August 17, 2009 Meeting Minutes
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING
MEMORANDUM & MINUTES
August 17, 2009 @ 9:00 A.M.
Commissioners/Council Public Meeting Room
Those Present: County Commissioners: Eric E Roberts Thomas E Wilson Don M VonderMeulen
County Auditor: Susan A Jones
Commissioners Secretary Asst: Kim Robinson
Eric Roberts opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
WEEKLY REPORT- Sharon Halcomb, County Assessor reported the 2009 pay 2010 Ratio is compliant with the DLGF. The Form 11’s for new construction has been sent out and will be finishing up Whitewater Township this week. Rebecca Oglesby, County Treasurer reported they hopefully will finish up today balancing out and get figures to the Auditor’s Office. Tom Wilson asked what is the process on Bad Checks. Becky reported the bank calls on the first time, it is run back through the second time, after that we can pull the payment from the tax record. Becky also reported tax sale is scheduled for October. Also the Panic Button does not work; the button was pushed this past week in the Treasurer’s Office. It was reported the system was turned off, instead of being reset after of false alarm.
ZIMMER PROPERTY REZONE ORDINANCE 2009-13- Tom Wilson motioned to pass Ordinance 2009-13 replacing Ordinance 2009-09. Don VonderMeulen seconds. Eric Roberts, All in Favor. Motion carried.
AUGUST 4, 2009 STORM DAMAGES- The Storm Damages hit mainly in the western part of the County. Estimate of Damages came to $365,834.46. If approved, FEMA would reimburse 75% of the project cost, estimates include labor and materials. Tee Hill Road was the worst, 720 Tons of asphalt was put down. Forest and Harvey Branch Roads need pre-cast concrete block installed. Removal of debris from under bridges can be added as a factor.
Ed Hollenbach, EMA Director reported debris removal needs to documented, man hours and overtime man hours can be reimbursed FEMA Dollars. Indiana has to have 9.1 Million in damages to be declared disaster to receive FEMA Dollars. Ed will be meeting with FEMA Representatives this week. He will also be meeting with Mayor Fledderman, City of Batesville on infrastructure damages with the Sewer Plant.
BRIDGE IN METAMORA It was reported that debris from the storm had collected at the Bridge in Metamora. It was said it needs to be documented.
GRANT FOR REMOTE COMMUNITY ALERT WARNING SYSTEM –Ed Hollenbach had received Grant Information on a Remote Community Alert Warning System and Franklin County is eligible. He would need to know by September 11th is Franklin County is interested. Commissioners said to move forward with the Grant.
CULVERT LA1703– Discussed the size of the culvert to be replaced at the intersection of Tee Hill Road and Sanes Creek. Several options were presented. Ray Reese will check with adjacent land owner for permission to work. Funds will need to be check to see if they are available and make sure it’s agreeable with property owner before pipe is ordered.
REX– It was reported that REX Officials do not want a public forum to discuss the inspection report and estimates done for the County Roads. Representatives from Decatur and Shelby Counties were also present along with Representative from O’Mara Contracting with concern with the road damage in their Counties and getting no response from REX Officials. The Road Bonds were discussed, estimates in other counties and what possible course of action the counties can pursue. We will need to have our Attorney advice us.
MINUTES– Don VonderMeulen would like a correction to the August 3, 2009 Minutes, an incorrect statement –think it was their intention changed to was not there intention to disband E-911.
Don VonderMeulen moved to approve the minutes with correction. Tom Wilson seconds. Eric Roberts, All in Favor. Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT- Tom Wilson motioned to acknowledge the Treasurer’s Report (July 2009). Don VonderMeulen seconds. Eric Roberts, All in Favor. Motion carried.
MEMORIAL COURTHOUSE LAWN-Thad Ariens reported Lois Clark had requested a Gazebo and Memorial on the Courthouse Lawn several years ago. There has been a concern for a Memorial for the Veterans and Gazebo was designed to have each branch of the military represented for the veterans living and who had given their lives. Then there is concern with the green space on the courthouse lawn. Something needs to be designed to put it all together, not just a piece here and there. Feels that Main Street Night and Canoe Fest will be increasing events. Thad will get with the Main Street Committee and discuss what their plans are.
Joel Biltz of Biltz Monument would like to be included in the Monument Project and would be willing to donate or do something with the project, wants to show interest.
HARRY GRAVES- Harry Graves presented a Letter to the Commissioners, wanting answers to questions from a couple of weeks ago. Silence can be equated with Fraud and reads definition. Asked about the copy of the current zoning code and answers remain unanswered at this time. It was asked did you not get a copy from the Area Plan Office. Harry said he asked for it from the Commissioners, not the Area Plan Office.
PUBLIC COMMENT-Wayne Monroe thanked the Commissioners for taking care of the dead limb across Reservoir Road and asked if someone can use the wood. It was said not going to give permission, but if it is 5–10 feet from the roadway or if it is in the ditch it should be removed.
Brian Patterson mentioned that Laurel is going to have a cleanup day on August 22nd getting ready for the Laurel Music Days for the following weekend and asked if the County could have a dumpster dropped off at Laurel. It was asked if we could do something like the spring cleanup, when they take the trash to the Transfer Station, anything except household trash. Tom Wilson will get back with Brian
LETTER OF RESIGNATIONS TONY SCHWAB- Tony Schwab, Economic Development Director had submitted his Letter of Resignation this past Friday and giving a two week notice. Mr. Schwab had offered to work part-time as the County Contact Person for Economic Development, does not want to do it past December. It was asked if the Commission gave any feedback for someone to answer the phone and take messages. Don VonderMeulen expresses his concern of him leaving and wished him good luck. Tom Wilson thanked him for what he has done with the website and working with the Community.
ADJOURN-Eric Roberts moved to adjourn. Don VonderMeulen seconds. Tom Wilson, All in Favor. Motion carried.
Others Present
John Estridge Darrell Smith Scott McDonough Tony Schwab
Wayne Monroe Chester Ball Mark Mohr Justin Ball
Ray Reese Jon Leach Thad Ariens Scott Dawson
Ed Hollenbach Walt Oelrich Larry Franzman Sharon Halcomb
John Cookendorfer Roy N Hall Gary E Solar Brian Patterson
Harry Graves John Steele Joel Biltz Sara Duffy
AYE NAY
_S/ Eric E Roberts_________________ _________________________
Eric E Roberts Eric E Roberts
_S/ Thomas E Wilson_______________ _________________________
Thomas E Wilson Thomas E Wilson
_S/ Donald M VonderMeulen________ _________________________
Donald M VonderMeulen Donald M VonderMeulen
ATTEST: _S/ Susan A Jones_________________
Susan A Jones, Franklin County Auditor