Jefferson County-owned parking lot to get a low-cost touch-up

STEUBENVILLE -- The Jefferson County-owned parking lot across from the Tower building is going to get a low-cost touch-up while the county waits for word on its Appalachian Community grant application.

Funding for the parking lot upgrade, including development of a veteran-themed green space, is part of Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District's grant application. It's one of dozens of activities spanning 17 counties included in the JSWCD application, which totaled a little more than $100 million.

If the grant application doesn't work out, commissioners said during Thursday's meeting they still have about $600,000 in ARPA funds they'd originally set aside for the parking lot project, though that money has a time limit attached: The ARPA guidelines spell out specific deadlines that must be met for spending the money, and while commissioners have voiced concern that the clock is ticking down they've also indicated they'll wait as long as they can before they pull the trigger.

"I would like to get that parking lot done with grant dollars and not capital improvement dollars," Commissioner Dave Maple explained.

Maintenance Supervisor Patrick Boyles told commissioners with a little bit of gravel he can restore access to 17 parking spaces currently unusable because of water and mud -- and with the Tower building at near-occupancy plus two elections coming up, he said the additional parking is needed.

Barrels currently block motorists from using that part of the parking lot.

"I suggest graveling that area so we can get those 17 stalls up again," he said. "Being that we have elections coming up I'm a little concerned we're down 17 spaces and it's a pretty inexpensive fix."

Commissioner Tony Morelli said the lot is in better shape than it had been because Boyles has already filled some ruts that had formed in the lot.

"For a minimal investment, $600 or $700, we can open those (spots) back up," he said.

Commissioners authorized Boyles to spend up to $800 to gravel the area while they wait for the governor to announce the next round of Appalachian grant projects.

Boyles figures as long as they can get the bid awarded by mid-June, "I think it could be done in August or September."

"I'm comfortable waiting a couple of more weeks, then I would vote to just go (ahead)," Morelli said.

"Either way, the gravel will hold us off until then with a minimal investment," Boyles added. "At least the gravel would open up those 17 spots and with two elections coming up, that's (important)."

Also, with the Jefferson County Health District board preparing to act to bring the remaining 60 households in Amsterdam that haven't yet tied into the new sewage plant, Commissioner Eric Timmons voiced concern that they might not be able to meet whatever deadline the board might set.

"The mayor says they can't get any contractors on the list to come out and do it for them," Timmons said.

Water and Sewer District Operations Supervisor Jonathan Sgalla said the department has "done everything we can to get contractors to go out there and do it for them."

"I know contractors that were out there were pretty (busy)," before breaking for the winter, Sgalla said. "They're going to fire back up in May."

Timmons, though, questioned how the county can "really hold them responsible" if the contractors aren't back on the job for another month.

"It's been two years," Sgalla replied. "You guys have given multiple, multiple extensions."

Morelli also reported seeing hope on the county's broadband expansion horizon, saying the committee is "meeting with another internet supplier who wants to offer more customers broadband in Jefferson County."

"Hopefully, we are successful with the county's Appalachian grant application -- if successful, it will offer more service to our residents, another area high-speed internet (provider)," Morelli said. "Broadband has been a slow process, but we are making big strides in different areas. We're working with multiple internet service providers."

Commissioners also:

• Agreed to advertise for bids for a slip repair on county Road 1 (Glen Robbins-Mount Pleasant-Rayland Road.) The engineer's estimate is $89,618.

• Agreed to field proposals for a general engineering consultant for the Jefferson County Water and Sewer District, saying while they're satisfied with the service they've received from their current provider, Arcadis, it only makes sense to look at their options.

"Every so often it's prudent to go and do a new request for qualifications, just to make sure that we don't have blinders on," Maple said.

Arcadis has been advising the county since 2010. Their current contract expired April 16.

• Issued a reminder that they'll meet in special session at 9 a.m. Tuesday to discuss issues related to Eastern Gateway Community College with their outside counsel, Bricker Graydon. Commissioners have said the meeting will likely be held behind closed doors and previously said they "probably won't say a lot."

• Authorized Boyles to install five "reserved" parking signs at the Jefferson County Animal Shelter so dog wardens can have unimpeded egress from the property. The signs will cost the county about $456.

Morelli said it means dog wardens "will always be able to get on the road quickly if needed ... they won't be blocked in," something he said has happened several times.

• Opted to purchase flooring for the hallway on the seventh floor of the Tower building from Sherwin Williams for just under $3,013.

• Agreed to fund the Jefferson County Agricultural Society's purchase of a new gazebo. President Ray Hildebrand had said the existing structure, used throughout the year by visitors to the fairgrounds and office, "has been repaired multiple times through the years (and) is now beyond repair."

Commissioners also will cover the $3,200 needed to purchase materials to repair or replace door jams on several buildings. Labor will be donated, Hildebrand said.

• Awarded contracts to NLS Paving of St. Clairsville, concrete products; Yager Materials of Owensboro, Ky., aggregates; and Running G. Farms of Rio Grande, mowing services.

• Will use recreation funds to pay a landscaping bill for the Mooretown Civil War Monument.

Organizer Virginia Glenn said the renovation, necessitated by vandals, has been ongoing.

"I can pay it, but if I do, I can't finish the fence," Glenn said. "The fence needs to be finished, it definitely needs to be stained. If you can pay the $4,000 bill for me, I can finish the fence and do the rest of what needs to be done. The landscaping was expensive but of all things we've done over the years we'd never had a landscaper come in."

• Commissioners also updated their public records request policy.

• Commissioners designated May as Mental Health Month, pointing out that each year one in five adults in the U.S. will experience a mental health condition. Commissioners said that despite their prevalence, mental health issues remain shrouded in stigma, which prevents many from seeking help. They urged residents to "educate themselves and others" about mental health conditions, treatment options and available resources. They said area residents should challenge the stigma by speaking inclusively about mental health and urge those who are struggling to seek help.