Tuesday, January 31, 2012

ALAN MILLER OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR JUDGE OF SUPERIOR COURT 2

ALAN MILLER OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR JUDGE OF SUPERIOR COURT 2

A local attorney has made his candidacy for judge official. Alan Miller, attorney with Zerbe Garner Miller & Blondell in Lawrenceburg, filed the necessary paperwork Monday to make his candidacy for Judge of the Dearborn Superior Court No. 2 official.

"I am looking forward to meeting with the public and speaking with them about the problems with our system," Miller said. "I'm excited to discuss my proposed solutions and show them that we can do better."

Miller is currently running unopposed in the May primary for the Democratic Party nomination.
Miller publicly announced his intentions to run last September. He has been an outspoken critic of the county's proposed jail expansion project, arguing that the solution to the jail's overcrowding problem lies with changing the system itself.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Musician and Event Producer, Johnny Schott, Dies

Local event producer and musician, Johnny Schott, passed away suddenly. Johnny was actively interested in Dearborn County issues. He will be missed.

http://downtown-mtauburn.fox19.com/news/arts-culture/85388-musician-and-event-producer-johnny-schott-dies#.TyKnV5A7huU.email

John SCHOTT(1946 - 2012)
SCHOTT

John A. Schott, 65 , of Harrogate, TN. (originally of Cincinnati, OH.) passed away suddenly at home on Wednesday, January 25th. Johnny was a talented singer, songwriter and event producer with a career in the music industry that spanned 46 years. He was an avid outdoorsman, a brilliant gardener and a devoted husband of ten years to his wife Rachel (Sams) Schott. Johnny was born on March 21, 1946 and was preceded in death by his father John S. Schott and mother Maey (Bonnick) Schott. As the eldest of six his loss will be felt deeply by David and Libbie Schott of Tazewell, TN., Stephen and Lori Schott of Cincinnati, Michele Schott and Joe Morris of Boyd, TX., Chris Schott, and Terry and Peter Konrad of Colorado. Johnny's life will be celebrated at Vitt, Stermer and Anderson Funeral Home located at 4619 Delhi Pike, Cincinnati OH 45238 on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 1 - 4 PM. www.andersonfuneralhomes.com

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Glennda Dennerline- former Democrat Party Chair Obituary

Glennda Dennerline
6/4/1951 - 1/20/2012
Glennda G. Dennerline, age 60, of Aurora, passed away Friday, January 20, 2012 at Christ Hospital following a long illness. She was born June 4, 1951 in Indianapolis to Gilbert Timmons and Marie Mahan Timmons. Glennda graduated from George Washington High School in 1969. She joined the US Air Force where she attained the rank of a TecSgt, with her last assignment a Wright-Patterson Air Force Base before retiring in 1985. While serving in the Air Force she met Rodney Dennerline, and they were married on May 19, 1979. Following her retirement from the Air Force, Glennda became active in politics, serving as Democratic Party Chairwoman of Dearborn County from 1989 until 1997. Glennda was employed by the State of Indiana as the Manager of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. in Lawrenceburg. She and Rodney were members of the American and enjoyed socializing at the Lawrenceburg Post. She enjoyed making jewelry, gardening and flying with her husband. She was especially devoted to her family, and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Surviving are her husband, Rodney Dennerline; 2 sons, Richard (Ann) Dennerline and Rhett (Debbie) Dennerline, 2 daughters, Nancy Gagnon, and Tonya Freeman, 3 brothers, Ronald, Walter, and Jim Timmons; 1 sister, Joyce Roach; 6 grandchildren; Meredith, John, Jenny, Jake, Owen, and Jack. A private memorial service for Glennda will be held at a later date. For a more lasting tribute, the family asks that you consider the American Lung Association as a memorial in lieu of flowers. You may donate to them at lungusa.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filter-DeVries Funeral Home in Dillsboro.


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

24 January 2012 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes

24 January 2012 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes

Present: Dennis Kraus. Sr., President, Dan Lansing, Jim Hughes, Liz Morris, Maynard Barrett, Bryan Messmore, and Bill Ullrich.

Also present: Gayle Pennington, Auditor
ABSENT: Bill Ewbank, County Coordinator

Dennis Kraus was re-elected as President and Maynard Barrett as Vice president.

