MIAMI COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA 46970
MARCH 12, 2007

Prior to the opening of the meeting George Mize and the Board discussed the area around his residence on 10th Street. There has been some question as to whether or not it is in the City of Peru or Peru Township. The Auditor told Mr. Mize that she researched a neighbor’s property and it is in Peru Township in our taxing records.

Commissioner Hawley opened the meeting.

Mr. Mize said he has documents that show his area as never being annexed. He said the City of Peru has two different maps but no documentation to prove the area was ever annexed. After some discussion Commissioner Deeds said it is his opinion that the City should produce the documentation showing annexation because the Auditor’s records do not reflect any annexation.
Mr. Mize gave the Board a letter to read that he will be giving to the newspaper.

HEALTH ENVIRONMENTALIST
Ken Scott told the Board the Health Board approved the changes in the Food Ordinance fee increase of $10 on the current cost. After July 1 the fee would be 50% of the cost of a permit. Mr. Scott said if anyone comes in the month of December he would issue a permit for the following year and include December.

Commissioner Deeds said the Board needs a copy of the minutes from the Health Board for the file showing the Health Board approved the changes. Commissioner Deeds said the effective date should be July 1, 2007.

CREDIT CARD ISSUE
Commissioner Boyer said he took the bill to the bank and he believes the late fees and disputed amount is taken care of.

WABASH RIVER HERITAGE CORRIDOR COMMISSION
The Board received a report from the Wabash River Heritage Commission that they will discuss with Ken Einselen. Mr. Einselen is the County’s representative to this Commission.

BUCKLAND & ASSOCIATES
A motion was made by Commissioner Deeds to pay the claim for the re appraisal of the County properties. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Boyer and passed 3-0.

PTBOA BOARD RESIGNATION
The Board received a letter of resignation from Judy Hoeppner from the PTBOA Board. Ms. Hoeppner stated that she was too busy with her real estate and appraisal business to do this job effectively. It was noted that Commissioner Boyer spoke with the Assessor and this replacement needs to be a Democrat.

COUNTY COIT FOR THE JAIL PROJECT
The Board received a report from the Auditor’s Office that they will have $335,418.75 in the jail fund for this year. This will give the Board an idea of how much they can count on for the jail project.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Sam Waltz gave his recommendation to the Board of the person he would like to hire to replace Virginia Bennett as bookkeeper for the Highway Department. Mr. Waltz said he interviewed 50 people and was impressed over the qualifications of several who applied. Commissioner Hawley said he feels it is important to hire someone Sam is comfortable with. Commissioner Boyer moved to accept the recommendation of the Highway Supervisor and hire Janice Clemons for the bookkeeper position. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Deeds and passed 3-0.

Mr. Waltz said he would like to set a time to accept bids for oil, asphalt, etc. He would like the bids to be received on April 9, 2007 and awarded April 16, 2007. Commissioner Deeds moved to allow those dates for the bid process. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Boyer and passed 3-0.

Mr. Waltz said he would like to use the residual funds from Major Moves to resurfacing 1500 North. The motion was made by Commissioner Deeds to request $300,000 to be used to resurface 1500 North. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Boyer and passed 3-0.
Mr. Waltz also said he would like to update their employee applications. He said within the next 12 to 18 months some will retire and he feels they need a pool of applications to choose from. No decision was made.
The Board and Mr. Waltz discussed the question of the area around the Mize residence and whether he understood it was annexed or not. Mr. Waltz gave no opinion. He said he only takes direction from the Board.

SRI AGREEMENT
The Board reviewed the agreement addendum with SRI for Tax Sale Properties. The Board will forward this to the County Attorney for review.

CLAIMS
Commissioner Deeds moved to pay the claims. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Boyer and passed 3-0.

RECORDER/REDACTION
Sherry Payne brought before the Board a new law about the redaction process. Mrs. Payne explained that no documents are allowed to be recorded with social security numbers unless exempt by law. She also said only computer generated documents apply. No liability to the County for anything that was recorded prior to the computers. Mrs. Payne is requesting to purchase a module that needs to be in place in order to do this task. She would like this up and running by May 1, 2007. Mrs. Payne said she has a little over $15,000 in the redaction fund that will purchase the hardware needed. A motion was made by Commissioner Boyer to allow the Recorder to move forward on this. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Deeds and passed 3-0.

