President Jerrel: I'd like to call the Vanderburgh County Commissioners' meeting to order and just take a moment to introduce to you the people in front of you. On the far right is a brand new Father's Day father. If he looks tired and sleepy he has earned it. County Attorney, Joe Harrison, Jr.; Commissioner Pat Tuley; my far left, Charlene Timmons, our Recording Secretary; Suzanne Crouch, County Auditor; Richard Mourdock, County Commissioner; and my name is Bettye Lou Jerrel. If you'll join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
 

Approval of minutes

President Jerrel: The first item on the agenda is the certification of the...or approval of the minutes of the June 14th meeting.

Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move approval of the minutes as submitted.

Commissioner Tuley: Second.

President Jerrel: And I'll say so ordered.
 

Certification of Executive Session

President Jerrel: The next item on the agenda is the certification of the Executive Session.

Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move approval of the minutes of the Executive Session from 4:30 until 5:30 this afternoon dealing with litigation or potential litigation issues and county personnel matters.

Commissioner Tuley: Second.

President Jerrel: So ordered.
 

Jerry Bryan - City/County Purchasing

President Jerrel: Next, Jerry Bryan with long distance.

Jerry Bryan: Good evening. I'm Jerry Bryan the Purchasing Director for the City/County of Evansville. My request tonight is to change the long distance phone carrier for the Vanderburgh County employees from LCI to One Call Communication per the bid package which I sent out which was VC99-21. This would give us better local support for an office here in Evansville. It would give us a month to month service with no contracts. We can duplicate the existing codes with a minimum of disruption. We have a billing office which is local whereas LCI now has an Oklahoma billing office. We have a customer service and a customer care in our local office. This is the fourth largest operator service in the United States and they are out of Indianapolis, but they have a local office and I have been over there and it will service us. There is no monthly fees for anything with One Call Communication. As you can see from the spreadsheet this will give us a small cost savings and meet the conditions that Tony Greubel gave me, Bettye, and I recommend that we change the service from LCI to One Call Communications.

Tony Greubel: Actually, Jerry, there is just one--

Jerry Bryan: Sure.

Tony Greubel: It's MCI Worldcom LDDS is who we currently have.

Jerry Bryan: Thank you.

President Jerrel: Are there any questions of Jerry or Tony? If not, is there a motion regarding the presentation?

Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move that we accept the recommendation of the City/County Purchasing Director as far as the long distance carrier.

Commissioner Tuley: Second.

President Jerrel: So ordered.

Jerry Bryan: Thank you.

President Jerrel: Thank you very much. 
 

The Centre construction update

President Jerrel: The next item on the agenda is the Industrial Contractor center construction update. Is there anyone here yet for that? They're way back in the back.

Commissioner Mourdock: They were here a moment ago.

President Jerrel: Is there anything you all need? Okay.

Dan Hoefling: Good evening. My name is Dan Hoefling. I'm with Industrial Contractors. Thanks for having us back this evening. With all projects, construction projects, they come down to the wire at the end and even though this has been an 18 month process we are coming down to the wire. We have about three months left for substantial completion. We're still shooting for the October 1st completion date. We've always talked about the project in three different areas. The area along Martin Luther King Drive, which is the meeting rooms and ballrooms, that area is well under way. We're finishing carpeting, tile, ceilings inside there. It is closed up. The middle section is the auditorium. That is, of course, the critical path on the project. It's under way with finishes, drywall, proceeding. The large exhibit hall is also on schedule under progress. We're painting inside there and beginning to close the building up. Probably by mid July, latter part of July, we'll have the building enclosed. It will be all secured, all concrete poured inside. We'll be down to really trimming out the building, completing the finishes, so we are on schedule still. We have given you a packet of information here with some digital photographs and a milestone schedule that gives you an idea of what activities have to be completed in the next three months. I'll let Mark Elpers, our project engineer, review that with you. We are still planning on being ready for your convention the first week of October. As coordinated with Sandie Aaron we will still need the majority of October and some of November to complete electrical work in the auditorium, so we're coordinating that with her bookings. I'll turn this over to Mark and he'll explain that packet to you.

