COMMISSIONERS MEETING
REGULAR SESSION
NOVEMBER 15, 2004 at 6:00 p.m.
ATTENDANCE:
Donald K. Walton, Vice President
Dennis D. O’Hair
AUDITOR: Kristina Warren
AUDIENCE: Fourteen Individuals
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on November 15, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. The pledge to the flag was given. Gene Beck asked for a moment of silence for the soldiers over sea.
A letter was sent to the Highway Department from the Indiana Department of Transportation. The letter was in regards to Stop Ahead and Signal Ahead signs. The State agency required that:
1) Permission is granted allowing their forces or designated contractor to install the signs on county right of way.
2) Responsibility be acknowledged and accepted by the county for maintaining required visibility of the signs.
3) Responsibility for signs limited to notifying or informing INDOT of any maintenance needs of the signs arising from damage, theft, vandalism or defects that require maintenance by INDOT forces.
After some discussion, Dennis O’Hair asked Tim Bookwalter about the County Highway Department keeping the signs they have on the roads. If they remove any of those signs, then they want them given back to the department. The Commissioners want that added to the contract.
BRIDGE 10
Gene Beck said the bridge would be closed effective tomorrow morning. The bridge is located in Russell Township. The south end of the bridge is bad. The parts to fix the bridge have been ordered.
BRIDGE 159
Steve Luther with Beam, Longest & Neff came to give an update. The pipe the water department had put in was not buried deep enough and they had to do it again. They also accidentally ripped out 150 feet of pipe and they had to do it again. INDOT has been contacted and a meeting will be arranged with Milestone and INDOT. They want to see what else could be done during the winter to further along the project.
Dennis O’Hair asked what would happen money wise because of the constant delays in the project. Steve Luther said the inspection time would go way over what was estimated. He could give the Commissioners a better idea after he met with INDOT. Commissioner O’Hair stated he wanted to look at it because there has been costly delays through no fault of the county.
ARNOLD, GRIFFITH HILL, BEASOR AND MCALLISTER SUBDIVISIONS & ADDENDUM FOR BARRINGTON HILLS
Kim Hyten, Plan Commission Director submitted the plats:
Arnold Subdivision in Marion Township
Griffith Hill Subdivision in Warren Township
Beasor Subdivision in Warren Township
McAllister Subdivision in Washington Township
Barrington Hills Addendum – Mr. Hyten explained why there is an addendum
The Planning Board had approved the plats. Don Walton made the motion to approve; Dennis O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
STATEMENT OF WORK
Kim Hyten, EMA Director submitted the paperwork to the Commissioners. He went over it briefly. Gene Beck made the motion to approve and sign; Dennis O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
VOTING MACHINES
Marilyn Bigelow, Heritage Lake resident asked how much were the voting machines? Clerk Opal Sutherlin happened to be in the audience and told them $3,300 a piece.
VOTING PRECINCTS
Marilyn Bigelow, Heritage Lake resident said another item that had been discussed at Heritage Lake was how the map was drawn for voting precincts. They felt the two precincts in Floyd Township needed to be addressed.
Clerk Opal Sutherlin stated a few years ago they had tried to split it and the State advised them not to. Marilyn Bigelow asked how they could help the Clerk’s Office get the precincts re-addressed. Ms. Sutherlin said they needed to contact the State Election Office.
COUNTY WEB SITE
Mary Williams said as of today, Recorder, Treasurer, Assessor and Auditor have their records on a web site in Hendricks County. Ms. Williams gave a copy of an article to the Commissioners. She said it was a good example for Putnam County to look at.
HUMANE SOCIETY
Joanne Cole came to the meeting to give their monthly report. Ms. Cole thanked Gene Beck for officiating their board meeting. At their last meeting, the board elected in 2004 was re-elected. This partially resolved the lawsuit.
Ms. Cole said the Animal Control Committee would start meeting again in January. Gene Beck is a member of the board.
Ms. Cole said they were trying to form a committee for the “Bark Park”. She asked for guidance from the Commissioners. They currently have 9.3 acres at the shelter according to the lease. They ideally would need 5 acres, but she was aiming for 3 acres. She did not know if the Commissioners wanted to participate on the development of the park.
The police department has approached them about using the park as a training ground for their dogs.
CSI MAINTENANCE CONTRACT
Clerk Opal Sutherlin had a contract that needed to be signed by the Commissioners. The Commissioners signed it.
COURT MANDATE
Judge Robert Lowe had submitted a waiver and mandate to the Commissioners. The mandate is for 2 part time defenders $30,000 each plus benefits or $65,000 full time public defender plus benefits and the part time public defender secretary become full time with a salary of $19,000.
Tim Bookwalter stated the Commissioners’ options were: to sign the waiver agreeing to the request, not signing the waiver and it goes to court or third to ask the Judge to wait and see what the final verdict is from the State regarding the 2005 budget.
Gene Beck stated the county did not have any money. The Commissioners had to cut $400,000 from their budget, no raises were given and cuts made in all other departments. If the county allows the request then cuts would need to be made in other departments to give them the money.
Don Walton wanted to know what would happen to the Clerk’s Office if the Judge received his request. Clerk Opal Sutherlin said it would increase the workload in her office.
Gene Beck made the motion to deny the order of mandate. The county did not have any money to pay for the request. Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
CANOPY OF LIGHTS
The Commissioners acknowledged and approved the request from Main Street.
NOVEMBER 5, 2004 PAYROLL
Don Walton made the motion to approve; Dennis O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
REELSVILLE WATER GRANT PAPERWORK
The Commissioners signed the paperwork. Gene Beck signed a letter for the Reelsville Water Company regarding the grant.
COUNTY HOME RENTAL OF PROPERTY
The Commissioners asked the Auditor to contact Vurlin Clark and let him know the Commissioners will rollover his bid.
BARRY GRIMES
The Commissioners gave approval to the Auditor to pay the difference in the original proposal for the porches on the courthouse. The difference was $1,321.49.
COMMISSIONERS MAIL
1. USDA – Revised Map.
2. Indiana Department of Environmental Management – Notice of Decision for Heritage Environmental Services, LLC.
3. Cummins – Minutes of October 28, 2004 Meeting.
4. State of Indiana Veteran – Re-appointment/Continued Employment.
5. Welfare Monthly Report – October 2004.
6. Microfilm Progress Report – October 2004.
The Commissioners acknowledged their mail.
ADJOURN
Dennis O’Hair made the motion to adjourn; Don Walton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
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Gene R. Beck, President Donald K. Walton, Vice President
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Dennis D. O’Hair Attest: Kristina Warren, Auditor