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COMMISSIONERS MEETINGREGULAR SESSIONMARCH 15, 2004 at 6:00 p.m.
ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS: Gene R. Beck, PresidentDonald K. Walton, Vice President Dennis D. O’Hair COUNTY ATTORNEY: Timothy Bookwalter COUNCIL: Larry Parker Darrel Thomas AUDITOR: Kristina Warren AUDIENCE: Fifty-two Individuals
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on March 15, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. at the Courthouse Annex. The pledge to the flag was given. Don Walton led everyone in a moment of prayer. SEVERE WEATHER PROCLAMATION WEEKRussell Evans came to present the proclamation for the week of March 14 – 20, 2004. Gene Beck made the motion to approve; Dennis O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
BRIDGE 66Dave Sutherlin, Highway Supervisor submitted paperwork from Myers Engineering. Dennis O’Hair said he had spoken with them. The cost was approximately $125,000.00. Sum for the engineering services was $7,000.00. Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve the engineering services to Myers Engineering out of Terre Haute and an additional of $125,000 would need to be requested; Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
BRIDGE 77The bridge is located South of Bainbridge in Monroe Township on 400 N. The appropriation request would be $130,000. Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve; Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously. CPI would be handling the bridge project.
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT ON COLUMBIA STREETDave Sutherlin, Highway Supervisor submitted the agreement to the Commissioners. Dennis O’Hair made the motion to table until the next meeting; Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
MANHATTAN ROADSteve Luther, BLN gave an update on the intersection on Manhattan Road. They would do the work on an hourly agreement. They estimated the cost to be $20,000. He felt the total project would not go over $75,000. The Commissioners questioned if they had enough right-of-way. Mr. Luther said they would not know until they got further into the project.
The intersection is just south of 450 in Washington Township. It is known as Wells Corner. The plan was on cutting the road 2 feet and moving the road east. The project would be done in house. It would be quite a project. Mr. Luther needed to know if the Commissioners wanted him to proceed. Don Walton made the motion to proceed with BLN on the project; Dennis O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
FEDERAL AID PROJECTSSteve Luther, BLN put together a synopsis on the federal aid projects. It gave the match requirements the county would need for the projects. Dennis O’Hair brought up the concern of flooding on the Dunbar Bridge Road Project. They needed to beware of that possibility. A lady in the audience said she was concerned with the road too. The road being discussed was 175.
WELLSPRING CHRISTIAN CHURCH & OCB SUBDIVISIONSKim Hyten submitted the plats. They both received favorable approval from the boards. Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve; Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION OF STATEMENT OF POLICY & ORDINANCEKim Hyten submitted copies to the Commissioners regarding the comprehensive plan and supplemental codes chapter 102 and 107. This will have to be advertised. They need to be reviewed by legal counsel before they advertise for the Commissioners meeting.
REQUEST FOR MONEY FOR THE PUTNAM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN Kim Hyten, Planning & Zoning Director submitted a letter of request. Mr. Hyten asked for the Commissioners to consider this request before adopting the 2004 E.D.I.T. plan. He would like to meet with them to discuss it. He would also like to discuss area planning.
Lloyd Gentry brought up the proposed subdivision on 200 N. He informed the Commissioners that fifty-two people had signed a petition. They were concerned with the regulations adopted in previous years. They got the feeling that if the developer met those regulations it would be approved. He was concerned with the possible development. This particular one would be 5 miles from the town. They were concerned with water and other factors. They needed to consider the individuals that lived around the area and their feelings. He felt it was wrong for a developer to put a subdivision in the middle of farmland. He felt some things needed to be changed to factor in certain possibilities. They felt the regulations should not be the only thing considered when looking at a subdivision. They want their concerns addressed. Maybe the law needed to be changed to 40 acres instead of 10 acres to help protect farmland.
Don Gedert thought a comprehensive plan needed to be updated every 10 years to meet the needs of the citizens. Mr. Gedert felt Mr. Gentry had brought up valid points. They needed to consider the use and abuse of the septic systems. Mr. Gedert was a developer and he knew what went into it. He stated the limitations should be updated.
Mr. Gedert said he wanted to go back to the April 8 meeting regarding the two-mile fringe of the Town of Cloverdale. It was his understanding it would be discussed at that meeting. Kim Hyten said there were channels to go through and if everything went well then, yes April 8; otherwise, it would be in May.
Mary Williams said Heritage Lake was an excellent example of what Mr. Gentry had been saying. She had been working on 30-year old covenants and ordinances trying to update them. She felt he was absolutely right in his statements. It was important to get it established correctly.
