AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING
BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
SEPTEMBER 2, 2021, 9:00AM
HENRY DEARBORN ROOM
165 MARY ST, LAWRENCEBURG, IN
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
TITLE IV STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
OPEN PUBLIC HEARING
CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING
AUDITOR
PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURN
Email from Dr Eliason, Medical Director of Dearborn County Health Dept. Received this afternoon.
Good afternoon,
Although our county is currently at "Orange" during the last 24-48 hours we have seen a very concerning uptick in cases of COVID-19. This has placed a serious strain on our hospital and other hospitals in the area. It is anticipated that the all of the area hospitals might reach their full capacity within the next two weeks. We are also seeing more sick children with the delta variant. The delta variant spreads 2-3 times faster than the previous variant, and the number people infected can double in 8 days.
For this reason I am strongly recommending masking for all indoor activities in the county when social distancing of three feet is not possible. If a person chooses not to wear a mask, they should quarantine if identified as a close contact.
This recommendation will not prevent or eliminate the disease, but it will help to slow the spread and thus take some of the burden off of our already stressed health care systems.
Schools will soon be sending out revised guidelines for parents, staff, and students.
Also it is still true that the vast majority of these patients are unvaccinated. This is apparent at the local, state, national, and international level. If we do not want to go through all of this, it would be helpful if more people got vaccinated. Vaccination is a far better solution than attempting to control the disease through efforts like masking. Vaccination is also far safer than taking your chances with this disease. History has repeatedly shown the effectiveness of vaccination. The combination of natural immunity plus vaccination will eventually lead to the end of the pandemic.
In addition there are other safe measures that should be considered, such as protecting the vulnerable (elderly or immunocompromised), hand washing, avoiding crowds, and good ventilation such as opening windows.
I am deeply sorry about the whole situation, but I appreciate all of you and your support.
Please help spread the word,
S Eliason, MD
17 AUGUST 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
TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE was read by Baudendistel as legally required.
PUBLIC HEARING- Dearborn County Owner Occupied Rehab Program, SIRPC SE Indiana regional Planning Commission- Patty Jackson- presented the program. Grant end date is Aug 28th and they needed an extension to February. $350,000 was awarded and they partnered with USDA for over $70,000. Construction is completed on all but one that will be done in 2-3months. 93% were special needs families, elderly, or disabled. 13/14 were low income. 5 were at poverty level. New roofs, gutters, downspouts, plumbing, furnace, siding, windows, doors, and accessibility. She showed photos to commissioners. They focus on the biggest problems of the property. She detailed the things the had done on the photos. Probst asked about the program details and she answered that - There is a waiting list for the county. OCRA has announced a pilot program for this in the future. They are working with Federal Home Loan Bank, bit not sure they will qualify on their program. Closed the public meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Johnson Melloh Geothermal Project Contract- Baudendistel presented. After more review and discussion with the Conservancy District. There are 56 holes to be drilled to 400 ft depth. So they are not doing geothermal. They are looking at a traditional HVAC $877,309 and still under guaranteed savings. 13.4 years to recoup. $50,360. There is a dissimilar metal separation that was already funded as part of Maintenance budget so $12,000 is already covered. This still has to go to Council for funding.That meeting will be in Sept. This has been reviewed by Andy and Jeff Stratman who works for a company using it also.
Probst is opposed. He doesn’t see how we see how to do it without bidding.
Baudendistel said this is a different process- because it is part of the energy savings process. Thatcher said the bidding was done when they did the HVAC. Probst is still opposed. [NOTE: It would be better if the traditional company they were considering was discussed maybe??? Or is it the same company as was bidding the geothermal?]
Little motioned to accept this pending funding by Council. 2nd by Thatcher as Probst was opposed. Passed with Probst voting Nay.
NEW BUSINESS
Hazard Mitigation Plan Update- EMA Director- Jason Sullivan- Commissioners had no questions - Commissoners approved the plan update.
Ordinance Amending Chapter 153 of Dearborn County Code of Ordinances- Baudendistel said it is relating to the ability to pursue a violation of the code as a common nuisance in court. This is an Odyssey technology problem - Because our ordinances are stand alone - they are not in the program. In the complaint he will still go into specifics but this is to fix a problem so they can file zoning ad animal control complaints etc in Lawrenceburg City Court. Commissioners approved adding the section to 153.
ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden- Independent Contract agreement for a position with the heath dept that provides vaccination and health preparedness coordinator. They have the grant covering the $2,184/month for Bruce Canfield- who is the contractor. Approved.
AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold -Claims/Payroll and August 3rd Minutes were approved.
ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel- nothing more
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Little- school has started- be sure to watch for busses and in the school zones.
