March 23, 2009 Meeting Minutes
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING
MEMORANDUM & MINUTES
March 23, 2009 @ 6:00 P.M.
Commissioners/Council Public Meeting Room
Those Present: County Commissioners: Eric E Roberts Thomas E Wilson Don VonderMeulen
County Auditor: Susan A Jones
Commissioners Secretary: Carol Westerman
Eric Roberts opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
WEEKLY REPORT Sharon Halcomb, County Assessor waiting on the software program to move cap allocations from her office to the Auditor’s Office. Susan Jones, County Auditor waiting on the DLGF to certify the budget and rates. We also need an update on our software, with the changes that the State has implemented. Once we receive the rates a spring collection date will be set, looking toward June 10, 2009. One this is done, the rates will need to be advertised for (3) weeks in the newspaper, the abstract will be prepared and is then sent to the State Auditor’s Office for approval, the tax statements can then be printed and given to the Treasurer’s Office to be processed for mailing.
RED CROSS FUNDRAISER Rebecca Oglesby, Member of the Red Cross has requested the use of the Courthouse Steps and Restrooms for a Red Cross Fundraiser offering a Free Will Lunch on Saturday, April 4, 2009 between 9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. Becky Oglesby and Don VonderMeulen have keys to the Courthouse and will lock up.
Don VonderMeulen motions to allow the Red Cross the use of the Courthouse Steps and use of the Restrooms for a Fund Raiser on April 4, 2009. Tom Wilson seconds. Eric Roberts, All in Favor. Motion carried.
2011 REASSESSMENT CONTRACT Sharon Halcomb, County Assessment presented the 2011 Reassessment Contract, also included with the Contract is New Construction, Trending/Ratio Study for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. The County paid $14,500 last year to Nexus for the New Construction.
Don VonderMeulen motioned to sign Contract with Nexus Group to include New Construction and Trending. Tom Wilson seconds. Eric Roberts, All in Favor. Motion carried.
MINUTES Don VonderMeulen moved we approve the March 2, 2009 Minutes. Eric Roberts seconds. Tom Wilson, All in Favor. Motion carried.
PAYROLL Don VonderMeulen moved to approve Payroll as submitted. Eric Roberts seconds. Tom Wilson, All in Favor. Motion carried.
LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCY QUARTERLY REPORTS Don VonderMeulen motions to sign Letter to Brandi Fischvogt of INDOT for the Federal Bridge Projects. Blue Creek Bridge 94, Snow Hill Covered Bridge 102 and Pipe Creek Bridge 48. Tom Wilson seconds the motion. Eric Roberts, All in Favor. Motion carried.
Don VonderMeulen will check with the ByWay Association to see if they need to submit a Quarterly Report for the Transportation Enhancement Grant.
BLUE CREEK BRIDGE 94 Eric Roberts asked Joe Gillespie, County Surveyor if he has started Right-of-Way negotiations for Blue Creek Bridge 94. Joe reported he is still trying to settle with the property owner. The Title Owner has agreed, but not the Contract Owner.
SNOW HILL COVERED BRIDGE 102 Joe Gillespie reported he has settled with the last property owner on the Snow Hill Covered Bridge 102, Right-of-Way. Gene Stewart has legal description and paper work for the Deed. The Check is to be written the April 6, 2009 Claims.
Eric Roberts reported that he has spoken to Kevin Loiselle of Clark Dietz and they are deducting $10,000.00 for the Sprinkler System in the Supplemental Agreement #3 for the Snow Hill Covered Bridge 102, also were charged for (4) meetings that we have already been charged for. This brings the Supplemental Agreement #3 from $32,500 to $19,500.
Eric Roberts moved we accept Supplemental Agreement #3 with Clark Dietz for Engineering Services for Bridge 102 for $19,500.00. Don VonderMeulen seconds the motion. Tom Wilson, All in Favor. Motion carried.
ETC HIGH SPEED INTERNET PROPOSAL Doug Foster of ETC had presented Proposal for High Speed Internet. The Quote is based on a fiber connection into the Franklin County Security Center and distributed through the County Network. The speed and price is as follows: 10M/5M Connection – $199.95/month, Static IP – $20.00/first address, Additional IP’s – $10.00/each for a total of $139.95/month. The County is currently paying $160.00/month with Citadel. Tom Wilson would like to check funding. EMA and E-911 Office are currently with Verizon and they are paying monthly. They would be included with ETC Internet Service.
Don VonderMeulen motioned to authorize Eric Roberts to negotiate with ETC for the High Speed Internet. Tom Wilson seconds the motion. Eric Roberts, All in Favor. Motion carried.
