[0:00] August the 30th. Prior to officially starting a meeting, we always invite

[0:04] local clergy to come and lead us in prayer. This morning, Pastor David

[0:08] Tennant is here from Owensville Methodist Church. He is a regular and we

[0:12] really appreciate you taking time out of your day to do this.

[0:15] » My pleasure. Thank you. Let's be in prayer. Heavenly Father, uh we thank you

[0:21] for this day and I'm reminded not only as a pastor but also a person um out of

[0:29] Proverbs. This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in

[0:34] it. And again, as a pastor, just a person attending funerals. Um we do not

[0:41] know how many days we have. And I've always been and maybe all of us have

[0:47] been amazed at people that have passed uh and maybe all of them before they

[0:53] seemed ready or we seemed ready for their passing. Uh even finalizing plans

[0:59] for my own grave and gravestone. Uh what a sobering time. But all that's also the

[1:06] reality of how we spend this day knowing that um we're only given so many hours

[1:14] and so that we will rejoice in that more than be happy. Happy is kind of

[1:20] superficial but joy is deep. So that this day and whatever days that God has

[1:26] for us in our job, in the decisions that are reached this morning in this room,

[1:32] in our jobs and what we will be doing, that we will find joy in this day and in

[1:39] again the number of days that you may have for us, knowing that in this life

[1:44] we may also through you find eternal joy. We ask this in your name. Amen.

[1:50] » Amen. >> Amen. And now to officially start a

[1:53] meeting. Commissioner Bachelor, would you lead us in the pledge?

[1:56] » Thank you to the flag of the United States of

[2:00] America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God,

[2:06] indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[2:11] » Again, thanks for being here with us today. We'll start our regular agenda.

[2:15] Meeting's been called to order. and we'll go to letter B, which is approval

[2:19] of regular session minutes of 7:23 2025. Board, you've had these minutes early

[2:24] and had an opportunity to review them. Are there any needed changes in these

[2:28] minutes? >> No.

[2:30] » Hearing none, I'd ask for a motion to approve the minutes.

[2:33] » I'll make the motion to approve. >> I will second.

[2:35] » It's been moved and second. Roll call. Gail.

[2:37] » Commissioner Bachelor. >> Yes.

[2:38] » Commissioner Corkran, >> yes.

[2:40] » Commissioner Payner, >> yes. Uh, letter C is a proclamation for

[2:44] designation of August 2025 as child support awareness month in Claremont

[2:49] County

[2:58] » and it is Theres. >> Yes, it is.

[3:00] » Hi, thank you. >> Thanks for being here this morning.

[3:03] » Absolutely. Proclamation for child support awareness month August 2025.

[3:08] Whereas parenting and support go hands go know go hand in hand ensuring that

[3:13] children grow up safe and healthy. You know that is a profound statement. No

[3:18] question. >> And children and families stay out of

[3:21] poverty. Our children are our most precious resource and by investing in

[3:25] them we secure a future of hope and opportunity for all of us. And whereas

[3:30] ensuring the children receive the proper support they deserve involves working

[3:35] partnerships between county, state, and federal agencies, parents, legislators,

[3:40] judges, health care professionals, advocacy groups, and many others. And

[3:45] whereas more than 10,000 Claremont County families benefited from more than

[3:49] $30 million in child support monies collected in fiscal year 2024.

[3:55] And whereas the vision of Claremont County Department of Job and Family

[3:58] Services, division of child support is that children can count on both parents

[4:03] for the financial, medical, and emotional support that they need to stay

[4:07] healthy, successful. And whereas the purpose and mission of the Claremont

[4:11] County Department of Job and Family Services, Division of Child Support are

[4:16] to enhance the well-building of well-being of children, assuring that

[4:19] assistance in obtaining support including financial medical is available

[4:24] to children by locating parents, establishing paternity, establishing

[4:29] support obligations, monitoring and enforcing those obligations. Whereas

[4:33] during child support awareness month, we all recognize parents who are deeply

[4:38] committed to their children's success. Our children's lives count enough to

[4:42] make every possible effort to ensure that a solid foundation is established

[4:47] for every child in Claremont County. Now therefore, we the board of county

[4:51] commissioners do hereby and here on declare the month of August 2025 as

[4:56] child support awareness month. And it's signed by all three commissioners and I

[5:02] just want to present this uh proclamation to you for child support

[5:07] awareness and all. >> Thank you so much. Thanks for everything

[5:10] that you do. >> Thank you so much.

[5:12] » And the podium. >> Okay, just a few short comments. Thank

[5:15] you so much, Commissioner Payne. >> I now type everything in large print.

[5:24] So, hello everyone. Good morning, commissioners. I'm Teresa Ellison. I'm

[5:27] the deputy director of the Claremont County Child Support Agency. I want to

[5:31] thank the commissioners for recognizing August as child support awareness month

[5:34] in Claremont County. We appreciate this opportunity to let the community know a

[5:39] little bit more about the services we provide free of charge and some of the

[5:44] things we are doing in August for Child Support Awareness Month and recognition

[5:48] for some of the awards we've recently received due to my staff's hard work. Uh

[5:53] this is also an opportunity to thank our partners, Juvenile and Domestic

[5:58] Relations Court, Common Police Court, the Prosecutor's Office, the Probation

[6:02] Department, and the Sheriff's Office for helping to provide the families in

[6:06] Claremont County with the child support they so richly deserve. Claremont County

[6:11] CSEA is able to provide the following services to county residents. We help

[6:15] parents to establish paternity, which is establishing the legal connection

[6:19] between a father and a biological child. to establish both child support and

[6:23] medical support orders, to modify those orders when appropriate, and to collect

[6:27] and enforce the child support obligations. In federal fiscal year

[6:31] 2023, RCSEA received two major awards from the state office for our

[6:36] performance as a large county versus other counties our size in Ohio. We

[6:41] received the award for best aers performance and for best overall

[6:45] performance, which takes into consideration four performance

[6:48] categories. paternity establishment, support establishment, collections on

