COMMISSIONERS MEETING
REGULAR SESSION
MARCH 19, 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: Carrie Boling
AUDIENCE: 33 Individuals
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on March 19, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at the courthouse annex. The pledge to the flag was given.
BRIDGE 199
Dianna Federspill from Farrar & Garvey presented a supplemental agreement for right of way services. Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve and sign. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried.
BRIDGES 146 & 147
Steve Luther from Beam, Longest, & Neff said there is a meeting on Thursday with Floyd Burroughs.
BRIDGE 159
Steve Luther from Beam, Longest, & Neff passed a scope of work on Bridge 159 that concluded what still needed to be done. Most of the discussion was in regards to the parking and path to the bridge. There will be no path under the bridge and the entrance to the guardrail will have to be addressed. They are going to do everything possible to stay out of the drainage because it will raise the cost. Commissioner Warren made the motion to table until the contract was presented. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried.
ASH ACRES SUBDIVISION
A replat for Ash Acres Subdivision being Section 13, Township 13 North, Range 3 West in Jefferson Township. The request was to divide 6.16 +/- acres into one residential lot. Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.
CEDAR CREEK SUBDIVISION
A replat for Cedar Creek Subdivision being Section 30, Township 14 North, Range 3 West in Marion Township. The request was to divide 8.26 +/- acres into one residential lot. Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.
RESOLUTION 2007-03-19
Planning Director Kim Hyten presented a resolution to rezone property in Clinton Township for the Indianapolis Stockyard, Inc. Commissioner Warren opened the floor for the audience to speak.
Hubert Crodian said he heard that seven acres of property in Morton was to be zoned as Morton Sale Barn. He wanted to know the exact amount of acreage. Planning Director Kim Hyten said based on the deed there was 4.834 acres. Mr. Crodian is concerned about the watershed runoff from property and that he could not find a building permit for the building being built.
Mr. Hyten confirmed that he had personally issued the permit for the building and that watershed calculations had been done by an engineer.
Connie Labermont believes that they did not consider how close the residences are to this sale barn. She is concerned with the smell and property value.
Jake Zaring explained how he felt about the sale barn. It is an asset to the county.
Boyd Pickel discussed the remodeling of the building and how it would eliminate some of these issues like smell and water runoff. He also believes it to be an asset. He indicated that livestock is only there for 48 hours.
Connie Labermont talked about the road and how it will need attention by the county or owner because water has been standing there for days.
Stan Gildersleeve confirmed that the second building constructed is the same size as the one taken down.
Connie Labermont asked about how long the livestock would be there. Stan Gildersleeve answered that the livestock will not be there continuously because there is only one sale a week.
The cattle will arrive on Friday and be out by Sunday at noon. He is trying to make this the best facility he can.
Dennis O’Hair believes that the county does need this sale barn but feels that it makes economical sense to find out how it is zoned before being purchased. The sale barn is too close to families and homes. It is the petitioners responsibility to ask, not the county’s.
Hubert Crodian asked when the permit was issued. Mr. Hyten replied that it was issued in October and when the permit was issued he believed it was zoned agricultural. He stands firm that it should have already been zoned agricultural. If this resolution is passed by the Commissioners it will still need to go back before the zoning board.
Bill Eberle discussed acreage and property values.
Someone in the audience asked how long the sale barn had been in Morton. Max Pickel said it has been an asset to Putnam County since 1951.
Doug Baker is a proud employee of Indianapolis Stockyard and has had the privilege of working with Stan Gildersleeve. He assured the audience that great effort has always been made to provide the best livestock.
Connie Labermont said the problem with this whole idea is that it has happened haphazardly because it is all happening right in the middle of a residential area. She would like to see their personal issues weighed before the business issues.
Jean McFarland said that residents have lived next to the sale barn for more than 50 years and does not understand why now there is a problem. The sale barn was there before the houses.
Hubert Crodian said that he has lived there for 50 years and now that it is becoming a stockyard there will be an increase of smell, manure, and traffic.
Kim Hyten explained the letter that he had received from Richard Morgan with Indiana State Board of Animal Health. The letter confirms that it will called a sale barn and not a stockyard.
Planning Board member Larry Parker confirmed that all the zoning board discussed was that it should have been zoned as A2.
Commissioner Warren asked Kim Hyten to confirm that all the Commissioners were doing tonight was approving the rezoning. He replied yes.
Brian Clark said he has worked with Indianapolis Stockyard and each day of the sale they already started cleaning it up.
Commissioner Baird said that since all the Commissioners are doing tonight is looking at the zoning he asked members of the audience if they were absolutely opposed to it or could it be worked out at the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting.
Don Labermont said that he is not against the sale barn unless 800 head of cattle come in. Hubert Crodian said he is not against the sale barn but believes it should be a livestock yard only.
