Regular Meeting, Tuesday, May 12, 2020
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CERTIFICATE OF THE RICHLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS In accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 305.11, the Clerk of the Board of Richland County Commissioners hereby submits the following record of the Commissioners’ May 12, 2020 meeting, for recording into the Commissioners’ Journal, Volume 93, under the same date. RICHLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Regular Meeting, Tuesday, May 12, 2020 COMMISSIONERS’ BOARDROOM COUNTY ADMIN. BLDG., MANSFIELD, OHIO Call to Order: 9:32 a.m. In Attendance: Commissioners: John and Vero Commissioner Banks via telephone Clerk: Stacey L. Crall Guests: See listed below Tape: MAY1220 Topic: Investment Advisory Board Tape: 0.0.20 Present: Bart Hamilton, Chuck Hahn, Cliff Mears, Via Telephone: News Journal, Latonya Palmer, Richland Source, Dane Howard, Joe Jakubick Discussion: Commissioner John convened the Commissioners meeting and questioned who was on the phone call. The Commissioners then recessed their regular meeting to open the Investment Advisory Board meeting. Bart Hamilton, Treasurer, stated this is the first quarter 2020 Investment Advisory Board meeting. As of March 31, 2020, interest earnings paid into the General Fund is $511,697.62, which is about $65,000 more than last year at this time. The current rate of return is 1.95% with an average daily maturity of 869 days. Bart stated, as we all know we are in a weird time. One thing we do know is that rates will continue to go down. Bart likes to look at rates with Star Ohio as a benchmark. A year ago today, the interest rate was 2.54%; March 4th of 2020 it was 1.68%; March 31st it was 1.01%, and today it is 0.79%. Bart believes the rate will continue to fall. Meeder Investment Management has been preparing continuing education for Treasurers since all the conferences have been cancelled, so Bart did not ask them to come today. We knew rates were going to go down and we have been preparing for it. We have been looking for longer term investments with the best rate of return. With businesses starting to reopen, we will see how much activity will come. Commissioner Vero stated sales tax is about 60% of the General Fund revenue. Commissioner Vero stated on Friday information was received on estimated non-auto sales tax for March. It is about a 10% reduction. Commissioner Vero worked with those estimates and is forecasting a 6% reduction in revenues. Commissioner John reviewed a report from the Office of Budget and Management that showed the GDP dropped in the first quarter by 4.8%. Commissioner John compared that to the fourth quarter of 2008, which was a 8% drop. The revenue dropped by 11% from 2008 to 2009. Using those historic numbers Commissioner John estimated the revenue to decrease by 6.25%. That is about $2.5 million drop in revenues. Bart agrees. Things will depend on how quickly things get back to normal. With restaurants only being allowed to have 25% occupancy some may not reopen yet and just continue carry out services. Bart thinks about 6 to 10% is fair amount to consider in revenue loss. Bart reviewed he is not ready to reduce his interest earning estimate of $1.4 million. More will be known at the end of the second quarter. Bart is always working with Meeder Investment Management on the portfolio. Commissioner John believes the economy was stronger before this pandemic compared to 2008. Bart hopes the banks will work with homeowners on their mortgage payments. Commissioner John pointed out for those listening that this is the Investment Advisory Board, which is the Treasurer and two Commissioners. Commissioner Banks added most restaurants cannot survive long term on 25% capacity. More facts are still needed before any decisions can be made. Motion: Mr. Vero moved to accept the 1st Quarter 2020 Investment Advisory Board report seconded by Mr. Banks. Other Comments: None further. Vote: Mr. Hamilton, yes; Mr. Vero, yes; Mr. Banks, yes. Motion carried. Tape: 21.43 Motion: Mr. Vero moved to adjourn the Investment Advisory Board meeting at 9:54 a.m. seconded by Mr. Banks. Other Comments: None further. Vote: Mr. Hamilton, yes; Mr. Vero, yes; Mr. Banks, yes. Motion carried. The Commissioners reconvened their regular meeting at 9:54 a.m. Topic: Record of Proceedings Tape: 0.22.08 Present: Cliff Mears, Chuck Hahn, Via telephone: Joe Jakubick, Latonya Palmer, News Journal, Dane Howard Discussion: The Board reviewed the Record of Proceedings for May 5, 2020. Motion: Commissioner Vero moved to certify the Record of Proceedings for May 5, 2020 seconded by Commissioner Banks. Other: None further. Vote: Mrs. John, yes; Mr. Banks, yes; Mr. Vero, yes. Motion carried. Topic: Requisitions Tape: 0.22.27 Present: Cliff Mears, Chuck Hahn, Via telephone: Joe Jakubick, Latonya Palmer, News Journal, Discussion: The Board reviewed the list of requisitions submitted for approval. Motion: Commissioner