HOWARD COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS MEETING DECEMBER 1, 2003
The Howard County Board of Commissioners met in Regular Session on
Attorney Larry Murrell, Personnel
Administrator Wanda McKillip and
The meeting was called to
order by Sheriff Marshall Talbert and conducted by President Bradley J.
Bagwell.
The minutes from the last regular meeting held on
IN THE MATTER
OF HIGHWAY ISSUES:
Mr. Ted Cain, Howard County Highway
Engineer/Superintendent presented the following issues for Commissioner
information and approval:
1.
Acceptance of Streets: (See
page 1,
Mr. Harbaugh made a motion to accept the streets in The Greens at Wildcat
Subdivision, Section 2, into the
2. Damaged Vehicle: A ¾-ton pickup truck was involved in a traffic accident when a car crossed the centerline of the road. Fortunately the vehicles did not collide head on and the drivers were not seriously injured. The left side of the highway truck was severely damaged resulting in the insurance company declaring it a total loss. One mechanic at the Highway Garage thinks the truck can be repaired enough to get one more year of use. Mr. Cain plans to look into various options and costs before making a decision on what to do with the damaged truck.
3.
Materials and Supplies for Year 2004:
(See page 1, November 17th, 2003 minutes, “In the Matter
of Highway Issues”, Item 1, for related discussion) Bids for the Highway
Department’s 2004 operating materials and supplies were taken under advisement
at the previous meeting pending review by Mr. Cain and the County
Attorney. Having met the legal
requirements the following bids were approved on a motion made by Mr. Raver,
seconded by Mr. Harbaugh, and carried.
Item #l Precast
and Prestressed Beams –
None
Item
#2 Various Grades of Asphalt, Emulsion, and Tar –
Asphalt
Materials, Inc.
Mohr
Construction Co., Inc. (Bought by E & B Construction Co.)
Item #3 Bituminous
Coated Aggregate, Asphaltic Concrete Binder and Top –
Mohr
Construction Co., Inc. (Bought by E & B Construction Co.)
Item #4 Stone
–
Martin-Marietta
Materials
Hansen
Aggregates (Bought out Stone Co.)
Item #5 Equipment
Rental –
Baker
& Schultz
4. Construction Inspection Proposals
for Bridge No. 61: Mr. Cain looked
over qualifications for engineering services from
Mr. Harbaugh made a motion
to take the Construction Inspection Proposals under advisement until the
5. Underwater
Bridge Inspection: (See page 1,
Highway Issues”, Item 3, for related
discussion) An Underwater Bridge
Inspection Supplemental Agreement with the Indiana Department of Transportation
was received, authorizing
IN THE MATTER
OF SHERIFF DEPARTMENT ISSUES:
Sheriff Marshall Talbert presented the following issues
for Commissioner information and approval:
1.
Inmate Population Report: The average daily inmate population is
280. Captain Harold Vincent will have
the jail report for the month of November at the
2.
Personnel Update: Sergeant Larry Shipman was due to report to
3. Audio – Video Recording Equipment: (See page 2, November 17th, 2003 minutes, “In the Matter of Sheriff Department Issues”, Item 3, for related discussion) The project to install real time audio-video equipment in the Book-In area is proceeding. The City has committed to assume a portion of the cost and will disburse a check to the County sometime this week.
4. Computer Equipment Update: Information Systems Director Terry Tribby is working together with Art Fross to look into to what it would take to hardwire the computers in the pods into the network. At the Sheriff’s request, this will not include internet capability. The computer updates will streamline the process when the guards generate reports and improve inside communications to other areas of the facility.
5. Handicap Access to Jail: At the present time, the front doors at the jail are not handicap accessible. Sheriff Talbert is scheduled to attend a meeting with the Howard County Community Foundation after January 1st, 2004 to seek financial assistance or a partial grant to implement handicap access. An estimate was obtained from Kokomo Glass Shop Inc. in the amount of $3,900.00 to install the switches and mechanisms to operate the doors.
6. The Sheriff Deputy station from the first floor of the Courthouse has been disassembled and reassembled in the lobby at the Criminal Justice Center. Correction Officers will be stationed in the lobby during visitation time on weekends.
7.
8. Quality Heating and Plumbing replaced the cooling unit at the Criminal Justice Center.
9. Kudos to Chief Dinardo: Chief Tom DiNardo recently announced his retirement from the Kokomo Police Department. Sheriff Talbert publicly commended Chief DiNardo for working very well with the Howard County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Talbert asked the Commissioners to consider drafting a letter acknowledging Chief DiNardo’s years of service and thanking him for his cooperation and willingness to work with the Sheriff’s Department. By consensus of the Board, Commissioner Bagwell will draft a letter and forward it to Chief DiNardo.
