MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA 46970
MAY 20, 2008

Council President Click called the May meeting to order.

All members are present.

Councilman Wiles lead all in prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Councilman Duckwall said there is a State called Council meeting on June 14, 2008 at the Marriott East. He encouraged all to attend. At this time Councilman Duckwall, Shirley Mull and Steve McAuliffe will be attending.

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

EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS
The first order of business is a drainage issue on the Deedsville road. The amount needed for this project is $10,000 and the Commissioners requested it come from the Rainy Day Fund. A motion to approve the emergency appropriation was made by Councilperson Mull. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Kendall and passed 7-0.

The next order of business is the North Broadway bridge expansion project. This is a Peru City project that needs an 80/20 match and since the County is responsible for the bridge they are asking this be paid out of the County’s CEDIT Fund. The amount needed on a one-time match from the County is $80,000. Jim Tidd explained that this is phase one of two for the project. The first phase is from Washington Avenue to Highway 24. The 2nd phase is from Washington Avenue to Main Street in Peru. The Board of Commissioners said the Cumulative Bridge Fund does not have adequate funding for this project and they recommend paying it from the CEDIT Fund.

Councilman Kendall asked if the traffic in the area warranted making that a 4-lane road. Jim Tidd from Economic Development said with their strategic plan for growth he feels it is warranted.

Councilman Duckwall moved to use $80,000 from CEDIT for the one time matching funds. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 5-2. Councilman Kendall and Hunt voted against the emergency appropriation.

CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES
Faye Russell introduced Kay McGinnis as the new Director. Ms. Russell explained that Ms. McGinnis would be coming to the Council next month for approval to transfer funds from the Child Psych to Family and Children. Ms. Russell told the Council she is now the Regional Manager and was excited about Ms. McGinnis taking over the local Director position.

TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES ISSUE
The Council asked Commissioner Hawley and Nancy Gates to explain what the impact of House Bill 1001 has on the County Assessor’s office.
Commissioner Hawley said that the Township Assessors have to be paid their salary through the end of this year; but next year and until the end of their term, the Council has to pay them the $1,000 certification amount. Ms. Gates, Miami County Assessor, said on July 1, 2009 a complete reassessment begins. With 14 townships no longer doing their work, it falls back to her office. Councilperson Mull asked how many parcels the County has. Ms. Gates said approximately 26,000. She also explained that all the Assessors terms would be up in 2010. No action needed, this was just an information gathering discussion.

LOIT QUESTION
The Council discussed the timetable they must meet in order to pass the LOIT early enough to benefit the 2009 budgets. It was stated that if they expect to use any of the money for the 2009 budget it must be passed by August 1, 2008.

Councilman Wiles said he had attended some meetings held by the Mayor and the citizens that attended those meetings made it clear they did not want services cut even if they had to pay more taxes.

The Council and County Attorney David Grund discussed the Ordinance and what needs to be advertised. It was noted that it would take at least two meetings unless passed unanimously it would need to be addressed in June and July’s meetings. The Council discussed different ways to address this and they decided they would have a work session after the scheduled work sessions to make a final determination.

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

Adjourned


Respectfully Submitted,

Brenda Weaver, Auditor