C-SPAN, and Rachel, I believe her name

was.

And there's no identification about the

school they represent when they get down

to the final 10.

And they finished one and two. He

finished second. His name is Chase

Peterson.

And if there's no objection, I'd like a

future meeting to have both of them come

to the session and show their videos. Uh

No, absolutely. So, I will ask Jennifer

to identify future meeting, if we get

the visuals to work. Sure, why not?

And uh these are two remarkable young

men.

Of course, we've talked about Ben

before, and uh

what an amazing guy, and uh

uh Chase, who's also a sophomore. He has

a chance to finish get two more of them.

He'll probably literally to six.

Uh but three out of the last four years,

this is really amazing for Ben and I've

come to know him and I've been

privileged to speak all three years that

he's won. And uh and we'll get a date

and have both boys hopefully come here

and uh

listen and view their presentations and

maybe have them comment. Wow. And uh in

addition, what else do I have? I have

several other things, I believe.

I've got to find my notes now that I've

uh messed up my uh

Here we go. And uh tomorrow is the uh

well, first of all, shredding.

Y- Saturday, there was a shredding

event, DKMM and Health Department. It

was held held at the Health Department.

I, on my way to coming to the office to

work, I took

huge box lined up to Sandusky and I got

there about 9:10. It started 9:00.

And um

Jennifer Way Young was one of the people

working there. We all know her from the

Health Department and her involvement

with DKMM as well. And uh

she says, "We'll We won't make it to 12.

The truck's going to get full." And only

had one truck because last year it

rained and they had difficulty filling

the one truck. [clears throat]

I left here about 10:45. I deliberately

drove by.

Cars were gone. Obviously, they filled

up sometime before that.

And I called Jennifer and just had a

brief conversation and uh this year they

definitely could use two. That's one of

those things you never know. Weather.

And you weather plays a major factor in

that. And uh

they did a great job. Uh

lined up the street. I'm going to guess

from the street to the little U that had

come back had to be 70, 80 cars in line.

And uh

I was literally at Sandusky when I got

there at 9:10. That's probably my

thought it took about 30 minutes it took

to get through the line.

>> Three. Uh but it's a great uh option and

I would ask Jennifer if there's a chance

we could do it again this year. She's

going to talk to Eric and uh if not,

next year I would assume they'll have

two trucks.

And uh we'll do this again. But well

received by the community.

And tomorrow I'd like to remind

everybody it is election day.

Uh be sure and vote. I will have the

privilege of working uh

at a poll site tomorrow and uh look

forward to a long day, but a very

rewarding day once it's over. Always

feel very good when I get in my car and

leave that evening. But it is a long

day.

And uh the last thing uh

right Wednesday morning after that long

day I I'm speaking to the general

business

uh association at uh 7:45. So, uh

and that's my report. Okay. Great.

Been been very busy.

Um yeah, I was going to remind everyone

to vote. Very important that we do that

tomorrow. It's in It's a primary

election um but nevertheless some very

important issues and elections on the

ballot. Um I wanted to acknowledge also

that um we have uh

Justin left. We've we've finalized the

agreement to re- refinance a couple of

our bonds and and uh

Justin and and a team takes a number of

people to do that, but uh the the county

taxpayers will save about a million six

over the life of those bonds with this

refinancing. So, I want to acknowledge

Justin Justin's leadership on that and

everyone else who participated in making

that possible. Um and we've got we've

done some others, but we and we've got

more coming, but again, great great work

to to work to save money on behalf of

the taxpayers. And continue our triple

bond rating. And continue Yeah, just

make that even stronger. Um

we don't need executive session.

>> not need executive session, but we need

to recess until 1:30 today for uh the

Bainbridge Mills. Yeah, we have a

viewing today at 1:30. So, as of now, we

are in recess until 1:30 this afternoon.

Thanks, everybody.

>> There's a few things to sign.