IN THE MATTER
OF PLAN COMMISSION ISSUES AND PROPERTIES FOR APPROVAL:
Plan Commission Director
Glen Boise presented the following issues for Commissioner information and
approval:
1.
Case 34-CP-03
– one (1) lot in
2.
Unsafe Buildings: Mr. Boise received a phone call
from the property owner of 5389 East 50 South promising to clean up the
property.
3.
Flood
Mitigation Issues: Information
was sent to the State Emergency Management Agency (S.E.M.A.) to start the
review process and follow up on the
application regarding buying-out six (6) homes located in the floodway that
were substantially damaged by flooding and are not permitted to rebuild. Mr.
Boise advised the total amount needed to buy the homes is approximately
$700,000 to $800,000. The County’s local match of 25% would be in
the vicinity of $200,000. The
IN THE MATTER
OF MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT ISSUES:
Maintenance Superintendent
Thomas Harrison presented the following issues for Commissioner information and
approval:
1. Courthouse Projects:
a. Courthouse Doors: Mr. Harrison obtained an estimate to refinish the old wooden doors at the Courthouse at a cost of $250.00 each. The doors must be removed and moved off-site for three to five days for the refinishing work. Mr. Harrison proposes having five doors worked on at a time. Concerns were stated about security issues while the doors are removed.
Mr. Bagwell reported that the door to the Security Officer’s area has become damaged and splashed with floor cleaning products. He suggested installation of a kick plate to protect the surface of the door.
The office personnel of Superior Court III contend that they have claustrophobia and need to keep their door open during business hours. The open-air movement does not fit the design of the heating and cooling system, which affects the lobby area. Mr. Raver suggested that the office personnel might be more content with a glass door and asked Mr. Harrison to check into the cost for glass doors. Mr. Harrison advised if the doors were changed, new locks would need to be installed by a contractor.
b. Card Access System: The cards for the Card Access System have
been completed. Best Access Systems representatives
are scheduled to return later this week to install the new card scan system on
the west doors used for prisoners. Card
access will be ready for full implementation once the system has been tested
and inspected. The status of the system
will be reported at the next meeting on
c.
Christmas Decorations: Some of the
Christmas decorations from the Courthouse have been taken to Howard Haven for
display. At this time no further
information has been received from The Main Street Association regarding
Christmas decorations for the Courthouse.
Mr. Harrison will proceed with turning on the white lights around the
windows on the east side of the building.
d. The benches have been
ordered for the holding cells in the basement of the Courthouse.
e.
Cleaning the old flag at the Courthouse was not effective, therefore a
new flag was ordered.
2.
a. Nolan
and Company Excavating has been contacted to begin installation of the check
valves in the basement of the
b. Mr. Harrison hopes to start
installing the tile floor covering for the Emergency Management Office sometime
next week.
c. New Name of
Building: (See page 6,
3.
a. Work began on the windows last week and leaks were sealed.
b. Mr. Harrison obtained an
estimate to cut down a tree on the north side of the building and trim a tree
back from the windows on the northwest corner.
IN THE MATTER
OF PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATOR ISSUES:
Personnel Director Wanda
McKillip presented the following issues for Commissioner information and
approval:
1. An open enrollment meeting for medical
insurance is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2nd
and
2. IN THE MATTER OF COMMISSIONER
APPOINTMENTS: The following reappointments
were
made for the year-2004.
a.
Mr. Charles Hiss submitted a
letter of interest to Department of Health Director Kris Conyers to serve
another term on the Howard County Board of Health. Mr. Harbaugh made a motion to reappoint Mr.
Charles Hiss to the Howard County Board of Health for a four (4) year term,
expiring on
b. Kokomo-Howard County Public
Library Board: A motion was made by Mr. Raver, seconded by
Mr. Harbaugh, and carried to re-appoint Mr. George A. Hopkins to the
Kokomo-Howard County Public Library Board.
c.
d.
e.
City
of
Mr. Raver made a motion to reappoint Mr. Jim
Brannon to a three (3) year term to the City of
f.
Mr. Raver will contact Mr. Robert Oiler to find out if he is interested
in serving another term on the Kokomo
Howard County Emergency Management Advisory Council.
g. Mr. Harbaugh volunteered to
ask Ms. Beth Harshman whether she would be interested in being reappointed to
the
IN
THE MATTER OF PUBLIC HEARING – TWO SECTIONS OF
Scheduled Public Hearing –
The public hearing was
opened at
Mark E. and Deborah G. Gatti, property owners of Lots 9 and 10 in the Original Plat of West Liberty, submitted a petition to vacate two 12-foot sections of public way along the east and south lines of their property at 3340 South 1250 East. The adjoining property owners were notified by certified mail and the request was legally advertised. Copies of letters from the utilities were submitted stating they did not have any objections to vacating the public ways.
