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Gibson County Board of Commissioners 4-8-2011************************************************************************************************ Gibson County Board of Commissioners Special Session April 8, 2011 *********************************** ************************************************************* The Gibson County Board of Commissioners met on April 8, 2011 at 8:30 AM in the North Annex Meeting Room. Members Present: Bob Townsend, President, Gerald Bledsoe, VP, and 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 15, 2011, meeting was approved with a motion by Alan Douglas and a second by Gerald Bledsoe, passed 3-0. County General Claims: $162,388.45 County Courts Claims: $ 6,272.96 Highway Department: $143,294.23 Sheriff Department: $ 43,865.52 Payroll – March 25: $263,854.07 Payroll – April 8: $281,865.02 Alan Douglas made a motion to approve the claims and was seconded by Gerald Bledsoe. Passed 3-0. Department Reports: Gary Dawson of Weights and Measures gave a report on things he has done the past month. Health Department: Cheryl Sweeny gave a report that there will be a “Partners in Today” committee meeting today at 12:00 Noon at the Health Department office. Things discussed will address situations that would occur if a disaster happened in Gibson County. There will also be a mock drill on April 30, between 8-12:00 AM. EMS: Dan Alvey gave his monthly report and asked for $70,220.00 in write-offs. Alan Douglas made a motion to approve and Gerald Bledsoe seconded. Passed 3-0. Dan Alvey also furnished a report on the arbitration decision and will present it to the County Council. Safety: Andy Schafer gave report about the Safety Committee meeting and an update on the courthouse. The new bathrooms are completed and the old women’s bathroom has been gutted and is awaiting remodeling. The contractors are running lines through the basement walls. EMA: Director Terry Hedges told commissioners about the county schools holding an earthquake preparedness day on April 19, 2011. On the 21st of April the state will hold an earthquake exercise and prepare for the upcoming National Catastrophic exercise being held the 16th of May and going for four days and the fifth day will be after action review on what happened the previous four days and what we need to do to be better prepared. Sheriff: Sheriff Ballard reported that there were 151 in the jail today. The road crews have really been utilized and are in great demand. They will help move old records out of the third floor storage in the courthouse to the basement under the Economic Development Office beginning next week. Highway Department: Jerry Heldt reported on department callouts and expenditures for the past month. He reported that some roads on the other side of the levee needs repair and are working on it between callouts. Animal Shelter: Brenda Foley gave a year end status report. She reported that the shelter has become a limited kill facility. This means animals are not euthanized because of overcrowding. Foster homes and rescue missions are available and will be sent to them as needed. She reported that only two dogs and eighteen cats have been euthanized this past year. Gerald Bledsoe said he had received calls about smoking at the front door. Brenda said areas have been established for smokers separate from the primary building. Brenda Foley also said that the bathroom was remodeled years ago but not made handicapped accessible. Gerald Bledsoe asked Andy Schafer to look into the bathroom problem. Gerald Bledsoe also asked that a “No Smoking” sign be posted outside the front door. The commissioners supported the request. Old Business: Bob Townsend explained that they would be opening bids for the bridge on Ohio Street in Princeton. He explained that the culverts were made from old railroad tanker cars and have rusted through and have put the bridge at risk. The bids will be a total bridge supply and installation package for Bridge #999. The county attorney, Jim McDonald, opened the bids and read the bid amount aloud. Gohmann Asphalt $230,000.00 CLR Inc. $144,975.00 Empire Contractors $204,250.00 D K Parker $111,115.00 without/ add-ons Backfill with pea gravel $ 1,035.00 Backfill with # 53 stone $ 1,551.00 Apply rip-rap $ 2,835.00 No bond required - $ 1,598.40 Alan Douglas made a motion to consider the bids and was seconded by Gerald Bledsoe. Motion passed 3-0. Jerry Heldt explained