Council members made appointments:

Maynard Barrett- Redevelopment and CVTB
Kraus – as SEIRPC
Juvenile Advisory Board- Liz Morris
Plan Commission – Dan Lansing
Solid Waste Board- Jim Hughes
PTABOA- Shawna Gentry and Mary Booker
Alcoholic Beverage Board- Ray Shaffer
Personnel Adv- Maynard Barrett
Kraus, Hughes, Barrett – Classification Committee?

DC Regional Sewer District- Baudendistel talked to Frank Kramer- the DCRSD has always retained their money from sewer fees. He asked Council’s advice. Pennington said the DCRSD sec’y writes checks from that- Auditor does not handle it. They think no action needs to be taken.

RuthAnn Batta presented her pitch for the summer art program. They will try to do a college visit to Earlham College in Richmond this summer- they do one each summer. They will look at limestone quarries around Bedford. They are partnering with P&G to do surveys and raise money. There were 129 kids last year. This year looks like it will be a heavy year as it’s their 25th year and they are doing special stuff. As she does 4 different classes- they usually give $2,000. Approved.

Sheriff Kreinhop- funds needed to promote deputy to sergeant- $1493 from County General/Riverboat- Kraus said they were going to treat all hires and departments the same so he has to re classify this and come back.

REQUESTS FROM RIVERBOAT REVENUE

Sheriff- Security Automation Systems- retrofit- $292,000- Kreinhop thought this had already been approved from last month. They had discussed but not approved per Pennington because it had not been advertised. Ullrich chimed in about the difficulties with the system and repairs. Kreinhop said this was the original 20 year old system. Ullrich said this was to be part of the remodel of the existing jail after the new jail expansion was completed. This forced it to be done first. Approved for $292,000.

The sheriff asked about the canine deputy and Pennington said they had to advertise for next meeting.

Health Dept- vehicle to transport 2 emergency trailers- $35,000- tabled at Doug Baer’s request.

Health Dept- Vaccines- $12,000- Approved. This was taken out at budget- there was $100 left from before.

EMA- Emergency alert system by Rapid Notify- $7425- Bill Black said they’d been looking at reverse 911 system for some time. They were hoping on some funding. This system does not have all the bells and whistles- though it will use the data from 911 and we can notify all residents in a particular area. $7425 for first year includes setup and some training. If you don’t have a landline- you can register your cellphone to get notified. Comcast no longer has the ability to help notify as of July 2011. The second year is $6500. There is email capability also. This will be up and running quickly within a couple weeks. The rates go by population. This would help with severe weather warnings too. Morris noted that in her area it’s hard to hear the sirens – this would be helpful to supplement the siren warnings. It won’t replace the sirens. Council approved. This is annually renewable. They want it to be for just a year to start out.

Surveyor- Upgrade GPS- $2800- Dennis Kraus Jr. – These are necessary due to narrowband regulations. Council approved.

Commissioners- 2012 workers Comp Premium permission to transfer funds for insurance premiums- $1130- tabled.

JAIL FUNDING- Barrett said they couldn’t talk about funding without numbers.
Orschell said Commissioners appointed Bill Ewbank to do a Justice evaluation over at the Courthouse. He doesn’t think this will affect this project.
Kraus said there were various options that could affect the cost of the jail. Messmore agreed that it would be a good idea to look at this.
Barrett said he was shocked to see this on the agenda. He said a local contractor asked him how they could approve this if they don’t know the bids to see that they can get it for what they want. He doesn’t have the stomach for anything as high as $10million. We need to hire a project manager. "I want to table this until we have some firm numbers."
Orschell said the commissioners do not have any money to hire any construction managers.
Per RQAW - Standard is about 4-6% over the project cost for the construction manager. Architects are 6-8%.
Joe Mrak- RQAW- we are talking about chicken or egg. The study you have from Oct 12 – 2011- from RQAW- we gave you the construction cost range up to $9.4million. 5 phases. First phase is schematic drawings for $70-80,000. Construction earns 20% up front and 80% during process. 10% of fee would be spent now to get this started for construction management. RQAW’s fee is a lump sum fee. They get 15% in phase 1. Can’t go to Phase 2 until phase 1 is approved. RQAW is the architect. Commissioners seek RFQs to get one and then negotiate the fees.
Orschell said if you appropriate the money for a construction manager, then commissioners will get selection process started for a construction manager. Orschell said to budget $75,000 for architect and $50,000 for construction manager for this phase.
Lansing said they need a real number. The commissioners will bring it back at next meeting and advertise it. Tabled until then.

