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 Bradley Bagwell.
The minutes from the last regular
meeting held on
On page 2, “In the Matter of
Plan Commission Issues”, Item 1. d., change the address to 2941 North 300 East.
IN THE
MATTER OF HIGHWAY ISSUES:
Mr. Ted Cain, Howard County Highway
Engineer/Superintendent presented the following issues for Commissioner
information and approval:
1. The County Highway Department has been
working around the clock to clear roads of ice and snow. In view of the fact that many counties are
experiencing overtime pay issues,
Mr. Cain was pleased to report that the Howard County Highway Department does
not have any similar problems. During
the past two years Mr. Cain has set aside money for this type of need.
2. Kudos
to the Howard County Highway Department:
a. Western School Corporation sent a letter
thanking the Commissioners for the Howard County Highway Department’s quick
response to calls throughout the year, such as taking care of bad road
conditions and removing dead animals.
b. This morning on local FM Radio Station
Z92.5, Eastern School Corporation complemented Mr. Cain and his employees for
their great work in clearing the roads.
c. Mr. Bagwell complemented the diligence of
the Highway Department for working on snow removal at
APPROVAL TO
INSTALL DRAIN TILE IN
Dan Dean, 2150 West 500 South, requested approval to
place the drain from his geothermal heating/air conditioning unit in the
right-of-way of 500 South. Mr. Dean
built a home on property he purchased two years ago. The septic system did not need a perimeter
drain when the property was platted into a building lot; therefore an off-site
drainage easement was not required.
Mr. Dean was not successful in getting a response
from the adjoining property owner to the east regarding an off-site easement
agreement. He proposes to run a drain,
16-foot, on the north side, from the centerline of 500 South, in order to
connect to a mutual drain that crosses the road about 120 feet west of the
intersection with 200 West (Dixon Road).
The geothermal unit displaces approximately 25
gallons of water per hour. Water from
the unit pools next to the house especially when the ground is frozen.
Mr. Cain said property owners are encouraged to do
everything possible to keep tile out of the county right-of-way. A homeowner is responsible for maintaining
the life of a drain in the right-of-way; and work on County property is likely
to disturb or damage the drain. Mr. Cain
would not have a problem with the request as long as Mr. Dean exhausts all
means of obtaining an off-site drainage easement.
New
IN THE
MATTER OF SHERIFF DEPARTMENT ISSUES:
Sheriff Marshall Talbert presented the following
issues for Commissioner information and approval:
1. The Jail
Inspection Report dated
2. Two (2) Ford Taurus vehicles were purchased
from Brad Howell Ford for a total of approximately $20,000.00. (See page 2,
3. Request for obtaining quotes on new vehicles: Sheriff Talbert requested permission to seek
quotes for one (1) prisoner transport van and two (2) K-9 trucks. In reference to the first request, a cargo
van is less expensive than a window van with seats in it. A company in
It would cost between
$65,000.00 and $70,000.00 to purchase the three vehicles.
Mr. Bagwell commented that
the County still needs to “function as a government” and do the things that
need to be done. Mr. Raver made a motion
to authorize Sheriff Talbert to proceed to obtain quotes for the three vehicles
as presented. Mr. Harbaugh seconded the
motion and it carried.
IN THE
MATTER OF PLAN COMMISSION ISSUES AND PROPERTIES FOR APPROVAL:
Plan Commission Director, Glen Boise, presented the
following issues for information and approval:
1. Training Newsletters provided by the Indiana Land Resources Council were
handed out to the Commissioners. Seminars
are scheduled to be held on March 6th and
2. Case 55-CP-02 – two (2) lots
in King Subdivision located at 7533 East 50 North was approved on a motion
made by Mr. Harbaugh. Mr. Raver seconded
the motion and it carried.
3. Flood Mitigation Status:
a. Work continues on the community rating system application. One of the activities is to send out annual
newsletters to property owners in the flood plain. Mr. Boise requested approximately $100.00 in
postage to mail approximately 240 letters.
