Commissioners support sanctuary's land acquisition plan
By RORY RYAN
The Highland County Press
Nancy Stranahan, executive director of the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System located at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary on Cave Road, met with Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeff Duncan at the board’s Wednesday, Feb. 17 meeting.
Stranahan asked commissioners for a resolution to seek a Clean Ohio grant which, if approved, would allow the sanctuary to purchase three additional pieces of property in the Rocky Fork
Lake area.
Commissioners approved a similar request for Stranahan in November 2012 for an additional 79 acres in three parcels.
This week, the preserve is seeking a grant for the acquisition of 200 acres along Barrett Mill Road (owned by the Parkers), 2.5 acres at the intersection of U.S. 50 east and Cave Road (owned by a “sister organization” that is holding the property to sell to the preserve) and another 45 acres near Rocky Fork Creek owned by Bob Welch.
Stranahan said the first two properties were more likely to be acquired as the parties are “not in agreement” on the asking price for the third tract.
“We only pay market price,” Stranahan said. “If it’s not market price, we walk away.”
The Highlands Nature Sanctuary currently includes 2,190 acres in Highland County.
According to its website, the sanctuary is “the Arc of Appalachia’s oldest and largest preserve. The heart of the preserve is the breathtakingly beautiful karst country of the Rocky Fork Gorge, a tributary of Paint Creek – renowned for its stunning rock formations, rare plants, grottos, springs and stone arches.”
“One of the most beloved preserves in the state of Ohio, the sanctuary was put together piece by piece like a jigsaw puzzle, a feat representing 60 separate acquisitions ranging from a fraction of an acre to 310 acres, at a cost of $8.4 million.”
Stranahan said the Paint Creek Township trustees voted unanimously in support of the acquisition of additional land.
Commissioner Wilkin pointed out that once the preserve acquires the land “it does become tax-exempt.”
“That’s why we’re here,” Stranahan said. “It is a loss to the county. If you say ‘no’ today, we tear up the grant application. Clean Ohio doesn’t go where the community doesn’t want it. I think that’s wise.”
To offset the loss of property tax revenues, Stranahan said the preserve generates $2,200 annually in lodgings taxes plus additional revenues of $5,000 in related local sales taxes.
After discussion, commissioners voted, 3-0, on a resolution to certify and permit the Highland Nature Sanctuary, Arc of Appalachia to submit a Clean Ohio Grant.
Stranahan encouraged anyone wanting information for a group tour and hike at the preserve to call (937) 365-1935. The Highlands Nature Sanctuary is located at 7660 Cave Road, Bainbridge, and the website is: http://arcofappalachia.org.
County to meet
with local contractor
• Commissioners said a meeting with local contractor Randy Gilbert of Gilbert Construction is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday with Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins. The meeting will not be open to the public, Wilkin said.
Gilbert is objecting to $9,400 in late penalties ($100 per day) his business has incurred during recent contractual work related to the Hi-TEC Center on North High Street.
On Feb. 10, Gilbert Construction requested the county go to arbitration on the matter.
In a letter to the commissioners, Gilbert wrote: “The contractor hereby disputes the findings of the DS2 Architects, specifically, that the contractor should be assessed a $100 per day penalty. … Paragraph 10.3 of the agreement with the contractor provides for unforeseen issues in the prosecution of the work for which contractor was not given credit. The contractor was treated inequitably in violation of the agreement (and) hereby demands arbitration on the disputed issues.”
• Commissioners also revisited an issue with providing funding for the townships for cleanup and recycling projects, following a serious issue with discarded tires at a Clay Township property. The board agreed to meet with the county prosecutor and establish a policy with the township providing
some matching funds.
“I like the idea of a match,” Commissioner Duncan said. “That way the townships have skin in the game, too.”
Duncan added that he spoke with Clay Township Trustee Kenneth Bohl following the Feb. 10 board meeting and the trustees will be getting additional estimates for the remainder of the property cleanup.
“If we establish a match, would it be per project or per township?” Wilkin asked the board.
“I think per township,” Horst said.
“I suggest we talk with Anneka (Prosecuting Attorney Anneka Collins) to establish a policy,” Wilkin said.
Resolutions
In other action, commissioners approved the following resolutions, each by a 3-0 vote:
• A request from the Highland County Department of Job and Family Services for reimbursement from Public Assistance to Public Children Services fund in the amount of $10,217.24.
• A request from County Court for additional appropriation from unappropriated funds to County Court, Telephone Service Expense for reimbursement in the amount of $239.70.
• A resolution to certify and permit the Highland Nature Sanctuary, Arc of Appalachia to submit a Clean Ohio Grant.
• A request from Probation to establish a new line item 0451-T051-T09.060 Equipment in the PIIG (Probation Improvement Incentive Grant) Budget, along with a budget modification.
• A request from the Highland County Engineer to award the following companies the following bids: Forterra Pipe and Precast, LLC, Reinforced Concrete Storm Sewer Pipe Gasket in the amount of $81,291.60 and Reinforced Concrete Storm Sewer Pipe Mastic Joint in the amount of $43,056; Scioto Valley Precast, Structure No. CR3-1.1. East Danville Road in the amount of $49,216 and Structure No. TR182-1.5 Beltz Road in the amount of $51,072; Lindsay Precast, Structure No. CR48-1.65 Grimsley Road in the amount of $36,524.88; and Mack Industries, Inc., Structure No. TR101-0.43 Harwood Road in the amount of $26,568.
• A request from the Highland County Department of Job and Family Services for a reimbursement of funds from Child Support Enforcement Agency Administrative Account to Public Assistance in the amount of $15,731.18 for January shared cost distribution.