Gayle Pennington- Auditor- presented sheets for certification for Dennis Kraus’s appointment for SIRPC.

The next meeting will be Feb 21st at 6:30 PM. Third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM the following meeting planned is May 22nd. Budget meetings will be set at the next meeting so council members can plan vacations. Nov 20th is the last planned meeting for 2012. Council adds other meetings as needed.

Bookkeeping appropriation for Judge Humphrey from adult probation user fees ($3000 from there) to supplement salaries. This is to be retroactive to Jan 1 so they don’t have to amend salary ordinance. Approved.

Barrett and Morris asked if Pennington had sent the letters discussed at a previous meeting regarding 911 taxes. Pennington said yes.

Lewis Kappes funding for lobbyist- is to be reimbursed by local cities and towns. They reimburse based on population except for Lawrenceburg- they pay $24,000 as does the county. The county pays it all up front
.
Minutes were not received by Council- so they were not approved. Tabled.

They installed a new sound system. They will upload both the sound of the minutes and the minutes themselves to the county website. [NOTE: Now that will be interesting to listen to!]

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawenceburg Township

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

AGENDA for Jan 24th Dearborn County Council Meeting


AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
6:30 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana



I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

II. CALL TO ORDER

III. REORGANIZATION

IV. DCRSD Ordinance

V. DISCUSSION OF Summer Art Program - Batta

VI. SHERIFF – Mike Kreinhop
Road Sergeant
Security Automation Systems – Security System Retrofit

VII. HEALTH DEPARTMENT – Doug Baer

VIII. COMMISSIONERS – William Ewbank

IX. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY – William Black, Jr.

X. SURVEYOR – Dennis Kraus, Jr.

XI. HEALTH DEPARTMENT – Lois Franklin

XII. JAIL FUNDING

XIII. AUDITOR – Gayle Pennington

XIV. ADJOURN



Tuesday, January 17, 2012

17 January 2012 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

17 January 2012 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

Present: Jeff Hughes, President, Tom Orschell, and Shane McHenry
Also present: Gayle Pennington, Auditor, Bill Ewbank, Acting County Administrator, and Andy Baudendistel, Attorney.

OLD BUSINESS:

Private Real property Rights Preservation Ordinance Freedom for Options Form- Hughes said he has done a lot of research on this and he wants time to do some more. Tabled again. This has been tabled since April 2010.

Overtime Policy and Actual Hours worked Ordinance- Baudendistel prepared the ordinance changing the personnel policy section 3.17.1 per last meeting’s discussion. It was motioned on and seconded without Shane McHenry and he did not vote. No reason given. Approved.

Appointments BZA and County Farm Board- Orschell still wants to talk to Earl Dawson before appointing County Farm- Tabled.

BZA appointment- Hughes wanted Frank Linkmeyer and Orschell wanted to consider Phil Darling. The decision is left up to McHenry. He has talked to Phil, but not Frank and wants to table till he does. Tabled.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mark McCormack- Planning Director- Proposed Amendments to Article 2 Section 200, Article 3 section 300,325,330,355, and Article 25 Section 2570 of Zoning Ordinance- McCormack was out for a family issue. Baudendistel asked to table it and said that he doesn’t think the 90 day rule applies to this. He thinks the recommendation dies if they don’t act on it. Tabled.Proposed Amendments to Article 3 Section 305R and Appendix A of the Subdivision Control Ordinance- also tabled for reason above.

