VANDERBURGH COUNTY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

FEBRUARY 2, 2010

The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners met in session this 2^nd day of February, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. in room 301 of the Civic Center Complex with President Stephen Melcher presiding.

President Melcher: I would like to call to order the Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners, February 2, 2010 in room 301. Madelyn, will you call the roll, please?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Here.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Here.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Here. Thank you.

President Melcher: Pledge of Allegiance, Judi Freson.

Judi Freson: Pardon?

President Melcher: Yes.

Judi Freson: Are you ready for me?

President Melcher: Ready for you. You’re the development director of SWIRCA?

Judi Freson: That’s correct, Steve.

President Melcher: You’re supposed to lead us in the Pledge this evening.

Judi Freson: What?

President Melcher: You’re going to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. That’s what I was told.

Judi Freson: You are joking, aren’t you?

President Melcher: No. That’s what’s on the paperwork. So, go ahead.

Judi Freson: Well, now, that was new. I wasn’t expecting that. Thanks, Troy.

Commissioner Tornatta: Hello, Judi. Hey, I didn’t get here late.

Judi Freson: I got caught in the security thing down there.

President Melcher: So, did I.

Judi Freson: Did you? So, do you want me to just–

President Melcher: Just go ahead and start.

Judi Freson: Okay, I’m development director for SWIRCA. In taking over that position it’s been a real interesting experience. I want to see if it’s as interesting for me as it is for you. As Councilmembers, tell me about SWIRCA. What services does SWIRCA provide, Ted?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Services for the elderly.

Judi Freson: Troy?

Commissioner Tornatta: I do know a couple of these things, but I know that it does provide some unique services for the elderly, but it provides meals, and I believe you even take meals to homes. You’re going to ask me more, aren’t you? I’m going to stop there.

Judi Freson: Steve?

President Melcher: Well, basically, you’ve got a great building and there’s a lot of meetings being held over there. That’s one thing for your community, and also, I think, you have the Handy Man program, which is a big help for the low income and the people in our community. So, I think a lot of your stuff is around seniors, you also have people over there from time to time to help with the taxes and that, for the people coming up on taxes. You’re kind of like a social service agency really, helping people. You serve meals, is it once a week?

Judi Freson: Every day.

President Melcher: Every day? I couldn’t remember.

Judi Freson: Okay, Lloyd, you should have an idea.

Commissioner Winnecke: Outside of the meal services, I probably could not pass a quiz on it.

Judi Freson: Shame on you. Okay?

Madelyn Grayson: I’m going to have to plead the same. I do not know.

Judi Freson: What am I going to do? Bill?

Bill Fluty: I’m here for financial advice.

Judi Freson: That’s why I’m here, Bill.

Bill Fluty: You’ll get around to me sooner or later here.

Judi Freson: The point that I’m making here is that no one really knows what SWIRCA does. It’s been there since 1974. Did you know that a third of our clientele are infants and youth?

Commissioner Winnecke: Clearly not.

Judi Freson: Evidently. Did you know that the other third of our clients are 18-59? The remainder, the last third are 60 and above. So, the fact that we originally started years and years ago, and elderly, has been surpassed by the fact that we now deal with people of all ages. Did you know that SWIRCA has one of the largest home delivered meals in the State of Indiana? That we have, we prepare over 1,200 meals a day that are served in the six counties in Indiana. In the process of doing that we drive 5,290 miles a week. It’s the largest program available. Everybody thinks we’re Meals on Wheels, and that’s just not it. It’s huge, absolutely huge. Now, did you know that our activity center serves over 35,000 people? Duh, you guys are looking....you don’t know any of this do you? Huh?

Commissioner Tornatta: That’s why you’re here, Judi.

Judi Freson: That’s why I’m here, okay. Did you know that SWIRCA is dedicated to the development of a service network that provides families the ability to maintain their ability to stay at home, with their families, maintain their nuclear families, independent living. We do that through our providers like Healthsouth Rehabilitation Center, Need-A-Nurse Companion Care, hundreds of them. Most of that, you know, think that basically they’re the ones doing the service, but as a whole they have to be recommended through SWIRCA. They cannot go into any kind of assisted living or any other program without being recommended by SWIRCA. So, primarily, everyone that receives those services has to go through SWIRCA. Our case managers have to allocate the importance of what they do and how they are instituted into the level of importance. Did you know, now this is a big one, this hits me hard, and if you think I’m going to ask for money, this is a great reason. Do you know that for 18 people that we keep in their homes and out of long term giving, or out of long term living, we save the taxpayers a million dollars? That’s in our area alone. If we keep them out of that long term living, or assisted living, the million dollars is reflected in this area. Did you know that we have 159 youth and adults on waiting lists that we can’t presently serve because we don’t have the money to do that? It makes me sad, because I’ve seen these people, and these people need a great deal of service. This is why we have to do fundraisers, to bring discretionary funds like the auction that’s coming up in March, the winery, brewery and spirits festival, which is absolutely huge because it’s so much fun. But, we have to do that to be able to bring the people off the waiting list, but it’s not enough. It takes $7,000 to take an individual off the waiting list, and our goal is to make sure that every one in these six counties is provided service for, and then extend their life and allow them to remain at home with their families. Some time and I won’t take your time now, I’ll tell you some wonderful stories about autistic children and women who’ve been in comas that we’ve brought out, they are now with their families, their kids are valedictorians at schools, they are all together, we just built a home, Humanity Home. Hundreds and hundreds of these stories that you have absolutely no idea about, and it kind of upsets me, because I’ve seen it happen, and I had no idea until I went to work for SWIRCA. So, those of you that have not had that experience would not know that unless I brought a video in to show you, and I won’t do that now. Did you know, you’re going to love this one, did you know that the County Council does not presently financially support this organization that’s critical to the personal and financial well being of Vanderburgh County, in any manner?

President Melcher: I knew that.

Judi Freson: None. The last thing that I’m going to say to you, I do have a folder for all of you that has the Fantasy Finds auction in it, and you can look at it if you would like to be involved. That would help. We are down about $3,000 this year because of the nature of the economy. I put together this letter myself, and I did it because I’ve had to deal with some of these issues.

President Melcher: You’re not on the record, please. If you could stay on the microphone.

Judi Freson: I like to walk around.

