Friday, May 30, 2014

AGENDA- June 3rd MORNING Commissioners Meeting


AGENDA

DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

June 3, 2014

8:30 a.m., Commissioners Room

County Administration Building

215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

 

II.          PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

III.         OLD BUSINESS

1.  Proposed Animal Control Ordinance

2.  Happy Hollow Road

 

IV.        NEW BUSINESS

            1.  Maxwell Construction – Jeff Lyness

                        Jail Project Update

                        Change Orders

 

2.  Emergency Management Director – Bill Black, Jr.

                        Grant Signatures

 

3.  Highway Supervisor – Tim Greive

                        Quote for Emergency Repair on W. Laughery

 

            4.  Highway Engineer – Todd Listerman

                        Signatures for Bridge Rehab Title Sheet

 

V.        ADMINISTRATOR – Terri Randall

 

VI.        AUDITOR – Gayle Pennington

1.  Claims/Minutes

           

VII.       ATTORNEY

 

VIII.      COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

 

IV.        LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

 

X.        PUBLIC COMMENT

 

XI.        ADJOURN

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Update on Collier Ridge Bridge #55 Contract B-33278

UPDATE on Collier Ridge Bridge Project

May 23, 2014
 
I just received notice from INDOT that project has been awarded to the next lowest bid of Force Construction Co Inc., Columbus, Indiana in the amount of $1,172,562.75.   Next step is for INDOT to send the County an invoice for our 20% share and then INDOT will issue the “Notice to Proceed” so work can start.  I will keep you informed when we are expected to start work.
 
 
J. Todd Listerman, PE
County Engineer
10255 Randall Avenue
Aurora, IN 47001

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Economic Development Research Technician

 Economic Development Research Technician

Full Time – Contract Position

Through a regional grant program, Dearborn County, Indiana and its partner municipalities are seeking to contract with an Economic Development Research Technician. The selected individual will provide administrative and technical support for economic development efforts county-wide with emphasis on market and industry research, website and marketing brochures, and general administrative support.

You will assist Dearborn County governmental leaders and economic development professionals in building and maintaining a quality economic development website, creating marketing material, performing industry and regional research, maintaining land and building inventory, preparing documents in response to economic development leads, assisting with outreach and surveys of existing business, fielding preliminary calls from potential business leads, and working closely with various State and local agencies.

Successful candidate will have very strong clerical, analytical, computer, and communications abilities. Degree in Business, Marketing, or other related field is strongly preferred. Attention to detail, sense of urgency, professionalism, good interpersonal skills, and ability to work across multiple levels will be important considerations.

Must be willing to sign confidentiality and non-compete due to sensitivity of the data and information funneling through the process. Contract renewal after one year is dependent upon funding availability and work performance. Position compensation commensurate with experience with range of $40,000 to $49,000 in consideration of the fact that contractor is 1099 and responsible for all taxes. Not eligible for benefits; though some paid days off are provided.

Position will reside at the government offices of Dearborn County in Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 but will get into the field, may attend trainings, and is generally M-F day shift with some evenings/weekends if needed. Please send your resume with a cover letter outlining why you feel you are the right candidate for this position to:

Economic Development Selection Team

c/o Dearborn County Redevelopment Commission

215B West High Street

Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

Email: shayden@dearborncounty.in.gov

Fax: (812) 532-2003

An Equal Opportunity Employer

20 May 2014 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes

20 May 2014 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes

Present: Dennis Kraus. Sr.,  President, Dan Lansing, Liz Morris, Randy Lyness, Charlie Keyes, and Bill Ullrich.

ABSENT: Maynard Barrett

Also present: Gayle Pennington, Auditor and Teresa Randall, County Administrator

Prosecutor- Aaron Negangard- Office and travel expense- This deals with Adult Protective services. They are on a fiscal year and not on a calendar year like we are. This $8,000 is money that would be reimbursed at 100%. Morris motioned and Ullrich 2nd Approved.

Depositions-Negangard said- It is difficult to control. They are requested by defense attorneys. We have to pay for our copy of transcripts. He requested $30K and got $20K at budget. He is down to $7,000 now and it won’t last thru the year. Ullrich motioned and Lyness 2nd – approved for $10,000.

