HOWARD
The Howard County Board of Commissioners met in
Regular Session on
The meeting was called to
order by Major Larry Shipman and conducted by President Paul Raver.
The minutes from the
previous meeting held on
IN THE MATTER OF HIGHWAY ISSUES:
Mr. Ted Cain, Howard County Highway
Engineer/Superintendent presented the following issues for Commissioner
information:
1.
The railroad crossing at 50 North and
2.
3.
4.
IN THE MATTER
OF PLAN COMMISSION ISSUES AND PROPERTIES FOR APPROVAL:
Plan Commission Director, Glen Boise, presented the following issues for information and approval:
1. Case 40-CP-02 – one (1) lot in Ronald Coleman Subdivision located at 1574 North 400 West was approved on a motion made by Mr. Bagwell. Mr. Harbaugh seconded the motion and it carried.
2. Case 26-CP-02 – two (2) lots in Peterson Subdivision located at 1919 North 1100 East was considered. Mr. Bagwell made a motion to approve Case 26-CP-02. Seconded by Mr. Harbaugh, the motion carried.
3. Case 42-CP-02 – one (1) lot in Spankyville Subdivision located at 2903 South 600 West was approved on a motion made by Mr. Bagwell. Mr. Harbaugh seconded the motion and it carried.
4. Flood Management Program Status:
a. Mr. Boise
contacted the State Emergency Management Agency
(SEMA) and was advised that the remainder of the grant (See
b. A memo about
the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Community Rating System (CRS)
Program was presented. (For
previous discussions, see September 3rd 2001 minutes, page 2, Item 8
“In the Matter of Plan Commission Issues” and July 15th 2002
minutes, page 2, “In the Matter of Plan Commission Issues” Item 2). This
system is used by the flood insurance program to reduce flood insurance rates
by 5-10% for communities participating in the program. The City already participates in the
program. Mr. Boise asked the
Commissioners to review the information and consider whether they would be interested
in having
5. Unsafe Structures -
Martin Meyers’ property at 3904 South 350 West: Initially this property was discussed at the
IN THE MATTER OF
Mr. Wyatt Johnson, P.E., L.S., Church Building Committee Member Greg McCarty and County Highway Superintendent Ted Cain presented the following issue for Commissioner information and approval:
Kokomo Church of Christ is
in the process of subdividing land to build a new church. The property is bordered by
Setback requirements were
discussed. The Commissioners wanted to
be sure there is enough right-of-way to extend 200 North across to
By consensus, the
Commissioners asked Mr. Cain to research if a 40-foot right-of-way is
sufficient to improve the road to four lanes and report the information at the
next meeting scheduled for
IN THE MATTER OF
VETERAN’S SERVICE ADMINISTRATION ISSUE:
Mr. Allen Polsgrove Jr.,
County Veterans Service Officer, requested approval to close his office on
IN THE MATTER OF CITY
OF
General Manager Jerry Jenkins invited everyone to attend a free birthday celebration honoring Elwood Haynes on Monday, October 14th 2002. Festivities begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Elwood Haynes Museum located at 1915 S. Webster Street and will move to the City of Firsts Automotive Heritage Museum on U.S. 31 North from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Mr. Jenkins requested approval to include a pamphlet with information regarding the activities in county employees’ paychecks. A motion to authorize placing the pamphlets announcing the Elwood Haynes Birthday Party in the employee paychecks was made by Mr. Bagwell, seconded by Mr. Harbaugh and carried.
IN THE MATTER OF
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT ISSUES:
Maintenance Superintendent Thomas Harrison had no issues to discuss at this time.
IN THE MATTER OF
SALVATION ARMY COORDINATED ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES (CAM) – Annual Grate American
Sleep-Out:
CAM Director Ruth Lawson requested the use of the County parking lot on the corner of Mulberry and Market Streets for the annual Homeless Awareness Event from 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, to 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2002. Youth groups plan to raise awareness of the homeless by participating in an all-night camp-out.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to
authorize
IN THE
MATTER OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER ISSUES:
Mr. Terry Tribby,
Information Systems Manager, presented
the following issues for Commissioner information and approval:
1.
Internet
access to county court records update: The Indiana Supreme Court sent
written authorization (dated August 23, 2002) to post non-confidential court
information on the internet subject to certain limitations. Howard County will be responsible to ensure
all applicable federal and state laws, especially those regarding
confidentiality, are being followed.
