Bridge engineer praised for recent improvements
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STEUBENVILLE -- Six years ago, the Jefferson County Engineer’s office had 63 bridges that were in poor condition or worse.
According to county Bridge Engineer Kara Bernhart, that number was down to four at the end of 2020.
In total, 53 bridges having been replaced and 71 rehabilitation projects have been completed since the bridge program began with $17.7 million spent on bridge projects in the past six years.
She filled the Jefferson County Commissioners in on the progress Thursday morning as part of the engineer’s office’s annual report for 2020, which she participated in along with Jim Branagan, engineer, and Clay Merrin, chief deputy engineer.
"Kara has done a fantastic job," Branagan said. "About 10 years ago, we were worried, we were closing bridges everywhere. Now I can’t believe where we’re at."
Commissioner Dave Maple praised Bernhart for not only her ability to engineer the projects, but also her ability to deal with the public aspect of them.
"To do the engineering stuff is one thing, but to stand in front of a room full of angry people and handle yourself well (is another)," he said. "You do a really good job."
It was noted that Bernhart’s duties include getting in the water and inspecting the bridges herself.
"People need to know what you do, because it is amazing," Commissioner Thomas Graham said.
Four bridges were replaced and seven more repaired in 2020, with more than $2.1 million spent on bridge projects in the county during the course of the year. There are four bridges set to be replaced in the next two years - one this year and three in 2022.
Graham pointed out that Bernhart is one of two female engineers in the department.
"The representation is great to see," he said.
Branagan said it was busy year overall for the department, despite the effects of COVID-19.
"I think we’ve done more this past year than I can ever remember doing," he said.
A total of 14.09 miles of county road were chip sealed by the department in 2020, while 6.56 miles were repaved.
Some 25.07 miles of road were upgraded or repaired by gas and oil companies in 2020, with a total investment of more than $700,000 by the industry in the county’s roads during the year.
"About $400,000 of that was maintenance," Merrin said. "That shows their commitment. They’re not just coming in, fixing it once and saying, ‘OK, now it’s your problem, your responsibility, not ours.’ They’re still helping us out if they’re still using them."
The county repaired 30 slips in 2020, totaling more than $3.9 million, of which, the county paid more than $900,000.
The department also completed more than 131 miles of road markings in 2020.
"All of the achievements made in 2020, despite the presence of a once in 100 years pandemic, is a testament to the skill, hard work and dedication of every employee of the engineer’s office, highway
department and tax map office," Branagan said. "I commend and thank them all. We have a great workforce, we really do."
Commissioner Tony Morelli said he had a discussion with a neighboring county engineer who offered praise of Branagan’s department.
"I’ve complimented you a lot, we all have," he said to Branagan. "I was with the Carroll County engineer ... he was very positive about what we have here in Jefferson County. He thinks a lot of (Branagan) and the staff."
Also appearing before the board was Alex Pavloff, the Eastern Ohio Regional Liaison from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office.
Pavloff, during his remarks, commended the county’s board of elections for the way it operated during the challenging 2020 election cycle while going through a change in director.
"You guys have a board of elections here in Jefferson County that (the commissioners) should be very proud of," he said, calling them one of the best in his 16-county region. "What’s phenomenal is they’re doing well despite a little bit of turnover."
Pavloff said candidates can now file campaign finance information online and that the secretary of state’s office is pursuing legislation that would allow for absentee ballot requests to be made online, similar to the process currently used for voter registration, and for the Department of Motor Vehicle’s databases to be able to update voter registration information, such as address changes, automatically.
He also said Ohio is doing "very well" in terms of business filings despite the pandemic.
"Business filings in 2020 exceeded 2019 and right now (2021 is) on pace to exceed 2020," he said. "It’s not a perfect economic indicator, but it is a sign that Ohioans are out there taking a chance and trying to build something, which is exciting."
Debbie Hukill had a lengthy discussion with the commissioners about the county’s insurance through the County Risk Sharing Authority.
The commissioners opted to renew their policy with CORSA and renew a three-year participation agreement with the program. They did not take action on two potential additions to the coverage Hukill detailed, an additional $1 million in coverage at an increased rate and uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage, though it was noted the board has not used them in the past.
"CORSA has been wonderful to us," Graham said. "I deal with them at the state level, also, with the County Commissioners Association (of Ohio), and CORSA has been great."
Hukill, who is also a part of the Jefferson County Fair board, was asked by Maple about the outlook for the fair this year. She said the plan is to have a more normal fair this year and excitement for it is building.
"The fair outlook is good," she said. "Last year we only had a junior fair ... it was great, but we can’t afford to do that every year. Our understanding is we’re going to have a full fair and that’s the direction the state is going.
"The excitement is through the roof. People are ready."
Other business:
Approved the Department of Job and Family Services to proceed with the process of contracting a consultant to help with the accreditation process for the department’s children’s home.
The commissioners agreed to give sign a letter of support for the Urban Mission’s application for an Appalachian Regional Commission for a POWER grant to fund the organization’s fresh start workforce development program.
Were formally invited, along with the water and sewer department, to tour Brilliant’s new water treatment plant on May 7.
All three commissioners attended a site visit at the ongoing Amsterdam project with water and sewer Director Michael Eroshevich following the meeting.
A motion was made for the April 22 commissioners meeting to be canceled due to Graham and Maple each being scheduled to be traveling on that day and unable to attend.