The December 2009 EcO15 Newsletter "ECHO THIS!" is now on the Dearborn Community Foundation's web site. See www.dearborncf.org
Thanks,
Mark J. Neff
Dearborn County EcO15 Coordinator
Dearborn Community Foundation
322 Walnut Street
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
(812) 539-4115 Foundation Office
(812) 539-4119 Fax
(812) 584-7629 Cell Phone
www.dearborncf.org
www.eco15.org
Friday, January 29, 2010
SHANE McHENRY INTERVIEW on theflypod.com
listen to Shane McHenry's interview on the flypod. http://www.theflypod.com/asp/newpage.asp?RN=45277
IU RESEARCHERS NEED HELP WITH TOURISM SURVEY
EcO15 and Indiana University Faculty Researchers Encouraging Participation in Hospitality/Tourism Survey
Economic Opportunities through Education by 2015 (EcO15) and Indiana University faculty researchers from the Tourism Research and Education Center are asking Business owners and 2,000 residents throughout ten counties in Southeastern Indiana to participate in a research study exploring attitudes towards local tourism.
A Business Survey has already been sent to H&T business owners exploring their employment trends, hiring expectations and desired levels of skills/education for entry, mid, and senior management positions. The Resident Survey will explore Dearborn County residents’ expectations of/and attitude toward tourism, and their knowledge of the economic impact of the tourism industry in Dearborn County.
By participating in this Hospitality and Tourism survey, local residents will provide insight into the future planning of their communities when considering increasing tourist attractions and marketing their hometowns.
The findings of this study could enhance the economic vitality in Southeastern Indiana. Local economic and tourism officials have endorsed this study and will use its results to grow Dearborn County tourism.
For information about the study, contact the EcO15 Hospitality/Tourism Coordinator, Jeanne Robinson by email Jeanne.robinson@eco15.org or phone (317) 412-3917.
Economic Opportunities through Education by 2015 (EcO15) and Indiana University faculty researchers from the Tourism Research and Education Center are asking Business owners and 2,000 residents throughout ten counties in Southeastern Indiana to participate in a research study exploring attitudes towards local tourism.
A Business Survey has already been sent to H&T business owners exploring their employment trends, hiring expectations and desired levels of skills/education for entry, mid, and senior management positions. The Resident Survey will explore Dearborn County residents’ expectations of/and attitude toward tourism, and their knowledge of the economic impact of the tourism industry in Dearborn County.
By participating in this Hospitality and Tourism survey, local residents will provide insight into the future planning of their communities when considering increasing tourist attractions and marketing their hometowns.
The findings of this study could enhance the economic vitality in Southeastern Indiana. Local economic and tourism officials have endorsed this study and will use its results to grow Dearborn County tourism.
For information about the study, contact the EcO15 Hospitality/Tourism Coordinator, Jeanne Robinson by email Jeanne.robinson@eco15.org or phone (317) 412-3917.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
REVISED AGENDA for Commissioners Meeting MONDAY 1 Feb 2010
AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
February 1, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Administration Building
215 W. High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
NOTE: THIS IS A MONDAY NIGHT MEETING
EXECUTIVE SESSION @ 6:00 pm – Medical
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
II. CALL TO ORDER
III. OLD BUSINESS
Discussion on Purchasing Agency Ordinance
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Andrea Conroy – “What’s Happening” magazine discussion
2. Signatures for Doctor and Nurse Agreement for Juvenile
3. OKI alternative member for Executive Session Meetings discussion
4. Heath Department representative – Employee leave discussion
5. Hiring of County Coordinator
6. Brett Dodd RQAW- update
V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
1. Updates
2. George Street Bridge Agreement
3. IC 639 Bells Branch Bridge
4. High water gates
VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
1. Claims/Minutes
2. EMS Contracts
VII. ATTORNEY
VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes
IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell
X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.
Accident report/Supervisory reports
XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION
XII. PUBLIC COMMENT
XIII. ADJOURN
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
February 1, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Administration Building
215 W. High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
NOTE: THIS IS A MONDAY NIGHT MEETING
EXECUTIVE SESSION @ 6:00 pm – Medical
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
II. CALL TO ORDER
III. OLD BUSINESS
Discussion on Purchasing Agency Ordinance
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Andrea Conroy – “What’s Happening” magazine discussion
2. Signatures for Doctor and Nurse Agreement for Juvenile
3. OKI alternative member for Executive Session Meetings discussion
4. Heath Department representative – Employee leave discussion
5. Hiring of County Coordinator
6. Brett Dodd RQAW- update
V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
1. Updates
2. George Street Bridge Agreement
3. IC 639 Bells Branch Bridge
4. High water gates
VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
1. Claims/Minutes
2. EMS Contracts
VII. ATTORNEY
VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes
IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell
X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.
Accident report/Supervisory reports
XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION
XII. PUBLIC COMMENT
XIII. ADJOURN
26 January 2010 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes
26 January 2010 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes
Present: Dennis Kraus, Sr., President, Maynard Barrett, Vice President, Liz Morris, Bill Ullrich, Bryan Messmore, Dan Lansing, and Tom Cheek. Cary Pickens, Auditor also was present.
Commissioner Orschell was present.
Kraus was elected as President and Barrett as Vice president.
Board appointments:
Advisory Board for Master Plan- Kraus
Alcohol Board- Ralph Schaefer
Animal Control and EMA- Ullrich
BZA- Rick Pope
CVTB- Morris until Barrett takes it over
Econ Development- Kraus
Juvenile Detention and YES Home- Morris
OKI and SIRPC- Mark McCormack
Plan Commission- Lansing
PTABOA- Tax appeals- Mary Booker and Ken Madden
Redevelopment Commission- Kevin Lynch
Solid Waste and Mental Health- Cheek
DCRSD- Art Wentzel and Jeff Stenger
Liaison to Redevelopment Commission Kraus for Barrett
Community Corrections- Messmore
Additional Appropriations:
1. Judge Humphrey approved to reinstate $10,000 for repairs fund out of Contingency Fund. Per Pickens, there is $357,000 in Contingency and nothing extra in County General now.
2. Judge Blankenship approved for $3500 to honor ongoing computer maintenance contract
3. Carl Fryman needed no approval- Council appropriated the amount for part time from last year for $7470
4. Salary Ordinance was revised to correct a jail corporal salary and the judges supplemental were revised to be in biweekly paychecks.
5. Todd Listerman- Transportation Director- approved salary ordinance for Highway supervisor to be exempt and have no overtime. Salary to be $47,398, instead of $42,500 with $5,000 in overtime average per year.
Listerman also was approved to fill the assistant engineer position with $41,989 in the budget.
He wants someone with a college degree and background in construction management.
Budget issues with recertifying his budget due to error in appropriations line by line will be done at the next meeting per Pickens.
6. Sandy Carley and Dennis Monroe of PAWS gave an overview of their proposal for taking over the Animal Shelter to Council. Their bottom line number was $286,599 annually to run the shelter with their share of $159,500 and the county giving $130,000.
The county’s number did NOT include the ACO’s salaries and related expenses. Pickens wanted to know how they would take over the ACO’s eventually as natural attrition occurs. Ullrich was concerned with legal liabilities on some of the duties.
Carley was not sure about taking over ACO’s – she seemed surprised at that idea.
Morris said not to hire a director or 4th ACO with this in flux.
Lansing asked about leasing land and their plans. Carley said they were pursuing all offers.
Barrett said- why go to Greendale dumpsite if there is no sewer there?
Lansing asked about PAWS and county and what would happen if there were problems. Monroe said that would be in their succession plan. Lansing also asked what happens when Mayor Cunningham no longer runs for mayor. The next one might not be so generous for PAWS.
Ullrich said- the county is OBLIGATED to provide Animal Control. Pickens and Carley both said- if it is built on county land- it reverts to the county.