Mr. Harbaugh made a motion
to approve payment of $100.00 for mailing the newsletters as presented. Mr. Raver seconded the motion, which carried.
b. February
14th was the deadline to receive proposals to design flood-proofing
plans for the properties. No
proposals were submitted. However, a
letter was sent from Mr. James Hamilton of
c. All Hazard Mitigation Plan: Mr. Boise attended a seminar on Wednesday,
February 12th, sponsored by Federal (F.E.M.A.) and State Emergency
Management (S.E.M.A.) Agencies. The
topic of discussion was about developing an all hazard mitigation plan. In the year-2000 Congress passed a law that
all other hazards should be included in a more formal, extensive mitigation
plan. All of
IN THE
MATTER OF MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT ISSUES:
Maintenance Superintendent Thomas Harrison presented
the following issues for Commissioner information and approval:
1.
a. First Floor and Basement: During the cold weather this winter season,
temperature on the first floor and basement area would not rise any higher than
65 to 68 degrees. Apparently there are
no heaters in the air space above the ceilings of both floors. Approximately 1-1/2 years ago, Hochstedler
Energy Service was consulted about air sealing the basement. The contractors were concerned that a vacuum
would be created which would cause ceiling tiles to lift up and blow out of the
ceiling when the outside doors are opened.
The air space between the ceiling tiles and above floor maintains the
same temperature as outside the building.
Dave Smith, Technician for Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. recently inspected
the situation and requested an appointment with the Commissioners to discuss
resolving this issue.
Fourth Floor: Last year, some heaters were discovered in
the ceiling above the computer room that were set too hot. Mr. Raver did not understand why there are
heaters above the ceiling on the fourth floor and no heaters for the first
floor and basement air space.
Mr. Harrison has ordered new, larger vents to improve the flow
of heat. However, Dave Smith, Technician
of Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. commented that the vents would not
resolve the problem of heating the air space between the floors. The boilers in the building are about 25
years old. Approximately one month ago,
a boiler inspection report stated it was time to start considering replacing
the boilers.
By consensus, the
Commissioners decided to meet with Dave Smith at the close of the next meeting
on Monday, March 3rd at approximately
b. Elevators: The elevator room is too cold which causes
mechanical problems with the elevators.
The elevator fluid does not get warm enough to adjust to the height of
the floors.
IN THE MATTER
OF PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATOR ISSUES:
Personnel Director Wanda McKillip presented the
following issues for Commissioner information and approval:
1. The COBRA
Log, effective
2. HIPAA Seminar: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue
Shield together with Baker & Daniels will conduct free seminars on
complying with the new laws established by the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA) on
Mr. Harbaugh made a motion to authorize Mrs.
McKillip and Mrs. Hinkle to attend the HIPAA Seminar on
3. The 2003 Family Medical Leave Log was confirmed on a motion made by Mr.
Raver. Mr. Harbaugh seconded the motion
and it carried.
4. The PAC
Recommendations for the Health Department: The
Health Department requested salary increases for the nursing staff as follows:
Administrator $39,847.00
to $41,847.00
Nursing
Coordinator $35,613.00 to $37,613.00
(2)
Nurses $33,453.00
to $35,453.00
After reviewing the requests, the PAC recommends not increasing the salaries listed above due to budget restraints and the uncertainty of county finances. The Committee also recommends that requests for increases be submitted with the 2004 Budget.
Mr. Harbaugh made a motion
to recommend to the County Council, that no changes should be made to the salaries
at the Health Department at this time.
Mr. Raver seconded the motion and it carried.
5. Laser
Vision Offer: Though Anthem’s VSP
coverage does not pay for any part of the procedure, TLC Laser Eye Centers
offers a “No payment for 12 Months” coupon to anyone having Anthem’s VSP
coverage. Mrs. McKillip asked permission
to distribute the coupons with employee paychecks.
Since the Commissioners are not familiar with other vision centers’ discount offers, they were concerned about showing partiality toward a single vision center. Mr. Bagwell suggested researching all sources of discounts that Anthem has available and put a list in the county newsletter for employee information. Mr. Harbaugh made a motion to not include the coupon advertising TLC Laser Eye Centers in employee paychecks. Mr. Raver seconded the motion and it carried.
6.
The United Way Gold Award
presented to
IN THE
MATTER OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER ISSUES:
Mr. Terry Tribby, Information Systems Manager, presented the following issues for
Commissioner information:
1. DOXPOP UPDATE (Court Record
Internet Publishing): Several people attended the
meetings held on February 11th to become familiar with the new
website and many have already registered to use the website. Mr. Tribby commented that the service is a
benefit to County government and the business community.
Following a thirty (30) day trial, the program will be evaluated to determine whether the dial-up access can finally be eliminated. Mr. Tribby will return to the Commissioners regarding this issue after the trial period.
2. Courthouse
Renovation Project: (Also see page 6, “In the Matter of
Courthouse Renovations” and “Additional Comment regarding Courthouse
Renovations” for related discussion.)
a. The Probation Office completed their move last week and the computers are up and running.
b. The are some issues with the heating and cooling in the new server room. The temperature runs excessively high for computer equipment. Mr. Raver advised that Mr. Bassett has been made aware of this issue and will have some information to share soon.
