HOWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - SPECIAL CALLED MEETING –

JULY 10, 2003

 

 

The Howard County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session on Thursday, July 10, 2003, at 9:00 a.m. in Hearing Room No. 338 of the Howard County Administration Center.  President Bradley J. Bagwell and Member Paul J. Raver were in attendance.  Also present were County Attorney Larry Murrell, and Auditor Martha Lake.  Vice President John B. Harbaugh was unable to attend the meeting.

 

The meeting was called in order to consider acceptance of quotes for new Sheriff’s Department vehicles and any business in regard to flood emergency matters.  Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting held on July 7th, 2003 was deferred until the next regular meeting scheduled for July 21st, 2003.

 

Sheriff Marshall Talbert called the meeting to order and President Bradley J. Bagwell conducted the meeting.

 

As a matter of proper procedure, President Bradley J. Bagwell 

vacated the chair when necessary in order to carry out the business of the

County in the absence of Commissioner Vice President John B. Harbaugh.

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT – NEW VEHICLE QUOTES:

 

(See page 2, July 7th, 2003 minutes, “In the Matter of Sheriff Department Issues”, Item 7, for related discussion)

 

Sheriff Marshall Talbert proposes to purchase two administrative pursuit vehicles and one road pursuit vehicle.  Two administrative Ford Crown Victoria vehicles will then be reassigned to road patrol.  Quotes were requested from Eriks Chevrolet, Brad Howell Ford, Button Motors Dodge, Kokomo Auto World, and Bloomington Ford.  Three dealers submitted quotes.  

 

 

Kokomo Auto World, Inc.      2004 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (with power seat)                  $27,187.00

                                                    Plus Tire Tax                                                                                            $        1.25       

                                                    Less Discount                                                                                                   - $  5,336.00

                                                    Difference Price                                                                                                  $21,852.25

 

Bloomington Ford                    2004 Ford Crown Victoria  (without power seat)                                            $22,227.25          

 

Eriks Chevrolet, Inc.                2003 Impala Police Package – GM Sandrift color with                                  $19,067.15

                                                    Indiana State Association Decals

                                                    Less Trade In                                                                                                     -$  4,000.00

                                                    Difference Price                                                                                                   $15,067.15

 

                                                    2003 Impala Police Package - Demonstrator                                                   $23,283.51

                                                    Less Trade In (2000 Crown Victoria)                                                              -$  4,000.00

                                                    Difference Price                                                                                                   $19,283.51

 

Sheriff Talbert indicated he would like to purchase one 2004 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor from Kokomo Auto World and two 2003 Impala Police Package vehicles from Eriks Chevrolet, Inc.  Kokomo Auto World will need to order the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria.  The two Impalas from Eriks Chevrolet are ready for immediate delivery as soon as the graphics are placed on the vehicles. 

 

Brad Howell Ford advised they could not order one single two-tone car, a minimum of five must be ordered.  If the Sheriff’s Department purchases cars next year, Brad Howell Ford would like to be included again. 

 

There is about $92,000 in the automotive budget and once the three cars are purchased, the department should not need to purchase any more vehicles in 2003.  Sheriff Talbert commented that moving the Crown Victorias currently parking at the jail to road patrol will save the County about $2,000.00 per vehicle.

 

Mr. Raver made a motion to approve the purchase of two 2003 Impalas Police Package vehicles - GM Sandrift color with Indiana State Association decals; the dealer to install full size tires; the vehicle price being $19,067.15 minus $4,000.00 trade in for each vehicle resulting in a total of $15,067.15 for each vehicle; from Eriks Chevrolet, Inc. in Kokomo; this being the lowest most responsible and responsive quote.  Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion, and it carried.

 

Mr. Raver made a motion to approve the purchase of the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor from Kokomo Auto World, Inc. because this is the lowest responsible and responsive quote at a base price of $27,187.00, plus $1.25 tire tax, minus a discount of $5,336.00, for a total price of  $21,852.25 minus any trade in.  Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion, which carried.

 

IN THE MATTER OF POLICY ON TAKE-HOME POLICE VEHICLES:

 

(See page 2, July 7th, 2003 minutes, “In the Matter of Sheriff Department Issues”, Item 6, for related discussion)

 

Major Steve Rogers completed some research on previous polices regarding take home cars.  The Commissioners were provided with a written report.

 

IN THE MATTER OF EMERGENCY ISSUES:

 

1.        Jane Fallon, of the Department of the Howard County Solid Waste District contacted Mr. Raver inquiring if there was anything that department could do to help with the flood issues.  Mr. Bagwell suggested that the department could come up with ideas regarding how to help citizens dispose of their flood damaged furniture and other large items.  He stated that the County Highway is not responsible to pick up these items.

 

2.        Commissioner Bagwell was concerned that a local publisher stated that the Governor declared Kokomo and Howard County a disaster area as a result of a single call from one of our State officials.   Mr. Bagwell commented that the declaration was made due to a combined effort of City, County, State and U.S. officials who made several calls in order to actually accomplish the declaration of a disaster area.  Mr. Bagwell recognized and commended Mayor Trobaugh, U.S. Congressman Burton, U.S. Congressman Chocola, State Senator Drozda, the Howard County Highway Department, the Sheriff’s Department, and all others who dedicated time and effort surveying the damages and working to help with the flooding disaster.

 

3.        WIOU-WZWZ Radio News Director Amber Stearns apologized on behalf of the radio station for the confusion on Saturday, July 5th in regard to the state of emergency declaration.  Ms. Stearns gave a detailed explanation on what the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allows broadcast stations to do.  According to the FCC guidelines, an EAS (emergency tone) can be triggered on three levels:  Federal, State, and Local.  Only two individuals on the local level, the Sheriff and local Emergency Management Agency Director, are permitted to call for the EAS tones and issue an alert for a Civil State of Emergency. 

 

Mr. Bagwell explained one individual cannot issue a notice of a Civil Emergency.  It takes a group of City and County officials to declare a State of Emergency.  One of the goals is to work together on how emergency notifications can be issued quickly in the event of an emergency. 

 

4.        Sheriff Talbert commended Conservation Officer Dirk Harris for helping the Sheriff’s Department with the emergency.  Officer Harris used his four-wheel drive Ford Expedition and boat.  Also, the Indiana State Police phoned to offer the use of their helicopter.

 

5.        The flooding caused a lot of crop damage.  Mr. Bagwell stated that farmers who have crop damage need to report the losses to the Howard County Extension Office.

 

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 9:35 a.m.

 

 

                                                                                                     THE HOWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

 

                                                                                                                ___________________________________________

                                                                                                                BRADLEY J. BAGWELL, PRESIDENT

 

 

                                                                                                                ___________________________________________

                                                                                                                JOHN B. HARBAUGH, VICE PRESIDENT

 

 

                                                                                                                ___________________________________________

                                                                                                                PAUL J. RAVER, MEMBER

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

__________________________________

MARTHA J. LAKE, AUDITOR

Commissioner Special Meeting Minutes, July 10, 2003