[6:53] current support, and collections honores. I am so proud of our staff and

[6:57] all of the hard work they do during the year. Annually, we collect about $30

[7:02] million in child support, service approximately 33,000 individuals,

[7:06] including over 13,000 children. This year to celebrate child support

[7:11] awareness month, our office plans to hold a team like a fun lunchon for our

[7:15] staff on August 12th to share information about child support on our

[7:19] website and the county social media pages to pass out sticker calendars and

[7:23] several more things. We're also wearing green, which I appreciate the green

[7:27] ribbons today on August 6th in recognition of child support awareness

[7:31] month and we're encouraging everyone to do the same. Thank you so much for your

[7:35] time and for the chance to talk about this very worthwhile program that helps

[7:39] so many families and children in our community. Thank you.

[7:43] » And Teresa, before you leave the program, would you introduce those who

[7:46] are with you today? >> Absolutely. I have well, of course, you

[7:49] guys already know Dorothy Meyer. She is my boss and a good good one she is. Um

[7:55] Crystal Brown, she is my admin assistant and also a supervisor. She supervises

[7:59] our clerical staff. Michelle Stroop, she's our lead attorney. Uh, and then

[8:03] Shauna Johnson back there, she is our one of our supervisors and Toby Contra,

[8:09] she's also a supervisor. So, and they work really hard. So, I really

[8:13] appreciate it. >> Thank you all.

[8:14] » Thank Thanks to you and for all that you do also.

[8:18] » Thanks so much and for those awards. >> Yeah, you bet.

[8:20] » Very much. [Applause]

[8:25] » And would you guys honor us with a picture with the Claremont County Board

[8:28] of Commissioners? >> Sure.

[8:39] Navy. You guys always look so

[8:52] there

[8:58] » shoulder shoulder.

[9:18] Everyone look here. We'll go in three, two, one, and one more. We'll go in

[9:23] three, two, one. >> I thought you said one more.

[9:29] » I got you.

[9:37] smiling. >> Thank you so much.

[9:40] » And thank you, Commissioner. Thank you so much.

[9:44] » That's okay.

[9:54] » You guys don't have to leave. I mean, it's going to get really interesting and

[9:57] entertaining. Yeah. Money to collect.

[10:01] » Money to collect. >> Yeah,

[10:04] » absolutely. >> Oh, that's great. We're at Letter D. We

[10:10] have a presentation from Hannah Louvers. She is Adams Claremont Solid Waste

[10:15] District 2025 solid waste management plan. So, if you didn't know, uh she is

[10:20] the director of our Adams County and Claremont County solid waste district.

[10:24] So, Hannah podium's your >> morning. Good morning. Thanks for having

[10:27] me. You may be wondering what a solid waste district is. Um, and hopefully I

[10:31] can clear some of that up for you today, those of you that are here to listen.

[10:36] Um, so we're working on our 2025 solid waste plan. And this is a 15-year plan.

[10:42] We have to revise this every 5 years. And part of the plan, we have to address

[10:48] certain goals. Those goals are dictated by the state of Ohio. And some of those

[10:53] goals consist of ensuring that there's waste capacity, so there's enough

[10:57] capacity in the landfill for garbage. Uh obtaining 25% waste reduction and waste

[11:03] diversion. And that can look like recycling, composting, or reusing

[11:07] materials. And then there's several goals that address education and

[11:11] outreach. And you can view the plan at oeq.net/pl.

[11:15] It's 266 pages, I believe. So there's an executive summary in there. Um, also if

[11:21] you want to read maybe just some of the appendices, I would recommend appendix O

[11:26] and appendix I. And then if you have a little more time, appendix H. There's

[11:31] the financial summary there. Um, as well as just an outline of the specific

[11:35] programs.

[11:42] There we go. So, I mentioned that we are governed by the state of Ohio. So, we

[11:47] have to follow their state solid waste plan. And then we also have to follow

[11:50] the format that they develop for our solid waste plan. They revise that

[11:54] format every once in a while. Um the new plan that we are working on now is

[11:59] following a new solid waste state format. And so there's several goals in

[12:04] there that are new to us and we address those goals in the plan. We're governed

[12:09] by a board of directors which consists of the county commissioners for both

[12:13] Claremont County and Adams County. We meet quarterly and they're responsible

[12:17] for implementing the solid waste plan. And then we also have a district policy

[12:22] committee which has 15 members and they're responsible for drafting the

[12:25] plan. So ensuring that the programs that we have and the programs that we include

[12:30] in the plan are going to meet those goals required by the state. Our

[12:34] district policy committee has 15 members. We have various representatives

[12:39] from different agencies including public health industry, the public and a

[12:44] representative to the county commissioners, the trustees, the

[12:48] Claremont County Commissioners appointed representative is John Mcmanis.

[12:54] So some of the existing programs we have we are going to continue in our solid

[12:58] waste plan the 2025 version. We have a recycling drop off program and that

[13:03] helps us obtain that 25% waste diversion. In 2024, we had 26 sites drop

[13:11] off locations in the county and that diverted 696 tons of recycling. Also

[13:17] have a roadside litter and tire collection program. We partner with

[13:21] municipal court and help fund that program. In 2024, they removed 774 Well,

[13:27] they removed over 46 tons of trash from 774 miles of roadway. And that number

[13:33] does not go down um every year. It kind of fluctuates, but it's around the same

[13:37] amount. So, just encourage folks to use the trash cans while they're filling up

[13:43] their fuel at the pump and not throw things out the windows. And also even go

[13:47] beyond that and if you see a piece of trash on the ground, pick it up, throw

[13:50] it away so it doesn't blow around. We have scrap tire management programs.