3. E-911
IN THE
MATTER OF DARROUGH CHAPEL SEWER INVESTIGATION OPTIONS:
(See page
6,
Mr.
Lake was advised in December to put together a cost analysis to test the sewer
systems in Darrough Chapel in order to prove the need of/to the residents.
Today,
Executive Director Kris Conyers and
1. Location
of Septic Systems by a Licensed Installer
Cost
estimate: $500 to $1000 per lot
Completion time: 2 to 6 Months
2.
Pass of Fail Documentation by a University’s Study
Cost estimate: $400 to $1000 per lot
Completion time: 6 to 12 Months
3. Health Department Investigation
Cost estimate:
$400 to $800 per lot
Completion time: 12 to 18 months, due to
staff availability,
this investigation could not start for 5 to 6 years
Mr.
Lake commented that he was in favor of the first proposal listed above. Some of the systems in the Darrough Chapel
area have been located and been determined to be discharging systems. If there are areas pooling with waste on top
of the ground this spring, the Health Department will begin issuing pump and
haul orders.
The study could cost up to $1,000.00 per home to
prove that septic systems are failing in the Darrough Chapel area. Mr. Bagwell felt this money would be better
used to resolve the problem rather then use it to convince the property owners
they have a septic problem. Mr. Bagwell
suggested talking with Grant Administrator Tina Mendenhall Henderson to see if
grant money can be found for the study.
Mr. Bagwell suggested using EDIT money in order to get the project
going.
Approximately 34 homes in Darrough Chapel have
septic permits. However, Mr.
There was discussion about holding another meeting
with the residents when the Commissioners learn more information about the
three proposals to conduct the study.
Mr. Raver will get together with
Also presented was a list of the communities in the
County awaiting attention to similar problems.
IN THE
MATTER OF E-911 DISPATCH ISSUES:
(See page
7,
Communications Director Tony Ramsey requested
approval for the specifications for mapping the E-911 portion (Phase 2
Wireless) of the GIS Information System.
Mr. Raver made a motion to approve the specifications and proceed with
Requests for Proposals on the E-911 mapping software portion of the GIS
Information System program subject to approval of the
IN THE
MATTER OF MAPPING DEPARTMENT ISSUES:
(See page
6,
Jamie Shepherd, Mapping/Property Records &
Drafts person for the Howard County Auditor’s Office presented the following
issues for Commissioner information and approval:
At the last meeting, the Commissioners accepted the
proposal from Williams Aerial & Mapping, Inc. to perform the aerial
photography, scanning, triangulation, and planimetrics in the amount of
$70,630.00 subject to review and approval of the contract by County Attorney
Larry Murrell. Attorney Murrell,
together with Jamie Shepherd, incorporated a few changes and forwarded the
proposal to Williams Aerial & Mapping, Inc.
Williams have signed the agreement with the incorporated changes. Mr. Raver made a motion to accept the
proposal for digital photography with Williams Aerial & Mapping, Inc. and
authorize the President to sign on behalf of the Board. Mr. Harbaugh seconded the motion and it
carried.
The proposal does not include painting the 110 ground
control points that are needed to perform the photography. Mrs. Shepherd said a decision must be made as
to who will handle the ground control points.
Dan Minor from the
IN THE MATTER OF A REQUEST TO VACATE
EASEMENT IN BROOKSHIRE SUBDIVISION:
Attorney
J. Conrad Maugans presented a petition to vacate a utility and drainage
easement located on a portion of real estate owned by Kevin and DeAnna
Holloway.
Mr.
Harbaugh made a motion to set a public hearing for the petition on
IN THE MATTER OF
Mr. Rob Betts,
The
Commissioners took this issue under advisement in order to seek a
recommendation from the
IN THE
MATTER OF THE ANNUAL NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER:
Tanya L. Cummings, Representative for the National
Day of Prayer, advised the celebration is scheduled to take place from
Maintenance Superintendent Tom Harrison stated that
candles would not be permitted inside the Courthouse.
Mr. Harbaugh made a motion to approve the use of the
Courthouse on
IN THE
MATTER OF ISSUES IN INDIAN HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION:
Mr. John Roberts,
Mr. Roberts corrected the population statistics and
number of rental homes that he reported at the last meeting. According
to the 2000 Census, the population in
Mr. Roberts said many of the residents’ lives have
been disrupted by excessive noise from car stereos and loud motorcycles. The noise shakes windows and disturbs the
peace and quiet of the neighborhood. The residents have no legal solution to this issue
because there
is no noise control ordinance in the county.
