WINTERSVILLE - The JB Green Team is considering two sites in Jefferson County for the consolidation of its offices and recycling collection operations.
Bob Chapman, chairman of the Jefferson-Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority, said Monday night the organization has looked at the former Honda dealership building in Brilliant and the former DiNovo vehicle dealership showroom and garage in Steubenville.
"My idea is to have the building committee work with architects or building engineers from the two counties to look at both buildings and to bring back a lease price from the property owners. We have looked at buildings farther south but there was no commitment from those owners. In my opinion, speed is of the essence at this point because the shale industry is also looking for office space," explained Chapman.
Chapman also indicated an interest in the former DiNovo building, "because of the adjoining garage that would allow us to keep our vehicles inside. Employees could wash and maintain the vehicles.
"I liked the office space and the fact it is not on a slab. I like the idea of parking our trucks inside. The building is already set up for the winter and the space presented itself well. But, I also want someone to look at the two buildings and determine what we need and if one of the buildings will work for us," noted Jefferson County Commissioner Tom Gentile.
Power Torque Services, a shale industry- related company already leased 8,000 square feet of warehouse and apartment space in the former dealership.
There are approximately 14,000-square feet still available for lease.
Mark McVey, interim executive director of the solid waste authority, said the owner of the former Honda dealership in Brilliant offered to lease the entire 7,500-square-foot space, "but only charge us for 4,500 square feet of space for the first six months so we could decide if we needed the extra space."
"After six months he will put up a wall and divide the utilities if we don't need the extra space," said McVey.
As part of the future office consolidation plan, Steubenville City Manager Cathy Davison said the finance committee has discussed a monthly stipend for JB Green Team employees currently working in Belmont County who would have to drive to the Brilliant or Steubenville location.
Board member William Weekly said a property owner has offered office space for a satellite office in Belmont County one or two days a week.
In other business, the board:
Approved a request from the Island Creek Township trustees to pay for seven extra containers used for the annual township cleanup campaign.
"We had one of the biggest cleanups ever and the campaign has helped to reduce illegal dumping. If you are able to pay for the extra seven containers used for the spring community cleanup we can proceed with a fall community cleanup," Darla Van Fossen, fiscal officer of the Island Creek Township trustees wrote to the JB Green Team.
Approved a $20,000 budget for a two-month advertising campaign for cable television commercials and billboards.
"I would like to get a positive message back into the community. We can also look at an annual advertising budget when we start preparing the 2013 budget," said Chapman.
Gave unanimous approval to CT Consultants of Mentor to prepare a solid waste management plan.
Agreed to use PSC with headquarters in Houston to conduct the annual household hazardous waste collection this summer.
Heard from Tom Bottorf, who asked for the annual used tire collection be returned to Wintersville.
Heard from Diane Julio, Jefferson County program director, who said the tire collection had been moved from Wintersville to the Cross Creek site near the Jefferson County Airpark because of traffic concerns.
"We can work something out to make it easier for Wintersville residents to dispose of used tires," Julio told Bottorf.
The trustees met in executive session following the regular meeting to discuss the search for a new executive director.
The next board meeting is set for June 11 at the Bellaire Library.
