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