[13:55] This is another thing we are required by the state to manage difficult to manage

[13:59] wastes. So we help with tires. We have a program for township service crews. If

[14:05] they encounter and even the county engineers if they come across dumped

[14:08] tires along the roadway, we have a location for them to take those tires

[14:12] and then we make sure they're recycled property properly. We have an annual

[14:17] scrap tire collection event for residents. This year we're holding that

[14:21] at the Claremont County Fairgrounds on September 12th and 13th. That goes from

[14:25] 8 am to 2 PM. And there is a fee for that. That's a requirement of the grant

[14:29] that we have that helps fund the program. It's a dollar for per tire,

[14:34] most truck tires, and then if you have semi tires or tractor tires, it goes up

[14:37] from there, but it's a still a big discount um from what you would pay at

[14:41] the tire retailer. We also have a operate a transfer facility in Adams

[14:47] County. Some other programs that we run, we help organize and run some various

[14:53] river and waterway cleanup events, litter cleanup events. We have a school

[14:58] waste reduction program where we have we contract with an educator. So, there's

[15:02] just two staff, but we do have um a contract with two agencies, one in

[15:07] Claremont, one in Adams County to go and do outreach programs. And we this year

[15:13] received or helped Maruk Elementary in Gan receive a grant to reduce their

[15:18] waste. And part of that was to do a lunchroom audit on their waste. And

[15:23] during that audit, we found that only 3% of what they were generating was

[15:27] actually trash. The rest was recyclable, liquid, or food waste. So there was 100

[15:32] pounds of food waste that was generated during one lunch period. And um that was

[15:37] 48% of what was generated in waste. So, by looking at this, we can figure out

[15:42] how the school could potentially donate some of that food. Some of it's not

[15:46] usable, but some of it is. You can recover some of it and donate it um and

[15:50] potentially reduce their trash bill. We offer support to institutional,

[15:56] commercial, and industry. And that can look like outreach programs. We can do

[16:01] waste audits. We can help them get some recycling containers for inside of their

[16:06] building. and then we can help them develop waste and recycling contracts

[16:09] and hopefully reduce their waste bill and also get more services. We also have

[16:14] our hands in um emergency response if there is debris generated from an

[16:19] emergency like a flood or tornado. For example, this April we were down at the

[16:23] Ohio River and assisted with the cleanup of that. There were seven debris

[16:28] locations that we had and this was mostly garbage for this event. Some

[16:32] events like a tornado, you get more woody and vegetative debris. Um, but we

[16:36] had over 126 tons of garbage that was mostly material pulled out of residents

[16:41] homes and some of that was collected along the waterway as well.

[16:47] So, some of the new programs that we're instituting in our plan are requirements

[16:51] of the new goals that Ohio EPA has in their new state plan format for

[16:56] industry. We're required now to offer three programs. And one of those

[17:00] programs we started a few years ago actually just anticip in anticipation of

[17:04] this requirement and we started the pollution prevention internship. So we

[17:10] work with industry we can fund 75% of an internship a summer internship for it's

[17:17] usually a college student or a senior that's graduating and they'll work on a

[17:21] project and they've worked with Milacron and Hamilton Safe so far and that's been

[17:25] pretty successful. We also are required to expand our

[17:29] outreach programs. So, not just working in schools, but making sure we're

[17:32] hitting community institutions, um, businesses, and residents. And that

[17:37] could look like just simply helping them with signage. Um, giving them some

[17:41] signage to put on materials that they have, but it could also look like

[17:44] audits, waste audits. Um, school waste reduction. We're continuing that

[17:49] program, but we're also now required to follow community-based social marketing

[17:53] practices. And part of that includes picking a

[17:57] specific goal. And so we've chosen to focus on food rescue since schools do

[18:02] generate a lot of food. They're required to offer food to students and a lot of

[18:05] times it's not eaten. So we can recover that food and send it to pantries and

[18:09] things like that. So we're helping schools maybe get a share fridge or

[18:13] share table, things like that um to help keep that food, that perishable food

[18:18] good enough to go to donations. And then one of the programs I just wanted to

[18:22] highlight because I think it's really interesting is our end of the year

[18:24] school recycling program. Um we've had that for a number of years but it keeps

[18:28] growing. We worked with 12 schools this year and basically at the end of the

[18:31] year the teachers have a day maybe to clean out their classrooms and they

[18:35] throw everything out and there's a lot of stuff that's in there that's still

[18:39] good and usable. So this year we recovered over a ton of materials. We

[18:43] give the schools containers and they throw it in the containers and then we

[18:47] have a day where we get a lot of volunteers to help. We go through

[18:50] everything. We test each individual marker and um see what works and what

[18:55] doesn't. And whatever has worked is donated to some nonprofits and the rest

[18:59] is recycled. And that those kind of materials like empty um glue sticks and

[19:03] markers, they can't be put in your curbside recycling. So, we have a

[19:06] specialty recycler that we work with to recycle those materials. And then

[19:11] because food waste and organic material takes up about or is 14 to 22% of what

[19:17] is landfilled, we are focusing a little bit on expanding organics processing

[19:22] infrastructure. So helping maybe in terms of grants to facilities that are

[19:28] going to have a food waste composting facility or collection system and we'll

[19:32] start doing that in 2027. We have some funding set aside for that.

