FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 Property: Imagine It Anew

reprinted with permission of IPR

by Leo Morris

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man 

— “Imagine,”1971

I don’t know if John Lennon was self-aware enough to see the irony of a filthy rich superstar longing for a utopia in which everything belongs to everybody, so nobody has to do without anything, the perfect equality within our reach if we just wish for it hard enough.

But before he was murdered in 1980, he was getting there, slowly but surely. He didn’t quite become a full-fledged “minimal government necessary” libertarian who knew that “property rights” and “human rights” are not mutually exclusive, but in fact one and the same. He did grow up a little, though, becoming a family man who understood that freedom begins and ends with what each individual is allowed to do and how much he gets to own of what he has accomplished.

“What I used to be is guilty about money,” he said in one of his last interviews “. . . Because I thought money was equated with sin. I don’t know. I think I got over it, because I have to either put up or shut up, you know. If you are going to be a monk with nothing, do it. Otherwise, I am going to try to make money, make it. Money itself isn’t the root of all evil.”

Let us all hope the United States Supreme Court is on the same learning curve that John Lennon was.

Government has two roles when it comes to private property: To protect those who own it against the machinations of those who do not, and to be cautious when taking any of it for the “public good.” When the government fails at the latter, it makes it hard to believe it is serious about the former.

Which has so often been the case that there should be an addendum to the national motto of “In God we trust” – give ’em an inch, and they’ll take a mile.

The nadir came with the despicable Kelo vs. City of New London in 2005, in which a 5-4 majority ruled that the Connecticut city taking someone’s property for a public “purpose” was the same thing as taking it for a public “use” constitutionally speaking. But “use” had always meant something for the public good, such as a dam or a road. “Purpose” meant whatever might benefit government coffers.

So, in Kelo, the court authorized taking property from one private owner and giving it to another, one that promised to “economically develop” it and bring in more tax revenue. The court thus legalized thuggery, merging the two roles of government’s property function and allowing gross violation of both of them.

There are some signs, thank goodness, that the court has grown up a little since then.

In two rulings this term – both unanimous – the court has put some brakes on the government’s cavalier treatment of private property. Even if there is scant evidence for that conclusion, perhaps you will allow me to Imagine the best.

In one ruling, the court ruled for a 94-year-old Minnesota woman whose home was taken for failure to pay a $15,000 property tax bill. The county sold the property for $40,000 and decided to keep the extra $25,000. No, the court said; that violated the “just compensation” wording of the Constitution.

The ruling was met with strong approval across the political spectrum, from the very conservative Pacific Legal Foundation to the very liberal ACLU. Nobody likes to see ordinary, defenseless people preyed upon by powerful bullies. It was similar to the reaction in an Indiana case from a few terms ago, when the court ruled that authorities violated the “excessive fines” clause by seizing a $42,000 Land Rover from a criminal who had been sentenced to probation and a $1,200 fine on a drug charge.

In the other ruling, the court ruled in favor of an Idaho couple and against the EPA, which had required them to get a federal permit to build on their property because it had a “wetland,” even though it was not connected to anything outside the property by a “navigable waterway,” a plain requirement of the legislative authorization.

This ruling was not unanimously approved, being decried by a lot of people who seem still confused by the whole public “good,” “use” and “purpose” justification for violating private property rights. They are still living in the 1970s, stuck in the Early John Lennon method of wishing a better world into existence. If the government says “everybody” needs your property, why are you being so selfish?

“The human right of every man to own his own life implies the right to find and transform resources to produce that which sustains and advances life,” said economist Murray N. Rothbard. “That product is a man’s property. That is why property rights are foremost among human right and why any loss of one endangers the others.”

He wrote that in 1959, so let’s forgive him saying “man” instead of “person.” The thought still rings true.

And John Lennon, self-described troublemaking son of a family-deserting merchant seaman, who through talent and hard work became part of one of the most famous songwriting duos in history, could not have said it better.

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.

23 May 2023 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes

 23 May 2023 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes

Present: Liz Morris, President, Dennis Kraus. Sr., Dan Lansing, Kevin Turner, Tim Doll, Alan Goodman, and Glenn Wright. 

Also present: Connie Fromhold, Auditor

Title VI Statement read as legally required

Liz Morris- Extended condolences to Leah Bailey on the loss of her father.