Council said PAWS is going in the right direction- discussion and task force continues to meet.
7. Bill Ullrich brought up 2 items for the sheriff- renewed the commissary items to be approved by sheriff if under $500 and approved upgrading the whole campus card security for $11,555 with bid from H&P to be paid out of the COMMISSARY FUND. [NOTE: What does commissary have to do with security?]
8. Contract signed for lobbyists.
9. Conflicts of interest discussed by Kraus regarding him voting for anything on Surveyor( his son’s office), Ullrich with the Sheriff’s Dept., and Messmore with the Prosecutor’s office ( Victim’s Advocacy) He wanted to make the board aware of the appearance of conficts of interest and to avoid them.
10. Lansing apprised the Council of the Sugar Ridge Road issue and the possibility of $30,000 chip seal on Augusta Drive as a county expense.
11. Kraus asked about the County adm/coordinator position and whether it would be funded in 2011. Rumors that it wouldn’t were making it hard to fill the spot. Council said they wouldn’t stop funding nor would they promise it. Economics might determine it- but as long as they could get someone in there to do a good job- they would try to keep it funded. They perceived it as needed.
12. Cheek asked about salary grid. Barrett and Morris indicated the numbers were high- maybe use the minimums as a guide. No money now anyway.
13. Cheek also asked about grants being reviewed to be sure that the county was not on the hook for expense or continuing the position post grant.
Meeting adjourned at 9 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Present: Dennis Kraus, Sr., President, Maynard Barrett, Vice President, Liz Morris, Bill Ullrich, Bryan Messmore, Dan Lansing, and Tom Cheek. Cary Pickens, Auditor also was present.
Commissioner Orschell was present.
Kraus was elected as President and Barrett as Vice president.
Board appointments:
Advisory Board for Master Plan- Kraus
Alcohol Board- Ralph Schaefer
Animal Control and EMA- Ullrich
BZA- Rick Pope
CVTB- Morris until Barrett takes it over
Econ Development- Kraus
Juvenile Detention and YES Home- Morris
OKI and SIRPC- Mark McCormack
Plan Commission- Lansing
PTABOA- Tax appeals- Mary Booker and Ken Madden
Redevelopment Commission- Kevin Lynch
Solid Waste and Mental Health- Cheek
DCRSD- Art Wentzel and Jeff Stenger
Liaison to Redevelopment Commission Kraus for Barrett
Community Corrections- Messmore
Additional Appropriations:
1. Judge Humphrey approved to reinstate $10,000 for repairs fund out of Contingency Fund. Per Pickens, there is $357,000 in Contingency and nothing extra in County General now.
2. Judge Blankenship approved for $3500 to honor ongoing computer maintenance contract
3. Carl Fryman needed no approval- Council appropriated the amount for part time from last year for $7470
4. Salary Ordinance was revised to correct a jail corporal salary and the judges supplemental were revised to be in biweekly paychecks.
5. Todd Listerman- Transportation Director- approved salary ordinance for Highway supervisor to be exempt and have no overtime. Salary to be $47,398, instead of $42,500 with $5,000 in overtime average per year.
Listerman also was approved to fill the assistant engineer position with $41,989 in the budget.
He wants someone with a college degree and background in construction management.
Budget issues with recertifying his budget due to error in appropriations line by line will be done at the next meeting per Pickens.
6. Sandy Carley and Dennis Monroe of PAWS gave an overview of their proposal for taking over the Animal Shelter to Council. Their bottom line number was $286,599 annually to run the shelter with their share of $159,500 and the county giving $130,000.
The county’s number did NOT include the ACO’s salaries and related expenses. Pickens wanted to know how they would take over the ACO’s eventually as natural attrition occurs. Ullrich was concerned with legal liabilities on some of the duties.
Carley was not sure about taking over ACO’s – she seemed surprised at that idea.
Morris said not to hire a director or 4th ACO with this in flux.
Lansing asked about leasing land and their plans. Carley said they were pursuing all offers.
Barrett said- why go to Greendale dumpsite if there is no sewer there?
Lansing asked about PAWS and county and what would happen if there were problems. Monroe said that would be in their succession plan. Lansing also asked what happens when Mayor Cunningham no longer runs for mayor. The next one might not be so generous for PAWS.
Ullrich said- the county is OBLIGATED to provide Animal Control. Pickens and Carley both said- if it is built on county land- it reverts to the county.
Council said PAWS is going in the right direction- discussion and task force continues to meet.
7. Bill Ullrich brought up 2 items for the sheriff- renewed the commissary items to be approved by sheriff if under $500 and approved upgrading the whole campus card security for $11,555 with bid from H&P to be paid out of the COMMISSARY FUND. [NOTE: What does commissary have to do with security?]
8. Contract signed for lobbyists.
9. Conflicts of interest discussed by Kraus regarding him voting for anything on Surveyor( his son’s office), Ullrich with the Sheriff’s Dept., and Messmore with the Prosecutor’s office ( Victim’s Advocacy) He wanted to make the board aware of the appearance of conficts of interest and to avoid them.
10. Lansing apprised the Council of the Sugar Ridge Road issue and the possibility of $30,000 chip seal on Augusta Drive as a county expense.
11. Kraus asked about the County adm/coordinator position and whether it would be funded in 2011. Rumors that it wouldn’t were making it hard to fill the spot. Council said they wouldn’t stop funding nor would they promise it. Economics might determine it- but as long as they could get someone in there to do a good job- they would try to keep it funded. They perceived it as needed.
12. Cheek asked about salary grid. Barrett and Morris indicated the numbers were high- maybe use the minimums as a guide. No money now anyway.
13. Cheek also asked about grants being reviewed to be sure that the county was not on the hook for expense or continuing the position post grant.
Meeting adjourned at 9 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
AGENDA- COMMISSIONERS MEETING CHANGED TO MONDAY FEB 1
AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
February 1, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Administration Building
215 W. High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
NOTE: THIS IS A MONDAY NIGHT MEETING
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
II. CALL TO ORDER
III. OLD BUSINESS
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Andrea Conroy – “What’s Happening” magazine discussion
2. Signatures for Doctor and Nurse Agreement for Juvenile
3. OKI alternative member for Executive Session Meetings discussion
4. Heath Department representative – Employee leave discussion
V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
1. Updates
2. George Street Bridge Agreement
VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
Claims/Minutes
VII. ATTORNEY
VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes
IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell
X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.
Accident report/Supervisory reports
XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION
XII. PUBLIC COMMENT
XIII. ADJOURN
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
February 1, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Administration Building
215 W. High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
NOTE: THIS IS A MONDAY NIGHT MEETING
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
II. CALL TO ORDER
III. OLD BUSINESS
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Andrea Conroy – “What’s Happening” magazine discussion
2. Signatures for Doctor and Nurse Agreement for Juvenile
3. OKI alternative member for Executive Session Meetings discussion
4. Heath Department representative – Employee leave discussion
V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
1. Updates
2. George Street Bridge Agreement
VI. AUDITOR - Cary Pickens
Claims/Minutes
VII. ATTORNEY
VIII. COMMISSIONER – Jeff Hughes
IX. COMMISSIONER – Tom Orschell
X. COMMISSIONER – Ralph Thompson, Jr.
Accident report/Supervisory reports
XI. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION
XII. PUBLIC COMMENT
XIII. ADJOURN
25 January 2010 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes
25 January 2010 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes
Present: Mike Hall, Chairman, Mark Lehman, Ken Nelson, Jake Hoog, Dennis Kraus, Jr., Russell Beiersdorfer, Mike Hornbach, Ralph Thompson, and Dan Lansing.
Also present: Mark McCormack, Plan Director, Arnie McGill, Attorney, Ashley Webb, Zoning Administrator, and Ron Barnhart, Ass’t Planner.