Next, Mr. Roberts justified the reason why a
nuisance ordinance is necessary in Indian Heights Subdivision. Most of the residents are responsible in
maintaining their properties, but a few others litter their property with
inoperable vehicles, broken appliances, unsightly debris, etc. Some of these
properties are hazardous and they are also detrimental to property values.
Mr. Roberts provided copies of City Noise Control
Ordinance No. 6187 (as amended) and a portion of the City Nuisance Ordinance
for Commissioner information. Mr.
Roberts asked the Commissioners to consider passing noise control and nuisance
ordinances similar to the ordinances in the City of
Following Mr. Roberts’ dissertation, he introduced
the following citizens is support of these requests: Mrs. Marie Roberts, Indian Heights Community
Association Secretary Rick Horner, Mr. Jeffrey Dahl, and Indian Heights
Community Association Member Dave Ford.
No action was taken on these issues at this
time. The Commissioners deferred these
issues to the
IN THE
MATTER OF COURTHOUSE RENOVATIONS:
Mr. William Bassett of William Bassett and
Associates presented the following issues for Commissioner information:
·
Work continues in the basement level of the building. The Probation Office moved into their area at
the south end.
·
Construction Change Directive No. 8:
Last week Mr. Bassett consulted with the Voter Registration Department
Heads regarding design revisions that included the addition of a dutch door and
electrical outlets. Some ceramic floor
covering will be added to a corridor and lounge room on the first floor of the
building, which was not in the original plans.
Mr. Raver made a motion to
approve Construction Change Directive No. 8 and authorize the President to sign
on behalf of the Commissioners. Mr.
Harbaugh seconded the motion, which carried.
·
The specifications and advertisement were prepared for the Notice of
Bids for Office Furnishings. The
anticipated costs will exceed $75,000.00.
Mr. Raver made a motion to
accept the bids by
IN THE
MATTER OF PERFORMANCE
Mr. William Bassett presented performance bonds for
the streets and storm drainage in Weston Place Subdivision, Section 1 and
2. The subdivision is located on
Mr. Harbaugh made a motion to accept the performance
bonds for Weston Place Subdivision, Section 1 and 2 as presented. Mr. Raver seconded the motion and it carried.
* * * * *
Additional
Comment regarding Courthouse Renovations: (See
page 5,
IN THE MATTER OF
A Poor Relief Hearing was conducted on
IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF
Councilman Dwight Singer was pleased to report that
Each
year the Commissioners appropriate $65,000.00 out of the EDIT Fund to be used
for capital improvement projects for the CFAHM.
The money was used advantageously to keep the
Mr.
Raver made a motion to authorize the annual $65,000.00 appropriation to be used
to reimburse the CFAHM for operating expenses that were expended in 2002 for
capital improvements. Mr. Harbaugh
seconded the motion and it carried.
IN THE MATTER OF CLAIMS AND REPORTS:
1.
Operating claims payable on
2.
Commissioners’ Salary Claims
for hourly, salary, and overtime payable for February 21st and
3.
The Howard County Treasurer’s Report for the month of December 2002
was accepted on a motion made by Mr. Harbaugh, seconded by Mr. Raver, and
carried.
4.
Mr. Raver made a motion to ratify the signing of the grant agreement for the Criminal Justice
Enforcement Assistance Program. Mr. Harbaugh seconded the motion, which
carried.
5.
(See page 7,
6.
Terrorism Risk Insurance: In November last year, President Bush signed
into law the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002. Selective Insurance Group, Inc. sent a letter
stating that acts of terrorism is already included in the current policy at no
additional premium charge. However, the
renewal policies may contain an additional premium charge for this coverage.
7.
The requests out of the Cumulative Capital Development Fund and Economical
Development Income Tax Fund were approved and forwarded to the Howard
County Council to be heard on
8.
The following requests will be presented at the
Mapping
Project (Phase 2 Wireless) $125,000.00
New
Server $5,200.00
KPD CAD
Computers (4) $5,000.00
Total $135,200.00
IN THE MATTER OF ATTORNEY ISSUES:
There were no issues presented for discussion at
this time.
IN THE MATTER OF COMMISSIONERS ISSUES:
1.
A letter was received from a realtor advising the Commissioners that
the YWCA building is available for sale.
2.
Kim Krieg’s
four-year term as Administrator of Howard Haven expires on
3.
Last week Mr.
Bagwell attended an Emergency Preparedness Meeting. The Committee requested that the emergency
information signs for the
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,