[19:37] But the thing I'm most excited to talk about is our new special item recycling

[19:42] center. And I'm really pleased with this program because for so many years when

[19:47] residents have chemicals or old batteries and things like that they want

[19:51] to get rid of. A lot of times if it's chemicals we have to send them to

[19:54] Cincinnati. We would give them a voucher and it would pay for disposal at

[19:57] Environmental Enterprises. And that's a long drive. So it's always been a little

[20:02] inconvenient. Well, then they changed their collection hours to Tuesday and

[20:05] Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to or 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. So, that's even more

[20:10] inconvenient for residents. So, now we have a location where residents can

[20:14] bring their batteries, their e-waste, fire extinguishers, pesticide,

[20:18] fertilizer, pool chemicals, and the only item that we're charging for is

[20:22] televisions because that those are a little more expensive to recycle. We ask

[20:27] that residents do make an appointment. My contact information is at the end of

[20:31] this and it's on our website as well. Um, and just that we there's just two of

[20:35] us there. So, if we're not in the office, we want to make sure nothing's

[20:38] being let left left out on the ground because it is chemicals and things like

[20:42] that. So, it's been pretty successful so far. We've had 168 residents come

[20:46] through and they um I think only one has requested that we meet them outside of

[20:52] the regular office hours. So for funding the solid waste districts across the

[20:58] state, there's different funding mechanisms. About 85% of our funding

[21:02] comes from a generation fee. And so that's a $4 fee on every ton of garbage

[21:07] that is generated in the district. And the way we institute that is we have a

[21:12] rule requiring designation. And so we have 13 facilities that are

[21:17] designated right now. And um we are going to designate two more. One of them

[21:23] is already opened, Winding Creek Recycling. It's a transfer facility

[21:27] that's in Betavia. And then there's another facility opening up in Union

[21:31] Township, but we will not be having a fee increase during this for this plan.

[21:36] So, we were able to move things around and work within our budget um to add

[21:41] these additional programs without a fee increase.

[21:46] So, our timeline, it's due November 9th and um we are in the ratification

[21:52] period. We've already had our public comment period, our public hearing. Uh

[21:55] the ratification period consists of us going to the 46 different political

[22:00] entities and getting approval. We have to have a resolution passed by each set

[22:05] of county commissioners. We have to have an ordinance passed by the largest

[22:09] municipality, so the city of Milford and then West Union and Adams County. And

[22:13] then we have to have resolutions passed by townships and other political

[22:17] subdivisions that represent 60% of the population. So Union Township, Miami

[22:23] Township are pretty important to get that resolution passed there because

[22:25] they are the large larger population townships in the district. And so for

[22:31] the the ratification period starts when the entity receives the notification of

[22:36] ratification. And so for the board of county commissioners that they have

[22:40] until September 14th to pass the resolution supporting the plan.

[22:46] So there's my contact information and would also encourage folks to go to our

[22:51] website acswd.org. We have a recycling tool where you can

[22:55] look up materials. There's an image of the icon there you would click on and

[22:59] that would help you determine how to recycle or dispose of items.

[23:06] » Hannah, that's a great presentation board. Any any questions for Hannah? No,

[23:11] it's just great that we have a local place that someone can take paint to

[23:14] because normally that's the phone call. What do I do with this paint that's been

[23:18] sitting in the garage? >> So many years I'm like, well, you have

[23:21] to dry it out. And now we're actually taking the paint to Matthew 25

[23:25] Ministries, right? >> And so that's been really great because

[23:28] they're blending it and sending it out as reusable paint. So

[23:32] » cool. Very cool. >> And this was a great presentation. You

[23:35] know, one of the questions that it answers is, you know, many times people

[23:39] people always ask, "What do commissioners do? What are commissioners

[23:42] responsible for?" And you do a great job showing, you know, what um waste

[23:48] management really looks like. And, you know, the responsibility to the board of

[23:52] county commissioners for providing that service and ensuring that that that's

[23:56] taken care of for Claremont County residents. So, you know, a lot of

[23:59] working things in that wheel, you know, that that have to be uh paid attention

[24:04] to and you guys and your staff, Claremont County, Solid Waste, Adams

[24:09] County, they do a great job ensuring that, you know, you have those kind of

[24:14] have those those kind of services available. So, thank you.

[24:18] » Thank you. >> And it's also nice that it's in

[24:20] Claremont County. Instead of having to go out and clean up your roadside, they

[24:25] can take it there. >> You bet. You bet. So getting this

[24:28] facility and you know the some of the solid waste facilities that are opening

[24:31] up in the county, it really provides a location for folks. They don't have to

[24:35] wonder what they're going to do with their big couch or their old mattress.

[24:38] And >> so it's also a great opport Go ahead.

[24:41] » No, go ahead. >> It's also a great opportunity to

[24:43] volunteer to do cleanup. You have a lot of private organizations out there

[24:47] helping and community groups and um just another one is John Becker who every

[24:53] Saturday posts everything. He collects in Union Township. It's amazing. It is.

[24:57] » Yeah. And you know, there's some spaces that really need it. So, it's I love

[25:02] watching what he's doing out there. >> Um, we try to support him as much as we

[25:06] can, but he's just really got the initiative that goes out there and gets

[25:10] it done. But, he's got the bug cuz he's figured out like once you start doing it

[25:14] and looking for it, you really can't stop.

[25:17] » He's putting that lightning truck to good use. Yeah. You know, absolutely.

[25:21] So, so he's driving a a uh, you know, an electric vehicle to do it. So that's

[25:25] kind of neat. But Commissioner Bachelor hit hit on a great point. You know,

[25:29] diversionary program that you have gives people a opportunity to be able to

[25:35] dispose of these waste items and then they don't show up in other areas like

[25:40] ditches and and outback of people's houses and that kind of stuff. So

[25:44] » yeah, like the batteries, if you bet if those lithium batteries make it into the

[25:48] recycling, I think Rumpy had like 66 fires last year. Yeah.

[25:54] » Um, you know, their fac their recycling facility burnt down one year. So, it's

[25:57] really important that we keep that stuff out of the trash and the recycling. So,

[26:01] » thank you. >> Thank you.

[26:02] » Thank you. >> Thank you, board. Before we move on,

[26:05] I've been made aware that we may not be live streaming. Is that correct?

[26:10] » We are not. >> We are not.

[26:11] » Some internet issues. >> How about a picture with Hannah before

[26:15] we move on? >> You bet. We'll do that. We will do that.

[26:18] And then David, is that something that can be corrected?

[26:22] » I hope so. the next 10 minutes. >> Okay.