Hall was reelected as Chairman, Kraus Jr. as Vice chairman, McCormack as Secretary, and McGill as Attorney. Mike Hall is the PC rep to the BZA again.
There were no applications or old business that was to come off the table.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
Discussion of Sugar Ridge PUD solutions took about 2.5 hours. The room was full of about 40 residents from Sugar Ridge. UCB bank representatives (Bill Ritzmann, EG McLaughlin, and Bob Ewbank) attended. DCRSD board member Brett Fehrman and President Steve Renihan were present. In addition to Thompson , the commissioner who sits on the PC, Commissioners Orschell and Hughes attended.
McCormack gave a power point presentation of the timeline and issues that are still unsolved at Sugar Ridge. The report and map can be downloaded from the PC website: www.dearborncounty.org/planning
The purpose of this session was to inform the officials and stakeholders involved of the facts regarding the development and to engage the parties to address ongoing problems with the subdivision.
Notice was sent to 58 parties based on tax records with the assessor’s office. Public notice was also given to the local media and to property owners via emails to pass to neighbors.
The top coat on the roads- Augusta Drive and Oakmont will cost about $150,000 to do it to the sub collector specs as in the plans. The county has done some snow removal there for safety reasons, despite the fact that it is not an accepted county road. The pedestrian bike path and drainage areas are not in the bond and the pathway will likely not be done. The original plan changed with retention and detention areas and also with density areas. Article 16 in the code was revised to address issues that this development made evident- regarding major and minor changes.
Nelson questioned the movement of density and how it affected the investors with loans on the land. He also questioned the amount of contact between staff and developer. McCormack said the problems developed about the same time as the developer (and county)let the $700,000 letter of credit with First Financial bank lapse. The $500,000 letter of credit was released earlier as that amount of work was finished on the road.
In Nov 2007 a lawsuit was filed against the developer for non-compliance issues. Many of the lots have been foreclosed , but the lawsuit is still pending. Nelson said- If fraud was involved in the bond issues, you cannot hide behind bankruptcy for fraud. McGill said there were never any allegations of fraud by any creditor at that time. They all signed off on the bankruptcy. Nelson asked if it was a smoke and mirrors game. McCormack said the blanks in their knowledge got filled in by parties who had loaned to the developer. He then delineated the areas of density that were moved around during the development phase and noted that the practice range and banquet hall are not going to be built apparently. Even though density areas moved, the total density for the PUD stayed the same.
Thompson asked for a list of banks involved in the developer’s mortgage. He wants to track who was financially impacted by the density shift. Banks listed were: Eagle Savings, First Financial, Bank of America, UCB, LaSalle, Central, and Merchants. McCormack stated that some banks were given plans with densities that far exceed any density that the county approved.
Greendale has to sign off before any additional sewage capacity can be added beyond the original plan. Lots 2, 120, 28, 29, 26, 22 etc are affected by OWNING detention basins. There are homeowners associations in the village and condo areas. There is none in the single family detached homes. They have restrictions and covenants that they will have to enforce in civil suits if needed as the developer is no longer there. The purpose of the meeting is to INFORM residents NOT to set up Homeowners Ass’ns for them.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Carl Stecklan (sp?) asked how do bonds expire? Performance bonds cover the job and should run until it is completed. They get billed for the premium until it’s released by the county!
McGill said it was a letter of credit and we don’t actually have a copy of the letter of credit- we have a letter with the number and etc on it referring to it in our file. The bank (First Financial) said they destroy letters of credit after a certain time period. [NOTE: UNBELIEVABLE!- A financial institution that deals in taxable situations destroys something that soon? Banks destroying financial records less than 5 years old?]
Carl Stecklan- you might want to only get bonds from now on.
McCormack- To correct this problem, we have monthly tracking on all of these now with reports to the PC. The bonds are no longer in highway- they are in PZ Office.
Lisa Taylor- Lot 161 -is an attorney living in Sugar Ridge- concerned about fraud possibility. We should move forward with that- where is Macke’s partner? Encourage the county to look into a lawsuit. She wants no HOA- she would have moved to HVL if she wanted that. Do NOT leave the lawsuit on the table- do not accept that the bank does not have a copy of the letter of credit. There are problems here and it means people will have trouble selling until they are fixed.
??? Man (could not hear name)- Per Article 4 of PZ- the county did not proceed in a timely manner to execute the letter of credit. We’re all culpable- us for not getting to it and the county for not managing better. We need asphalt top coat- if each owner pitches in x amount- we can get it done and move on. Macke’s gone. [NOTE: Several in the audience were not in favor of spending their money.]
Frank Leary- Lot 24- has one of the retention areas by him- and knows he is responsible to help with repairs possible. He added that Macke bought Elk Run Golf Course in Milford and put it in his wife’s name. Leary attended the bankruptcy hearing and learned about these shenanigans.
Jerry Federle- Heard that Pebble Creek bought the golf course- and that 4 owners included Macke and his partner Tuke.
McGill- It’s a different legal corporation- hence a different “person.”
Tim Brennan- Is the county going to blacktop the street and accept it? Sometimes with a letter of credit the bank requires the developer to put up a performance bond to secure the line of credit. Ask about his. Since the county did not do due diligence- will they fix this?
Bill Ritzmann- UCB Bank President- We foreclosed on the golf course- we owned it and own Lot 157 in D-1. We did this as a way of keeping property values up. Even though the consequences were unintended by the PC – they are real. We called the county to confirm the density on D-1- Lot 157 and made the mortgage for 60 condos. Now the density it 2.85- so only 21 units. We are not here with our hand out- but we are here to voice our concerns. “UCB HAS SOLD SUGAR RIDGE GOLF COURSE TO ANOTHER ENTITY AND MACKE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.” We believe in Sugar Ridge- it can be a really nice development. The county should get the road paved.
???- Pres of Villages of Sugar Glen and their HOA- Property D- built 22 condos, sold 18, and also a clubhouse because a practice range was to be her. Our bank defaulted on us- we raised the money and stayed. If they knew what they actually have now- the banks can redo their paperwork ( write-off) and move on.
END PUBLIC COMMENT
Nelson- Bothered by this because now the regulations will increase on everyone. One option – look at a TIF here to raise the funds for road and other infrastructure and maybe even the traffic light. Second- maybe we should collectively chase Macke and get something. I’d like to know who got the money when the bond was released. Were the partners discharged also? These are things that a lawsuit will uncover. They think we are country hicks and they leave us holding the bag.
McGill- don’t know how many corporations and LLCs are in existence for them.
Lisa Taylor- attorney- piercing the corporate veil- consider fraud again.
McGill- The banks did not object at the bankruptcy hearing. How to claim fraud now? All these LLCs are in Ohio. They only have to list their attorney and the rest are covered. We talked to the county attorney about this at the time.
Bob Ewbank-attorney- I was the county attorney then. There is NO letter of credit. The county let it lapse.
McCormack- PZ did not let it lapse- it was in the highway dept then. The Plan Director at that time and the Ass’t County Engineer who was in charge on bonds no longer work for the county. The people who are in charge now are trying to fix this! We have a letter from First Financial Bank to show the $700,000 letter of credit exists- but no actual letter of credit. WE have looked everywhere in the files.