John Powell presented the Board with a quote for the equipment. A motion to allow the purchase was made by Commissioner Deeds and 2nd by Commissioner Boyer. The motion passed 3-0.

ZONING ISSUE
The Board heard from a person from Denver that said he owns the Hot Spot. He said he was going to put up a temporary sign until they can afford a permanent one. Darrell Wooten told him that he is writing up the Lions Club for having a temporary sign and that he can only use one for 5 days. He stated that the other Pizza place in Denver has had a temporary sign up since December.
Commissioner Deeds said this is the first time this issue has been brought to the Boards Attention. He further stated that even though Denver is an incorporated town their zoning is administered by Miami County.

MINUTES
A motion to approve the minutes was made by Commissioner Deeds. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Boyer. The motion passed 3-0.

BRIDGE 28
Ken Einselen and the Board discussed the funding for the rehabilitation of bridge 28. After some discussion Commissioner Deeds said the funds from Cumulative Bridge Fund are designated for 2007. The Board asked if the preliminary work could be done next year. It was agreed that it could be.

COUNTY ATTORNEY
David Grund told the Board that he got an answer on placing a referendum on the ballot for a Smoking Ordinance. He said that in order to have something placed on the ballot it must be on the list. Smoking Ordinance is not on the list and the chances of getting a bill passed to place it on the list is not favorable.
The next issue Mr. Grund brought before the Board is a proposal from a law firm in Indianapolis on the bonding issue. The Board will review this proposal.
Mr. Grund was given the recommended changes to our Food Ordinance to review for the Board.

ANIMAL CONTROL
Sharon Mills asked some questions pertaining to Jerry Tigler. Mr. Tigler is the County Animal Control Officer. Mrs. Mills said there has been a problem concerning Mr. Tigler’s personal animals running free in her neighborhood. She said this has gone on since October. His dog is on her porch almost every day. She said there are also 2 large dogs running the neighborhood and she feels he should contain them or find their owners. She said she has complained about this and his chickens on her property.
Commissioner Deeds suggested having Mr. Tigler in to address these issues. Commissioner Deeds will contact Mr. Tigler to come into the Commissioners room to discuss these issues.

EMA DIRECTOR
Mike Peconga gave the Board the District 3 Mutual Aide Agreement to let the County Attorney review. A motion was made by Commissioner Deeds to give the agreement to the County Attorney to review. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Boyer and passed 3-0.

HEALTH INSURANCE
Mike Saine brought the reports for September/October and November/December. We were in good shape until the January claims came in. This is due to some large claims. The Board will review this and set up a meeting of the Insurance Committee to discuss some issues.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION COUNCIL
Debbie Bowsher asked the Board to allow the Child Abuse Prevention Council to put crosses with stars and silhouettes. A motion to allow them to do what they have done in the past on the Court House Lawn was made by Commissioner Deeds. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Boyer and passed 3-0.

900 NORTH OFF OF 500 EAST GRAVEL REQUEST
John Livengood asked the Board if they would consider having the Highway Department place more stone on this dead end road to the Deardorff Property. He said that even though it is a dead end, the large trucks that go to Mr. Deardorff’s farm field is heavy and tears up the gravel quickly. The Board said they will ask the Highway to look at the road.

ATLAS CLAIM
Commissioners Boyer moved to hold the claim for another week. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Hawley and passed 2-0. Commissioner Deeds was absent for this vote. The Board will send a letter to Atlas concerning the agreement to clean up after their work was finished.

Commissioner Boyer moved to adjourn and Commissioner Deeds 2nd motion. The motion passed 3-0.

Adjourned

THE MIAMI COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

________________________________________, Chairman
Gary D. Hawley

________________________________________, Vice Chairman
Gregory Deeds

________________________________________, Member
C. Craig Boyer

Attest: __________________________________, Auditor
Brenda Weaver