Assessor-Gary Hensley-replace PTABOA member- code changes requires this change, He has a resignation letter. As of July 1st the code changes this. Reappointed Bill Hartwell to that position to replace Mary Booker, who did a great job for us. Approved.

Salary change- office manager retired who was also first deputy. $13.08 to $13.93/hr as budgeted. Approved to promote from another person in the office. She also gets retroactive pay as she started on April 14. Approved retroactive pay also. (first time they have done retroactive this year per Kraus, Sr.) There are currently two first deputies making $13.93/hr per Hensley now.

Staff vacancy and level 3 requirements- he is short handed and he thinks it affects their work load and assessments are running late. He is two people short. It will fall into the situation that happened 7 years ago. He asked them to reconsider rehiring for a staff member who had retired. He thinks we will get non-compliant. They have to get them hired and get them thru the certification process. Lyness asked if this was budgeted. He does not want to get threatened by the state. He was denied by the hiring committee. That was a long time ago. There is a June 17 meeting with commissioners and council. He has 5 level 2s and needs another level 3. The family leave person’s time was up yesterday ( TOOK 12 WEEKS) and he cannot discuss that in open meeting. Keyes said he voted for it and he made a motion one time and it got turned down- so he didn’t want to do that to Hensley now. There was previously an ordinance that was unsigned for  a 3 member set of council members to preview filling open positions. Kraus said that was legally questionable. Hensley could meet with the 6 member hiring committee. He will ask again at June 17 meeting for council. There was discussion about how difficult it is to get certified to level 3. None of his staff has passed.  Questions concerning why send them to classes,and he admitted that some staff just weren’t interested in the certification process. He thinks they may need to up the pay and get someone from outside to hire. TABLED.

Health Dept- Mary Calhoun- Nurse’s grant- Pennington ( handled as no one from health Dept was available) said they need Council signature on the grant. Commissioners already approved. They will spend this on a trailer for mobile immunization clinics. New statutes say that commissioners and council have to agree on grants now. These are smaller trailers and is a mobile office. County has to insure and license tags. They have started charging for some of their shots. Council approved signing grant application.

Building Dept- Bill Shelton- PCs and software- covered by Terri Randall in Shelton’s absence. He did send an email in advance. $2783 requested for 2 computers and related software and installation. They are replacing 7 year old ones on Windows XP. It takes a long time to boot up too. This will be from MDI ( Midwest Data)which is a little higher than the HiTech quote from a while back. Just about $20 difference. Approved.

Communications- Charlie Ashley- Transfer funds- maintenance contract with Centurylink is no longer needed for $2500. Wants to transfer that to general supplies. His office supplies budget is running low and this is May. Liz Morris didn’t want to use it. They had office supplies budget of $500. One printer toner is expensive. He has $770 for chair pads this year. Council approved giving him $1200. The rest stays in the maintenance contract fund for now.

Community Corrections- Steve Kelly - Staff education and training- wants this as a new line item. $6500 for IN dept of corrections for MOVING ON- a drug treatment training program for females. They have partnered with Daviess County for this. It costs $770 per person to train. This was approved.

New van- add a line item for $30,000 to purchase the van for transport and community service work for low level offenders.  They are setting up new partnerships for people to work hours for them. This eliminates all the offenders cars being parked all over the road for example. It replaces the 17yr old one. The 3 old vehicles they have will go to auction.  Approved.

He will be back in a couple months for approving a grant of $200,000 for a pilot program for a new ankle monitoring system. He is excited about that. This is all state money. (Which is still tax money)

 Emergency Management- Bill Black- He told Council that sometimes the grant requests come in at a time that he cannot get to Commissioners or Council to get approval before application due. He said the $17,000 request could be pulled back if they do not approve. This is for a repeater. It will be compatible with the pending changes. Ratified Dennis Kraus’s signature on this.

$41,451 got back from the state for half of their salaries also.

State is changing their system for 800 MGHz and Motorola pays for some of this but not the installation. There will be some request in the future for money for this installation cost. ($50/radio) there are 400 radios throughout the county. (Fire and EMS all have them too) That would add to $20,000 installation costs)

 Expenses for the Mobile Command Vehicle- grant runs out on this in June. $3100 needed to cover the satellite system, etc. on the command truck. In the original agreement we agreed to maintain this. This serves 12 counties. Morris asked if the other counties pay for any of this. He thought it ran thru the year- but it was a fiscal year. He is going to look to get some of this changed to cut back on some of this to get things turned on just during disasters. Satellite data is $100/day vs $200 plus a month. Approved.