Tom Orschell- Commissioner – explained the highway budget issues and revenue. He is willing to work to help resolve but can make no commitments tonight. [NOTE: He is correct. Commissioners are all present and so it is inappropriate for them to take action as this is not their publicly announced meeting time. Note Open Door Laws]
Todd Listerman- Transportation Director- will contact Tom Gehring and Dave O’Mara to get copies of the road data. Only have data for first part of Augusta Road. Estimate for the road topcoat of 1.5” was $150,000 from O’Mara in 2008. One small area was fixed by the county where the sewer line came across. County plows some areas for safety issues. The asphalt is in the 7.5-11” range and was to be set as a collector standard of 10.5”. It would definitely meet local street standards. The idea now is to put topcoats on and have roads finished within 2 years- not wait for a large percentage of build out to be done. Some of our bonds extend 7-10 years!. Now if the road tears up after the 2years and topcoat- the builders are responsible. They won’t get an occupancy permit until they fix the damage. Speed limit is 30 mph on Augusta- as it is an unposted speed limit road. 30 mph is enforceable by the sheriff.
County gets $4000 per mile for roads and it would take 20 years to recoup that for Augusta Drive at $150,000. He proposed maybe doing chip seal over this to hold it at about $30,000 cost. The county only paved 3.5 miles of the 500 we have last year. The road counts on this road are low- and very little truck traffic. Neighbors were worried about the speeders and drunks from the clubhouse.
Listerman said if the subbase were bad we would have seen it by now with as much rain as we had last year. This road has no gravel base- it is a full depth asphalt road.
Jeff Hughes- County Commissioner- asked to speak. We all inherited this- the county does have responsibility. If it come to the commissioners, I’m going to vote to take it (the road) over.
Ralph Thompson- County Commissioner and Plan Commission member- There are issues for the commissioners to decide and they cannot legally be discussed here. He motioned to continue the research and table this till the February 22nd meeting. Lansing 2nded. All ayes. TABLED.
Rick Murphy- advised them that the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court has online listings of all under Michael R Macke.
ADMINISTRATIVE- Continued:
1. Gave out annual report for Board review.
2. Comp Plan Advisory Board Meeting will probably be the last Wed in March.
3. Passed out the updated bonds lists and one is coming due that has been dragging their feet.
4. Draft copy for review of the inspection and enforcement procedure- to be finalized in Feb or Mar.
Meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Present: Mike Hall, Chairman, Mark Lehman, Ken Nelson, Jake Hoog, Dennis Kraus, Jr., Russell Beiersdorfer, Mike Hornbach, Ralph Thompson, and Dan Lansing.
Also present: Mark McCormack, Plan Director, Arnie McGill, Attorney, Ashley Webb, Zoning Administrator, and Ron Barnhart, Ass’t Planner.
Hall was reelected as Chairman, Kraus Jr. as Vice chairman, McCormack as Secretary, and McGill as Attorney. Mike Hall is the PC rep to the BZA again.
There were no applications or old business that was to come off the table.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
Discussion of Sugar Ridge PUD solutions took about 2.5 hours. The room was full of about 40 residents from Sugar Ridge. UCB bank representatives (Bill Ritzmann, EG McLaughlin, and Bob Ewbank) attended. DCRSD board member Brett Fehrman and President Steve Renihan were present. In addition to Thompson , the commissioner who sits on the PC, Commissioners Orschell and Hughes attended.
McCormack gave a power point presentation of the timeline and issues that are still unsolved at Sugar Ridge. The report and map can be downloaded from the PC website: www.dearborncounty.org/planning
The purpose of this session was to inform the officials and stakeholders involved of the facts regarding the development and to engage the parties to address ongoing problems with the subdivision.
Notice was sent to 58 parties based on tax records with the assessor’s office. Public notice was also given to the local media and to property owners via emails to pass to neighbors.
The top coat on the roads- Augusta Drive and Oakmont will cost about $150,000 to do it to the sub collector specs as in the plans. The county has done some snow removal there for safety reasons, despite the fact that it is not an accepted county road. The pedestrian bike path and drainage areas are not in the bond and the pathway will likely not be done. The original plan changed with retention and detention areas and also with density areas. Article 16 in the code was revised to address issues that this development made evident- regarding major and minor changes.
Nelson questioned the movement of density and how it affected the investors with loans on the land. He also questioned the amount of contact between staff and developer. McCormack said the problems developed about the same time as the developer (and county)let the $700,000 letter of credit with First Financial bank lapse. The $500,000 letter of credit was released earlier as that amount of work was finished on the road.
In Nov 2007 a lawsuit was filed against the developer for non-compliance issues. Many of the lots have been foreclosed , but the lawsuit is still pending. Nelson said- If fraud was involved in the bond issues, you cannot hide behind bankruptcy for fraud. McGill said there were never any allegations of fraud by any creditor at that time. They all signed off on the bankruptcy. Nelson asked if it was a smoke and mirrors game. McCormack said the blanks in their knowledge got filled in by parties who had loaned to the developer. He then delineated the areas of density that were moved around during the development phase and noted that the practice range and banquet hall are not going to be built apparently. Even though density areas moved, the total density for the PUD stayed the same.
Thompson asked for a list of banks involved in the developer’s mortgage. He wants to track who was financially impacted by the density shift. Banks listed were: Eagle Savings, First Financial, Bank of America, UCB, LaSalle, Central, and Merchants. McCormack stated that some banks were given plans with densities that far exceed any density that the county approved.
Greendale has to sign off before any additional sewage capacity can be added beyond the original plan. Lots 2, 120, 28, 29, 26, 22 etc are affected by OWNING detention basins. There are homeowners associations in the village and condo areas. There is none in the single family detached homes. They have restrictions and covenants that they will have to enforce in civil suits if needed as the developer is no longer there. The purpose of the meeting is to INFORM residents NOT to set up Homeowners Ass’ns for them.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Carl Stecklan (sp?) asked how do bonds expire? Performance bonds cover the job and should run until it is completed. They get billed for the premium until it’s released by the county!
McGill said it was a letter of credit and we don’t actually have a copy of the letter of credit- we have a letter with the number and etc on it referring to it in our file. The bank (First Financial) said they destroy letters of credit after a certain time period. [NOTE: UNBELIEVABLE!- A financial institution that deals in taxable situations destroys something that soon? Banks destroying financial records less than 5 years old?]
Carl Stecklan- you might want to only get bonds from now on.
McCormack- To correct this problem, we have monthly tracking on all of these now with reports to the PC. The bonds are no longer in highway- they are in PZ Office.
Lisa Taylor- Lot 161 -is an attorney living in Sugar Ridge- concerned about fraud possibility. We should move forward with that- where is Macke’s partner? Encourage the county to look into a lawsuit. She wants no HOA- she would have moved to HVL if she wanted that. Do NOT leave the lawsuit on the table- do not accept that the bank does not have a copy of the letter of credit. There are problems here and it means people will have trouble selling until they are fixed.
??? Man (could not hear name)- Per Article 4 of PZ- the county did not proceed in a timely manner to execute the letter of credit. We’re all culpable- us for not getting to it and the county for not managing better. We need asphalt top coat- if each owner pitches in x amount- we can get it done and move on. Macke’s gone. [NOTE: Several in the audience were not in favor of spending their money.]
Frank Leary- Lot 24- has one of the retention areas by him- and knows he is responsible to help with repairs possible. He added that Macke bought Elk Run Golf Course in Milford and put it in his wife’s name. Leary attended the bankruptcy hearing and learned about these shenanigans.
Jerry Federle- Heard that Pebble Creek bought the golf course- and that 4 owners included Macke and his partner Tuke.
McGill- It’s a different legal corporation- hence a different “person.”
Tim Brennan- Is the county going to blacktop the street and accept it? Sometimes with a letter of credit the bank requires the developer to put up a performance bond to secure the line of credit. Ask about his. Since the county did not do due diligence- will they fix this?
Bill Ritzmann- UCB Bank President- We foreclosed on the golf course- we owned it and own Lot 157 in D-1. We did this as a way of keeping property values up. Even though the consequences were unintended by the PC – they are real. We called the county to confirm the density on D-1- Lot 157 and made the mortgage for 60 condos. Now the density it 2.85- so only 21 units. We are not here with our hand out- but we are here to voice our concerns. “UCB HAS SOLD SUGAR RIDGE GOLF COURSE TO ANOTHER ENTITY AND MACKE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.” We believe in Sugar Ridge- it can be a really nice development. The county should get the road paved.