Donna Thacker- CASA-Citizens Against Substance Abuse- this is a yearly report on their budget and grants. Current budget is $66,660. This is used for grants to agencies in the county that help attain the CASA mission. They also have a Drug Free CommunityGrant form Lawrenceburg Foundation for $100,000 per year. They deal directly with the state now and not the consultant they use to have. They have had their funds gradually decrease. They finished their 5-year federal grant. The city of Lawrenceburg grant will still support them. Continue to work with youth- seem to have a perfect formula. They train 25 youth form each middle school as youth ambassadors. They took McHenry with them to the NW Alcohol conference in 2011. Orschell asked if their budget cuts will affect their community outreach. She said yes- as they will give less to local agencies. She noted that drug usage has decreased among youth here. They realize there is a need for treatment in the area. She said South Dearborn does not participate in their survey. Some schools are afraid that it may show a drug problem that will affect their school system negatively. Orschell expressed a desire to help CASA also. Hughes said South Dearborn was his alma mater- so he might try to get them to do the survey. CASA grant recommendations were accepted.

Sheriff Dept- Food Bids-Accepted as presented. Two bids.

Laura Priebe- Hoosier Hills Literacy League- permission to go to Council- as part of Black White Read- they will have a summer program on a Quilt Program that will relate to this. They will each make a quilt wall hanging themselves and a duplicate for a larger quilt that will be auctioned/raffled to raise funds at a gala this year. They also do the Dolly Partin Imagination Library. They have grants from Dollar General and they graduated 11 GED students this past year. Orschell said he was all in favor of reading programs in the county. She needs to go to Council for $2,000. This program raises money for other programs- even adult ones. Dearborn has 9 % of adults who are illiterate. Hughes said he thought the schools were doing a pretty good job already. McHenry and Orschell voted to do this Hughes didn’t vote. Approved to go to Council.

Appointments: Historic Hoosier Hills- Brad Dawson was recommended for this and he is a staff member of the Conservation Dept. They coordinate activities around conservation, natural resources, etc in SE Indiana. Approved.

Hospital Board- Robert Schroeder the chairman’s term is expiring on March 30th. Reappointed for a 4 year term.

Commissioner Hughes talked to a gentleman who was a judge executive from Boone County also on OKI with Hughes and who was on the board of St. Elizabeth. Hughes said we want to talk to the two board presidents. (St. E and DCH) Hughes wants to make sure that they are not approached by any means to be taken over. He wants to make sure that we have every possible procedure available to DC residents. He wants to bring it right out into the open. His mother in law works as a therapist there and she wants to know what’s going on too. Need to talk to Mr. Resnick first. Hughes just wanted to make commissioners aware of what he was doing.

Bill Black Jr- EMA- resolution to participate in the Great Central US Shakeout- Earthquake Awareness- They did some drills with kids- Drop-Cover- and Hold On. Feb 7th is the 200th anniversary of the New Madrid Earthquake.. He is not planning on going to the schools this year. They do have a website that the schools use. The resolution to participate was signed by Commissioners.

Baudendistel prepared an ordinance changing the emergency levels from numbers to colors. Red- most severe- requires an emergency declaration, Orange – watch- only essential services travel, Yellow- Advisory, White Caution- no restrictions- but be alert to changing conditions. Commissioners passed this as ordinance 2012-2.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: Todd Listerman, Highway Engineer gave the following report:Signature Sheet for Commissioners to sign on the North Dearborn road project.

INDOT LPA agreement for the Stateline Rd slip project for 100% of emergency repair as $4,024.33 and 80 /20 of $212,033 for the permanent fix. Hughes made the motion!!- says he can because they haven’t adopted Roberts Rules of Order so he can.

Orschell said he commended highway dept. and all new hires got their cdl.

Orschell also asked for a moment of silence for Tim Grieve’s wife passing away this week.

AUDITOR: Gayle Pennington- Covered Bridge certification- at Guilford- was signed.
Jan 3 minutes signed. Claims signed. Hughes asked if everyone had done a good job and so they could sign payroll – Hughes motioned again here with McHenry 2nd. Orschell hadn’t reviewed them. Passed. (Claims get passed in pieces.) Hughes also motioned to sign the utility bills and McHenry 2nd as Orschell hadn’t reviewed those. Passed.
Hughes wants Pennington to advertise so that the 3 commissioners can meet with our representative Frey to talk about county interests.

ATTORNEY: Andy Baudendistel- said that Council had asked about an ordinance for retaining fees from High Ridge sewer bills to pay for maintenance on the system. That will be advertised and on the next agenda.