Siren Maintenance- $5,000- had money left over from last year and that is gone. Has about $500 left in the budget. He has 2 sirens that aren’t rotating and 19 batteries were used up at one time in the past. We have $5000 deductible on insurance. They have 30 sirens and 2 are not rotating. Needs a bucket truck to fix those. They are trying to replace batteries on a schedule. Morris asked if rapid notify might replace this sometime. Tis would render the entire system obsolete. Black told her some people call to get off the rapid notify as they don’t like getting the messages for lost people for example.  Approved. Lansing Nay.

Park Board- Jim Red-Elk: Guilford Park improvements- $48,300 and Kraus supports this. This would complete final design and complete the earth berms. Lansing wants to use their existing funds. RedElk was hoping it would be from another source. Lansing praised the parks- they look great. Advertised to come out of Riverboat. Listerman said that this is IDEM mitigation project for the North Dearborn Rd project and his dept funds the plantings. About 500 cu yards of dirt- 3-4 ft high. Approved the $48,300 from Riverboat Revenue. Lansing Nay. He wanted it out of their regular funds.

Bright Meadows Park repairs- several items due to vandalism. Aluminum seating disappeared. They replaced with treated lumber. Steel doors of restrooms damaged. Locks broken on women’s restroom. Engineered mulch for safety. Downspots damaged. $4360 requested. This will nearly zero out the repair account. These were unplanned expenses. Long range plan for Bright Meadows is security like lighting. [NOTE: There appears to be a lot of vandalism at Bright. Perhaps the sheriff needs to patrol that area.] Approved out of Riverboat.

Picnic Tables- $4900 for EC FFA Club build some new ones. Approved out of Capital Fund. They have to secure these on site Red Elk noted.

Highway- Todd Listerman:

Bridges

Small structure inspection transferred from bridge inspection- applied for OKI safety funds- 90/10 federal funds. $35,000 transfer out of existing bridge to go to small structure inspection. No new money. Approved.

Stateline Road Realignment at Georgetown Rd-  Only part of the county is in the MPO census area with OKI. These federal dollars can only be spent in that area. It was determined that the accident data for that S curve is significant. About 7 a year in that area. He had to throw out alcohol related and texting related ones. He sticks to the ones curves related. Awarded $880,000. Match is $220,000 from an existing account. Total cost is $1million about for 2000 ft of road. He tries to get as much federal dollars for the county.  Approved $220,000 out of the Transportation Infrastructure fund.  Lyness has mixed feelings as he thinks there may be other needs for the money- but if we can only spend it in one place. HE has never missed that curve…

Box Beam Bridges- new decks/guardrail approaches- He wants to save $775,000 out of the account for 8 bridgeworks. Discussion of what to use and from which accounts to appropriate.  3 of them came off the repair list as they needed to be replaced now. Fixing 8 bridges for what it cost to do 2 bridges. They are putting a concrete deck and sealing over the repairs so they last longer. 45-60 ft is the average length of a box beam bridge here. These will all go out to bid and each will be itemized and have its own design. He will have to do wage hearing on some of these. These are already engineered. Good return for the money. Approved $775,000.

Bridge#138 Bonnell Road- has tried for a while to get the RR (Gennessee and Wyoming- the rail that goes to Honda) to accommodate removing the bridge, to no avail. The crossing stays. The bridge is in terrible shape now. He needs another $375,000 out of dedicated infrastructure account to get that structure replaced. Collier Ridge Bridge is just up the road from this one. Total cost is $925,000. The rest of this was already funded.  Approved.

Bridge #61 Kaiser Road- wants to hold that to budget time. They are in the design part right now. He thinks the fund will be needed for other items this year. They can’t save what is there. Morris asked where it is- Listerman said it is the one by Gehring’s place as you start to go up the hill from the Pribble Rd end. There is $1.3 million in the infrastructure account. Replace Bridge 5 Laughery Creek and Bridge 7 on Woliung-  INDOT is likely to approve these. These have design work. $225,000 for Laughery Creek and $300,000 for Woliung matches.

