3 DECEMBER 2019 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

3 DECEMBER 2019 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

Present: Jim Thatcher, President, and Art Little

ABSENT: Rick Probst

Also present: Connie Fromhold, Auditor, Andy Baudendistel, Attorney, and Sue Hayden, Administrator

TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE was read by Baudendistel as legally required.

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

Overview of SIRPC- Susan Craig, Executive Director- SE Indiana Regional Planning Commission - spoke about Broadband in the 9 counties they cover. Issues with a regional impact concern them. Broadband is inconsistent in the region. 38% homework problem in the region where there is inadequate internet access. Partnered with Purdue and they had a study done which they have been sent. FCC has to have provider reports and some is inaccurate and a couple other issues. They also surveyed the people in the region. Providers sit at the table also for this work. REMC is trying to help with this. Trying to get funding. SIRPC is trying to improve awareness and make broadband accessible. They may be able to pay for an Americore staff person with a grant that Purdue is helping with. They have to have a $10,000  match for the grant. Looking at that from the Community Foundation. Minimum speeds are variable throughout the area. The carriers receive the money to expand broadband. They are all at the table as they need help with funding the infrastructure for it.  There is about $100 million available for these projects.They are in the 2nd round.  REMC services HVL and much of the county. For example, Jackson County got $1.3 million and they put in $4 million. Another in Floyd County got $2 million and put in $2.1 million.Some counties are using TIF to help providers fund this. (Do they do 5 G?)

They also do Community Block Grants and have done several here. Its for infrastructure, water supplies, senior centers, libraries, etc. Brownfield assessments and grants. This is for development-  (Could they use this to help with AEP cleanup?)

They also get bonus points for projects that affected region. This helps with future grant funding. The counties need to fill out the survey to help assess this. 

Thatcher asked if she’d mad e Terri ( Randall?) aware of these regional plans. They have 3 major metro areas in this 9 county region. 

  

2020 Road Material Bid Awards- Highway Superintendent, Tim Grieve

Laughery Valley only bid on Fuel this year. The other 2 did not bid this year- even tho one of them picked up a packet. Others don’t bid because we are not tanker direct.

Rohe is 50 cents up, O’Mara the same on asphalt. They do not use Rohe Kilby as much as they use Ohio standards and it’s a different mix that can be harder to apply. We accept all bids so that they can use the materials closer to project. Same for aggregates. All approved.

Right of Entry and Hold Harmless Agreement- Cook Road- Baudendistel said they need to go onto the Hall families properties but not to acquire it. They have to remove 15 trees and compensated for that. Thatcher met with him for that negotiation. Approved. 

Grant Funds for Pre-trial Release Officer- Resolution and Interlocal Agreement with Ohio County- Baudendistel said this is because we share courts and probation etc. This is for substance abuse and mental health issues. The employees will be from Dearborn County employees. The half from Ohio County will also be added to Dearborn County’s half to pay for this. Approved the resolution and agreement. Ohio County already approved it. 

Plan Commission Reappointments- Russell Beiersdorfer and Mark Lehmann-  Approved.

BZA Reappointments- Mark Lehmann and Phil Darling- Approved. 

High Point Health Appointment- Shelly Fette- Bill Ritzmann sent letter and candidates were selected for Ron Denney’s post as he retired.-.Approved Shelly Fette

ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden- Knights of Columbus 13th Annual Prayer on the Square- On Jan 24, 2020 at 10 AM requested by Gerald Bruns. Approved. 

AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold  -Claims, Payroll,  and November19th Minutes and Grant for 2020 and hopefully for 2021 for pre-trial release program. All Approved. 

ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel- Wilker property transferred to new owner. Baghir Singh is new owner. 

Also property by Wilson Creek and US 50 and the flood property and wants to transfer that to Dearborn County. Its donated so we don’t pay for it. They will pay the taxes for 2020 still. Thatcher wants them to pay it before sale perhaps. Baudendistel said it is in the deed transfer papers that old owner pays that.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS- Little - Hoped everyone had a good Thanksgiving.

Thatcher- trying to cut expenses. Getting LEDs in all lights which in 5 years will pay for itself. Also looking into solar energy. 

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION-Todd Listerman- County Engineer- Sneakville Road- Bridge- already approved and this is  with USI consulting and needs a signature on the project engineer design $ 57,360 is max amount and we will get 80% reimbursed on this. Approved. 

PUBLIC COMMENT- Chris Mueller- asked about 5G and the potential for AEP cleanup grants from the Brownfields program through SIRPC. 

Jessica Raper, Director introduced herself from Soil and Water District - to get relationships coordinated and MS4 program is still through Jennifer Hughes there. 

ADJOURN- 10:00 AM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township