16 DECEMBER 2025 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES
This meeting was also recorded for Uncle Sam Mortenson
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This meeting was also recorded for Uncle Sam Mortenson
Present: Jim Thatcher, President, Duane Bischoff, and Kevin Turner
Also present: Connie Fromhold, Auditor, Andy Baudendistel, Attorney, and Sue Hayden, Administrator
TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE was read by Baudendistel as legally required.
Appeal of Animal Control's Determination of Vicious Animal- Baudendistel- discussed doing this as soon as possible due to the time issues and holiday. This needs a special meeting of commissioners on Friday morning December 19th at 9 AM. Approved
PUBLIC HEARING - Petition to Vacate Public Way Dogridge Rd Area
Baudendistel presented the initial plan and the request now to vacate by the Hylands. Grant Reeves- attorney- representing the Hylands and the Denzlers and the Hall families.
Simplest thing to do is file to vacate it to clear this issue up. Segment was cut off in 1903 as seen on 1937. Even then the older section was overgrown. The others were open and passable. There is a good argument that this was abandoned by 20 years of non-use. Concerns that it would allow development in an area that is just not ready for that. If this is a public way- it does not go away when owners change. We believe this sets a precedential risk thoughout the county. Seavers have access- there is a doctrine called easement by necessity. This is being caused by something Seavers is doing. There is case that the property creating a land locked property bears the necessity. It is not currently land locked. They are using the legal description provided by Dennis Kraus Jr. We have certified legal of description. Thatcher asked if there was a bridge over water required for that access. Yes if they wanted to go that direction.
Duane Bischoff- we have things from Oct 18,1999 minutes that state that Denzlers were asking to open up a section of this. Reeves noted that they did the one home and nothing more. Baudendistel noted some other cases too. Implied easement is strict. Standard to vacate is a lesser standard. Reeves- at the end of the day- Seavers volitional act is causing this. Seavers have access and ready access.
Baudendistel said they have received formal written remonstrance from Seavers.
Mark Hall- lived on Dogridge since born. We have 2 parcels- submitted over 106 signed petitions on this. Everyone supports the concept of vacating the road. Turner read every one of them. Bischoff read them too. People had thought the county was paying for it. They are not paying for it nor are they maintaining it.
Gary Denzler- i got permission to use it and maintained 100 years of road which is a driveway to my home. It’s a sharp V- you cannot see around that. It would be a problem for me.
Dylan Klare- have family farm of 200 acres. Proud of the properties and the county. It’s important to preserve our land and the countryside. Preserve rural area. There are a lot of driveways out here that have not been used for 100 years. This could make precedent. I’m 5th generation of the farm, 33 years old. Voice my opinion as a younger generation.
Jared Ewbank- attorney- representing Seavers- asked Denny Kraus Jr to come up and show the evidence they have on this.
Dan Seavers Inc- himself, brother and sister. Got this from his dad. They have never sold a piece of ground in the country. They are 8th generation. All our property is farmed, cattle, or woodlands I understand the concerns from the neighbors. The petition that was circulated indicate these properties would be subdivided. I don’t know if that was from ignorance or malice- I will take the high road and say from ignorance. When my dad purchased we did not ask for access from DogRidge.
He’s read the letter that says the intent for these properties. We are not asking the commission to reconstruct or maintain any of these roadways other than what was currently maintained. We wish to keep lands in their current natural state. Any future driveways would be for PRIVATELY maintained ones. Traffic counts would be essentially the same.The Graf’s will use it for hunting and fishing. Our corporation is an estate plan essentially. This was purchased from great uncles. In 1970’s.
Denny Kraus, Jr. showed 1860atlas showing it. 1875 Atlas- shows it between 2 properties etc. 4 separate owners had the Seavers properties. 1899 atlas- shows Dogridge from creek to Jacobs rd. 1936 map from state library- basis for 33 fr ROW of Dogridge. 1970 plat book shows it as a non- maintained Rd. 1899 auditor’s plat- parcels in separate ownership and shows Hyland’s predecessors. 1920 Auditors map- John and Harry and Bertha Seavers lands them etc. Image on GIS layer for hills shade. Aerial of Seavers property. Topographic map shows the steepness of the property. 2 ft contours that change the color of the map. Warranty deeds and Ryland’s deed and Hammerle deed mentioning the road.Deeds showing new road built in 1903. Commissioners minutes 1903. 1999 Minutes already discussed. Letter from engineer attached to one monies. 1937 aerial. 1904 aerial. Surbvey in 1999 from Jeff Stenger. Photos of apparent ROW.
Jared Ewbank - attorney- gave formal remonstrance papers. And the statute. Tim Dan and Pam Seavers. What I see is a family that has preserved the rural nature of the county.
Jared Ewbank pulled Nicole Daily (Planning and Zoning) into this. She said they would have to have. 50 ft ROW to have a subdivision.
Jared Ewbank continued- DogRidge Rd is about farmers access to use the ridge access.We are an aggrieved owner as the other means of egress and ingress is unreasonable and inconvenient over the cliff and the creek way. Deny the vacation of this road.