Highway/Road

Crew leaders, Operators, Highway maintenance workers,Garage foreman, Head mechanic, PERF, Social security- Tim Grieve has had one “helluva” a winter.( Kraus thanked Tim for getting his daughter out of a bad spot this winter.) $126,250 short of funds on all the wages on this winter. They are using $60,000 out of the equipment insurance account that commissioners have covered already. They want o apply this toward the shortfall. Terri Randall wanted to be sure the insurance was OK and she wouldn’t be shorted. It was OK per Leah according t o Listerman and Pennington concurred.

Fuel oil and lube- $75,000 for extra fuel this winter. (It has $145,000 in it currently)– use the other $66,000 from here for the winter wages shortfall. This is MvHA substitute and it does not have to be advertised. This also makes it easier for auditor’s system.  Using $70,000 left of this.

The remaining items are coming out of their $2.1 million MvHa fund already appropriated.

Snow and Ice Control- $300,000- to replenish for next year. This is bid thru the state to get a low rate.

Equipment repair $75,000

Aggregate- $50,000

Tandem trucks- the one they used in Bright was in pretty bad shape from 1999. $200,000 for one tandem truck. That is not a misprint!

Roadway paving- Cole Lane- Wilson Creek- piece of Dutch Hollow with over 3500 -4200 cars per day. They will fix Wilson Creek slip before they pave.

Slip repairs- Wilson Creek and Salt Fork. Got hit with a big problem on Laughery Creek- with the creek 38 ft below and the 6 inches from road edge. Working with NRCS on this. They worked with them for match funds on Johnson Fork., Laughery Creek doesn’t qualify.

Approved: $1.170 million for everything (except paving) out of MvHA substitute and $1.2million for paving out of Growth and Development.

They will be back at budget time.

Alcoholic and Beverage Commission replacement- Ralph  Schaefer to Glenn Huesmann who will cover him until he may be able to resume his duties. They get $24/month. Approved.

Auditor- Gayle Pennington- Minutes from March meeting tabled until they can review.

Beginning in June- the meetings will be streamlined as they have added cameras. (Some comments about turning away from cameras, etc.)

 June 17th meeting  at 6:30 PM will be advertised as a joint meeting with commissioners. Commissioners meet regularly that day at 5 PM. They will present the courthouse annex proposal  with design and budget. They can decide to fund in July perhaps per Randall.

[NOTE: Nothing was stated at this meeting regarding the change n voting to simple majority from a 5 vote precedent for salary ordinances. I asked the Commissioners about this at their May 7 meeting.  The County attorney indicated that this was Council’s purview. The county and council attorneys were to meet regarding this. There has been no public acceptance of these attorneys decision at Council. Nor has any written legal opinion been received. Action on paying the increased salary and back pay to the county administrator for her economic development duties has occurred though as if this was accepted. There are two KNOWN cases of salaries and benefits failing due to lack of a 5th vote in the 12 years that Council was using supermajority after the state law change to allow simple majority on 2002. There may be more- but these two came up in an internet search of blog notes. One involves a former county administrator and one with animal control. The County could be liable for those items and any others that exist in that time period, unless they formally change the practice effective in March 2014 to cover their recent change of heart. (At least the majority of the Council’s change of heart.) ]

Meeting adjourned at 9:35 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

20 May 2014 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes


20 May 2014 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

Present: Shane McHenry, President, Art Little, and Kevin Lynch

Also present: Gayle Pennington, Auditor, Teresa Randall, County Administrator, and Andy Baudendistel, Attorney.

OLD BUSINESS:

Proposed Animal Control Ordinance- Baudendistel presented some changes suggested. Added in provision that Health Dept notify the Animal Control officer of dog bites. Planning and zoning had some comments about returning dogs to owners if tagged. The vicious dog section stays as is. Licensing authority is PAWS and animal control. Animals given away as prizes are covered in the ordinance. It does not prohibit 4H breeding stock. When dogs or cats are hit they should notify animal control- not just leave them in street.

Public Comment: Pat Hawkins- PAWS treasurer- wanted stronger language to require spay and neuter in the county- but realizes this is a journey and this is a good step so far. Spay and neuter is covered but needs to change in regard to young animals being spayed after adoption – when they reach appropriate age. Adopters pay for spay and neuter- it is in the adoption fee. Breeding stock is an exception.

