MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA 46970
JUNE 19, 2007

Council President Click called the June meeting to order. All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

All members are present

EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS

There weren’t any request for emergency appropriations requested this month.

MCEDA/LEVIN

Jim Tidd told the Council that the David Levin Company was part of what was established as an economical revitalization area. When the County gave the Company an abatement, one of the requirements was for them to plant trees along their fence line to obstruct the vision from the roadway. Allen Durst, operations manager for the company explained that in their building permits they had to place pipes for their septic system along the front where tree roots could grow into the pipes.

The request is to have the Council amend the abatement to allow the fence and not the trees. The fence will be 10 feet high and the company will need to speak with the Plan Commissioner about approval because the maximum height is 8 feet for fences. It is also noted that the fence must be 30 feet from the right of way.

A motion was made by Councilman Duckwall to allow the David Levin Company to go to the plan commissioner for a variance and allow the amendment to the abatement. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Kendall and passed 6-1. Councilperson Mull abstained.

MILEAGE ISSUE

Carol Biddle from the Health Department and John Walker from CASA was present to ask if the Council would adjust the mileage rate to match the federal rate of 48 cents per mile. Councilman Click said the mileage was raised for the 2007 budget from 34 cents in 2006 to 37 cents this year. Both Mrs. Biddle and Mr. Walker drive their own cars and Councilman Wiles asked what the liability of the County is if they have an accident while doing County business.

After some discussion the Council agreed to take Mrs. Biddle’s information and request under advisement until next month. It is noted that the County does not have this year’s budget approved by the State.

SHERIFF

Ken Roland addressed the Council by introducing a new Deputy. Eric Meecham was hired to replace Terry Merrix who retired last month. He also said he promoted Tim Hunter to Sergeant over Day Personnel.

ABATEMENT ISSUES

Councilman Click stated that the abatement committee met in February with the businesses and they were under the impression that all businesses knew what was expected and how to properly fill out and file the CF1 statement of benefits. Only one of the businesses filled out the paper work properly and filed it within the legal time frame.

The Council discussed what to do with those who did not file the paper work at all. Council Attorney, David Grund recommends a letter be sent by MCEDA to the businesses. A motion was made by Councilman Wiles to allow the extension date of filing to July 15, 2007. Mr. Tidd also told the Board that even if they just turned down the abatement the businesses are entitled by law to a public hearing to present their case as to why they failed to comply. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull with the addition that the letter should be sent by MCEDA by certified mail. The motion was passed 7-0.

BUDGET AND WAGE COMMITTEE

Councilmen Wiles and Duckwall were given the 144 salary request form and the budget request form to review and fill out for the Council.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Click reported that the Health Care Foundation has almost completed the sale of Blair Ridge. The first part of July the County should be out of that issue. Investments are doing well and he feels good things could come out of it. They plan to purchase some equipment for the hospital. Councilperson Mull asked how much was in the Foundation. Councilman Click said it was approaching $7,000,000. Councilperson Mull said she felt the public should know this amount.

EMS AMBULANCE BOARD

Councilman Wiles said he has not heard from the Board.

JAIL COMMITTEE

Councilperson Mull said they meet every two weeks but there is nothing new at this time. She said the paper is doing a good job of reporting on those meetings.

FOUR COUNTY

Councilperson Mull said they are doing pretty well. She said the County and others raised their share to help.

SOLID WASTE

Councilperson Mull said Solid Waste is doing fine.

LCC

Councilman Hunt said he is on the mailing list but has no further information.

EXTENSION BOARD

Councilman Hunt said he has never been contacted by them.

Councilperson Mull told the other members that she attended two meetings on June 9, 2007 for County Council members. One was a State called meeting and concerned Legal Issues and Conflict of Interest. The other was a Diploma Program.

Commissioner Hawley noticed a couple of weeks ago that the criteria for the open door law, was changed and they asked Councilperson Mull if they gave her information on that subject. She had a bullet point presentation she let the members look at from her meetings.

Councilman Duckwall reminded the Council and those in attendance that Senator Weatherwax will be here Saturday morning to discuss issues. One of the issues will be a Local Option Income Tax and the other will be Trending.

MINUTES

Councilman Hunt moved to approve the minutes from the May 15, 2007 meeting. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

MCEDA

Jim Tidd told the Council that he is working on setting up a meeting with everyone that is involved in the abatement process including the businesses and their accountants to educate everyone on the process in the hope of improving the process. He said they are working on either a January or February meeting to do this.

JULY MEETING

Commissioner Hawley mentioned that the Highway Supervisor could not be there and that they would be coming before the Council next month to have the additional $110,000 out of CEDIT appropriated for the Business 31 project.

Councilman Click asked if there was any further business to come before this Council. No further business was requested and he said he would entertain a motion to adjourn.

Councilman Duckwall moved to adjourn. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe. The motion passed 7-0

Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Brenda Weaver, Auditor