An outdoor plaza adjacent to the Glass City Center has a new name.
At the November 15 meeting, the Lucas County commissioners unanimously named the outdoor area the Susan R. Reams Plaza.
The plaza, a pocket park, was constructed at the site of the former Hotel Seagate as part of the $67.5 million renovation and expansion of the former SeaGate Centre and the Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites hotels.
The commissioners partnered with the Arts Commission to integrate $1.5 million in public art through the Glass City Center, including a 30foot sculpture, Blue Lupine, outside the Summit Street entrance.
Mrs. Reams of Perrysburg, and formerly Ottawa Hills, is honorary chair of the Arts Commission, and led the committee in the selection of each work of art at the new center.
“We want to honor Mrs. Reams for her vision and leadership on the project, and also for her immense contributions to Lucas County,” said Commissioner Gary Byers.
Mrs. Reams founded the One Percent for Art program in 1977. The program sets aside 1 percent of all city money appropriated for municipal construction for public artwork.
“It has become the model for other Ohio cities and paved the way to have more than 50 public art pieces in the city of Toledo,” said Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak.
Mrs. Reams continues to participate on design review boards for new acquisitions as a member of the Art in Public Places committee.
Her involvement in the arts includes serving as chair for the Ohio Arts Council’s percent for art program. She also initiated the Toledo Alight campaign to light bridges over the Maumee River in downtown Toledo, and was instrumental in the restoration and reopening of the historic Valentine Theatre.
“Mrs. Reams is a public art pioneer whose legacy can be seen throughout the region, state and county, and whose vision will guide public art endeavors for years to come,” said Commissioner Pete Gerken.
Personnel
Following a 75-minute executive session, the commissioners approved several personnel matters. Erlisha Grandberry and Alexis Williams were appointed clerk 2 in the child support enforcement agency at an hourly rate of $15.13.
Bryon Traynoff was hired as a certified inspector 2 for the department of planning and development, building regulations. His hourly salary was set at $33.96.
Christine Varwig was tapped as executive assistant in the administration department. She will be paid $26.57 per hour.
The commissioners also appointed Tonia Saunders to the county family services planning committeefor a term expiring September 30, 2023.
Other Business
In other business, the commissioners: •Entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio to temporarily modify the agreement, reducing the minimum number of beds allocated to the county from 203 to 193. The change will result in a savings of $255,318.
•Awarded nursing services contracts to Maxim Healthcare Services of Toledo, Compu-Vision Consulting of North Brunswick, New Jersey, and 22nd Century Technologies of Somerset, New Jersey. The amount is not to exceed $728,000, and contract prices range from hourly rates of $65 to $99 for registered nurses, and $55 to $65 for licensed practical nurses.
•Reached agreements with Harbor Behavioral Healthcare Inc. for work experience program services through September 30, 2023 at a cost not to exceed $750,000; and Partners in Education for the college and career coach program for a maximum of $68,500.
•Awarded court fees to be split for domestic violence shelters for 2023 with 50 percent each going to the YWCA and Bethany House.
•Approved an amended agreement between the department of job and family services and clerk of courts domestic relations division, increasing the originally budgeted amount of $220,485 to $242,534. Federal funds will cover $160,00 of the cost, which was raised due to an increase in services.
•Contracted with Julian and Grube for fiscal and managerial consulting services through December 31, 2023 for $32,000.
•Declared seats at the former Ned Skeldon stadium as surplus and authorized the facilities department to distribute up to 300 sets of three seats to members of the public in December. Each set of seats is valued at under $2,500.
•Purchased Cisco switches for the computer network through Logicalis for $100,615.
•Extended by one year a lease agreement with Toledo Volleyball Club for the use of Recreation Hall 1 at the Lucas County Recreation Center. The new agreement runs through December 31, 2023.
The next commissioners meeting will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, November 29 in the commissioners hearing room, first floor, One Government Center, Toledo, and is open to the public.
~Jane Maiolo
