MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA
November 20, 2007
7:00 pm GAR Room Court House
Councilman Click called the monthly meeting of the County Council to order.
Councilman Wiles opened with a prayer and all recited the Pledge to the Flag.
PTBOA BOARD
Council President Click informed the Council that the Committee has appointed
Scott Shepherd and Mary Boswell to the PTBOA Board. It is noted by Councilman
McAuliffe that the appointments will have be re appointed in January.
MINUTES
Councilman Hunt moved to approve the minutes from the October meeting. The
motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 7-0.
CEDIT REQUEST
Kristy Householder from MCEDA explained the request for $2,300 for Highway Signs
to be placed in the County right of way for Rails to Trails. The MCEDA incentive
committee recommends the use of CEDIT funds for this because they feel this is
part of tourism and tourism is one of the 4 of industries of the County.
Councilperson Mull questions whether the rails to trails will come back for more
money and she worries about setting a precedent. Mrs. Householder explained that
the signs will be ordered by the County Highway Department through their vendor.
Councilman Wiles asked where the signs were to be placed and it was stated that
they are for 8 crossings from Bunker Hill to Miami. Councilman Click noted that
the Rails to Trails receive grants and donations but they feel this is a safety
issue and the cooperation with the County is important. Commissioner Hawley said
this is for the safety of pedestrians and motorists. He feels we need to protect
the County from liability. Councilperson Mull moved to approve the purchase of
the signs from CEDIT. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Duckwall and passed 6-1.
Councilman Hunt voted against.
TRANSFER REQUEST/ HIGHWAY
Sam Waltz informed the Board that he is not going to buy a dump truck this year
and he would like to transfer the $25,000 appropriated for that purchase to
supplies for fuel.
Councilman McAuliffe asked if the funds could be moved from within the supplies
budget. Mr. Waltz said he has moved money around but this is for a buffer in
case of bad weather. A motion to approve the transfer was made by Councilperson
Mull and 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe. The motion passed 7-0.
TRANSFER REQUEST/SHERIFF
The Sheriff requested $8,000 be transferred from his 08 budget to his 09 budget.
This is to cover the cost of high utility bills. A motion to approve the
transfer was made by Councilman Duckwall. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt
and passed 7-0.
Sheriff Roland also told the Board that the number of sex offenders registered
has grown over the past 4 years. The law took affect July 1, 2007 that all sex
offenders must register and if they change cars, address, appearance etc. they
must come in and have their picture retaken and the information updated. Beth
Pond is the person who has to do this along with her other duties. Ms. Pond told
the Council that she couldn’t keep up with the additional work.
Sheriff Roland said they need at least one other employee. They are using
volunteers at this time but there are some things of a sensitive matter that
volunteers cannot do.
Commissioner Hawley said that he has asked Beth to describe her job and explain
that she has to be certified to make the changes. Mrs. Pond said that the State
will only allow two people into the system and at this time it is the Sheriff
and herself. He does not have the time to enter the information so it all falls
on her. Councilman Click tabled this and sends it back to the BOC. He feels the
Council needs to appoint a liaison to work with the Commissioners on this issue.
INKEEPERS TAX
Mr. Gray from the Best Western gave a presentation of some of the concerns he
has about the County adopting an Innkeepers tax. Per the information handed out
by Mr. Gary the County and City need to continue supporting Tourism with CEDIT
funds. Mr. Gray also said the Commission formed when this tax is passed stands
alone and nothing limits them on how this money is spent. He said the Commission
has a right to act alone or contract with the Chamber. Councilman Click said
this issue is tabled and will be addressed in the December meeting.
MCEDA REQUEST
Kristy Householder told the Board that MCEDA has paid Anchor Consulting $37,800
for fees on different projects. She is asking on behalf of MCEDA that the
$37,800 be applied as a credit against the $188,000 balance on their loan to the
County for the Grissom Dorm Project. Mrs. Householder gave a brief historical
overview of the project and the funding through the County. A motion was made by
Councilman Duckwall to allow the credit to be applied to the loan bringing the
balance down to $151,000. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 7-0.
Dr. Jones from Maconaquah School System along with the Superintendents from
North Miami and Peru School Systems gave the Council a sample Ordinance
prohibiting a Capital Projects Board from reviewing any project under
$7,000,000. Mrs. Jones said the Ordinance deadline to be passed is July 1, 2008.
Councilman Click said he agrees with this Ordinance but the County attorney will
look this over and it will be dealt with at a later date.
Dr. Melin stated that he likes this Ordinance because it allows us to control
our own destiny. Councilman Click thanked the Superintendents for their input
and he said this would be taken under advisement and reviewed by the County
Attorney.
GOVERNMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES
Melissa Ambre gave an over view of the services her company provides to Local
governments. They offer budget training and advisory work, capital projects,
financial health analysis. The Auditor said that over the last several years it
has become obvious the County is running out of money. Our operating balance was
quite a bit healthier than it is today and we, as a County need to know how to
get back on a healthy financial track.
COIT JAIL PROJECT
Commissioner Hawley presented the Council with an Ordinance for their review.
The Ordinance prepared by Ice Miller & Associates pledges the COIT for lease
payments for the jail project. The County is working with Umbaugh & Associates
and Construction Control on the design aspect of the project. Lisa Lee from Ice
Miller and Brian Colton from Umbaugh & Associates gave the Council a
presentation on the process and funding mechanism they are putting in place for
the Jail Project. They expect bids to be taken on February 15, 2008. The Project
is a 25-year bond issue for $19,435,000. Councilman Click thanked them for their
information and will have the next phase ready for action at the December
Council meeting. In that meeting there will need to be documents signed by the
Council supporting this project.
Councilman Click asked if there were any reports from any committees. None
reported.
Councilperson Mull moved to adjourn. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe
and passed 7-0.
Adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Weaver, Auditor
Adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Weaver, Auditor