Eric Gibson said he was one of the 52 people that signed the petition. He spent most of his day going over a large ordinance from Hendricks County. Mr. Gibson felt Putnam County’s plan was antiquated. Hendricks County does have advantages over us with a paid fire department. He felt the comprehensive plan needed to be revised every 5 years. He was afraid the county was behind the eight ball already on the subdivision. He had spoken to someone today regarding the water source. The individual was concerned with the additional 10 wells in the area. He did not feel it would be able to sustain it and it would affect the existing property owners.
Larry Parker felt the ordinance needed to be revised to allow them to turn down subdivisions because of water or septic problems. He also felt the developer should need to put in the ditches, upgrade the roads and bridges.
John Ash said he was concerned with the lack of water. He felt a developer that wanted to build a subdivision in farmland should be made to upgrade the water system if within a period of time it went dry.
Arthur Harris stated it was a farming community. What if the land was developed and the individuals complained to EPA and the EPA would insist the farmer making changes. This caused them to go out of business sometimes. There was a hog farm close by and sometimes you could smell it. They did not mind because they were country folks. Others might mind and complain.
Gene Beck said back in 1991 it had been a very hot topic. They had held a meeting at the fairgrounds and a large crowd had attended. They had the Sheriff in attendance and two people in the crowd had been carrying guns. He hoped the individuals at the meeting tonight would be there to support them when they went to make the changes.
COUNTY WEB SITE Mary Williams submitted an outline and information to the Commissioners regarding what she and Marilyn Bigelow had found regarding the site. She wondered if the Commissioners had a chance to review and discuss it. Gene Beck said they had not, and they would like the opportunity to review it before discussing it. Ms. Williams would like to discuss the web site with the individuals who had stated they would be willing to help develop and upkeep the site. The Commissioners did not have a problem with Ms. Williams and Ms. Bigelow approaching the individuals. They could report back to the Commissioners. They had strongly recommended a provider to the Commissioners. She would like that person to be at the meeting.
2002 PAYABLE 2003 PROPERTY TAX DISTRIBUTION Mike Dean, Greencastle School Board member asked what was the status of the distribution. The Commissioners referred the question to the Auditor. Auditor Kristina Warren explained the process from beginning to end on property tax distribution. Ms. Warren stated her office was currently working on the report to send to the Auditor of State for approval.
INDIANA RURAL WATER ALLIANCE – WELL HEAD PROTECTION Toby Days came to talk to the Commissioners. He explained what they could offer the county. He had spoken to Kim Hyten and was advised to come and talk to the Commissioners. The services they offer were free. If they were happy with their work they asked the Commissioners to send a letter to the State.
INDOT STATE ROAD 42 Joe Spear came to discuss the road. Don Walton said he had rode with them on the road. They discussed the options. Mr. Spear had thought another individual had left paperwork with Don Walton. However, Mr. Walton said they had not. Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve; Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously. This is a memorandum of understanding for the project.
Mr. Spear also passed out the LPA and INDOT projects with RFC.
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF GREENCASTLE PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT/CITY COMMISSIONERS & THE PUTNAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Leslie Hanson and Rod Weinschenk came to the meeting to discuss the agreement. The information had been given to Tim Bookwalter, County Attorney to review for approval. Mr. Bookwalter said it was okay. Don Walton made the motion to approve; Dennis O’Hair seconded. The motion carried. Mr. Weinschenk said he just realized that page 2 was missing in the copies given to the Commissioners. Tim Bookwalter said he had looked at all the pages and it was okay.
The Commissioners discussed items 4 & 5 on the agreement. Dennis O’Hair questioned the county building a fence. Mr. Weinchenk said it was brought up two years ago and agreed upon. The fence would be on the northern and western boundaries. He said someone was chasing kids off the property and not allowing kids to play in the park area. Kim Hyten suggested maybe having signs instead of a fence.
Mr. Weinschenk could take it back to their board and see about removing the two items. Tim Bookwalter suggested the Commissioners scratching out item 5. Don Walton made the motion to take item 5 out and leave item 4 in; Dennis O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Gene Beck made the motion to table the funding issue; Dennis O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
CHAIRS IN THE COURTHOUSES Terry Keifer came to the meeting to discuss the chairs. He lived in Heritage Lake and he had visited the courtrooms and looked at the chairs. He counted 22 chairs that needed to be fixed. Mr. Keifer would charge $100 a chair to fix them. He asked to give him the opportunity to fix one chair and let them inspect it before proceeding. Mary Williams said she could verify his work. He was her neighbor and he was a fine craftsman.
