HOWARD
The Howard County Board of
Commissioners met in Regular Session on
The meeting was called to
order by Sheriff Marshall Talbert and conducted by President John B. Harbaugh.
The minutes from the previous meeting held on
IN THE MATTER
OF HIGHWAY ISSUE:
Mr. Ted Cain, Howard County Highway Engineer/Superintendent presented the following issue for Commissioner information and approval:
1. Permanent Grants of Right-of-Way: Two (2) right-of-ways were accepted and conveyed to the Board of Commissioners accommodating the improvements to Bridge No. 157 on 125 North at 1180 West on a motion made by Mr. Bagwell. Seconded by Mr. Raver, the motion carried.
IN THE MATTER
OF SHERIFF DEPARTMENT ISSUES:
Sheriff Marshall Talbert presented the following issues for Commissioner information:
1. Military Service Personnel Update: The Sheriff’s Department received Deputy Paul Cherry’s military orders and he expects to be away for one (1) year. Deputy Scott Waymire will temporarily receive the salary from Deputy Cherry’s pay appropriation until Deputy Cherry returns to the department.
2. The twenty-six (26) Pentax 105 - 35 mm cameras purchased with grant funds from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute were received. The cameras will be distributed to the officers this week.
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.
Mr.
Boise presented the Kokomo-Howard
County Plan Commission’s Annual Report for the year-2003.
2.
Case
39-CP-03 – one (1) lot in BK & BW Subdivision located at 2774 North 400
West was approved on a motion made by Mr. Bagwell. Mr. Raver seconded the motion, and it
carried.
3.
Case
25-CP-03 – one (1) lot in Widespread Acres Subdivision located at 6239 West 250
South was considered. Mr. Raver made
a motion to approve Case 25-CP-03.
Seconded by Mr. Bagwell, the motion carried.
4.
Unsafe
Buildings: There was no new
information presented at this time.
5.
Flood Mitigation Issues: (See
page 2,
ă
Have
homeowners ever been asked to contribute a portion of the match money? The response was yes.
ă
Could
relocation expenses being incurred by some of the homeowners be used to
contribute to the local match? The
answer is no.
IN THE MATTER
OF MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT ISSUES:
Maintenance and
Grounds Superintendent Thomas Harrison presented the following issues for
Commissioner information and approval:
1.
2. The snowplow on the truck that plows the county owned parking lots is not working. An electronic part has been ordered and is anticipated to be delivered today.
3.
Best Access Systems is scheduled at
4. The Terstep Company provided a worker to install signs on the interior doors in the Courthouse.
5. No further information has been received about the new grates ordered for the prisoner holding cell.
IN THE MATTER
OF PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATOR ISSUES:
Personnel Director
Wanda McKillip presented the following issues for Commissioner information and
approval:
1. Commissioner Appointments for
2004: The Howard County Council
recommended the reappointment of Mr. James W. Miller to the Howard County
Economic Development Commission. Mr.
Raver made a motion to reappoint Mr. Miller for a four (4) year term beginning
2.
Anthem is currently working on the identification cards for the term starting on
3.
Selective Insurance: A meeting was held on
4.
The
5. Birthday Post Cards: Mrs. McKillip has been working on the post cards and hopes to have them ready to present at the next meeting.
IN THE MATTER OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY:
EMA Director Larry Smith presented the following issues for Commissioner information and approval:
1.
Addition to
Mr. Smith talked about some serious electrical problems and the need to upgrade the electric for the entire building. Due to the problems, the service for the new construction cannot tie into the existing building. A new 200-amp power box may be needed to accommodate the electrical upgrade.
Mr. Smith was informed of the proper procedure to request quotes. In fairness to the vendors, a list of written specifications is needed so they can all quote on the same work. Discussion was also held that the electrical work might be considered a separate project. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to suggest that Mr. Smith prepare specific written specifications and request new quotes for the project.
2. Encoding Back Up System: The Dispatch Center at the Jail lost their
encoding system at
IN THE MATTER OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIRECTOR ISSUES:
Information Systems Director Terry Tribby did not have any information to present at this time.
IN THE MATTER OF WATER SUPPLY PROTECTION:
Plan Commission Director Glen Boise said for the past two (2) years the Plan Commission has been working with the Water Company on a wellhead protection plan.
Mr. Deron Allen said the Water Company has been working several years with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on the Wellhead Protection Program. Most of the program is required by law to be completed in segments. Mr. Allen turned the floor over to Mr. Jack Wettman, President of WHPA, Inc., and a certified groundwater professional.