COUNTY COORDINATOR: Bill Ewbank- In previous meetings he wants to create a “commissioners criminal justice report- a study and fact sheet” under the county administrator. This would replace commissioners having separate studies. This would get all statistics etc. on criminal justice in the county. Hughes says he is one of those law and order guys, but… Ewbank is going to speak with judges, sheriff, etc. He wants to get all the information in one place. Then they can disseminate it. Commissioners approved Ewbank doing this report.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS- McHenry said that Ewan will get a title search on the Moore’s Hill building.

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION- none

PUBLIC COMMENT- none- except Hughes praised a folder on how people get elected etc.

Meeting adjourned at 10:07 AM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Agenda for January 17th Commissioners Meeting

AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
January 17, 2012
9:00 a.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana


EXECUTIVE SESSION @ 8:30 a.m. - MED BEN APPEAL

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. ELECTION OF BOARD PRESIDENT

IV. OLD BUSINESS
1. Private Real Property Rights Preservation Ordinance Freedom for Options Form
2. Overtime Policy and Actual Hours Worked Ordinance
3. Appointments - BZA, County Farm,

V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Donna Thacker – CASA
2. Laura Priebe - Hoosier Hills Literacy League
- Permission to go to Council
3. Mark McCormack – Planning/Zoning
a) Proposed amendments to Article 2, Section 200, Article 3, Sections 300, 325, 330, 355; and Article 25, Section 2570 of Zoning Ordinance
b) Proposed amendments to Article 3, Section 305R and Appendix A of Subdivision Control Ordinance
4. Sheriff Department – Food Bids
5. Appointments
a) Historic Hoosier Hills
b) Hospital Board - Robert Schroeder
6. Bill Black, Jr. - Resolution to Participate in the Great Central US Shakeout
– Earthquake Awareness

VI. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT- Todd Listerman

VII. AUDITOR – Gayle Pennington
1. Claims/Minutes

VIII. ATTORNEY - Andy Baudendistel

IX. COUNTY COORDINATOR – Bill Ewbank

X. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XII. PUBLIC COMMENT

XIII. ADJOURN

Friday, January 06, 2012

THE JAIL BUSINESS

THE JAIL BUSINESS
by Chrisine Brauer Mueller

Dearborn County appears poised to enter the jail business.

I’m in favor of running a jail in a business-like manner. I am not in favor of having taxpayers fund the growth of a jail business that seems unwilling to do some internal soul searching and remediation of the causes for jail overcrowding.

Decisions surrounding the jail expansion size and funding have become tainted with ethical conflicts of interest- which became alarmingly evident at the Dec 20th Council meeting. Council members who get their paycheck from the sheriff’s dept or prosecutor’s dept claim they have no conflict of interest.

Many years ago Bill Ullrich asked Judge James Humphrey about the legality of running for County Council and remaining employed by the county sheriff’s department. Ullrich reported that Judge Humphrey told him the law did not forbid it. Judge Humphrey, in a previous role as county attorney, would often state that officials were to avoid all PERCEPTIONS of impropriety.

The Council vote Dec 20th was widely perceived as ethically improper. Our state legislators repeatedly get asked to pass a law forbidding a government employee from holding office at the same time as he is employed by that governmental unit. The vote and process for this jail expansion illustrates one good reason to pass this law.

If your boss- the sheriff or prosecutor- wants a new or expanded jail and you vote against it, it is hard to see that your job duties, hours, or paycheck might not be affected. Your well being depends on pleasing your boss. If you are wearing numerous hats in county employment, your many allegiances could be affecting your performance. If you have family also employed by the county, you have to consider their jobs as well, particularly in this economy. These are natural survival and familial instincts. And these instincts will ethically compromise decisions that are to be made for the good of the people.

Despite all public comment at the meeting being against this vote, Liz Morris gave a pre-prepared motion seconded by Maynard Barrett to remove the unanimous consent of Council for spending money in the Riverboat Savings Account 197. Bryan Messmore and Bill Ullrich also voted aye. That account has remained untouched except for unanimous Council consent since 1998 - 13 years. This is the easy money- the low hanging fruit- and a way to avoid going to the taxpayers for the jail expansion funding. These four council members seem to forget this IS our money.

