THE MIAMI COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA 46970
MAY 19, 2008

Commissioner Deeds called the meeting of the Board to order.

EMA DIRECTOR
Mike Peconga asked permission to attend a conference for two days to be held on July 1st and 2nd. A motion to allow Mr. Peconga to attend the conference was made by Commissioner Boyer and 2nd by Commissioner Deeds. The motion passed 2-0.

Commissioner Hawley arrived at the meeting and apologized to Mr. Jeff Messer from Umbaugh for being late for their 9:00 a.m. meeting.

Mr. Messer gave an update on potential investments of the Jail COIT money held at Lake City Bank. He explained that the goal is to earn as much interest for the County as they can in order to retire the bonds as quickly as possible. Mr. Messer explained that their fee is 10 basis points difference between the construction balance and the estimated earnings. On the informational sheet he provided the construction balance is $200,545 and the estimated earnings is $192,242 leaving Umbaugh’s fee at $8,303. This is just an example. The Board discussed the escrowed money in the Reserve Fund. Commissioner Hawley said it looks prudent to pick up as much interest as possible in order to retire the bond early.

Jeff Butts, Chairman of the Miami County Holding Corporation, said he feels it makes sense to invest to generate funds. Mr. Butts asked if the Holding Corporation has to meet as a body or can he sign the paperwork. It was the understanding of the Board that when the Holding Corporation appointed an agent, that agent may sign any and all of the paper work necessary. A motion was made by Commissioner Boyer to make this decision one week from now to give the Board and the Holding Corporation time to review the information. Commissioner Deeds 2nd the motion and it passed 3-0. Commissioner Hawley stated the Board is taking this under advisement from Umbaugh & Associates.

LIBRARY BOARD
The Commissioners discussed appointing someone to the Library Board and Commissioner Deeds referred to the IC Code. It states that one has to live in Peru City for 2 years and be at least 18 years of age. No action was taken.

HIGHWAY ISSUES
Mr. Waltz asked the Board for permission to expedite a check for a motor for a mower tractor. A motion was made by Commissioner Deeds to allow the Auditor’s office to issue the check and add it to the next docket. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Boyer and passed 3-0.
Mr. Waltz informed the Board that Rails to Trails is paving and no signage is in their budget. The Board thanked him for keeping them informed.
Mr. Waltz also asked if they are responsible for the backfill on the work being done on the Deedsville Road. Commissioner Deeds said he believed that was part of the contractual agreement. No further action taken.
Mr. Waltz noted the budget constraints with the sales tax up and the fuel use down. He is watching his budget very closely.

MINUTES
Commissioner Boyer moved to approve the minutes. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Hawley and passed 2-0.
Commissioner Deeds left the room for a moment.

LIGHTENING PEST CONTROL
Brian Warder asked the Board about bidding on the pest control for the County. The Board said they are not sure there is a current contract with our vendor but they will check and let him know if they will be letting this service out to bid.

CERTIFICATE OF LIABILITY INSURANCE
The Board received a certificate from Campbell Cruise Inc. The Auditor will file this with the others that have submitted the certificates.

IDEM NOTICES
The Board received a letter and a Notice of application from Darren Cordes from ACDC Farms for a permit for construction of eliminations from a confined feeding operation.
The Board also received a Notice for James Mark Wildermuth for a planned growing to finish pig operation.
The Board received a permit for Peru Utilities for air quality control.

ANIMAL KILL
A farmer who lost chickens in an animal kill was asking how to file the claim. The Board gave him the information and he left to fill out the proper paper work at the Auditor’s Office.

IT POLICY
Commissioner Hawley said it was brought to his attention that when the payroll clerk was going through the policies there are some IT policies that are not signed. He understands that some are under the State’s internet policy but he questions whether they need to also sign the County policy. It was noted that they do use County equipment and Commissioner Hawley feels they should be asked to sign them. He said a waver can be given if needed but the policy should be signed and let the Board decide what part needs to be waved.

GIS REQUEST
The Board received a request from First American for information from our GIS. John Powell will forward this to 39 degrees north.

COUNCILMAN DUCKWALL QUESTION
Mr. Duckwall asked if the bonds for the jail are sold. He asked where the money is and the Board told him Lake City Bank. Commissioner Hawley explained to Mr. Duckwall that the Commissioners control the money and investments of it.

HEALTH BOARD APPOINTMENT
The Board requested the list from the Health Department and reviewed the persons considered prior. Commissioner Hawley called Dr. Zandi to ask if he would be willing to serve out the term of Jo Estes on the Health Board. He said he would and a motion was made by Commissioner Boyer to appoint Dr. Zandi to replace Jo Estes on the Health Board. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Deeds and passed 3-0.

COUNTY ATTORNEY/DAVID GRUND
The Board asked Mr. Grund to explain to them the difference between chapter 11 and 7 in bankruptcy of a business. No action taken just the legal explanation was given.
The Board was told that he would give them the revised copy of the Smoking Ordinance to review. It is ready.
Commissioner Hawley asked if he had reviewed the Ordinance the Rails to Trails gave them. Mr. Grund said he did not feel they should be passing Ordinances concerning the use of private property.
Mr. Grund said there needs to be a Board appointed for the Inkeepers Tax. Commissioner Hawley said the Chamber Director is supposed to get back with him but he will make a call to find out where they are with this.

VSO OFFICER
Jay Kendall told the Board that our State is last as far as earnings for our Veterans. He said this area is graded harder for the disabled. The mid west Veteran has the mind set that others need the help more than they do. It is noted that in 2006 the County received $5, 200,000 and in 2007 they received $5,900,000. In comprehensive services we have received $5,840,000. We have 4,282 Veterans in Miami County and the County Veterans have received a total of $11,300,000 in services.

The Veterans van has 16,000 in one year and is doing well. The Clinic is still in the works.
Mr. Kendall also noted that Grissom will be activated next year. Of the 16 airplanes 8 will go over seas.

Logansport will be receiving a PTSD clinic but this will have no effect on our future Clinic. It will benefit our Veterans because it is closer for their treatments for PTSD.

The Board and Mr. Kendall discussed the Doughboy and the green color on it. He will check others to find out how they clean it but he said it is his understanding that it is supposed to be that color. He has no problem with cleaning the stone base, but questions if cleaning the statute will cause it to deteriorate more quickly. Mr. Hawley said he was told there is a time capsule in the base of the Statute of liberty and asked if Jay knew anything about it. He did not.

IT FOR COUNCIL
John Powell brought a quote in for projector screens and cables to connect to lap tops. The laptops to be used are the last two at the EMA. A motion was made by Commissioner Boyer to allow the purchase at the total cost of $346.00. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Deeds and passed 3-0.

TAX SALE ISSUE
Toby Townsend told the Board he had heard surgery in 2003. He has not been able to pay his property taxes because of the medical bills. He has over $17,000 due and he has over $15,000 he can put on it but he was told by the Treasurer that it is all or nothing. The Board was asked by Mr. Townsend if they could help him keep his house out of the tax sale until he can get the taxes caught up. Commissioner Boyer left to speak with the Treasurer. The Board assisted him in keeping his property out of the tax sale giving him the opportunity to pay his taxes. This does not relieve him from his obligation, it just gives him time to pay.

FUEL PRICES AND TAKE HOME VEHICLES
The Board said they would be looking at this issue next week but agree that there is a need to consider some adjustments in their current policy.

Commissioner Deeds moved to adjourn. Commissioner Boyer 2nd the motion and it 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