President Jerrel: Thank you.

Mark Elpers: The first two pages is the milestone schedule which Dan outlined as far as the completion dates and some critical items. Everything seems to be on schedule. We don't see any major concerns with meeting the deadlines. The next page is the west elevation--

Commissioner Mourdock: Excuse me, Mark.

Mark Elpers: Yes?

Commissioner Mourdock: One quick question. Looking at the first of the milestone schedules it shows complete Area A in the middle of August. 

Mark Elpers: That's correct.

Commissioner Mourdock: Area A is the ballroom area, right?

Mark Elpers: Area A is the conference area and the ballrooms.

Commissioner Mourdock: Okay.

Mark Elpers: And where we are on that we're holding off on some of the finishes until the humidity is down and have the air conditioning turned on.

Commissioner Mourdock: Okay, the one schedule that you gave us showed Area A complete in May of `99, May 24th of `99.

Mark Elpers: That is correct. We held off as far as the air conditioning. We pushed it back as far as we think is possible for completion. There is no one moving in or anything until then.

Commissioner Mourdock: Okay.

Mark Elpers: We're still allowing a month and a half until it is occupied.

Dan Hoefling: We gave the Building Authority the opportunity to if we substantially completed that area, to accept it and begin taking responsibility for insurance and utility costs, but they elected to wait and buy that portion of the property until we complete the balance of the project.

Commissioner Mourdock: Okay. Sorry to interrupt you, Mark.

Mark Elpers: That's okay. The first picture is the west elevation along Martin Luther King. It's starting to come along as far as the site concrete. We're cleaning up the area and pretty well getting a finished look at what Martin Luther King will look like. The next picture is the atrium entrance. That's going to be the main entrance into the auditorium. You'll see the marquee and everything will be on that. Glass is finishing up in that area. The next picture is the north elevation along Locust Street and we're cleaning that area up to finish the sidewalks, the concrete paving and that area. That will be your entrance into the auditorium as well. The next picture is the north elevation from Martin Luther King looking down. You can see the atrium entrance and the tower that goes along with that. The next picture is the first floor conference room. That's a typical conference room on the first floor. It shows your operable partitions, your bulkheads, your acoustical ceilings and your light fixtures are in. We're waiting for carpet and the rest of the finishes. The next picture is the first floor pre function lobby. This is the hallway that goes from your entrances in the A area along Martin Luther King. The next one is another picture of a first floor conference room. It shows more of the wood trim and operable partitions. The next picture is the second floor entrance into the ballroom. It gives you the view from Martin Luther King as you walk into the main ballroom on the second floor. The next two pictures are the pre function lobby on the second floor along Martin Luther King. You can see the marlight wood surface panels on the wall, the wood trim, column covers. The next picture is the second floor ballroom with the operable partitions, the lights, the ceilings are already in. They're painted waiting for wall covering and carpet. The next picture is the exhibit hall which is Area C. Most of the trusses are painted. We have the drywall that goes above the operable partition in. Concrete is all poured. We're using it for a lay down staging area and all the walls are painted. The next picture is your monumental stairs which is your atrium area. That will be your main entrance into the auditorium. You can go upstairs or into the other areas of the auditorium.

Commissioner Mourdock: The auditorium as you look at that is to the right?

Mark Elpers: That is correct. The auditorium is to the right. The exhibit hall will be to your left. The next picture is standing on the monumental stairway looking out of the atrium looking towards the civic center. The next picture is the atrium itself. It's looking up the monumental stairway. We were hoping to have some pictures of the auditorium, but it's a little dark in there and they didn't come out completely but as we get along we can give you more pictures.

President Jerrel: These atrium pictures are fantastic aren't they? Oh, boy.

Commissioner Mourdock: Yeah, you can picture the Bradford pear trees outside there in the springtime. It's going to really be spectacular.