[26:25] » I have to rely on ISD to >> We're We're probably going to request a

[26:29] recess until they can reset that real quick.

[26:32] » Okay. Come on, man.

[26:51] What? >> He always has to be.

[26:56] » Yeah, it is. >> Always.

[27:17] like

[27:33] » Thank you very much. >> Executive.

[27:36] » Okay.

[27:44] So, board, if it's all right with you, and instead of going on here with our

[27:48] regular agenda, we need a little time to get this live streaming uh issue uh

[27:53] worked out. I would ask that we uh move to item I. I'm requesting an executive

[28:00] session pursuant to 121.22, 22, G1, G3, and G6, the high revised code to

[28:06] consider the employment dismissal or compensation of a public employee or

[28:10] more public employees. Second, to confer with the attorney for the board

[28:14] concerning disputes involving the public body that are subject of pending or

[28:18] eminent court action. And three, to discuss details relative to the security

[28:23] arrangements and emergency response protocols for a public body or public

[28:27] office. Do I have a motion to go into executive session?

[28:30] » Make the motion. >> I'll second. It's been moved and second.

[28:33] Roll call. >> Commissioner Corkran,

[28:34] » yes. >> Commissioner Bachelor,

[28:36] » yes. >> Commissioner Painter,

[28:37] » yes. We will move into executive session. We will return and conduct

[28:41] further business. I just wanted to say we're sorry we have a internet problem

[28:46] that our ISD department believes they can resolve in about 10 minutes. So,

[28:52] just hang tight and we will be back to conduct further business. Thank you.

[29:00] We are back from executive session. There were no decisions made and no

[29:04] actions taken. We will move on with our regular agenda. We were at uh letter E.

[29:10] Letter E is public participation. Is there anyone here that would like to

[29:14] participate from the public? Sir, you are more than welcome to do so. Please

[29:18] uh approach the podium during this time. The board does not answer questions nor

[29:23] engage in debate. The commissioners are not expected to comment on matters

[29:26] brought to the board during this time. Each speaker will speak once and be

[29:30] recognized by the board president, which you have been. And in accordance with

[29:34] the board of jewels, you'll have five minutes to make your comments. Tell us

[29:37] who you are and where you live. >> I want to thank you guys for listening

[29:41] to my concerns. U I'm going to read this. I'm not a public speaker by any

[29:46] means. Hello, my name is Dan Day. I've been a

[29:50] resident of Williamsburg for 34 years. I've been a member of the Isaac Walton

[29:54] League of America, which is a national conservation club, which spearheaded the

[29:59] Save Our Streams program here in Claremont and Hamilton County. We have

[30:04] also done water quality sampling for over 15 years of the Little Miami River.

[30:09] Part of our pledge as a member is to strive for the purity of water and the

[30:13] wide stewardship of the land. In 1993, I had Steve Rristmiller from Soil and

[30:20] Water Claremont County come out to my property to give direction on building a

[30:24] pond in a good location based on an intermediate stream emptying onto my

[30:30] property from the hills. A location was chosen and I was told since it was an

[30:35] agricultural pond with no dam or permit was not needed. I have since been

[30:40] informed that my location was in the flood plane. I don't know if Mr. Riss

[30:45] Miller or myself gave this any thought at the time. The pond was dug but did

[30:50] not hold water. It sat for over 30 years with sediment slowly filling the hole

[30:56] from my neighbor who had timbered her land in early 2000. In 2023, my wife and

[31:01] I, because of our age, we still wanted a pond. So, we cleaned out the hole and

[31:07] installed a liner, which is an extremely expensive way to build a pond, but

[31:11] decided to go ahead. The hole was cleaned out and the liner installed in

[31:15] the fall of 2024. The neighbor's property, which is about

[31:20] 100 acres, 50 in agriculture, 50 in wooded hills, was used to ride ATVs

[31:25] during the summer of 2024 with no erosion problems, even though they were

[31:31] also riding on three adjoining properties and two of those neighbors

[31:35] telling him to stay off their land. In March of 2025, the neighbor rented a

[31:40] bulldozer and proceeded to cut huge fissures in the hillside, not trails as

[31:46] we know what a trail is. These cuts into the hills are as long as 200 f feet and

[31:51] as deep as 8 ft. This is a degradation of the land with no regard to

[31:55] surrounding property owners because no permit was secured which would have not

[32:00] allowed him to push tons of dirt into the streams and would have had guidance

[32:05] on how to follow best management practice. Two of these cuts were made

[32:10] without my two neighbors knowing it was on their land. Without the required

[32:15] permit, my neighbor intentionally shoved huge amounts of dirt into the streams,

[32:20] rode the bulldozer up and down the stream beds, knowing full well that the

[32:24] dirt only had one place to go, that is onto my property and the East Fork

[32:29] River. Myself and my two neighbors filed complaints with the building department.

[32:33] The soil and water department came out and put a note on the bulldozer to stop

[32:37] work. The neighbor said, "Yeah, I saw that and I finished cutting into the

[32:41] hills anyway." soil and water came out to the property a total of five times.

[32:47] Three of those times the neighbor was given a violation letters that he was

[32:51] violating the WMSC as stated in their own letters. The fifth time soil and

[32:58] water came out the director of soil and water John McManis wrote in his email to

[33:03] the building department that re erosion was still ongoing.