???- Pres of Villages of Sugar Glen and their HOA- Property D- built 22 condos, sold 18, and also a clubhouse because a practice range was to be her. Our bank defaulted on us- we raised the money and stayed. If they knew what they actually have now- the banks can redo their paperwork ( write-off) and move on.
END PUBLIC COMMENT
Nelson- Bothered by this because now the regulations will increase on everyone. One option – look at a TIF here to raise the funds for road and other infrastructure and maybe even the traffic light. Second- maybe we should collectively chase Macke and get something. I’d like to know who got the money when the bond was released. Were the partners discharged also? These are things that a lawsuit will uncover. They think we are country hicks and they leave us holding the bag.
McGill- don’t know how many corporations and LLCs are in existence for them.
Lisa Taylor- attorney- piercing the corporate veil- consider fraud again.
McGill- The banks did not object at the bankruptcy hearing. How to claim fraud now? All these LLCs are in Ohio. They only have to list their attorney and the rest are covered. We talked to the county attorney about this at the time.
Bob Ewbank-attorney- I was the county attorney then. There is NO letter of credit. The county let it lapse.
McCormack- PZ did not let it lapse- it was in the highway dept then. The Plan Director at that time and the Ass’t County Engineer who was in charge on bonds no longer work for the county. The people who are in charge now are trying to fix this! We have a letter from First Financial Bank to show the $700,000 letter of credit exists- but no actual letter of credit. WE have looked everywhere in the files.
Tom Orschell- Commissioner – explained the highway budget issues and revenue. He is willing to work to help resolve but can make no commitments tonight. [NOTE: He is correct. Commissioners are all present and so it is inappropriate for them to take action as this is not their publicly announced meeting time. Note Open Door Laws]
Todd Listerman- Transportation Director- will contact Tom Gehring and Dave O’Mara to get copies of the road data. Only have data for first part of Augusta Road. Estimate for the road topcoat of 1.5” was $150,000 from O’Mara in 2008. One small area was fixed by the county where the sewer line came across. County plows some areas for safety issues. The asphalt is in the 7.5-11” range and was to be set as a collector standard of 10.5”. It would definitely meet local street standards. The idea now is to put topcoats on and have roads finished within 2 years- not wait for a large percentage of build out to be done. Some of our bonds extend 7-10 years!. Now if the road tears up after the 2years and topcoat- the builders are responsible. They won’t get an occupancy permit until they fix the damage. Speed limit is 30 mph on Augusta- as it is an unposted speed limit road. 30 mph is enforceable by the sheriff.
County gets $4000 per mile for roads and it would take 20 years to recoup that for Augusta Drive at $150,000. He proposed maybe doing chip seal over this to hold it at about $30,000 cost. The county only paved 3.5 miles of the 500 we have last year. The road counts on this road are low- and very little truck traffic. Neighbors were worried about the speeders and drunks from the clubhouse.
Listerman said if the subbase were bad we would have seen it by now with as much rain as we had last year. This road has no gravel base- it is a full depth asphalt road.
Jeff Hughes- County Commissioner- asked to speak. We all inherited this- the county does have responsibility. If it come to the commissioners, I’m going to vote to take it (the road) over.
Ralph Thompson- County Commissioner and Plan Commission member- There are issues for the commissioners to decide and they cannot legally be discussed here. He motioned to continue the research and table this till the February 22nd meeting. Lansing 2nded. All ayes. TABLED.
Rick Murphy- advised them that the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court has online listings of all under Michael R Macke.
ADMINISTRATIVE- Continued:
1. Gave out annual report for Board review.
2. Comp Plan Advisory Board Meeting will probably be the last Wed in March.
3. Passed out the updated bonds lists and one is coming due that has been dragging their feet.
4. Draft copy for review of the inspection and enforcement procedure- to be finalized in Feb or Mar.
Meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Friday, January 22, 2010
UPDATE on EcO15 INITIATIVE
Dear EcO15 Supporters:
First of all...thank you for your support over 2009 for the EcO15 Initiative. I hope you all have a healthy, prosperous and enriching New Year. 2009 was an eventful one of the EcO15 Initiative. It not only has gotten state-wide attention, but many areas of our nation are starting to take notice of the Initiative's efforts to promote "career pathway development" within our k - 12 education system. They are very interested in the transformation in our middle and high schools with respect to "project-based" learning environments.
The attachment is of our most recent quarterly newsletter of the EcO15 Initiative in Dearborn County. I attempt to keep the newsletter brief and encourage you to check-out some of the web sites noted in the letter. [NEWSLETTER UNABLE TO LINK TO BLOG but the Dec. newsletter soon can be found on http://www.dearborncf.org/ ]
The next quarterly newsletter should reflect some very exciting initiatives that have been created by the EcO15 Initiative for the region. An important one is an IT Study to assess our technology infrastructure and create a strategic plan to to promote a "true", affordable, and reliable broadband service for our county and the region. This is a BIG step in promoting community, quality of life and economic development concerns. It will have an enormous impact on our "life-long" educational capabilities, retail and commercial business capacity and the enhancing various services being distributed to all residents of Dearborn County. Watch for more news.
Another is the creation of an East Indiana - Area Health Education Center (EI-AHEC) for promoting awareness and recruiting for career-minded individuals in the growing healthcare industry. Again, watch for developments and initiatives related to helping our local workforce make the transition to highly skilled and high paying careers in these 21st century industries.
Mark J. Neff
Dearborn County EcO15 Coordinator
Dearborn Community Foundation
322 Walnut Street
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
(812) 539-4115 Foundation Office
(812) 539-4119 Fax
(812) 584-7629 Cell Phone
http://www.dearborncf.org/
http://www.eco15.org/
First of all...thank you for your support over 2009 for the EcO15 Initiative. I hope you all have a healthy, prosperous and enriching New Year. 2009 was an eventful one of the EcO15 Initiative. It not only has gotten state-wide attention, but many areas of our nation are starting to take notice of the Initiative's efforts to promote "career pathway development" within our k - 12 education system. They are very interested in the transformation in our middle and high schools with respect to "project-based" learning environments.
The attachment is of our most recent quarterly newsletter of the EcO15 Initiative in Dearborn County. I attempt to keep the newsletter brief and encourage you to check-out some of the web sites noted in the letter. [NEWSLETTER UNABLE TO LINK TO BLOG but the Dec. newsletter soon can be found on http://www.dearborncf.org/ ]
The next quarterly newsletter should reflect some very exciting initiatives that have been created by the EcO15 Initiative for the region. An important one is an IT Study to assess our technology infrastructure and create a strategic plan to to promote a "true", affordable, and reliable broadband service for our county and the region. This is a BIG step in promoting community, quality of life and economic development concerns. It will have an enormous impact on our "life-long" educational capabilities, retail and commercial business capacity and the enhancing various services being distributed to all residents of Dearborn County. Watch for more news.
Another is the creation of an East Indiana - Area Health Education Center (EI-AHEC) for promoting awareness and recruiting for career-minded individuals in the growing healthcare industry. Again, watch for developments and initiatives related to helping our local workforce make the transition to highly skilled and high paying careers in these 21st century industries.
Mark J. Neff
Dearborn County EcO15 Coordinator
Dearborn Community Foundation
322 Walnut Street
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
(812) 539-4115 Foundation Office
(812) 539-4119 Fax
(812) 584-7629 Cell Phone
http://www.dearborncf.org/
http://www.eco15.org/
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
ANNUAL MEETING OF COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FEB 2nd
The Dearborn County Redevelopment Commission will hold their annual meeting on
Tuesday Feb 2nd at 4 PM
in the Dearborn County Chanber of Commerce Office on Walnut Street.