President Jerrel: It's beautiful.

Mark Elpers: I also have disks of all these pictures that I am going to leave with the Commissioners and if anybody would like to make copies of or whatever they'll be yours to distribute.

President Jerrel: Oh, that was thoughtful.

Commissioner Mourdock: Okay, alright. In looking at the remainder of your milestones what do you see as the most critical items? In other words, if something is going to screw up the schedule what is it going to be? 

Dan Hoefling: Well, we always hope on this point in the schedule we are scaling back on our labor and intensifying deliveries. We've plotted all of our materials and major equipment. We're in direct contact with all of our vendors. We really don't see any problems with deliveries. There is always going to be something, but we'll deal with it when it comes up. Really the biggest milestone is getting the building closed in and during the month of July we're going to accomplish that and Area B getting all the electronics and special systems going. We'll be ready for the convention the first of October, but the fine tuning and everything that is necessary for a broadway production will be required during the month of October and November. 

Commissioner Mourdock: As far as that part of the building, the auditorium, obviously that is a very, very unique type of speciality equipment. Are you comfortable with the order dates for all of that material coming in?

Dan Hoefling: Yes, yes we are. We're in contact with them on the phone. We have them down there for our project meetings, our major suppliers. Our electrical crews have a good handle on the systems.

Mark Elpers: As far as the stage equipment and everything like that they are already in the process of working out some of that. The orchestra pit lift is being put in at this time. 

President Jerrel: No what about the...you haven't put the chairs in yet or are they in?

Commissioner Mourdock: In the auditorium?

Michael Buente: I'll talk about that. 

Mark Elpers: We've coordinated with them and they need two weeks before completing the facility to install those chairs and we've coordinated a time with them and are communicating with them. 

Commissioner Mourdock: Did I see Sandie come in? Yeah, there she is. Sandie, I'm going to ask a question of the ultimate consumer here. As you're getting into the facility from time to time what are your biggest concerns? What gives you the butterflies the size of condors in your stomach as you walk in?

Sandie Aaron: What really gives me the butterflies is the amazement as to what they're getting accomplished in the time that they're...the time frames that they have. It's just amazing how organized and how together they are. I don't see any really snafus at all.

Commissioner Mourdock: Great. Do we have any New Year's Eve events scheduled over there for the welcoming of the next millennium?

Sandie Aaron: Actually, we are holding the exhibit hall for someone local for New Year's Eve and I am holding some other parts of the facility, but those are not confirmed yet. 

Commissioner Mourdock: Okay.

Sandie Aaron: I have a lot of retail trade shows, gobs of them.

Commissioner Mourdock: Any estimate as to how many you've book of those thus far?

Sandie Aaron: I have one vendor that has six booked over the next seven months. 

Commissioner Mourdock: Really?

Sandie Aaron: It's interesting that some of our local folks that do events out at the stadium are seeing a bigger picture, too, because they are looking at doing more and involving more facilities, so some of our local vendors from the stadium also have some dates held there for some other things. 

Commissioner Mourdock: From the time that you first became involved with this project you had some idea in mind no doubt as far as how it could be booked and how it could be utilized and how people would be responding to it. At this point how does reality match up with what those preconceived notions were? 

Sandie Aaron: Overwhelming.

Commissioner Mourdock: Really?

Sandie Aaron: I have in the last 30 days I have been to a couple of different conferences and had to speak at one and it is amazing when I run into other people within the industry wanting to know what is going on down here and even some folks in Illinois, Tennessee and Kentucky. I think it's really going to be a showplace and people are really anxious to see it. We're being inundated. I know Steve has been, but we're just inundated with people wanting to take tours, wanting to know how soon they can be able to get in and see it.

Commissioner Mourdock: How are the actual bookings to date compared to what you might have imagined them to be?

Sandie Aaron: Pretty strong. We've probably just about doubled what we picked up when we first started and we really are just beginning. Mr. Aiken has just about got his broadway put together and we're just beginning on the concert side of it to work on the auditorium now, but the exhibit hall and the meeting room functions have just been overwhelming.

