This week's Supervisor's meeting went pretty much as planned, staying close to the agenda. starting with general business, approving the tentative agenda and the minutes of the last meeting, and claims for payment. Then the floor was opened to the public forum, and as no one chose to address the board, the meeting moved into it's planned agenda.
First, the Board reappointed Elizabeth Ennis to the Conservation Board, with her term set to expire on June 30th, 2027.
Next, in an old school moment a drawing was held for the Conservation Property land lease, using an ancient drawing tub that's reputed to have been around the courthouse longer than most of the people who work there (except those who were there as kids, perhaps). There were 27 applicants, and so the tub contained 27 numbered ping pong balls. Three were drawn, with the first being the winner, and the other tow being alternates in case the winner declined the lease. The first draw went to Dane Askelson (number 13), making him the winner. The second draw went to Nick Lukes (number 4), and the third went to Jared Burres (number 21). Quickly, the supervisors received word that Askelson would accept the lease.
Next the council approved liquor licenses for Nine and Dine and Clarmond Country Club. And then appointed Kathy Radke as Grant Township Clerk to fill the vacant position. Her term is set to expire on December 31st, 2026.
As the next slated item on the agenda was scheduled for 9:30 and the clock hadn't quite gotten there, Adam Clemons gave his Secondary Roads report a little earlier than planned.
Plows had been out doing some sundry clean up through the last week, Clemons reported, getting about 75% of the spot load mass. But then, as of that morning, water from the heavy rain overnight, and the accelerated snow melt it caused, had led to flooding of fields and roads. In some cases closing roads.
Clemons then gave an update about the RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant submission. The county should learn if they'll receive the grant sometime between mid summer, to fall, Clemons estimated.
More details on the work planned for the grant, should it be obtained, were given next. The work is hoped to entail a ten mile project running from the County K blacktop to Five Mile Corner. In total, Clemons estimates the grant amount would be about $9.75 million, with half going to the county, and the other half going to the city of Clarion. Some trail work would also be included, Clemons noted.
"We are a disadvantaged area," Clemons pointed out, and thus a higher priority for the federal government and more likely to get the grant than other counties might be. But if not chosen, Clemons explained, the county could submit their own, stand alone application. As for a timeline, Clemons estimated that it should take about 6 to 12 months to receive the funding, and the project should reach completion in about 2.5 years.
Then the Supervisors heard from Raejean Chapman, giving the County Trails Committee update. But before Chapman got going, there was one piece of related business the Supervisors took care of, approving Brett Osterman to replace Sarah Zweifel on the Trails Committee. Zweifel, who gave birth to a son last summer, had asked to step down to focus on parenting, and suggested Osterman as her replacement. Osterman was appointed unanimously.
Chapman began her report by relating that the Trails Committee had been busy over the last year raising funds for the trails from Clarion to Lake Cornelia, known as the Clarion Greenway Connection. "I'm excited to be able to say we've raised $90,000," Chapman related.
The project is planned to be divided into seven phases, starting working west to east so that people can start using the trails as soon as they're laid. "The talk was that this was never gonna happen," Chapman said, " but now it's happening and people are already using it!" Adding that the trail sections installed so far are already popular for jogging and dog walking.
A fundraising subcommittee was set up, Chapman noted, and if its goal of $1.8 million can be ment, that will even provide excess funds to earmark for maintenance, once the trails are complete. "We're excited," Chapman said, "we're happy to be moving forward."
Next, Brian Jensen presented the EMS (Emergency Medical Service) annual report. The gist of it was that Wright COunty is succeeding where other counties are failing, in maintaining EMS services, and keeping costs under control. Those interested in the specific financials, which Jensen's presentation gave in detail, are encouraged to watch the video – which includes Jensen's full powerpoint presentation.
Finally, the Supervisors discussed old and new business, before adjourning.
