DRAFT AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S MEETING 17 NOV 2009

AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
November 17, 2009
7:00 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana


I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. CALL TO ORDER

III. OLD BUSINESS
1. Hogan Water Corp. – tabled from 8/18/09
2. East Fork Rd. – tabled from 9/1/09
3. YES Home Lease – tabled from 9/1/09
4. Happy Hollow Rd. – tabled from 10/06/09



IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Planning and Zoning
Vacate streets and alleys within Town of Chesterville

2. Ron Stegman – Kuebel Rd. closing



V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – Todd Listerman
1. Updates
2. North Dearborn Rd. agreement
3. Harley Springs Subdivision acceptance
4. Harvest Ridge Phase 1 acceptance
5. Chappelow Ridge Extension acceptance
6. Rockwood Subdivision acceptance

VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
1. Claims/Minutes

VII. ATTORNEY

VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes

IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell

X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.

XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XII. PUBLIC COMMENT

XIII. ADJOURN

Dearborn County Sewer Board PUBLIC HEARING- Includes HOOK-UPS within 300 ft

SEE RED TEXT FOR SEPTIC TANK OWNERS ( you will need to scroll to 3 separate sections of this proposed ordinance)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Dearborn County Regional Sewer District will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, November 19, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. to consider adoption of the following ordinance. The hearing will be held on the Commissioners Room of the Dearborn County Administration Building at 215B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
DEARBORN COUNTY REGIONAL SEWER DISTRICT ORDINANCE 2009-2
An Ordinance adopting a Code of Regulations by the Dearborn County Regional Sewer District (“the District’); WHEREAS, the District is in need of a Code of Regulations for the following purposes: (1) Protect and preserve the works, improvements, and properties owned or controlled by the district, prescribe the manner of use by any person, and preserve order in and adjacent to the works. (2) Prescribe the manner: (A) in which ditches, sewers, pipelines, or other works should be adjusted to or connected with the works of th e district; and
(B) of waste disposal in the district. (3) Prescribe the permissible uses of the water supply and the manner of distribution and prevent
the pollution or unnecessary waste of the water supply. (4) Prohibit or regulate the discharge into the
sewers of the district of liquid or solid waste detrimental to the works and improvements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY the District that the following Code of Regulations
are hereby adopted:
RULES AND REGULATIONS
General Provisions
50.001 Definitions
50.002 Depositing objectionable waste prohibited
50.003 Discharging storm water, unpolluted waters and the like
50.004 Depositing wastewater in unsanitary manner within Regional Sewer District
50.005 Discharge of untreated sewage or other polluted wastes to natural outlets
50.006 Privies, septic tanks and other facilities.
50.007 Owner’s responsibility to install suitable toilet facilities.
50.008 Tampering with or damaging Regional Sewer District equipment
50.009 Right of entry for purpose of inspection; indemnification; easements on private property
50.010 Appeal procedure Private Sewage Disposal System
50.025 Connecting building sewer to private sewage disposal
50.031 Noninterference with additional requirements
Building Sewers and Connections
50.045 Connection permit required
50.046 Building sewer permits; permit and inspection fee
50.047 Costs and expenses of installation and connection of building sewer; indemnification
50.048 Separate building sewer provided for every building
50.049 Use of old building sewers with new buildings
50.050 Size, slope and alignment; conformance to building and plumbing code or other applicable regulations
50.051 Elevation of building sewers
50.052 Sources of surface runoff or groundwater
50.053 Connection of building sewer into public sewer, conformance
50.054 Inspection of connection to public sewer
50.055 Excavations
Use of Public Sewers
50.065 Prohibited discharges to public sewer
50.066 Pretreatment, equalization of waste flows
50.067 Preliminary treatment facilities
50.068 Control manholes; measurements, tests and analyses
50.069 Industrial wastes; special agreement
50.070 Discharge of waters from air conditions, cooling, condensing systems or swimming pools.
Pretreatment Requirements
50.080 Compliance with rules and regulations
50.081 Pretreatment or control facilities
50.082 Pretreatment of waters polluted with insoluble oils, grease or suspended solids
50.083 Users to supply information on sewage flow and characteristics
50.084 Determination of strength of sewage through sampling and analysis
50.085 Grease, oil and sand interceptors
50.086 Accidental discharges; notification to Regional Sewer District
50.087 Compliance with state or federal requirements
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§50.001 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this Code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (or BOD).
The quantity of oxygen expressed in mg/l utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedures with nitrification inhibition in five at 20°C.
BUILDING DRAIN. That part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system which receives the discharge from soil, waste and other drainage pipes inside the walls of a building and conveys it to the building sewer beginning five feet outside the building wall.
(1) SANITARY BUILDING DRAIN. A building drain which conveys sanitary or industrial sewage only.
(2) STORM BUILDING DRAIN. A building drain which conveys storm water or other clearwater drainage, but no wastewater.
BUILDING SEWER. The extension from the building drain to the public sewer or other place of disposal. (Also called house connection.)
(1) SANITARY BUILDING SEWER. A building sewer which conveys sanitary or industrial sewage only.
(2) STORM BUILDING SEWER. A building sewer which conveys storm-waste or other clearwater drainage, but no sanitary or industrial sewage.
CODE. The Code of Regulations of the Regional Sewer District.
COMBINED SEWER. A sewer intended to receive both wastewater and storm or surface water.
COMPATIBLE POLLUTANT. Biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, pH and fecal coliform bacteria, plus additional pollutants identified in the NPDES permit if the treatment works was designed to treat such pollutants and in fact does remove such pollutants to a substantial degree.The term substantial degree is not subject to precise definition, but generally contemplates removals in the order of 80% or greater. Minor incidental removals in the order of 10% to 30% are not considered substantial.
Examples of the additional pollutants which may be considered compatible include:
(1) Chemical oxygen demand,
(2) Total organic carbon,
(3) Phosphorus and phosphorus compounds,
(4) Nitrogen and nitrogen compounds, and
(5) Fats, oils and greases of animal or vegetable origin (except as prohibited where these materials would interfere with the operation of
the treatment works).
DIRECTOR OR REGIONAL SEWER DISTRICT.
The Director of Sewers of the Regional Sewer District, or his or her authorized deputy, agent or representative.
DISTRICT. Dearborn County’s unincorporated areas currently unserved by a municipal provider or by the current boundaries of the South Dearborn Regional Sewer District.
EASEMENT. An acquired legal right for the specific use of land owned by others.
FECAL COLIFORM. Any of a number of organisms common to the intestinal tract of man and animals, whose presence in sanitary sewage is an indicator of pollution.
FLOATABLE OIL. Oil, fat or grease in a physical state such that will separate by gravity from wastewater by treatment in a pretreatment facility approved by the Regional Sewer District.
GARBAGE. Solid wastes from the domestic and commercial preparation, cooking and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage
and sale of produce.
INCOMPATIBLE POLLUTANT. Any pollutant that is not defined as a compatible pollutant, including non-biodegradable dissolved solids.
INDUSTRIAL WASTES. The liquid wastes from industrial manufacturing processes, trade or business as distinct from employee wastes or wastes from sanitary conveniences.
iNFILTRATION. The water entering a sewer system, (including building drains and sewers), from the ground, through defects in the system such as, but not limited to, defective pipes, pipe joints, connections or manhole walls. (Infiltration does not include and is distinguished from inflow.)
INFILTRATION/INFLOW. The total quantity of water from both infiltration and inflow without distinguishing the source.
INFLOW.The water discharge into a sewer system, including building drains and sewers, from such sources as, but not limited to, roof leaders, cellar, yard and area drains, foundation drains, unpolluted cooling water discharges, drains from springs and swampy areas, manhole covers, cross connections from storm sewers and combined sewers, catch basins, storm waters, surface run-off, street wash
waters or drainage. (Inflow does not include, and is distinguished from, infiltration.)
INSPECTOR. The person or persons duly authorized by the Regional Sewer District, through its Common Council, to inspect and
approve the installation of building sewers and their connection to the public sewer system.
MAJOR CONTRIBUTING INDUSTRY. AN INDUSTRY
THAT:
(1) Has a flow of 50,000 gallons or more per average work day;
(2) Has a flow greater than 5% of the flow carried by the Regional Sewer District system receiving the waste;
(3) Has in its waste a toxic pollutant in toxic amounts as defined in standards issued under
33 USC 1317(a); or
(4) Has a significant impact, either single or in combination with other contributing industries, on a treatment works or on the quality of effluent from that treatment works.
NPDES PERMIT. A permit issued under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System for discharge of wastewaters to the navigable waters of the United States pursuant to 33 USC 1342.
NATURAL OUTLET. Any outlet, including storm sewers and combined sewer overflows, into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake or other
body of surface or groundwater.
NH3N. The same as Ammonia Nitrogen measured as Nitrogen. The laboratory determinations shall be made in accordance with procedures
set forth in “Standard Methods” as defined in the definition of SLUG.
NORMAL DOMESTIC SEWAGE. The same meaning as defined in § 50.100.
P or PHOSPHOROUS. The chemical element Phosphorous pH. The reciprocal of the logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. The concentration is the weight of hydrogen ions in grams per liter of solution.
PERSON. Any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation, group or other entity.
PRETREATMENT. The treatment of industrial sewage from privately owned industrial sources prior to introduction into a public treatment works.
PRIVATE SEWER. A sewer which is not owned by a public authority.
PROPERLY SHREDDED GARBAGE. The wastes from the preparation, cooking and dispensing of food that has been shredded to such
a degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater 1/2 inch in any dimension.
PUBLIC SEWER. A sewer which is owned and controlled by the public authority and will consist of the following increments:
(1) COLLECTOR SEWER. A sewer whose primary purpose is to collect wastewaters from individual point source discharges.
(2) FORCE MAIN. A pipe in which wastewater is carried under pressure.
(3) PUMPING STATION. A station positioned in the public sewer system at which wastewater is pumped to a higher level.
REGIONAL SEWER DISTRICT. The Dearborn County Regional Sewer District as forms by Order of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on November 17, 2003 and governed by its Board of Directors.
SANITARY SEWER. A sewer which carries sanitary and industrial wastes and to which storm, surface and ground water are not intentionally admitted.
SEWAGE. The combination of liquid and water-carried wastes from residences, commercial buildings, industrial plants and institutions,
(including polluted cooling water). The three most commonly types of sewage are:
(1) COMBINED SEWAGE. Wastes including sanitary sewage, industrial sewage, storm water, infiltration and inflow carried to the wastewater treatment facilities by a combined sewer.
(2) INDUSTRIAL SEWAGE. A combination of liquid and water-carried wastes, discharged from any industrial establishment, and resulting from any trade or process carried on in that establishment (this shall include the wastes from pretreatment facilities and polluted cooling water).
(3) SANITARY SEWAGE. The combination of liquid and water-carried wastes discharged from toilets and other sanitary plumbing facilities.
SEWAGE WORKS. The structures, equipment and processes to collect, transport and treat domestic and industrial wastes and dispose of
the effluent and accumulated residual solids.
SEWER. A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.
SLUG. Any discharge of water or wastewater which in concentration of any given constituent or in quantity of flow exceeds for any period of duration longer than ten minutes more than three times the average 24 hours concentration of flows during normal operation and shall
adversely affect the collection system.
STANDARD METHODS. The laboratory procedures set forth in the latest edition, at the time of analysis, of “Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water Wastewater” prepared and published jointly by the American Public Health Association, the American Water Works Association and the Water Pollution Control Federation.
STORM SEWER. A sewer for conveying water, ground water or unpolluted water from any source and to which sanitary and/or industrial
wastes are not intentionally admitted.
SUSPENDED SOLIDS. Solids that either float on the surface of, or are in suspension in, water, sewage or other liquids and which are
removable by laboratory filtering under standard laboratory procedure.
TOTAL SOLIDS. The sum of suspended and dissolved solids.
TOXIC AMOUNT. Concentrations of any pollutant or combination of pollutants, which upon exposure to or assimilation into any organism will cause adverse effects, such as cancer, genetic mutations and physiological manifestations, as defined in standards issued pursuant to 33 USC 13 17(a).
UNPOLLUTED WATER. Water of quality equal to or better than the effluent criteria in effect, or water that would not cause violation of receiving water quality standards and would not be benefited by discharge to the sanitary sewers and wastewater treatment facilities provided.
VOLATILE ORGANIC MATTER. The material in the sewage solids transformed to gases or vapors when heated at 55°C for 15 to 20 minutes.
WATERCOURSE. A natural or artificial channel for the passage of water either continuously or intermittently.
§ 50.002 DEPOSITING OBJECTIONABLE WASTE PROHIBITED.
It shall be unlawful for any person to place, deposit or permit to be deposited in any unsanitary manner on public or private property within
the Regional Sewer District or in any area under the jurisdiction of the Regional Sewer District any human or animal excrement,garbage or other objectionable waste.
§ 50.003 DISCHARGING STORMWATER, UNPOLLUTED WATERS AND THE LIKE.
(A) No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged to any sanitary sewer, either directly or indirectly, storm waters, surface water, or
unpolluted industrial process water. The Regional Sewer District shall require the removal of unpolluted waters from any wastewater collection or treatment facility.
(B) Storm water, surface water, ground water, roof run-off, subsurface drainage, cooling water, unpolluted water or unpolluted industrial process water may be admitted to storm sewers which have adequate capacity for their accommodation. NO person shall uses such
sewers, however, without the specific written permission of the Regional Sewer District. No new connection shall be made to any sanitary
or storm sewer unless there is capacity available in all downstream sewers, lift stations, force mains and the sewage treatment plant,
including capacity for BOD and suspended solids.
§ 50.004 DEPOSITING WASTEWATER IN UNSANITARY MANNER WITHIN REGIONAL SEWER DISTRICT.
No person shall place, deposit or permit to be deposited in any unsanitary manner on public or private property within the jurisdiction of the Regional Sewer District any wastewater or other polluted waters except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with provisions of this Code and the NPDES permit.
§ 50.005 DISCHARGE OF UNTREATED SEWAGE OR OTHER POLLUTED WASTES TO NATURAL OUTLETS.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged to any natural outlet any wastewater or other polluted waters except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with provisions of this Code and the NPDES permit.
§ 50.006 PRIVIES, SEPTIC TANKS AND OTHER FACILITIES.
Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.
§ 50.007 OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO INSTALL SUITABLE TOILET FACILITIES.
The owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purposes, which is not connected to an approved sanitary sewage disposal system, situated within the Regional Sewer District and abutting on any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is not located a public sanitary sewer of the Regional Sewer District is required at his or her expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this Code, within 90 days after date of official notice to do so, provided that the public sewer is within 300 feet of the property line. Within the District, where public sewers are available and located within 300 feet of a property owner’s property line, the owners of all new
dwellings or buildings used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purposes, shall install, at their expense, such facilities
necessary to connect to the sanitary sewer of the District. As a condition of connection to a public sewer, the owner(s) shall grant a right of access easement to the building sewer to the Regional Sewer District for the purpose of repair and inspection.
§ 50.008 TAMPERING WITH OR DAMAGING REGIONAL SEWER DISTRICT EQUIPMENT.
No unauthorized person shall maliciously, willfully or negligently break, damage, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is a part of the Regional Sewer District sewage works. Any person violating this provision shall be subject to immediate arrest under charge of disorderly conduct.
§ 50.009 RIGHT OF ENTRY FOR PURPOSE OF INSPECTION; INDEMNIFICATIONS; EASEMENTS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.
(A) The Director of the Regional Sewer District, Inspector and other duly authorized employees and/or agents of the Regional Sewer District bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all properties for the purpose of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and testing in accordance with the provisions of this Code. The Director of the Regional Sewer District or his or her representative of this Code. The Director of the Regional Sewer District or his or her representative shall have no authority to inquire into any processes including metallurgical, chemical, oil, refining, ceramic, paper or other industries beyond that point having a direct bearing on the kind and source of discharge to the sewers, waterways or facilities for waste treatment.
(B) While performing the necessary work on private properties referred to in division (A) above, the Director of the Regional Sewer District or duly authorized employees and/or agents of the Regional Sewer District shall observe all safety rules applicable to the premises established by the company, and the company shall be held harmless for injury or death to the Regional Sewer District employees
and/or agents, and the Regional Sewer District employees and against liability claims and demands for personal injury or property damage asserted against the company and growing out of the gauging and sampling operations, except as such may be caused by negligence or failure of the company to maintain safe conditions as required in § 50.068(B).