Resolution Authorizing & Approving Entry into Interlocal with DCRSD-  Baudendistel presented that there is a company  that bought LMH and approached Commissioners about purchasing DCRSD assets. Because we are talking very high level regional sewer district things it is thought that not would be beneficial to have lawyers well versed in this. Baudendistel said- Sewer Board uses Frank Kramer and Frank said he is looking forward to hearing the hired attorney’s opinion. Frank also has some concerns about a possible sale altogether. They are not getting rid of Frank- he will still be helping them with all the local things too. Envirolink or Crossroads LLC will be looked at by several entities. Commissioners have already approved it and the DCRSD has and so Council is the last entity to do this. The money is already in the Commissioners budget.Lansing asked about who governs rates. IURC and OURCC have to look at this. IDEM has to get a petition from DCRSC to sell this. There is a lot of state oversight on this per Baudendistel.He stressed repeatedly that this was not a done deal- there are all options on the table. Private companies can get ARPA funds just like Hogan water did. Baudendistel went with Alan Goodman and Jim Thatcher to Indy  Rick Hall and Kim from Barnes and Thornburg and asked them if any one has done this in Indiana. The answer is no one has outright sold and ceased to exist. Parvin Price is there also at Barnes and Thornburg. 

Doll motioned and Goodman 2nd = Approved with 2 nays- Wright and Kraus

Interlocal Agreement with DCRSD for Outside Counsel-  Also approved with 2 nays.

Transfers:

 CIRCUIT PROBATION- Body Armor $2,600 (2102.35104.000.034 to 2102.25000.000.034)- Approved

ADDITIONALS:

CIRCUIT COURT- Judge Negangard- 

Criss Consulting for consulting services $30,000(1001/4914)- Discovered a significant youth crisis  and some neglect issues and we are in excess of 10 in juvenile. Most of his docket is in this and in juvenile delinquency cases. Judge Humphrey is serving a s senior judge and has been helpful. Just got back from a training- and there are mental health and neglect cases. In the 1990s Judge Meyer and Prosecutor McLaughlin started juvenile program and they are now in the process of converting back to something like that. He approached Sam Criss in attorney generals office and helped get budget, HR etc on track. He’s very effective- I need someone with his skills and connections around teh state to come ump with some answers.We need a good on-boarding process. He’s going to help me with some budget issues. We need a balance approach to the budget with Ohio County. Circuit Court is very busy. He would be a big help in helping to facilitate. Doll said that if he needs help- we should support his request. Approved.

JAVS upgrade-Magistrate $110,000 (1001/4914)

JAVS upgrade-Circuit Court $40,000 (1001/4914)- Only need $900 so that’s much better than $150,000. We don’t have a good zoom hearing technology. His is outdated. By buying new camera and tech he was able to get a good setup done. Its going to be over $250,000 to do this upgrade eventually for all the courtrooms. Approved the $900.

Public Defender- $25,000 (1001/4914)- Mainly a jury trial in February- spent $30,000 and doesn’t need this now- but will run out by end of the year. Under IV-E they might be entitled to reimbursement of significant amount of public defender money. Approved.

Furniture- $10,000 (1001/4914)- withdrew this request for now. The seats are uncomfortable and he wants to stick to the historical look of the courtroom. We have the best courtroom in the state and doesn’t want to waste $50-60,000 to paint the courtroom. Wants to wait till next year. They still Approved the $10,000 out of county general

SUPERIOR COURT II- Judge McLaughlin- Leah Bailey presented this. This is just showing where the money she received earlier in the year is going and they need to sign a salary ordinance- APPROVED- from pharmaceutical companies each year for first 5 years.  360K and 164K- one restricted and the other is unrestricted. All vetted and approved below.

$7,900 salaries for 4 people, no additional money needed(salary ordinance adjustment)

OPIOID GRANT: RESTRICTED (1237) $35,000, UNRESTRICTED (1238) $65,000

Restricted Funds:

Health Department-$15,000 for Online Narcan Training Site 

Circuit Court-Juvenile Problem-Solving Court $20,000

Unrestricted Funds:

Sheriff’s Department- K-9 Officer Program Funding $25,000

Superior Court II-Jail Chemical Addiction Program $30,000

Community Mental Health Center-Care Resource Center $10,000

HEALTH-

Mobile Medical Unit- $374,362 (1159)- Dr Eliason- talked about how they use the Mobile Medical units thru Covid and after. They are expanding for more testing etc. They need to get the bus in better shape now. It has had brake issues. It’s 27 years old. Its hard to get parts for it. It’s a school bus that was remodeled twice. Since they are far away from the door and elderly people have trouble getting to the offices, this is an easier access for them. Our model is being used as example for others in the state. We cannot drive up the hill on SR48. They have leveraged their assets per Doll. His is not something we can get grant help with. They are using this fund- which was a COVID reimbursement fund- Approved.

VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER-

Van replacement $45,000 (1001/4914)- Connie Fromhold presented- this is to replace his van- he was able to take off the lift. There is a repair fund but it doesn’t have a lot in it. Approved.

ASSESSOR- 

New vehicle to be shared with Veterans Office 34,000 (1001)- Connie Fromhold presented- The car is not safe for going down some driveways even. It’s great that they are working together per Morris. Approved.

MAINTENANCE-

Unexpected miscellaneous repairs $80,000 (1136/1001)- Connie Fromhold presented- this is to secure the inmate showers. A lot of plumbing supplies. Approved

PLANNING & ZONING-Nicole Daily- presented by Connie Fromhold- need stormwater calculations and so they are hiring someone to do this with MS4.-as a planning engineer technician.  

Partial salary for already approved position- $4,465 (1001) Approved

Assistant Planner to Planning Engineer Technician-$9,425 (1001)Approved

SURVEYOR-

Connie Fromhold presented- dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree and bad brakes. Approved both items below.

Truck repairs $3,000 (1001/4914) 

Copier Maintenance-$600 (1001/4914)

PROSECUTOR- Additional storage for electronic data $15,899 (1001/4914)- Leah Bailey presented- she needs extra storage for all teh files she has to keep. Pay out of County General- Approved

SHERIFF-

Shane McHenry- both categories costs have gone up. County does not pay sales tax- but road tax is paid.  Inflation caused meal costs to go up. Paid some out of 2022 and Doll praised him for getting deals on foods. Approved both items.

Fuel cost for the remainder of the year-$207,000 (1170)

Food cost for the rest of the year- $124,000 (1233)

ANIMAL CONTROL-

Computer Monitors $396.00 for 4 monitors (1001/4914)- Leah Bailey presented- said they do not need them - they got them from auditor. There was questions about feral cats and animal control saying hat if you fed them - they are your problem. Board comment- it sounds like they need more training, 

Education & Training $994.00 (1001/4914)- Approved 

DEARBORN COUNTY REGIONAL SEWER DISTRICT- 

Steve Renihan, Guilford & Lake Dilldear repairs $519,561.06 (4917)- He said they were here to ask for the remainder of the funding from years ago. This will go with the ARPA funds to finish these projects. Ready no later than May 2024 for Guilford and earlier for Lake Dildear to have the bid documents etc. Have to get a discharge permit in Guilford. It takes time to get thru IDEM. Morris said they have to continue along with projects as they don’t know what the outcome will be with the interlocal agreement etc. This is money for these 2 projects in tandem to get them done as quickly as possible with the ARPA funds.   Goodman motioned and Kraus 2nd. Discussion about what money will be left then. Started with $4million and this will bring it to 0. Renihan said they have customers and they could have more with the lines they have run so far. This could get a standing line of revenue to come back into DCRSD with other customers. See items below: Approved. 

GUILFORD: Lake Dilldear

Antidegradation Study-$28,500  Engineering/Surveying/Bid Documents-$151,075.01

Surveying- $40,125 Attorney’s Fees- $10,000

Engineering- $157,800

Purchase of Land-$167,720

Bid Documents- $7,300

Attorney’s Fees- $5,000

HIGHWAY- Todd Listerman-  COUNCILMAN TURNER left @ 6:30PM for daughter’s graduation.

Design Bridge #87 Johnson Fork Rd -$100,000 (4916)- Creek washing out and repaired until it moved to the north side of the bridge- to stabilize the embankment to save the bridge. This is for design only for now. This fall he will request funding for repair. 

Replacement Bridge #72 St Peters Rd- $950,000 (4916)

Replacement Bridge #32 North Hogan Rd- $950,000 (4916)

Replacement of Small Structure #148 Hueseman Rd- $425,000 (4916)

Design of Small Structure #127 Grelle Rd- $47,500 (4916)

Design of Small Structure #218 East Laughery Creek Rd $47,500 (4916)

Design of Small Structure #136 West Laughery Creek Rd-$47,500 (4916)

Design of Small Structure #623 Harrison-Brookville Rd-$47,500 (4916)

Design of Small Structure # 624 Harrison-Brookville Rd-$ 47,500 (4916)

Approved all the above items.

