21 February 2017 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

21 February 2017 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

Present: Shane McHenry, President, Art Little (arrived at 8:54 AM) and Kevin Lynch

Also present: Connie Fromhold, covering for Gayle Pennington, Andy Baudendistel, Attorney, and Terri Randall, Administrator (who arrived at 8:50 AM)

ABSENT: Gayle Pennington, Auditor and Art Little

Baudendistel read the Title VI statement as legally required. 

OLD BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS:

Hardinsburg Vacation- Planning and Zoning- Mark McCormack- Ordinance Vacating Certain unmaintained roads in Hardinsburg-Bayer Becker Engineering applicant for three alleys and one street known as West Street from the January 2017 meeting. They received favorable recommendations except for the southernmost alley which was underwater in one of the pictures, which received an unfavorable one. McCormack showed the map of Hardinsburg from 1840s and also the vacated areas over the years. Greendale sent info to the Plan Commission showed sewer manhole and some utilities in the area. Oxbow adjoins this area around the alley underwater. Clarks have a landlocked 2 acre piece there. 7 letters were sent to property owners and two were returned. If this is approved, there will be surveys done to get the transfers of ownership properly recorded.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Bayer Becker represents 600 Land Inc. they own some adjoining land. He wanted the commissioners to consider the additional alley as the Clarks are land locked even with that alley as it doesn’t extend to them. Baudendistel said that both Clark and Oxbow asked them not to vacate the last alley. 600 Land is cleaning up the land to get those roads off the county books. Bill Weis sp ? of 600 Land is to use it for concrete and fill dirt. OxBow’s objection was based on their farming lease for tractor turnaround.  

Tim Mara- representing OxBow- has a problem with the alley between them and 600 Land Inc being vacated. OxBow cooperates with Clarks to allow them access beyond the alley and the alley gets them closer to their land locked land.

Mara reminded them that the hardship to an owner is a condition in their code. ([NOTE: removing the access for their farmer and turnaround was a problem for them] 

Terri Randall - got up to remind them that as an economic development person with future uses for visible area at the entrance to the county and improvements to the area with trails etc. They will always be hypersensitive to this area because it is so visible. 

Close PUBLIC COMMENT

Little said he spent 2-3 hours looking at this at PC meeting. He wants to do it as the PC recommended and leave that last alley there. And taking into consideration the 4 articles that pertain to vacating roads and alleys. Lynch after some questions 2nded it and the motion passed to vacate West Road and two alleys, but NOT the third one by OxBow.  

PAWS Update- Patricia Hawkins, the Secretary Treasurer of PAWS introduced two board members Sandy and Penny, and the new director and staff. They have been in existence since 2011. They also provide services for Animal Control. They show a decrease in animals form 2015-16.  955 -899 dogs = 144 less dogs. Cats decreased by 318 in the last year. Operating expenses though have increased. The county contributes about 18% of these. They discounted adoption fees to save lives. Cats and dogs were adopted by less fees in the surrounding area. Hard to keep volunteers for the hardest work there too- so have had to hire some. They are reducing their head count through attrition on the staff. They are going to get an in house surgical area. This saves on transport expenses. They will be paperless by 2018. Aggressively looking for grants also. They want to ask for the ordinance to allow cats to be returned to unidentifiable  owners of trapped feral cats that are fixed first. This is modeled after Boone County KY’s ordinance. The language is modeled after Hamilton County IN. McHenry thanked them extensively for their service and the commissioners allowed the county attorney to work with PAWS to fix our ordinance.

National Day of Prayer- Connie Riegel- 5th annual and she has been in contact with construction manager. First Thursday of May at 11:30 AM to have people pray for our nation. And commissioners are invited. Approved. 

Interlocal agreement with Aurora- Planning and Zoning Services- McCormack said the Building Dept has been added to this agreement with their own fees and the Highway Dept has also for driveway permits. Baudendistel said he has cleaned it up and this should not have to be redone each year. Commissioners approved the agreement as revised.

IDOC Grant- Court Services- Steve Kelly- $493,000 received from IDOC and it requires commissioners to sign off. This goes to funding community corrections for their staff and JCAP and probation officer. Same as previous years. This is the application- but he does not anticipate any problems as it is the same as each year. Commissioners signed the application.

HIGHWAY DEPT. Todd, Listerman, County Engineer- Ratify signature on letter for Assistance with Bonnell Slip- Randall presented the letter in Listerman’s absence. McHenry  read the letter he had in his packet. 25% of the cost is county and they are requesting Commissioners to sign letter which applies for assistance die to rains.

ADMINISTRATOR- Terri Randall- going to council for another drawdown for the annex. She said the project is going well and it’s exciting. Looking as Oct or Nov to get prosecutor over first so they can get that area renovated for the clerk. Address will be on Mary Street officially. 

AUDITOR- Connie Fromhold covering for Pennington-  Claims and Feb 7th Minutes approved.

Holiday Calendar change- Friday November 10 is holiday and open Nov 13th.

ATTORNEY- Andy Baudendistel- none

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS- Lynch had none and Little apologized for being late. He commented on how good our weather is.

McHenry recognized local wrestlers and mentioned several who went to state level. This is probably more than other areas in the state and how their dads and coaches supported them. 

PUBLIC COMMENT- none

LATE ARRIVAL- none

Meeting Adjourned at 9:50 AM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township