The property owner to the south, Mr. Tim Sanborn at
3350 South 1250 East, said there have been some unresolved property line issues
involving the Gatti’s property. He
wanted to be assured that he was entitled to one half of the vacated
alley. The
Mr. Raver made a motion, seconded by Mr. Harbaugh
and carried, to close the public hearing.
Mr. Harbaugh made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2003-BCC-52, an
Ordinance vacating an easement or public way, West Liberty Subdivision,
Close public hearing –
IN THE MATTER OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIRECTOR ISSUES:
Information Systems Director Terry Tribby presented
the following issues for Commissioner information
and approval:
1. Card Access System Update: Mr. Tom Harrison previously gave an update on
the Card Access System during his presentation.
(See page 3 attached, “In the Matter of Maintenance Department
Issues”, Item 1.b. for related discussion)
2. Wireless Duress System Update: The three additional radios that are needed
for the security officers at the Courthouse have been ordered. The duress security system should be
implemented soon.
3. Workstation Upgrades at
Courthouse: The new server for the
Courthouse has been set up on the third floor of the Courthouse in anticipation
of an installation date of December 16th or 17th. Twenty-two (22) workstations have been
ordered. The County Auditor reminded the
Board that the money for this project as well as other committed projects needs
to be encumbered for the 2004-year.
IN THE MATTER OF COURTHOUSE RENOVATIONS:
1. Two weeks ago Maintenance Superintendent Tom Harrison attended an on-site meeting with Terstep Company Inc. to discuss finishing the work at the Courthouse. Terstep recommended suspending a ceiling and new lighting in Superior Court II at a cost of $9,900.00. Mr. Harrison is waiting on further information about this project from Mr. William Bassett. This project together with the other final repair work would increase the total cost to $30,000.00. Since the 2003-year is nearly concluded, the renovation money needs to be encumbered to pay for these projects.
2. The heat ductwork in the lower part of the basement is corroding and is scheduled to be replaced. The heater in the boiler room was repaired.
3. Mr. Harrison continues to work on the proper signage for the office doors.
IN THE MATTER OF GRANT ISSUES:
Grant Administrator Tina (Mendenhall)
1. Taylor Township Regional Sewer
District: Gove and Associates has
decided to divide the project in phases.
Construction of the wastewater treatment plant will be moving
forward. The proposed Taylor Township
Community Focus Fund Grant Application will cover Center, Hemlock and Oakford’s
connection onto the sewer plant. The
Commissioners were asked to sign the Public Hearing Authorization to allow Ms.
Henderson to advertise, record, and prepare the meeting minutes. Ms. Henderson presented minutes from the
first meeting held on
Mr. Raver made a motion to approve the
Authorization for Tina Henderson with Mendenhall and Associates to proceed with
the public hearings and authorize the President to sign on behalf of the
Board. Mr. Harbaugh seconded the motion,
and it carried.
Mr. Raver made a motion to approve the inclusion
of the minutes from the meeting held on
Because the
next meeting of the Taylor Township Regional Sewer District is not scheduled
until
2. New London Conservancy District
Planning Grant Closeout: Ms.
Mendenhall presented Form I for Commissioner signatures, stating that the money
for the planning grant has been zeroed out and initiates close-out and
monitoring of the grant. The
Certification Statement certifies that a total of $28,500.00 has been
spent. The next meeting is scheduled for
Mr. Harbaugh made a motion to approve the Certification of the statement and authorize the President to sign on behalf of the Board. Mr. Raver seconded the motion, and it carried.
Commissioner approval of the Performance Report (Form 2) was also required to initiate the closeout of the grant. Mr. Raver made a motion to approve the Grantee Performance Report and authorize the President to sign on behalf of the Board. Seconded by Mr. Harbaugh, the motion carried.
3.
IN THE MATTER OF CEDAR CREST FLOODING ISSUE:
Mr. Randy Schick, Co-Owner of Head East LLC, presented
the following issue for Commissioner information:
Mr. Dan Minor, Chief Deputy in the Surveyor’s Office
and Mr. Tom Harrison, City Council Member, completed a walking tour of the
Cannon Goyer Ditch. They noticed a “for
sale” sign by the Wyman Group for ten (10) acres along the north side of the
ditch. Mr. Minor came up with an idea
that the City and the County could perhaps jointly purchase the ten (10) acre
tract of land and build a retention area which could possibly help solve part
of the flooding problems of the Cannon Goyer Ditch, Cedar Crest Subdivision,
the south end of Darrough Chapel Subdivision, and facilitate future development
to the east. Mr. Harrison mentioned the
concept to the City Council during a recent meeting. Mr. Schick and Mr. Paul Wyman have offered to
sell the parcel to the City and County.