2. Networking Report:
a. Regarding any issues of network reliability between the Administration Center and the Government Building, out of 94 days following the installation, there were only 127 seconds of down time.
b. The Plan Commission uses the county network in order to use the DSL connection for internet access. However, the Plan Commission has not been given access to tax, assessor or recorder information because of required licensing. Employees of the Plan Commission would like the ability to access the maps in the Auditor’s Office. The Auditor and employees of the Mapping Department are concerned about live data accessibility due to the fact that the mapping data would not be secured and many long hours have been invested to update maps and ensure data accuracy. In regard to data security, Mr. Tribby felt it would be a good idea for the Plan Commission to have a network server. A copy of the county maps could be installed on the server. City Controller Thomas Cooper has offered to purchase a server with the stipulation that it will be maintained by the County Information Systems Department.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to authorize Information Systems to service and maintain a server that will be purchased by the City of Kokomo and located in the Howard County Administration Center for the Plan Commission’s use. Mr. Harbaugh seconded the motion, which carried.
3. Mr. Tribby met with Deputy Craig Trott on Friday, September 13th, to review the issue of security duress buttons for three (3) County owned buildings. Mr. Tribby contacted Stop Tech for a cost estimate and anticipates a response in a few weeks.
IN THE MATTER OF COURTHOUSE RENOVATIONS –
Relocation of County Clerk’s Storage System:
Howard County Clerk Linda Koontz presented the
following issue for Commissioner information and approval:
During the Courthouse renovation, the Clerk’s
10-foot high storage system on the third floor will be relocated to the second
floor, which has only 8-foot ceilings.
Ms. Koontz obtained a proposal from Lafayette Materials Management
Company to relocate and modify the existing shelving for $3,965.00, and to
install additional shelving including a moveable divider per shelf at a cost of
$24,872.00. An optional cost of
$1,900.00 to move the records from the third to the second floor is not needed
since Clerk’s Office employees plan to move the files. The new system needs to be in place before
the files can be moved. It takes four
(4) to six (6) weeks to order the shelving system plus additional time for installation. The shelving needs to be in place before new
carpet can be installed.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to make a finding that since
compatibility in the shelving equipment is a substantial consideration, a special
purchase would be needed, due to the fact that only one source meets the necessary
requirements; and in addition to authorize the use of funds appropriated from
the CCD Fund for the Courthouse Renovation Project to purchase the shelving
equipment as requested. Mr. Harbaugh
seconded the motion and it carried.
Ms. Koontz also requested two new (2) desk units and
a fax machine but had not obtained quotes for these items. Mr. Bagwell suggested composing a list of all
the Courthouse Departments’ furniture needs in order to purchase it at the same
time. However, in order to avoid
complications, Mr. Raver felt that due to the fact that the renovation is being
done in phases and the purchases of office furniture will made at different
times according to need, in this case, office furniture should be purchased
individually.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to authorize the
IN THE MATTER OF DISTRIBUTION OF DNA
COLLECTION KITS:
County Clerk Linda Koontz requested approval for
Mona Myers, Marty Talbert and herself to use the public sidewalk on the west
side of the Courthouse to distribute DNA Collection Kits on a Sunday afternoon
in October. The DNA Kits help with the
issue of missing children or older adults.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to acknowledge the fact that Ms. Koontz and
the above named group would use the public sidewalks on the west side of the
Courthouse to distribute DNA Collection Kits on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Harbaugh seconded the motion, which
carried.
IN THE MATTER OF COURTHOUSE RENOVATIONS:
Mr. William Bassett of William Bassett and
Associates presented the following issues for Commissioner information and
approval:
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Last week the contractors have been working nights in the Superior
Court III Courtroom installing pipes and fan coil units in the ceiling area.
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Construction on the second floor is going well. The drywall is nearly complete and will be
ready for painting toward the end of this week.
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Restoration is proceeding well.
Flood/water proofing is being completed on the limestone.
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The new skylight is anticipated to arrive within the next week or
two. Installation will begin as soon as
the skylight is received.
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The electrical work will be discussed at the next construction
information meeting to be held on
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Plans for the County Clerk’s filing system were finalized. The current file system will be moved to the
second floor from the third floor and modified to fit the height of the room
and accommodate additional files. The
lighting for the new file system needs turned to line up with the file storage
units. Mr. Bassett will meet with Dan
Carmody of Lafayette Materials Management Company to discuss proper location of
the lighting.
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New wiring and receptacles are being installed during remodeling of
each area. The wiring and most of the
lighting will not be changed. Rewiring
of all light circuits and installation of ground wire is recommended while the
ceilings are exposed. The wiring changes
will cost less than $10,000.00. Mr.