(C) The Director of the Regional Sewer District and other duly authorized employees and/or agents of the Regional Sewer District bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all private properties through which the Regional Sewer District holds a duly negotiated easement for the purpose of, but not limited to, inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, repair and maintenance of any portion of the sewage works lying within that easement. All entry and subsequent work, if any, on the easement, shall be done in full accordance with the terms of the duly negotiated easement pertaining to the private property
involved.
§ 50.010 APPEAL PROCEDURE
The rules and regulations promulgated by the Regional Sewer District, shall, among other things, provide for an appeal procedure whereby a user shall have the right to appeal a decision of the Director of the Regional Sewer District concerning sewage system of the
Board of the Regional Sewer District may be appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction under the appeal procedures provided for in the
Indiana Administrative Adjudication Act.
PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
§ 50.025 CONNECTING BUILDING SEWER TO PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL.
Where a public sanitary sewer is not availableunder the provisions of § 50.006(B), the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this subCode, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewer disposal system complying with the provisions of the Code of Ordinances of Dearborn County and the State Board of Health.
§ 50.031 NONINTERFERENCE WITH ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
No statement contained in this Code shall be construed to interfere with nay additional requirements that may be imposed by the
Dearborn County Health Officer.
BUILDING SEWERS AND CONNECTIONS
§ 50.045 CONNECTION PERMIT REQUIRED.
No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, alter or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance
thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the Regional Sewer District.
§ 50.046 BUILDING SEWER PERMITS; PERMIT
AND INSPECTION FEE.
(A) (1) There shall be two classes of building
sewer permits:
(a) For residential and commercial service,
and
(b) For service to establishments producing
industrial wastes.
(2) In either case, the owner or his or her agent
shall make application on a special form furnished
by the Regional Sewer District. The permit
application shall be supplemented by any
plans, specifications or other information considered
pertinent in the judgment of the
Inspector.
(B) A permit and inspection fee of $________
for residential or commercial building sewer
permit and $_________ for an industrial building
sewer permit shall be paid to the Regional
Sewer District at the time the application is
filed. The inspection shall take place during
normal regular working hours.
§ 50.047 COSTS AND EXPENSES OF INSTALLATION
AND CONNECTION OF BUILDING
SEWER, INDEMNIFICATION.
All costs and expenses incident to the installation
and connection of the building sewer
shall be borne by the owner(s). The owner(s)
shall indemnify the Regional Sewer District
from any loss or damage that may directly or
indirectly be occasioned by the installation of
the building sewer.
§ 50.048 SEPARATE BUILDING SEWER PROVIDED
FOR EVERY BUILDING.
A separate and independent building sewer
shall be provided for every building; except
where one building stands at the rear of another
on an interior lot and no private sewer is
available or can be constructed to the rear
building through an adjoining alley, courtyard
or driveway, the building sewer from the front
building may be extended to the rear building
and the whole considered as one building
sewer.
§ 50.049 USE OF OLD BUILDING SEWERS
WITH NEW BUILDINGS.
Old building sewers may be used in connection
with new buildings only when they are
found, on examination and test by the
Inspector, to meet all requirements of this
Code.
§ 50.050 SIZE, SLOPE AND ALIGNMENT; CONFORMANCE
TO BUILDING AND PLUMBING
CODE OR OTHER APPLICABLE REGULATIONS.
The size, slope, alignment, materials of construction
of a building sewer and the methods
to be used in excavating, placing of the pipe,
jointing, testing, and backfilling the trench shall
all conform to the requirements of the Code of
Ordinances of Dearborn County and/or its rules
and regulations or other applicable rules and
regulations of the Regional Sewer District. In
the absence of code provisions or in amplification
thereof, the materials and procedures set
forth in appropriate specifications of the
A.S.T.M. and S.P.C.F. Manual of Practice No. FD-
9 shall apply.
§ 50.051 ELEVATION OF BUILDING SEWERS.
Whenever possible, the building sewer shall
be brought to the building at an elevation below
the basement floor. In all buildings in which any
building drain is too low to permit gravity flow
to the public sewer, sanitary sewer carried by
such building drain shall be lifted by an
approved means and discharged to the building
sewer.
§ 50.052 SOURCES OF SURFACE RUNOFF OR
GROUNDWATER.
No person(s) shall make connection of roof
downspouts, exterior foundation drains,
areaway drains or other sources of surface
runoff or ground water to a building sewer or
building drain which in turn is connected
directly or indirectly to a public sanitary sewer.
§ 50.053 CONNECTION OF BUILDING SEWER
INTO PUBLIC SEWER; CONFORMANCE.
The connection of the building sewer into the
public sewer shall conform to the requirements
of the Code or Ordinances of Dearborn County
and/or its rules and regulations or other applicable
rules and regulations of the Regional
Sewer District or the procedures set forth in
appropriate specifications of the A.S.T.M. and
the S.P.C.F. Manual of Practice in No. FD-9. All
such connections shall be made gas tight and
water tight. Any deviation from the prescribed
procedures and materials must be approved by
the Director of the Regional Sewer District
before installations.
§ 50.054 INSPECTION OF CONNECTION TO
PUBLIC SEWER.
The applicant for the building sewer permit
shall notify the Inspector when the building
sewer is ready for inspection and connection to
the public sewer. The connection and testing
shall be made under the supervision of the
Inspector or his or her representative. The
applicant shall provide access to all structures
(and areas of structures) to the Inspector for
the purpose of establishing compliance with
this Code.
§ 50.055 EXCAVATIONS.
All excavations for building sewer installation
shall be adequately guarded with barricades
and lights so as to protect the public from hazard.
Streets, sidewalks, parkways and other
public property disturbed in the course of the
work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory
to the Regional Sewer District.
USE OF PUBLIC SEWERS
§ 50.065 PROHIBITED DISCHARGES TO PUBLIC
SEWER.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged
any of the following described waters
or wastes to any public sewers:
(A) Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil or
other flammable or explosive liquid, solid or
gas.
(B) Any waters or wastes containing toxic (as
described in Section 307A of the Clean Water
Act) or poisonous solids, liquids or gases in
sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction
with other wastes, to injure or interfere with
any sewage treatment process, constitute a
hazard to humans or animals, create a pubic
nuisance, or create any hazard in the receiving
waters of the sewage treatment plant.
(C) Any waters or wastes having a pH lower
than 5.5 or having any other corrosive property
capable of causing damage or hazard to structures,
equipment and personnel of the sewage
works or interfere with any treatment process.
(D) Solid or viscous substances in quantities
or of such size capable of causing obstruction
to the flow in sewers or other interference with
the proper operation of the sewage works such
as, but not limited to, ashes, cinders, sand,
mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers,
tar, plastics, wood, unground garbage,
whole blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshings,
entrails, paper, dishes, cups, milk containers
and the like, either whole or ground by
garbage grinders.
(E) Any waters or wastes containing phenols
or other taste or order producing substances,
in such concentrations exceeding limits which
may be established by the Director of the
Regional Sewer District as necessary, after
treatment of the composite sewage, to meet the
requirements of the state, federal or other public
agencies of jurisdiction of such discharge to
the receiving waters.
(F) Any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such
half-life or concentration as may exceed limits
established by the Director of The Regional
Sewer District in compliance with applicable
state or federal regulations.
(G) Any waters or wastes having pH in excess
of 9.5.
(H) Materials which exert or cause:
(1) Unusual concentrations of inert suspended
solids (such as, but not limited to, Fullers earth,
lime slurries, and lime residues) or of dissolved
solids (such as, but not limited to, sodium chloride
and sodium sulfate).
(2) Excessive discoloration (such as, but not
limited to, dye wastes and vegetable tanning
solutions).
(3) Unusual BOD, chemical oxygen demand or
chlorine requirements in such quantities as to
constitute a significant load on the sewage
treatment works.
(4) Unusual volume of flow or concentration of
wastes constituting “slugs” as defined in §
50.001.
(1) Waters or wastes containing substances
which are not amendable to treatment or reduction
by the sewage treatment processes
employed, or are amendable to treatment only
to such degree that the sewage treatment effluent
cannot meet the requirements of other
agencies having jurisdiction over discharge to
the receiving waters.
§ 50.066 PRETREATMENT, EQUALIZATION OF
WASTE FLOWS.
(A) If any waters or wastes are discharged, or
are proposed to be discharged, to the public
sewers, which waters contain the substances
or possess the characteristics enumerated in §
50.065, and which in judgment of the Director of
the Regional Sewer District may have a deleterious
effect upon the sewage works, processes,
equipment or receiving waters, or which otherwise
create a hazard to life or constitute a public
nuisance, the Director of the Regional Sewer
District may:
(1) Require new industries (or other large
users) or industries (or other large users) with
significant increases in discharges to submit
information on wastewater quantities and characteristics
and obtain prior approval for discharges.
(2) Reject the wastes in whole or in part for
any reason deemed appropriate by the
Regional Sewer District,
(3) Require pretreatment of such wastes to
within the limits of normal sewage as defined,
(4) Require control or flow equalization of
such wastes so as to avoid any “slug” loads or
excessive loads that may be harmful to the
treatment works, or
(5) Require payment of a surcharge on any
excessive flows or loadings discharged to the
treatment works to cover the additional costs of
having capacity for and treating such wastes.
(B) If the Director of the Regional Sewer
District permits the pretreatment or equalization
of waste flows, the design and installation
of the plant and equipment shall be subject to
the review and approval of the Director of the
Regional Sewer District and subject to the
requirements of all applicable codes, ordinances
and laws.
§ 50.067 PRELIMINARY TREATMENT FACILITIES.
Where preliminary treatment or flow-equalizing
facilities are provided for any waters or
wastes, they shall be maintained continuously
in satisfactory and effective operation by the
owner at his or her expense.
§ 50.068 CONTROL MANHOLE; MEASUREMENTS,
TESTS AND ANALYSES.
(A) When required by the Director of the
Regional Sewer District, the owner of any property
services by a building sewer carrying
industrial wastes shall install a suitable control
manhole together with such necessary meters
and other appurtenances in the building sewer
to facilitate observation, sampling and safely
located, and shall be constructed in accordance
with plans approved by the Director of
the Regional Sewer District. The manhole shall
be installed by the owner at his or her expense
and shall be maintained so as to be safe and
accessible at all times. Agents of the Regional
Sewer District, the state water pollution control
agencies and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency shall be permitted to enter
all properties for the purpose of inspection,
observation, measurement, sampling and testing.
(B) All measurements, tests and analyses of
the characteristics of waters and wastes to
which reference is made in this Code shall be
determined in accordance with the latest edition
of “Standard Methods of the Examination
of Water and Wastewater,” published by the
American Public Health Association and shall
be determined at the control manhole provided,
or upon suitable samples taken at the control
manhole, except for applications for
NPDES permits and report thereof which shall
be conducted in accordance with rules and
regulations adopted by the USEPA (40 CFR
136). In the event that no special manhole has
been required, the control manhole shall be
considered to be the nearest downstream manhole
in the public sewer to the point at which
the building sewer is connected. Sampling
shall be carried out by customarily accepted
methods to reflect the effect of constituents
upon the sewage works and to determine the
existence of hazards to life, limb and property.
The particular analyses involved will determine
whether a 24 hour composite of all outfalls of a
premises is appropriate or whether a grab
sample or samples should be taken. Normally,
but not always, BOD and suspended solids
analyses are obtained from 24 hour composites
of all outfalls, whereas pH’s are determined
from periodic grab samples.
§ 50.069 INDUSTRIAL WASTES; SPECIAL
AGREEMENT.
No statement contained in this Code shall be
construed as preventing any special agreement
or arrangement between the Regional
Sewer District and any industrial concern
whereby an industrial waste of unusual
strength or character may be accepted by the
Regional Sewer District for treatment, subject
to payment therefore, by the industrial concern,
at such rates as are compatible with §§
50.100 et seq.
§ 50.070 DISCHARGE OF WATERS FROM AIR
CONDITIONERS, COOLING, CONDENSING
SYSTEMS OR SWIMMING POOLS.
Unpolluted water from air conditioners, cooling,
condensing systems or swimming pools
shall be discharged to a storm water, where it
is available, or to a combined sewer approved
by the Regional Sewer District. Where a storm
sewer is not available, discharge may be to a
natural outlet approved by the Regional Sewer
District and by the state. Where a storm sewer,
combined sewer or natural sewer is not available,
such unpolluted water may be discharged
to a sanitary sewer pending written approval
by the Regional Sewer District.
PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS
§ 50.080 COMPLIANCE WITH RULES AND
REGULATIONS.
Pretreatment of industrial wastes from major
contributing industries prior to discharge to
the treatment works is required and is subject
to the rules and regulations adopted by the
United States Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA) (40 CFR 403) and “Guidelines
Establishing Test Procedures for Analysis of
Pollutants” (40 CFR 136), in addition to any
more stringent requirements established by
the Regional Sewer District and any subsequent
state or federal guidelines and rules and
regulations.
§ 50.081 PRETREATMENT OR CONTROL
FACILITIES.
Plans, specifications and any other pertinent
information relating to pretreatment or control
facilities shall be submitted for approval of the
Regional Sewer District, and no construction
of such facilities shall be commenced until
approval in writing is granted. Where such
facilities are provided, they shall be maintained
continuously in satisfactory and effective
operating order by the owner at his or her
expense and shall be subject to periodic
inspection by the Regional Sewer District to
determine that such facilities are being operated
in conformance with applicable federal,
state and local laws and permits. The owner
shall maintain operating records and shall submit
to the Regional Sewer District a monthly
summary report of the character of the influent
and effluent to show the performance of the
treatment facilities and for comparison against
Regional Sewer District monitoring records.
§ 50.082 PRETREATMENT OF WATERS POLLUTED
WITH INSOLUBLE OILS, GREASE OR
SUSPENDED SOLIDS.
Industrial cooling water, which may be polluted
with insoluble oils or grease or suspended,
solids, shall be pretreated for removal of pollutants
and the resultant clear water shall be discharged
in accordance with this Code.
§ 50.083 USERS TO SUPPLY INFORMATION
ON SEWAGE FLOW AND CHARACTERISTICS.
The Regional Sewer District may require
users of the treatment works, other than residential
users, to supply pertinent information
on wastewater flows and characteristics. Such
measurements, tests and analysis shall be
made at the users’ expenses. If made by the
Regional Sewer District, an appropriate charge
may be assessed to the user at the option of he
Regional Sewer District.
§ 50.084 DETERMINATION OF STRENGTH OF
SEWAGE THROUGH SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS.
The strength of wastewaters shall be determined,
for periodic establishment of charges
provided for in this Code from samples taken
at the aforementioned structure at any period
of time and of such duration and in such manner
as the Director of the Regional Sewer
District may elect, or, at any place mutually
agreed upon between the user and the Director
of the Regional Sewer District. Appropriate
charges for sampling and analysis may be
assessed to the user at the option of the
Director of the Regional Sewer District. The
results of routine sampling and analysis by the
user may also be used for determination of
charges after verification by the Director of the
Regional Sewer District.
§ 50.085 GREASE, OIL AND SAND INTERCEPTORS.
Grease, oil and sand interceptors or traps
shall be provided when, in the opinion of the
Director of the Regional Sewer District, they
are necessary for the proper handling of liquid
wastes containing grease in excessive
amounts, or any flammable wastes, sand and
other harmful ingredients, except th at such
interceptors or traps will not be required for
private living quarters or dwelling units. All
interceptors or traps shall be of a type and
capacity approved by the Director of the
Regional Sewer District and shall be located so
as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning
and inspection. They shall be construed of
impervious materials capable of withstanding
abrupt and extreme changes in temperatures
and shall be of substantial construction, be
gastight, water tight and equipped with easily
removable covers. Where installed, all grease,
oil and sand interceptors or traps shall be
maintained by the owner, at his or her expense,
in continuously efficient operation at all times.
§50.086 ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGES; NOTIFICATION
TO REGIONAL SEWER DISTRICT.
Users of the treatment works shall immediately
notify the Regional Sewer District of any
unusual flows or wastes that are discharged
accidentally or otherwise to the sewer system.
§ 50.087 COMPLIANCE WITH STATE OR FEDERAL
REQUIREMENTS.
All provisions of this Code and limits set
herein shall comply with any applicable state
and/or federal requirements now or projected
to be in effect.
Presented by me to the President of said
Board on this _______ day of
_______________, 2009.
Secretary
Signed and approved by me, as President of
the Dearborn County Regional Sewer District,
on this ______ day of __________________,
2009.
President
ATTEST:
Secretary
C-10-20-JP-2t

3 November 2009 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

3 November 2009 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

Present: Thompson, President, Orschell, and Hughes
Also present: Pickens, Auditor, and Witte, Attorney

The Med Ben appeal # 2009-2 discussed in Executive session was denied at the meeting- all ayes.

