REGULAR SESSION
NOVEMBER 6, 2006 AT 9:00 AM.
ATTENDANCE:
COMMISSIONERS: Dennis D. O’Hair, President
Kristina Warren, Vice President
Gene R. Beck
ATTORNEY: Scott Hoff
AUDITOR: Stephanie Campbell
DEPUTY AUDITOR: Carrie Boling
COUNCIL MEMBER: Larry Parker
AUDIENCE: Seven Individuals
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on November 6, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. at the courthouse annex. The pledge to the flag was given.
Steve Luther from Beam, Longest and Neff requested the revised contract for replacing Bridge 146. BLN has made the changes and County Attorney Scott Hoff has approved the contract. Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve and sign the contract. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
The Commissioners have reviewed the bridge inspection bids submitted at their last meeting. Commissioner Warren made the motion to award the bid to USI. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Larry Parker asked about the status of the bridge in Madison Township.
Commissioner O’Hair said he had contacted a couple of engineer firms to get quotes. He realized the bridge needed to be done.
Kim Hyten discussed the boilers at the courthouse. He would like to use Tom Gilson to fix the boilers, it would cut down on the labor costs. Mr. Hyten will bring back more information at the November 20, 2006 meeting.
The GIS system that the county currently has is not compatible for the comprehensive plan. ACE has added an addendum to the contract that states they will do the mapping for $11,800, and the rest could be done for $50,200 for a total of $62,000. WTH has been contacted and told their services with the mapping will no longer be needed.
The biggest portion of the bid is the software and training. Once it is done it will belong to the county and Plat Deputy Robbie Cudnik can make changes as needed. Commissioner O’Hair asked if it is possible for the Plat Office to charge for copies and to put into a user fees fund. The Auditor stated that the Plat Office does currently charge for maps.
The Real Estate Department would also benefit from this project and could possibly contribute a percentage to cover the expenses. Auditor Stephanie Campbell said she would research. Commissioner Warren made the motion to approve the contract from ACE and to have the Auditor look at the percentage that could be paid by the Real Estate Department. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Judge Robert Lowe updated the Board about the study committee for the third court. He said he updated the Council at their last meeting and his discussion had been printed in the newspaper, he had nothing else to add to that. They will hopefully have a formal proposal for the Commissioners in December or January. They are looking at moving the Probation Office and Community Corrections out of the Courthouse and utilizing this space for the new courtroom. The only way to fund it would be to increase the property tax levy.
Board of Health Director Robert Heavin and Administrator Beth Glaze reported that their Health Nurse, Rhonda Kessler had resigned. They are presenting a new employment contract for a new nurse assistant, Jamie Bothwell. They have enough money to cover the salary for the rest of the year from Tobacco Master Trust Fund. Commissioner Warren asked if this is the same format as Ms. Kessler’s contract. Dr. Heavin replied that it was. Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve the contract. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Bioterrorism Coordinator Steve Walters has been working in the southern part of the county due to an increase in whooping cough cases. They have several volunteers who are in training to help. Beth Glaze asked about the county’s liability coverage, and would it include the volunteers. Auditor Stephanie Campbell said she would contact HBG to find out.
Commissioner O’Hair commended Dr. Heavin on all his hard work with the Board of Health, and also thanked the staff for doing a great job.
Katharine Miller from Nucor explained the reason for sustaining the domestic manufacturing jobs in the US. She presented a resolution to be signed and sent to the Indiana General Assembly. This resolution requests that the Indiana General Assembly and the Indiana Congressional delegation continue to support the families of Indiana, to support strong trade policy, and to take swift and responsive actions to halt unlawful barriers to fair and free trade.
Indiana’s manufacturing sector, as well as suppliers and ancillary businesses, have lost over 100,000 jobs since 1999. Manufacturing jobs in Putnam County employ more than 2,800 people and account for 18% of the jobs in Putnam County.
Upon recommendation from the County Attorney, Commissioner Beck made a motion to table until the November 20, 2006 meeting. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Kim Hyten discussed protesting on the courthouse lawn and asked about the possibility of designating an area for protestors to stand. He suggested the stage area on the north side because it would be the safest area. County Attorney Scott Hoff said an ordinance needed to be done to establish a rule. He would prepare one.
Lauralee Baugh asked about the current mileage rate. Commissioner Warren replied that the Council recently approved to raise it to $0.40 a mile. Mrs. Baugh also updated the Board on upcoming events. The Extension Annual meeting is November 30, 2006.
They have a potential for 46 ten year 4-hers next year. She also wanted to add a little personal note and explained that the Putnam County Museum asked her to help with a tribute of Jim Baugh’s life, which is currently on display at the museum.
Commissioner Warren made the motion to approve the November 3, 2006 payroll. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Warren made the motion to approve. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
1. GIE-Mike & Terri Clifford Tort Claim.
2. Beam, Longest and Neff-Bridge 104.
3. IDEM-Mann Land LLC Approval Renewal Letter.
4. Insight –Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Letter.
5. Insight-Termination of all Local Franchises.
6. Welfare Monthly Reports-September 2006.
7. Sycamore Trails Quarterly Minutes-July 31, 2006.
8. Cummins Behavioral Health Minutes-September 21, 2006.
9. Soil & Water District-Saraellen Peters Resignation Letter.
10. Indiana Criminal Justice Institute-Grant Approval.
11. Microfilm Monthly Progress Report-October 2006.
12. Treasurer’s Monthly Report-September 2006.
The mail was acknowledged.
Commissioner Warren made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried.
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Dennis D. O’Hair, President Kristina Warren, Vice President
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Gene R. Beck Attest: Stephanie Campbell