Marlene Underwood- Animal Control – reiterated that they would love mandatory spay and neuter but not sure how they could enforce it. PAWS gives the voucher- that encourages it. $100-200 for average dog spay. Wishes we had a low cost alternative. Baudendistel agrees.

About 100 animals adopted in a month- Pat Hawkins answered to Lynch’s question. Sandy said they spay and neuter 8-10 every week.  Pat Hawkins said there are low cost clinics in the Cincinnati area for spay and neuter. Ex- Cat is $35.

McHenry said the language is the main issue- highly recommended vs. required. Lynch said it seems that PAWS has a good handle on this. Discussion centered on the spay and neuter requirement, property rights, affordability and enforceability. McHnery wanted to table it to think a little more on it. Commissioners TABLED.

NEW BUSINESS:

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT: Todd Listerman, Highway Engineer

Stateline Road Slip- supplement #3 between INDOT and Dearborn County. Set to let in August. We were awarded another $45,000 to complete the 80/20 costs. Commissioners accepted the $275,666.40 total cost for the emergency repair of the road slip.

He will be going to INDOT- Bridge 5 and 70 for Laughery and Woliung roads for federal share projects.

ADMINISTRATOR: Teresa Randall:

Courthouse Project Update- hoping to put a project together in June. Got some local historical input on the project to be certain they respected the Courthouse historical building. They will talk about this at Council tonight at their joint meeting tonight.

Jail Project Update- Maxwell will present this at the next Council meeting after this meeting tonight.

Economic Development Research Technician- $100,000 awarded from Lawrenceburg grant, that position will sit at this building. Input form mayor’s and this board agreed to that. DCRC administers those funds. The technician reports to mayors and DCRC. Economic Development Advisory Committee will provide oversight for this position. It is a 1099 contract position and not a county employee. She asked them to create the Advisory Committee. Commissioners agreed.

AUDITOR: Gayle Pennington- Coroner sent out for bids for the old stretcher. One bid came in from Fitch Denney. McHenry opened it. $50 was the bid for the cot with a check enclosed. Commissioners accepted the $50 for the old cot.

Minutes for the May 7 meeting were approved. Claims approved.

ATTORNEY: Andy Baudendistel- nothing to add.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS- Little- don’t forget Memorial Day and the Vets. Lynch echoed those comments “loudly” and asked people to participate in a county event.

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION- none

PUBLIC COMMENT- John Engle of Happy Hollow Road- Family moved there in 1949 and uncle moved to the other farm in 1950. They have used the road for 40 years for access. Others have worked on the road besides the county. His son owns 30 acres. He is upset and feels like he is being railroaded. He was willing to donate land to keep the road open in 2007 but his neighbor is unwilling- ( Lykins). Lykins packs guns and gates the road. His son bought the land in 2010-11. He has a huge packet of records showing the land and road history back 5 generations. Listerman said in 2005-6 they looked at roads to see what was physically maintained on our inventory. They found that some locations were not maintained to the exact length on the inventory. They sent letters to see if they wanted to have it maintained by the county and to see if they would donate the land to get it up to county standards. Engle got one of those letters as he owns land at front and back of that road. Stenger was Engle’s surveyor and Seig was Lykins’s surveyor. Engle insists the road has been moved. Lynch asked how the county would record a deed if there was no road frontage. When Engle’s son came up to podium he said that Art Little had been out there and Lykins had come up and ask him how he felt. Little said- he came up with a gun on his 4 wheeler. Art said he would bring his gun the next time he was down there. Engle’s son’s parcel was a previously cut out parcel so it did not need to be resurveyed per Dennis Kraus Jr. McHenry wants to review minutes form 2011 and check with Kraus, Jr. and the building dept on permits issued. Then they may have some feedback for Engles’s family. They want to settle this out of court. They don’t want reputations and businesses to be harmed by court case. Commissioners will contact them when they have information – hopefully by the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 6:27 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

 

Monday, May 19, 2014

FUND FOR HESS FAMILY


FUND FOR HESS FAMILY

The family of Kathy Hess, who is a life-long resident of Bright, strong Christian mother and grandmother, is reaching out to the community for help. The family is facing financial challenges because of legal and health issues. She and husband Alan are both unable to work. Alan is facing extensive surgeries to try and save his leg from amputation due to complication of diabetes. They have found themselves suddenly both unemployed and facing massive medical and legal bills. The family and friends of Kathy and Alan Hess have set up a benefit fund, the Hess Family Fund, at local Fifth Third Banks. They greatly appreciate all help that the community can provide.