OLD BUSINESS:

Hogan Water Corp- remained tabled

East Fork Road- remained tabled

YES HOME lease remains tabled- though Witte noted the YES Home attorney had the revised lease for review.

Happy Hollow Road remains tabled

SRI Tax certificate sale was approved with Orschell and Thompson voting aye and Hughes Nay. Hughes wanted to hand pick properties with homes out of the list. There are $324,000 in back taxes on this list. Pickens noted that they were given opportunities to set up payment plans even and have not done it. McGill reviewed the contract from last meeting and the commissioners decided to do an auction at the county bldg- NOT online- to have more control, per Pickens.

NEW BUSINESS:

Gary Hensley Assessor- was approved to get bids for a 2-yr contract on trending and new construction. He will return with bids for approval of a contract.

Steve Ott and Judy Schlather of McGohan Brabender- gave a brief overview of their services and left material with commissioners. They want to bid on procuring and managing employee benefits- not property casualty and liability. (Pinnacle Advisory is doing this job now) Commissioners took it under advisement and Ott will call them in 2 weeks.

PAWS- Spay and Neuter Program- Sandy Carley presented a change in PAWS policy. They will keep the cat program as usual spay and neuter 3-4/week and have them up for adoption at Petsmart on Colerain. Dogs will be spayed and neutered after adoption to avoid spending money on dogs that may have to be euthanized. PAWS will do follow up calls after adoptions to be sure the dogs are spay/neutered. They will start this next week and will communicate with Marlene at the shelter. Commissioners were in agreement with this- as it avoids wasting PAWS grant money from the DC Foundation. Sandy Carley also offered PAWS help at any time with winterizing kennels and asked for her 10x10 one back if they decide to disassemble them. Commissioners plan to use 3 -4 for overflow emergency thru the winter and only open up the outer ones in the warmer months as needed. Orschell said a spay neuter requirement is needed in the county to keep this population down. He thanked PAWS for their work and he noted that the media over a week ago actually helped with increased adoptions. (30)

BJ Ault- Solid Waste Recycling Center- received approval for Sunday November 15 being proclaimed America Recycle Day. Ault noted we have 217 tons of municipal trash and 4.5 lbs per day per person. Commissioners signed the proclamation to increase awareness of reducing waste, reuse, and recycling. The Theme is “It All Comes Back To You.” Commissioners are also looking to go to council for help with increased tire recycling costs from the community corrections clean-ups. That will be in January for 2010.

Highway Dept- Todd Listerman- gave a 35-minute update (perhaps making up for 0 minutes last meeting!)

1. Seven Scour susceptible bridges (flooding producing damage to certain bridge structures) are being set up by American Structurepoint and will be turned in by Nov 6. This scour portion is reimbursed 80/20 by the FEDS. The total is $9854.11. Approved.

2. Collier Ridge slip is completed with only 2 change orders- approved today for $970 and $1008.11.

3. Bells Branch is completed and letters of thanks were signed by commissioners.

4. INDOT let the final contract for Yorkridge with O’Mara. Stimulus funding on this. It will start next spring

5. Stimulus on Old US 52 completed as well.

6. North Dearborn and North Hogan chips seal will move to next year for weather considerations.

7. Artemis bid is due Nov 4. We pay $85,000 to be reimbursed at 100% by federal funds.

8. Inspections on Randall Avenue property are passed, including environmental and the building.
9. Metal Bridge on Collier Ridge waiting on weather to complete.

10. Kuebel Road issues on the hill below Stegman property and the bridge, which is rated 0.0 out of 100 and unsafe. County wants to close that part of the road and not maintain it. After much discussion- they decided on a temporary closure now and will talk to the residents. Supposedly they all have other access. There is not enough bridge funding to redo this bridge for the 20 trips per day over it.

11. Tucker’s roads in Seldom Seen are the ONLY ones with an EXISTING developer that have not been brought to county standards (County is asking for the standards existing at the time they were built) Witte talked to Tucker’s attorney and they are waiting for a response. In the meantime the residents are on roads that are NOT accepted into the county list for maintenance ( including snow removal)

12. Linkmeyer and Maxwell have brought their roads in Rookwood, Harley Springs, Chappellow Ridge, and Harvest Ridge I to specs and will be coming to commissioners soon for acceptance into the county road list for maintenance.

Pickens- Claims and minutes – were NOT reviewed by Hughes. Orschell and Thompson passed the claims. Several minutes were tabled for Hughes to review including the Sept 29 ones that were tabled a 2nd time for his review. No excuse was given for his inability to get that job done.

Witte- Attorney- said most of his items were addressed throughout the meeting including Seldom Seen and Kuebel Road. There were no new tort claims in the last 30 days. The Donaldson Property on Willoughby Road goes to trial Jan 14th. He will have the Chesterville street vacation ready for next meeting. Witte quipped that Chesterville has not developed into the metropolis it was supposed to become. He still has the ROW access for Cole Lane and DNR and as a final comment he advised commissioners that they do NOT have to sign grant applications, even when pressed to by a judge. The one presented on Friday as being required that day did not have to be signed. Judges can mandate for dispersal of funds- but not for contracts. Grants are contracts.
Lastly, he will work every Thursday in Jennings County as an assigned judge there. It will not interfere with meetings here.

Thompson- presented the grant for J-cap that he was requested to sign on Friday- as it was due that day. Hughes said they did that to him at times- especially Lifetime Resources. They soon learned they had to get it in on time or it would not be signed. This grant is to get 1or 2 more people in Judge Blankenship’s probation staff. Commissioners are concerned about space for these people and that when the grant runs out, county general will be tapped to continue the programs. Judge Blankenship was in earlier this year complaining they could not even move in her offices. Since then they have added furniture and now staff people are being requested.
Thompson said they could ratify, deny, or table his signature- he would not be offended either way. Commissioners voted to table it for review. [NOTE: Does this mean they have to get the application back as it is technically unsigned?]

Witte- added the contract for Reaction PC that was previously approved pending his review. Commissioners signed the contract for Reaction PC to take over the county website design and maintenance.

Orschell- continued safety meetings with Bill Black and the ordinance on animal control was given to Sandy Carley who gave it to the Animal Control Board. They plan to implement the existing ordinance on dog licenses and Thompson is trying to get vets to help distribute them. Fees will help fund animal control.

Thompson received approval to sign the paperwork on owner occupied rehab homes for Lifetime Resources.

He also received approval to sign the thanks you note to the local TV stations for their coverage on the outdoor kennel issues that increased our adoptions of 30 dogs.

No Late Arrivals or Public Comment

Meeting adjourned at 11 AM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

REPUBLICAN CAUCUS RETURNS MESSMORE TO COUNCIL

Charlie Fehrman resigned from Council Oct 1 after many years of service.

Republican Caucus met last night and selected Bryan Messmore, former county administrator, to fill the remaining 3 years and 2 months of that term.

Messmore is currently employed by the county as the Victim's Advocate Coordinator under Prosecutor Aaron Negangard's office.

WHAT HAS VIESTE BEEN UP TO LATELY?

What Has Vieste Been Up To Lately?

http://blog.usawx.com/2008/11/29/november-28-2008-billion-dollar-investment-in-metropolis/

Metropolis IL is on the Ohio River across from Paducah KY. The West Kentucky Star has been following this story since last year. Bryan Messmore gave the reference from Dearborn County and this link gives a copy of that report from a Paducah blogger named Beau Dobson.

DRAFT AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S MEETING 3 NOV 2009

AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
November 3, 2009
9:00 a.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana


EXECUTIVE SESSION 8:30 AM – MED BEN APPEAL

I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. CALL TO ORDER

III. OLD BUSINESS
1. Hogan Water Corp. – tabled from 8/18/09
2. East Fork Rd. – tabled from 9/1/09
3. YES Home Lease – tabled from 9/1/09
4. Happy Hollow Rd. – tabled from 10/06/09
5. SRI tax certificates – tabled from 10/06/09


IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Gary Hensley - Assessor
New Construction and trending bids

2. Ryan Wolfe and Judy Schlather – McGohan Brabender
Overview of employee benefit solutions

3. PAWS
Spay and neuter program

4. BJ Ault - `Recycling Center
America Recycle Day Proclamation signatures


V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – Todd Listerman
1. Updates
2. Amendment to bridge inspection contract – scour requirement
3. Change order for Collier Ridge slip


VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
1. Claims/Minutes

VII. ATTORNEY

VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes

IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell

X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.

XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XII. PUBLIC COMMENT

XIII. ADJOURN

26 October 2009 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes

26 October 2009 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes

Present: Hall, Chairman, Kraus, Jr., Beiersdorfer, Lansing, Hornbach, Nelson, & Thompson
ABSENT: Lehman and Hoog
Also present: McCormack, Plan Director, and McGill, Attorney

New Business:

Request to vacate streets and alleys in the Town of Chesterville on 0.288 acres of Ag zoned land in Sparta Township along Chesterville Road owned by Ed Schwartz. Kraus Jr. stepped down to present the case and left the room following the presentation. No public spoke and no board discussion after presentations. The applicant had tried to get more of the old streets vacated but no other landowners came forward per McCormack. Thompson motioned and Lansing seconded to send a favorable recommendation to commissioners to vacate the old streets and alleyways in Chesterville noting that it did not inhibit growth or block adjoiners etc. All ayes.

Changes to the proposed Article 18 of the County Zoning Ordinance regarding Wind energy conversion systems were modified and further discussed from last meeting’s input. Windmills were classified in 3 categories based on height, energy output, and amount of people or businesses served. Minis are <> 80-100 ft and > 100 Kw and serves commercial or industrial uses.
McCormack used information from Benton, Grant, and Jay counties in IN, Sagamore in IL (from Travis Miller in Yorkville, IL), and Storey County, Iowa. He has talked with installers of the smaller systems here in the county. He will also check some of the new windmills used for water pumps. There is one in Yorkville area as an example.
They may add some other alternative energy like solar panels. McCormack stressed they want anticipate problems like noise, nuisance, or safety issues, but they do NOT want to discourage these uses.
Thompson motioned and Kraus Jr. seconded to table this item to allow the board more time to digest the material and options.

Administrative:

1. Performance bonds database was reviewed. Rookwood Estates (Linkmeyer) on Tower Road expects to have roads approved before the bond lapses. Harvest Ridge and Harley Springs and Whitewater Point (Maxwell) also are finishing their roads. Old Orchard (Tucker) had the bond renewed- but they were late again (as in the last 2 years) and will be warned that that is not acceptable.

2. Comp Plan Advisory Committee stands at 51 accepted. 17 removed – one of those 17 is Tim Meyer- who passed away last week. McCormack noted that Tim Meyer was always present for every session. Jayne Wolgamot asked to be considered- her husband Chet is already on the committee. The board suggested her as an alternate for her husband possibly. They need someone for Solid Waste and Sandy Whitehead was suggested as she is their educator. The Board probably will not meet until 2010.

3. 2010 meeting schedule was passed out.

4. Open House for FEMA and new flood plain maps is Nov 12. Notices in paper, radio, and on the Planning website. 300 additional people are affected by these new maps.

5. Mixed martial arts events- McCormack passed out 2 states ordinances on these. They do things like require them to be indoors, no alcohol, etc. It was agreed by consensus that this is a law enforcement issue and the commissioners should be handling the ordinance on this- not a zoning issue.

6. Tucker let his bond lapse again on Seldom Seen and Laurel Valley. Sections of these roads are not in the county system and so we receive no taxes for them. County is considering notifying residents by mail that they will not have snow removal and/or road repairs as they were not brought to county standards. Newspapers- Register and Beacon will also be considered as a means of letting the public know the road status in those neighborhoods. Nelson suggested they get Listerman to get an estimate of the cost to get the roads to standards (old standards from when these subdivisions were approved) and submit it to the developer. If no agreement- perhaps a lawsuit will occur. The homeowners may desire to be part of that.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

20 October 2009 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

20 October 2009 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

Present: Thompson, President, Hughes, and Orschell
Also present: Pickens, Auditor and McGill Attorney, substituting for Witte

OLD BUSINESS

Hogan Water Corp- remains tabled waiting on Hogan Corp

East Fork Road remains tabled waiting on INDOT

YES Home lease remains tabled pending YES Home review of lease

Happy Hollow Road remains tabled while investigating

SRI Tax certificates remains tabled until Hughes can review- Hughes didn’t want people to lose their homes in this economic climate. Pickens said these were LAST year’s taxes and would put the burden on the rest of the taxpayers.

Emergency Management received signatures for GIS grant application and Law Enforcement Terrorist Grant.

Reaction PC (website)- Wylys are postponed until November – they were unable to reach Witte.

NEW BUSINESS

DCRSD – Steve Renihan received permission from Commissioners to go to Council for no more than $50,000 to cover the extras (change orders) on High Ridge Estates sewer plant and lines. Total cost will be about $500,000 when completed and no one will be forced to hook up if their septic is working. Change orders included: $2,000 to fix leaks in current system to get the equipment in to begin, $3,000 to look at manhole on Timberview, $2,500 for concrete testing, $15,500on contractor mistake trying to straighten out plans for plant expansion, and $23,000 for backup generator that was left out of original plans and is required by IDEM.

DCRSD was also approved to go to Council for an additional $75,000 to put a line down High Ridge also per Bob Hrezo’s Plan. His engineering was covered out of the county study funds for $6,820. Of this $75,000 UCB Bank will be contributing some ($11-20,000) to get a foreclosed property in compliance to sell.

Gayle Pennington, Treasurer- received signature on service agreement for website for taxes.

2010 Employee Holidays Calendar was approved

Highway Dept- Listerman didn’t make the meeting in time- so the scour requirement amendment to bridge contract was not addressed by commissioners.

LATE ARRIVAL- CAC- Children’s Advocacy Center- received signature for their grant application with SEIRPC providing oversight. They have hired an interviewer and 28 interviews were done so far.

Auditor – minutes and claims were signed with Pickens telling Commissioners to sign them quickly before Listerman gets back. [NOTE: Pickens wanted to get out earlier. ]

Attorney- McGill had nothing to add except that he’d reviewed all the contracts etc for tonight.

Hughes- wanted to open Animal Control Director up again for 30 days to get more applications to consider. Approved.

Orschell- gave a recap of the first meeting of the Shelter Committee- Carl Fryman gave them plans for a 15,000 sq ft metal frame building with 3,000 sq ft of office space. Most liked the idea and PAWS has it to consider. Next meeting is Oct 28 at 6:30 PM

PUBLIC COMMENT

Robbin Pelfrey PAWS- wanted permission to winterize the kennels at the shelter. She’d been told they were not planning to keep animals outdoors and wanted commissioners to reconsider that. Orschell and Thompson were concerned with the employee’s safety in cleaning them throughout the winter and the animals being outside. Orschell stated that SPCA also does NOT recommend animals outdoors. Pelfrey was concerned that 18 kennels less would mean more euthanization. Thompson said they were working hard to place the animals and get them adopted to avoid that as much as possible. Pelfrey was angry and left the podium.

Sherry White continued the argument about needing the dogs outside to avoid euthanization increasing. She wanted to know the current rate. Thompson said he did not have those figures with him.

Mayor Cunningham was concerned with all the negative publicity and wanted commissioners to reconsider the kennels for one more year until the new shelter is built.

Orschell requested time to discuss this with staff at the shelter. Orschell stated that Marlene at the shelter was getting a big effort to get the word out to adopt these animals. No decision.

Cliff Eibeck asked about morning meetings and was told that they would readdress that in January. All meetings will be evenings until then.

Meeting adjourned at 8 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

Response to "Solution" (too big for comments!)

The writer here has some good ideas. Some need modification in ways that I may not be able to suggest.

However after have spent my career in both academic medicine and private practice and doing some high risk surgical procedures some things mentioned are difficult to achieve.

1. In regard to malpractice:
The only sensible solution which is most likely not attainable given the casino like malpractice environment in which we live is a panel of physicians each of whom is in the same field of medicine as is the defendant or accused doctor. There are physicians who will not be swayed by the fact that the accused is a peer of theirs, a friend etc. This panel will determine whether or not there was an act of malpractice.

Why is this not attainable? There is a lot of money involved in these cases. Even the defendant’s attorney is paid pretty good fees by the defendant’s malpractice insurance company. Then there is the injured party’s attorney who may be paid for his work by the hour or perhaps he/she will be paid 1/3 to 1/2 of any award that the injured party is given. Lastly there are the expert witnesses. These are physicians who advertise their services in the journals which attorney’s read. These self proclaimed expert witnesses advertise that they will testify for either side of a case. That is for or against the accused physician. These fees run into the thousands of dollars. There is a lot of money involved here and these above described professionals will not give up that part of their income without a big fight. Unfortunately these people have a great deal of say in legislating changes in malpractice law.