the Highway department’s status on road damage agreements for I-69. He explained that when bonding contractors, it is very difficult to get relief when damages occur. Presently agreements are made and signed that the contractors must honor those agreement or their right-of-way will be closed until the matter is resolved. Also the contractors are bonded with INDOT and INDOT will support our grievances and invoke their bond until retribution is made. Steve Bottoms wants a copy of the agreement. Jim McDonald explained the strengths and weaknesses of the agreement. Jerry Heldt also had discussions with Steve Bottoms about differences with the coal mine and residents on the cut through on CR 300, CR 350 and CR 1000. EDC: Economic Development Committee of Southwestern Indiana Wylie Zeigler presented the commissioners with a planning grant approval of $50,000.00 to move the White River Twp. Fire Station. Gerald Bledsoe made a motion to approve the contract with the architect. Alan Douglas seconded and motion passed 3-0. New Business: A request was made by the Ft. Branch Town Board for the Commissioners to ask the Redevelopment Commission to pursue improvements on CR 800S from Highway 41 to the Vincennes University entrance. The projected cost will be approximately $100,000.00. Alan Douglas made a motion to approve this request and was seconded by Gerald Bledsoe. Passed 3-0. Engineering for the project has been proposed by BLA in the sum of $7,200.00. Gerald Bledsoe made motion to approve the engineering proposal. Alan Douglas seconded the motion and passed 3-0. County Attorney: Jim McDonald presented Resolution # 2011-2 to the commissioners to consider. The resolution is confirming the resolution of the Gibson County Redevelopment commission adopted on March 7, 2011, entitled “Resolution amending the resolution of the Gibson County Redevelopment commission entitled Declaratory resolution of the Gibson County Redevelopment Commission”. The Commission has considered the evidence presented and now finds and determines that it will be of public utility and benefit to amend the Plan to add the construction, improvement and equipping of health, recreational, educational and business facilities along with road and infrastructure improvements in, serving or benefiting the Area to the Plan. Alan Douglas made a motion to approve the resolution and Gerald Bledsoe seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Gibson County Economic Development Corporation CEO Todd Mosby addressed the commissioners on behalf of the Healthy Living Group. The Healthy Living Group of Gibson County has been trying to bring a YMCA type facility to Gibson County since 2007. A feasibility study is being asked for to determine size, type and location of such a facility within the county. He anticipates the study to be completed within 8-10 months. He requests $15,000.00 to fund the study with funds from the Gibson County Redevelopment Commission. Steve Bottoms asked a question as to what the $100,000.00 was used for when the county commissioners approved that amount for the Gibson County Economic Development Corporation. Bob Townsend told Mr. Bottoms that Todd Mosby was representing the Healthy Living Group. Alan Douglas made a motion to approve the request for a feasibility study. Gerald Bledsoe seconded and motion passed 3-0. Todd Mosby responded to Mr. Bottoms question by explaining that through the efforts of the Gibson County Development Corporation, perhaps thousands of jobs have been created by attracting businesses to Gibson County. County Surveyor: Michael Stevenson requested funding of some GPS equipment which would greatly improve the accuracy of the parcels and reduce the manpower needed for corner perpetuation. The cost would be $12,995.00. Gerald Bledsoe made a motion to approve the purchase of the GPS equipment for $12,995.00. Alan Douglas seconded and passed 3-0. Sheriff Ballard informed the commissioners that he would like to recognize his communication officers who man the 911 console in the Gibson County Jail. He also noted that it is “National Communication Officers Week” on April 10-16, 2011. He asked the commissioners to sign a proclamation to recognize the communication officers of Gibson County. Gerald Bledsoe made a motion approve the proclamation. Alan Douglas seconded and passed 3-0. Sheriff Ballard is requesting an ordinance establishing fees for meals for Gibson County jail employees. This would allow jail