MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA 46970
765-472-3901
AUGUST 15, 2006

Work Session 6:00 pm

President Stephenson, Councilman Click, Brenda Weaver and Jane Lilley were all that attended the 6:00 p.m. work session scheduled by the Council. President Stephenson stated for the record that all other members were tardy and would have to work harder at the budget hearings.

Sam Waltz and Virginia Bennett spoke on behalf of the Highway Department budgets. Mr. Waltz said he requested all his employees a 5% raise for the 2007 budget year.

Ms. Bennett explained the changes in the budgets and how she moved funds from one to the other. Councilman York was in attendance at this time and asked that they have more consistencies in where they fund different things in their budget. Mr. York said it would help the Council with tracking of their spending from year to year. He also requested that Ms. Bennett bring reports for the Council.

Regular Meeting

President Stephenson called the meeting to order and those in attendance recited the pledge to the flag.

Minutes
A motion was made by Councilperson Mull to approve the minutes. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Robertson and passed 7-0.

ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS

SIGNS FOR C.E.D.I.T.
The first order of business was an appropriation request of $1,500 for signs for the Rails to Trails crossing. The highway department stated that they had the money in their budget to cover this expense and so no further action on this additional appropriation was taken.
Councilman York made a motion to allow the use of the Mississinewa Road project money to purchase the signs. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Cook. The motion passed 7-0.

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS GRANT REQUEST
No one from Community Corrections was present to explain the request to appropriate $14,000. Commissioner Boyer tried to explain what he believed the request was for. A motion was made by Councilman Cook to approve. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and the vote was 1-6. The motion failed.

A motion was made by Councilman Click to have this additional brought back next month and request someone from Community Corrections come and explain the request. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Robertson. The motion passed 4-3.

LETTER FROM NANCY GATES/COUNTY ASSESSOR
The Council received a letter from the County Assessor explaining her request of an additional employee in the 2007 budget.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Kristy Householder introduced Allen Durst and Kevin Young to the Council. They are representatives of the Sturgis metal Company aka David Levin Co. Mr. Durst explained the scope of the project they are planning including a construction of a building. Mrs. Householder said the Economic Development Board is recommending a 5 year abatement and she will bring the proper documentation to the Auditor for filing.
Mr. Durst indicated they are looking at constructing a 10 foot fence to replace the current one. The new fence will have some slats to block the view. Councilman York said that in their original agreement there were 2 rows of trees requested to block the view. He would ask they at least plant one row of the evergreen trees to block the view. He said the type of fence they are looking at does not sufficiently block the view.
Councilman York made a motion to resolve to support the abatement but wants one row of trees. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 6-0. Councilperson Mull Abstained from the vote.

NON COMPLIANCE WAVERS FOR 2 BUSINESSES
L & M STAMPING neglected filing the proper paper work within the proper time frame and they had changed accountants.

Timberland filed the wrong paper work.

It is the recommendation of the Economic Development Board to allow the non compliance wavers.

A motion was made by Councilman York to approve the waver and to instruct the Auditor to write a letter telling them it is approved, but late filings can cost the loss of benefits. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Cook and passed 6-1. Councilman Kendall abstained.

Jim Tidd informed the local elected officials that they are taking RSVP for the 18th. This is the meeting to update the officials on Economic Development issues.

SOIL & WATER
Troy Hattery brought a letter of support that he would like the Council to sign. This letter is to show County support. A motion to allow Councilman Stephenson to sign the letter of support was made by Councilman York. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

Mr. Hattery informed the Board that after 50 years they will be charged for rent space. They will not need funding for the 2007 budget but for the 2008 budget they will. The amount per year is to be $2,300.
Mr. Hattery told of some of the services provided that is provided for free. They have security for their computer system and a T1 line.

2-1-1
Commissioner Hawley introduced a representative from Kokomo to explain the services provided by 2-1-1. She explained that in 2005 they took 70 calls from Miami county residence. They are a Health & Human Resource service line. Indiana has 60% of the Counties on the 2-1-1 system. They are requesting a County contribution of $5,000 for 2007. The Council was informed it is in the Board of Commissioners budget.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman York. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

Respectfully Submitted,

Brenda Weaver, Auditor