Joseph Graf ( buyer) passed out his letter and read it. GrackleProperties LLC in September 2025 to buy the property. Paperwork on LLC - Ownership, management purpose etc. Our ties run deep 7 generations in Dover, New Alsace, St Leon. Members of All Saints. Lives in Indy in military but considers this home. They are in the Honor Guard. We are not looking to buy properties to subdivide. Addressing the petition of 106 people. No more development there. No more traffic either. Add gravel to unmaintained road. Hunt their own land- not neighboring properties. Aim to protect and improve the natural habitat. True intent is preservation. Do not want to extend DigRidge to New Alsace. Over time we hope our actions will show this.Please do not set a precedent that people have to have Commissioners permission to sell their properties. Their operating agreement states that if the property ever is sold- first right of refusal comes to the family.Wife is a city gal- but wants he and kids to use this property for hunting etc.
Baudendistel said to subdivide this land requires a rezone.Ag Zone does not allow subdivison.
Greg Hyland- asked Seavers that with 230 acres how he accesses it. They have not accessed it in 55 years.
Reeves- Attorney for Hylands etc- It can be rezoned- and the petition to vacate is the way to clear this up.
Marty Kraus- adjoining landowner. Noted his request was turned down for access in past. Roads don’t have to be to county standards, You can build a road that fords a creek through many times of the year. And people do “trespass” on old roads out here. A road that is somewhat maintained attracts people trying to use it.
Thatcher called for a motion. Bischoff motioned to deny vacation and Turner 2nded. Approved to Deny Vacation.
Commissioners wan Andy Baudendistel to set up procedures for these old roadbeds and ROWs.
7:20 PM
OLD BUSINESS
Property on Westside Dr., Aurora (nothing new)- TABLED
NEW BUSINESS
Request to Use Remaining EMS LIT Funds - David Phelps, II, Aurora EMS $32,000 left use for a Director’s vehicle ( similar to a chase car.) -Baudendistel added an addendum to do this in the contract. Approved
Request to Use Remaining EMS LIT Funds - Megan Brookbank, Greendale EMS- Tom Craig President EMS Greendale- $21-23,000 left. Wants a new Stryker powerload system and cot- it’s 12 years old. Approved.
CSI Computer Systems Support Agreement - Joyce Oles, Recorder- Approved
Travel Advisory - Jason Sullivan, EMA/EMS Director- Approved all his advisories Dec 1and 2. Dec 11,12, 13, 14,15,16.
Nicole Daily, Director of Planning & Zoning:
Moore Drive - Realignment, ROW Dedication & Acceptance Survey- Approved
County Park Board 5-year Master Plan (2026-2030)- working on final draft and reviewed by IDNR and going thru for feedback in February. It is on the county’s and etc park board’s websites for public. This has to go thru DNR before county and park board approve.
Save Local Waters Membership – Matt Simpson, DCSWCD Stormwater Coordinator- This is between all 5 MS4’s in them county. Soil and Water is also in this. Total $725.25 county cost. Based on population. Soil and water is paying half of the county’s cost.All partners agreed. Approved
Discussion Regarding Inclement Weather Closure of Government Center Policy- There is one. Sue Hayden found it.
Department Head Appointments - All Approved
- Administrator / ADA & Title VI Coordinator – Sue Hayden
- Animal Control Director – Steve Hofstetter
- Attorney – Andy Baudendistel
- Building Inspector – Bill Shelton
- Emergency Management Director/ EMS – Jason Sullivan
- Engineer – Todd Listerman
- Highway Superintendent – Tim Greive
- Maintenance Director – Eric Hartman
- 911 Director – Kris Heitmeyer
- Board appointments- APPROVED except for Community Corrections and DCRSD which are tabled as below.
- Heath Board Appointments - Donald Rechtin & Steve Hubbard
- Planning Commission - Eric Lang
- BZA - Alan Miller (attorney previously served in Aurora city.)
- PTA BOA - Jodi Wolf, Mark Hardebeck
- This one TABLED to check if correct- Community Corrections (SERCC) - Michael Srapata, Wyatt Simpson, Bill Belew, Matt Probst, Greg Duncan, Gregory Coy, Rick Craig, Tom Baxter, Mario Todd
- TABLED to check if they want to be renewed- Regional Sewer - Steward Cline, Russell Beiersdorfer
- Alcohol Beverage Board - Tom Smith
- Redevelopment Commission - Jim Deaton, Jim Mansfield, Tom Tepe, Trevor Bischoff
- TABLED till checking for people- Emergency Management - Kris Heitmeyer ( there because of his position), (Jody Blasdel wants to retire) - Add Max Webster.
ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden- Certification of Annual Nepotism Policy- she has all the elected officials forms back today.
AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold -Claims/Payroll and December 2nd Minutes-Approved
ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel- Documents to sign still for transfer of hospital property but all reapproved.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Turner and Bischoff praised all staff that worked over the snow days.
Thatcher wished everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION:none
PUBLIC COMMENT: none
ADJOURN- 8:05 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
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