President Melcher: Well–

Judi Freson: I have to be here?

President Melcher: Unfortunately, for the minutes.

Judi Freson: Oh, guys. Huh?

President Melcher: For the minutes you have to be there.

Judi Freson: Okay. The, we at SWIRCA care because each time we help an individual facing difficulties, and their ability to care for themselves and their family, you face a fact and the fears and consider for the moment what if this were me? You know, you never expect that until it happens. Never. What if this were my child? My sister? My brother? My mother? My father, and me? What if the individual had no one there to turn to for help? You would be amazed, some of the best known people in this community have come to me, attorneys, or lawyers, doctors, Judi, we need help, they don’t know they need help until it’s past the time. We can’t provide it for them at that time because we have a waiting list. Where would they have a place to turn? What if SWIRCA wasn’t there? We need your help. We need your help. Do you have any questions?

President Melcher: Go ahead.

Commissioner Winnecke: You might give the date of the fundraiser and how folks can get involved, since we are televised live.

Judi Freson: Oh, okay, the date of the auction, it’s call Fantasy Finds Auction. It got named that by Hugh Miller who said he does auctions and events all over the country, Chicago and all that, National Heart Associations and Cancer Associations, he said that he’s never had an auction that has such fantastic auction items available. It’s like a fantasy. We said, we like that. We liked that so it’s called Fantasy Finds. It’s August the 13^th from six to nine at SWIRCA. I will, do you want me to leave sponsorship packets here for you to pass out later?

Commissioner Winnecke: You might give information on how folks, it’s in August or March?

Judi Freson: Sir? March 13^th.

Commissioner Winnecke: Okay, you said August.

Judi Freson: I’m sorry.

Commissioner Winnecke: That’s okay. Then you might just announce how people could buy a ticket or a table, if they want to.

Judi Freson: They can contact us at SWIRCA at 464-7800. We do need sponsor dollars. As I said, we’re down a little bit. The tickets are $75 a ticket, or a table of eight for $600. It’s a wonderful event. It’s a wonderful event. Does anybody have any questions? If you can think of any businesses that would be interested in volunteering, or sponsoring, they do get about $85,000 worth of free promotion. On the events that we do we have that much marketing potential for you. Please let me know. What do you want me to do? Do you want me to provide cards for somebody to pass out?

President Melcher: Yeah, if you could just give them to Madelyn she could give them to us.

Judi Freson: I can do that. Thank you very much, you all. I hope you know this is very nerve racking. It really was. You would be surprised, but it made me nervous. Thank you all. Any other questions? Thanks.

President Melcher: Thank you very much.

Commissioner Tornatta: Thank you, Judi.

President Melcher: I guess, while she is doing that we can introduce our guests. Lloyd, would you want to–

Commissioner Winnecke: My job shadow student is Maria, where are you, Maria? Over here, we have a lot of students today. Maria Anderson from Memorial.

President Melcher: Go ahead, you can get on the mic.

Lauren Klipsch: I’m Lauren Klipsch, I’m a sophomore at Memorial.

President Melcher: I get two of them tonight.

McKenzie Thomas: I’m McKenzie Thomas, and I’m a sophomore at Signature.

Commissioner Tornatta: And we have Ryan Schultheis from Memorial. He’s a junior. Welcome.

President Melcher: And, you’ve got another one.

Ellen Dippel: I’m Ellen Dippel from Memorial. I would like to welcome you all here.

President Melcher: Next we need permission to open bids for various pipe.

Commissioner Winnecke: So moved.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Melcher: We have a first and a second. Madelyn? Oh, I’m sorry. Can you go ahead and call the roll, real quick?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: Okay, we have an action item on proclamation for Indianapolis Colts.

Commissioner Tornatta: We have, Mr. President, we have a proclamation, I thought it apropos that we just send our support to the Colts. So, this proclamation will read;

“Whereas, the Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana; and, Whereas, the Indianapolis Colts won Superbowl XLI in 2007, and is the first team in league history to win 12 games or more in seven consecutive seasons; and, Whereas, the Indianapolis Colts defeated the New York Jets on January 4, 2010 to become the AFC Champions; now, Therefore, we the Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County, Indiana recognize the Indianapolis Colts for their outstanding season, the AFC Championship and wish the team luck as they play in Superbowl XLIV.”

Commissioner Winnecke: This will undoubtedly put them over the top. Second.

Commissioner Tornatta: Absolutely.

President Melcher: So, I believe that’s a first and a second. So, all in favor, say aye.

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Melcher: Thank you. We’ll have to sign all of these. You’ve got another one to sign.

President Melcher: Okay, the next one we need Debbie Spalding. Is she here? Do you want to come up about the permission about awarding some bids? I guess, the first one is going to be the renovations to the OMS shop of the National Guard, the old one, the building on Morgan Avenue.

Debbie Spalding: Yes. You received a packet with the bid calculations. I believe the low bid was provided by Empire Contractors for a total price of $33,806. That would be our recommendation for award for renovations to that building.

Commissioner Winnecke: Mr. President, I’ll move approval based on the recommendation.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Melcher: Okay, we have a first and a second. Is there any discussion? Would anybody from the audience like to say anything? Seeing none, would you like to call the roll, Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

Debbie Spalding: Thank you.

President Melcher: So, that passes.

President Melcher: The next one is the beverage pouring rights to RC Beverage Company for Burdette Park and other county owned properties.

Debbie Spalding: Yeah, if it’s okay with you, I would like to punt to Jim Harris. He has a presentation for you on that award.

President Melcher: Since we’re talking football tonight, that’s fine, you can punt.

Debbie Spalding: Thank you.

Jim Harris: I would do a fumble joke, but that would be too easy. You should have before you the beverage recap.

President Melcher: I don’t have one.