LIBERTY NATIONAL INSURANCE Carol Monroe, Field Representative for Liberty National Insurance was present along with Joe Capouch and William Gray is requesting permission to talk to the County Employees about Supplemental Insurance and offer Employees a 1-year Family Accidental Plan at No Cost for the first year and after the first year it would cost the employee $10.00 @ year. $3,000 for Employee, $3,000 for Spouse and $1,000 for child. They will also be offering Cancer Policy, Accident, Term Life Insurance, would be pre-tax. Tom Wilson doesn’t have a problem with them talking to the employees.
TOM CARROW HIGHWAY ENGINEER RESUME’ Tom Carrow presented to the Commissioners his Resume’ for the Highway Engineer Position as he understands that George Hartman is retiring. Don VonderMeulen asked what it would cost the County for an Engineer. Mr. Carrow replied to hire a P.E. in Indiana for a County Engineer would be $10,000.00 more than what George was being paid.
Eric Roberts reported that they had met with George last week to discuss options and what projects the County has currently. Looking to take resumes’ from April 1st to June 1st and have someone start July 1st, but with information that they had received from Susan Jones Auditor, will be paying out George on his time going into the Month of July.
CIC UPDATE Jim Suhre, Resident of Brookville Township presented an Update from CIC for the Franklin County Zoning Code. We are approximately 80% through the code and getting close to the end. The CIC code offers a zoning code created democratically, with as many opinions heard as possible, created by hundreds of Franklin County Residents who have donated many hours of their time. A Code that has been simplified, and written in plain language, so that all citizens, not just lawyers, can read it, understand it, and know their rights and responsibilities better than they do now. It should result in less confusion among the people, and be better for the Planning Commission as well. A Code created to meet the goals stated in the Comprehensive Plan. A Code that will allow for Franklin County to retain its rural character, while allowing business, and especially locally owned business to prosper. A Code that will allow good farmland to be preserved and tend to make building occur on non-farm ground or marginal farm ground. A code that levels the playing field between the current land owner and the developer (current code favors the developer now). A Code that will preserve property values, promote responsible development, and work to protect the health, safety and well-being of the people. A Code that considers the rights of citizens and tenets of the US Constitution as core principles.
The CIC process Thorough Democratic – All votes must pass 60% of the vote and all attendees are allowed and encouraged to speak.
Recap of CIC Meetings – Listened to outside experts at the first few meetings last spring with Purdue Land Use Team, Rush, Dearborn and Decatur Counties, and Farm Bureau Seminar. Reviewed and examined the Comprehensive Plan with took approximately (8) weeks. Many weeks spend on the Plan; sub groups formed to specialize on each chapter. Discussed each issue, especially those of concern at the big meetings. Presented Code Proposals at meetings in September. Two complete codes presented and numerous other sections presented. One code selected as a starting point. Examination, discussion, and final voting on proposed code line by line.
The CIC has spent many hours on its code. Had 45 meetings x 2 hours x 50 people = 4500 labor hours. Plus untold additional hours spend by members outside the meetings.
CIC has had many people coming to the meetings. We worked to have as many people as possible get a say at the meetings, and fought against having a CIC of just 12 or even 9, as was being proposed. At a CIC meeting, all Franklin County residents and landowners 18 and over have a vote and say. Outside people remark that our meetings have much greater attendance than other counties. The result is that we have 50 – 100 residents very familiar with zoning law and our Comprehensive Plan, and a few hundred more who are somewhat familiar with these issues.
Jim reported that this Thursday, March 26th is a very important meeting. There will be a vote at the core of zoning law, determining the number of houses allowed on a private drive requiring an APC hearing.
Jim said he had heard that the Commissioners had wanted an update, was not aware we were to come and give a report to the Board of Commissioners during their meeting, and did not know there was a request before this. The Minutes of the meetings are on the CIC Website at franklincountycic.org. We are looking to wrap up at the end of April – first of May.
Don VonderMeulen asked if the CIC needs experts to talk to them and give them guidance.
PUBLIC COMMENT
ROBERT BRAUN – Has been to daytime meetings, there are a lot more people in attendance. Has suggested to put a camera up and record meetings and watch it.
DALE MAXIE – The issue on Elm Tree Road and putting a 16 Ton Load Limit. Request that a Load Limit be also put on Old U.S. 52. Gene Stewart replied need to be careful in putting weight limits on County Roads; there is an issue of enforcing. If we write a ticket, we need to know what ordinance to write the ticket in conjunction with.
Dale Maxie is also questioning E-911 Payroll/Overtime. Reported that Susan Jones, Auditor has verbally asked for time cards and wrote letter over month ago, still don’t have this information. Don VonderMeulen said he would get them to the Auditor’s Office. Dale requests a State Police Investigation out of Indianapolis on the overtime.
