At the June 14, 2017 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, the commissioners heard a report from External Affairs Manager Tim Suter of FirstEnergy. He reported to the commissioners on two state initiatives on which the company is working. The first is in support of the three nuclear power plants in Northern Ohio. According to Suter, the nuclear plants need support in order to continue in operation. He said, “Nuclear energy is clear, efficient and reliable with the lowest carbon dioxide emission rate of any fuel. He added, “Coal operated power plants are going out. We have concentrated on natural gas; however, the energy from them is unreliable” He asked for the commissions support of the imitative.

Commissioner Melanie Flax-Wilt noted, “We are choosing what kind of energy to use.”

Suter added, “If the legislature doesn’t support nuclear energy, the power plants will probably go bankrupt. Once they are gone, we will never be able to get them back.” He added, “Nuclear energy is very clean; it employs a lot of people, no energy is more efficient.”

He also reported that the company has several programs including an appliance turn-in program for old inefficient appliances, home energy products and energy conservation kits. All of which help consumers minimize their energy consumption.

For Planning and Zoning, the commissioners conducted two public hearings and voted on the two rezoning requests. First, they approved the rezoning of 5.98 acres located at 4690 S Tecumseh from A-1 Agriculture to PD-M Planned Development Mixed Use for an event venue, photography studio and bed and breakfast. The property is owned by Allen Pohlmer; however, the request was filed by Gabrielle Dent who plans to open the event venue. The rezoning was recommended by the Rural Zoning Commission, the Zoning Board and Staff with the conditions that the developer comply with the flood regulations, site access, and storm water regulations. The property includes 3.78 acres that lie in the flood plain. In addition, the county specified a portion of the property as a “no build zone” to ensure roadway visibility. Dent said, “We have made arrangements with the owners of Brandeberry Winery for parking until the site access issues are resolved and we can provide more on-site parking.”

The commissioners also approved a rezoning request from Mark E. Overhouser to rezone 2.85 acres at 4530 Ridgewood Road West from R-2A Medium Density Single-Family Residence to R-4’S’ Multiple Family Residence. The rezoning was approved on the condition that the parcel be used for condominium development rather that apartment development. Neighbors had expressed their concerns about an apartment complex.

For the County Engineer, the commissioners authorized a contract with A&B Asphalt Corporation for $1,608,195.68 for the 2017 Road Resurfacing Contract.

They also acknowledged bids from R.B. Jergens Contractors, Inc. for $568,693.75 and A&B Asphalt Corporation for $676,712.79 for the E Home Road Reconstruction Project. The original estimate for the project was $588,259.88. The bids have been referred to staff for further evaluation.

For Building and Grounds, the commissioners approved an increase of $2,689 to the contract with Enterprise Roofing and Sheet Metal Co for the A.B Graham and Courthouse Improvement Project to cover unanticipated costs for six steel plates and six round steel post of roof flashing for the new HVAC curb assembly at the courthouse low roof area over the mechanical room

In regular business, the commissioners authorized a shared funding agreement with the Board of Education of Springfield City Schools, Clark County Combined Health District, Clark County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health Recovery Board of Clark Greene & Madison Counties, Clark County Juvenile Court and Clark County Educational Service Center for $782,077 for placement services, cluster services, intensive home-based treatment services, and council administrative services effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

In addition, they authorized an addendum to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Probation Improvement and Incentive Funding for $57,800 to provide diversion activities from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

They also approved a payment to the Humane Society Service Clark County of $6,666.67 for the Dog and Kennel Fund for services provided in May 2017.

For the Utilities Department, the commissioners acknowledged bids for the Clark County Sewer Rehabilitation Project from Miller Pipeline for $196,181, Insituform for $209,549, Corby Energy for $231,328, United Survey for $253,920, and Layne Inliner for $273,830. The original estimate for the project was $270,000. The bids have been referred to staff for further evaluation.

The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for June 21, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. in the commissioners’ conference room at 50 E Columbia Street.

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