Tuesday Feb 2nd at 4 PM
in the Dearborn County Chanber of Commerce Office on Walnut Street.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
19 January 2010 Dearborn County Commissioner Meeting Notes
19 January 2010 Dearborn County Commissioner Meeting Notes
Present: Hughes, President pro tem, and Orschell.
ABSENT: Thompson- illness
Also present: Pickens, Auditor, and Witte, Attorney.
NEW BUSINESS:
Donna Thacker CASA (Citizens Against Substance Abuse) received approval for their budget overview and13 grant recommendations for 2010.
Mary McCarty and Susan Craig of SIRPC (SE IN Regional Plan Commission) - gave commissioners an overview of all the services they can provide, noting disaster recovery, community focus funds for infrastructure, and local elected official training. They are also working with Monica Opps for Hogan Water Corp to get a CFF grant for their infrastructure- based on 51% moderate to low income beneficiaries. Witte reminded them that Hogan had to come back to commissioners to get their support approval.
Susan Craig also received a commissioner signature (Hughes as President pro tem) on the paperwork verifying the 8th of 10 years that the YES HOME has to show that it is being used for YOUTH Services.
Luan Male of Lifetime Resources received approval for a community development block grant (CDBG) application for $157,970 for seven homes to be rehabbed.
Michelle Bowman of Region 9 Workforce- asked commissioners to sign a letter of support for the YHCC (Young Hoosier Conservation Corps) to get the program expanded to cities and counties. They are part of the economic stimulus recovery. They provide up to 16 weeks at $8.50 per hour for ages 16-24 for summer jobs. In the area 40 youth worked at Versailles State Park and 5 at Whitewater Canal. Commissioners each signed a letter.
Sean Kimble from Liberty National out of Birmingham AL gave an overview of services and wants to provide group term life insurance for employees up to age 100 and those wanting to buy insurance for their grandchildren. They only do life insurance- no cost to county. Rated AM BEST etc. They will get rate sheets to Pickens and the Commissioners to review. No decision.
No Highway Report- Listerman not present.
Claims were approved pending Hughes’s review.
Minutes were tabled to fix the motion regarding Happy Hollow to include the amendment for clearing the ROW that is not on maintenance on an annual basis.
Lawrenceburg EMS contract signed for $40,000.
LATE ARRIVALS:
Carl Fryman- Building Dept.- received permission to go to Council Tuesday to request $8,000 in part time funds to be restored.
Sandy Carley received permission to present PAWS proposal on the animal shelter for discussion at the Tuesday Council meeting. PAWS on January 12th meeting drew up a proposal (which is a work in progress) She also requested to have her name removed from the County account for the shelter at UCB. She gave a memo regarding that to Pickens.
Witte- Attorney- gave a report on Hughes question regarding purchasing agent authority for services. Witte said: Per IC – the only authority allowed to bind the county to a contract is the Board of Commissioners. The dept. heads can negotiate and do leg work- but the final approval rests with commissioners. Any extended contract (beyond a year) is regarded as putting the county in a position of debt. The only way to take on debt is thru the bonding process. Extended contracts can be signed ON THE CONDITION that the county COUNCIL funds it. (That should be part of the contract) These contracts should come back to commissioners and county attorney for review and decision. The current ordinance is NOT written that way. He will consider rewriting it if the board of commissioners directs him too. This decision will be made when all three commissioners are present.
Hughes- Has no problem with a 9-member animal control board. Witte informed them that the ordinance allows only for 7-member board now. Since one member- Schroeder from PAWS has resigned, they are down to 8. Two members are set to be reappointed- Carley from PAWS and Schneider. Carley said she is willing to step away and if they want to they can reappoint Schneider- that will make a 7-member board. Approved with Schneider appointed.
Orschell- gave a brief summary of the PAWS proposal for the new animal shelter. This proposal will be discussed at the Tuesday Council meeting. Council will have ideas to add or subtract. Funding will be discussed. [NOTE: PAWS needs to develop a business plan for this shelter with the advice of an accountant or CPA. Council should insist on this prior to finalizing any funding and Commissioners should too before they sign any contracts. The county has limited funds, the volunteers of PAWS will be busy with the shelter and may not have much time to raise more funds, and there needs to be a firm idea of what the costs will be to maintain and staff their portion of the shelter. The county also needs to have a clear idea of who is caring for animals during their initial entry to the shelter prior to the PAWS people taking over their care. Euthanization duties need to be spelled out. Lastly, there needs to be a fall back plan should PAWS be unable to continue their services on behalf of the county. Ownership of the shelter and the land it is on should be addressed in this fall back plan as well.]
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Cliff Eibeck thanked Witte for his statements regarding the commissioners being the ones running the county. He also asked Hughes again to speak up at meetings, saying that the people elected him and they have a right to hear what he is saying at meetings.
Bill Black-EMA Director- received commissioners’ signatures for the $14,000 GIS grant for a GIS website for homeland security. This was approved in Sept 2009. The website will be managed for 2 years by 39 degrees.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15 AM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Present: Hughes, President pro tem, and Orschell.
ABSENT: Thompson- illness
Also present: Pickens, Auditor, and Witte, Attorney.
NEW BUSINESS:
Donna Thacker CASA (Citizens Against Substance Abuse) received approval for their budget overview and13 grant recommendations for 2010.
Mary McCarty and Susan Craig of SIRPC (SE IN Regional Plan Commission) - gave commissioners an overview of all the services they can provide, noting disaster recovery, community focus funds for infrastructure, and local elected official training. They are also working with Monica Opps for Hogan Water Corp to get a CFF grant for their infrastructure- based on 51% moderate to low income beneficiaries. Witte reminded them that Hogan had to come back to commissioners to get their support approval.
Susan Craig also received a commissioner signature (Hughes as President pro tem) on the paperwork verifying the 8th of 10 years that the YES HOME has to show that it is being used for YOUTH Services.
Luan Male of Lifetime Resources received approval for a community development block grant (CDBG) application for $157,970 for seven homes to be rehabbed.
Michelle Bowman of Region 9 Workforce- asked commissioners to sign a letter of support for the YHCC (Young Hoosier Conservation Corps) to get the program expanded to cities and counties. They are part of the economic stimulus recovery. They provide up to 16 weeks at $8.50 per hour for ages 16-24 for summer jobs. In the area 40 youth worked at Versailles State Park and 5 at Whitewater Canal. Commissioners each signed a letter.
Sean Kimble from Liberty National out of Birmingham AL gave an overview of services and wants to provide group term life insurance for employees up to age 100 and those wanting to buy insurance for their grandchildren. They only do life insurance- no cost to county. Rated AM BEST etc. They will get rate sheets to Pickens and the Commissioners to review. No decision.
No Highway Report- Listerman not present.
Claims were approved pending Hughes’s review.
Minutes were tabled to fix the motion regarding Happy Hollow to include the amendment for clearing the ROW that is not on maintenance on an annual basis.
Lawrenceburg EMS contract signed for $40,000.
LATE ARRIVALS:
Carl Fryman- Building Dept.- received permission to go to Council Tuesday to request $8,000 in part time funds to be restored.
Sandy Carley received permission to present PAWS proposal on the animal shelter for discussion at the Tuesday Council meeting. PAWS on January 12th meeting drew up a proposal (which is a work in progress) She also requested to have her name removed from the County account for the shelter at UCB. She gave a memo regarding that to Pickens.
