2 FEBRUARY 2021 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES
Present: Jim Thatcher, President, Art Little, and Rick Probst
Also present: Connie Fromhold, Auditor, Andy Baudendistel, Attorney, and Sue Hayden, Administrator
EXECUTIVE SESSION @ 8:30 a.m.
Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(2)(B): For discussion of strategy with respect to…Initiation of litigation or litigation that is either pending or has been threatened specifically in writing. As used in this clause, “litigation” includes any judicial action or administrative law proceeding under federal or state law.
TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE was read by Baudendistel as legally required.
Baudendistel also asked for motion certifying they only discussed what was advertised at executive session. Approved.
No action taken on executive session.
OLD BUSINESS- Tabled Citizen Boards
Cemetery Board – Joyce Baer - approved.
Convention & Visitor’s Bureau – vacant position still
PTA BOA – Mark Hardebeck approved and vacant position still open
NEW BUSINESS
YES Home Update – Amy Phillips, Executive Director - tabled until March 2nd.
Tentative Road Closures for County’s Anti-Litter Initiative - Celeste Calvitto- asked for the following times on Saturday March 13th for Whites Hill from Gaynor Ridge to 46 from 830-1030, and North Dearborn (Harrison Hill area) from 1030-noon. Road Closures improves safety for this collection. The Highway Dept. picks up the bags for them. Hoping to get back on track with COVID-19 restrictions. Health Dept wants to limit people to 25 if red still but more if we are better on our counts. It is an outdoor event. Thatcher noted that if the situation changes and if the new variant has more issues they may have to cancel or modify plans. Approved. Little thanked Celeste for doing this for so many years.
Animal Control 2020 Report – Marlene Underwood, Animal Control Director- passed out their calls list and emergency runs after hours which are called in by dispatch. They have licenses sold and money collected which includes all licenses sold county-wide. PAWS cares for animals right after they are picked up. They are looking for a used 4-wheel drive vehicle eventually as their Ford Explorer has high mileage. County may have one coming up. Only 72 animals went into PAWS from the Animal Control. That does not include what other residents bring in to PAWS. Probst thanked her for the annual report - he thinks it’s important to be able to predict their needs.
Dave Currence, Veterans Service Officer- introduced himself.
Veteran’s Services 2020 Year in Review was passed out to Commissioners. He and Probst had a conversation about getting an annual report and an outlook for 2021. Numbers were down this year due to the COVID-19 virus. The medical appointments were turned off by the Veterans Center for a few months and then when opened they followed all guidelines from CDC. Complimented Mike Burgess on his service and helping get him up to speed. He’s acquired all his accreditations for the job. Volunteer drivers provide outstanding services almost on a daily basis. Increase of 2021 budget for pay increase for drivers. Now a $40 stipend per round trip. $8,000 increase would raise this to $50 per round trip. 10 and 11 year old vans need replacement. $120,000 verbal estimate would be needed to get theses. $191,000 is in their budget now. Now trying to increase younger veterans served. Commissioners also asked about Veterans Court cases and how it works. Baudendistel explained the drug and alcohol rehab work they do for that court. Elderly veterans sometimes require extra help getting their applications and paperwork done for medical services etc. Currence has workarounds for that to avoid them getting out in the bad weather etc.
Grant for $30,000 from DC Foundation being applied for- Commissioners are putting in $90,000 match - Commissioners approved application. Probst also said they can get ads from vet sponsoring groups like Baylor Trucking for their vans to improve costs.
Todd Listerman, Highway Engineer- has 3 proposals for the design of these 4 bridges to be constructed in 2025-26: (A Bridge has a span of 20 ft across and up- all related to the width of the creek itself- 4 ft -20 ft is a small structure and 4 ft and below is a culvert) Federal aid only goes for bridges and every 2 years they have to be inspected. Some have to be annually if there is a critical piece that requires annual inspection.
Civilcon, Inc. Consulting Agreement for Bridge #221, Davidson Road- $42,900 approved.
FPBH, Inc Agreement for Bridge #48, Bonnell Road- $54,300 approved.
FPBH, Inc Agreement for Bridges #622 & #625, Harrison Brookville Road- $70,500 approved.
Community Crossing grant money paving for Chesterville and Mt Pleasant are to be submitted later this month.Public bid openings are held at County Garage. They will do one Feb 17th.
Ordinance Amending the Dearborn County Convention, Visitor and Tourism Commission- Approved changes REMOVING POLITICAL BALANCE FROM BOARD MEMBERSHIP- approved. Discussion included the 501c3 group that was set up and how it fits into the CVT Board. No one seems to know about their meetings and when they were or what they are doing with their budget???
Appointment to Health Board – Replacement for Cheryl Pepple (who was completing Alan Goodman’s term) by Dr. Jill Tibbe, who is an active physician for St. E’s. Approved. Thatcher noted she was his physician also.
Signatures for 2 Surveys Regarding Sale of High Point Health – Dave Jeffries, Surveyor’s Office- Baudendistel- Sieg doing main campus and Archie Crouch did the vacant lands by hospital and in Bright.- Approved.
ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden- nothing more
AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold -Claims/Payroll and January 19th Minutes approved.
ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel- executive orders extended thru Feb 28 and March 1. positivity dropped to 13.1%
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Probst- sign up to get vaccines when eligible.Might take a little time as more people are signing up now. Over 100,000 appointments established by the 2 systems in the state yesterday. Still have to mask after shots.
Little- Groundhog predictions the same as when he was a kid.
Thatcher- Now getting 1300 sots a week now - up from the 600 in the beginning. It’s a pleasant experience - we’re getting better. Be cautious - but there are new mutations so we have to stay alert.
LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION- none
PUBLIC COMMENT- none
ADJOURN- 10:11 AM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
