MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA 46970
JULY 17, 2007
MIAMI COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS

President Click opened the meeting and lead all in reciting the pledge to the flag.

Councilman Duckwall is absent.

MINUTES
Councilperson Mull moved to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles. Councilman Click moved to correct LLC to LCC in the June minutes. The motion to amend was 2nd by Councilman Kendall. The motion to the amended minutes passed 6-0.

HIGHWAY REQUEST FOR AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION
Commissioner Deeds explained the Business 31 south project request by the Highway Department in the amount of $110,000 from C.E.D.I.T. The Council had said they would support this request at the June meeting. Councilman Kendall moved to approve the emergency appropriation. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 6-0.

ANIMAL CONTROL TAX ORDINANCE
County Attorney David Grund explained that the only thing he has changed is the effective date. Councilman McAuliffe asked who was going to be responsible for the purchasing of tags, contacting the trustees and purchasing receipt books? Mr. Grund told the Council that they and the Board of Commissioners are responsible for appointing someone or some department to do these things.
Councilman McAuliffe suggests two separate funds be established, one for the tax and one for the fines. He does not want to send the fines to Purdue with the collections fee portion they receive. Councilperson Mull asked who hires the Animal Control Officer. It was stated by Councilman Click that the Commissioners do. Councilperson Mull feels they should be the ones in charge of this because they understand the process more than the Council does. After some discussion Councilman McAuliffe moved to amend the Ordinance to set up two funds. No 2nd was made. Councilman Wiles moved to table this until further discussions could be had among the Council members. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 6-0.

RQAW PRESENTATION/JAIL PROJECT
Gary Fisher gave the Council an update on the Jail Project. He explained from the beginning of holding meetings and reviewing previous studies. Mr. Fisher told the Council that Kimmee & Associates did a Needs Assessment for the County and a site study.
The three sites the County owns are:
1. North Miami Industrial Park
2. Grissom Industrial Park
3. Down town jail expansion

The Council was given assessments of each site and the figures they are working with to determine what Miami County needs to build.

The starting point was the Marshall County Jail. This jail has some of the features Miami County would like in the new Jail. The size of the building is 56,728 square feet. The low range cost is $13,553,136 and the high end is $16,696,070. This is for a 220 beds made up of pods with a 2nd floor control room.

Councilperson Mull asked about the basement option and how they would keep it dry. Mr. Fisher explained some of the process and explained that it would be under the Administrative wing of the jail. Commissioner Hawley said the Commissioners have viewed several jail facilities and spoken with Commissioners that have used construction managers and project managers. He explained the difference and that it was a comfort level for each County of which way they go. No decision has been made yet by Miami

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July 17, 2007

County. Councilman McAuliffe asked about the types of heating and cooling systems in jails. Mr. Fisher explained how due to the cost of gas, some are going to total electric.

MEXICO SEWER DISTRICT BOARD
Mexico Sewer District Board member Mike Stevenson explained to the Council that last year Mexico requested $15,000 of which they only spent part of the money but not all. They were not aware that if the funds were not spent by the end of that year they roll back into the Fund and they must come before the Council to have the funds re appropriated. This appropriation must be advertised and they will return to the August meeting.

Mr. Fisher and the Council discussed the history of the Mexico RSD and how the grant application process has evolved into a much more County participation than they expected. Their grant administrator will be making application to the Indiana Office of Rural Affairs in the amount of $500,000. This loan application will be sent by September.
There was some discussion about making a Miami County Sewer District. There were questions as to the cost of doing that to the tax payers. No action taken. It was explained that the grant holder’s expect a show of support by the County. This could be a give of $500 per home to off set the cost of hook up to citizens. It could also be an in kind such as the streets being repaved by the County once the sewer lines are in. The cost of this project is $4,300,000. They looked into hooking up with Peru Utilities and the cost of each home hooking up is $1,300 and the cost to hook up the town is $1,500 so the citizens are paying twice for hookup. The Peru City Council does not support them but the Peru Utilities would like to have them.

A consensus to advertise the $15,000 minus $788.64 that was used from the prior year’s appropriation was given by the Council. This will be addressed in the August meeting.

MIAMI COUNTY SOIL & WATER
Troy Hattery spoke to the Council concerning his grant application for the EPA 319 Grant. This is regarding the middle Eel River Water Shed. The Council was asked to give a letter of support. It was determined that an in kind support of 40% is requested. Mr. Hattery has discussed this with the Highway Department. There are some jobs like backhoe work that could be in kind support. No decision was made as to what type of in kind payment the County will make. Rick Duff told the Council they will be setting up a Board and would like one of the Council members and a Commissioner to serve on it. This would also be in kind support. Councilman McAuliffe said he would serve on the newly formed Board. Mr. Hattery said this is one way to get federal dollars back into the County.
Councilman Click told Mr. Hattery that what they are doing with the water shed issues are working. He said the Eel River clears up much more quickly after a rain due to the work done by Soil and Water.
Councilman Hunt moves to send a letter of support and add one Council member to the Board. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 6-0.

A motion was made by Councilman Hunt to allow the President of the Council to sign the letter of support. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 6-0.

SHERIFF CONTRACT
Sheriff Roland brought his contract for 2008 before the Council to approve and sign. The Board of Commissioners has already signed the contract. Sheriff Roland explained the basis for the figure he used as a salary. Indiana Code states that a Sheriff should make 60% of the Prosecutor’s Salary. The Prosecutor makes $119,893.74 and his contract could be $73,006.38. This contract is a little lower than that.
Sheriff Roland is asking for $72,000. It was noted that the Sheriff has a legal right to keep part of the meal money but he turns that into County general. A motion to approve and sign the new contract for the Sheriff was made by Councilperson Mull. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Kendall and passed 6-0.



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July 17, 07

4-H FAIR BOARD
Tim Stone spoke to the Council concerning raising the extension office rent from $15,000 to $20,000 for 2008. Mr. Stone told the Council that there has been no increase in the rent and the cost of upkeep for the facility is rising. They just need to break even. Commissioner Deeds told the Council that the Fair Board members came before them yesterday and this is a line item in their budget. He also said the Commissioners agreed to the raise in rent. Councilman Click said they would address this request at budget hearings but allow the Commissioners to make the change in their budget request.

LOIT
Councilman Duckwall is absent and he was to give a presentation on LOIT options.

No discussion.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Hunt. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 6-0.

Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Brenda Weaver, Auditor