COMMISSIONERS MEETING

REGULAR SESSION

APRIL 5, 2004 at 9:00 a.m.

ATTENDANCE:

COMMISSIONERS:                             Donald K. Walton, President

                                                         Gene R. Beck, Vice President

                                                          Dennis D. O’Hair

COUNTY ATTORNEY:                         Timothy Bookwalter

COUNCIL:                                           Lana Schimpf

AUDITOR:                                           Kristina Warren

AUDIENCE:                                        Eighteen Individuals

The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on April 5, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. at the Courthouse Annex.  The pledge to the flag was given.  Don Walton led everyone in a moment of prayer.

PEOPLE PATHWAYS – DUNBAR ROAD BRIDGE PROJECT

Joy Marley, Coordinator of People Pathways came to the Commissioners to request when the old bridge and road were abandoned, that they be retained and “reused” as a pedestrian corridor. 

CHANGE ORDER FOR BRIDGE 282

Dave Sutherlin, Highway Supervisor submitted a change order that would decrease the amount for the project.  The Commissioners needed to sign the order.

BACKHOE FOR HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

Dave Sutherlin, Highway Supervisor submitted paperwork for trading in the one they had for a new one.  Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve the McCallister for a 416D $44,000 + extended warranty of $2,700; Don Walton seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.  The Commissioners signed the paperwork.

COLUMBIA STREET INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT

Don Walton made the motion to approve the agreement with the City of Greencastle; Dennis O’Hair seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

BRIDGE 159

Don Walton stated the bid letting was around a week ago on the project.  The amount was 1.3 million.  The bid came in $900,000 less than the engineer estimate.  The company awarded the bid was Milestone out of Indianapolis.

Gene Beck said on April 14 at 10:00 a.m. the State Highway Department would be holding a meeting concerning the project.  Don Walton said he would try to attend the meeting to represent the Commissioners.  Gene Beck said Steve Luther with BLN had told him someone from their company would be at the meeting.

INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND THE TOWN COUNCIL OF BAINBRIDGE

Kim Hyten, Planning & Zoning Director submitted the interlocal agreement for the Commissioners and County Attorney to review.  Mr. Hyten said the Town of Bainbridge had approached his office. 

Dennis O’Hair wanted to point out that there had been an article in the newspaper stating the Town of Bainbridge had commented that the service was being duplicated.  Mr. Hyten said it was not a duplication since the county department was paid through user fees and not property tax dollars.

Mr. Hyten submitted a letter from Josh Abdon with the Town of Bainbridge.  The Town Board was interested in the concept of an area plan commission.

SUB-GRANT AGREEMENT

Kim Hyten, Planning & Zoning Director stated the committee had met and filled out paperwork necessary to apply for a grant.  The amount requested had been $502,000.  The amount awarded was $319,000.  Mr. Hyten stated Putnam County received the highest grant award.  He needed the Commissioners to sign the agreement that stated the county accepted the grant money.  Mr. Hyten would be submitting a thank you letter for the Commissioners to sign at a later date.  Dennis O’Hair stated there needed to be an article and picture in the newspaper.  This was $319,000 the committee was able to get for the county.  He felt the committee should be publicly thanked for their efforts.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE INTEGRATRED PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION

Kim Hyten, Planning & Zoning Director submitted the memorandum to the Commissioners.  Mr. Hyten gave a brief overview.  This would be a finalization of the grant.  Don Walton made the motion to approve; Dennis O’Hair seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.  Tim Bookwalter pointed out the dates on the memorandum of understanding needed to be filled out.

COUNTY WEB SITE

Marilyn Bigelow stated herself and Mary Williams had brought up the topic of the county looking at a web site.  Ms. Bigelow felt before they have a round table discussion with the county employees, the Commissioners approve which company they would go with for the project.  This way they could discuss with the company representatives and figure out what they wanted.  She felt this would be more productive and not a waste of individual’s time.

Marilyn Bigelow and Mary Williams stated they preferred Johnson & Johnson that was working in conjunction with H.O.P. Communication.  They liked the proposal, it was a local company and they had visited web sites that had been given as reference by the companies.  A lot of the sites were not user friendly.  However, Johnson and Johnson sites were easily maneuvered.  They liked Johnson & Johnson overall.  Ms. Williams said Johnson & Johnson had told them that documents could be scanned for the site to save time and money.