Jim Harris: Okay. A few months ago we opened up the bids, and after careful review from the CPO, it was determined that RC Cola, a local beverage provider in town offered the best proposal for the city and county. The recap that you should have in front of you is up here on the screen. They all provided all of the necessary forms and material requested. The commission percentage for Coke was 32 percent, Pepsi offered 40 percent and RC offered 40. Up front cash, it’s listed here, and the advertising money. This is yearly funds provided to the city and county. All three companies bid on all of the locations in the city and county. RC Cola, which we’re recommending, this is a quick synopsis of what they offered to Swonder, on 100,000 cans advertising at a value of $100,000; Burdette Park the same arrangement for a four year commitment of $100,000. They also agreed to supply Burdette with three radio remotes, eight weeks of radio tags, five patio umbrellas, t-shirts, and etcetera, other banners and outside signage. The total four year incentive for all advertisements of $201,000. RC Cola also offered Mesker Park Zoo a can incentive, four year commitment totaling $100,000, radio remotes, 12 weeks of radio tags, five patio umbrellas, banners, and to also purchase six family memberships, totaling $314,896 for a four year commitment. Incentives and funding, RC Cola offered a total estimated $605,896 for four years. This well outpaces Coca Cola, which offered zero incentive dollars, and Pepsi.

Commissioner Winnecke: Jim, who audits the vendor to ensure that they do provide the radio remotes and all of the promotional value?

Jim Harris: Generally, each location has a point person. The zoo has someone, Burdette Park has someone, and out of my office also we have an analyst that looks at making sure that we’re getting everything that we’re required to get.

Commissioner Winnecke: So, is that reconciliation done on an annual basis?

Jim Harris: We actually look at it monthly.

Commissioner Winnecke: Monthly? Okay. Thank you.

Jim Harris: The beverage companies provide monthly totals to me.

Commissioner Winnecke: Okay, thank you.

President Melcher: Okay.

Commissioner Tornatta: Then, Jim, how, what’s the break down between city, county and EVSC? Have you figured that out yet?

Jim Harris: Well, EVSC was not part of this.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay.

Jim Harris: Our contract is still on-going.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay.

Jim Harris: We’re going to jump in later on.

Commissioner Tornatta: Alright.

Jim Harris: This is all city-county. There’s some other funding available also, but these were the highlights at the three big locations; the zoo, Burdette Park–

Commissioner Tornatta: How do you figure a break down from city to county? Is there–

Jim Harris: By break down, what do you mean break down?

Commissioner Tornatta: Well, you’re saying that they’re offering certain incentives.

Jim Harris: Yes.

Commissioner Tornatta: How are those incentives based on the city side versus the county side? Have you looked into that?

Jim Harris: Well, the incentives are based on location.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay.

Jim Harris: The zoo had certain requirements, Burdette Park had certain requirements to pools, all had certain requirements. That’s how that’s assigned. So, it isn’t a total $605,000, as a pool more goes to the zoo because they had more requirements than Burdette Park and Swonder and the other arenas.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay.

Jim Harris: The money that comes back in commissions and other funding, that’s determined how it’s allocated by the city. That’s, I don’t deal with that. That’s through the Controller’s office here, and on the county side. Am I making sense?

Commissioner Tornatta: Is that per institution? I mean, is that–

Jim Harris: For example, the Fire Department will have machines.

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Jim Harris: Those commissions are generated through the Fire Department. How those funds are allocated, that’s through the Controller’s office here.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay.

Jim Harris: On my side, the money goes generally back to the school. So, a lot of times those commissions are used to fund things like electric, to pay some of the bills, and provide certain services for the employees who work there.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay. What I would like to do is just, I would like to have just a little bit clearer picture on how those incentives will be funded back. If you’re doing this for the city and the county, get that back to at least the county so that we know–

Jim Harris: Well, there’s someone here from RC who could probably explain in a lot more detail.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay, sure.

Gary Johnston: Hi, I’m Gary Johnston. I’m Sales Manager at RC Cola.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay.

Gary Johnston: What we do is we put, as Jim said, we put vending machines in each location, and we collect money from each one of those vending machines, and a percentage of that money goes back to wherever we’re told to send it back to. You know, if it’s the zoo, they get their money unless determined by you that the money would go somewhere else. The same with Burdette, the same with Goebel Soccer Complex, etcetera. So, the funding, basically, is determined on how much is sold. As far as the advertising, we do radio advertising all through the year. What we do is we tag radio spots that say, you know, I’ll talk to somebody at the School Corporation or at each one of the facilities and say what do you have coming up, and then we’ll advertise it on the radio for them. Each radio commercial, or each spot is about 85 commercials a week free on each station. We do, probably, all of South Central stations. So, there’s a lot of radio advertising. We also get radio remotes. So, we’ll go to each one of the facilities and we’ll ask them what a good time to have a radio remote will be to try to generate more business for each one of those. So, the money is determined, needless to say, by the sales.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay.

Gary Johnston: But, the money then is funded back to wherever we’re told to send it to, whether it goes to Burdette, whether it goes to the School Corporation, to Swonder or wherever.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay.

Gary Johnston: Then we send, as we send the money back to each facility, there’s also a spreadsheet that designates where the money is generated, from what machine, and what building, etcetera, etcetera.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay, thank you.

Gary Johnston: Thank you.

Commissioner Tornatta: Do we have any joint offices that we’re using vending machines?

Jim Harris: Shared offices, city-county? I’m not aware of any.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay.

Commissioner Winnecke: Mr. Chairman, at this time, based on the recommendation of the Purchasing Department, I would move that we approve the contract to RC Beverage.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Melcher: We have a first and a second. Is there any further discussion? Anybody in the audience? Seeing none, Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

Jim Harris: Okay, thank you.

Commissioner Winnecke: Thanks, Jim.

President Melcher: So, that passes.

President Melcher: Next we have the first reading of CO.02-10-003, an ordinance repealing chapter 2.16, licensing of tradesmen. This ordinance is repealing an older conflicting ordinance pertaining to the licensing of tradesmen through the Building Commission. Is there a motion to approve?

Commissioner Tornatta: So moved.

Commissioner Winnecke: Second.

President Melcher: With that, Ted, I think you sent something in an e-mail to us about this. Is this, do you want to explain it just a little?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Yeah, only that there was an earlier ordinance in chapter 2.16 which addressed the formation of the county Building Commission office and also included a section on tradesmen licenses. Subsequent to that the city and the county entered into an interlocal agreement, that was in 2008, which replaced the part of the ordinance that addressed the formation of the Building Commission. Then, later, a new ordinance was adopted, and that’s 15.36.100, which addressed tradesman’s licenses and fees and many other fees for renewal of licenses and so forth. That ordinance did not indicate that it was repealing the prior ordinance. The courts have held though that if there is a new ordinance enacted on the same subject as a prior ordinance, then the prior ordinance is deemed repealed. However, for the record we would like to adopt this ordinance actually repealing it.