Design of Bridge #212 Cranes Run Rd- $$100,000 (4916)- only 3-4 houses past this structure and it’s their only way out. It’s basically 2 huge tubes. They are deteriorated. It can wait till budget. TABLED

Replacement of Bridge #215 Brush Fork Creek-$1,400,000 (7303)- They have a way in and out the other direction. TABLED

Listerman said in 2022 report there was $11.3million and $5million was from dedicated highway funds. The $6.3 million was from other sources we matched. Thanked Council for that support. May be able to pave Aurora Industrial Park with TIF money.  

AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY UPDATE- Leslie Sutherlin, Director- Introduced herself. Passed out info and updated them. She’s new at Aurora. It helps her serve the mission of the library. $1.3 million and other endowments. They serve townships in the South Dearborn school district. They repainted the Depot and have some mobile items in a multipurpose meeting room there. Library of Things that can be checked out so they can use a leaf blower, studfinder, mixer etc. Also craft items to check out. Investigating a bookmobile. Book bike to share materials in parks and senior citizen living center, etc. Moores Hill and Manchester are in their service area. Carnegie Hall also. We have money waiting to be spent. And revenue sharing that has not been spent. Don’t think they will need outside funding for these projects. Book sale annually. Trying to get a footprint in the various communities. Wi-fi in Moores Hill is challenging. Need that for the bookmobile. Council thanked her for sitting thru the long meeting and for the info. 

AUDITOR- 

Tif Report -Council acknowledged they had seen theTIF report

Minutes-Approved

Salary Ordinance: Approved 

Part-time Wages- - had given 5% to full timers - need to fix part time $1 per hour each level increase for 2023

LEVEL I-File clerk, Custodian work, answer phones etc.

LEVEL II- Clerical, Sheriff, Highway, Juvenile Detention Center part-time.

LEVEL III- Special skills, experienced, highly technical, persons with exceptional training.

LEVEL I-$13.00 an hour- $14 for rest of 2023

LEVEL II-$15.00 an hour- $16for rest of 2023

LEVEL III-$16.00 TO $20.00 an hour (WITH FULL COUNCIL APPROVAL) $1 increases for rest of 2023

LATE ARRIVAL- none

PUBLIC COMMENT- none

 

Meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

22 May 2023 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes

 22 May 2023 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes

Present: Dennis Kraus, Jr., Chairman, Russell Beiersdorfer, Joe Vogel, Jake Hoog, Dan Lansing, Jim Thatcher, and Eric Lang

ABSENT: Jeff Hermesch and Mark Lehman

Also present- Mike Perleberg, Jeff Stenger, 

Also Present:  Nicole Daily, Planning and Zoning Director, and Andy Baudendistel, Attorney.

Baudendistel read the Title VI statement as legally required.

ACTION ON MINUTES- April 24th minutes approved.

OLD BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS:

Zone Map Amendment from Agriculture to Local Business B-1. Steve Naltner/S&K Investment Properties LLC- 7140 Hyland Rd Parcel# 15-02-14-400-017.003-101 Kelso Township- 3 acres

Nicole Daily presented - Church auctioned the property off and it was sold. Future land use map B-2 across teh street- storage units. The old golf course near there is no longer in existence. Property is near SR1 corner. Small church building and large parking lot. Use exiting building for professional or medical offices. There are no restrictions on the request. Public sewer. No flood plain and no cemetery. Planning on just using the interior for the proposed businesses. 3192 sq ft in the building. Parking lot bollard will be removed- it was put there to prevent semis from turning around in the lot. Using the entire 3 acres for B-1. 

No applicant here to speak for this. 

Opened Public Discussion

Bobbi Bauman- haș house  and 3 acres west of the church. Don’t want any more businesses as it devalues her property. Bought 3 acres to raise their family- not be surrounded by businesses.

Greg Hyland- has 168 acre farm there. Church has tall lights there and there needs to be a light trespass consideration there. It lights up the entire area.

End public discussion.

Nicole Daily- The Plan Commission makes a recommendation to the Commissioners for the zone change. Discussion regarding if they can put restrictions or conditions on the zone change. Beiersdorfer could not vote for this is if they could put the landscaping buffer there. Lang was concerned about the photometric plan  to see what to do about the lighting overspill. 

