Gibson County Board of Commissioners 3-15-2011************************************************************************************************
Gibson County Board of Commissioners
Regular Session
March 15, 2011
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The Gibson County Board of Commissioners met on March 15, 2011 at 6:30 PM in the North Annex Meeting Room.
Members Present:
Bob Townsend, President, Gerald Bledsoe, VP, Alan Douglas, member and Jim McDonald, County Attorney.
The meeting was called to order with all present standing and reciting the Pledge
of Allegiance.
Minutes: the minutes from the March 1, 2011, meeting were approved with a motion by Gerald Bledsoe and a second by Alan Douglas, passed 3-0.
County General Claims: $ 76,961.11
County
Courts Claims: $ 7,386.00
Highway Department: $ 79,343.71
Sheriff Department: $ 25,963.50
County Payroll: $277,080.47
Alan Douglas made a motion to approve
the claims and payroll. Gerald Bledsoe seconded and passed 3-0.
New Business: Work One representative Jim Heck touted the availability of Work One’s expertise in a 9 county region he
represents. He handed out their annual report for the year 2009-2010. He also was there to invite the commissioners to the Local Elected Officials Annual Breakfast Meeting on 12 May,
2011 at 8 AM. It will be held at the Wilder Center, 909 W. Morton St., Oakland City, IN. The commissioners were given a form modeling a state plan of which they will have input. Cheryl
Musgrave has been hired to pull the state plan together along with the input of local representatives. Local representatives now serving on the Southwest region board are Paula Pinkstaff
and Mark Riley.
Jerry Heldt gave a report about the speed limit signs on Dead Level road. They replaced one 35 MPH sign. There was proper signage on the rest of the road.
County Attorney
Jim McDonald explained the reason for cash renting about 6 acres of ground north of the county landfill. The land is needed to service some gas detection wells in the landfill. The
former owner Joe Kissel agreed to cash rent the 6 acres. Alan Douglas made a motion to cash rent the property to Joe Kissel. Gerald Bledsoe seconded and passed 3-0.
County Engineer,
John Umpleby explained to the commissioners that Bridge #235, on Coal Mine Road west of highway 41, is a federal project and the federal government will fund 80% of the project with
a 20% match funded from the county. The project is on schedule with a projected start date of 2013. Gerald Bledsoe made a motion to approve the letter of commitment prepared by attorney
Jim McDonald concerning Bridge #235 with Alan Douglas seconding. Motion passed 3-0.
The previously tabled issue of increasing the co-pay for emergency room use by those on the non-union
plan was brought to the floor by Bob Townsend. After some discussion Alan Douglas made a motion to approve changing the co-pay from $45 to $100 per visit. Gerald Beldsoe seconded and
passed 3-0.
Steve Bottoms asked about an employee who had to pay an $1100.00 co-pay. Jerry Heldt said that the hospital is working with the county on correcting that problem. Bob Allen
asked about why the commissioners didn’t offer union insurance to the non-union employees at a lower cost per employee. The commissioners decided that the present insurance would be
a better fit for the county. The commissioners assured everyone that they are always looking out for the best deal for the employees and the county. Steve Bottoms asked how much will
the county save on the $100.00 co-pay plan. Bob Townsend explained that the cost would be dependent on the frequency of the visits.
John Umpleby explained that Bridge #17 is located
south of Lyle Station and is an INDOT project. He explained that INDOT is giving more responsibility to the county and more is expected out of the county then from the past. John Umpleby
presented an “INDOT Local Public Agency Project Coordination Contract” for approval by the commissioners. Alan Douglas made a motion to approve the contract with INDOT. Gerald Bledsoe
seconded and passed 3-0.
Bob Townsend asked the board to approve a major medical leave in the VA department. Gerald Bledsoe made that a motion and Alan Douglas seconded. The motion
passed 3-0.
Bob Townsend made a presentation and a request for road improvements to be made to the Southwest Indiana Redevelopment Commission. They presently have $4 million dollars
available and the roads would greatly benefit traffic to and around the Toyota property. Roads requested are:
CR 350S from 550E to 350E
CR 175E from 350S to 600S
CR 100E from 525S to
600S
550 S from 100E west approximately .5 miles
550S from 50W to 125W
125W from Hwy 168 to 400S
100W from 400S to 350S
Bob Townsend asked if the commissioners would support his proposal
to the Redevelopment Commission. Discussion followed. Gerald Bledsoe made a motion to request bids for the road improvements and present it to the Redevelopment Commission. Bob Townsend
seconded and passed 2-0. Alan Douglas abstained and stated a conflict of interest.
EMS: Dan Alvey asked for write offs of $45, 569.68. Gerald Bledsoe made a motion to approve. Alan
Douglas seconded and passed 3-0.
Steve Bottoms asked about the arbitration case that had been referred to the county attorney had been resolved. It had not as of this date.
Bob Zasadny
asked about an old railroad crossing that had been paved over on CR 150E. He wanted to know who is responsible for removing the old railroad warning signs. Jerry Heldt said INDOT is
responsible and will contact them to have them removed. Bob Zasadny also asked about why the county was putting gravel on a coal mine road (CR 550E). Jerry Heldt says that he had contacted
the coal mine several times and they hadn’t responded to putting gravel on the road. To better serve the residents, the county put rock on the road. He keeps track of the tonnage of
rock and
time employees put in on the service and it is billed to the coal mine. This has been done in the past and the bills are paid. Jerry Heldt also told everyone that this road should
be blacktopped by 1 September, 2011. Bob Zasadny also complained about the water fountain in the basement of the north annex has too much flow.
Bob Allen told everyone that the County
Council had authorized 3 new employees could be hired at the County Highway department. He asked if they had been hired. Jerry Heldt explained that due to the budget constraints, no
one could be hired. Discussion followed. Bob Allen also asked why a part time employee has been hired to assist Johnny Watkins, when the county can’t hire any additional employees
for the Highway Department. Jerry Heldt explained that the part time employee is learning the duties of the current bookkeeper in case that person would be unavailable. Ms Watkins is
the only employee who presently knows the ins and outs of her job.
Bob Allen also told the commissioners that the County Council is making decisions on hiring and it should be the Commissioners
job. Discussion followed.
Steve Bottoms asked commissioners how much money it costs to hire a worker for the highway department. Bob Townsend replied about $50, 000.00, including insurance.
He also asked how the commissioners determine how much money is given to the Economic Development Corporation. Discussion followed.
Gerald Bledsoe made a motion to adjourn and was
seconded by Alan Douglas. Motion passed 3-0.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Bob Townsend, President Gerald Bledsoe, VP
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Alan Douglas, Member Attest: C.T. Montgomery