Mr. Wettman gave a comprehensive presentation about the work that the Indiana American Water Company has done over the past several years to protect the water supplies and provide safe drinking water to the community.
State Department of Environmental Management is
implementing a part of the safe drinking water act in requiring community water
supply systems to participate in a wellhead protection plan.
The Commissioners thanked Mr. Wettman for presenting the update on the Wellhead Protection Program.
IN THE MATTER OF
Director Jan Weaver presented copies of quotes to replace their 1994 Chevrolet Transport Van with a 7/8 passenger, 4-wheel drive vehicle. The following quotes included trade-in, discounts, and rebates:
Eriks Chevrolet 2004 Chevy Trail Blazer $22,958.86
Button Motors 2004 Dodge
2003 Ford Expedition $28,500.00
Mrs. Weaver recommended the 2004 Trail Blazer from Eriks Chevrolet because it is the lowest price and meets the requirements for transport needs.
Auditor Martha Lake mentioned that the state is not
currently approving any funding even though additional appropriations are being
sent down to the state. The state is
unable to grant any written approvals until our county gets tax rates and
budgets in place.
Mr. Raver made a motion to authorize the purchase of the 2004 Chevrolet Trail Blazer from Eriks Chevrolet at the final price of $22,958.86 subject to State approval of the funds. Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion, and it carried.
IN THE MATTER OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ISSUES:
Executive Director, Kris Conyers,
together with
1. Ordinance No. 2004-BCC-05, a Howard
County Health Department Fee Collection Ordinance to establish and collect fees
for services as provided by IC 16-1-4-24.
Following a cost analysis in 2003 the Howard County Board of Health felt
a need to update the fee ordinance. The
Board of Health adopted this revised ordinance at their last meeting on
Mr. Raver made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2004-BCC-05 for fee collection by the Howard County Health Department. Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion, which carried.
2. Ordinance No. 2004-BCC-06, an ordinance regulating Retail Food Establishments and Bed and Breakfast Establishments. The Board of Health updated the food ordinance two years ago when the State Food Code was completely revised. Since that time some state regulations have been applied to food services that necessitate modifying the food ordinance to reflect those changes. Mr. Lake gave a brief account of the changes that were incorporated into the revised ordinance.
Ordinance No. 2004-BCC-06, the Retail Food Establishment and Bed and Breakfast Establishments was approved on a motion made by Mr. Bagwell. Seconded by Mr. Raver, the motion carried.
IN THE MATTER OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS ISSUE:
Community Corrections Director Steve Maus presented the
Community Corrections Yearly Report for the fiscal year
Mr. Bagwell made a motion to approve the Community Corrections Yearly Report pending insertion of the number of felons from the Department of Corrections. Mr. Raver seconded the motion, and it carried.
IN THE MATTER OF
Ms. Connie Cook, an employee of Superior Court II, requested Commissioner
recommendation to dispose of a large dry erase board that was ordered in error
from The Quill Company. Ms. Cook
contacted the company about returning the item but due to the way the item was
packaged, it could not be returned. A
representative from the company offered to credit the account in the amount of
$127.00 on the condition that the item should be donated. Following a brief discussion, Mr. Raver made
a motion to donate the dry erase board to
IN THE MATTER OF HOWARD
HAVEN COUNTY HOME:
Interim Co-Managers Joyce Colburn and Deborah France presented the following information for Commissioner information:
1. The two hobby rooms were cleaned and made into regular rooms. They are ready for occupancy. The Co-Managers anticipate an application from a woman very soon.
2. Information was received that the ARCH Program requires residents to live in the home before they would consider approving their applications. Discussion ensued as to what length of time should be allowed for a resident to be accepted on the ARCH Program and the possibility of charging interim fees until the ARCH money begins to come in.
3. The Disaster Preparedness Coordinator and E.M.A. Director Larry Smith visited the facility to discuss options for contacting first responders in the event of an emergency. One recommendation was to have a cell phone at the facility for communication during an emergency or when transporting residents. Mr. Bagwell made a motion to authorize the Howard Haven Home Co- Managers to obtain a cell phone and plan at a minimal cost. Mr. Raver seconded the motion, which carried.