Bagwell made a motion to authorize replacement of lighting wiring, not to
exceed $8,000.00. Mr. Harbaugh seconded
the motion, which carried.
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The boiler room drainage has not yet been finalized. Maintenance Superintendent Tom Harrison
stated the furnace and pumps need to be able to drain when they are set
up.
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The Commissioners will tour the Courthouse after the next Board Meeting
scheduled on
IN THE MATTER OF RECOGNITION OF NORMAN BRIDWELL (And Clifford the Big Red Dog):
(Continued from last meeting. See
Resolution No. 2002-BCC-15, is a Resolution of the
Howard County Board of Commissioners Honoring Howard County Native Norman
Bridwell. The Resolution publicly
recognizes Mr. Bridwell’s achievements in creating the nationally famous
Clifford the Big Red Dog that helped improve the reading skills of millions of
young readers. Mr. Bagwell made a motion
to adopt Resolution No. 2002-BCC-15, and proclaim September 23rd
2002 as Norman Bridwell Week. Mr.
Harbaugh seconded the motion, which carried.
Mr. Harbaugh will present the Resolution to Norman
Bridwell on behalf of the Commissioners at a book signing to be held at 5:00
p.m. on September 25, 2002 at the Indiana University at Kokomo Bookstore.
IN THE MATTER OF PETITION TO PLACE PERIMETER DRAIN AND SEPTIC FIELD WITHIN RIGHT-OF-WAY:
(Continued from page 1, “In the Matter of
Highway Issues”, Item 4)
Mrs. Mary Edison,
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to accept and approve the
Petition to Place Perimeter Drain and Septic Field within Right-of-Way of Old
Sycamore Road on the condition that the instrument is recorded prior to
starting the work. Mr. Harbaugh seconded
the motion and it carried.
IN THE MATTER OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (EMA) – Purchase of Generator:
EMA Director Larry Smith said Emergency Management
has used a portable 45-killowatt generator for a number of years. The generator is not large enough to operate
some of the pumps and current facilities in the community. Replacement parts may be obsolete and new
generators are very costly.
Recently there was a situation where the Miami
County EMA Director acquired a 350,000-kilowatt generator. The generator was found to be too large for
their use.
There were concerns whether Miami County has authorization from their Commissioners to sell the generator. Mr. Bagwell made a motion to purchase the generator for $16,000.00 out of Cumulative Capital Development (CCD) Fund subject to a resolution by the Miami County Board of Commissioners authorizing the sale. Mr. Harbaugh seconded the motion and it carried.
IN THE MATTER OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS ISSUE:
Community Corrections Director Steve Maus obtained
quotes to trade in a 2000 Ford Taurus having at least 60,000 miles. Two quotes were presented as follows:
2002
Ford Taurus Brad Howell
Ford $ 12,103.15
2002
Mercury Sable
The lowest quote was for a 2002 Mercury Sable LS
4-door sedan from Kokomo Auto World in the amount of $11,200.00. Mr. Maus advised there is enough money
available in Project Income Funds to purchase the vehicle.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to authorize the purchase
of the 2002 Mercury Sable from Kokomo Auto World in the amount of $11,200.00. Seconded by Mr. Harbaugh, the motion carried.
IN THE MATTER OF CLAIMS AND REPORTS:
Howard
County Auditor Martha J. Lake presented the following reports for Commissioner
information and approval:
1.
The Commissioners acknowledged
the following reports:
a.
b. The
latest MS4 Report
2.
Operating claims payable on
3.
Commissioners’ Salary Claims
for hourly, salary, and overtime payable for September 20th,
September 27th and October 4th, 2002
were approved on a motion made by Mr. Harbaugh.
Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion, which carried.
4.
The
5.
Commissioners’ Tax Sale Quit
Claim Deed for property located on Lots 3 & 4 in Indian Heights
Subdivision, Block 24, at 6010 Council Ring Boulevard
was approved on a motion by Mr. Bagwell, seconded by Mr. Harbaugh, and carried. The Board Members signed the deed.
6.
A statement from
7.
The following statements (Application No. 3) have
been approved by Mr. Bassett and submitted for payment for the Howard County
Courthouse Renovation:
Terstep
Company, Inc. $407,245.04
First
National Bank (escrow) $45,249.53
A
motion was made by Mr. Bagwell to approve payment as requested. Seconded by Mr. Harbaugh, the motion carried.