CINDY STOUT – Asked about Crossover Road and Duck Creek Road with the pot holes. She has bent a rim and busted a tire and car gets out of alignment. Don VonderMeulen will have his foreman to check out. Also the Advertisement for Economic Development Director needs to be someone well educated and with at least a Bachelor Degree. Should be advertising nationally and need to work with WorkOne. Need someone outside of County, not Franklin County raised. Don VonderMeulen reported was distributed regionally. Keith Hall, President of Economic Development Commission reported it has been advertised in Brookville, Batesville, Richmond and Indianapolis. We have received approximately 20 resumes’ to date.
GORDON RAMSEY – The REX Pipeline, who is responsible for flagging, are deputies getting paid and are they taking time away from their other duties. Eric Roberts it is REX’s responsibility to flag and with the deputies, the deputies are doing this on their own time and getting paid by REX.
RUTH GEIS – Resident of Blue Creek Road. There is a section of Blue Creek that is falling into creek and this is going on (3) years now. REX has had their semis parked alongside the road awaiting to be unloaded. They have not caused the problem, but they are not helping. Is this section of road going to be fixed, this has been an ongoing problem. Can the County get with REX with their large equipment and fix the slide area. She drives this road everyday and has a teenage driver. Don VonderMeulen said it’s an ongoing problem with roads along our creeks. We know there are problems and will get with foreman to see what can be done.
BRIAN PATTERSON – Franklin County Residents and Taxpayers, 147 people showed up tonight, problem is that we have people standing out in the hall. The next meeting is April 27, 2009, are you going to correct this problem. Don VonderMeulen said this is the biggest Commissioners Room in the State and recommends that we leave the meeting here. Eric Roberts sees open chairs; don’t see a reason to pay school to use one of their buildings. Brian reported there is no charge for the gym. Don VonderMeulen asked if there is anything else. Brian said the comment in the paper if the meeting is too large it will be canceled. Eric Roberts did not mean to cancel meeting. Brian asked if 200 more people showed up. Don said he has 2-Way Radio’s to broadcast the meeting is needed.
JERRY HARNISHFEGER – We got there police cards out there and REX is paying deputies, who is paying for the gas. Dale Maxie said REX is paying for the gas.
MARVIN STENGER – How can you justify the deputies setting for REX and using County Vehicles. Dale Maxie, they are out there on their own time. Deputies have not had a raise and as long as it does not interfere with their duties. Mr. Stenger said County should be reimbursed for County Sheriff cars. Dale Maxie replied the State would make the County Deputies to be down their anyway, then it would be the deputies that are on duty, instead of the off duty officers.
ARTHUR ROBINSON – Companies are force to pay for security and deputies, because people do not have respect for the flaggers.
EVA HEYOB – It is an honor to be here tonight, hope this continues monthly or every other month and Thank you.
ADJOURN Don VonderMeulen motions to adjourn. Tom Wilson seconds. Eric Roberts, All in Favor. Motion carried.
Others
Present Gene Wilson Jack Ferman Lena Ferman Gary Wolf
Merle Helms Sharon Halcomb Jerry Harnishferger Gayle Richter Carol Kersey
Joe Stall Mike Wilson Wayne E Monroe Eva Heyob John Estridge
Darrell Smith Becky Oglesby Gene Stewart Judith M Kaylor Sara Duffy
Jim Vohland Tom Vohland Cheryl Rader Tom Carrow Mike Brier
Michelle Brier Paul Chaney Diane Raver Arthur G Robinson Arthur D Robinson III
Kim VonderMeulen Paula Keller Jeff Batchler Robert T Braun Greg Meier
Gordon Ramsey Kevin George Tim George Robert Pence Walt Oehrich
John Cookendorfer Jeff Jones Dale Maxie Hollie Sintz Stan Monroe
Ruth Estridge Frankie Baker Tony Steel Lei Hulm Vic Conner
Urban Nobbe Gail Ginther Ed Roberts Ursula Roberts Ray Lovins
Joyce Lovins Tim Linkel Bob Bradley Greg Baker Scott M McDonough ? Suhre
Dona Ormsby M P Allen Beverly Harden Harry Graves Carol Monroe
William Gray Eugene L Copes Narvilla Copes Melina Schaefer Ed Peters
Shirley A Peters Tom Bolser Joe Bolser Don Goodin Lennie Roberts
Juanita Roberts Faye Hofer Lauri Hofer Yvonne Kramer Ruth Geis
Joe Gillespie Dan Weigel Marvin J Stenger Mike Ferman Phyllis VanMeter
Susan VanMeter Jim Day Bob O’Rourk Brian Patterson Carroll Lanning
Darrel Kramer Chris Wagner Jason Kersey Lois E Clark James R French
Kate Green Jim Suhre Doug Foster William Gray Joe Capouch
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