Hoog motioned to give a favorable recommendation  from Ag to B-1 with written commitments landscaping on the west side with current standards and lighting to meet the current standards. @nded by Beiersdorfer. All ayes with Thatcher abstaining as he will vote when it gets to the commissioners..This will go to Commissioners at Tuesday, June 20th meeting.  

ADMINISTRATIVE

DEARBORN COUNTY PROPOSED ZONING TEXT CHANGES – To review and discuss proposed ordinance amendments and updates to the Dearborn County Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, specifically with respect to the text(s) of: Articles 9 and 10, regarding Agricultural and Residential Zoning Districts; Article 25, regarding General Standards and new Use Development Standards; Article 27, regarding Definitions.

Nicole Daily had put some text changes in these from the meetings etc. In the Ag district - Added: produce stands seasonal and yearly. Recreational camping not more than 180 days per year. Taste testing added for vineyards.Sale of nursery and landscape products. 

Ag Homestead-

Added cRecreational camping nor more than 180 days per year.

Took out the minimum of 5 acres as its in the development standards.- for keeping of animals.  

Residential 1- barns pole buildings and other common storage  structures. Minimum lot size in R1 must meet minimum lots area as determined by DC Health Dept if sanitary sewer is unavailable. 

Residential 2- manufactured home park- conditional use also commercial recreation conditional use- sanitary sewer must be available

Residential 3- sanitary sewer must be available 

Developmental standards were gone thru- especially the animal units. 

NO COPIES OF THE CHANGES WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE THESE CHANGES - ONLY THE POSTING ION THE SCREENS S THEY RAN THRU THE ITEMS CHANGED. 

PUBLIC-

Steve Perrine- Scenic Drive- discussed a weighting system for teh criteria that would be there for consideration of the changes people are requesting for their properties. Example having large acres be weighted heavily for Ag etc. Sewere yes and no. 

Greg Hyland- Our property is going to Ag Homestead. Asked what is a minor or major subdivision?

Kraus answered- Minor R subdivision is 7 lots and a remainder or less. 

Major R subdivision - 8 lots and more. 

Jeff Stenger- Ag text - Even changing the minimum lot size to 2 acres is a taking. Haven’t found a way to do this without a need to change the subdivision ordinance. Not enamored of Ag Homestead- - it’s nearly the same as R1. Wants to have the minor subdivisions be readied to Ag zone.It’s discriminatory toward the larger property owners. Ag Homestead has 1 acre lot min and Ag has 2 acre lot minimum. That does not conserve farmland. Road widths determine some of this too. MS$- and stormwater issues are to be considered. 

Chris Mueller-Family divisions were updated to Minor subdivisions years ago. For estate purposes- family divisions were less expensive. Answer- Now- this wouldn’t be an issue as the fees are per lot.

Nicole will look over seeing subdivision ordinance and the minor and major divisions in that regard- board is OK with teh other text changes so far. They will move toward maps again. 

Lang wants to know about sewer data and a layer on the GIS maps- DISTRICTS are on the maps but not actual sewer lines. 

 Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

18 May 2023- DCRSD Board Meeting Notes

 

18 May 2023- DCRSD Board Meeting Notes

This was a 2.5 hour meeting

Steve Renihan - President, Brett Fehrman - Vice President, Russell Beiersdorfer, Doug Baer, Jeff Stenger, and Steward Cline 

ABSENT: Bill Shelton

ABSENT: Board Attorney - Frank Kramer

Also Present: Rick Probst- County Commissioner and Jim Thatcher - County Commissioner, Andy Baudendistel, County Attorney, and Bob Hrezo. 

Tamara Taylor, The Beacon.

Title VI Statement read as legally required by Renihan. 

April 20 and May 4 Minutes were read by the board and reviewed-   Approved with an amendment regarding some errors corrected by adding a copy of Envirolinks presentation that had a statement that board members did not think was accurate regarding the subsidy from the county that Envirolink stated was for one year and was about 1/2 a million. Also noted that Stenger and Fehrman did not abstain-they voted NAY. Corrected.  

Treasurers Report March and April Financials- tabled until next meeting

Public Comment: Renihan added the interlocal agreement to the agenda under this Public Comment time. This was moved up so that Commissioner’s Att’y Baudendistel could make a 6 PM coaching of soccer. 