Vero moved to approve the list of requisitions submitted for approval seconded by Commissioner Banks. Other Comments: None further. Vote: Mrs. John, yes; Mr. Banks, yes; Mr. Vero, yes. Motion carried. Topic: Commissioners Tape: 0.22.47 Present: Cliff Mears, Chuck Hahn, Via telephone: Joe Jakubick, Latonya Palmer, News Journal, Dane Howard Discussion: Lamar Advertising Company asked to amend their lease with the County to pay monthly instead of annually for a billboard next to the maintenance garage. The amount received is $600 annually. Commissioner Vero stated since the billboard sits on public land there are some limitations of what can be posted. Is this lease amendment what we really want to do? Commissioner John stated good point. The billboard is taking up some potential parking spots in the new lot for jurors. Commissioner Banks stated if it were not for the current financial situation he would support taking the billboard down. Commissioner John suggested having Chuck Minich, Building Maintenance Superintendent talk to Lamar and report back to the Board. Topic: Engineer – Chip and Seal Tape: 0.25.11 Present: Chuck Hahn, Cliff Mears, Via Telephone: News Journal, Latonya Palmer, Joe Jakubick Discussion: The Board reviewed a letter from Engineer, Adam Gove, regarding the chip and seal bids receive on April 2, 2020. Motion: Commissioner Vero moved to award the 2020 chip and seal contract to Earthworm Construction, LLC for the bid price of $458,242.21 seconded by Commissioner Banks. Other Comments: None further Vote: Mrs. John, yes; Mr. Banks, yes; Mr. Vero, yes. Motion carried. Topic: Engineer – Overweight/Over Dimensioned Permit Tape: 0.26.18 Present: Chuck Hahn, Cliff Mears, Via Telephone: News Journal, Latonya Palmer, Joe Jakubick Discussion: The Board reviewed a letter from Delafon Luna, Deputy County Engineer regarding the issuance of a 365-day permit for Rietschlin Construction. Motion: Commissioner Vero moved to authorize the issuance of a 365-day over dimensioned vehicle permit for Rietschlin Construction, Inc. seconded by Commissioner Banks. Other Comments: None further. Vote: Mrs. John, yes; Mr. Banks, yes; Mr. Vero, yes. Motion carried. Topic: Dog Warden Tape: 0.26.49 Present: Chuck Hahn, Cliff Mears, Via telephone: News Journal, Latonya Palmer, Joe Jakubick Discussion: Commissioner John reviewed the Dog Warden received a donation of $35,000 from the estate of Patricia Wilson. Half of the funds are to be used on reducing adoption costs and the other on capital projects. A large dog run will be installed dedicated to the donor. While the fence company was reviewing the area, they noticed four significantly damaged areas of the current fenced area. Those repairs are estimated at $2,500. The total estimate is $10,249.00. Motion: Commissioner Vero moved to accept the quote from Central Ohio Fencing Services, Inc. for $7,099.00 for fencing at the Dog Warden’s facility seconded by Commissioner Banks. Other Comments: None further. Vote: Mrs. John, yes; Mr. Banks, yes; Mr. Vero, yes. Motion carried. Topic: Vacation of Parkland – Willow Park Allotment Tape: 0.28.40 Present: Chuck Hahn, Cliff Mears, Via telephone: Gene Parkinson, News Journal, Dave Yoder, Tammy Garber president of the water park association, Joe Jakubick, Latonya Palmer Discussion: Commissioner John recessed the Commissioners regular meeting at 10:00 a.m. and opened the public hearing regarding parkland vacation in the Willow Park Allotment. Commissioner John reviewed a petition to vacate the park land was filed with the Board of Commissioners on March 6, 2020. On April 1, 2020, a letter was received from Atty. Jon Burton, on behalf of Washington Township Trustees, releasing their right to the parkland. A legal ad announcing this public hearing was placed in the Mansfield News Journal on April 20, April 27 and May 4, 2020. All abutting property owners and the Washington Township Trustees were notified of the public hearing. Tammy Garber asked about the next step after the parkland is vacated. Commissioner John stated the Commissioners plan to dispose of the property in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code. Tammy asked about a time line. Commissioner John stated we do not have one at this time. Clerk Crall stated there a few options for selling land. Commissioner Vero stated he prefers an open bid process compared to sealed bids. Tammy asked to be notified of the sale of the property. Washington Township Trustee, David Yoder also asked to be notified. Commissioner John asked if there were any other comments on the vacation. Tammy stated the water association has documents from 1958 from the Park Association giving the land to the water association. The water association has been taking care of the land. The Commissioners asked for a copy of that information and they would talk to the County Prosecutor’s office about it. The water association has a well house on the property and they have concerns of someone buying the property.