2. In regard to the member owned health organization
if a physician’s peers and patient evaluation determine the pay and whether or not a given physician should be fired the easiest thing for a hired physician to do is pick easy cases, cases with a high probability of success and refer the more difficult cases to an outside physician. Why should such a physician go through the stress of operating on poor risk patients and risking his career. The administration of the MOHOM non profit or not will want those cases done in his MOHMO. Again there is money involved.

3. Then there is the problem an MOHO may have with diagnostic procedures.
Is a physician ordering too many? Was that test essential? Again what is the nature of his patient load. Example: a child falls off of his bicycle hits his head on the curb, he acts a little dopey. Is there bleeding into or onto his brain---do we do an MRI for 1500 dollars? Maybe we ought to simply wait to see what happens. Does the child clear up or does he rapidly go into a coma with irreversible brain damage that could have be been prevented with prompt surgical intervention--- here we may be back to malpractice problems. Well the child clears up so was the MRI justified? To the child’s mother and father it certainly was justified. To a green eyeshade types NO. Additionally the administrator of the MOHMO may criticize the expenditure for the MRI . This would be especially true if the MRI result was normal. Also does the MOHMO own the MRI machine or are the patients referred outside of the MOHMO? Essentially who gets that 1500 dollars?

4. There are some very certain things that must be done and can be done. We must cover pre existing conditions, we must allow transportability of an insurance policy across state lines and perhaps across national boundaries, we must allow insurance companies to sell policies across state lines in order to increase insurance company competition.

5. Lastly one way or another we must help cover families that have continuing crushing medical bills for a member of their family. Such as an individual that will need expensive medication and other treatments for as long as the member lives. This expenditure will interfere with other children in the family such as their education. The psychological effect upon such a family of say having to spend 20% of their income for such care indefinitely is devastating. They live close to penury and in a depression for most of their lives. That’s wrong. Making it a deductable item for the income tax is not an answer, the money still goes out and only a small portion is realized by a tax saving.

This along with changing the regulation of the insurance companies must be done and it can be done. Beyond that we must be very careful. I spent one year working in Italy which has socialized medicine. Believe me it’s not good.

I have offered very little in the way of solutions but we must not allow the unemployables, the poorly educated ones who unfortunately make up the membership of the congress ruin what we have. I believe that the insurance companies ought to be freed up for us to determine what they can do and what they cannot or will not do for us. Of course they plan to make a profit, but making a profit makes for efficiency in distinction to what I saw and experienced in socialized Italy.

We can do these things and more if only the social engineers in Washington D.C. really had our interests at heart but they don’t.

In a socialized system the individual means nothing it is the group that is important. We are edging this way. Thus with a sick non contributing member of society, say a man who pushed a rife across Europe, through Korea, his son fought in Vietnam, his grandchildren are in Iraq and Afganistan, his wife worked and paid taxes her whole working life as did he---why bother ???
We can do better we always have.


Alan S. Freemond

Solution - Healthcare by Insurance is Not the Way

Some weeks ago I offered some analysis of the current health care and health insurance environment, detailing in large strokes the incentives that move the current players. I also promised to offer some ideas on how we should act to improve our condition. So, here goes.

First, as our current commander-in-chief is fond of saying about his predecessor, we didn’t get into this in a day, and we won’t get out of it in a day. But we can get out of it, and government DOES have a role in it. It only seems fair, a president and a congress long gone are responsible for our arrival where we are today. In 1943, as a war measure, Roosevelt and the IRS created the tax exemption for employers who, prohibited from increasing prices or wages, provided health benefits for their employees. In 1953, Congress refused to lift the exemption, and the whole misshapen system has grown more and more ingrained ever since. They now need to intervene to undo what was done.

To put the consumer back in charge of his own health care, the employer incentive should be shifted. Instead of providing tax incentives to provide services through an insurance company, employers should only receive the full exemption for funds ear marked for employee health care PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO THE EMPLOYEE. These funds should also be tax exempt for the employee, but only when retained or expended for health related purposes. That’s how it gets paid for.

Here’s how the money gets spent. There are three parts. First, to actually deliver health care a new kind of health provider needs to be created. New tax incentives need to be created to encourage the creation of non-profit health organizations. Further, doctors in these organizations need to be protected from excessive law suits for bad outcomes – malpractice insurance, lawyers and “expert witnesses” and all the rest do nothing but escalate costs. That’s the governments part in this, and it doesn’t mean surrendering our national wealth to make it happen.

How does this organization get funded? It is owned by customers, like a credit union, individuals who become subscribers using a portion of those funds from their employer. In truth, this is not really all that new as an idea. Ever heard of an HMO? A good model totally ruined by corporate or insurance company ownership. Call it a MOHO instead – MEMBER OWNED HEALTH ORGANIZATION. The doctors the health union hires will be paid a salary by the organization. Driven by peer review and patient evaluations, doctor incomes will be set by merit and quality of service, not procedures. Driven by customer evaluations, doctors will not be allowed to drift into mediocrity or driven to it by profit driven cost cutting. Doctors that can’t cut it will be found out and fired – not sued - a much better policing than the current self-administered licensing controls. Without having to deal with insurance companies or the government, administration overhead can be reduced to manageable levels.

Secondly, while the MOHO can take care of routine issues, they could not reasonably be expected to be completely self insuring. Enter the insurance company, doing what they were designed to do, mitigate risk. To deal with the rare or catastrophic events rather than certain expense, supplemental policies, at much lower rates than those currently offered, should be possible. Owned and paid for individually, they would be permanent, portable and inescapable. Purchased anywhere. No more preexisting condition loopholes, no cancellations, group rates or any of that nonsense.

And finally, every individual should have a fund in the vein of the now ubiquitous 401k that is specifically designed for building a reserve to cover health care costs. If health care funding is a national priority, these accounts should be untouchable by the government, not only during the lifetime of the owner of the account, but transferable from generation to generation for the same purpose. I can even see the potential for mandating such health savings to some minimum level.

None of this would prohibit a doctor from running his own practice just as he does now, if he wants to be a free agent and thinks his individual skills are in such demand that he can compete. If he bears the burden of running his own business and the legal and market risks that those in the current medical business run, then he is entitled to the additional rewards of his entrepreneurship. None of this would prevent employers from providing health benefits as they are doing – after all, an organization as is proposed here may not be available everywhere. I do believe, however, that this would represent a step on the right path to rational, cost effective health care.

As Congress and the President charge headlong into the abyss of socialized medicine, a non-solution that can only escalate costs and diminish service, we need to act to save ourselves and our posterity. This may be a way to do it. There is much more to be said and many devils in the details, but that is the crux of it for now. Digest what you have read for a bit, then offer your observations. I look forward to hearing from you…

DRAFT AGENDA 20 OCTOBER 2009 COMMISSIONERS MEETING

AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
October 20, 2009
7:00 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana


I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. CALL TO ORDER

III. OLD BUSINESS
1. Hogan Water Corp. – tabled from 8/18/09
2. East Fork Rd. – tabled from 9/1/09
3. YES Home Lease – tabled from 9/1/09
4. Happy Hollow Rd. – tabled from 10/06/09
5. SRI tax certificates – tabled from 10/06/09
6. Emergency Mgmt. grant signatures – tabled from 10/06/09


IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. DCRSD
Permission to go to Council

2. Gayle Pennington, Treasurer
Service Agreement Signatures

3. 2010 Employee Holiday Calendar


V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – Todd Listerman
1. Updates
2. Amendment to bridge inspection contract – scour requirement

VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
1. Claims/Minutes

VII. ATTORNEY

VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes

IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell

X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.

XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XII. PUBLIC COMMENT

XIII. ADJOURN

6 October 2009 Dearborn County Commissioner Meeting Notes

Helen Kremer graciously offered to cover this meeting in my absence.
Christine Mueller

6 October 2009 Dearborn County Commissioner Meeting Notes

Present: Thompson, president, Orschell, and Hughes
Also present: Pickens, Auditor, and M. Zerbe, Attorney filling in for Witte.

7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance, and meeting called to order.

The Executive Session held at 6:30 p.m. regarding the Med Ben Appeal resulted in no action. Two appeals were discussed and the Commissioners decided no action was to be taken at this time.

Thompson stated the Animal Shelter will be discussed first due to the many people in attendance for this issue.

(On September 29, 2009, one of the items presented in a special meeting held with County Council, Commissioners, and Animal Control was the Animal Shelter Hearing. The Commissioners, Council members, Animal Control Board/Paws Board, and Paws members, as well as interested citizens discussed the proposed animal shelter. Decisions on the next steps to be taken were to be explained at the October 6, 2009, Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting.)

Orschell started to speak when someone in the room said “. . . have a public hearing to form a committee deal and get out of the way.”

Thompson stated that when it is the public’s turn to speak they should come to the microphone.

Orschell stated this is a unique set of circumstances. The county attorney advised that there are legal requirements. Before building, both parties have to agree and determine how the county intends to operate the shelter. A mediator should be a last resource. Orschell continued to explain that a committee should be assembled to determine what county resources will be available, including getting information from the Building Department, etc. The county is downsizing, cutting costs. Our responsibility is to provide safety for our citizens and provide humane treatment for the animals, and if we work together we can make this work for the county and have a shelter to be proud of.

Many people spoke out—no one came to the microphone to identify themselves. Many comments were made, some were as follows:
- Representatives should be decided by money donated by all entities
- Citizen members should be represented.
- Donations were made in memory of people, some donated a large amount, and the county is fighting it.
- There is always an excuse.

Hughes said Paws should be involved, when you give money you have
expectations. We are not fighting for or against, but have a responsibility to
taxpayers.

Thompson stated there are two technical issues that are being resolved,
the BZA issues on variance and set-backs, and the State permit.

Another gentleman from the audience spoke and said we should stop
the negative energy, set-up a time frame and proceed in a positive way.

Orschell said we will receive professional advice by October 15th, and would
like to have a plan and come together by 60 days with ordinances in place.
The committee will consist of: One Commissioner, two Council members, the
County auditor, Mayor Cunningham, two members of Paws Board/Animal
Control (Sandy Curley and Dennis Monroe).

Hughes stated that the Council makes the final decisions on the budget.

Orschell stated when we receive the professional advice after the 15th, then
we should have a real hard budget to work with.

A discussion followed regarding the percentage of the county budget it now
takes to run the shelter. Pickens said it is about 2% - $250-$300,000.

Someone stated that the new building will be more efficient.

Todd Listerman said you will have 33% more than you have now, you will
have 58 kennels in the new plan, you have 40 now.

Pickens stated there will be a need for 2.2 more people, and the estimate for
the budget with the increase is $400-$450,000, 10-15% increase for utilities,
etc.

Orschell concluded that they will get this done as soon as possible.

OLD BUSINESS

Web Site (tabled from 7/21/09).

Thompson said they had various presenters.
Orschell said Reaction PC, a local company, had a price lower than the other companies, $5,400 for complete reconstruction.

Hughes said he liked competition, what about department heads?
Thompson said he contacted several department heads, and there was no response. Pickens said to check Dusty Rhodes website for Hamilton County.
Hughes said he heard about Hamilton County’s individual claims.

Wyly, Reaction PC Services, said with all do respect the actual website is fairly open-ended. There is a one time fee and hand it over to the county, and an annual contract for maintenance.

Orschell said we will not have to baby-sit this website, individual departments can type up something and post it. Documents will be posted on the web by authorized users only in each Department.

Thompson asked when we could expect a starting date.

Wyly said they could begin in two weeks; it will take about two months—90 hours for his partner and himself.

Thompson said that will be about the first of the year.
Wyly replied if they have a contract—yes.

Orschell motioned that Reaction PC be authorized to completely redevelop the county website from scratch and develop for $5,400.00.
Hughes seconded the motion.

Pickens asked how we are to pay the $5,400. Thompson replied that $5,400 is the maintenance fee we pay now.

Hogan Water Corp. (tabled from 8/18/09) Attorney Zerbe reported that Mr. Witte has not heard anything regarding the status of the grant application, and this item remains tabled.

East Fork Road (tabled from 9/1/09) Todd Listerman stated when he went to the US50 meeting he saw Ed Cox of INDOT. Cox said he would send an email and to keep it (East Fork Rd.) closed for safety. Once Listerman gets the email he will contact the Commissioners.

YES Home Lease (tabled from 9/1/09) Mr. Zerbe said Mr. Witte said there is an agreement to revise part of the lease, they expect some action by Oct. 20th. Item remains tabled.

Ginny Daum (tabled from 6/2/09) – this volunteer position no longer exists, so this ends this issue—item closed.

Aflac Insurance (tabled from 7/7/09) Thompson stated the Aflac representative presented the package and said if there are any questions let them know. They have a tailored package we can accept. Employees wishing to maintain the Colonial option can stay.

The Aflac representative stated regarding Colonial there are some age-based considerations and it might be better for some employees to stay with Colonial. The Aflac representative said we are located locally, and all of our employees live in Dearborn County.

Thompson asked the other commissioners if they should offer Aflac to the county employees. Hughes said he would like to offer Aflac and motioned to do so. Orschell seconded the motion.

NEW BUSINESS

John Engle – Happy Hollow Rd. – Todd Listerman explained when he started at the Highway Dept. he compared the roads that the county was maintaining to the State inventory. As part of the correction, the State inventory stated we maintain ~1.0+ miles down to Ester Rd. The question is should we be maintaining it? Letters were sent to the property owners to determine if the site should be publicly maintained. That is when the issue came up does Mr. Engle have frontage to Happy Hollow Road?

Mr. Engle had a 1937 map of Happy Hollow Road and showed it to the Commissioners and Todd Listerman. Orschell asked if Engle had another access to the road. Mr. Engle said it was very hilly and hard to get to—we’re not going to give up something. Who knows where the old road is? Roads do move.

Hughes said the county can decide to maintain or not maintain the road.
Thompson said there are two questions, 1) Does the county maintain it or not, and 2) does a ROW exist available for public use?

Listerman said when they did the inventory; they did not know if they should maintain the road, it is not resolved. If you want it to be kept open will you donate 50 feet of ROW? Do we maintain back to the property? Is it a private road, individual, or public road?

Thompson told Mr. Engle to give the Commissioners all of the information that he has, maps, letters, etc., all the documentation, and they will investigate it further.

Ralph Seig, of Seig & Associates surveying, representing Mr. Lykins the other property owner involved in this matter, gave the Commissioners his survey report. The first survey was in 1801, and further down was divided out. The recorder’s office show where things used to be, the lines are contained in Lykins property. He (Lykins) would like to vacate this road, he owns both sides of it. Mr. Seig asked if the Commissioners knew anything about this road and the ROW.

Thompson said they will table for further research. Orschell motioned to table, and Hughes seconded the motion stating they want to get this right.
Thompson stated you cannot close a public ROW, but you have to prove it was a true public road. We need to get copies of all documents.

Mr. Lykins addressed the Commissioners stating we should solve this; he wants to be left alone because he is being harassed.

SRI Representative Jim Hughes, tax specialist in IN has assisted our county since 1995 with tax sales. We must make sure everyone pays their fair share of taxes. In 2007, Indiana law changed, Commissioners get certificates after sale, and you have liens, prepare a deed and own the property. Any property good for a government purpose you keep others you sell for taxes and cost. You can reduce the price of property, i.e., sell for $100 plus taxes. You almost give them away but you receive the taxes.

There are two ways to have a sale, 1) in this room, and we charge 12%, or 2) have it on the internet for a wider audience for a charge of 10%. Jim Hughes advised using the internet, but Pickens said it was worth 2% to have the sale in this room. Jim Hughes said they take care of all the records, and then gave the Commissioners the contract to have the attorney look over.

Southeastern Indiana Economic Opportunity Corporation (SIEOC) appointment – Sonia Kaffenberger – the Commissioners recommended her appointment, all legal requirements were met. Hughes motioned to appoint Sonia Kaffenberger to the SIEOC, and Orschell seconded the motion.

Bill Black – Emergency Management – At their last meeting,
the city of Lawrenceburg turned the town warning system over to us. Mayor Cunningham signed the agreement. The sirens are worth $20,000-$25,000 a piece. We are able to absorb this cost for batteries, etc. into our budget. Hughes motioned to accept the emergency warning system, and Orschell seconded the motion.

There are two grants, one for $14,894, a GIS grant to meet State compliance for an emergency, i.e., if there is a spill, the addresses will be available if evacuation is necessary. We host it for two years, we do not know if we’ll have the money in the future, but there may be a grant for money later according to Margaret. The State is funding to get us in compliance with State Homeland Security.