President Melcher: Which should have been done the first time.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: It should have, yes.

President Melcher: Okay, we have a first and second. Any discussion? Anybody from the audience? Seeing none, Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: So, this passes.

President Melcher: Next we have the second and final reading of CO.01-10-002, the MBE/WBE ordinance.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: As amended.

President Melcher: As amended, you’re right.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Winnecke: Second.

President Melcher: Any further discussion on this one? Anybody from the audience who would like to speak? Madelyn, do you want to call the roll?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: The next one, we have tax property auction. This says here, the County Attorney’s office received the proposals from Sohn and Associates and from Kurtz Realty. The County Attorney recommends the contract be to the low bidder which is Sohn and Associates.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Winnecke: Second.

President Melcher: Then we need to have discussion. Do you have any?

Commissioner Winnecke: No, just for the record, we ought to, I’m looking for it real quick, we ought to read the amount into the record.

President Melcher: Okay.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: If you would like for me to do that, Sohn’s bid was for a maximum of $19,000, and the bid of Kurtz Auction was for a maximum of $24,860.

President Melcher: Thank you. Is there any further discussion? Anybody from the audience? Madelyn, will you call the roll?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: Thank you.

President Melcher: The next one says rejection of all quotes on behalf of the County Assessor for trending services. The County Assessor has determined that commercial and industrial trending for 2010 pay in 2011 will be done in-house by the Assessor’s office staff. Now he is recommending that all bids for trending services be rejected. The Assessor is requesting permission to advertise services for a professional appraiser to assist his office with handling of appeals. Do I have a motion?

Commissioner Tornatta: So moved.

Commissioner Winnecke: Second.

President Melcher: With that, is there discussion?

Commissioner Winnecke: Is–

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: The Assessor is here if you have any questions.

Commissioner Winnecke: If he could come up.

President Melcher: I was going to ask him to do that.

Jonathan Weaver: Hello, Jonathan Weaver, your Vanderburgh County Assessor.

Commissioner Winnecke: There was a lot of discussion on this a month or so ago–

Jonathan Weaver: Yes.

Commissioner Winnecke: –if you could kind of give us kind of a synopsis of how we got to this point.

Jonathan Weaver: Well, we went through, we looked at the bids over the last four trending cycles and we realized you, as a body, had approved the highest of all the bids that have come in. We looked at it this year, we had some conversation with Mr. Ziemer, we came to the conclusion that we could save a lot of taxpayer dollars by doing it in-house. So, I’m asking for the rejection of the bids. I would like to seek permission to seek bids to get assistance with the appeals, commercial/industrial appeals that would come in for ‘10 pay ‘11.

Commissioner Winnecke: If I remember correctly, and correct me if I’m wrong, but the range of the two vendors was somewhere like, one was in the 60 to 70 range and the other was in the 90 range?

Jonathan Weaver: I think it was mid to upper 70's to the upper 90's.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: One was $98,000 and the other was $68,000, no $78,200.

Commissioner Winnecke: What, how much do you envision requiring for an independent appraiser to come in and do, to assist with this work?

Jonathan Weaver: With the appeals? If I had to guess, hopefully, half that, of the lowest bid.

Commissioner Winnecke: Okay, so, 35-ish, more or less?

Jonathan Weaver: That’s what I’m hoping.

Commissioner Winnecke: Then, what’s your time line, because the last time there was a sense of urgency. So, I assume there’s a greater sense since we’re a month further along.

Jonathan Weaver: No, there’s actually a bigger time period right now. The appeal deadline is going to be, it’s going to be 45 days after the tax bill. So, when we know the date on the tax bill, actually the postmark on the tax bill is when we’ll take it from there.

Commissioner Winnecke: Then, is it your anticipation that you would be able to hire an appraiser from Evansville or Vanderburgh County to do this work?

Jonathan Weaver: We’ve looked into that in the past. A lot of them have not wanted to get involved with that for certain reasons.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: In addition, they must be professional appraisers, qualified by DLGF and meeting the provisions of the statute. Not everybody has been certified by DLGF.

Jonathan Weaver: Right.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: In fact, I’m not sure anybody else in Evansville, other than A&S has been certified. I could be wrong in that.

Jonathan Weaver: They are slim pickings.

Commissioner Winnecke: Okay.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: I would expect the bidders would be the same bidders that we had for the overall agreement for trending services.

Commissioner Winnecke: Okay.

President Melcher: Any further discussion? Any other questions? Do you have anything else to say?

Jonathan Weaver: That’s it. Thanks for your time.

President Melcher: Thank you. Anybody from the audience? Seeing none, Madelyn, will you call the roll?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: Thank you.

President Melcher: Contracts, agreements and leases. Each of the contracts have been reviewed by the County Attorney. I’ll go ahead and read them. It looks like there is two of them; Burdette Park lease agreement with David Austill for the real estate located on Nurrenbern Road. Burdette Park maintains a year-to-year lease on a strip of land for additional parking at Burdette. The county pays the owner, David Austill, $400 per year for the use of the land. This lease is for the period of January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. The County Auditor, KRONOS annual support service agreement. The annual renewal for KRONOS timekeeping software support. The current term expires May 23, 2010. The new quote covers the period from May 24, 2010 through May 23, 2011. The quote for this period is $12,608.58, which is a four percent increase over last year’s quote of $12,123.59. So, do I have a motion?

Commissioner Tornatta: So moved.

Commissioner Winnecke: Second.

President Melcher: We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Discussion from the audience? Seeing none, Madelyn, will you call the roll?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: Thank you. EMA 2008 Homestead Security Grant Program Sub-Grant agreement EDS-C44P-0-208A. This grant is in the amount of $50,000. The period of the grant is for two years from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2012.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Winnecke: Second.

President Melcher: We have a first and a second. Discussion? This is just a carryover from 2008, isn’t it?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: It is, yes, sir.

President Melcher: Any discussion from the audience? Seeing none, Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: Thank you. Chief Information Officer, Matt Airvay, Arvay, excuse me, internet services resale agreement with the Centre. Provided that the current Wi-Fi installation will stay in the Centre, but the Centre will pay Wayport, Inc. Wi-Fi Services $400 a month for the service.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Winnecke: I’ll second, but since Matt’s in the audience, it might be helpful to get him up and explain.