Probst- none
Thatcher-encourage vaccinated- Covid on the rise cases in hospital are un vaccinated people
LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION- none
PUBLIC COMMENT none
ADJOURN- 5:26 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
AGENDA
DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
August 17, 2021
5:00 p.m., Henry Dearborn Room
County Administration Building
165 Mary Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
III. TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE
IV. PUBLIC HEARING – Dearborn County Owner-Occupied Rehab Program, SIRPC, Patty Jackson
IV. OLD BUSINESS
1. Johnson Melloh Geothermal Project Contract
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – EMA Director, Jason Sullivan
2. Ordinance Amending Chapter 153 of the Dearborn County Code of Ordinances
VI. ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden
VII. AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold
1. Claims/Payroll/Minutes
VIII. ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel
IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
X. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION
XI. PUBLIC COMMENT
XII. ADJOURN
VIA FIRST CLASS & ELECTRONIC MAIL
Connie Fromhold
Dearborn County Auditor
165 Mary Street
Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025
cfromhold@dearborncounty.in.gov
Not later than 30 days after publication of the notice of adoption pursuant to IC 6-1.1-41-6, at least 10
taxpayers in Dearborn County (“County”) filed a petition with the Dearborn County Auditor stating their
objections to the proposed re-establishment of the County’s Capital Development Fund.
Pursuant to IC 6-1.1-41-7 and 8, the Department must hold a hearing on the petition and give notice of
this hearing to the county auditor and the first ten (10) taxpayers whose names appear on the petition.
Consequently, the Department will conduct a public hearing starting at 1:00 p.m. local time on August 6,
2021. Pursuant to Section 42 of Public L. No. 38-2021, the hearing will be held electronically through the
Microsoft Teams telecommunications service. Instructions on how to access the electronic hearing will be
made available on the Department’s website homepage, www.in.gov/dlgf.
At this hearing, the Department will accept written and verbal testimony from interested persons. You or
anyone you know who resides in the County that would like to provide testimony must submit a request
to Deputy General Counsel David Marusarz at dmarusarz@dlgf.in.gov. The request must express an
intent to testify at the hearing. This request must be received no later than noon on August 5. To ensure
an orderly hearing, only those who have submitted a timely request to testify will be able to testify at the
hearing. Please also inform the Department if you or someone else are speaking on behalf of others or
have a planned order of preference for who wants to testify.
All interested persons will be able to provide written evidence to the Department, whether or not they
testify at the hearing. Written evidence must be submitted to Deputy General Counsel Marusarz at the
above e-mail address or by regular mail at the address included on the letterhead. Written evidence must
be received no later than the end of the day on August 13, 2021.
The Department will receive any testimony and after a time following the hearing will render a
determination on the petition.
Questions may be directed to Deputy General Counsel David Marusarz at the phone number or e-mail
address given above.
Sincerely,
Wesley R. Bennett
Commissioner
3 AUGUST 2021 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
Johnson Melloh Geothermal Project Contract- TABLED - Jim Thatcher said there were changing circumstances and wanted to wait until they were resolved,
NEW BUSINESS
GIS Fee Schedule Update and Ordinance for GIS Fee Schedule - Nicole Daily, Zoning Administrator - last change was effective Jan 2020. Losing 50 to $1.25 on large copies. Another county-wide data extraction service was $1500 that had to cover the cost of setting up that parcel data to be lowered to $800. They have only had 3 requests for this service in 2 years and they can do it for less work now. Thatcher said we should evaluate fees annually as the county doesn’t need to make money on these services - but they shouldn’t lose money either. Commissioners approved the ordinance changing the fees. It still goes to Council for approval on August 9th at 8:30 AM.
Discussion RE: Walters Road- Dennis Kraus, Jr. Surveyor-Mr McGuire contacted him regarding drainage issues he’s having at his home. He’s being required to fix septic system. He’s having problems with the perimeter drain for the lots in the subdivision is not working as he’s saying the culvert is too small. Trabels farm adjoins at there needs to be a drainage ditch out there that needs to be cleaned out also- ON PRIVATE property. Michale S Hall Surveying did the surveying out there in years past. For past info. They are going to have a USI on-call engineer look at this to see what needs to be done. McGuire wants it done before he sells his house. The perimeter drain installation was not inspected per county officials.
ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden- nothing
AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold -Claims/Payroll and July 20th Minutes Thatcher looked at the Claims as Probst was on vacation. Approved.
ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel- Governor renewed health emergency to August 30th Thatcher said Dr Eliason is monitoring COVID- with only one patient in the hospital now. Hoping we keep things low and wants paper to encourage people to get the vaccination.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS- Little - said he’s glad the Bright Festival went off well before all the COVID increases.
LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION- Todd Listerman, County Engineer- Bridge #135 Weisburg Rd- has a contract with Civil Con per hour rate NTE of $35,000 to do the 3 sided aluminum box for a 100 year flood event. 6 months to get it back in shape including construction - which is more cost than the design of $35,000. Safe economical and as quick as possible is what Thatcher wanted. Thatcher did not want to just throw something up as some were looking for a quick fix. Commissioners approved the design contract.
PUBLIC COMMENT- Tamara Taylor thanked Thatcher for helping with Guilford Park. Thatcher also thanked the mayor of Greendale for all their help too. It’s the first time he’s seen that kind of help.
ADJOURN- 9:35 AM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
Let's Try Justice 'by the Point'
by Leo Morris
reprinted with permission of IPR
Today’s column offers a serious exploration of a way to solve the crime problem once and for all. So, if you’re reading this in your car, put the phone down so you don’t miss the point.
And so you don’t get four points. Under a provision of a law that just went into effect this year, those are the demerits against your driver’s license for using a cellphone without a hands-free device while driving. Another new provision will add four to eight points for speeding in a school or construction zone.
These provisions are added to the existing system of violations that gives us penalty points for things like failure to use headlights (two), disregarding a stop sign (four) and following too closely (six). If you accumulate points ranging from 20 to 42 within a two-year period, your license can be suspended for periods ranging from a month to a year.
Of course, if the violation is serious enough – driving while intoxicated, for example – the whole point system is superseded, and the state goes immediately for suspension. But the point system for “minor” violations is an invaluable way to keep a watchful eye for accumulated evidence of drivers who may be guilty of road unworthiness.
Some of my fellow libertarians, as expected, are upset at what they see as government intrusion into what should be personal discretion. If we are penalized not for the accidents we cause but for our actions that might theoretically cause an accident, well, that is just state nannyism.
But I applaud the state.
Driving is a privilege, after all, granted to us upon our acknowledgement and acceptance of the rules of the road. If we follow those rules and know most other drivers do as well, we have a reasonable expectation of having mishap-free travels.
And who can honestly say the system doesn’t work? Yes, there are many accidents, even some fatalities. But have you ever heard newscasters talk of a deadly epidemic on the roads? Have you ever seen mayors or governors wringing their hands over what do about a sudden traffic fatality crisis?
Traffic regulations, in fact, are exactly the kind of laws libertarians always say they want. The rules don’t tell us where we have to go or what kind of vehicle we have to drive. They are minimally intrusive, designed solely for the purpose getting us to our destinations as safely as possible.
Which makes them perfect for use against all crimes, not just those involving safety on the highway.
Think about it.
The crime debate is held hostage today between two extreme camps. On the one side, we have those forever in search of “root causes” and eager to forgive almost anyone for almost anything. On the other, we have tough-on-crime zealots who want to lock up shoplifters and jaywalkers and throw away the key.
What we need is a way to balance those two extremes, find a way to imprison the truly dangerous miscreants but allow those who commit minor offenses to remain free to learn the error of their ways.
Why not a point system?
Everyone gets a “stay out of jail” card, and each offense is assigned a number of points. Things like jaywalking and loitering would get the minimum dings on the card, one point. Public intoxication would be worth two points. Embezzlement would get three points. Burglary would get five points, but home invasion, with the residents still there, would garner seven points.
And so on. Get a certain number of points within a two-year period and you go to jail for the designated amount of time.
For more serious offenses, such as murder and rape, the point system would be superseded, and the criminals would go directly to prison. But not everyone who commits a so-called “crime” is destined to become a career offender. The point system would let us watch for accumulated evidence of habitual wrongdoing tendencies.
Now that I think of it, we might even want to consider a separate point system for the most serious crimes. Not all murders, for example, are equal. Surely there should be fewer points for a gang member killing another gang member than for a kidnapper who kills a hostage. And then there are the special cases where the murder might be heinous but not likely to be repeated, such as killing a spouse in a violent rage.
That’s probably a little more controversial, though, so we should try the point system on lesser offenses first, just to get a feel for how it might work,
For those who consider this proposal outlandish, just consider how far down that road we have already gone. Plea bargaining is a kind of point system that trades lesser offenses for bigger criminals. “Victimless crimes” are cited all the time by public safety officials trying to prioritize their efforts. And don’t forget all the leaders in some of our major cities who have decided to overlook even arson and looting when committed by groups with favored status.
A word of warning here. If you don’t think this column is worthy of serious consideration, give yourself a point. And don’t think no one is keeping score.
Leo Morris, columnist for The Indiana Policy Review, is winner of the Hoosier Press Association’s award for Best Editorial Writer. Morris, as opinion editor of the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, was named a finalist in editorial writing by the Pulitzer Prize committee. Contact him at leoedits@yahoo.com.