Thompson said we have several contracts, is there any immediacy for this.
Orschell said let the county attorney look at it.
Perkins said we’re not done with the GIS stuff yet.
Black said he wants us to be in compliance.
Thompson stated it is not critical if we wait two more weeks.
M. Zerbe said he didn’t anticipate any trouble.

Black said the district grant is $126,000.

Orschell motioned to table until further review. Hughes seconded the motion.

Black said there is another district-wide grant of $161,250 for conducting vulnerability structure development training. $60,000 for equipment, task force development, pays for training and assessment.

Thompson said does this have to be approved by every district reviewed?
Black said he wants to get started, grant guidance, specifications.
Zerbe said it seems to be ok.
Orschell motioned to table until further review. Hughes seconded motion.

Black said they are proceeding with a safety meeting and other issues that come up.

Carl Fryman – Building Department – The city of Lawrenceburg and Dearborn County have a consolidation of zoning, and to save further delays the exact same wording will be used with other municipalities. The interlocal zoning and code enforcement will have no money exchanged. The first of the year Mr. Witte will have an ordinance regarding this issue.

Thompson proposed a motion to approve the consolidation of zoning regulations with the city of Lawrenceburg. Hughes motioned, and Orschell seconded the motion. Pickens requested Fryman make sure there are three copies.

Highway Department – Todd Listerman – Bid opening for 2009 chip/seal bids before it snows—two bids, Dave Amerman(sp.) $97,484.38, and Paul Rohe for $113,109.10. Orschell motioned to approve the bid of $97,484.38, and Hughes seconded the motion.

Stockpiling old 52, hold until next year. Update Old SR 52 paving almost completed, and that is part of the stimulus project. To chip out North Dearborn Rd. and Hogan we need two weeks of Indian summer. Yorkridge on Oct. 22 scheduled. Trackville Road will have box culverts.

Earlier this summer we tried to get the Stateline Road project back in swing and wider, south to Salt Fork Rd. to north of Jamieson Rd. Supplemental agreement #2, $26,800 road design and $70,800 phase 2 environmental assessments where old gas station was and the cemetery development plan for $3,400. Approval is needed for the supplement phase #2 to get this proposal back in line for completion in 2010. We will get a second ROW, and we need to get plans finished for four different parts.

Orschell asked if we had money for this. Listerman said Council approved $300,000 for Stateline Road.

Orschell motioned to approve the supplemental road agreement phase 2 for Stateline Road/Bright, and Hughes seconded the motion.

Auditor – Cary Pickens – Claims to be paid were in a folder plus a box. Hughes did not see them, and so he abstained. Orschell motioned to pay the claims, and Thompson seconded the motion.

Minutes for approval by the Commissioners were presented for the Executive Session of September 25th and Minutes from the meeting of September 15th. Thompson had a few minor changes in the September 15th meeting, mostly grammatical. Orschell motioned to approve the Executive Session meeting of 9/25/09 and the Commissioners meeting of 9/15/2009. Hughes seconded the motion.

Attorney – Mr. Zerbe said regarding the Randall Avenue property, there is a Title search, and preparations should be made for the county to have a building inspection.

Commissioners Hughes, Orschell and Thompson did not have items to discuss at this time.

Thompson asked if there was any public comment.

Mr. Lykins, referring to the Happy Hollow Rd. issue, stressed his concern, and said they were opening a “can of worms”. They are riding four-wheelers on his property, and there is urgency that this is solved.

Hughes said these are legal questions.

Thompson said regarding the ROW, we are looking for a way to make determinations, and both parties are entitled to due process and fairness.

Mr. Thompson then asked Mr. Wyly of Reaction PC Services to get his contract into a form that will be able to be signed by the Commissioners. If he has any problems he should contact the county attorney.

Hughes motioned to adjourn the meeting
Orschell seconded the motion.


Helen Kremer
Logan Township

DRAFT AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S MEETING 6 OCT 2009

AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
October 6, 2009
7:00 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

EXECUTIVE SESSION at 6:30 P.M. – MED BEN APPEAL

I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. CALL TO ORDER

III. OLD BUSINESS
1. Other items to remain tabled (Campus plan/Policy recommendations)
2. Web Site Discussion – tabled from 7/21/09
3 Hogan Water Corp. – tabled from 8/18/09
4. East Fork Rd. – tabled from 9/1/09
5. YES Home Lease – tabled from 9/1/09
6. Ginny Daum – tabled from 6/2/09
7. Afflac insurance discussion – tabled from 7/7/09

IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. John Engle – Happy Hollow Rd.

2. SRI Representative – Presenting certificates from tax sale

3. Southeastern Indiana Economic Opportunity Corporation (SIEOC)
Appointment – Sonia Kaffenberger

4. Bill Black – Emergency Management
1. Siren update
2. Grant signatures

5. Carl Fryman – Building Department
Inter-local agreement


V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – Todd Listerman
1. Updates
2. Supplemental agreement - Stateline Rd /Bright

VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
1. Claims/Minutes

VII. ATTORNEY

VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes

IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell

X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.

XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XII. PUBLIC COMMENT

XIII. ADJOURN

SPCA Meeting CANCELLED for THURSDAY OCT 1

The Meeting for today ( Thurs Oct 1) with SPCA and Commissioners and Animal Control was cancelled by SPCA.

29 September 2009 Special Meeting with County Council, Commissioners, and Animal Control Notes

29 September 2009 Special Meeting with County Council, Commissioners, and Animal Control Notes

County Commissioners and Council had an executive session preceding the meeting.
Two decisions resulted from the executive meeting.

1. Council passed a non-binding resolution for St. Leon to keep their town budget at or below the 3.9% increase for 2009.

2. Commissioners accepted the $795,000 counter offer from Rack for the buildings and acreage on Rack property on Randall Avenue in the Aurora Industrial Park for the county highway garage and facility. Hughes voted NAY- no reason given as to why.
Council then noted that $400,000 was available in the county highway savings for this so far and they will take moneys from two different funds to make up the difference, and Council approved the funding.
[NOTE: This property was bought at a reasonable price due to market conditions. The county has been discussing this for several years and cooperation between commissioners and council brought it to fruition tonight. Though it passed easily at this meeting- many negotiations in the past lead to this moment. Efficient highway dept operations will benefit all county citizens in services and in effective use of tax money.]

Animal Shelter Hearing only took 1 hour to hear all citizens wishing to speak. The room was full- approximately 80 people. About 20 of those were news people ( WSCH, REGISTER PUBLICATIONS, and CHANNEL 12) and elected officials. PAWS members and Animal Control Board members were also present.

Commissioners noted this was a hearing only and there would be no resolution this evening. They were here to hear the public and encouraged everyone to speak politely and allow all to be heard. [NOTE: 10 AM Thurs the Commissioners etc. meet with SPCA in the county adm bldg. This is a public meeting]

COUNCIL AND COMMISSIONERS SPOKE FIRST (15 minutes)

Tom Cheek- County Council- noted that $1.775 million was the lowest bid (though the architect said it was unqualified, as it did not follow his specs). He heard that energy efficiency was being cut for “luxury” items. Cheek felt it needed to be FUNCTIONAL and a HUMANE place for animals.

Bill Ullrich- County Council and Animal Control Board since 2000. He has seen a remarkable change in the way animals are treated with both the county workers and PAWS volunteers’ efforts. It is a slow process- but it seems that the shelter has taken on a life of its own in scope and size. He wants a nice facility for animals and public. Ullrich said a “no kill” shelter is a lofty goal- but it is not practical; unfortunately, we have to euthanize some. If the shelter gets too big, there is a lot more needed to handle the costs. This is a lot bigger and a lot more expense. Now we are at $250,000 to operate, but we can only handle so much more. He would like to scale things back a bit and eliminate the frills.

Tom Orschell- County Commissioner- thanked attendees and Mayor Cunningham for his city’s generous donation to the shelter. PAWS has raised money also. He met with Daryl Sears and the PAWS folks and expressed his desire to know how much it would cost to maintain and operate the facility they designed. When you go from 3000 sq ft to 14,414 sq ft how many more employees are needed. They are meeting with SPCA and Daryl Gates Thurs to help get a line on this. Orschell stressed that he is responsible for the people’s money and he has to know how much this is going to COST!

Jeff Hughes- County Commissioner- We need a much better shelter than what we have now. In the past, Council asked how much this would cost and PAWS thought only one new employee was needed. Geothermal will lower HVAC costs. We have come to a roadblock and need to have a short-term task force to put a realist budget together. When PAWS brought it, we thought it was a good idea. I am not going to say I am an animal lover- I was raised on a farm – and you all know what cows and pigs are for.

Ralph Thompson- President of County Commissioners, Member of Animal Control Board, and Acting overseer of Animal Control until a director is approved. Thompson thanked the citizens and PAWS for their spay, neuter, and mobile adoptions program. He noted the shelter runs with a dedicated staff of county employees. As overseer in the beginning- he was almost full time there- now it is reduced to a few hours a week with the staff handling it. The facility needs to be improved and Council and Commissioners have to be good stewards of the public’s money. The current shelter deteriorated because the county could not afford the upkeep.

Liz Morris- County Council- A lot of people would love to be in our position- where an organization has raised a huge amount of money. Volunteer hours could help offset payroll. Reasonable people can come to a reasonable solution. Morris appreciates all their efforts.

PUBLIC- (TOOK ABOUT 45 MINUTES)

Dennis Monroe- PAWS board member- we agree that the shelter needs to be built and a lot of money was raised. We agree that the new facility needs a significant organized volunteer program- as all other shelters use.
The new shelter is 3 times as large- well actually it only increases the dog space by 33%- the rest is people space. There is a lot of lobby, volunteer area, education room etc. [NOTE: This may be a clue as to where savings could be made. The lobby could double as education area during those programs for example.]

Donna Hartman- took cats to the shelter 2-3 years ago when they were dumped at my house. Joined PAWS and helped raise money. Could not wait for the shelter to be built! PAWS raised the money- it is a gift from us to us. Nobody has really talked to us (PAWS) about all of this. I am not an officer of PAWS, just one of dozens and dozens who raised the money.

Sandy Carley- PAWS BOARD and Animal Control Board- just here to answer questions if needed.

Jim Scott- It is apparent that there is a lack of understanding as to what is going on- $1.8 million was raised. [NOTE: This number keeps changing- $1 million from L-bg- but PAWS raised $600,000 before- maybe more has come in?]
What is the need? - PAWS has a good handle on what is going on with animals. Then we need to figure out what it takes to take care of that need. It is too crowded at the current shelter. Both Butler and Hamilton County built brand new shelters. There is no question that you need volunteers. PAWS spent $250,000 on spay and neuter. PAWS is a partnership- and we need to open ourselves to working with them. If we cannot do the shelter right- then PAWS should take the money back and WAIT. [NOTE: PAWS has their money- the only money in the county coffers is Lawrenceburg’s $1 million. That would be returned also.] Move this process on. I do not know what you think, Mr. Thompson. I hear something about smaller shelters like Switzerland County’s. Let’s just do it right.

Linda Thaler- Moved here 7 years ago. Aghast when I went to the shelter. A county like this should have a shelter we can be proud of. Mindsets are changing- we can expect more.
Talk to Mr. Gates- he has done a wonderful job in Ham Cty.

Gina Murray- Thanks for the open meeting. I agree we should have a comprehensive budget task force like Hughes said. I noted online that even people dying here give money to PAWS. The design is an excellent design. We are only as good as our weakest. If we have no space in the shelter- people drop them somewhere.

Annie Meyers- I understand that at every phase you were shown documents of this. Why now is there a change of heart? Thompson said he was not shown documents in 2.5 years here. Hughes thought they could tweak it and make it work. [NOTE: The PLANS with details were not given to commissioners at phases. At least not in public meetings that I attend. There was a presentation a couple years ago on the status of their plans. Perhaps Rick Fox was given them at ACB meetings, as he was the commissioner rep until 2009. Now the only commissioner remaining from those early planning days is Hughes. He has indicated they gave tacit approval to plans then. Does no one see that there is also one other big difference in the last year? The economy has tanked. Public coffers get hit the same as private businesses and job seekers. A prudent look at the plans and scope of costs is NECESSARY.]

Vivien Reinhardt ( sp?)- You knew this was coming and this is the thanks they get? People gave money- they need to know what is happening with that. There are horrible smells at the shelter- animals out there are suffering…

Pat Hawkins- new to the county- 2 years ago. I adopted a cat from the shelter. Appalled at the conditions. We have money sitting in the bank and dozens of volunteers willing to help. PAWS is part of the solution and not the problem. There are models to tell us the costs for heating and A/C etc. Move forward.

Barbara Platt- you said you didn’ t see the plans- then how are you telling us we can’t afford it? Thompson- we looked at other shelters…[NOTE: They did see the plans THIS year- that’s when the questions started coming in. The question was about prior to this year.]

Bill Cunningham- Mayor Lawrenceburg- see that the 2 sides are very far apart. Been through this before in my political career. Get both sides to get info together and get a mediator to reach agreement. [NOTE: A mediator COSTS more money however.]
Orschell- you volunteering to mediate?
Cunningham- you need someone way above me!

Maria LaRosa- Why wasn’t this shelter taken care of three years ago?

Hughes- there was a change in two commissioners. I am still on board with this. I wasn’t in full control of this. Fox was on the board then. I think the unrealistic budget escalated this.

Dennis Monroe- ( spoke again for PAWS)- the Aug 21,2007 Commissioner meeting notes show Sandy Carley presented a packet of info to the commissioners. The brochure showed the floors plan. Thompson- but not the documents.

Doug Hedrick- Mayor of Greendale- We have a 13,000 sq ft firehouse. Some of the costs there are $2000 a month for ??? and $600-900 a month for HVAC summer to winter costs. The costs of running it is much greater than the costs to build it. Let’s get down to the table and get this built. [NOTE: Not sure if Hedrick wanted to build it as is when he talked about running costs, but then he ended with saying to get it done. Greendale had originally offered land to PAWS to build a shelter.]

Tommy Beatley- set a goal of when you will break ground and then reach that goal.

Lisa Harrison- shelter worker- we go in every day and clean the shelter every day. We have very few volunteers now- we need more on a REGULAR BASIS.

Unidentified woman- Putting her on the spot isn’t fair- you are her boss- you should recuse yourself! ( talking to Thompson)

Lisa W- It’s OK- I was planning to talk anyway.

Orschell- Maybe we need a mediator, Maybe a committee, but we DO NEED a shelter.

Cheek- What’s the timetable for a new director.

Doug Taylor- Lawrenceburg K-9 police officer and ACB member- I agree with Orschell. If I’d had 366 more votes I’d be sitting in Hughes seat right now. PAWS came before the county years, and the county thought they couldn’t raise it.- but they did. We need to stop bickering.

Hughes – we need to move forward. Get a committee to look at this budget- maybe Commissioner, Councilman, PAWS, L-bg, and G-dale. [NOTE: Add Pickens and/or Jessica Tibbetts to get the county numbers too.]

Dennis Kraus- For 2010 we already have to add $111,000 over 2009. The county cannot handle this kind of yearly increase.

Cheek- We are looking at this now and into forever. Windows, insulation, HVAC are the LAST things you should cheat on if you are building a home- same for a shelter.
We have injected %5.6 million into our operational costs out of gaming money. WE are NOT rich- due to the negative costs of gaming too as in courts, jails etc. This year we did not increase salaries. Is the new shelter $500 or 300,000 per year- we don’t know! Last year we laid off 2 highway workers.

Todd Listerman- Highway Director- WE used $750,000 out of gaming funds just to make operating costs for highway. Thankfully salt and fuel went down this year.

Cheek- we have to look further out. The state capped money from our gaming and sent it to other non-gaming counties.

Orschell- Aurora YMCA raised money for the building but can’t operate it so it sits empty. WE don’t want that.

Cheek- Build what you NEED, efficient as you can, and what you can afford to run.

Thompson- I haven’t been involved in PAWS since my wife died- for personal reasons. I saw the plans THIS year and started to ask questions. The shelter has improved since I began overseeing it- PRO BONO. It smells in the morning and then it gets cleaned again. There are PAWS volunteers and others out there. [NOTE: Sometimes county jail sends workers out from the jail inmate population also.]
We tried to get this out the public- hence this meeting.

Orschell and Hughes also thanked the crowd.

Thompson- said there were other problems he’d been working to resolve including BZA issues on a variance, farm contract on the land, and Park Board cooperation. These still have to resolve before they break ground.
Decision on next steps will be discussed at the next commissioners meeting Tues Oct 6th at 7 PM.
There is NO MORNING commissioner’s meeting in October due to Judge Blankenship needing the room for court.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

28 September 2009 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes

28 September 2009 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes

Present: Hall, Chairman, Kraus,Jr., Beiersdorfer, Hoog, Lansing, Hornbach, Lehman, Nelson, and Thompson.
McCormack, Director, and McGill, Attorney, also were present.