Commissioner Mourdock: You can't give us any leak of information as to what the broadway things might be or the concerts?

Sandie Aaron: No. 

Commissioner Mourdock: I had to ask. 

Sandie Aaron: Now you guys know that the messenger gets shot!

Commissioner Mourdock: In this room never. 

President Jerrel: Sandie, will you be in town next week?

Sandie Aaron: Yes.

President Jerrel: Okay, maybe if I call and we have a day. We need to--

Sandie Aaron: Certainly.

President Jerrel: --fine tune everything and Suzanne is going to sit down with us.

Sandie Aaron: Right, we began putting some numbers together, working on budgets and job descriptions. We have actually advertised for a couple of positions and we'll be doing some interviewing in the next few days, too.

President Jerrel: I'll call you Wednesday and we'll pick out a time that sounds good.

Sandie Aaron: Sounds good. 

Commissioner Mourdock: Prior to everybody coming in the door just to check, obviously, I went back to see my notes to see how we were doing on the schedule and I just happen to have it here and I'm glad to know we're right on it, so that's great.

Dan Hoefling: It has been a safe project for us also. It has won the President's Safety Award three consecutive quarters so it has been a very safe job.

President Jerrel: Thank you very much.

Dan Hoefling: Thanks.

Steve Utley: I'm Steve Utley with the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Building Authority. Just to continue on the same subject that Mark and Dan have covered for us since the last time we were before the County Commission we've made all the purchases for the all the equipment that goes inside that was listed in the project. We have all the furnishings purchased. We have the orchestra shell, platforms and riser, dance floor, signage, kitchen equipment has all been purchased and we're hoping that the schedules that they have been given and that we've been given back are going to fall into line. We're going to check with them through this week and make sure that they're in the schedule and Industrial has done a great job of communicating with all these people. We're trying to work out lay down areas and that type of thing when the time comes. Financially speaking the project is in order. We've contacted H.J. Umbaugh to do another projection of expenditures which has been done a couple of times throughout the project and I know Suzanne has had some communication with them. Along the line of projection they are going to provide us with a letter with some recommendations and some guidelines and things to help us follow through the last three months of the project, moving monies when they need and how they need to be moved. So everything seems to be...all the funds are in line and as soon as we have that letter I'll see to it that you get a copy of it also.

President Jerrel: Thank you.

Steve Utley: I think it will be addressed to Suzanne and a copy to the Building Authority and I asked a copy to the Commission also.

President Jerrel: Appreciate that. 

Steve Utley: So we're in good shape. We're in good hands with these gentlemen from Industrial also. Questions? 

President Jerrel: Thank you very much, Steve. 

Commissioner Mourdock: Look forward to the opening. 

Michael Buente: I'm Mike Buente with Veazey Parrott & Shoulders. I have just a few things to say. It has been a complicated project, a long project, but it has been a rewarding project. The team that is building the project has really done a good job in communication with ourselves and our other consultants. Our main task ahead of us now in the next three months is making sure all the technical aspects of the project all come together. My main job is to put them in touch with our consultants, get them here when they need them so some of those visitations on our consultant's part will be coming at a very opportune time now. The other thing we had, like Steve said, we've got all these other multiple contracts. The seating is on track we've been told. We still have one submittal yet from them which is an actual seating layout. We did a seating layout as part of our drawings, but they have been doing field measurement and the real in place drawing is yet to come. We expect it any time now. Our biggest fear was at the beginning of the project, as you well know, our auxiliary contracts, furnishings, signage, seating and so forth. We are tracking them. They have the liquidated damage clause, too, which we keep reminding them, so we believe that as well as the fine scheduling that Industrial is doing will bring it all together in a timely fashion. Any questions?

Commissioner Mourdock: You just...in talking to the consultants are there some or one of those consultants at this point that are giving you some concern that timeliness may become an issue?