President Melcher: Okay. We have a first and a second. Matt, you’re on.

Matt Arvay: Matt Arvay, Chief Information Officer. What you have is an agreement with Wayport Incorporated through AT&T Wi-Fi Services. A few years back AT&T approached the county about a revenue sharing type of agreement that they would put in Wi-Fi services and over a certain dollar amount they would pay back the county above that dollar amount. I wasn’t involved with those contracts, but since that time it didn’t work out. I mean, not enough people used the services, a pay per day service over there, so it became actually a problem where the events came in, we had to make special arrangements to use that internet service for the various events that come through the Centre. So, what I’ve done is now that this contract came to me, I’ve worked with SMG, the County Attorney, Mr. Ziemer, and gotten the original proposal down to $400 a month. SMG has agreed to reimburse the county that $400 a month out of their current Centre line item in their existing budget. It will then be open for all of the events, people will not have to have their credit cards to use Wi-Fi services at the Centre. I think nowadays people expect Wi-Fi services to be available, especially at a facility of that nature.

Commissioner Winnecke: Great. Thank you, Matt.

President Melcher: Is there any further discussion? I think it would be appropriate if we go ahead and take both under the same motion. Ted, would that work?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Certainly.

President Melcher: Okay, so we’ll just consider the two motions changed and consider both of them.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Yeah, the second one is an amendment to the general–

President Melcher: Right.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: –contract, making some changes that I required.

President Melcher: Exactly.

Commissioner Tornatta: I amend my motion.

Commissioner Winnecke: I amend the second.

President Melcher: So, with that, any further discussion from the audience? Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: Thank you. The Health Department, amendment number nine EDS grant agreement number A70-7-7985. Amendment number nine to a previously approved grant by the State Department of Health for lead poisoning prevention. The amendment increases the amount of the grant $8,737 to a total amount of $185,270.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Winnecke: Second.

President Melcher: Any discussion? Anybody from the audience? Madelyn, call the roll.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: Thank you. Agreement with South Central Media, radio spots to advertise H1N1 continued vaccination programs. The agreement between the county and South Central Media for various 30 second media spots relative to H1N1 vaccines. The cost of 66 spots between March the 1^st and March the 8^th, the initial 22 spots for public service announcements is $2,020. The Health Department has the funds to cover the costs.

Commissioner Tornatta: So moved.

Commissioner Winnecke: Second.

President Melcher: Is there any discussion? Anybody from the audience? Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: Thank you. An amendment to the lease by Southwestern Healthcare, Inc. to the Health Department. The Health Department currently leases office space from Southwestern Healthcare under a ten year lease. This is the second addendum to the original lease. It provided the additional 441 square feet on the third floor, effective February 1, 2010 at the same rate as paid for the other non-storage space.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve the addendum.

Commissioner Winnecke: Second.

President Melcher: We have a first and second. Any discussion? Anybody from the audience? Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: Thank you. Agreement with the Statewide Medical Waste Services, the Health Department agreement with Circle Cycle?

Commissioner Tornatta: Steri-cycle.

President Melcher: I’m pronouncing that wrong. Steri-cycle, I guess, will expire on February 26^th. The Health Department wishes to use Statewide since both the Sheriff and the Coroner’s office obtained less expensive quotes for waste management, and Statewide–

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Winnecke: Second.

President Melcher: Any further discussion? Anybody from the audience? Seeing none, Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: Next, we have the state lobbying agreement with Phillips and Phillips. The agreement for lobbying the legislative for a fee of $6,000 for 2010. The fees are the same as last year and paid at a monthly rate of $500.

Commissioner Tornatta: Mr. President, let’s take both of these at the same time.

President Melcher: An executive branch lobbying agreement with Phillips and Phillips, an agreement for lobbying the Indiana executive branch of government for a fee of $6,000 for 2010. The fees are the same as last year paid at a monthly rate of $500.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Winnecke: Before I second, I just had a question about this. I forget, last year we used another firm. We used one firm, didn’t we, for–

Commissioner Tornatta: They, I don’t think they’ve got their contract in. That’s been the only difference. They’re up there lobbying and they do not have the contract in.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Yeah, the Mathies and Long.

Commissioner Tornatta: Long and Mathies.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Yeah, right.

Commissioner Winnecke: So, they did not present to us?

Commissioner Tornatta: Well, I think, do you have the contract or not?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: No.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay.

Commissioner Winnecke: So, they did not seek to do the work again?

Commissioner Tornatta: Well–

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: I think, Lloyd, that they plan to, but they have not yet submitted the contract to us.

Commissioner Winnecke: Okay, and, so we’re satisfied that Phillips and Phillips can do–

Commissioner Tornatta: They are working with Long and Mathies as we speak. I don’t know what the contractual issues are with getting that in.

Commissioner Winnecke: But, it’s our–

Commissioner Tornatta: I know that they’re tied up right now.

Commissioner Winnecke: But, after this, assuming we execute these contracts, it’s our assumption that Mathies and Long will no longer be–

Commissioner Tornatta: I’m not assuming that.

Commissioner Winnecke: So, that will be an additional expense?

Commissioner Tornatta: Well, it would be the same expense that we had last year.

Commissioner Winnecke: Okay.

Commissioner Tornatta: They are actually splitting, because they handle two different parts of the state. So, they split the contract that would be one, that would be essentially $12,000 per unit, they split that.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Commissioner Winnecke, last year there were two separate lobbying agreements with Phillips and Phillips, one for executive and one for legislative, and a separate lobbying agreement with Long and Mathies.

Commissioner Winnecke: Okay, I misunderstood. I don’t recall their being two for Phillips and Phillips. So, I apologize. With that information I will second the motion.

President Melcher: Okay, is there any further discussion? Anybody from the audience?

Commissioner Tornatta: Just a little FYI, this is still, these two agreements, even as they stand, if we would enter into an agreement with Long and Mathies, took us down about half of what we were spending the prior two years.

Commissioner Winnecke: I remember that.

President Melcher: Anybody from the audience again? Madelyn, will you call the roll?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: Thank you. The federal lobbying agreement with Barnes and Thornburg, an agreement with Barnes and Thornburg to provide federal lobbying for the Commission for 2010. The fee of this service is $2,500 per month, which includes all expenses incurred by Barnes and Thornburg to provide the lobbying services. It’s identical to last year’s agreement.