 

 

Friday, May 16, 2014

AGENDA May 20th Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting


AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
 May 20, 2014
5:00 p.m., Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
 
I.          CALL TO ORDER
 
II.          PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
 
III.         OLD BUSINESS
1.  Proposed Animal Control Ordinance
 
IV.        NEW BUSINESS
            1.  Highway Engineer – Todd Listerman
                        Stateline Road Slip
 
V.        ADMINISTRATOR – Terri Randall
1.  Courthouse Project Update
2.  Jail Project Update 
3.  Economic Development Research Technician
 
VI.        AUDITOR – Gayle Pennington
1.  Claims/Minutes
           
VII.       ATTORNEY
 
VIII.      COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
 
VIIII.     LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION
 
X.        PUBLIC COMMENT
 
XI.        ADJOURN

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Kathy Hess Court Dates Changed at the Request of the State


Kathy Hess Court Dates Changed at the Request of the State

Final pretrial in the Kathy Hess case has been moved from Monday May 19th to October 27th at 3 PM. The jury trial date moved to November 17th at 8:30 AM. The State (prosecutor) requested the continuance in this case.

Friday, May 09, 2014

Agenda 20 May 2014 County Council Meeting

AGENDA DEARBORN COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 6:30 p.m.,
 
 Commissioners Room County Administration Building

215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana


I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE


II. CALL TO ORDER


Ill. PROSECUTOR -Aaron Negangard -Office travel expense

Depositions


IV. ASSESSOR - Gary Hensley

Replace PTABOA member

Salary change

Staff vacancy and level Ill requirements


V. HEALTH DEPARTMENT Mary Calhoun

Revised Ordinance to increase fees


VI. BUILDING

- Bill Shelton PC's and Software


VII. COMMUNICATIONS - 

Charlie Ashley Transfer funds

VIII. COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS -  Steve Kelly

New Van

Staff Education training


IX. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Expenses for the Mobile Command Vehicle

Siren Maintenance


X. PARK BOARD - Jim Red Elk

Guilford Park Improvements

Picnic Tables

Bright Meadows Park Repairs


XI. HIGHWAY - Todd Listerman

Bridge

Small Structure Inspection (transfer from Bridge Inspection)

Stateline Road Realignment at Georgetown Rd.


Box Beam Bridges-New Decks/Guardrail and approaches

Bridge #138 Bonnell Rd.

Bridge #61 Kaiser Rd.

Highway/Road

Crew Leaders Operators

Highway

Maintenance Workers

Garage Foreman

Head Mechanic

PERF

Social Security

Snow and Ice Control 

Fuel, Oil and Lube

Equipment Repair

Aggregate

Roadway Paving

Slip Repairs

Equipment


XII. AUDITOR - Gayle Pennington

ABC replacement - Schaefer to Huesmann
Minutes


XIII. ADJOURN

 

Apathy Video and Civic Engagement

Apathy Video and Civic Engagement

You can help fight apathy- watch the short video in this article from Planners Web. The speaker is Canadian- but the issues are still pertinent to civic responsibility in America.

http://plannersweb.com/2014/05/can-help-fight-apathy/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PlanningCommissionersJournal+%28PCJ+PlannersWeb%29

Thursday, May 08, 2014

8 May 2014 Dearborn County Redevelopment Meeting Notes


8 May 2014 Dearborn County Redevelopment Meeting Notes

 

Present: Jim Deaton, Acting Chairman, Jim Helms, and John Rahe.

ABSENT: Dave Deddens, Chairman (vacation), Maynard Barrett, and Dusty Burress (non- voting school board member)

 

Also present: Terri Randall, county administrator and economic development director, Sue Hayden, administrative assistant, and Andrea Ewan, attorney, and Randy Maxwell, consultant.

(There was no executive session preceding this meeting.)