Witte- Attorney- gave a report on Hughes question regarding purchasing agent authority for services. Witte said: Per IC – the only authority allowed to bind the county to a contract is the Board of Commissioners. The dept. heads can negotiate and do leg work- but the final approval rests with commissioners. Any extended contract (beyond a year) is regarded as putting the county in a position of debt. The only way to take on debt is thru the bonding process. Extended contracts can be signed ON THE CONDITION that the county COUNCIL funds it. (That should be part of the contract) These contracts should come back to commissioners and county attorney for review and decision. The current ordinance is NOT written that way. He will consider rewriting it if the board of commissioners directs him too. This decision will be made when all three commissioners are present.
Hughes- Has no problem with a 9-member animal control board. Witte informed them that the ordinance allows only for 7-member board now. Since one member- Schroeder from PAWS has resigned, they are down to 8. Two members are set to be reappointed- Carley from PAWS and Schneider. Carley said she is willing to step away and if they want to they can reappoint Schneider- that will make a 7-member board. Approved with Schneider appointed.
Orschell- gave a brief summary of the PAWS proposal for the new animal shelter. This proposal will be discussed at the Tuesday Council meeting. Council will have ideas to add or subtract. Funding will be discussed. [NOTE: PAWS needs to develop a business plan for this shelter with the advice of an accountant or CPA. Council should insist on this prior to finalizing any funding and Commissioners should too before they sign any contracts. The county has limited funds, the volunteers of PAWS will be busy with the shelter and may not have much time to raise more funds, and there needs to be a firm idea of what the costs will be to maintain and staff their portion of the shelter. The county also needs to have a clear idea of who is caring for animals during their initial entry to the shelter prior to the PAWS people taking over their care. Euthanization duties need to be spelled out. Lastly, there needs to be a fall back plan should PAWS be unable to continue their services on behalf of the county. Ownership of the shelter and the land it is on should be addressed in this fall back plan as well.]
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Cliff Eibeck thanked Witte for his statements regarding the commissioners being the ones running the county. He also asked Hughes again to speak up at meetings, saying that the people elected him and they have a right to hear what he is saying at meetings.
Bill Black-EMA Director- received commissioners’ signatures for the $14,000 GIS grant for a GIS website for homeland security. This was approved in Sept 2009. The website will be managed for 2 years by 39 degrees.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15 AM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Thursday, January 14, 2010
DRAFT AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S MEETING 19 JAN 2010
NOTE MEETING TIME AND PLACE ARE DIFFERENT!
AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
January 19, 2010
9:00 a.m., City of Lawrenceburg
Administration Building
230 Walnut Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
II. CALL TO ORDER
III. OLD BUSINESS
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Donna Thacker – CASA
Overview of proposed budge and grant recommendations
2. Mary McCarty/Susan Craig - Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (SIRPC)
1. Discussion on funding
2. Yes Home signatures
3. Luan Male – LifeTime
CDBG grant
4. Michelle Bowman – Region 9 Workforce
Expansion of VHCC program
5. Sean Kimble – Liberty National
Discussion
V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – No report Todd Listerman will not be present
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
AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
January 19, 2010
9:00 a.m., City of Lawrenceburg
Administration Building
230 Walnut Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
II. CALL TO ORDER
III. OLD BUSINESS
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Donna Thacker – CASA
Overview of proposed budge and grant recommendations
2. Mary McCarty/Susan Craig - Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (SIRPC)
1. Discussion on funding
2. Yes Home signatures
3. Luan Male – LifeTime
CDBG grant
4. Michelle Bowman – Region 9 Workforce
Expansion of VHCC program
5. Sean Kimble – Liberty National
Discussion
V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – No report Todd Listerman will not be present
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
Thursday, January 07, 2010
DEADLINES FOR FILING TO RUN FOR ELECTED OFFICE
The 1st day to file to run for Dearborn County public office is January 20, 2010 (Wednesday). The deadline to file is February 19, 2010 (Friday) at NOON.
Packets are available at the County Clerk’s office in the Courthouse.
Republican Precinct Committeemen do not run this year, but Democrat Precinct Committeemen do.
Packets are available at the County Clerk’s office in the Courthouse.
Republican Precinct Committeemen do not run this year, but Democrat Precinct Committeemen do.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
5 January 2010 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes
5 January 2010 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes
Present: Thompson, Chairman, Orschell, and Hughes
Also present: Pickens, Auditor, and Witte, Attorney
OLD BUSINESS:
Happy Hollow Road from Woliung to Ester Ridge– Listerman said he had been trying to make actual maintenance match up to what the state road miles listed as maintenance. Happy Hollow had only 0.44 miles maintained and the state listed it as 1.1 miles. County was being paid for all 1.1 miles. Engles stated the county hasn’t maintained it in about 50 years. The county did not know how long they were being paid by the state for maintenance on the road- but it went back at least to 2003. Listerman proposed to keep 0.55 miles to capture the last residence (Lykin’s son) on the road and they were not going to give up the ROW, but they would not maintain the remaining miles of the 1.1 total. Witte informed the commissioners that the county can close ROW but a private individual cannot close county ROW.
[NOTE: the Lykins families own Most of the land in the area. The Engles family owns two parcels- 40 and 70 acres. They were concerned about access to their parcels and potential residence of their children in the future. Both were represented at the meeting. There is an issue over the COUNTY OWNED ROW being gated by the Lykins family. Happy Hollow ROW on the plat maps is shown passing through Lykins land and Engles land. The county may have to remove the obstacle (gate) that has illegally been placed across county ROW. If trespassers are a problem- perhaps the residents need to request vacating the ROW.]
Lykins made it clear that if the county were to maintain the ROW they could not go off the roadway to turn around or they would be trespassing on his land.
The commissioners voted to reduce the maintenance to 0.55 miles and to brush cut just enough to keep the ROW open for the 1.1 mile. All ayes.
NEW BUSINESS:
Brett Dodd of RQAW- gave an update on the Shumway Building (ugly colors but not in horrible condition- can be redone for about $1.6 million- conservative estimate) and also Hoosier Square Building (available for $720,000.)
Shumway is about 16,000 sq ft and Hoosier Square is 8800 sq ft. Hoosier Square could be leased to the county and then it would stay on tax rolls- producing tax income. Dodd said that the Adm Bldg has 24,735 sq ft of usable space, the Courthouse has 14,689, Shumway has 12,757, and Hoosier Square has 8,300.
The charettes will be in 2 phases to immediate needs addressed and then long-term ones. The immediate needs can be fixed with less money. ($4-5 million) Dodd will contact Judge Humphrey and they will set up dates for the charette. Commissioners noted two homes adjacent to Shumway were available at market value. They need more parking in the area for the county buildings.
Pickens advised taking the charettes off site to get more focused participation.
County appointments for 2010:
All county dept. heads were reappointed and Witte was reappointed as county attorney.
Commissioners kept their same board appointments as in 2009.
Thompson was reappointed president of commissioners with Hughes abstaining.
Mike Hall was reappointed to Plan Commission
Jim Deaton moved away and Jane Ohlmansiek was appointed to his spot on BZA
Steve Hubbard and Don Rechtin were reappointed to Health Board
Roger Rullman and Trina Hetzler were reappointed to Aurora Public Library
Lois Harper was reappointed to Cemetery Board
Betty Bischoff and Carl Petty were reappointed to the hospital board
Jim Dole was reappointed to the Alcoholic Beverage Board
Randy Abner was acknowledged (recommended by Fire Dept) by Commissioners to 911 Communications Board.
Convention and Visitors Bureau = reappointed Marilyn Bower, Dee Hacker, Steve Hedges, and Ellen Perfect and appointed Donna Mills to replace Ahmad Ahmad, who is no longer available from Holly wood Casino.
PTABOA (Tax Appeals) - Assessors is nonvoting member and serves in addition to five others. Commissioners appointed Bill Hartwell, Mark Neff and Mark Hardebeck, pending information on political affiliations. (No more than three members can be from one party.) At least three have to be county residents.
