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METH PROPERTY TASK FORCE GETS COUNTY COUNCIL OK

DOWNTOWN AKRON - Summit County Council paved the way at its March 17 meeting for a new task force that will examine the issue of properties that have been used as methamphetamine labs.

Councilman Jon Poda ( D-at large ) introduced legislation creating the Summit County Methamphetamine Property Awareness Task Force.  He said he sees the task force as a way for the county to identify what is currently happening to homes, apartments and other buildings that once were the site of illegal drug manufacturing operations.

"Our main goal is to make people aware to be aware," Poda said following the meeting.

The task force will consist of representatives from Summit County agencies and law enforcement officials who will collaborate to find ways to better inform residents about properties that may contain the toxic residue left when methamphetamine is created.

Poda, who is a Green resident, said the Summit County Sheriff's Office does keep track of the properties and informs the Summit County Health District when it discovers a property.  But the Akron and Barberton health departments aren't notified, and he isn't sure what happens when local police departments find active labs.

"You can't just wipe off a wall and put a coat of paint up," Poda said.  "This could cause serious health problems down the line."

Poda requested first reading of the legislation.  Council members Tim Crawford ( D-District 7 ) and Pete Crossland ( D-at large ) both suggested the legislation go to committee.  Crawford raised concerns with the cost of cleaning up meth lab sites.

"One of the major things you get into is the tremendous expense and financial burden placed on government entities" to deal with these sites, Crawford said.

But Poda stressed the task force isn't necessarily going to be about using tax dollars to clean up sites.

"The point here is to get started on this," Poda said.  "We're looking to put everyone's heads together and see something happen."

Summit County Executive Russ Pry is charged with appointing the task force's 13 members, who will be confirmed by Council.  Pry said he would sit down with Poda soon to start creating the task force.

In other business, Council adopted all routine legislation unanimously agreed to by committee, including:

- - a resolution enacting a 3 percent raise for current nonbargaining, classified and unclassified county employees, effective March 31;

- - a resolution confirming a professional service contract with GPD Associates for design of the new Veterans Service Commission building and appropriating funds in the amount of $200,000;

- - a resolution authorizing the advertising of bids for the Courtroom Technology Project for Summit County Common Pleas Judge Brenda Burnham Unruh's courtroom, at an estimated cost of $67,000; and

- - a resolution authorizing a grant with the Akron Community Service Center and Urban League for $100,000 for its new building.

Council also approved several items on second reading, including:

- - a resolution confirming a contract for the purchase of a building at 250 Opportunity Parkway for use as the new Summit County Animal Control building at a cost of $1.069 million; and

- - resolutions authorizing grants for the Victim Assistance Program for $75,000 and for the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition for $125,000.

Summit County Council is scheduled to meet for committee meetings March 24 at 4:30 p.m.  in Council Chambers on the seventh floor of the Ohio Building, 175 S.  Main St.