Dennis O’Hair asked what dollar amount they should cap the initial process.  Marilyn Bigelow suggested $2,000.  Mr. O’Hair did not have a problem with that figure.  Mr. Hyten suggested that departments interested with having items on the site provide diskettes with the information to save time.  If a department needed a scanner they could use the one in his department. 

Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve Johnson & Johnson and H.O.P. Communication to start the initial process of a county web site to not exceed $2,000 for year 2004.  Gene Beck felt the major county departments should be added to the site first: Auditor, Treasurer, Clerk, Health, etc. Don Walton seconded.  The motion carried.

Marilyn Bigelow asked if the Commissioners wanted to be involved in the meetings.  The Commissioners wanted to be notified of the meetings and be kept updated.  One of the Commissioners would try to attend the meetings.

RECYCLING PROGRAM

Jim Stevens said the recycling site was located on county property.  He would like an agreement signed by the Commissioners so there would be an understanding.  This was a not for profit organization.  Mr. Stevens had given a copy of the memorandum of understanding to Don Walton.  Gene Beck asked if the County Attorney had reviewed it yet.  He had not.  Tim Bookwalter reviewed and approved it.  Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve; Don Walton seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

ESRI – NETWORKING SYSTEM FOR THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Jim Overton and Chris Patterson with ESRI came back to report their findings to the Commissioners.  Mr. Overton submitted a report to the Commissioners.  Gene Beck said the Commissioners had been looking for a report for two years now.  ESRI was the first company that came back to the board with information. 

Mr. Overton said the departments had a lot of software that was geared strictly for their department.  Their company could help with the other software and tying it together.  ESRI could also help with the equipment.  At this point, Mr. Overton said ESRI wanted to inform the Commissioners what they had in the county and to let them review and see where they wanted to go from that point.

Don Walton asked if ESRI had a cost estimate.  Mr. Overton said there were block contracts or you can just have a rate for time and material.  The cost would differ depending on what the county wanted to do.  Mr. Walton asked for ESRI to put the costs and options in writing. 

BIDS FOR WINDOWS AT THE COURTHOUSE

Neil Masten with Barrier Windows and Ken Hutcheson, Head Custodian came to the meeting to discuss new windows for the courthouse.  Mr. Masten wrote up individual contracts for each floor of the courthouse. 

Mr. Masten suggested starting the project on the fourth floor and work their way down to the first.  They would start May 1, 2004 through May 15, 2004.  They would then move on to the third floor.  The second and first floor he proposed to start next spring (2005). 

Mr. Masten went over the windows and the height requirements.  The second and third floor would need a transom window due to the height of the windows.  The first and fourth floor would not need the transom window.  Mr. Masten said with taking the plan from 4 years to 2 years it reduced the estimate by around $14,000.  Dennis O’Hair asked about the warranty.  Mr. Masten said Barrier Windows had a 50-year warranty.  Plus, Mr. Masten said he would get them a manufactured warranty.  Don Walton made the motion to approve the contracts for all four floors.  The fourth and third floors would be done this year and the second and first floors next year; Dennis O’Hair seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

Cost: 1^st Floor $64,645.00, 2^nd Floor $71,270.00, 3^rd Floor $68,900.00 & 4^th Floor $62,285.00

TILE WORK AT COURTHOUSE (NORTH & SOUTH PORCHES)

Don Walton said he had two bids:

S & W Masonry              $19,491.00 - $1,900 = $17,591.00

Barry R. Grimes             $17,448.51

Don Walton made the motion to approve Barry R. Grimes; Dennis O’Hair seconded.  The motion carried unanimously. 

PAINT PROPOSALS FOR COURTHOUSE

The Commissioners received proposals from:

Custis Painting      $35,575

Hoover                  $60,480

Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve Custis Painting; Don Walton seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

CHAIRS FOR COURTROOM

Mary Williams stated she had spoken with Terry Keifer.  He got the wood and tried to make the chair.  He was unable to.  It did not work.  So, the county was back to square one again.  Mr. Keifer was the individual the Commissioners had approved $50 for material to make a chair for them to review.