[33:08] At this time, I'm asking the county commissioner's office to investigate as

[33:12] to the reason the building department found the property was in violation of

[33:16] WMSC for 3 months. A permit was applied for

[33:22] but was denied. The head director of soil and water stated that erosion was

[33:26] still occurring and there's not been a plan of enforcement to stop the ongoing

[33:31] erosion and set sediment entering my property with every heavy rain or the 40

[33:37] to 60 tons, not pounds, tons of sediment still on my property. I was told several

[33:44] times in person and in writing that the violation had a timeline before being

[33:49] turned over to the prosecutor's office. That all went away when an employee of

[33:53] soil and water gave an opinion to the building department in contrast with the

[33:58] super his supervisor's assessment that the erosion was still ongoing and the

[34:04] building department closed the case file. I'm present presently per advice

[34:09] from this office u commissioner painter trying to set up a meeting with the

[34:15] district attorney >> I have a hard time with his name tuklav

[34:22] » prosecutor's office >> uh thanks for listening and any help

[34:25] would be appreciated and she had some pictures to

[34:29] » I just passed them down at them >> we've all looked at them you want those

[34:32] pictures back right >> yeah I mean they're on the phone, but if

[34:37] you want to keep them, you can keep those.

[34:39] » I can get them back at a later date. >> Have you contacted Mr. Davi from the

[34:43] prosecutor's office? >> I dropped a packet off yesterday.

[34:46] » Okay. >> And wrote him a letter asking him if he

[34:50] could set a meeting up because Chris McClintic said he would set in also on a

[34:56] meeting with him. >> Amen.

[34:58] » Uh Ralph, are you will you make sure can you follow through and make sure that

[35:01] DBY is aware of this and Mr. to Colby and that Chris and everybody so he can

[35:06] get a meeting together. Thank you. We'll get it together for you, sir.

[35:10] » Thank you so much. >> We thank you for coming in. Sorry for

[35:13] everything. >> Thanks, Mr. Dave. Thanks for being here.

[35:15] Anyone else like to participate during public participation?

[35:20] » Seeing no one, I'll close public participation. We will move to letter F.

[35:25] Letter F is consent agenda. Board, I know you've had the consent agenda

[35:28] early, had an opportunity to review it. Are there any items that need to be

[35:31] removed for further discussion? Hearing none, I will ask for a motion to

[35:37] approve the consent agenda as presented. >> I'll make the motion.

[35:41] » I have a second. >> It's been moved and second. Roll call.

[35:44] Gail. >> Commissioner Bachelor.

[35:46] » Yes. >> Commissioner Corkran?

[35:47] » Yes. >> Commissioner Painter?

[35:49] » Yes. That moves us to letter G. Letter G is the non-consent agenda. Non-consent

[35:54] agenda starts on page five at item 14. Item 14 is a recommendation that the

[36:00] board of county commissioners adopt resolution number 114-25

[36:04] to approve payment to vendors in the amount of 3,772,8622

[36:12] as outlined in the BCC approval invoice reports rejected today to July 30th,

[36:16] 2025. BCC directed prepaid invoices reports and the procurement card

[36:22] transaction report is presented by the county auditor on 728 2025 and further

[36:28] authorizing county auditor to issue warrants pursuant and in compliance with

[36:32] section 319.16 of the Ohio revised code. Do I have a motion to pay the bills?

[36:37] » Make a motion. A second. It's >> been moved and second. Roll call. Gail.

[36:41] » Commissioner Corkran. >> Yes.

[36:42] » Commissioner Bachelor. >> Yes.

[36:44] » Commissioner Painter. >> Yes. We will move on to item number 15.

[36:48] Item 15 is Heath Wilson. Heath, glad you're here.

[36:53] » Morning. >> Morning.

[36:58] Item 15 is recommendation to authorize Thomas

[37:02] Igel, the county administrator, to execute the agreement for professional

[37:06] services between the board of county commissioners and XPEX LLC for the

[37:12] provision of construction plans examination services as required by the

[37:16] higher board of building standards pursuant to the terms and conditions of

[37:19] the agreement and contingent upon the release of the required purchase order.

[37:26] This is a uh very much needed contract for the building department uh to help

[37:31] with our both residential and commercial plan review to help relieve our current

[37:37] planes examiner and then uh to fill fill my duty as the master planes examiner so

[37:45] I can work on being the building official. Uh this is an hourly contract.

[37:49] It will allow us to greatly improve our plan turnaround times and focus on

[37:53] hiring another residential plans examiner and hire a commercial plans

[37:57] examiner to take take my old position. >> Okay. Board, you've heard the reading of

[38:02] item number 15. Do I have a motion for approval?

[38:04] » I'll make the motion. >> Second.

[38:06] » Been moved and second. Any further conversation or agreement?

[38:09] » Okay. Roll call. >> Commissioner Bachelor?

[38:12] » Yes. >> Commissioner Corkran? Yes.

[38:14] » Commissioner Painter? >> Yes. And Mr. Heath, just before you

[38:18] leave for me, obviously you've heard Mr. Day's complaint here while he was here.

[38:22] I I know that that falls there is portion of that that falls to permit

[38:27] central, especially the part about erosion and and disrupting more than a

[38:32] certain area of ground and and having silt fences and all those kinds of

[38:35] things. So, I would just ask that you take a look at that. And

[38:39] » I will. Yeah, we we've we've had many discussions with Mr. Dave.

[38:42] » Okay. >> Have you seen the pictures, Heath?

[38:45] » I I've seen pictures. I don't know if it's if

[38:48] » you want to look at those. >> Sure. I'll I'll look at

[38:52] » Oh, sorry. >> I can tell you one one of the things is

[38:54] the trevidity is just >> it's off the hook.

[38:58] » That one wasn't the time. >> Okay.

[39:00] » Commissioner, >> thank you. Yes.

[39:02] » I have two personnel items I would like to bring the board to consider.

[39:07] » Okay. >> Can we add these to the agenda?

[39:10] » Uh we can board. I would ask that we disrupt our our current agenda and we

[39:15] will go to um additions to the agenda. There's two additions to the agenda that

[39:20] they need us to handle right now. One is in the water resources department, a

[39:24] personnel item, and one is for the board of commissioners. Do I have a motion to

[39:29] add these two items to the agenda? >> I'll make the motion.

[39:31] » I'll second. >> It's been moved and second. Roll call.