IN THE MATTER OF COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUES:
1. A claim in the amount of $110.15 was
presented from County Attorney Larry Murrell for legal services rendered by
Barnes & Thornberg in July, regarding the
2. An Executive Session of the Board was set for Thursday, September 19,
2002, at 11:00 a.m. in Room No. 220D (Second floor) of the Howard County
Administration Center to discuss
strategy with respect to pending litigation on a motion made by Mr. Harbaugh. Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion, and it
carried.
IN THE MATTER OF COMMISSIONER ISSUES:
1. A letter was received from Lieutenant
Governor Joseph Kernan stating the Howard County Commissioners have been
awarded a $28,500 Planning Grant from the
3.
The annual United Way Fund Contribution Drive is starting
up. This year the Lilly Endowment has
established a matching contribution program.
New donors’ contributions or existing contributions increased by 25%
will be matched dollar for dollar.
Vickie Hinkle (Personnel Office) and Konny Zurcher (Auditor’s Office)
were named as United Way Coordinators for Howard County by consensus.
4.
The Report from the Veteran’s Service Officer for the Month of
August 2002 was accepted on a motion made by Mr. Harbaugh. Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion, which
carried.
5.
The
Howard County Council on Aging sent a letter thanking the Commissioners for
sponsoring the flu shot program.
6.
The Board of Commissioners of Vigo County sent a letter requesting
that the Howard County Commissioners join in their efforts to support routing
Interstate 69 through Terre Haute instead of going cross-country. It was the consensus of the Board to not take
any action regarding this issue.
7.
A letter from an Automobile Dealer and a visit from a Farm Equipment
Dealer to promote speeding up the phasing out of inventory tax were
acknowledged. It was the consensus of
the Board to research options pertaining to this issue to determine what would
be best for Howard County.
8.
Howard County Surveyor Beryl Grimme submitted a report on the drainage
issue on the John and Linda Miner property as requested by the Commissioners at
the conclusion of the public hearing on August 5th 2002. (See August 5, 2002 minutes, page 4,
“In the Matter of Request to Remove Ditch Easement & Reduce Utility
Easement at 2425 South 300 East”)
The issue will be placed back on the agenda for the October 7, 2002
regular meeting. Petitioners John and
Linda Miner and the adjoining property owners, Arthur and Beverly Pugh, will be
notified of the date and time of the next meeting.
9.
Mr. Raver reported the Darrough Chapel Steering Committee requested
more information pertaining to sewer issues.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to authorize hiring Consultant Tina
Mendenhall Henderson to attend one meeting with the Darrough Chapel Steering
Committee to be paid out of Commissioners’ General Fund Contract Services
line item. Mr. Harbaugh seconded the
motion and the motion carried.
10. Report on Budget for 2003:
a. During County Council’s deliberations, several items amounting to $126,700.00 from the General Fund were referred to the Cumulative Capital Development (CCD) Fund. The figures will be advertised for the Council meeting in January 2003, at which time each department will be requested to reiterate their request.
b. The Coordinating Council and 4-H Exhibit Association appropriations were removed from the General Fund and the Council requested these appropriations be placed in the Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) Fund.
c. The Council discussed whether to remove the Plan Commission appropriations from the General Fund and place them into the EDIT Fund, but concluded that there are several types of expenditures involved, such as administration and ordinance enforcing, that belong in the General Fund.
d. The Council eliminated the Purchasing Agent position.
e. The Council cut back some of the Medical Insurance proposed appropriation for 2003.
IN
THE MATTER OF
(See
There are approximately 137 bridges in Howard County. Bridge inspection is mandatory in the State
of Indiana. The Indiana Department of
Transportation reviewed and approved the Howard County bridge inspection
contract.
John Speidel, Secretary Treasurer from Butler
Fairman and Seufert, presented two separate agreements for bridge
inspection. One agreement was with the
State. The other agreement was with
Butler, Fairman and Seufert to conduct the inspections.
Mr. Harbaugh made a motion to approve and execute
the agreement between Howard County and Butler, Fairman and Seufert to conduct
bridge inspections. Mr. Bagwell seconded
the motion, which carried.
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to approve the agreement
between Howard County and the State of Indiana concerning reimbursements. Mr. Harbaugh seconded the motion and it
carried.
There being no further business before the Board at this time, Mr. Harbaugh made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion and it carried. The meeting closed at 11:20 a.m.
THE
HOWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
___________________________________________
PAUL
J. RAVER, PRESIDENT
___________________________________________
BRADLEY
J. BAGWELL, VICE-PRESIDENT
___________________________________________
JOHN
B. HARBAUGH, MEMBER
ATTEST:
__________________________________
MARTHA J. LAKE, AUDITOR
Commissioner Minutes,