Baudendistel explained how the resolution is done and then the interlocal agreement is done.This is to have the County pay for legal services for the SDRSD. This will be Rick Hall and Kathleen or Kim Blanchett with Barnes and Thornburg as they have knowledge in this area. Baudendistel said everything is on the table. Renihan had talked to Frank Kramer before he left on vacation regarding this. [NOTE:So the County picks the law firm and the lawyers and somehow the County will  stand back and let DCRSD decide how to use them? This law firm does a lot of business for the County and yet they are expected to be totally objective on this issue? Hmmmm.]

Brett Fehrman- is there an offer from Envirolink? 

Renihan- no nothing specific. With this help from an attorney that is specialized will help with this. 

Steward Cline- Either Kramer or local counsel is fine for most- but its better to have counsel that is specialized. This money is not coming out of DCRSD funds- but it is taxpayer funds. 

Doug Baer- this money should be able to be used for us to look at other options and these lawyers will perhaps know of some other options we find. Baer thinks they need to be willing to listen to any other options too.

Renihan - we have to do due diligence with all of these options. This is JUST an agreement with the county for attorney fees. [NOTE: And that is how it starts. With hand picked attorneys?]

Steward Cline- Include the resolution in the minutes. 

Brett Fehrman- Parvin Price was with Bose McKinney and Evans and he is now with Barnes and Thornburg. So he might be good to use as the attorney. 

Jeff Stenger- You are wanting us to approve the resolution first and then approve the interlocal. 

Baudendistel- yes. 

Stenger- we were told we were to get a peer review several months ago. We did this with Envirolink- and to date I have not seen a peer review. What we are seeing is an offer to buy. We were trying to fix projects with the ARPA money. And there are deadlines with the ARPA funds. 

Baudendistel- you are not on a straight path- there are forks here. 

Stenger- How is this resolution helping us solve our problems when we don’t have a peer review. Maybe we should be focused on the peer review and how we can better do what we are doing. 

Renihan- we had meetings here with some of the board members and Andy and Thatcher and Enviroloink. They were in the meeting with ARPA folks and funding folks.[NOTE: Was the DCRSD BOARD in those meetings? Or just some of them selected for it?]

Stenger said that he has expertise and wanting the peer review would give them guidance - we should get something from them and we effectively lost 3 months without moving forward.They confirmed the sewer plant was the better idea in the meeting. They didn’t give us a peer review. 

Steward Cline- They recommended we purchase more land if it was available- and we went ahead with that. 

[NOTE: It seems obvious that several board members were not at those other “meetings.”] 

Baudendistel- you can bring all these items up about Envirolink  and they can help address them. 

Renihan- Tonight what the issue is - to get funding for attorneys to look at options. 

What is the relationship with the county and Envirolink?- board asked. 

Baudendistel- there is no FORMAL relationship with Envirolink. They have an agreement with SDRSD as managers and they recently bought LMH, which brought them to us. 

Stenger- One more question so Andy can get to his coaching soccer at 6. Is it just for the DCRSD board to work with the attorney? No dollar amount was given for the attorneys. 

Renihan - sees this as a generous offer for the county to help DCRSD out here.

Beiersdorfer and Cline motioned and seconded to approve the resolution. Discussion kept coming back to not wanting to spend money for looking at selling the DCRSD. 

Cline talked about that we will need money to keep this going. How do we collect for repairs down the road? 

Renihan- We have spent almost $4 million on projects over the years. 

Cline sees this as step 1 on a journey. 

Fehrman- we spent $3.5 million fixing problems and we could not have done it for that price today. Our assets are worth more today than they were back then. 

Baer- not in our best interest to just accept what someone has come in and presented.We need to look at all options. 

Resolution approved 3-2 vote with Fehrman and Stenger NAY. 

Interlocal agreement passed 3-2 with Fehrman and Stenger NAY. 

Commissioner Jim Thatcher and Tamara Taylor left after this item as did County Attorney, Andy Baudendistel.  

Board got an update on the Hogan sewer lateral versus a main.  They asked the board about paying for the main and changing it from a lateral to a main. The board thinks Aurora might be able to do that. This family bought property with a pre-existing issue. That’s why they were “targeted” and the neighbors in the flood plain have not yet. Kramer will be back for the 2nd June meeting but not the first one. They can come back with some info from Aurora as to what they will accept and maintain. There is a process they have to go thru for that. 

Renihan- noted that the county cut off our funding several years ago. Used to get $60,000 a year. We have to start behaving like a sewer board. Like a utility works. We don’t act like a utility- we do not make people hook on. 