[39:34] » Commissioner Corkran. >> Yes.

[39:35] » Commissioner Bachelor. >> Yes.

[39:36] » Commissioner Painter. >> Yes. So we would like to take the water

[39:40] resources department first. >> Yes. Uh this is a termination probation

[39:46] for Mr. Christopher Hill, a water operator uh number one in the

[39:52] water resources department. >> And this is the termination of his

[39:55] probationary removal, his probationary period and then removal.

[40:00] » Yes, sir. >> Okay. board. You've heard the need for

[40:04] um uh this particular water resources department u

[40:10] termination. Do I have a motion? >> I'll make the motion.

[40:13] » I will second. >> Been moved and second. Any further

[40:16] conversation? >> Roll call.

[40:19] » Commissioner Bachelor. >> Yes.

[40:20] » Commissioner Corkran. >> Yes.

[40:21] » Commissioner Painter. >> Yes. And then we have another one.

[40:25] » Yeah. The next one is from uh County Administration Board of County

[40:29] Commissioners is for Kelly Maggar. uh she's the administrative assistant. This

[40:35] is to end her appointment as in that position

[40:40] » and that uh that employment termination is for today.

[40:44] » Yes, both of them are for today. >> Or you've heard the need for this u

[40:50] termination uh resolution. Do I have a motion?

[40:53] » I'll make the motion. I'll second. >> It's been moved and second. Any further

[40:57] conversation or discussion? >> None. Roll call.

[41:01] » Commissioner Corkran, >> yes.

[41:03] » Commissioner Bachelor, >> yes.

[41:05] » Commissioner Painter, >> yes.

[41:08] » Thank you. Item number 16,

[41:15] » Jessica, good morning. >> How assistant county administrator. This

[41:19] is a recommendation to award the bid for the animal shelter outdoor kennel

[41:22] expansion. It's pursuant to the plans and specifications to Civil Solutions

[41:26] Associates Incorporated in Cincinnati, Ohio for the lowest and best bid

[41:30] received on June 26, 2025 at the item prices or the item prices are outlined

[41:37] in their bid with a total amount of $141,000

[41:41] and to execute the contract with said services to commence upon in issuance of

[41:46] the written notice to proceed from the Claremont County Facilities Management

[41:50] Department with completion to be within 180 days after the receipt of the notice

[41:54] of uh the notice to proceed in compliance with the terms and conditions

[41:59] and the award of bid and contingent upon the release of the required purchase

[42:03] order. >> Board, you've heard the meet the reading

[42:06] of item number 16. Do I have a motion for approval?

[42:10] » I'll make the motion. I'll second. >> Been moved and second. Further

[42:13] conversation. >> Jessica, give us just a brief

[42:17] » Yeah. >> scope.

[42:19] » Okay. So, this is the Kennel expansion. Uh we originally went out to bid. We had

[42:23] a couple of issues trying to expand it. It went over the budget by quite a bit.

[42:28] Um so what we've done is we've cut it back to what the exact needs are of the

[42:32] kennel. The exact needs are we needed to to basically double um in size. So we're

[42:37] adding the kennels within the existing kennel expansion or within the existing

[42:43] kennel area. we can actually put enough kennels within um there's a outdoor

[42:49] kennel over on this side and then on this side and there's a huge walkway

[42:52] with gravel. So what we're actually going to do is do the expansion right

[42:55] there in between. We have enough room to do all the kennels um get everything to

[43:00] where we can get all the dogs outside so they can do all the cleaning inside and

[43:04] then move them all back in. So it'll be really good. Um it doesn't it doesn't

[43:08] necessarily expand it out like we were originally anticipating to do, but it's

[43:13] within budget and it'll get done sooner rather than later. So

[43:16] » you bet. And and this gives the the folks that work at the kennel the

[43:20] opportunity to be able to get on a on a good day, they can get all of our u K9

[43:26] guests out of the indoor facilities so they can go in and give it a complete

[43:30] cleaning. That's what Yeah. >> In instead of before, what we were doing

[43:34] was we were only able to get so many dogs out into the outdoor kennels and

[43:38] then we went in and cleaned their space and then we had to put them back in

[43:42] there to clean the other space. So, we were kind of

[43:45] » kind of doing it back and forth. Yeah. A >> lot of logistics on that one.

[43:48] » You bet. >> We're trying to help them out, make sure

[43:50] that it goes uh smooth and makes it as easy on them as possible and and we can

[43:54] get things done in a timely manner. So, we'll just talk about we'll talk about

[43:58] some funding mechanisms there before you leave. One of the things is is that um

[44:04] we received a a generous donation uh from Nestle Pyina and that generous

[44:11] donation was actually for expanding the play area out back of our kennels. But

[44:17] before the time that we could actually get to that, some volunteers took care

[44:20] of that and put some some outdoor features in and some covering there. So

[44:25] this is our redirection of those funds to be used at the kennel for this

[44:30] particular expansion. So this will include, if I remember right, $20,000

[44:36] that was received from Nessie Pirina for the purpose of of the kennel's outdoor

[44:42] play space. And this is just being redirected. We we redirected that with a

[44:47] letter directly to them. And so this will be used for the expansion of

[44:52] kennels >> and we will use up between the two um

[44:55] two projects that we have going on right now. We'll use up all of the donations

[44:59] and then some capital money. But it what the dogs need. So that's what we're

[45:03] doing. Well, and I think that's one of the things is that, you know, there was

[45:06] $20,000 given for this purpose, but this project is $141,000

[45:12] in addition to the next project coming up is actually the uh dishwasher,

[45:17] washer, and dryer that's going to go on the inside of facility. And there was

[45:21] $60,000 provided for that, and it will be used for that. But that project has a

[45:26] much bigger ma magnitude than $60,000 also. So, just to just to make sure

[45:32] everyone understands that. Anything else?

[45:36] » Roll call. Gail. >> Commissioner Corkran.

