COMMISSIONERS MEETING

REGULAR SESSION

JULY 18, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.

ATTENDANCE:

COMMISSIONERS: Gene R. Beck, President

Kristina M. Warren, Vice President

Dennis D. O’Hair

COUNTY ATTORNEY: Timothy Bookwalter

AUDITORS: Stephanie Campbell

AUDIENCE: Forty-Three Individuals

The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on July 18, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at the annex. The pledge to the flag was given.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

Dave Sutherlin brought to the Commissioner’s attention that the county would be short $146,000 for Bridge 146 according to the company hired to do the engineering services. Woolpert had written to Mr. Sutherlin explaining that the engineering fees quoted at the time of the bid were incorrect.

However, Mr. Sutherlin pointed out to the Commissioners that the contract Woolpert submitted and the Commissioners signed stated that the engineering fees would not exceed $151,050. He questioned if this contract would not bind Woolpert to live up to the amount quoted. Tim Bookwalter looked at the paperwork that was signed December 3, 1999. The matter was tabled.

PLANNING/EMA

Kim Hyten requested legal assistance from Tim Bookwalter in regards to a situation that occurred on April 8, 2005 at the McClure Gas Station. Mr. Bookwalter had sent a letter and has had no response. Commissioner O’Hair made a motion for Tim Bookwalter to assist Mr. Hyten. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hyten presented a Request for Qualifications letter to the Commissioners for approval. The Commissioners agreed with the format. Commissioner Beck made a motion to approve the letter. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hyten stated he is trying to bring fees in that are comparable to counties east of Putnam County to help out with the County General fund. Mr. Hyten presented three ordinances to increase fees for the Planning Department. The fees are to take effect September 1, 2005. Commissioner O’Hair motioned to approve the ordinances. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hyten presented Resolution 07-14-2005 for Hilltop Farms Subdivision in Franklin Township. Commissioner Beck motioned for approval. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

COUNTY ISSUES

Marilyn Bigelow asked if ATV’s and golf carts are legal on county roads. Tim Bookwalter stated that ATV’s are allowed to cross a road if for example a farmer is going from one field to another. Mr. Bookwalter stated that they are illegal on roads.

WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD

Lisa Lee is Executive Director in Terre Haute for the Workforce Investment Board. She explained that they coordinate and help people who have been laid off. She asked that a Commissioner or an appointee be appointed to their Board. Commissioner O’Hair asked what agency they are funded from. Ms. Lee said they are funded by the Department of Labor, Department of Workforce Development and Federal funds. Commissioner Warren said she would sit on the Board. Ms. Lee thanked her.

Edgelea

Commissioner Beck asked Kim Hyten about a new house being built in Edgelea. Mr. Hyten said he had spoken to the gentleman several times regarding the matter. It is not a county issue. The problem is that where the house was built does not meet the subdivision covenants.

West CENTRAL SOLID WASTE DISTRICT ORDINANCE

An Amended Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between Putnam County and West Central Solid Waste District was presented to the Commissioners for signing. Commissioner O’Hair motioned to approve the ordinance. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

STANLEY DOOR

Patrick McClean was at the meeting representing Stanley Door. Mr. McClean gave the Commissioners a proposal for installing a handicap accessible door on the east or south side of the courthouse. The proposal for a double door on the east side was $2,637.00 and a single door on the south side would be $1,685.00. The door would use remote push plates.

Mr. McClean was asked if he had checked out the ramp. Mr. McClean stated he did not know the specifics. Discussion was for the south door entrance of the courthouse. The job would be paid out of the Cumulative Courthouse Fund.

Commissioner Warren made a motion to approve the proposal for the south side. If they had approved the east side then the inside set of doors would also need to be made handicap accessible. Commissioner O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Kim Hyten asked about the electric. Mr. McClean stated a 110 amp would be needed.

TRANSFER STATION

Commissioner Beck stated that everyone wanting to speak to them about the Transfer Station was limited to three minutes.

Terry Garron stated that this proposed site met the company’s needs. They would be bringing economic development to the county.

Don Gedert, owner of Stardust Hills, feels that with jobs being lost they need as many jobs as possible to come into the county. He stated he is in favor of the Transfer Station.

Barbara Clark, owner of the property in question asked for it to be sent back to the Planning Board due to new information.

Commissioner O’Hair spoke about how they value their Planning Board and he will honor the wishes of the Board. Mr. O’Hair feels he can send it back and they will look at it. Commissioner O’Hair asked Kim Hyten to look at it and see where they could put this site and to look how this would affect our economy in the future.

Commissioner Beck stated he had no problem sending it back to the Planning Board. He is a member of the board as the representative for the Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner Warren stated at the last meeting she had heard nothing but negative thoughts regarding the transfer station. However, since the article came out in the newspaper from the last meeting, she has received nothing but calls for the transfer station. She felt both sides had legitimate arguments. Because of the amount of telephone calls she has received, Commissioner Warren did not have a problem with sending it back to the Planning Board for them to review and hear both side’s statements.

Commissioner Warren made a motion to have it sent back to the Planning Board. Commissioner O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting will be at Cloverdale Schools after school starts.

EXTENSION OFFICE

Laura Lee Baugh welcomed everyone to come out to the fair. She stated that the Junior Leaders had repainted the Beef Barn.

ANNEX VANDALISM

Commissioner Warren explained the vandalism that has been going on at the Annex. Kim Hyten stated that the Homeland Security money could help purchase equipment that would help eliminate the problem.

Tim Bookwalter stated that it is the Greencastle Police Department’s area. Commissioner Warren and Laura Lee Baugh stated that the city says the Annex is county property.

COMMISSIONERS MAIL

1. Floyd Twp. Fire District 2005 Accounts Payable/Voucher Register

2. County Division of Family and Children Financial Reports

3. Letter from Strategic Health Plans

4. Microfilm Monthly Progress Report

5. County Clerk Report of Collections

6. Progress Report for Bridge 199

7. Phoenix Flyer

8. Notice of Navigation Interests – US Army Corps of Engineers

9. Floyd Twp. Fire Protection District Special Meeting Minutes

10. IDEM – U.S. 231 Utilities Relocation

11. Letter from Floyd E. Burroughs & Associates, Inc.

Commissioner Warren motioned to acknowledge the mail. Commissioner O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

PTABOA APPOINTMENTS

County Assessor, Wanda O’Neal wrote a letter to the Commissioners asking them to appoint Don Hess and Lana Schimpf to the PTABOA. Commissioner Warren made a motion to approve. Commissioner O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

JULY 15, 2005 PAYROLL

Commissioner Warren made a motion to approve payroll. Commissioner O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

MINUTES – FEBRUARY 9, FEBRUARY 15, FEBRUARY 21, MARCH 7 AND MARCH 21, 2005

Commissioner Warren made a motion to approve the minutes presented. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

COUNTY TELEPHONE

The Commissioners were presented with contracts from three telephone companies: ProNet, One Call and SBC. The contract from SBC was the lowest.

The Commissioners asked if they could get out of the contract with One Call. Tim Bookwalter said that a letter needs to be sent to them stating that the county has decided to go with another phone company.

Commissioner Beck made a motion to approve the SBC contract. Commissioner O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURN

Commissioner Warren motioned to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

_________________________________ ______________________________

Gene R. Beck, President Kristina Warren, V. President

_________________________________ _______________________________

Dennis D. O’Hair Attest: Stephanie Campbell,

Auditor