Michael Buente: No, they have been in contact all along, but now they're...it's really intense with the rigging in the theater, the sound systems in the theater and some of the lighting controls in the theater. In fact, our theatrical consultant was going to be here tomorrow and we were just talking with Industrial before the meeting that we need to schedule when these people need to come in to help them out. The other thing that is important is the shutdown of the project, turning over to the owner, doing what we call punch inspections. We will have to have some strategy sessions with Industrial. On the surface it looks like we're going to do A, maybe A and C together, but C maybe following closely after A and then B being the last one that we do. That's the simplified version. There may be some systems that may be done all at one time. All the lighting systems and all the sound systems may be done at one time. I don't remember, Mark, our sound consultant he needs just in the auditorium alone, what, three or four days?

Mark Elpers: Right.

Michael Buente: With nobody in the room to do his testing and balancing. So we've got a similar thing with the lighting and the theatrical rigging, checking that out. There is some tight schedule things that we've got, we can't just leave out. I think they've plugged those time periods into their schedule.

Commissioner Mourdock: Is that type of acoustic work though is that the very, very last thing that is done? I would assume it would be different after the room has all the seating in it.

Michael Buente: Yes, it's the last thing. 

Commissioner Mourdock: Yeah, the very last.

Michael Buente: And then if there is any adjustments then it has to be done after that. 

President Jerrel: Thank you very much.

Michael Buente: Thank you.

President Jerrel: Thank you a lot, I appreciate it. 
 

Public hearing  Vacation of easement at 5020 North Posey County Line Road

President Jerrel: Moving along, we have a public hearing on the vacation of an easement at 5020 North Posey County Line Road.

Brian Williams: Mrs. Jerrel, Mr. Mourdock, Mr. Tuley, I'm Brian Williams with Kahn, Dees, Donovan and Kahn here on behalf today of Tim and Davy Raber seeking to vacate a surplus or duplicative public utility easement in a rural or agricultural area of the county. Mr. Raber has prepared most of this and certainly is very familiar with the purpose or the reasons why this surplus easement needs to be vacated and I'll just turn it over to him to let him explain some of the technical aspects of the request. 

Tim Raber: The reason I choose to vacate this is I wish to put up an out building on my property. I have studied the slope of the property, the drainage. I have maps of elevation if you so desire. The location of my septic field bed on my lot and the site I have chosen for that building I would like to put it closer to the line than the 12 foot therefore I am proposing the removal of that public utility easement. I have also obtained maps of surrounding property owners and the utility easements and any potential growth, which is limited in my area now, allows several routes or several access points for utility easements to any future development that may arise in my area. 

President Jerrel: Are there any questions from the Commissioners? Are there any questions from anyone in the audience regarding this issue?

Commissioner Mourdock: I do have a question, Mr. Raber. On your map here whereabouts is your building going to be? It shows where the easement is.

Tim Raber: If you look on County Line Road follow the easement approximately...I'm going to tell you in inches, I guess, rather than feet. Maybe two and a half inches from County Line Road along the easement. I have measured it approximately to be 400 feet roughly. Three to 400 feet. 

Commissioner Mourdock: Yeah the map is inch to hundreds. 

President Jerrel: This is a first reading. We will have the second reading next Monday night.

Tim Raber: Okay.

Commissioner Mourdock: On first reading I'll move approval of the vacation of the public easement described on the property at 5020 North Posey County Line Road.

Commissioner Tuley: Second.

President Jerrel: So ordered. We'll see you next week.

Tim Raber: Thank you.

Brian Williams: Thank you.
 

Contract - Bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis program

President Jerrel: The next item on the agenda is the Indiana Board of Animal Health, approval of contract for certain eradication programs.

Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move approval of the contract as submitted for the bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis eradication programs.

Commissioner Tuley: Second.

President Jerrel: So ordered.
 

