COMMISSIONERS MEETING
REGULAR SESSION
JANUARY 2, 2007 AT 6:00 P.M.
ATTENDANCE:
COMMISSIONERS: Kristina Warren, President
Gene R. Beck, Vice President
James Baird
ATTORNEY: Scott Hoff
AUDITOR: Stephanie Campbell
DEPUTY AUDITOR: Evelyn Owens
COUNCIL MEMBER: Larry Parker
AUDIENCE: Nine Individuals
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on January 2, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at the courthouse annex. The pledge to the flag was given.
APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT
Commissioner Beck made the motion to appoint Kristina Warren as President of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Baird felt that Gene Beck should be President and Kristina Warren should be Vice-President. Mr. Beck said that he does not have the time to do it at the moment. Commissioner Warren had asked him and he had declined. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.
APPOINTMENT OF VICE PRESIDENT
Commissioner Baird made the motion to appoint Gene Beck as Vice President of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried.
MANHATTAN ROAD STUDY
Highway Superintendent David Sutherlin submitted a proposal for a study of Manhattan Road from American Consulting for a fee of $4,500. The study would be used to try and obtain federal funding.
Commissioner Warren asked Mr. Sutherlin if he had heard anything from Joe Spears. INDOT replied that he had not heard a deadline for submission.
Commissioner Warren asked if there were any questions from the Board. Commissioner Baird asked if discussion had to be made that evening. The county is on a timeline crunch to get the study done before the deadline for grants.
Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.
BRIDGE 146
Steve Luther from Beam, Longest & Neff asked the Commissioners if they had made a decision on what they want to do concerning Bridge 146. Commissioner Beck said the last thing they discussed was moving it to the fairgrounds. Steve Luther wanted to know if they had a preference. David Sutherlin asked if there would be a problem if they left it in place.
Commissioner Baird asked about the difference in costs. Mr. Luther did not have those figures yet but said that everything would have to be catalogued and that could run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Commissioner Beck believes it should be removed. Commissioner Baird agreed with Mr. Beck.
Mr. Luther said he was not asking the Commissioners for a decision now but to be aware that they will have to make one soon. The options are to leave it there, move it to the fairgrounds or at the highway department.
BRIDGE 159
Steve Luther from Beam, Longest & Neff said he has not heard anything from Shipo.
BRIDGE 10
Steve Luther from Beam, Longest & Neff said that the field survey has been completed.
BRIDGE 46
Steve Luther from Beam, Longest & Neff said that the application had been submitted to the state for additional funding, but he had not heard anything. The county cannot afford funding this project by themselves. The bridge will eventually have to be replaced. Commissioner Beck said to make sure they get settlement for Bridge 46.
APEX BENEFITS
Amy Carpenter and Greg Fox from Apex Insurance gave a brief history of who they are and what they have done for Putnam County in the past. Ms. Carpenter would like to take another look at the insurance and they do not charge for market analysis. Commissioner Warren said the county experienced a change in co-pay and deductible and had a premium increase of 1.6%. Commissioner Beck said that it is too late in the year to switch for 2007. He suggested that if they are interested for next year then to come early in the year. Commissioner Baird would like to see a better breakdown and details of all the plans available. Ms. Carpenter said they may come back in August with more information.
RECORDER’S OFFICE
Recorder Jeanette Summitt is seeking approval for two employee contracts. Commissioner Warren said that Attorney Scott Hoff had prepared the contracts. Mrs. Summitt said the reason for the contracts was due to the perpetuation fund that most of her budget is paid out of. The only benefit they are losing is the health insurance. They get everything else as a county employee. Commissioner Warren said that vision insurance was left off the contract.
Mrs. Summitt said both employees have read over the contract. Commissioner Baird asked if everyone was going with contracts. Commissioner Warren replied no. With budget cuts some departments have gone to contracts. Commissioner Baird asked Mrs. Summitt if she was guaranteeing their jobs. She replied yes, but there is a termination clause. She continued to explain that their salaries are lower until probationary period is up.
Commissioner Baird asked about the paid parking. She explained that since they are not getting insurance she wanted to give an incentive to the employees. Commissioner Warren suggested changing the paragraph for paid parking to read specifically that the paid parking will be paid out of the Recorder’s Perpetuation Fund.
Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve the contracts with the amendments. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.
EXTENSION OFFICE
Lauralee Baugh reported that the Master Gardener class starts in mid February. The fee has been lowered and they need more people. She was not sure if there was still a hiring freeze and hopes to start the hiring process for the part time clerical position. Commissioner Warren told her there was not a hiring freeze and that she could start advertising for the position.
COUNTY HOME
Shirley Van Hook from the County Home invited the Commissioners to come out for lunch. Commissioner Beck said they would get back with her.
APPOINTMENTS
Commissioners appointed to Boards:
Planning Commission Gene Beck
Emergency Management James Baird
Solid Waste Gene Beck & James Baird
Health Department Board James Baird
Operation Life Kristina Warren
Redevelopment Commission Kristina Warren
E-911 Gene Beck
Greencastle Put. Co. Dev. James Baird
West Central Economic Dev. James Baird
Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.
AVIATION BOARD APPOINTMENT
Commissioner Baird made the motion to appoint Perry Wainman. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried.
CEMETERY BOARD APPOINTMENT
Commissioner Beck made the motion to appoint Marilyn Clearwater. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.
1. Sommer Barnard PC-Robin Goff Tort Claim.
2. Smither Roofing-Courthouse Roof Drain Repairs.
3. Insight Communications-Franchise Agreements.
4. IDEM-Crown Equipment Notice of Public Comment for Air Permit.
5. Bituminous-John Shaner Claim Closed.
6. Microfilm Monthly Progress Report-December 2006.
7. Welfare Reports-November 2006.
8. Clerk’s Monthly Reports-November 2006.
The mail was acknowledged.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Beck made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.
__________________________________ _____________________________
Kristina Warren, President Gene R. Beck, Vice President
__________________________________ _____________________________
James Baird Attest: Stephanie Campbell
Auditor