Commissioner Tornatta: Once again, this was brought down by more than half from what it has been over the past five years.

Commissioner Winnecke: I’ll move approval.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Melcher: So, we have a first and a second. Any further discussion? Anybody from the audience? Seeing none, Madelyn, would you call the roll?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

Commissioner Tornatta: And we also need to, we have had a call from Brad Bingham to get in any of our federal earmark projects that we want to put in. So, we would probably need that before next meeting. So, just a heads up.

President Melcher: Okay.

President Melcher: Department head reports. Ted, I thought I would start with you. Have you got the bids?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Thank you. Yes, I’ve opened these bids. Let me explain to the Commissioners that these are bids for pipe arches, steel culvert pipes, pipe liners, box culverts, coated steel culverts, galvanized steel culverts, galvanized curved culverts with hardware, etcetera. There are 22 separate items that the bidders can bid on, and they can bid various unit prices for one or more of these, with extended totals. So, I’m not going to try to read the amounts of the various bids. I will say for the record that the bidders are Ferguson Enterprises, and they bid on various items in various amounts; St. Regis Culvert, Inc., who also bid on various items for various amounts; Sherman Dixie Concrete bid for various items at various amounts; and, finally, CPI Supply, who bid for various items at various amounts.

Commissioner Tornatta: I guess, as we’ve done in the past, and I don’t know if this is a John Stoll or a Debbie question, but, probably what I would recommend is that we accept all bids as they were written, because there are some issue with delivery costs, and that might put them over the top on certain items. If we accept all of the bids that would allow us to have the cheapest price.

Commissioner Winnecke: Wouldn’t we be better off to take them under advisement first to examine them?

Commissioner Tornatta: Well, here’s my one point, if there is a culvert and there is one individual that’s cheaper on the product than another individual, but one doesn’t have delivery costs and the other one does, that could be a difference that’s not showing up on that page. There’s a threshold that some will deliver freight free, and there’s a threshold where some won’t. It depends on the cost of the product.

Commissioner Winnecke: I guess I’m following that, but, I mean, unless I’ve totally misunderstood the process it seems to me we ought to at least take them under advisement and examine them before we just cart blanche accept them and award them.

Commissioner Tornatta: That’s fine. I think what we’re going to find though is that there are so many different pieces to it, that it might be tough to qualify whether somebody is lesser priced because of proximity, time and delivery.

Commissioner Winnecke: That may be, I guess, I would like to know that versus just assuming that.

John Stoll: We can look into that, but typically in the past it has been awarded to multiple vendors, if not all of the vendors who did submit bids. So, that is routine that the concrete pipe supplier isn’t necessarily going to provide metal pipes, and a metal pipe supplier may not supply the plastic pipe. So, multiple vendors will be awarded this, but we can take a look at it and let you know for sure.

Commissioner Winnecke: Personally, I would be more comfortable having someone look at them and provide us that specific information.

Commissioner Tornatta: So moved.

Commissioner Winnecke: Second.

President Melcher: With a first and a second. So, John, you will look at them and get back with us?

John Stoll: I can get with Debbie and Ted, if necessary, and figure out what we’ve got there.

President Melcher: Okay. Any further discussion? Anybody in the audience? Madelyn, will you call the roll?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: Does any other department heads got anything?

President Melcher: I should have told you just to stay.

John Stoll: I just have a couple of items. First, we need to submit maintenance letters to the Water and Sewer Department for the water mains and sewer lines that were constructed on the Cross Pointe Boulevard project. These are letters that state that the county will be responsible for any maintenance for the first year after acceptance, and it also establishes the final value of the water and sewer lines. We’ve got two separate letters that need your signatures.

President Melcher: Okay, we’ll need a motion probably to accept them.

Commissioner Winnecke: So moved.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Melcher: We have a first and a second. Any discussion? Anybody from the audience? Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

John Stoll: Then, the other item that needs your signature is the final acceptance letter for the Millersburg-Green River project. This is part of the final record that has to go to INDOT. Clark Dietz has had their inspectors look the project over and recommend that we go ahead and accept the project so it can be, all of the final records can be submitted to INDOT and we can close out the project.

Commissioner Winnecke: So moved.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Melcher: We have a first and a second. Any discussion? Anybody from the audience? Seeing none, Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

John Stoll: That’s all I had, thanks.

President Melcher: Thank you.

Commissioner Winnecke: Thanks, John.

President Melcher: Any other department heads?

President Melcher: Okay, board appointments. I don’t know of any board appointments.

President Melcher: New business? We need to set a date for the road hearings. The proposed date is March the 3^rd, 6:00 p.m.. I guess, they are going to check to see if the Southern Indiana Tech Center...does anybody have a problem with that date?

Commissioner Winnecke: Fine with me.

Commissioner Tornatta: We would just do one road hearing this year, like we did last year. I think we can take care of things.

President Melcher: As far as I know, at this point, that’s fine with me. So, do we need to make a motion?

Commissioner Tornatta: I think we’re putting that out there. Do we need a motion on the date?

Commissioner Winnecke: Just advertise it.

Commissioner Tornatta: Yeah.

President Melcher: Yeah, okay.

Commissioner Tornatta: A motion to advertise the date of March 3^rd at 6:00, well, we need to check with the Tech Center.

President Melcher: Check and see where we’re going to have it.

Madelyn Grayson: I don’t think we’ve actually advertised, published that in the paper before. Is that what you’re intending to do? I mean, we can, I just don’t think we’ve done that before.

Commissioner Tornatta: I would rather have our media partners get it out, to be honest with you.

Madelyn Grayson: I think what was done is your office sent out a media notice, yeah.

Commissioner Tornatta: We’ll send out a press release.

President Melcher: We can do that.

Commissioner Tornatta: We’ll check with the Tech Center and then send out a media release.

President Melcher: So, we had a first–

Commissioner Tornatta: We don’t need it.

President Melcher: We don’t need it? Alright.

President Melcher: Under old business, I guess, Annie, do you want to come back up?

Annie Groves: Annie Groves, Coroner. I’m here to ask, I think a couple of weeks ago I gave you the prices and you were going to review them. So, I’m coming to see if you’ve done that and if you’re ready to move forward.

