COMMISSIONERS:                           Gene R. Beck, President

                                                       Kristina M. Warren, Vice President

                                                       Dennis D. O’Hair

COUNTY ATTORNEY:                      Timothy Bookwalter

AUDITOR’S OFFICE:                        Stephanie Campbell

AUDIENCE:                                     Sixteen Individuals

The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on August 1, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at the annex. The pledge to the flag was given.

Mike Kessler from the Putnam County Ethanol Plant came to talk about County Road 325 West. He stated there is a water pipe line 1 mile from Highway 40 going south on County Road 325 West. The Reelsville Fire Department has requested to hook onto the pipeline. The plant has given them permission to hook on for fire hydrants.

The Ethanol Plant want to also put in a gas line and another water line. He stated that both lines would be at least 36" deep. The gas line cannot go any deeper.

Commissioner O’Hair questioned if the company was bonded. Mr. Kessler assured him that the company had a bond that would cover the entire project.

Mr. Kessler said they would return the gravel road to its current state. One line will go on the west side of the road the other will be on the far side. Tim Bookwalter asked if the easements had been purchased. Mr. Kessler said yes, everyone is in agreement. Mr. Kessler stated the 36" would start from the current ditch line.

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

Steve Luther asked the Commissioners to approve a supplemental agreement. He stated the agreement would not exceed $30,000.

Commissioner O’Hair made a motion to approve the agreement with the condition that it would not exceed $30,000. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Luther also wanted to inform the Commissioners that after the last storm the southwest wing wall collapsed on the old bridge.

Commissioner O’Hair stated that the negotiation for the last piece of property (Burke) had been held on July 29^th. An agreeable amount could not be reached so it will have to go to court.

Steve Luther and Dave Sutherlin received a letter from LTAP stating they should send a letter requesting funding for Manhattan Road. Dave Sutherlin submitted a request to LTAP for them to submit a letter. Mr. Luther stated as far as funding went, the county should be in good shape since LTAP rated the project a "4".

Mr. Sutherlin asked about fixing the pipes on State Police Road. This would be the road used for a detour. Commissioner Beck said that if the grant gets approved then it would have to be fixed. Mr. Sutherlin said it would cost around $250,000 to fix it. The Commissioners requested Mr. Sutherlin to move forward with getting the road fixed.

Jim Barker brought the plans and specifications to fix Bridge 105. Mr. Barker explained the problems of the bridge and how to fix them. Commissioner O’Hair said that he would like to see sealed bids for the project. Commissioner Beck made a motion to have bids submitted for the September 6^th meeting at 6:30 p.m. Commissioner O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Jim Barker gave repair plans on Bridge 152. Commissioner O’Hair gave Tim Bookwalter a copy of the agreement to look over. Commissioner O’Hair asked about error of omission insurance. Mr. Barker said he was currently in the process of getting it. Commissioner O’Hair made a motion to accept the agreement on Bridge 152 pending error of omission insurance certificate on or before the paperwork is signed. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Jim Barker told Commissioner O’Hair the timeline on the Dunbar Bridge is 75 days from contract, but it can be changed.

Brad Wilkins, representative for Karr Tuckpointing explained the proposal for the exterior masonry work needed on the Courthouse to the Commissioners.

Commissioner Beck asked how long it would take after they start to complete the project. Mr. Wilkins said it depends on the weather and crew size. Commissioner Beck said the South and East side need to be done before winter. Mr. Wilkins said they could not start until a contract is signed and there is no money due until the project is complete. Mr. Wilkins said the price is good for a year and covers everything.

Ken Hutcheson stated that the Mid-Continental Contract proposal is on the worse side of the Courthouse only. Mr. Hutcheson said he is also waiting on another proposal. Commissioner Beck asked if the county had to provide anything. Mr. Wilkins said the county did not have to provide anything except electrical outlets and hopefully a restroom facility.

Commissioner Beck suggested doing the south and east side of the courthouse this fall and the other sides in the spring. Mr. Wilkins stated he would fax the information to his office and send the Commissioners the contract. Commissioner Beck motioned for Karr Tuckpointing to do the work this fall to the East and South side for a price of $26,419.00 and the West and North side in the spring for a price of $25,828.00. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Debra Robinson presented a petition to the Commissioners for two stop signs in Belle Union on 825 East and 600 South and 800 East. Commissioner Beck stated that the petition would be turned over to Bliss McKnight, the county’s insurance company. Commissioner O’Hair made a motion for the petition to be turned over to Bliss McKnight and Dave Sutherlin. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ms Robinson stated that there was also a guardrail needed.

Beth Pastotnik presented the Commissioners information about the health insurance company. Advantage Health Solutions took what benefits the county currently has and compared them. Ms. Pastotnik stated that her proposal is purposely copied from the county’s current plan.

However, during the discussion it was discovered that the proposal before the Commissioners was for a fully insured plan. The county is currently self-insured.

Advantage Health Solutions is a hospital owned organization, St. Frances and St. Vincent’s. Commissioner O’Hair asked if it could run a 17-month period. Ms. Pastotnik said yes but there would have to be some adjustments in the rates. She stated that they serve Marshall and Marion County.

The appointment of Max Whitaker to the Alcohol and Beverage Board was tabled.

Commissioner Beck made a motion to approve regular and emergency claims. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner O’Hair made a motion to approve July 29, 2005 payroll. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Operation Life asked for approval to sell two ambulances and buy two new ones. Commissioner O’Hair made a motion to table the matter until next meeting when someone from Operation Life can be at a meeting to explain. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The Commissioners gave Tim Bookwalter information for him to research.

Commissioner Warren presented three bills to the Commissioners from the Centennial Committee. The bills totaled $3,204.01. The bills were for Joe Spiker, Cecil Pierce and Lee Stewart.

Commissioner Warren explained that representatives of the Centennial Committee had tried to get firm estimates from Joe Spiker and Cecil Pierce but were unable to do so.

After the project was completed bills were submitted and they were higher than anticipated. The Committee had short of $9,000 in the bank after the celebration. They applied the full amount to Joe Spiker’s bill.

Commissioner O’Hair and Tim Bookwalter said the Commissioners had only agreed to pay for the railing when some of the members of the Centennial Committee had approached them a couple of years ago. And, the county has paid that bill. The Commissioners had been assured that the county would not have to pay for anything but the railing. The project would be done by volunteers and donated material. Now, the committee is asking the Commissioners to pay for something they did not approve.

Commissioner Warren stated that in several of the Centennial Committee meetings it was stated that the Commissioners had told some of the members that they would pay up to $4,000. That the Commissioners would help out financially if the committee could not raise enough money. She had pointed out that Commissioners Dennis O’Hair and Gene Beck said that was not approved in a Commissioners meeting. However, the individuals reiterated they were told it was okay. At the last committee meeting, Commissioner Warren was asked to bring the bills to the Commissioners.

After some discussion, Commissioner Beck made a motion to table and ask Lee Stewart to come to the next meeting since he was in charge of the project. Commissioner O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

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

Commissioner Warren made a motion to acknowledge the mail. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

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