Minutes for April 10, 2014 Meeting- approved.

 

Approval of “notes” from prior meetings that had no minutes- there were meetings in 2013 that had no formal minutes taken and Terri Randall submitted her informal notes and email as backup of the items on the agenda for approval. This was the best they could do to recreate those meetings. These were the meetings that immediately followed the departure of Rozow and Kunkel. The board accepted these as the best records available for those meetings.  

 

Unfinished Business: none

 

New Business

Financials & Claims- Sue Hayden said she had done a new sheet to show cash balances and DCRC matching dollars for Lawrenceburg and Council money. They also went over the TIF balances. This includes the money returned from London Witte- see note below. Approved.

 

Interlocal Strategic Planning- Favorable recommendation from Lawrenceburg for Visioning. The economic development agreement was reviewed and they approved that also for $100,000. $270,000 for the grant to administrate for strategic planning project. DCRC is the administrator for that grant. The economic development agreement set this up as a 1099 contract employee. They made it clear this is NOT a county employee. They didn’t want to see it on the county payroll. They get paid $49,000/year. This has been increased to cover taxes. This is from the 10 county grant program. These are 2013 monies. Andrea and Andy Baudendistel sat with Grant Hughes and Terri Randall to hammer out that position. That person will report to the 3 mayors, the commissioners, the chairman od the Redevelopment Commissions. That person will sit at the county as we have the room here and Randall will be a resource for him or her. That $100,000 was previously sent over to EDI. Now the county is a player in that and the cities and towns sign the interlocal agreements and they will get it started with interviews for the position. Helms asked what kind of structure is set up for the reporting. They will have an item on the commissioners’ agenda to set up that reporting committee. It will be subject to open door laws when they meet. Helms wanted to be sure people had the opportunity to weigh in and see what they were doing with the director. Randall said that when she has been meeting with the economic directors of the cities they wanted to find out how to get all the input. They are looking at OCRA for grants to get the towns involved. Each community will have to decide if they want to be involved in comprehensive planning. The process is important. Aurora, Moores Hill have gotten their grants to start planning. Dillsboro has plan that is just about 2 years old. West Harrison is town of under 350 and they tie to Harrison more. They are not interested. St Leon is working to resurvey to see if they qualify for the grant. Their income levels were close for the OCRA grants. The survey is a salary survey. Greendale has already done their planning. Way ahead of everyone. Lawrenceburg’s main focus is working on the downtown area. No consultant has been selected- that is at least 6 months away for the visioning process. They had no questions about interlocal agreement. The DCRC voted to authorize Deddens to sign the interlocal agreement with Lawrenceburg for $270,000.

Rahe asked about what happens to all the plans have already been done. Randall said that the plans were stale and this would help all the communities become able to participate. There are boards set up to lead economic development now.

 

Economic Development Position- $100,000 was granted for this form Lawrenceburg. It is for contracting with an independent contractor (1099 employee) for resources. This interlocal agreement was approved for Deddens to sign .

 

County Administrator Report

AIC Best Practices in Economic Development Program- $60 per person for Tuesday May 19. This is more practical hands on per Randall. It is sponsored by a national economic development group. It is happening at the same time as the auditor’s program. Rahe wants to go. Randall is going. Liz Morris has expressed a desire to go.

 

Returned Money from London Witte- Siemens from Whitewater Mills took over that payment and so this account was reimbursed. It went back into line item for professional expert fees.

 

EDI & County Website- Randall has done little with EDI website other than correct wrong information and contact info. Was hesitant to do a lot because this extra person being hired will hopefully bring more ideas to the table. The webinar she attended noted that 70% of the time people find you from the internet. EDI will have their entity dissolved by the end of the year. Unless someone wants to take it over. Some people think they should rebrand it to get some new energy. They are going to hold it until the new organization gets formed. She has found a number of companies that are good with economic development websites.

Randall also will have and economic development button on the county’s website. He also wants the DCRC info on the county website- so that board members, meetings, etc. are available.

She did a webinar by Ed Burkhardt (sp?) a retired P&G executive. He has a passion for economic development. Mark McCormack did it also. $50/person.