President Melcher: Troy, do you have anything to say?

Commissioner Winnecke: Mr. President, it seems like that all of the vendors were bidding–

Annie Groves: Apples to apples.

Commissioner Winnecke: –apples to apples, thank you. Based on the information provided to the Coroner that she forwarded to us, I would move that we approve funding in the amount of $45,700 to Midwest Contracting for the work it proposes relative to the roofing, guttering, down spouts, painting, caulking, windows and general work to the facility.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Melcher: Any discussion? Annie, do you have anything to say?

Annie Groves: No.

President Melcher: Anybody from the public? Seeing none, Madelyn, do you want to call the roll on that?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Before I vote yes, I would say that is the lowest bidder–

Annie Groves: Correct.

Commissioner Winnecke: –of the three. I should have added that. Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: So, that passes. Any other.

Commissioner Winnecke: She also presented a request regarding refrigeration replacement. There were three bidders on that, the low bidder was J.E. Shekell in the amount of $13,171, and I would move approval of it.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Melcher: What did you say the amount was?

Commissioner Winnecke: $13,171.

President Melcher: Okay. Any discussion?

Annie Groves: Is that total?

Commissioner Winnecke: That was just for the refrigeration? The air conditioning was separate.

Annie Groves: Okay.

President Melcher: So, that’s this page here?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yeah.

President Melcher: Okay.

Commissioner Winnecke: I’ll do that separately.

President Melcher: Alrighty. Any discussion from the audience? Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

Commissioner Winnecke: Finally, I believe, finally, the other need of the facility is for air conditioning replacement. There was one bidder who offered a quote on that and that was from J.E. Shekell also. I would move approval of it in the amount of $1,960.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Melcher: Any discussion? Anybody from the audience? Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

Annie Groves: Thank you all very much. Can I go ahead and start contacting these people to start?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Annie Groves: Okay, thank you.

President Melcher: Any other old business?

President Melcher: Okay, public comment?

Mark Rigney: Good afternoon. My name is Mark Rigney. I work with an organization called Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment. I have what I think is a very simple request, but it will take just a little bit of explanation to make sense out of it. My organization’s acronym is CAJE. We’re a 501c3 non-profit organization. We’re made up of 14 area congregations, and we work on secular issues. We work with elected and appointed officials on both sides of the political aisle with an eye toward improving our community. We like to try and find systemic issues where we can work on something not as a charity organization, but as a group that wants to come and identify problems that in the long term maybe we don’t need so much charity in the future if we do our job right now. We’ve been focused on issues of mass transit in the last year, and we’ve been trying to do our homework on that. We’ve been working with the MPO, with Brad Mills and his staff, with METS, with other stakeholders, and we’ve reached a point where we have plotted out some specific routes, and we’re recommending that METS look into expanding some of their service areas so that we can connect large employers on the north side of Vanderburgh County with our employee base here in the City of Evansville. The next step in trying to make this a reality is a request from METS, METS has said we will go ahead and do a full cost analysis of what those routes would actually cost, because it would probably wind up being a contract service where the county would have to pay for their portion of a route, but the city would provide buses and infrastructure. In order to get that cost analysis done, Ed Ziemer at METS has requested that we get, on county letterhead, a letter requesting that this cost analysis be done. My group and I met with Russ Lloyd, Jr. this morning, he’s enthusiastic about that, he said he would be very willing to write that letter, but he also said that he would like the County Commissioners to also create a letter to that effect. I’m here today to ask you to draft a letter and to provide it either to me or directly to Ed Ziemer at the Department of City Transportation and Services. I would be happy to answer any questions. I probably left something out.

Commissioner Winnecke: Mr. President?

President Melcher: Go ahead.

Commissioner Winnecke: I’ve met with Mark and his transportation committee, probably a year or so ago when the organization first brought it up, and I think it’s on, the committee is on to a good topic and this seems like a logical next step. I applaud you for your group’s tenacity–

Mark Rigney: Thank you.

Commissioner Winnecke: –I would, I have no problem supporting writing a letter, making that request for the cost study.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: I’ll probably be writing that letter.

Mark Rigney: Okay.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Is somebody going to give me some details? I don’t know–

Mark Rigney: I would be happy to give you any details required.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Okay, let me give you my phone number. It’s 424-7575. Call me tomorrow and we can talk about it. My name is Ted Ziemer and I’ll guarantee you that I can write a letter that will satisfy Ed Ziemer.

Mark Rigney: I had a feeling that might be the case. A wild guess on my part.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Melcher: Okay, we have a first and a second. I was going to get you involved, Ted. He’s also been to almost every MPO meeting. I sit on that board. They have talked to us too on the MPO, and this is something that we need to look at. Again, it’s all about money, so, but since Ed’s asking it, you know, and he says he’s going to do it, then at least it’s not going to be any money, because we haven’t allocated any money from it.

Mark Rigney: Right, we’re not asking to put a bus on the ground at this time. We’re asking for a letter to get us to the next step towards putting a bus on the ground.

Commissioner Winnecke: Right.

President Melcher: Okay. Is there any further discussion? Is there anybody from the audience? Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

Mark Rigney: Thank you.

President Melcher: Thank you very much. Is there any other public comment?

Commissioner Winnecke: Thanks, Mark.

President Melcher: Yes? You’re part of the public.

Bill Fluty: I just want to thank the County Highway on doing a good job this Saturday. I was a little surprised to get up to seven inches of snow. I do live on a snow route, so I have some advantage, but I got out early after I shoveled out, they did a great job, appreciate it.

President Melcher: I think they done a good job in both of our snows. They really have.

President Melcher: Okay, we’ve got consent items.

Commissioner Winnecke: Mr. Chairman, I would move that we exclude one for a separate vote. I would like to consider the request for overtime, or, I’m sorry, the fee waiver request at the Centre separately.

President Melcher: Okay. So, we’re pulling that one out. Do you still want to make a first minus the–

Commissioner Tornatta: Yeah, amend the motion.

Commissioner Winnecke: Second.

President Melcher: Any discussion? Seeing none, Madelyn, do you want to read them into the record?