NEW BUSINESS:

Waiver of requirement in Article 2 Section 200 to create a parcel for Robert Brinkmoeller property by owner Seevers, Inc. on North Dearborn Road on .018 acres Ag land in Kelso Township.
Kraus, Jr., surveyor, presented for the applicant and then removed himself to the hall for discussion and decision. The North Dearborn water co has a policy that the meter has to be on land owned by the customer. The tract created is a non- buildable tract and is non- adjoining. This requires a waiver as the code states that non buildables must adjoin the main tract. No public spoke. The board quickly decided to allow this. Thompson motioned and Beiersdorfer 2nd to grant the waiver stating it constituted an undue hardship, did not harm others in the area, and was a peculiarity of the land and property. (Brinkmoeller’s home sits about a half mile down a long driveway. The meter sits at the road.) All ayes passed.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

1. Comp Plan members responded to the June memo- only 15 did not. Of those many were not active during the original meetings. McCormack will call and see if they received the notice and/or want someone else to replace them if they represent a group or interest needed for the make-up of the advisory board. Final list available at October meeting.

2. Article 18 on proposed wind energy conversion systems was passed out for review. McCormack and Hornbach went to a conference on these in April. We already have one outside Moores Hill on Chesterville Road and like cell towers etc , the PC wants to be ahead of the issues on placing these in the county. If a utility company comes in- other laws will apply as well. Currently allowing them up to a 25-ft max on Ag lands with other heights requiring permission of the board is what is written in the PROPOSED possible code for discussion. No decisions- just discussion at this point.

3. Mixed martial arts fights ( cage fights) etc have been springing up in the cities and county at local restaurant/bars. Several hundred people show up and these are outside. They are not normally allowed in restricted business zones as restricted business is for indoor activities primarily. The noise, traffic, lights, etc. are issues. County is looking at using special activities permits. The FOP lodge shooting range on Brooks Lane off Wilson Creek was brought up also due to noise issues. McGill thought it should be a county ordinance – not a zoning issue. That will help law enforcement take care of it. [NOTE: If they are required to have the fights indoors, the bars may stop doing it, as they will want to protect their property from damages.]

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

SPECIAL MEETING DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DEARBORN COUNTY COUNCIL ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD

SPECIAL MEETING
AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
DEARBORN COUNTY COUNCIL
ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD
SEPTEMBER 29, 2009
7:00 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana


I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. CALL TO ORDER

III. NEW BUSINESS
1. Executive session results
2. Randal Avenue
3 Hearing on Animal Shelter

IV. ADJOURN

Proposal - Healthcare by Insurance is Not the Way.

My original intent was to begin with, smaller, less weighty topics, offering observations and possible solutions, but it would seem that that notion has been overrun by events. I have read a great many essays of late discussing health care generally and, usually, some narrow area of interest to the author along with his or her solution to that piece. These are often quite logical from that narrow perspective and utterly useless or even counterproductive in arriving at a systemic solution. On the national political stage I am struck by the muddled, stumbling lack of clarity in defining what we are talking about.

It seems to me there are two distinct topics of discussion that have become commingled:
1) Health Care - the system that takes care of people
2) Health Insurance - the current system for paying (or avoiding paying) for Health Care.

Some say the current system doesn't work, that it is expensive and inefficient, that we need the government to intervene to fix it. This strikes me as a stunning leap of optimism in the face of extensive evidence that grand government programmes are never cheap or efficient (post office, Amtrak, medicare, social security) In fact, the current system is what it is because of the Federal Government. "That can't be" you say. Consider this. Employer funded health benefits exist because the Federal Government sanctioned them with tax benefits. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

It is my position that we need to rethink how we pay for health care and what role health insurance should play in that.

First, Insurance. Insurance is about Risk. If you think about it, risk carries with it the notion of uncertainty. The entire premise of insurance is the likelihood that something will or will not happen. If it doesn't, the insurance company profits, and let's be clear, insurance companies are all about profit. We shouldn't begrudge them that, it is the reward for risk.

These days, however, there is nothing uncertain about the need for medical attention, if only to make sure that we are as healthy as we think we are. For good or ill, it has become a routine part of our lives. This being the case, the business model of insurance companies is wholly unsuited to the role they are currently playing as part and parcel of the health care delivery system. In the absence of risk, the only mechanisms for profit are to increase the price of the service or drive down the cost (not for the consumer, but for the insurance company). The latter almost always means drive down the quality and/or quantity of service provided. Neither of these is desirable for the consumer.

So, in a free market system how do they survive? Who would tolerate paying more or getting less? Well, we do. We do it because we don't see money flow to the insurance companies, so we have no idea how much we are spending (rather similar to the way we pay taxes). Nor do we have any idea how much the services we receive really cost because we aren't the ones writing the check, nor do we shop around for the best service for the dollar. The truth is that we are neither the buyer nor the customer, so why should our interests even be considered?

Are you shocked? You should be. Consider the following analogy.

A dairy farmer has under his care a herd of cows. The milk processor pays the farmer for the milk he harvests, and some of that money is used to feed the cows, and occasionally to pay the Vet to tend to the health of his cows.

Now when the vet is taking care of the cows, you you really think he sees the cow as his customer? Of course not, the cows aren't paying him, the farmer is. The farmer is the real customer, and you can bet the vet is mostly focused on what the farmer wants or what he can get out of the farmer in fees. Do you think the farmer really cares what the cows think of the service they get? Of course not, they are simply a source of revenue.

I realize this is not a perfect analogy. There are only two entities deciding the fate of the cows in question. The perfect analogy would be much worse, with a third party between the farmer and the vet. Be that as it may, do you really want to be the cow?

When viewed from the perspective of incentives, this system is a disaster. Neither the insurance company nor the doctor is in the position or has any incentive to contain costs. You, as the consumer, are the only one in a position to judge if the cost is worth the service, and you have no idea what is being spent or what the real cost of service is. Is it any wonder costs are out of control?

Which begs the question, Why do we need this middleman when his primary motivator, profit, works against our interests? If marketplace insurance funded by employers isn't the way to pay for health care how should it be accomplished?

The Federal Government? Why do you think the Federal Government would be any different? This simply substitutes one third party for another. Both of them bring unwanted overhead without adding anything to better the position of the consumer, you and me. Truthfully, it would be different, it would be much worse. While an insurance company might not fund the health care services you want or need, or help curtail rising costs at least they can't coerce you into doing things you don't want to do. The same can't be said of the Federal Government.

So what should we do? Considering the analysis above, formulate your own ideas and check back for the next installment to see if your plan matches mine.

PICTURES FROM THE TEA PARTY MARCH ON WASHINGTON

The Free Republic posted numerous pictures from the March on Washington. Click on the url to view:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2338125/posts

15 September 2009 Dearborn County Commissioner Meeting Notes

15 September 2009 Dearborn County Commissioner Meeting Notes

Present: Thompson, President, Orschell, and Hughes
Also present: Pickens, Auditor, and Witte, Attorney

OLD BUSINESS

County Campus plan remained tabled.

County Website discussion continued with a presentation form David and Brian Wyly. David is a web designer and owns Reaction PC Services in Bright. Brian is a graduate student and works at XU. He has 8 years experience as a web developer. Their resume includes Bright FD (David is a volunteer with FD and did the site for them), RJ Reynolds, Skyline Chili, and Scots Lawn Care web sites. No decision.

Policy on euthanization for animal control remains tabled.

Hogan Water Corp remains tabled, as Witte has not heard anything more from them or SEIRPC.
East Fork Road was discussed regarding the possibility of making small parking lots at the church. The state has not returned Listerman’s calls yet. Witte noted a definite liability on opening the road as it was previously stated that it was unsafe. “Negligent design or maintenance” would be an issue if sued. They also discussed opening it once a year with a gate and traffic control at the site at that time as an option. Tabled.

YES HOME lease given to board to review. Tabled.

Computer purchases for 911 were approved at $25 each for Ashley and Teaney. Computers are 10 years old.

Ginny Daum was tabled again as Doug Baer (Health Dept) had indicated the position went away when the funding went away.

NEW BUSINESS
Lifetime Housing- Commissioners signed the sub-recipient agreement to cover the individual grants when they come in.

Julie Hammond- Dearborn County Large Animal Rescue- stated that they are an all-volunteer organization and will help outside the county. Only one other in the state in Elkhart County. N KY has one, Hamilton County does not. They have all their equipment in a trailer and can lift up to 40,000 lbs max. They were registered under Spoiled Acres first. Training began in April and she hopes to have a member of each FD trained eventually. No county money is involved. Commissioners thanked her.

Dale Wirthlin and Chris Southern- Tronitech- Data Storage and Retrieval- gave a powerpoint presentation of their company’s background ( since 1974) and expertise. Their main office is in Cincinnati, with offices in the tristates as well. Cloud computing with shared applications was demonstrated as a means of lowering expenses by multi- tenant applications at a shared data center. They are secure, we are not locked into a contract – just annual agreements, the data is not stored in proprietary form but in pdf files. They use microfilm also as it has a 500 year life. Cost is absorbed into a predictable monthly subscription rate. Thompson to meet with them to get data size in 2 weeks to get pricing. No decision.

Highway Dept- Todd Listerman gave a 30-minute update:

Commissioners signed a right of entry agreement with Aurora Lumber to let bids for destroying, temp storage, and rebuilding new storage on their property. They are improving the intersection and creating the beginnings of an access road to the businesses on the south side of US 50.

Three change orders were signed for work that is completed on the three bridges- Sagamaw, Johnson Fork, and Salt For. The total price for rehabbing these 3 including extras was $308,106.30 which is less than the $360,000 estimated. Change orders were $6,523.79 for modified latex concrete, $21,202.50 for box beam repairs and $2,664.00 for expansion joint extensions.

Commissioners approved use of time and materials to repair riprap in Guilford Park for the Park Board. Park Board will pay and Council has allotted funds for this.

Over 7 miles of roads were redone with millings from SR 46 and old US52. Chip seal will go over these by the end of October. (Mosmeier, Ester Ridge, Graf, Tangaman, and Ennis Ridge)

Indiana News had an article showing the crisis in funding local roads. Listerman noted that BMV and State Police are raiding our MVHA continuously. $80 million goes to State police (school traffic safety, forensic lab, and operations) and $31 million to BMV for operations. Assembly does not want to increase the state gas tax, so this trend will continue to erode local street funds.

Listerman said he would be happy to go over the website for highway with the potential webmasters.

Lake Dilldear work is finished and Collier Ridge still waiting on REMC to move poles.

Attorney- Witte- said that when Cary Pickens wondered if it would be snowing before it is finished- he wasn’t sure if he was referring to the road millings or Listerman’s report!

Witte had commissioners sign the letter officially offering Rack a price for the Industrial Park property. They have 3-5 days to respond.

Large Animal Rescue will not incur county liability as they are not paying for it- it is volunteer.
Witte is still in the midst of contacting DNR on Hartford ROW.

Witte has filed all reports on torts and litigation to date with Sarah Wurtz or SDOA for their audit.

In the DC Hosp suit mentioned last week- the county insurance does NOT cover the county as they have an exclusion for hospitals under the policy. He will contact Resnick at DCH about this. He noted the circumstances would be difficult in a jury trial.

Woodland Hills Nursing Home has filed a tax appeal going back to 2001 to be tax exempt as they treat indigent patients. Tax assessor requested his help and commissioners approved- as he is beyond his retainer for this.

Jury trial starts in Oct for 3 weeks. He will miss the Oct 6 meeting and has McGill covering the Oct 20 one. He will fine a sub for Oct 6 which is a 9 AM meeting.

Auditor- Claims and Minutes signed. $40,000 to Bright Fire EMS as contract signed.

Hughes- asked about Aurora and Bldg Insp combining- and Witte said this was very preliminary in discussion phase.

Orschell – gave a brief recap of the safety meetings with Bill black and dept personnel. They have discussed evacuations and sign ins for guests to the buildings etc.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Cliff Eibeck asked again about the 2nd meeting being the morning one. Thompson said they are still checking the schedule for Nov on- Oct stays as is with OCT 6 being a MORNING
MEETING at 9 AM.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

DRAFT AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S MEETING 15 SEPT 2009

AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
September 15, 2009
7:00 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana




I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. CALL TO ORDER

III. OLD BUSINESS
1. Latest addition of the County Campus Plan – remain tabled from 7/7/09
2. Web Site Discussion – tabled from 7/21/09
3. Policy Recommendations from Animal Control Board – remain tabled from 7/21/09
4 Hogan Water Corp. – tabled from 8/18/09
5. East Fork Rd. – tabled from 9/1/09
6. YES Home Lease – tabled from 9/1/09
7. Computer purchases for 911 – tabled from 9/1/09


IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Life Time Housing - Signature for Sub-Recipient Agreement

2. Julie Hammond - Dearborn County Technician Large Animal Rescue

3. Dale Wirthlin & Chris Southern - Tronitech (Data Storage & Retrieval)


V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – Todd Listerman
1. Updates

VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
1. Claims/Minutes

VII. ATTORNEY

VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes

IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell

X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.

XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XII. PUBLIC COMMENT

XIII. ADJOURN

Insurance Ruins the Doctor Patient Relationship

Insurance Ruins the Doctor Patient Relationship

For thirteen years I was a Business Manager for what became a five-doctor Internal Medicine practice. This gives me a unique perspective on some of the changes in health care financing that preceded the clamor for reform.

Primary care medical offices in the early 1980s operated as “payment at the time of service.”We filed Insurance as a COURTESY for patients in nursing homes and hospitals. Overhead was low.

As large employers offered health plans that required doctors to sign up to be on their “preferred provider" list, we began to accept insurance in order to keep patients. Referrals were required before patients could go to an ER or a subspecialist. Patients had small copays if they stayed in their network of doctors (preferred providers.) We hired more people to handle the referrals, claims, and posting of insurance payments, plus the follow up on lost or denied claims.

If you treated a Medicare patient, you HAD to file their insurance and accept Medicare rates. We computerized the practice in the late 1980’s in order to handle the volume and to file electronically to insurance companies.

Smaller practices struggled economically, as the small number of doctors could not support more personnel and computerization. For primary care doctors this caused decreased professional satisfaction as their practices were bought out and merged to larger groups with emphasis on “productivity” and how many patients they could see in an hour etc. Patient care suffered or else the bottom line suffered. Practices went under or sold out.

Some practices expanded as we did. Five doctors were able to maintain an office where the staff had the same paid benefit plan the doctors had for health insurance and profit sharing. Malpractice costs were low. (I know that contradicts the media, but good primary care doctors are rarely sued.)

Even 20 years ago, there were less than ten big players in the insurance field. Their negotiated rates or fee schedules were remarkably similar. Current fear of no competition sounds good when it comes to insurance coverage, but the fact is, we have been sliding to this moment for a long time.

The increased cost to buy insurance so you can pay higher copays to go out of network does not make sense. If you have kids away at school or live across state lines, you have to think about emergency out of network medical care.

What about private pay patients- those with no insurance or pre-existing conditions? They get hit with a bill for the full rate. In 2009, I personally saw a common lab test charge go from $160 to $18 depending upon if I was paying or my insurance was. How did that rate get so skewed? It is because of something called UCR (Usual customary rates) that were set each year. The insurers paid a percentage and doctors, hospitals, and labs write-off the rest. If providers do not keep raising the rates, they end up with low fee schedules. Sounds a lot like government- “if we don’t spend everything we asked for in our budget, then they will cut it next year!”)

Why is health insurance tied to employment? Medicare isn’t and it is portable- so retirees can use it all over the country with no increase in rates. Medicare seems to be running out of money, because there is no incentive to shop for what you NEED in health care. When care is essentially free, once you’ve paid the premium, people don’t worry about the cost. Nor do they worry about necessity. Do we really need an mri or cat scan? Do you have to see a specialist or can your family doctor handle it? Do you know the difference in cost? Do you need all those drugs they advertise? Is anyone paying attention to how many over the counter chemicals people pop to counteract their unhealthy lifestyles?

I personally think we need to decide; first, if health care should be an insurance issue. And if it is, should all health care be insurable?

Should we just insure against accidents and catastrophic events, such as procedures and hospitalizations, and not office visits?

Should drugs only be covered after you spend $500 or $1000 a year?

It may be that when the patient and doctor get back to a professional relationship with the insurance company out of the middle, both health care quality- and its costs- will improve.

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

Can you be a Washington?

Over the years since our beginnings in 2004, this site has focused almost exclusively on providing as much information about local events as possible with the goal of promoting local involvement rooted firmly in a real understanding of local issues. Chris Mueller has been Herculean in her efforts (the Augean Stables come to mind) in furtherance of this goal and we all owe her a debt of gratitude for her fortitude.