Commissioner Baird asked Stan Gildersleeve if he was willing to work with the residents. Mr. Gildersleeve said he would but he never knows how many cattle they will get and he cannot turn anyone away. On an average they receive 300-400 cattle. Commissioner Beck asked if they ever got any other kind of animals. Mr. Gildersleeve replied that sometimes they will get a few but they are building a facility for cattle only.
Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve the property change to A2. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.
COURTHOUSE ASSESSMENT
Planning Director Kim Hyten and Terry Burnworth from Pyramid discussed the structural assessments of the courthouse. They passed out a handout and explained the need for the assessment. Commissioner Beck said he believes the first thing to be fixed is removing the tower and fixing the roof. Mr. Burnworth agreed. Kim Hyten said they recently cut a bigger hole in the chimney to alleviate some of the problems in the courthouse. The ceiling in the Prosecutor’s office has been temporarily patched with help from the Sheriff’s department.
Attorney Scott Hoff asked if section 3.1 could be revised. He would like to see the Commissioners have some benefit from these documents. Pyramid will give a CD to the county that has all of the drawings and plans. Commissioner Warren asked about the interest on a late payment in Section 8.4. Mr. Burnworth said he has never charged interest and told her to change it to show 0% interest but keep to 30 days. Mrs. Warren also asked Mr. Burnworth that if costs would rise over $5,000 would he come back before the Board of Commissioners. He said yes.
Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve with amendments being subject to Scott Hoff’s approval. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried.
TREASURER LOCKBOX
First Deputy Treasurer Sharon Freeman explained the need to renew the lockbox with Old National Bank. Commissioner Warren agreed that the lockbox was a huge asset last year by helping accrue earned interest. Attorney Scott Hoff has reviewed and approved the contract.
Commissioner Baird made the motion to approve. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried.
OPERATION LIFE
Operation Life Director Kraig Kinney is seeking approval to sell their Caprice Classic for $500 and keep the proceeds for their vehicle fund. They are unable to find the title and would also like to be authorized to file for loss of title and then sign the new one. Attorney Scott Hoff recommended that Mr. Kinney get the new title in his name.
Commissioner Baird made the motion to approve. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried.
TOURISM BOARD
Don Gedert and Scott Hoff explained the reason for the inn keepers tax and reported that a Local Bed & Breakfast has not been reporting their monthly income. Mr. Hoff has written a letter and the Visitor’s Bureau will also be sending a letter and obtaining their own attorney to sue this establishment.
Commissioner Beck made the motion for the Visitor’s Bureau to move forward. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.
BOARD OF HEALTH ORDINANCE
Beth Glaze presented the ordinance that has been advertised for fines. Attorney Scott Hoff has reviewed and approved.
Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.
SHERIFF CREDIT CARD
The Sheriff’s Department will be dropping their Wal-Mart credit card and is seeking permission to obtain a card with a different bank due to lower interest rate.
Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve the credit card change. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried.
SHERIFF VEHICLES
Discussion was made regarding the paperwork. Commissioner Baird questioned the verbage, and Scott Hoff said it is a tax code.
Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve the two leases and for Commissioner Warren to sign. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.
PAYROLL
Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve March 9, 2007 payroll. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried.
SRI TAX SALE AGREEMENT
Auditor Stephanie Campbell explained that this was amended annual contract to be signed for SRI. The cost had been changed from last year due to extra advertising for notifications. Commissioner Beck asked if they had set a date for the next tax sale and Mrs. Campbell replied that they have not. Attorney Scott Hoff has reviewed and approved the contract.
Commissioner Baird made the motion to approve. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried.
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
Community Corrections Director Jamie France needs to fill two vacancies for their Community Corrections Advisory Board because Pam Turner and Susan Clark have resigned. They are recommending Linda Merkle and Elizabeth Butts to fill their spots.
Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.
Mr. France wanted to update the Commissioners of their upcoming move out of the courthouse. They will be moving their offices across the street in mid April.
HORSE SHOW ARENA
Don Gedert updated the Commissioners that finances have been sealed and the Redevelopment Commission is still moving forward with this project.
COUNTY HOME
Shirley VanHook asked the Commissioners if they wanted to reschedule their lunch at the County Home. They agreed on April 2, 2006 at noon. They will tour the County Home and the Jail and move their 6:00 meeting to 2:30 p.m.
1. Dana Weber-Thank you letter.
2. GIE-James Recker Suit Acknowledgement.
3. IDEM-Lone Star Public Comment Letter.
4. Cummins Behavioral Health-March 15 Meeting Agenda.
5. DNR-Bridge 10.
6. US Army Corps of Engineers-Riverbed Excavations.
7. Clerk’s Monthly Report-February 2007.
8. Welfare Reports-February 2007.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Beck made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried.
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Kristina Warren, President Gene R. Beck, Vice President
________________________________ _______________________________
James Baird Attest: Stephanie Campbell
Auditor