[45:39] » Yes. >> Commissioner Bachelor.

[45:40] » Yes. >> Commissioner Pater.

[45:41] » Yes. Thank you. Item number 17. >> Water resources. Chris Roland. Chris,

[45:48] glad you're here. >> Morning, Commissioners.

[45:50] » Morning. >> Chris Roland. Water resources. Item 17's

[45:54] a recommendation to adopt the resolution number 115-25

[46:00] for determining to make improvements of further construction, operation, and

[46:04] maintenance of the old state route 32 water main replacement of project

[46:10] located in Betavia and Williamsburg townships as outlined in exhibit A and

[46:17] designated as a project number 6401 dash

[46:23] 6241 and to approve the request that

[46:27] advertise for bid for the project pursuant to the plans and specifications

[46:32] and authorize uh the clerk of the board to place a legal notice in a newspaper

[46:37] at general circulation on Thursday 8725 scheduling a non pre-bid meeting on

[46:49] Tuesday 8:28 8:25 at 10:00 a.m. with the bids

[46:54] that be received until 2:00 p.m. local time on Thursday 91125 in the office of

[47:01] the board of county commissioners 101 East Main Street where they will be uh

[47:07] publicly open and read out loud. Uh the notice will also be posted on the

[47:13] Claremont County homepage under legal notices at the link www.

[47:21] uh clmont county ohio.gov. Uh this is a a replacement water man uh to help move

[47:29] um water from our BMW plant east towards the Afton and Williamsburg area and

[47:38] support that area development. Okay, great.

[47:40] » Thanks, Chris. Board, you've heard the reading of item number 17. Do I have a

[47:44] motion for approval? >> I'll make the motion.

[47:45] » I have a second. It's >> been moved and second. Any further

[47:48] conversation? Roll call. Gail. >> Commissioner Bachelor.

[47:51] » Yes. >> Commissioner Corkran,

[47:52] » yes. >> Commissioner Payner,

[47:54] » yes. Thanks, Chris. Item number 18. Emily Acres. Emily, I'm glad you're here

[47:59] this morning. >> Thank you.

[48:00] » Good morning, board. Emily, Office Management, Budget, I have a

[48:03] recommendation to resolve to approve and authorize changes in the annual

[48:06] appropriation resolution number 151-24 for calendar year 2025. These are two

[48:11] supplemental appropriations. The one first one is for public assistance, job

[48:14] and family services administration other expenses for $850,000

[48:20] and child support enforcement other expenses for $450,000.

[48:25] » Board, you've heard the reading it on number 18. Do I have a motion for

[48:28] approval? >> Make the motion. I'll second. It's

[48:30] » been moved and second. Any further conversation? Roll call.

[48:33] » Commissioner Corkran. >> Yes.

[48:35] » Commissioner Bachelor. >> Yes.

[48:36] » Commissioner Painter. >> Yes.

[48:38] » Thanks, Emily. That concludes our non-consent agenda. Uh Ralph, any other

[48:44] additions to the agenda? >> Uh, no, sir.

[48:48] » Then we'll move to letter J. Letter J is county staff and elected official

[48:52] discussions. Any county staff or elected official discussions?

[48:56] » I have one item. >> Sure. Uh commissioners, I would like to

[48:59] proceed with an update to the 2025 master plan which will include the

[49:04] relocation of the offices in the county administration building to the Brower

[49:09] campus along with the relocation of common police courts to the Philar

[49:14] campus. What is the desire of the board?

[49:20] you you're just looking for comments from the board to say is that something

[49:24] that would be desirous that I I for one would like to see that in the plan.

[49:29] » You know, obviously that's for future uh growth. Uh but it it would be great to

[49:34] have it covered. That's my opinion >> and I've talked with Ralph. He knows my

[49:38] opinion. I think it would be interesting to see what you could come up with. I

[49:44] think we kind of outgrown this area myself.

[49:49] Great. Move forward. >> I will I will contact our consultant uh

[49:52] and have them provide uh the based on the terms of our agreement what the cost

[49:57] would be. >> Okay.

[49:59] » Good. And we continue to keep all the other departments and courts involved so

[50:05] everybody has an opinion when we get to the final end of

[50:08] » Yes. >> not to the end but as we're moving

[50:10] through it. >> Yes.

[50:11] » Thank you. Thank you. >> Thanks Ralph.

[50:13] » Anything else Ralph? Any other county staff elected official? I have nothing

[50:17] else. >> Hearing none, I would move to letter K.

[50:20] Letter K is member comments. Any member comments?

[50:25] I'm glad to see that we're expanding those kennels and we're putting Nestle

[50:29] Pyina's money to good use. >> You know, it's well welld deserved.

[50:34] And all the other many things that are going on here around the county, that's

[50:37] that's all good work. Whether that is, you know, looking at water treatment or,

[50:43] you know, other projects that we have facing us. So, you know, those have all

[50:47] been planned and been sufficiently included where they need to be. So,

[50:53] excellent. Hearing no other member comments, I

[50:57] would ask for uh a motion to adjourn our meeting today.

[51:00] » I'll make the motion to adjurnn. I will second.

[51:03] » It's been moved and second. Roll call. Gail.

[51:06] » Commissioner Bachelor. >> Yes.

[51:07] » Commissioner Corker. >> Yes.

[51:08] » Commissioner Painter, >> thank you. Thank you for being with us

[51:13] today. >> Yes.

[51:14] » Yes. Thank you for being here with us today. And we just want to say sorry

[51:20] » sorry for the uh the um uh pause that we had there and in live streaming the

[51:27] meetings. But uh I think everybody that would actually have been out there on

[51:31] the on the internet understands that sometimes you have technical

[51:35] difficulties that your ISD department has to help you with. So thank them for

[51:41] getting us back online and and being able to finish this meeting. Uh we will

[51:45] see you next week. Thank you.

BCC Session July 30,2025

Transcript