4. Requests out of Cumulative Capital Development Fund:
a. For security purposes
the Co-Managers wish to have doorbell system installed on the front and
back doors and buzzer alarms on the interior doors. Instead of locking the interior doors, the
buzzers would alert the staff if someone were to go through the doors during the night. An estimate was obtained from Koorsen
Protection Services in the amount of $1,273.00.
b. To remove and replace carpeting
throughout the building, Stout & Son Flooring & Furnishings and
McCool’s Flooring Outlet have both provided quotes in a range of $13,500 to
$15,000.
c. Due to the large amount of laundry being washed each day there is a need to purchase commercial type washers. Prices were obtained for two (2) front-loading heavy-duty washers as follows:
HH Gregg $2,006.30 includes stands
McCool’s At Home $1,199.00 plus tax plus two stands for $249.08
Mr. Raver made a motion to authorize the request for $20,000 out of Cumulative Capital Development Fund for the various items and repairs in Howard Haven Home. Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion, which carried.
5.
Ms.
Part Time $16,000.
Overtime $14,000.
David Lawson RN Med. Setup $ 2,200.
Total $32,200.
6. A brochure advertising Howard Haven was presented for the Commissioners to examine and make suggestions regarding the design. Black and white print was preferred in order to keep the cost of printing low.
7.
The Commissioners scheduled
IN THE MATTER OF E-911 COMMUNICATIONS:
Steve Kline from the Sheriff’s Department presented the following issues for Commissioner information:
1. Reimbursement of Funds: The State Wireless Board has approved almost full
reimbursement for the aerial photographs and E-911 mapping for the
2. Mr. Kline thanked Emergency Management Director Larry Smith for their assistance and allowing Communications personnel to utilize the EMA building when the telephone lines malfunctioned.
IN THE MATTER OF CLAIMS AND REPORTS:
1. Operating claims payable on
2.
Commissioner’s Salary Claims for hourly, salary,
and overtime payable for February 6th, and
3.
Insight Communications sent a notice of monthly rate
increases: Classic Service will be
raised from $24.20 to $26.70 on
4.
A Notice of Public Hearing was received
regarding land adjacent to property owed by
5. Copies of the Soil and Water Agenda and Minutes were provided to the Commissioners.
IN THE MATTER OF COUNTY ATTORNEY ISSUES:
1. Attorney
Murrell presented a claim for his
monthly office allowance in the amount of $385.00 for February 2004. Mr.
Bagwell made a motion to approve payment.
Mr. Raver seconded the motion, and it carried.
2. Attorney Murrell advised he would be
out of town from
IN THE MATTER OF COMMISSIONER ISSUES:
1. Mr. Bagwell will be out of town during
the week of
2.
Steers on the Square: Recently the local newspapers featured
articles about a fund raising event to support Bona Vista Programs. Fiberglass steer sculptures featuring
3.
4. GIS Steering Committee meetings have further been delayed due to the amount of work associated with the recent petition and remonstrance involving the Northwestern School Corporation.
5.
On
6.
Taylor Township Regional Sewer District has a public
hearing scheduled on
7.
A Sewage Plan meeting is scheduled on
8.
The meeting to discuss plans for the 2004-2005 Edit
Monies has been rescheduled to
9. Council Representative Dwight Singer reminded the commissioners that during the final budget hearings last year, the Council made a statement that additional employees, salary increases, and additional part time money needs to be watched very closely. Mr. Singer was concerned that the Commissioners appropriated about $30,000.00 today for additional part time pay. Mr. Singer commented that money is tight and that the Council would certainly scrutinize the requests.
IN THE MATTER OF TAYLOR REGIONAL SEWER DISTRICT:
Mr. Jerry Williams, Professional Engineer with Gove and Associates, reported that Taylor Regional Sewer District completed their preliminary engineering report. I.D.E.M. has approved the technical portion of the report and is going through the environmental clearance side. One outstanding item is that the State Historic Preservation Office has required an archeological reconnaissance of the wastewater plant site that will take place within the next two weeks. An archeological and environmental clearance is anticipated in the next thirty to sixty days. At that point the project will become fundable through the State Revolving Loan Fund, which means that the loan can close.
As Mr. Raver mentioned earlier, the Department of Commerce will meet in Room 220D on February 5th to sit down and answer questions. Next week the public hearing will be held on February 9th, and the easement signing on February 10th, which will be an ongoing project for approximately two or three weeks.
Mr. Williams anticipates securing the required permits within sixty to ninety days. Once the permits are in place, the work will go to letting in the spring. Depending on the Department of Commerce funding, construction could begin in the summer.
There being no further
business before the Board at this time, Mr. Raver made a motion to
adjourn. Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion
and it carried. The meeting closed at
THE
HOWARD
___________________________________________
JOHN
B. HARBAUGH, PRESIDENT
___________________________________________
PAUL
J. RAVER, VICE PRESIDENT
___________________________________________
BRADLEY
J. BAGWELL, MEMBER
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Commissioner Minutes,