Madelyn Grayson: The consent items for the February 2^nd meeting are as follows; approval of the January 19, 2010 Commission meeting minutes; there are employment changes, the ones the Commissioners will be approving tonight are two from the County Highway, one for Weights and Measures and three for the Health Department; Hillcrest Washington Youth Home fourth quarter fees for services; Weights and Measures monthly report from December 15^th of ‘09 to January 15, 2010; Key Government Finance disbursement; we have four surplus request letters for various office equipment and furniture, one from the County Assessor, one from Superior Court, one from Burdette Park and one from Purdue Co-Op Extension; we have the Perry Township Trustee 2010 standards; the County Treasurer’s December 31, 2010 year-to-date report , County Highway Superintendent request to transfer a 2002 Ford Explorer to the County Coroner; the County Clerk December 2009 monthly report; the County Auditor approval of January 2010 A/P vouchers; the County Engineer approval of pay request number 98 for Burkhardt-Green River TIF projects in the amount of $18,633.84; the Westside Improvement Association, Neighborhood Association registration for 2010; then we have department head reports for the County Engineer and Burdette Park.

Commissioner Winnecke: Well read.

President Melcher: Any discussion? Anybody in the audience. Madelyn, do you want to call the roll for that?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

Commissioner Tornatta: I would make a motion to waive the Centre fees, not overtime for the Boy Scouts 100^th anniversary celebration on February 8^th.

President Melcher: I’ll second it. Is there any discussion?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yeah, this is, we do some stuff for Girls in Bloom, and this fits right in with a situation like that for the boys. We are having the First Lady, the former First Lady of the United States come in town. So, I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to raise money for the Boy Scouts, and it’s a fee that we can waive and help them out.

Commissioner Winnecke: I have great respect for the Boy Scouts and certainly support them and their efforts. This is a fee in excess of $3,000 and more than a third, or probably a third of the organizations that rent the Centre are not-for-profit groups. I think we open the flood gate, or once we approve this, the flood gate will be opened. I think the distinction between this and the organization you previously mentioned was that was an organization that this body, former members of this body founded and we originally sponsored. That’s the distinction, but that’s why I won’t support this. Again, nothing against the Boy Scouts, just I have a theoretical issue with approving fee waivers for not-for-profit groups because many more will be back.

President Melcher: Alright, any further discussion? Anybody in the audience? Madelyn, will you call the roll?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: No.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 2-1. Commissioner Winnecke opposed.)

President Melcher: It passes. We’re going to hear rezonings.

President Melcher: The final reading on VC-10-2009, T & T Development LLC, 15901 Petersburg Road.

Janet Greenwell: Good evening, Janet Greenwell with the Area Plan Commission. There’s not a lot to say about this one. It was approved in January of 2009, ten acres. They went to site review, had a little issue with a vehicle/building, and they came back to rezone a small section of the same parcel, about four one hundredths of an acre, to C-4 so that they can park or keep the vehicle on that one little spot. Plan Commission did recommend approval with eight yes and one no vote on January 14^th.

President Melcher: Any discussion?

Commissioner Winnecke: I’ll move approval.

Commissioner Tornatta: Any remonstrators? Second.

President Melcher: Any other discussion from the audience? Seeing none, Madelyn?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

Madelyn Grayson: Is there a representative here from T & T Development? Okay, I’ll call them in the morning.

President Melcher: Okay, final reading of VC-1-2010, James & Randall McCune, 7419 Oak Hill Road.

Janet Greenwell: The McCune’s are requesting to downzone the residence that was zoned back in 1976. It had a private covenant, we’re not requiring them to downzone it, but they need clear title and they’re downzoning it back to R-1 so that they can get financial approval from the bank. The Plan Commission did vote to recommend approval nine to zero at their January 14^th meeting.

Commissioner Winnecke: Mr. Chairman, I’ll move approval.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Melcher: Any discussion? I think it’s almost automatic today, the banks are not going to loan money on a commercial, if it’s a house for residential people. We’ve been doing this all the time. With that, Madelyn, do you want to call the roll?

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Winnecke?

Commissioner Winnecke: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Madelyn Grayson: President Melcher?

President Melcher: Yes.

(Motion approved 3-0)

President Melcher: So, that passes also. Is there any further business to come before the Commissioners this evening? We’ll have the Drainage Board immediately following. We stand adjourned.

(The meeting was adjourned at 6:04 p.m.)

CONSENT ITEMS:

Commissioners:

Approval of the January 19, 2010 Commission Meeting Minutes.

Hillcrest Washington Youth Home 4^th Quarter Fees for Service.

Key Government Finance Disbursement: Networking Project.

Perry Township Trustee 2010 Poor Relief Standards.

Westside Improvement Neighborhood Association 2010 Registration.

Waiver of Centre Fees/Not OT: Boys Scouts 100^th Anniversary: 2/8/10.

Employment Changes:

County Highway (2)                  Circuit Court (2)                        Auditor (1)

Sheriff (2)                                  Weights & Measures (1)           Election Office (1)

Health Department (3) 

Surplus Requests:

County Assessor: 2 computer tables, 2 chairs, 1 file rack, 4 cubicle dividers, 1 large frame.

Superior Court: 1 computer, 1 keyboard

Burdette Park: 2 computers

Purdue Co-Op Extension: Various audio visual and office equipment.

Weights & Measures: Monthly Report 12/15/09-1/15/10.

Treasurer: December 31, 2009 Year-to-Date Report.

County Highway: Request to Transfer 2002 Ford Explorer to County Coroner.

County Clerk: December 2009 Monthly Report.

Auditor: Approval of January 2010 A/P Vouchers.

County Engineer: Pay Request No. 98: Green River-Burkhardt TIF Projects.

Department Head Reports:              County Engineer             Burdette Park

Those in Attendance:

Stephen Melcher                      Troy Tornatta                            Lloyd Winnecke

Bill Fluty                                    Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.          Madelyn Grayson

Maria Anderson                        Lauren Klipsch                          McKenzie Thomas

Ryan Schultheis                       Ellen Dippel                              Debbie Spalding

Jim Harris                                 Gary Johnston                          Jonathan Weaver

Matt Arvay                                John Stoll                                  Annie Groves

Mark Rigney                             Others Unidentified                   Members of Media

VANDERBURGH COUNTY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Stephen Melcher, President

Troy Tornatta, Vice President

Lloyd Winnecke, Member

(Recorded and transcribed by Madelyn Grayson.)