For now, the home waters have calmed, while in the sea that is national politics, storms are raging. They are storms we cannot escape or ignore.

It used to be, in the time of the founding of THE Republic, that persons of honor set aside their personal interests to focus their considerable intellects and honest hearts on finding a way for people to govern themselves. This, it seems to me, is the Change that people have been hungering for but still have not found in the recent and current leaders of OUR Republic. The time has come for us to govern for ourselves if we have any hope of setting a new course.

But first, we must focus Our intellect. To that end this forum will begin a series of proposals and essays that we hope will provide food for thought and a catalyst for discussion. Perhaps the ghosts of our forefathers will lend us their spirit for a while and lead us to the new ideas and solutions that will fill our hunger.

So bring an honest, thoughtful heart. Discuss, extend, or tear down and rebuild what will be offered in the spirit of what has made America a great nation. Fulfill the promise of the Declaration of Independence. Take up your birthright that is the Constitution and decide, again, how you will govern yourselves.

NEW BRIGHT BEACON OWNER, BOB BISCHOFF, AND THE TEA PARTY ON the flypod.com

Greetings to our listeners and subscribers --

We hope you enjoy listening to the following shows. Of course you can subscribe to all of our shows absolutely FREE -- for loading onto your iPod, MP3 player, or other portable media player -- just visit our website. It's very simple. However, for the moment if you have a high-speed internet connection and working speakers connected, simply click on the following direct show-links to listen. If you would like to download your own free copy of any of our shows (for personal use, only), they are currently available on our website along with over 700 other show selections -- www.TheFlyPod.com

POLITICALLY CORRECT: BOB BISCHOFF, STATE REPRESENTATIVE -- Show host Gary Puckett interviews Bob Bischoff about the legislation from the latest session. To listen to this show, click on the following direct show-link:

http://www.theflypod.com/asp/newpage.asp?RN=18213

WE THE HOOSIERS (TEA PARTY GROUP interview) -- Show host Gary Puckett interviews Tea Party member, ALEX PARNIUK. To listen to this show, click on the following direct show-link:

http://www.theflypod.com/asp/newpage.asp?RN=18189

THE BRIGHT BEACON: CELESTE CALVITTO -- Host Gary Puckett interviews the new owner of The Bright Beacon publication. To listen to this interview, click on the following direct show-link:

http://www.theflypod.com/asp/newpage.asp?RN=18012

We hope you enjoy listening to these shows. Tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers about TheFlyPod.com New-Media Network. Also, check out the OPEN FLY FORUM feature on our website -- you can create your own broadcast, immediately! We are quickly becoming a leading "local world" source of programming in the new digital-media age. Any person can sign up on our website to begin automatically receiving "New and Notable Show Alerts". It's 100% free and we will never, under any circumstances, share your email address with any person or organization.

To submit your ideas, questions, comments or complaints, email us directly in Studio 7 at anytime 24/7 -- shout@theflypod.com -- or pick up your cell phone and call our national listener feedback line at 206.337.1716

NEW and NOTABLE SHOW ALERTS
Fly Paper Productions, LLC
Digital Media Group - National Operations Ctr POB 324 Harrison, OH 45030 USA

206-337-1716 Listener Feedback Line
www.TheFlyPod.com
TheFlyPod New-Media Network

RNC CHAIRMAN STEELE BARNSTORMS DEMOCRAT DISTRICTS ON HEALTH CARE THURSDAY

RNC CHAIRMAN STEELE BARNSTORMS DEMOCRAT DISTRICTS ON HEALTH CARE THURSDAY

RNC TARGETS DEMOCRAT REPS. BARON HILL, ZACH SPACE, MARY JO KILROY AND STEVE DRIEHAUS

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele will make four stops on Thursday in Indiana and Ohio targeting the health care positions of Democrat Representatives Baron Hill (IN-09), Steve Driehaus (OH-01), Zach Space (OH-18), and Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15). Thursday’s events are detailed below and are open to the press.

Thursday, September 3, 2009
WHAT: Chairman Steele Holds a Media Availability on Health Care and Rep. Baron Hill (IN-09)
WHO: RNC Chairman Michael Steele
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. EDT
WHERE: Physician Associates of Southern Indiana
800 Highlander Point Drive
Floyds Knob, IN

WHAT: Chairman Steele Holds a Media Availability on Health Care and Rep. Steve Driehaus (OH-01)
WHO: RNC Chairman Michael Steele
WHEN: 12:00 p.m. EDT
WHERE: JTM Food Group
200 Sales Avenue
Harrison, OH
NOTE: A mult-box will be available.

WHAT: Chairman Steele Holds a Media Availability on Health Care and Rep. Zach Space (OH-18)
WHO: RNC Chairman Michael Steele
WHEN: 2:30 p.m. EDTWHERE: Balderson Motor Sales
2270 Maple Avenue
Zanesville, OH
NOTE: A mult-box will be available.

WHAT: Chairman Steele Holds a Media Availability on Health Care and Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15)
WHO: RNC Chairman Michael Steele
WHEN: 4:30 p.m. EDT
WHERE: Knotty Pine Grill
1765 West 3rd Avenue
Columbus, OH
NOTE: A mult-box will be available.

1 September 2009 Dearborn County Commissioner Meeting Notes

1 September 2009 Dearborn County Commissioner Meeting Notes

Present: Thompson, President, Hughes, and Orschell

Also present: Witte, Attorney

Pickens, Auditor- ABSENT

Executive Session on highway facility purchase was prior to this meeting.
Orschell motioned and Thompson 2nd for the Board of Commissioners to OFFER $767,500 to Rack for the property and building on Randall Avenue for county highway. This offer is contingent upon good title, building inspection, and environmental. Passed with Hughes voting NAY.

OLD BUSINESS:

County Campus Plan remains tabled. See below under RQAW.

Website was discussed with Thompson approved to get pricing from Steve Pope for the next meeting. There are several issues with dept heads having responsiveness issues with FX Design, the current website manager.

Animal Control policies remain tabled.

RQAW evaluation of Shumway building handled in New Business along with Charette. Hughes was adamant about doing the charette before the Shumway was analyzed. He insisted the county had already done that before. Orschell said he hadn’t seen that work. See below on new business for further info.

Hogan water company remains tabled though Witte reported that county adm duties for the grant are minimal as it is solely for infrastructure, so no payroll involved.

NEW BUSINESS:

William Scharold Commander of VFW who runs the Memorial Day observances at East Fork Cemetery off SR1 requested that East Fork Road be reopened and become one way. It was determined that Bob Ewbank, former county attorney had recommended the request to close the south end for safety reasons. The request went to INDOT and was approved. The cemetery holds members of the Smith and Ewbank families. Todd Listerman is to research this some more to see what can be done to accommodate the annual ceremony without too much cost. Tabled.

RQAW Charette proposal for Campus Plan with Brett Dodd. Dodd was asked if they could roll the Shumway work into the charette process for the same total amount as the charette. Dodd said- sure- why not. Contracts were amended and the process includes Shumway for a total not to exceed $!5,000. Signed- all three approved.

YES HOME lease will be redrawn for 25 years and it will go year to year after that. Witte to rework language to make it simpler also.

Todd Listerman- Highway Dept- gave a 20-minute update:

DNR requested ROW from new Cole Lane to Laughery Creek access at old ford. Witte and Listerman to get ordinance prepared for this contingent on them using it for public access.

Artemis cameras will be let Oct to Nov with 100% federal funding- no local money.
Commissioners had to sign off on increases in design of $38,413- $60,000 and construction from $288,000 to $300,000.

Yorkridge Road stimulus project will let end of Oct for resurface after Apr 1 2010.

Old SR52 is 1st stimulus project and will be finished by October.

Woliung Road will get the millings off SR 52.

2nd stimulus will go to chip seal North Hogan and North Dearborn sections this fall.

SR 46 millings are going to Ennis Ridge and Mosmeier- 2 miles total.

Bells Branch Bridge is being cleaned for November completion.

Collier Ridge is waiting on REMC to move two poles. They will them put on top coat, guard rail and ditch etc. They will then remove the old deck on the bridge and replace with a steel one.

Auditor- (Cathy subbed)- claims signed with Hughes abstaining as he was on vacation last week and hadn’t reviewed them. Minutes were tabled for Hughes to review.

Witte- Attorney-Langley Heights lawsuit – requires another attorney as Witte did some work with this as a judge. Jack Gay was approved with Hughes abstaining as he wanted some lawyer from the county. Orschell agreed but said Gay already had some knowledge, so he wanted to proceed with him.

DC Hospital was named in a suit in federal court due to a DUI where the blood test was refused and urine collection was done alleging a forced catheterization. The alcohol level came back less than .08 and so civil rights violation is alleged. The county itself was not named in this. [NOTE: Did law enforcement order this?]

Jeff Hughes- said he saw Daryl Sears there (the architect for animal shelter) Sears said the lowest bid was not in compliance. Hughes was surprised and asked him to explain. Maxwell’s bid apparently substituted different quality materials than specified to get the price down. Therefore, it wasn’t apples to apples. The next highest bid is $1,999,000. Thompson noted all the funds were not in the county’s account, farm lease was not resolved. Pickens was working on that and he wasn’t there tonight. Orschell said Council didn’t commit enough money to run this. Bottom line- the Commissioners, Council and Animal Control Board are to meet and discuss how to proceed.

Tom Orschell- said Jenny Daum wants to be on the emergency coordination board. Doug Baer is on leave and he is part of this decision. No decision.

Ralph Thompson- discussed 911 to rebuy 3 computer CPUs for $25 each if they stay in the building. Concern for data and privacy on these. Tabled for further research.

Partnership agreement on 2010 census signed.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Cliff Eibeck- requested the commissioners make the 2nd meeting of the month the morning one as it conflicts with St. Leon Sewer Board meetings and he is being sewed for forced hook-up and wants to attend those. Sept will stay evening- commissioners to check the court schedule etc to see if this will work. Hughes still wants evenings. Orschell is neutral. Thompson noted they could get venders easier during the day meeting and be sure all public hearings are at night meetings. No decision.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

DRAFT AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S MEETING 1 SEPT 2009

AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
September 1, 2009
7:00 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Executive Session – 6:30 pm


I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. CALL TO ORDER

III. OLD BUSINESS
1. Latest addition of the County Campus Plan – remain tabled from 7/7/09
2. Web Site Discussion – tabled from 7/21/09
3. Policy Recommendations from Animal Control Board – remain tabled from 7/21/09
4. RQAW request to evaluate Shumway building – tabled from 8/18/09
5. Hogan Water Corp. – tabled from 8/18/09

IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. William Scharold – Discussion re: East Fork Rd. request to make one way

2. RQAW proposal for Charette

3. Signatures for YES Home Lease

V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – Todd Listerman
1. Updates

VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
1. Claims/Minutes

VII. ATTORNEY

VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes

IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell

X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.
1. Computer purchases for 911

XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XII. PUBLIC COMMENT

XIII. ADJOURN

24 August 2009 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes

24 August 2009 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes

Present: Hall, President, Hornbach, Hoog, Lehman, Nelson, Thompson, Kraus Jr., Lansing, and Beiersdorfer.

McCormack, Director, and McGill, Attorney, and Webb, zoning Adm. were also present.

Major Revision and Waiver to primary approval of Morgan’s Ridge on Mt Pleasant Road in Logan Township. The property is zoned Residential on 114 acres. Maxwell Development was represented by Randy Maxwell. There were 9 citizens present and 3 spoke at the public hearing. This property was originally rezoned and approved in 2007. Maxwell asked to downsize the plans from 182 lots to 90, with 3 of them being unbuildable. As the density was decreased and the frontage increased Maxwell Development asked to have the connections reduced from 4 to 3, reduce the common area, add 2 private streets, and delete curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. The private streets were requested to be 14 ft in width and actually be a private driveway essentially. Maxwell noted the turnaround radius would be adequate for a 3-point turn as most large vehicles do that anyway.

Todd Listerman- Transportation Director asked the plan commission what kind of standard they wanted for a private street. He noted that school buses are not required to go down them. They do need 16 ft width for 2 cars to pass and that 14 ft would be as narrow as you’d want to go for that. The road will be graded to 20 ft but paved to 14. He also noted a 50 ft ROW easement would be good so that they could upgrade later if they wanted to. The private street will have 8 inches of crushed stone and may be chip sealed. No asphalt planned.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Cynthia Harding- lived on adjacent property- her parent’s farm ( Weisgerber). She noted that the bulldozers improved the property and that her family’s farm is in two pieces. One of which is landlocked. It was part of the original Subdivision Plan to allow access in the future to that land locked piece. This new revision allows people with another access to have one added, but her family- with no access -is denied access in this plan. She felt they were not part of “the network” and treated differently than other adjoiners in this plan. She stressed that this was approved as part of a 20-year vision that the plan commission and Maxwell had for Logan. There were infrastructure improvements to Mt Pleasant that were committed as well. Future development was considered as part of this plan. They met with Maxwell as a family and felt he was not meeting his commitments to adjoiners. She wanted the PC to hold Maxwell to his original commitments to adjoiners. She noted their family has access on the front parcel to Lutz Road, but the 2nd parcel does not. Their parents live on the farm and plan to stay there until they die, She and her sister are heirs. Harding stressed that once this is developed they lose all hope for access to their landlocked piece. She did say that they did not want to pay for 2/6 of the private road to get to this plus maintenance. She only wants FUTURE access, not current access. They will pay for it in the future. She quoted Mitter and Listerman in the previous 2007 meeting as saying connectivity was required and dedicated ROW to the county for future access.
Nelson informed her that Maxwell did not CAUSE her land to be land locked! She said 35 years ago they didn’t have this problem. While it was still farm and golf course there was hope- but once decided to be a subdivision and built- they will not have the option. Harding said the 2007 meeting minutes state they did not want to end up like Bright. Stay focused on the VISION for Logan.

Sandra Weisgerber- owner of adjacent 57-acre farm (27 plus 30 acres landlocked) for 35 years. She said they didn’t ask Maxwell to connect in 2007- he committed to it when the county asked. They didn’t expect that to change. They expected the property would be developed responsibly. She agrees with her daughter who spoke first. There are two parcels that already have access to Steele Road and they get another access through Morgan’s Ridge. We don’t even get one! She notes the Phase numbers changed and Phase 7 near them is now Phase 2. She stated she asked 3 times about the access to them and they said yes- they had access. Listerman answered her question regarding private drives off private drives. He also told the PC that they could have dedicated 50 ft ROW and the road is NON- Maintained within that ROW. Weisgerber said that Maxwell told her family they were developing North and South and reserving the center for possible higher density.

Carl Anthony- lives on Mt Pleasant and alerted the PC to a safety access issue near the dip in the road way there by his home. Kraus Jr. said the driveway permit etc would have to pass sight distance rules before they build.

END PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Thompson- zoning tries to balance people’s rights and so he was trying to figure a way to get ROW instead of an easement that would make a future road if needed. He’s in favor of the lower density and notes the private street by the lake makes sense.

Nelson- agrees with Thompson

Lehman- we write regulations for a reason. Panhandles are to get access. We should always try to keep the access options.

Hall- agrees with private drive to limited number of lots. It doesn’t do any good to have lake access. Legal documents need to be done to keep maintenance up on private streets.

Hoog- Like s reduced density- thinks 16 ft might be better than 14 ft width on private drives do people can pass.

Hornbach- Likes reduced number of lots and eliminating some flag lots, like s the idea of ROW instead of easement for access.

Lansing- when weather is bad- roads shrink with snow piled up. But there are only a few homes on them.

Beiersdorfer- agree with others. If the 6 homeowners want the road upgraded they would have to deed it up and transfer ROW to county.

Kraus Jr. Nothing more to add really.

Hall- Asked about private street ending up with problem in 1200 ft cul de sac rule- only if adjoiner was too long.

Thompson motioned and Nelson 2nd ( I think) – for approval of a major revision of the primary plat to 87 buildable lots, relieving curb, gutter, and sidewalk requirements, allowing for privates streets of 14 ft width on easements in the N, S, and W side of the lake and the private street on the SW corner is to be on a dedicated 50 ft ROW to a proposed cul de sac and then a 50 ft ROW to the property line to Weisgerbers to enhance the quality of life in the area, enhance long term development, and property values. It will not burden Maxwell to build a county road at this time of economic downturn. (There is no bonding for the ROW as it is not a public maintained area.)
Maxwell asked if this set a dangerous precedent. Nelson said no- this is a waiver- not everyone gets a waiver- it is the exception and not the rule. Listerman said the county would not maintain the ROW until the road is upgraded and accepted at some future time.