Tim Bookwalter suggested the Commissioners going to other county government buildings and look at the chairs they have in their courtrooms. 

CEMETERY BOARD APPOINTMENT

Dr. Donald Brattain came to the meeting regarding the needed appointment.  The board was recommending Steve Fenwick.  Don Walton made the motion to appoint; Dennis O’Hair seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

PTABOA  APPOINTMENT

Gene Beck said he had spoken to two or three people for the appointment.  They declined the position.  Don Walton asked if Ginny Whipple was still interested in the appointment.  Wanda O’Neal, County Assessor said she was still available to serve on the board.

Gene Beck asked if the members were paid by the hour or by the meeting.  Ms. O’Neal said they were paid by the hour.  Don Walton asked how many people served on the board.  Ms. O’Neal stated five people served on the board:  Jake Brown and Daryl Branneman, Wanda O’Neal, Marlene Alexander and they need a fifth member.  Don Walton made the motion to appoint Ginny Whipple; Dennis O’Hair seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

AIRPORT BOARD APPOINTMENT

Don Walton said Dick Kinney resigned.  Mr. Walton had spoken to John Monnett and Mr. Monnett was interested in the appointment.  He had spoken with John Sturgeon and he felt Mr. Monnett would be a good member.  Don Walton made the motion to appoint John Monnett; Dennis O’Hair seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

INSURANCE

Laura Lee Baugh had spoken with Tim Bookwalter and he was looking into the matter regarding health insurance for her.  Per House Enrolled Act No. 1465, a surviving spouse of someone killed in the line of duty (public safety officer) was entitled to health insurance.  Gene Beck made the motion to approve and allow Ms. Baugh the county health insurance; Dennis O’Hair seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURN UNTIL 1:00 P.M.

Don Walton made the motion to adjourn; Dennis O’Hair seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

JAIL INSPECTION

Gene Beck stated during the adjournment period the Commissioners had went to the jail to inspect it.

EDGELEA SUBDIVISION

Jesse Patrick, Health Department discussed the SRF form application with the Commissioners.

FAIR ON THE SQUARE

Gene Beck read the letter from Main Street.  Don Walton made the motion to approve; Dennis O’Hair seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

CLAIMS

Don Walton made the motion to approve; Dennis O’Hair seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

PAYROLL

Dennis O’Hair made the motion to approve; Don Walton seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

AIRPORT CLAIMS FOR FUEL TANK

Perry Wainman had called the Auditor and asked if the claims for the fuel tanks could be paid during the emergency claim process.  After some discussion, it was decided that the Commissioners did not want to allow the request because they did not want to set a precedence.

REELSVILLE WATER PROJECT

Gene Beck signed paperwork for the project.

COMMISSIONERS MAIL

1. Indiana Department of Environmental Management – Permit Application for Crosswinds Addition,        Application for Pubic Water Supply from Newgent’s Campground, Notice of Decision: Approval for H.A.  Parts Products & New Application for Oxford Automotive.

2.    GIE – Claimant: Lisa Leonard.

3.    Indiana Department of Transportation – CR 650W over Big Walnut Creek.

4.   Indiana Department of Natural Resources/Division of Water – Construction in a Floodway Big Walnut    Creek.

5.    United States Senate – Dunbar Road Bridge Project.

6.   Letter from Joe Spear with Indiana Department of Transportation Regarding the Unofficial Detour for SR   42.

7.    Bliss McKnight Letter regarding Manhattan Road.

8.    Microfilm Progress Report – March 2004.

9.    Information from Koorsen Fire & Security.

10.  Humane Society of Putnam County – February 11, 2004 Minutes.

11.  Monthly Report – Clerk of the Circuit Court February 2004.

12.  Welfare Report – February 2004.

The Commissioners acknowledged the mail.

ADJOURN

Dennis O’Hair made the motion to adjourn; Don Walton seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

________________________________      __________________________________

Gene R. Beck, President                        Donald K. Walton, V. President

_________________________________     __________________________________

Dennis D. O’Hair                                     Attest: Kristina Warren, Auditor