This savings account is the only cushion the county taxpayers have should some catastrophe occur. The doors are now wide open for anyone who can persuade four Council members to spend our savings account.

It is no longer something that would take consensus to insure that the vast majority of the public would approve Council’s choice. Four Council members made a serious mistake, in my opinion. These four set aside the wisdom of their predecessors for expediency.

Voters and taxpayers need to take a look at these four. Three (Ullrich, Messmore, and Barrett) are up for election in 2012. Perhaps then we can send them a message they actually hear.

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

3 January 2012 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

3 January 2012 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

Present: Jeff Hughes, President, Tom Orschell, and Shane McHenry
Also present: Gayle Pennington, Auditor, Bill Ewbank, Acting County Administrator, and Andy Baudendistel, Attorney.

ELECTION OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRESIDENT: Jeff Hughes re-elected.

RE-APPOINTMENTS:
Department Heads: (all the same as 2011)
County Attorney- Andrew Baudendistel
County Engineer- Todd Listerman
County Highway Supervisor- Tim Grieve
Building Inspector- Bill Shelton
Emergency Management-Bill Black
911 Director- charley Ashley
Veteran’s Service Officer- Mike Burgess
Maintenance Supervisor- Eric Hartman
Animal Control Director- Marlene Underwood
County Administrator (New Position)- Bill Ewbank- Acting County Administrator

Boards Commissioners Currently Serve (All serve on Solid Waste)
Jeff: Plan Commission, SIRPC, OKI, Personnel Advisory- all reapproved
Tom: County Farm, EMA, Redevelopment- all reapproved- Orschell hopes there will be some good news coming out of redevelopment in the next couple weeks.
Shane: Common Construction Wage, Juvenile Advisory- all reapproved

Citizen Boards:
Planning Commission- Mark Lehman and Russell Beiersdorfer both reappointed
Health Board- Dr Steven Eliason appointed
Alcohol Beverage Board- reappointed Jim Dole
Convention/Visitor’s Bureau- Ian Abdon, Marilyn Bower, Dee Hacker, Steve Hedges, and Ellen Perfect
PTABOA Board- Bill Hartwell, Mark Neff and Mark Hardenbeck reappointed
Board of Zoning Appeals- Nicole Dailey was hired by the Planning Dept. Commissioners will hold to look over candidates until next meeting. This one has to be an Independent or a Democrat per Hughes.
County Farm Committee- Mike Heffelmire retired and Commissioners want to talk to the board and Earl Dawson to see where they want to go with that board. Earl Dawson and Jerry Newman reappointed.

ADA Coordinator- Bill Ewbank reappointed- he is working on this already.

OLD BUSINESS:

Private Real Property Rights Preservation Ordinance Freedom for Options Form- Hughes wants to see it passed and let the Plan Commission work with it. Orschell asked about where the money would come from? The legal fees alone would be astronomical. He thinks we have the courts in place for this. Hughes said- no one is going to put a toxic dump next to anyone. He cited the property they were sued for by Wolgamot, Diehl, and some woman whose name he forgot as having all the infrastructure in place and yet it was denied. He said a court can call it capricious. Orschell didn’t want another layer of government. McHenry is worried about the significant legal fees. Orschell said Hughes needs to come up with some more specifics. Both Orschell and McHenry said the legal fees would be out of sight. McHenry doesn’t want it so open and vague. Orschell doesn’t want it to be a monetary issue. Hughes will continue to work on that. Tabled essentially.

Overtime Policy and Actual Hours Worked- Pennington said the committee sent an unfavorable recommendation – they want it to stay the same. They cited Fair Labor Standards. Orschell said- we’ve been doing it all along. Hughes and Orschell were inclined to go against the recommendation of the committee. This was only if pre-approved vacation time a week in advance. If they don’t have it pre-scheduled, then they don’t get the time and a half for the “overtime” that week. Comp time has to be used within 180 days of earning it. Comp time is limited to 5 days in a year. This happens during snow emergencies. Comp time is rewarded at time and a half at a mutually agreeable time.
Orshell motioned that overtime monetary reimbursement is based on actual time worked except for scheduled comp. personal, or vacation time. This will be effective retroactive to Jan 1st. Commissioner McHenry does not get paid out of this fund per Orschell – he wants that on the record. [NOTE: McHenry’s time with SCU is paid by a grant.] Baudendistel will prepare the ordinance for next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

Ruth Ann Batta – Permission to go to Council for Summer Arts Program- approved to go to Council to seek funds for their 25th year.

