BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA 46970
NOVEMBER 26, 2007
Commissioner Hawley called the meeting of the Board to order.
SMOKING ORDINANCE
Mr. Wilson asked the Board for a status on where they are with adopting a
smoking ordinance for Miami County. He would like the Board to consider 3 things
before the adopt the ordinance’s
1. A study was conducted by an IU Professor on the effects on non-smokers. As a
result of the non-smoking Ordinance in Monroe County there has been a 70% drop
in non-smokers heart attacks. An article in the Indianapolis Star that the
revenues for bars and restaurants have increased.
2. An article in the Journal Gazette from Fort Wayne said that in the first
month after adopting the smoke free ordinance tax revenues for all bars
increased 39%.
3. He said the summary of public opinion here is in favor of adopting a smoking
ordinance that includes bars and private clubs as well as restaurants.
The Break down is 50% said they would eat out more often or at least at the same
rate.
17% said they would eat out less
32% said they would eat out more.
Mr. Wilson stated that as Elected Officials he knows it will not be a popular
decision and he hopes they would not do a compromise ordinance but adopt one
that is in the best interest of the health of the community.
RECORDER/SHERRY PAYNE
Mrs. Payne informed the Board that her books would be closed at 10 a.m. on
December 31, 2007. The Board acknowledged her information. She will post this on
all the outside doors of the building to inform the public.
IT/JOHN POWELL
Mr. Powell said he was reporting back to the Board concerning the GIS issue. He
spoke with three people from Monroe County, the Highway Supervisor, 9-1-1
Director and their IT Director. All are satisfied with the ESRI GIS system.
Mr. Powell also spoke with the State of Ohio’s IT Director of the GIS. They also
use ESRI and they are satisfied with the program as well. He told the Board that
even though this company is only 4 ½ years old there is a lot of experience each
member of their staff brings to the table. IU hosts their data; which gives us
an ability to store information off site as required by Homeland Security. The
Board and Mr. Powell discussed the ability to at some point bring this in house
so we may do changes here instead of paying for the updating of the maps.
Commissioner Hawley said the contract has no out clause; which the County
requires in all contracts. Mr. Powell will contact ESRI and get the changes to
the contract necessary.
The Board discussed the options and Commissioner Deeds moved to have John Powell
call Randy Smith and tell him that we are interested in option 3 with the
changes the Board requests. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Boyer and passed
3-0.
RQAW ZONING ISSUE
Bill Gornto from the City of Peru told the Board the notice needs to be
advertised in the newspaper by tomorrow in order for RQAW to be on the Agenda
for the Zoning Board’s meeting to be held December 11, 2007. Commissioner Hawley
called RQAW and they faxed the legal description for the Jail site and gave Mr.
Gornto permission to advertise for them to be placed on the agenda for the City
Zoning Board.
HENRY MILLER/RESIDENT
Mr. Miller asked the Board about the possibility of having 1150 South from 300
to Strawtown Pike chip and sealed next spring. He said there are 11 occupants
and a Church on that stretch of road and he was asked to come to the Board to
make the request. He had already sent in a petition that was given to the
Highway Department. Commissioner Boyer told Mr. Miller that this will not happen
next year. The County has no money and they are side ditching and doing road
maintenance with the funds they have. Mr. Miller thanked them for allowing him
to bring this concern to them.
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11-26-07
NORTH CENTRAL COOP
The Board received a bill in the amount of $1,413.90 from North Central Co Op.
The Commissioners discussed this and called North Central. There is a credit due
and this bill will be held until the credit is made.
MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Deeds to approve the minutes. The motion was
2nd by Commissioner Boyer and passed 3-0.
PAYROLL
A motion was made by Commissioner Boyer to pay the payroll. The motion was 2nd
by Commissioner Deeds and passed 3-0.
ROB SPAHR REQUEST/MUSEUM
Mr. Spahr asked permission to display the Judges pictures in the Museum windows
early next Spring prior to the Primary election. The Board said if the Judges
have no problem with it then they don’t either.
DNR LETTER AND MAGAZINE
The Board received a letter concerning Historic Preservation of Land Marks and
the National Register. There are 50/50 grants for restoration of these land
marks and the Board wishes to hold onto this and possibly apply for a grant when
the Court House is recognized for it’s 100th anniversary.
BOSTON MUTUAL/MICHAEL KUHN
The Board received a letter from Michael Kuhn offering the County employees the
opportunity to purchase additional life insurance. The Board said we already
have this in place and denied the request to present this to the employees.
SHERIFF ISSUES
Sheriff Roland and Beth Pond discussed the money for the Cisco System. Some of
this has gone through John Powell and the Auditor has not been involved. The
money is still there and it needs to be encumbered again.
BUNKER HILL/PLAN COMMISSION
The Board received a letter from the Bunker Hill Plan Commission concerning a
petition to rezone property owned by Richard and Marcia Worland. No action was
needed or taken by the Commissioners.
DOG TAX
Commissioner Deeds told the Board that they need to order the Dog Tags and that
he has found an outlet to order them. The cost is $1 per tag and they need
$1,000 to order. The Board said this should come from the Animal Control line of
the Commissioners budget. A motion was made by Commissioner Deeds to order the
tags and have the Auditor figure out where to take the funding from in the
Commissioners budget. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Boyer and passed 3-0.
PTABOA BOARD
The Board discussed the issue that the PTBOA Board is going to be approximately
$2,500 short by the end of the year. The Auditor will move funds within the
Commissioners budget to cover the shortfall.
The Board discussed the additional COIT and whether the Treasurer has put the
interest generated into that fund. The Board will speak with the Treasurer.
HIGHWAY ISSUES
Mr. Waltz and the Board discussed a project at Macy concerning speed plates and
stripping. No action taken.
Mr. Waltz was informed of a complaint concerning excavation on the Nickel Plate
Trail. The issue is that stone was pushed over the end of a pipe.
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11-26-07
Mr. Waltz was told of Mr. Miller’s request for 1150 to be chip and sealed. No
action taken.
Mr. Waltz informed the Board that next Monday the Highway Department will be
accepting bids.
PAYROLL SCHEDULE FOR 2008
After some discussion about the schedule a motion was made by Commissioner Deeds
to adopt a 4 day pay on the 11th of January and a 2 week pay on the 24th of
December and an 8 day pay on December 31st. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner
Boyer and passed 3-0. It is noted that hourly just runs continuous throughout
the year and into the next.
EMA DIRECTOR/ORDINANCE
Mike Peconga gave the Board an Ordinance to review concerning the level of
emergencies. This Ordinance will take the place of all other County Ordinances
concerning snow and weather emergencies. It is noted by the Auditor that the
codes are opposite of other weather alerts. In this case the level one is the
highest and the 3 is the lowest. The Auditor said even Hurricanes go from a
category 1 to a 7 with the larger number more severe. No action was taken as the
Board will review this Ordinance. They understand the reasoning behind it to
make all Counties uniform.
A motion was made by Commissioner Deeds to adjourn. The motion was 2nd by
Commissioner Boyer and passed 3-0.
Adjourned
THE MIAMI COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
__________________________________, CHAIRMAN
GARY D. HAWLEY
__________________________________, VICE CHAIRMAN
GREGORY DEEDS
__________________________________, MEMBER
CRAIG BOYER
ATTEST: _________________________, Auditor
Brenda Weaver