Mr. Jerry Logan,
IN THE MATTER OF
HOWARD HAVEN HOME:
Interim Co-Managers Joyce Colburn and Deborah France presented the following information for Commissioner information:
1. Applications For Admission: The following two (2) applications were submitted for admission to Howard Haven Home. This increases the total number of residents to 15.
a.
Shonnie Brown submitted an application to Howard Haven on a self-pay basis. Because Howard Haven is nearly filled to
capacity, there was discussion last month about reviewing and establishing the
purpose (mission) of the facility. (See
page 7,
Mr. Harbaugh made a motion to accept the self-pay application to Howard Haven Home for Shonnie Brown on a ninety-day probationary period. Mr. Raver seconded the motion, and it carried.
b. Edgar M. Bates submitted an application to Howard Haven Home on a self-pay
basis. Mr. Bates has been informed of
the “no vehicle” policy and is in the process of selling his vehicle. Ms.
Mr. Raver made a motion to
accept the self-pay application to Howard Haven Home for Edgar M. Bates on a
ninety-day probationary period. Mr.
Harbaugh seconded the motion, and it carried.
IN THE MATTER OF ROAD 400 NORTH PROJECT – PURCHASE OF PARCELS:
(See page 6,
Mr. James Hamilton from
*** Mr. Bagwell provided Mr.
Hamilton with a copy of the Underwater Bridge Inspection Supplemental Agreement
with the Indiana Department of Transportation that Mr. Ted Cain delivered early
in the meeting.
IN THE MATTER OF BACKBONE
MAINTENANCE CONTRACT AND
Mr. Larry Sparks of Mobile
Radio of Kokomo, Inc. presented the following issues for Commissioner
information and approval:
1. Instead of a fixed amount, as in the past,
an hourly rate of $54 for county communications service was agreed upon with
Mobile Radio.
2. The contract for 2004 maintenance on the County
Backbone System at a cost of $10,700 was approved on a motion
made by Mr. Harbaugh, seconded by Mr. Raver and carried. Discussion
was held in regard to the recent addition of two new
radio channels and that a pro-ration has been
calculated into this new contract. All ten channels will be covered from January
1 through
IN THE MATTER OF VERIZON CONTRACT:
Communications Director Tony Ramsey presented a
contract for service with Verizon so the customers in
IN THE MATTER OF CLAIMS AND REPORTS:
1.
Operating claims payable on
2.
Commissioner’s Salary Claims for hourly, salary, and overtime payable for December
5th and
3.
The Howard County Treasurer’s Report for the month of October 2003
was accepted on a motion made by Mr. Raver, seconded by Mr. Harbaugh, and
carried.
4. Unsafe Building located at 2255 South 350 West: (See pages 4 – 5, November 3rd, 2003 minutes, “Scheduled Public Hearing”, for related discussion) Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Ward submitted a letter to the Commissioners to confirm their verbal promise that they will agree to clean up the property with the proceeds from the insurance company when received.
5. Scheduled Meeting Dates for 2004: Mr. Harbaugh made a motion, seconded by Mr. Raver, to approve the scheduled meeting dates for 2004 as modified (removing the ending time and only listing the starting time).
6. A notice was received from SBC
Communications regarding changes in services to offer long distance service
in
7. The Weights and Measures Monthly Report for the month of November, 2003 was accepted on a motion made by Mr. Raver, seconded by Mr. Harbaugh, and carried
8. The Veteran Service Officer’s Report for the month of October, 2003 was accepted on a motion made by Mr. Raver. Seconded by Mr. Harbaugh, the motion carried.
IN THE MATTER OF COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUES:
IN THE MATTER OF COMMISSIONER ISSUES:
1. Mr. Bagwell received a notice regarding Disability
Awareness Month 2004. The State
Agency is celebrating Disability Month in March 2004, to increase awareness of
the
2.
There being no further
business before the Board at this time, Mr. Raver made a motion to
adjourn. Mr. Harbaugh seconded the
motion and it carried. The meeting
closed at
THE
HOWARD
___________________________________________
BRADLEY
J. BAGWELL, PRESIDENT
___________________________________________
JOHN
B. HARBAUGH, VICE PRESIDENT
___________________________________________
PAUL
J. RAVER, MEMBER
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Commissioner Minutes,