Signatures for Public Official Bonds- approved all bonds for the following public officials- Barb Kaffenberger, Phil Weaver, Gayle Pennington, Glenn Wright. Hughes wanted Bill Ewbank to see if Commissioners and Council needed bonds.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: Todd Listerman, Highway Engineer- SR 62 was closed to Friendship due to a slip. The county can declare an unofficial detour and they can declare costs for this- they are declaring Farmer’s Retreat Road in the county. Commissioners signed off on this. Most people are using Friendship road in Ripley County as a detour.

AUDITOR: Gayle Pennington-utility docket signed. No claims signed as they don’t cycle for a couple more weeks. Payroll claims approved. Minutes were signed for Dec 6 and 20.
Pennington said the Beacon stats for GIS website- 667 requests a day and 68 users per day.

ATTORNEY: Andy Baudendistel- tort claims involving an inmate and medical claims. Bill Black’s changes in emergency levels ordinance will be ready for the next meeting.

ACTING COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR: Bill Ewbank- asking to go to Council for transfer $10,164 from liability insurance to WC account, and an additional appropriation of $1130 in addition to pay 2012 WC bill. We had a reduction of over $10,000 for liability premium. Approved.
Bill Ewbank was authorized to vote the county’s proxy for the Conservancy District election.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: McHenry brought up the Moore’s Hill building that was derelict. Baudendistel discussed with John Watson, Moore’s Hill’s attorney, to get all the owners involved. Pennington said they could choose what they wanted to present for Commissioners certificate sale. They have not had any commercial ones. There are around 50 up for sale this time. Until we have a title search done- we can’t do this per McHenry and Baudendistel. Orschell met with Mark McCormack and Moore’s Hill officials to get a grant- perhaps with using it as a city building along with the old bank.

McHenry was concerned about the CMS study and the results. Ewbank said that they are sending out a second round with a stronger request. The commissioners could withhold their EMS funding until they get the information. Lawrenceburg is not participating as they are self- sufficient and wish the rest of us the best in this endeavor. They will send a firmer letter.

Orschell wished all a good new year.

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION- Bill Black- wants to get $7400 from Council for rapid notify- a reverse 911 and the communications board has looked at it and has seen a demo. Cost is $6500 for each additional year. Approved to seek this from Council.

PUBLIC COMMENT- none

Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township


Monday, January 02, 2012

Agenda for January 3rd Commissioners Meeting

AGENDA

DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

January 3, 2012
6:00 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana


RE-ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. ELECTION OF BOARD PRESIDENT

IV. RE-APPOINTMENTS

1. Department Heads

a) County Attorney

b) County Engineer

c) County Highway Supervisor

d) Building Inspector

e) Emergency Management

f) 911 Director

g) Veteran’s Service Officer

h) Maintenance Supervisor

i) Animal Control Director

j) County Administrator (New Position)



2. Boards Commissioners Currently Serve (All serve on Solid Waste)

a) Jeff: Plan Commission, SIRPC, OKI, Personnel Advisory

b) Tom: County Farm, EMA, Redevelopment

c) Shane: Common Construction Wage, Juvenile Advisory


3. Citizen Boards

a) Planning Commission

b) Health Board

c) Alcohol Beverage Board

d) Convention/Visitor’s Bureau

e) PTA Board

f) Board of Zoning Appeals


4. Other appointments

a) ADA Coordinator


V. OLD BUSINESS

1. Private Real Property Rights Preservation Ordinance

Freedom for Options Form

2. Overtime Policy and Actual Hours Worked


VI. NEW BUSINESS

1, Ruth Ann Batta – Permission to go to Council for Summer Arts Program

2. Signatures for Public Official Bonds



VII. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT- Todd Listerman

VIII. AUDITOR – Gayle Pennington

1. Claims/Minutes

IX. ATTORNEY - Andy Baudendistel

X. COUNTY COORDINATOR – Bill Ewbank

XI. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

XII. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XIII. PUBLIC COMMENT

XIV. ADJOURN