employees to eat at the jail during their lunch period for a fee of $2.00 a meal. This being a first reading, the ordinance will be considered at the next meeting. Alan Douglas made a motion to publish this in the newspaper for the second reading on April 19, 2011 at 6:30 PM. Gerald Bledsoe seconded and passed 3-0. Sheriff Ballard requested the hearing of another ordinance to establish a Gibson County Sheriff’s office inmate processing fee. In inmate processing fee fund may be utilized for, but not limited to, the following identified purposes; 1. Inmate education and counseling, 2. Equipment, education and training for the Gibson County Jail staff, and 3. Salaries and wages for jail staff. The proposed processing fee is $25.00 for each time a person is booked into the Gibson County Jail. Gerald Bledsoe asked that an amendment be made to the ordinance that the money collected goes directly to the General Fund and then appropriated by the County Council to a specific fund for this purpose. Gerald Bledsoe made that a motion and it was seconded by Alan Douglas. Motion passed 3-0. This ordinance will be presented to the County Council on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Sheriff Ballard asked to have a 15 MPH speed limit sign be installed on Tara Lane in Ft. Branch. Gerald Bledsoe made a motion to approve and Alan Douglas seconded. Passed 3-0. Highway Department: Jerry Heldt asked for a FMLA for one of his employees. Gerald Bledsoe made a motion to approve. Alan Douglas seconded and passed 3-0. Clerk: Becky Woodburn asked for a three week medical leave for one of her employees. Gerald Bledsoe made a motion to approve. Alan Douglas seconded and passed 3-0. Work Release Detention Center: Sheriff Ballard commented that the detention center is poorly insulated and cost the county $30,000.00 a year to heat. Two quotes were received; Arc Construction’s bid was $30,530.00 and Superior’s bid was $21,100.00. Mr. Henning recommended the approval of the bid for $21,100.00. Gerald Bledsoe made a motion to approve the $21,100.00 bid from Superior to be paid by Gibson County Facilities Holding Corporation. Alan Douglas seconded a passed 3-0. Bob Townsend made a recommendation to approve an additional $20,000.00 to the courthouse project to accommodate the remodeling job of the new assessor’s office in the basement. Andy Schafer will do the work involved. Alan Douglas made a motion to approve the additional work to be paid by the Gibson County Facilities Holding Corporation from money already appropriated for the Court House/Jail project. Gerald Bledsoe seconded and passed 3-0. Gibson County Bureau of Visitors and Tourism: Requests permission to put up two signs on county property to promote the Azalea path in Gibson County. Three more signs will be put up on state property. The signs would be 2’x2’. Gerald Bledsoe made a motion to approve and Alan Douglas seconded. Motion passed 3-0. South Annex: Bob Townsend informed commissioners about the future of the South Annex. He said he has asked the North Gibson School Corporation to help demolish the South Annex. The county wants to relocate current offices in the building to a different building. The county still has a lease on the building. Bob asked for approval for North Gibson School Corporation to get bids to demolish the annex. The bids would not be binding to either party. Alan Douglas made a motion to authorize North Gibson School Corporation to advertise for bids. Gerald Bledsoe seconded and passed 3-0. Update on Emge property cleanup: Gerald Bledsoe informed the commissioners that the owner of the property has filed an injunction against the EPA, stopping their scheduled cleanup of the property. The owner has acknowledged that he will clean up the property. The EPA will closely monitor the activities. County Attorney Jim McDonald told the commissioners that Stephens Painting, Inc. owns the property immediately south of the Gibson County Jail. The property has been appraised for $27,000.00 and he has agreed to sell the property. Alan Douglas made a motion to purchase the property and use EDIT funds to purchase. Gerald Bledsoe seconded and passed 3-0. Gerald Bledsoe made a motion to adjourn. Alan Douglas seconded and passed 3-0. _________________________________ ______________________________ Bob Townsend, President Gerald Bledsoe, VP _________________________________ ______________________________ Alan Douglas, Member Attest: C.T. Montgomery, Auditor