Renihan thinks that DCRSD is the only sewer district except for one  ( LMH) that doesn’t force people on. We need to enforce the state law. Long discussion with examples of these issues.

No one from Hogan project wanted to get others in trouble on the street. Not planning to complain to force someone on. 

Moores Hill utility present -Paul— and Moores Hill owns a line down SR350. There are 2-3 homes in proximity to this line. By Elizabeth and SR350. Some are wanting to bore a line across 350 that serves more people. Again the board does not have any money to do this. The line is 6 inches. They have to get INDOT permit to bore under the highway. Could give territory to Moores Hill and they solve it. Christy from Hrezo-  showed the board what would be needed. So they are going to have to go another way because of funding- but that will take awhile as there are 2 other projects that funds are spoken for. If Moores Hill grants him a tap then that will solve that and he is Moores Hill’s customer. DCRSD would like to get involved in the future if Moores Hill can get funding grants etc. They will be forcing hookups then too. DCRSD asked what Moores Hill’s participation would be. If homeowner pays for the pipe, then Moores Hill can construct. If you borrow- then the bond company needs the customers to be forced on. Baer said that these lots are small and pump and haul is their only option if not sewered. Borrowing and bonding could be options that DCRSD might look at. Renihan said maybe they need commissioners to know about Moores Hill’s situation. Moores Hill has 33% capacity being used- as the school is no longer there. So they have options. Renihan said that this project has the possibility to pay it back. Get on Commissioner’s meeting.Let them know what you need. 

Harlan Burlage- SR 1 -next to 86 houses on 12  acres - on sewer. Asked where ARPA money is. In the bank here per Probst. Burlage- Would the debt ceiling issue cause an problems if they claw it back? Renihan- Yes that would be a big problem.

At Council meeting May 23 at 5 pm - $519,000 will be requested and Hrezo Engineering will be there. 

Steward Cline said he works with Att’y John Watson with North Dearborn regarding Lake Dildear and wants to have a working meeting with a couple board members and Kramer. Could we make some progress to have tech team together. Get the engineers in there. They will have a report out at the board meeting so people know. [NOTE: Transparency is hard to preserve when board members get info 2nd hand and the public is not involved. This small meeting of hand selected participants is getting to be the latest strategy to keep the public out.] 

Project Updates:only a couple were talked about

Guilford 

High Ridge WWTP

High Ridge West Expansion- Texas Gas Road

Wilson Creek Project

Huesman Rd and Cole Lane

Harrsison TIF/Stone Project

Scenic Ridge/148 Sewers/ Outer Drove

Stateline Rd

Serenity Ridge, Tranquility Court

Moores Hill- see above discussion form Moores Hill

Dillsboro - Lake Dildear- trying to get some answers there. 

New Business

Office Update- Renihan said Sarah is leaving June 1st and Kelly is staying on. We need to find another person. Renihan, citing some health issues, said he is getting tired trying to manage all this as a volunteer. Baer is going to be sure they can cover this for a while. But get Sarah to put all her tasks in writing and so should Kelly so they need to know what they have to cover. $15/hour. Bonded. And checks have to have 2 signatures. 

Renihan said the way DCRSD is set up the Commissioners make his appointment. He wants to have a planned future for this. We don’t have a Superintendent. We need to look to the future. And maybe not have 2 meetings a month. [NOTE: Is Renihan wanting to retire from DCRSD?] 

Claims- approved

Discretion of Chairman- 

Stenger said Brett Fehrman contacted him after last meeting. What other directions should we look at? He’s been here since the beginning of DCRSD. They had an informal meeting with Valley Rural. Something to have them possibly exploring management with them. Considering a collaborative effort with the billing. Hrezo did 3 miles of sewer there. Bill Shelton was there too.They have a lot of reasons to want to partner with us. July 11th regular meeting at VRUC- they can speak to us. VRUC has records back to 1973. Stenger personally prefers there are no behind doors meetings. Issues that are being brought up at these meetings. More comments about having things in open meetings. Renihan seemed to expect VRUC to come to DCRSD- not have DCRSD go to them.

Renihan- “What intrigues me about  Envirolink buying LMH is that it  gives us a an economy of scale here.” 

Board asked if Hrezo can do billing also possibility. Asked them to throw a proposal together for DCRSD.

Adjourned at 7:35 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township