Meeting notes from Oct. 7 Blanchard River Flood Mitigation Coalition

BLANCHARD RIVER FLOOD MITIGATION COALITION

MEETING 10/7/09, 8 am @ESC

Denise Balbaugh gave the HMGP (Hazard Mitigation Grant Program) report, stating that the Village of Ottawa has purchased 22 individual properties, plus the Arrowhead Trailer Park. The first 17 structures and the trailer park have been demolished, while the last 5 structures are in the asbestos assessment and removal stage. Gene Hovest added that Ottawa Village Council and the Law Director are working on a lease agreement to lease the newly created green space to residents for additional yard space. Jason Phillips stated that USGS is in the process of seeding the Arrowhead Trailer Park area.

Laurie Collins, project coordinator for the Putnam Emergency Grant, announced that the grant has been extended through June, 2010. The federal government has committed to an additional $700,000 for wages and supplies. She will also be asking for funding for equipment leasing from Rapid Response dollars. Thus far, the Putnam

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Emergency Grant has spent $1.3 million removing wood and debris from Putnam County waterways. Crew member Bill Drew added that on Wednesdays from 12 noon until 4:30 p.m., there is free wood available to the public at the former Putnam County transfer station. Jeff Loehrke asked Terry Schroeder if NRCS is also working on their waterway debris removal program, but Mr. Schroeder replied that this program is directed by the Hancock County NRCS.

Jeff Loehrke said the idea of forming a Blanchard Watershed conservancy district was not being pursued by the Northwest Ohio Flood Mitigation Partnership at this time. It has become a controversial issue so the NWOFMP has backed off of the conservancy district formation due to the need to expedite. Clyde Schroeder warned that if we don’t have a conservancy district with the ability to assess, our ability to pay for flood mitigation could be seriously impeded. Mr. Loehrke pointed out that Putnam County and Hancock County are still part of the Maumee Conservancy District. Mr. Loehrke noted that Findlay’s project could cost $150 million, and the Hancock County sales tax increase (If approved in the November election) would raise $25 million over 20 years. Deb Bauer commented that there would still be $125 million beyond the amount raised by the sales tax, and assessment would probably be needed. She compared possible assessment to assessment for a ditch project.

Bob Fawcett announced that he is looking for 10 volunteers to go door to door to help businesses complete the Army Corps of Engineers’ commercial damages survey. The Army Corps of Engineers will send Doug Gorecki to assist with the survey. There will be a review session for volunteers, and their work will qualify for Ottawa’s work-in-kind contribution.

Jeff Loehrke stated that tomorrow, 10/8/09, Ottawa will be sending a group to Marathon for a video conference with the Army Corps of Engineers on the Hydraulics & Hydrology study. According to Mr. Loehrke, we will soon have substantial information on Ottawa’s project and will be having a public meeting for Ottawa residents to learn about the Army Corps of Engineers’ proposals. The Village of Ottawa will also need to purchase property, using the State of Ohio’s money marked for flood mitigation. Mr. Loehrke, answering Bob Fawcett’s question, said the Army Corps of Engineers will have a price tag associated with the H&H design options. John Agner questioned if Ottawa would be at risk if Findlay’s project was started before Ottawa’s project could be put in place. Jason Phillips responded that Findlay’s construction is larger in scope and will take longer than Ottawa’s, so it should work out. Gene Hovest mentioned that Tony Iriti has talked about there being 53 bridges on the Blanchard that impede flow, and there will be a need to start downstream and work upstream.

Next meeting of the Blanchard River Flood Mitigation Coalition is scheduled for 8 a.m., Wed., 11/4/09 at the ESC.

Meeting Notes by Deb Bauer, Secretary