Animal Control Board is on hold to determine actual number and also to see what the new structure might be pending PAWS ideas on the new shelter etc.
Todd Listerman- Highway Dept- gave a 3-minute update.
Commissioners signed a change order for old US 52-stimulus project for a DEDUCTION of $1431.61.
Beam Longest and Neff will have plans ready for public to view on the Stateline project in the heart of Bright in March sometime. They will use the church or Logan Library for that public meeting.
Pickens- Auditor- claims and minutes signed.
Commissioners also signed the agreement with Lewes Kappes (Jewell DuBonis) as lobbyists for county again. Pickens will also be signing one with Frick and Associates- the other lobbyists later this month.
Covered Bridge Certification for Guilford Bridge was signed- we receive additional funds for this.
Witte- Attorney- 1 new tort claim on a car crash- nothing to worry about.
Witte drafted forms for Pickens on the wild dog kills of local livestock for claims.
Witte advised commissioners on the transfer of surplus vehicles to HVL Rangers and the legal limits. If a group sale is over $5,000 it has to be a public sale per IC 5-22-22-3. Commissioners may do a larger auction when eth weather is warmer.
Hughes asked about office holders signing large contracts for services (which are not subject to the $25,000 limit.) Discussion included that Council had to appropriate the funds first anyway. Witte is to look into an ordinance limiting this and also the grant process and the county responsibilities.
Thompson asked about money for photobadge ribbon replacement. Pickens advised checking with Eric Hartman’s budget. The badges are for employees serving out in the community as IDs.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Cliff Eibeck requested that Commissioner Hughes speak up as he is difficult to hear in the back of the room.
Pickens reminded everyone that the next commissioners meeting is the 3rd Tuesday at 9AM and is at the Lawrenceburg Council Chambers.
Meeting adjourned at 9:35 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Present: Thompson, Chairman, Orschell, and Hughes
Also present: Pickens, Auditor, and Witte, Attorney
OLD BUSINESS:
Happy Hollow Road from Woliung to Ester Ridge– Listerman said he had been trying to make actual maintenance match up to what the state road miles listed as maintenance. Happy Hollow had only 0.44 miles maintained and the state listed it as 1.1 miles. County was being paid for all 1.1 miles. Engles stated the county hasn’t maintained it in about 50 years. The county did not know how long they were being paid by the state for maintenance on the road- but it went back at least to 2003. Listerman proposed to keep 0.55 miles to capture the last residence (Lykin’s son) on the road and they were not going to give up the ROW, but they would not maintain the remaining miles of the 1.1 total. Witte informed the commissioners that the county can close ROW but a private individual cannot close county ROW.
[NOTE: the Lykins families own Most of the land in the area. The Engles family owns two parcels- 40 and 70 acres. They were concerned about access to their parcels and potential residence of their children in the future. Both were represented at the meeting. There is an issue over the COUNTY OWNED ROW being gated by the Lykins family. Happy Hollow ROW on the plat maps is shown passing through Lykins land and Engles land. The county may have to remove the obstacle (gate) that has illegally been placed across county ROW. If trespassers are a problem- perhaps the residents need to request vacating the ROW.]
Lykins made it clear that if the county were to maintain the ROW they could not go off the roadway to turn around or they would be trespassing on his land.
The commissioners voted to reduce the maintenance to 0.55 miles and to brush cut just enough to keep the ROW open for the 1.1 mile. All ayes.
NEW BUSINESS:
Brett Dodd of RQAW- gave an update on the Shumway Building (ugly colors but not in horrible condition- can be redone for about $1.6 million- conservative estimate) and also Hoosier Square Building (available for $720,000.)
Shumway is about 16,000 sq ft and Hoosier Square is 8800 sq ft. Hoosier Square could be leased to the county and then it would stay on tax rolls- producing tax income. Dodd said that the Adm Bldg has 24,735 sq ft of usable space, the Courthouse has 14,689, Shumway has 12,757, and Hoosier Square has 8,300.
The charettes will be in 2 phases to immediate needs addressed and then long-term ones. The immediate needs can be fixed with less money. ($4-5 million) Dodd will contact Judge Humphrey and they will set up dates for the charette. Commissioners noted two homes adjacent to Shumway were available at market value. They need more parking in the area for the county buildings.
Pickens advised taking the charettes off site to get more focused participation.
County appointments for 2010:
All county dept. heads were reappointed and Witte was reappointed as county attorney.
Commissioners kept their same board appointments as in 2009.
Thompson was reappointed president of commissioners with Hughes abstaining.
Mike Hall was reappointed to Plan Commission
Jim Deaton moved away and Jane Ohlmansiek was appointed to his spot on BZA
Steve Hubbard and Don Rechtin were reappointed to Health Board
Roger Rullman and Trina Hetzler were reappointed to Aurora Public Library
Lois Harper was reappointed to Cemetery Board
Betty Bischoff and Carl Petty were reappointed to the hospital board
Jim Dole was reappointed to the Alcoholic Beverage Board
Randy Abner was acknowledged (recommended by Fire Dept) by Commissioners to 911 Communications Board.
Convention and Visitors Bureau = reappointed Marilyn Bower, Dee Hacker, Steve Hedges, and Ellen Perfect and appointed Donna Mills to replace Ahmad Ahmad, who is no longer available from Holly wood Casino.
PTABOA (Tax Appeals) - Assessors is nonvoting member and serves in addition to five others. Commissioners appointed Bill Hartwell, Mark Neff and Mark Hardebeck, pending information on political affiliations. (No more than three members can be from one party.) At least three have to be county residents.
Animal Control Board is on hold to determine actual number and also to see what the new structure might be pending PAWS ideas on the new shelter etc.
Todd Listerman- Highway Dept- gave a 3-minute update.
Commissioners signed a change order for old US 52-stimulus project for a DEDUCTION of $1431.61.
Beam Longest and Neff will have plans ready for public to view on the Stateline project in the heart of Bright in March sometime. They will use the church or Logan Library for that public meeting.
Pickens- Auditor- claims and minutes signed.
Commissioners also signed the agreement with Lewes Kappes (Jewell DuBonis) as lobbyists for county again. Pickens will also be signing one with Frick and Associates- the other lobbyists later this month.
Covered Bridge Certification for Guilford Bridge was signed- we receive additional funds for this.
Witte- Attorney- 1 new tort claim on a car crash- nothing to worry about.
Witte drafted forms for Pickens on the wild dog kills of local livestock for claims.
Witte advised commissioners on the transfer of surplus vehicles to HVL Rangers and the legal limits. If a group sale is over $5,000 it has to be a public sale per IC 5-22-22-3. Commissioners may do a larger auction when eth weather is warmer.
Hughes asked about office holders signing large contracts for services (which are not subject to the $25,000 limit.) Discussion included that Council had to appropriate the funds first anyway. Witte is to look into an ordinance limiting this and also the grant process and the county responsibilities.
Thompson asked about money for photobadge ribbon replacement. Pickens advised checking with Eric Hartman’s budget. The badges are for employees serving out in the community as IDs.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Cliff Eibeck requested that Commissioner Hughes speak up as he is difficult to hear in the back of the room.
Pickens reminded everyone that the next commissioners meeting is the 3rd Tuesday at 9AM and is at the Lawrenceburg Council Chambers.
Meeting adjourned at 9:35 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Monday, January 04, 2010
DRAFT AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S MEETING 5 Jan 2010
AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
January 5, 2010
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. Happy Hollow Rd. – tabled from 10/06/09
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Brett Dodd, RQAW
Facility use and Charette information update
2. Appointments / County Officials
3. Appointments / Boards
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
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
January 5, 2010
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. Happy Hollow Rd. – tabled from 10/06/09
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Brett Dodd, RQAW
Facility use and Charette information update
2. Appointments / County Officials
3. Appointments / Boards
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
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