County Council Meeting Minutes

March 17, 2009

MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 N BROADWAY
PERU, IN 46970
03-17-09

M I N U T E S

Council President Ralph Duckwall called the meeting to order and led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES
Councilman McAuliffe made a motion to accept the February minutes. Councilman Hunt 2nd the motion and it passed 7-0.

ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION

CLERK OF THE COURT
Debra Walker, Clerk of the Courts, informed the Council that there will need to be a special election referendum for Maconaquah School Corporation. They had narrowed the cost down to $8,725.00. This could not be advertised for this month because we didn’t have a figure so it will be advertised for next month.

DIVISION OF FAMILY & CILDREN - WELFARE
Division of Family and Children asked for an appropriation of $245,000 out of the Welfare fund. The money is in the fund and needs to be appropriated to finish paying the bills that were from 2008. Councilwoman Mull made a motion to allow and Councilman Hunt 2nd the motion. The motion passed 7-0.

DIVISION OF FAMILY & CHILDREN – CHILD PSYCHIATRIC
The Division of Family and Children also requested an appropriation of $239,000 out of the Child Psychiatric Fund also for bills accumulated from 2008. The money is in the fund and just needs to be appropriated. Councilwoman Mull made a motion to allow and Councilman Hunt 2nd the motion. Motion passed 7-0.

TOWN OF MACY
Vicki Herrel from the Town of Macy came back before the Council to request $5,000.00 to help the Town get started on pursuing a CDBG grant for a sewer district. Councilman Wiles made a motion to allow. Councilman Hunt 2nd the motion and it passed 7-0.

REASSESSMENT
Nancy Gates, Assessor, came before the Council with a request of $542,140 additional appropriation to hire AdVelorum to do the reassessment. Councilman Hunt made a motion to allow and Councilwoman Mull 2nd the motion. Motion passed 7-0.

CUMMULATIVE BRIDGE
Ken Einselen, Highway Engineer, explained that every four years we have to have bridges over 20 feet. There wasn’t money appropriated so $85,000 needs to be appropriated from Cum Bridge. Councilman Wiles made a motion to approve and Councilwoman Mull 2nd the motion. Motion passed 7-0.

ITEMS FOR COUNCIL ACTION
The Sheriff came before the Council with the amendment for the Retirement that had been discussed in December. The amendment was given to Pat Roberts, County Attorney, to review.

The Sheriff also informed the Council that he had received information for the COPS grant. The grant pays the salary and benefits of an officer for a period of three years. The County would have to furnish car, uniforms, radio etc. and would have to keep them for a I year period after the three years. Councilman Wiles made a motion to allow the Sheriff to apply for the grant. Councilman Kendall 2nd the motion and it passed 5-2 with Donaldson and Hunt casting the dissenting votes.

REQUEST FOR AUDIENCE
The Sheriff informed the Council of a patrol car that was totaled in an accident

MCEDA
Jim Tidd explained that Discount Tire would like to do an expansion but the storm sewer needs to be relocated. He is asking the Council to appropriate $133,340.00 out of C.E.D.I.T. funds to help with the project. The Abatement committee reviewed this request and confirmed it would be a good idea. This will be advertised for next months meeting.

WILLOW CREEK RESIDENTS
Henry Michaud came before the Council to ask about getting an ordinance for dust and noise control. The City told him to come to the County Council. Council Attorney Pat Roberts explained that that is considered a nuisance and they would have to hire an attorney and sue the party. There is some confusion as to whether they are City or County because they live within the 2 mile radius.

175 EAST
Danny Bass also came before the Council because he live within the 2 mile radius on 175 East and wanted to know who he could talk to about making them clean up the mess on their property. City says it’s County and the County says it is the City. He also had questions about paying County taxes and City taxes.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council President would like to commend the Auditor, Treasurer (Both Karen Large and Becky Morris) for all their hard work. If not for a glitch in the computer software, the tax bills would be out on time.


9-1-1
Councilman Wiles updated the Council on the hiring process for the 9-1-1 Director. The Committee will be conducting final interviews Wednesday, March 18th.

COUNCIL ATTORNEY
Pat Roberts, Council attorney, would like to have a meeting for improving the flow of preparations for meetings, preparation of documents and procedures. An ad-hoc committee consisting of Mr. Roberts, Council President Ralph Duckwall, Councilwoman Shirley Mull, Councilman Wiles and Jane Lilley, Auditor will meet twice for approximately 2-3 hours.

Councilwoman Mull made a motion to adjourn and Councilman McAuliffe 2nd the motion. Motion passed 7-0.

Adjourned

Respectfully submitted

________________________
Jane Lilley, Auditor