Randy Maxwell said he was intrigued by it. He said the governor of OH harnessed him to rebrand Ohio. You will be drilling down to what people think and how to appeal to them. All the Comp Plans seem to end up on a shelf and never get used. What’s your identity? Who are you? Insiders think one thing and those around us think we are something else. A BRAND IS NOT A SLOGAN. Don’t attach an image that is false- as when people come and see us it falls apart. DC is one of the most governed counties. So many towns and cities and commissions. We will never get everyone on the same page. You have to spoon feed and work your way to get everyone’s ideas to make it happen. The boards are made up of volunteers who have other jobs. Randall- Find out where you are before you try to figure out where you want to go.

Rahe- Have you heard about the theme- Honest to Goodness Indiana? No one had- Laughter when he commented about maybe it was because we weren’t that way here.

Maxwell said that 6 strong leads came from IEDC and they come with codes. They have responded to 3 in the last 45 days. We need to be grounded in INDY as that’s where we are governed. BUT we have to be economically centered in Cincinnati area. Automotive industry was one of these. He used it for our packet as we are in the Greater Cincinnati area. Jim McGraw a consultant from Cincinnati he talks to is always rooting for Indiana.

Randall said that OH businesses are calling her to come to IN. Do you want companies to border jump? They say they are leasing space and they need a bigger space. There are smaller companies and she sends them on but she vets out the bigger companies. She wants to bring someone to talk to this board about these possibilities. Incubator projects are hard to get going because of these small businesses. Some of these people just need a little help- not sure how to get that for them. Some people have those revolving loan plans – so some communities qualify for that.

Randall said we have had 3-4 leads in the last 60 days. I have just submitted one for West Harrison site last night. Waiting to see if we make first cut on another one.

Maxwell- said all these companies are in strict confidence but we can target the industry type they are in. Access to labor is their number one concern. West Harrison and Greendale are our best access points for the tristate. We want to hire a consultant to do an analysis of that labor market. It would be a huge benefit for us to market. We export 60% of our employees. That shows that we can locate here to get some of them.

Helms said we market the entertainment, airport, higher education from the tristate, why not the workers?[NOTE: One reason is that their payroll taxes go back to their state not to Indiana or COIT. Unless you get them to relocate here…]

Randall said we need to work on the higher education piece.

Rahe asked about the brand for tristate. Maxwell said that they are working on that. Rahe said that we are the right to work jewel in the tristate. Maxwell said that we are up to INDY so they know about us now. Important little things like the governor sits next to Rick Siemer (Whitewater Mills) at a ball game and calls Chip Perfect to congratulate him on his primary win.

Terri Randall told them that Lynch had officially resigned from this board to make this board properly constituted. She wanted to be sure to tell them that. 

They looked at Aurora Industrial Park- they need to improve sign. Probably need to get commissioners to see if Highway Dept can help. [NOTE: This is the second time this came up- no action has been taken on this still.]

 

Attorney’s Report- Mike Pence graduated from Columbus North HS in 1977. Is that the attorney report?

         

Other Business- Deaton- said that Dillsboro has hired a person to work 20 hours per week to work on economic development. Susan Greco started out as a teacher- and went into economic development. Deaton said that he hopes economic development comes to all the towns. Greco said she had applied for a part time with utilities and previously had attended this class. She was on the economic development board but terminated that to take this position. Randall is going to spend time with Susan Greco today- sharing resources.

Helms asked how Siemens and the Mills were doing. Maxwell said the slip form concrete is poured 24/7 and the buildings will be about 2/3 as high as the silos. 8 silos. Maxwell said it is pretty neat.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 AM

 

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

Wednesday, May 07, 2014

AGENDA May 8th Redevelopment Meeting

AGENDA May 8th Redevelopment Meeting 
8:00 a.m., 3rd Floor Commissioners Room
County Administration Building
215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
 
 
I.              Call to order
 
II.            Approval of Minutes
·         April 10, 2014 Meeting
·         Approval of “notes” from prior meetings that had no minutes
 
III.           Unfinished Business
 
IV.          New Business
·         Financials & Claims
·         Interlocal Strategic Planning
·         Economic Development Position
 
V.           County Administrator Report
·         AIC Best Practices in Economic Development Program
·         Returned Money from London Witte
·         EDI & Website
 
VI.          Attorney’s Report
           
VII.         Other Business
 
VIII.       Adjournment