County Commissioners Meeting Minutes

October 6, 2008

MIAMI COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA 46970
OCTOBER 6, 2008

Commissioner Hawley opened the weekly meeting of the Board of Commissioners.

MIKE WILSON - TAG
Mr. Wilson, Tobacco Awareness Group, came before the Commissioner to see if they had made any progress with the smoke – free ordinance. Commissioner Hawley told him they did not have a final plan yet. The Board is having trouble coming to an agreement. Mr. Wilson wanted to know where the details will be determined such as a public meeting. Commissioner Boyer said he was disappointed that it could not be put to referendum and voted on. He thought Tobacco Awareness should be working at the State level.

MIKE PECONGA – EMA
Mr. Peconga came before the Board to get signatures on a grant for $140,287.49 which is for radios. Commissioner Deeds made a motion to sign and Commissioner Boyer 2nd the motion. The motion passed 3-0.

SEASCAPES
Dale Sease from Seascapes came before the Commissioners to thank them and the Highway Department for moving the pile of rock. He also wanted to know what options there are for opening a drive on 500 S. This issue was discussed in a drainage meeting. Commissioner Deeds saw no problem with it but told him that he needed to discus this issue with Ken Einselen, Highway Engineer.

BUSINESS 31 SOUTH
A citizen came before the Board to ask if Business 31 could be designed like West Main Street with a turn lane in the middle of the road. He was also wondering if there could be a 4 way stop at Airport Road. Ken Einselen said that the traffic would probably not support a 4 way stop there. Mr. Einselen said that we could check with the Engineer on the project to see if it would be possible to have a turn lane.

IRAQ/AFGANISTAN MONUMENT
Mr. Bob Feller brought in some information regarding a new monument for the soldiers of the Iraq and Afghanistan War. He said Ron Droscha was heading up the project and they were not asking for money just a place to put the monument. He brought an idea of what they were looking at. There was a large globe that would represent the world and an eagle which would represent freedom. The Commissioners took under advisement.

LIBERTY STATUE
The Commissioners received an offer from Troy Caldwell to re-do the statue at no cost to the County. The Board will have Mr. Caldwell come in and talk with them.

TAX QUESTION
A couple came in and they were not sure that they were in the right place but asked the Commissioners if they could help them. They had bought a house and it was appraised at $21,500 but was assessed at $115,000.00. Their taxes were $6,600 and they wanted to know if they could make it in 4 payments until their appeal is done. They were advised to go talk with the Treasurer.

ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE
Jeff Price came before the Board to confirm the meeting with all the offices at noon. The Board informed him that the time capsule in the cornerstone cannot be removed.

LAKE CITY BANK
The Board received a check from Lake City Bank for a contractor at the Jail site. The Board had requested the check be sent to them because of problems with the Contractor submitting the proper paperwork and causing delays.

TOURISM
Debbie Bowsher from Tourism asked the Board about the placing of a sign on the Courthouse lawn. Commissioner Hawley said the Board will look and let her know.

Ms. Bowsher also wanted to know about signs for the Nickle Plate. It is paved all the way to Kokomo now. The Board told her to contact Bill Click or Mike Keupper.

RON PHILLIPS
Mr. Phillips is interested in buying some land to build a house on. He would need an access lane which would be the lane for Tillet cemetery. He doesn’t want to buy the land and build a house if he cannot get an access lane. The Board referred him to Ken Einselen, Highway Engineer.

COMMUNICATIONS
*Certificate of liability from Pauly Jail
*Notice from IDEM – John Ladd
*Notice from Nunn Law Office – Tort Claim
*GIE – ongoing law suit
*Certificate of appreciation from Circus City Festival
*Inquiries regarding maintenance position at the new jail
(waiting for the passage of the budgets)
*Series of communications regarding construction variance issues
*Memo from INDOT regarding reimbursement

PROCLAMATION
The Board received a proclamation from the Mayor regarding making October 10th “Put The Brakes On Fatalities Day”. Commissioner Deeds made a motion to pass October 10th as Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day. Commissioner Boyer 2nd the motion and it passed 3-0.

CCI
CCI sent the Board change orders from Phend & Brown, Beau Mitchell and Dalmation Fire, which needed to be signed.

2009 HOLIDAY CALENDAR
The Board received the holiday schedule for 2009. The holidays are as follows:
January 1st New Years Day
January 2nd Day after New Years
January 19th Martin Luther King Day
February 16th President’s Day
April 10th Good Friday
May 25th Memorial Day
July 3rd Independence Day
Sept 7th Labor Day
Oct 12th Columbus Day
Nov 11th Veterans Day
Nov 26th Thanksgiving
Nov 27th Day after Thanksgiving
Dec 24th Christmas Eve
Dec 25th Christmas

Commissioner Deeds made a motion to approve and Commissioner Boyer 2nd the motion. The motion passed 3-0.

MOWING LIENS
Darrell Wooten brought mowing liens to be signed by the Board. Commissioner Deeds made a motion to sign and Commissioner Hawley 2nd the motion. The motion passed 2-0. Commissioner Boyer was out of the room.

Commissioner Deeds moved to adjourn. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Boyer and passed 3-0.

Adjourned

THE MIAMI COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

____________________________________, CHAIRMAN
GARY D. HAWLEY

____________________________________, VICE CHAIRMAN
GREGORY DEEDS

____________________________________, MEMBER
CRAIG BOYER

Attest: _____________________________, Deputy Auditor
Jane Lilley