Gene Beck said the Commissioners received a bid from Horizon Business Center. The amount of the bid was $5,225.00
Gene Beck made the motion to approve $50 for Terry Keifer to get the material to get a chair for them to inspect; Dennis O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The Commissioners advised the Auditor to pay it during the emergency claims process this Thursday.
DATA MOUNTAIN TECHNOLOGIES Jason Crane came to introduce their company and what they could offer the county regarding networking.
S & W MASONRY PROPOSAL The proposal was for $2,871 for work in a courtroom and $878 for a restroom. Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve; Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
BARRIER WINDOWS Ken Hutcheson, Head Custodian and Neil Masten with Barrier Window came to discuss the windows. Mr. Masten explained the problem with the existing windows. He explained what type of window they could offer. Dennis O’Hair asked for a 3-year plan. The Commissioners asked Mr. Masten to draw up with the company to ensure them getting the same window style throughout the courthouse. Mr. Masten would get that to them at a future meeting.
DOORS AT THE COURTHOUSE Ken Hutcheson, Head Custodian said in the past when the custodians came in at 6:30 a.m. they unlocked all the doors. He had asked the Auditor to send out a memo saying they would be locked until 7:45 a.m. for security purposes. The Commissioners agreed.
CREDIT CARDS FOR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ADULT PROBATION The Health Dept. needs to increase their credit limit to $5,000 and Adult Probation would like to get a credit card with a limit of $2,000. Teresa Parrish said she needed it in the Adult Probation Office for conferences and supplies for the department. She was currently using her personal card. Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve; Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The Health Department needed the increase to purchase equipment. Their current limit is $1,000 and it was simply not enough. Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve; Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
DIESEL GENERATOR Dr. Heavin said it would cost an additional $3,000 to $4,000. He felt they should stay with the natural gas. The company said if there was a terrorist attack the diesel would be hit too. Gene Beck said the county could help pay for the additional cost and go with diesel. Gene Beck made the motion for the county to pay for the additional $4,000. Beth Glaze said they might be able to come up with the difference. Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
GREENBRIAR SUBDIVISION Dr. Robert Heavin appreciated Dennis O’Hair attending the last meeting. They were trying to keep this situation from falling apart any further. He thought it was a good meeting. He had spoken with the engineer. This was new to him and it was a learning experience.
HANNUN WAGLE & CLINE CONTRACT FOR THE NORTHERN GREENCASTLE SANITARY AND STORM SEWER MASTER PLAN Jesse Patrick, Health Department submitted the contract to the Commissioners. County Attorney Tim Bookwalter had reviewed it and said it was okay. Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve; Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The county would be funding $28,500 from E.D.I.T. for the preliminary study. The money would be paid back in the course of the loan.
PTABOA BOARD APPOINTMENT Wanda O’Neal and Anita Peters had come to a previous meeting requesting the appointment of a member to PTABOA. The appointment had been tabled.
Gene Beck said he had two telephone calls into two people in the county. They had not returned his call and he had not had a chance to get back with them. He wanted to see someone in the county on the board. Anita Peters said the person needed to be a qualified Level II Appraiser. Mr. Beck understood that but he wanted a county resident. He did not want someone appraising his land that was from another county. He had contacted Scott Richardson and David Bruner. The Commissioners wanted to wait and see if either person was interested and then make a decision.
Wanda O’Neal and Anita Peters said they would have to continue to hold their appeals since they needed two Level II Appraisers before they could hear them.
FEBRUARY 17, 2004 MINUTES Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve; Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
MARCH 12, 2004 PAYROLL Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve; Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
COMMISSIONERS MAIL 1. County Treasurer’s Monthly Report – February 2004. 2. Indiana Department of Natural Resources/Division of Water – Big Walnut Creek. 3. Downey Insurance – Training Session. 4. Cummins Mental Health – February 19, 2004 Minutes. 5. Indiana Department of Commerce – Notice of Release of Funds and Authorization to Incur Costs (CF- 02-134). 6. GIE – Claimant: Brian Dixie. 7. Bridge 159 Paperwork from Indiana Department of Transportation.
The Commissioners acknowledged their mail.
ADJOURN Dennis O’Hair made the motion to adjourn; Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
______________________________ ____________________________________ Gene R. Beck, President Donald K. Walton, Vice President
______________________________ ____________________________________ Donald K. Walton Attest: Kristina Warren, Auditor
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