MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
JANUARY 16, 2007
G.A.R. ROOM
MIAMI COUNTY COURT HOUSE
7:30 PM

President Click called the first meeting of the Miami County Council for 2007 to order. All recited the pledge to our flag.

President Click welcomed all the new Council members and stated that this is the first time he can remember that the Council has 4 new members.

MINUTES
Councilperson Mull moved to approve the minutes. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Kendall and passed 7-0.

ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS
Susan Rice asked the Council’s approval to hire a clerical position using juvenile probation user fees. The person would be considered at the pay level of a first deputy and half the cost would come from Community Correction Fees. The amount needed appropriated is $15,000. It is noted at as of December 31, 2006 there is $104,345.35 in the Fund. The pay for this position is $23,571 and benefits and insurance for this employee would also be taken from these funds. Councilman Duckwall asked if the idea is to collect more fees to off set costs. Mrs. Rice said yes that is exactly the purpose. Mrs. Rice feels this position will more than pay for itself in collections.

Councilman Duckwall moved to allow the addition and to fund this position from the user fees outlined by Mrs. Rice. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt and passed 7-0.

TREASURER REPORT
Karen Large gave the Council her 2006 year end report on the Counties financial status. The Council thanked her.

MCEDA/KRISTY HOUSEHOLDER/L&M STAMPING
Mrs. Householder and Jim Tidd asked the Board to approve abatements for 2 pieces of used equipment for L&M Stamping. Mrs. Householder said they met with the Abatement Committee prior to this meeting and they approved the abatement. L&M Stamping President Don Leland told the Board that his company has grown continually since 2002 and he expects to make $7,000,000 in sales this year. Mr. Leland and the Council discussed some of the items he makes for various industries in the County. Commissioner Hawley told the Council that the Board of Commissioners approved L&M coming to the Council for the abatements. A motion to approve the 5 year abatements on 2 pieces of used equipment was made by Councilman Duckwall and 2nd by Councilman McAuliff. The motion passed 7-0.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Sam Waltz approached the Board with an FYI. He informed the Council that Virginia Bennett will be retiring and he would like to come back to get 3 months pay approved to hire someone to be trained to replace her. Mr. Waltz said he estimates approximately $5,500 will be needed. Mrs. Bennett will retire May 31, 2007 so he will be back next month with the request.
Commissioner Hawley said the Board recommended new software be purchased for the Highway Department and there are many functions that need to be learned, so there will be a conversion period and learning process by this new person as well as Ms. Bennett.

MCEDA STRATEGIC PLAN
Jim Tidd asked the Board if we could set a meeting on February 20, 2007 at 6:00 pm to have a meeting to go over the MCEDA Strategy plan. The Council said they could meet early and notices would be sent reminding the Council of the early time.

TIME CHANGE FOR MEETINGS
Councilman Wiles would like to change the time of the regular meetings from 7:30 pm to 7:00 pm. The Council all agreed and the meetings will be held at 7:00 pm beginning with the February meeting.
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HIGHWAY/SAM WALTZ/ BUSINESS 31
Mr. Waltz said the process for exploratory work on business 31 has begun with a consulting firm doing borings to find out what is needed for the project. He stated that our portion for the project will be around $400,000. With the consensus of the Board of Commissioners it appears as though he will need to come back before the Council to request approximately $110,000 from CEDIT. If they allow this then the 2008 budget could address the 2nd year needs. Mr. Waltz said utilities would be placed while the work is being done on this project. Councilman Click said he feels this is a good idea to get infrastructure done while it is tore up.

DOG TAX QUESTION
Commissioner Hawley asked if the Council was ready to address the passing of the Dog Tax Ordinance. After some discussion Councilman Duckwall moved to table this for another month. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0. Issue Tabled.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Kendall and 2nd by Councilperson Mull. The motion passed 7-0.

Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Weaver, Auditor