Maxwell asked – what if I develop all 4 lots as one piece or as flag lots with no private street. The PC said he HAS TO COME BACK to do that. [NOTE: It would seem unfair to charge him a reapplication fee if he’s requesting something that is allowed under the code though!]

All ayes expect Lehman- Nay. Passed.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

New comp plan books are completed and cheaper than expected.

Almost all advisory board members are committed to return to the master plan process for updating.

They’ve been working on grant administration for Manchester and West Harrison.

The website is completely revamped.

Wed Sept 2 is the next meeting for St Leon Zoning Codes.

McCormack has been off for back surgery and is coming for half days next week. Hopes to be back to work full time soon. Noted that staff is doing a good job in his absence.

Meeting adjourned at 9:35 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

18 August 2009 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

18 August 2009 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes
Present: Thompson, President, Orschell, and Hughes
Pickens, Auditor, and Witte, Attorney, were also present

NOTE: THE FIRST MEETING IN SEPTEMBER WILL BE AN EVENING MEETING, AS THERE IS A CONFLICT WITH A JURY TRIAL NEEDING THE COMMISSIONER’S ROOM DURING THE DAY.

OLD BUSINESS:

County Campus Plan remains tabled.

Web site discussion – Hughes is happy with the current web site manager- says they need direction and we have not given them any. Hughes said he may have contacted them once (Hughes was the president of commissioners) Orschell thought McCormack’s proposal was the most economical and he already works for the county, so he is accessible. Orschell thinks the website for the PZ Dept is excellent. Thompson noted he could not get information and response time from the current provider was poor. Hughes has problems with McCormack’s website links- there are some he does not think should be there. [NOTE: Hughes is referring to a link to the Dearborn County Public Forum Site www.dearborncounty,blogspot.com - the one you are reading this on!]
Hughes asked if there was ever a board motion to direct the current web person. Pickens said not that he recalled. Thompson said it should not take a board motion to keep the website up to date. Hughes wants an independent agent. Thompson was concerned that web site duties might take too much time from planning for McCormack. At the end of the meeting at Orschell’s request for advice- Witte advised them to avoid that potential conflict and also that McCormack could be approached during regular hours by staff to help with the web and it would lead to ghost employment issues. TABLED for further review.

Animal Control Policy Review remains tabled.

Jewell DeBonis- Lobbyist- State House updates- the gambling revenue is safe for the time being. School districts are able to get loans from riverboat communities for construction or renovation- but not for ongoing expenses.
Governor Daniels still wants to bring county government reform back to replace Commissioners with one executive, but she does not think it will pass. He will continue to bring it back she said- sometimes it takes years for bills to be passed.
There is a bill for a Gaming Study Committee with a report to be due by Dec 1. Gary Indiana wants to move one of its two boats to I-94- which will require legislation. This brings up a lot more movement and wrangling as Ft Wayne wants one, Terre Haute wants one, and others are worried that moving boats will cut into their current revenue. Grand Vic moving to Jeffersonville or Madison or wherever has Harrods and Belterra worried. Racetracks get into the mix as well. Etc. DeBonis said with eth tracks it is not about the horses, just greed.
Casinos are complaining that they are treated like any other business with regard to admission taxes etc.
State revenue shows a $74 million shortfall for July.
DeBonis urged Listerman to follow up on one of our road stimulus projects being pulled from letting and to get Nugent involved. The county did get two through already with stimulus money.

NEW BUSINESS:

Norman J Crampton- US Census Bureau- urged the county to push residents to return census reports next year as it affects MPI- Money Power and Intelligence. He can provide speakers and materials as well as put something on our website. Forms will be mailed mid March and April 1, 2010 is Census Day. The amount of money is grants etc is determined by population stats- so census numbers are important. Short forms will be sent next year.

911 Dispatch Governing Board was revised to add Aurora Police Chief Brian Fields when Dana Cotton resigned from Aurora.

Bill Black EMA- Commissioners signed to return Homeland Security Money for the district to them to the tune of $109,594.10. This money was already at Homeland Security- signatures released it back to them.

Black said- GIS can get a 2-year grant for $14,000 if the state can use info from the site. Federal gov’t will not give disaster assistance as75% range if it is the 3rd time and no mitigation has occurred- it drops to 25%. Orschell and Black are still working on safety committee. Lawrenceburg wants to give the county 3 sirens they no longer use. Currently it costs $10,000 to maintain the 33 we have. Lastly- Black wants to get rid of the junk cars and rec vehicle in their parking lot. County needs to have a sale soon.

Eric Wolf- and Jack Kraus – Construction Control Inc gave a pitch to be considers to manage the county’s construction projects. They use subs in eth community. Their ties to the area include knowing Fitches- of Fitch Denney Funeral Home, The Lawrenceburg school projects including the new middles school and the elementary renovations. He criticized range estimates that RQAW provided and said an estimate should be an estimate. He also does not like value engineering as it cheapens the project and puts dollars in the contractor’s pockets. They work on a straight fee. No decision.

Denise Knueven- Purdue TAP- ( Tech assistance program)received approval to seek money from Council- they work with local businesses all over the state. This money helps them maintain their office and continue to help businesses grow. They have worked with Honda as well- looking for $50,000 for this area with L-bg and the county. Jim Kinnett told them L-bg could not fund it, as this is not part of their action grant. [NOTE: However L-bg could possibly fund it another way.] Commissioners allowed her to go to Council, though doubted there was that much money to spare.

LuAnn Male- received the signature for her revised CBDG from last meeting- the county is not providing money for the match on the rehab Housing Grant.

Hogan Water Corp- tabled for further research with Susan Craig of SIRPC- they need the county to be lead agency to administer their $600,000 grant application to repair pipes etc.

Todd Listerman- Highway Dept- gave a 20-minute report:
1. Change order for Bells Branch signed- $4254.95

2. Bridge rehab completed for Johnson Fork, Sagamaw, and Salt Fork.

3. Asphalt finished on Pribble hill, Carolina Trace and Stout Roads.

4. Striping completed and also added centerlines to Stout Road, Mt Pleasant, and Huseman as recently paved and black at night. ( added $7,000) Centerlines reduce accidents by 33% and edges by 11%.

5. Old 52 paving starts Monday and we will get millings from that as well as SR 46. Paving with those is 25-30% of hot mix costs for Ennis Ridge and Mossmeier.

6. Dearborn County has 7 bridges listed as Scour Susceptible in floods. We have until Nov 1st to get a plan or revision to get them off the list. Calling the bridge inspectors to get that done. If we have to fix- they are 80/20 with federal funds.

7. Ohio Cty Commissioners are sending us a letter to get an ordinance prohibiting jumping off Triple Whipple Bridge.

8. 10 AM next Wed- the Triple Whipple will be dedicated and the plaque for John Graf will be dedicated also.

Pickens- Auditor-Claims ( Hughes abstained- he had not reviewed all the claims) and minutes signed.

EMS contract for Manchester signed for $20,000.

Witte- Attorney- Will check on the bridge ordinance- though he sees no liability. He has jumped off a few in his youth in Bloomington.

Council has to set up a fund for H1N1- funds for the vaccine.

Aurora City Attorney asked if the county wanted to partner with them on code enforcements- Aurora has staffing issues- this is just a preliminary contact. Greendale has asked about it too per Thompson.

Witte said YES home has lease issue-as their 25 year one expired in 2006 and insurer will not carry them without one. Commissioners extended a 90-day lease effective immediately, under the same conditions, until they can research the issue. There may be a 99-year lease that was done after renovations out there in early part of the decade.
Witte clea
red up the issue on the accident victim buried on his family farm. He had given statutes to Thompson and Thompson helped them navigate state agencies. Final conclusion was he was allowed to be interred in a mausoleum on the farm- per State Rules.

Hughes proposed the Commissioners recommend 0% raises for the Council budget hearings until the recession is over. All agreed.

Orschell received clarification from Witte on McCormack serving as web site manager and also being employed- see notes under old business.

Thompson noted conflict with Sept 3 meeting in the morning- so it will be an evening meeting still.
Thompson read seven Animal Control Shelter Bids ranging from a high of $2,526,000 to a low of $1,749,900 ( Maxwell) The average bid was $2,097,769.07 No decision.

Thompson said RQAW requested $2,000 to evaluate the Shumway building for renovation for county offices. TABLED

No Public spoke.

Meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

DRAFT AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S MEETING 18 AUG 2009

AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
August 18, 2009
7:00 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana




I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. CALL TO ORDER

III. OLD BUSINESS
1. Latest addition of the County Campus Plan – tabled from 7/7/2009
2. Web Site Discussion – tabled from 7/21/2009
3. Policy Recommendations from Animal Control Board – tabled from 7/21/2009
4. Jewell DeBonis / State House Update – tabled from 8/4/2009

IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Norman J. Crampton, U.S. Census Bureau

2. Signatures for 911 Dispatch Governing Board

3. Bill Black, EMA – Signature for State Grant

4. Eric Wolf, Construction Control, Inc.

5. Denise Knueven, Purdue TAP – Budget request

6. Luan Male, LifeTime Housing – CDBG Grant application signatures

7. Hogan Water Corporation Representative – Sponsorship of non-profit study of a Water District

V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – Todd Listerman
1. Updates
2. Change order Bells Branch Bridge #15

VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
1. Claims/Minutes

VII. ATTORNEY

VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes

IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell

X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.

XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XII. PUBLIC COMMENT

XIII. ADJOURN

INDIANA OPERATION THANK YOU FOR TROOPS

Saturday, August 8th
8pm – 11pm

There will be a talent show at the beach in Hidden Valley Lake. This is open to the public, to watch or participate!

Refreshments will be available to purchase or BYOB. There will be a free will offering to benefit “Indiana Operation Thank You”.

Please come and bring your lawn chairs. It was just a great time last year and it’s for our troops so what better cause, if you need one!

If you want to perform, contact Terry Potraffke

4 August 2009 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

4 August 2009 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

IMPORTANT NOTE: COMMISSIONERS MEETINGS WILL BE CHANGED IN SEPTEMBER. THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH WILL BE A DAY MEETING AT 9 AM AND THE THIRD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH WILL BE AN EVENING MEETING AT 7 PM.

Present:
Thompson, Chairman, Orschell, and Hughes

Also present: Witte, Attorney, and Pickens, Auditor

OLD BUSINESS:

Latest edition of the county campus plan remains tabled as there has been no action from RQAW to review.

Website discussion was tabled so that commissioners could review two more proposals from Dave Wyly and Mark McCormack.

Policy Recommendations on Euthanization remains tabled so commissioners can see what budget hearings propose for the animal shelter. The shelter is running out of funds for 2009 and decreased euthanizations will increase animal care costs.

NEW BUSINESS:

Sheriff Lusby decided to be removed from the agenda to further research on Lieberman Technologies.

Hylant Group County Insurance- ended their 3-year proposal and is negotiating for a 5-10% rate decrease for the county on Property and Casualty Insurance. They also handle the Workers Comp. Three years ago the consultant handled all the bids for this for $20,000 and saved us $40,000 in costs. Commissioners decided NOT to rebid but to sign on with Hylant again as they are proposing further rate decreases. Pickens was in support. Thompson and Orschell voted aye and Hughes wanted to rebid and voted nay.

Jewel DeBonis lobbyist to the state was unable to attend because of weather travel issues. She is scheduled for the next meeting.

LuAnn Male form Lifetime Housing requested signatures on a Community Development Block Grant Application. She also wanted the county to fork over $12,500 to show local gov’t support to get an additional 5 points on the application. Commissioners denied that but did allow her to access the IHFA bank match of $10,000 that has accumulated to date. That will be used in addition to the over $4,000 they have from the previous grant that was not used up. Signatures will be provided at the next meeting when she completes the application with those parameters. She may also request DC Foundation funding.

Seat Belt and DUI checks grants for Community Corrections were approved and signatures ratified. Lawrenceburg handles administration of the grant.

Doctor’s agreement for the juvenile center for $10,395 retroactive to January was signed.

Mission statement for the animal control center was approved. Pickens had helped the staff develop it. It reads:
The mission of the Dearborn County Department of Animal Control is to assure the safety and well being of the county’s citizens by maintaining full compliance with the ordinances concerning the proper licensing and control of animals and through the promotion of humane treatment of animals and responsible pet ownership.

Amendment #2 for Reassessment contract was signed- Hensley is OK with it per Orschell and Hughes. This is due to the state postponing reassessment for a year.

Highway Dept- Todd Listerman gave a 30-minute report:

Paving contracts for 2009 were awarded to O’Mara- lowest bidder at $314,748 for Stout, Carolina Trace and Pribble hill only. Rohe came in at $410,000. Paving will proceed next week and hopefully be done before school starts.

Dump truck bid was awarded to Fyda Freightliner at $69,793. The spreader box, bed, belt conveyors etc were awarded to Kaffenberger- only bidder at $39,800.

Triple Whipple Bridge is finished- FINALLY! They will dedicate it Aug 27 at 10 AM. This is part of the Lawrenceburg to Aurora to Rising Sun trail. They plan a bronze plaque in memory of John Graf, engineer for Howard Barth Associates who worked, sometime pro- bono- to get this completed. The bridge is the only one of its kind in the USA.

Randall Avenue -Kerrisand Lane (.19 mi) and Lindsay Lane (.14mi) - were accepted into road maintenance pending final plat approval of PZ for the land. Hughes voted nay on this as he did not want to have any undue leverage for this sale to the county.

Wilmington Hills South Section 4 of .30 miles was accepted into the county road maintenance. This is an old section of Elvin Miller’s subdivision.

Public officials bond for Listerman was signed.

Line striping came in low and so now all roads of 1000vehicles per day will be striped. For about $54,000.

Listerman meets with INDOT Friday regarding old US 52 to see when Rohe can start and to check on millings from Rohe’s SR46 project.

Listerman found out that that our request for funding of the Reconstruction of North Dearborn Road East of SR-1 at Hiltz Road has been approved. Official INDOT letter will be sent to Commissioners next week. The total Federal funding for this project is now at 2.8 Million Dollars. Right-of-way should begin the end of August. The project is listed for funding in 2013; however, if R/W is cleared by next summer this project will be shelf ready and could move up if other projects in front of it are not ready.

Yorkridge will be resurfaced Aug 26th with stimulus money of about $1million. North Hogan also is being considered for stimulus as is North Dearborn.

Pickens- Auditor- Claims and minutes signed.

Witte- Attorney- informed the sheriff that he could only research the noise ordinance if the commissioners requested it. The sheriff was worried that a floodgate would open pending some of the discussion at last month’s meeting.

Hughes- nothing

Orschell- He will be working with Greg Henneke- Hylant Ins , Bill Black, and Eric Hartman on an evacuation plan for the county buildings.

Orschell also brought up day meetings – Pickens is in favor. Hughes voted Nay. Meetings changed- see the note at the top of these meeting notes for the specifics.

Thompson- Bid due dates on Animal Shelter have moved to Aug 7 at 2 PM.

No Public wished to speak.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

DRAFT AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S MEETING 4 AUG 2009

AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
August 4, 2009
7:00 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. CALL TO ORDER

III. OLD BUSINESS
1. Latest addition of the County Campus Plan – tabled from 7/7/2009
2. Web Site Discussion
3. Policy Recommendations from Animal Control Board – tabled from 7/21/2009

IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Sheriff Dave Lusby
Lieberman Technologies
2. Hylant Group – County Insurance Discussion

3. Jewell DeBonis
State House Update

4. Luan Male – Lifetime Housing
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application

5. Ratification of Community Corrections Grant Amendment

6. Juvenile Center – Signatures for Doctor Agreement

7. Mission Statement for Department of Animal Control

8. Amendment #2 signature for Reassessment Contract

V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – Todd Listerman
1. Updates
2. Accept Randal Ave. and Wilmington Hills South extensions for maintenance
3. Bridge #95, Triple Whipple final acceptance letter
4. Public Official Bond signature
5. Award 2009 paving and Award dump truck / equipment

VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
1. Claims/Minutes

VII. ATTORNEY

VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes

IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell

X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.

XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XII. PUBLIC COMMENT

XIII. ADJOURN

Commissioners Have Special Meeting Set for Aug 5

Wednesday August 5, 2009 at 10:30 Commissioners will meet at the Shumway building on High Street, Lawrenceburg to do a site visit. Mayor Cunningham will be there and Carl Fryman, Building Department will also be present.

There is a working session following the visit to the Shumway building in the Commissioner’s room. This will be to meet with an Afflac representative and go over information that was presented in the July 7, 2009 meeting. Randal Ferguson will be here approximately 11:00 – 11:15 am.