Discussion regarding Ridgeway Avenue extension

President Jerrel: The next item on the agenda is the Ridgeway extension discussion. I'm just guessing that most of you here are for that and we did hear a good bit last week and we'll try to hear anything new that anybody has to offer. I think if it would serve our purpose to let John Stoll, our County Engineer, come up. Remember, we had asked him to do some evaluations on traffic and history and a few other items. If you would like to review that with us.

John Stoll: Sure. Like you said at the meeting two weeks ago the questions were why was the street never connected in the past and checking the traffic counts and things like that. I did some checking on Chickasaw Park Subdivision, Audubon Estates Subdivision and on the Interstate 164 project and nowhere in the approvals of any of those projects could I find any references to Ridgeway Avenue, why it wasn't connected or anything. There was no reference at all. The I-164 plans show the road being constructed through, but the road was never built all the way through. The Chickasaw Park Subdivision was approved in 1959, so it was well in advance of anything with Ridgeway. In Audubon Estates there was never any reference to anything on Ridgeway anywhere in the approval process of Audubon Estates in general or in Audubon Estates Section D. I also contacted Barbara Cunningham of APC, Rose Zigenfus of EUTS, and former County Engineer Greg Curtis to see if they could give me any background as to why the road was never connected. They all couldn't recall any reason specifically why it wasn't connected. They thought the intent was for the road to be connected, but they could not recall any specifics of why it never happened. The traffic count issues, we had taken traffic count on Plaza between Covert and Greencove, between Kolb and Greencove and then on Ridgeway between Chickasaw Park Subdivision and on Fuquay Road. On Plaza between Covert and Greencove there were approximately 800 cars per day. On Plaza between Kolb and Greencove there was approximately 500 cars per day and on Ridgeway there were approximately 500 cars per day. The counts on Plaza between the Kolb and Greencove also were speed counts and that showed the average speed for northbound traffic was 28.77 miles per hour and the average speed for southbound traffic was 30.01 miles per hour. The 85th percentile for northbound was 33.7 and the 85th percentile speed for southbound was 34.5 miles per hour. Basically all the traffic data showed that both of these streets are low volume streets. It was my opinion that connection of the road would not lead to the street being used as a shortcut. It would be more difficult to use as a shortcut than it would be to stay on Fuquay and go straight to Covert and on the basis of what we found I would recommend that we proceed with connecting the street. 

President Jerrel: We received some, you know, information from people. Tony, would you want to describe...you had a conversation with a bus driver and a couple of people.

Tony Greubel: Yeah, a former bus driver who used to drive that route, Ms. Harpe, said that it would improve safety so that the buses wouldn't have to turn around and go back out to Fuquay when they have to go to the Audubon Estates Subdivision they could go over on Ridgeway. The Knight Township Volunteer Fire Department, I asked their opinion on this matter and they dropped off a letter today stating that for safety's sake Ridgeway should be extended so that their fire trucks coming from Pollack Avenue to one of those subdivisions...to, say, the Audubon Estates Subdivision could cut over onto Ridgeway without having to go up to Covert. That would save several minutes in their opinion.

John Stoll: I also contacted Rose Zigenfus of EUTS in regard to this matter and she didn't submit any written comments, but she agreed that the street should be connected through just on the basis of that is the routine request that EUTS makes these days to try and make as many connection points in subdivisions as possible in order to improve the accessibility and safety of subdivisions.

President Jerrel: Is there any...before we start the hearing are there any questions or, John, just be prepared in case somebody would like to ask another question. Do you have a spokesman? Again, Tom or Gary? 

Unidentified: Gary has got it.

President Jerrel: Okay.

Gary Bush: My name is Gary Bush, Audubon Estates Neighborhood Association. Of course you heard our concerns last time. I will not necessarily repeat them even though I had prepared to do that. It sounds like we've got a lot of opposition against us. The only comment that I might have is that you were going to get the Sheriff's report on incidents back in that area. The last time you asked someone to get that information on any problems. Was that obtained?

Tony Greubel: I asked the Sheriff's Department twice and I wasn't able to obtain anything at this point. They were supposed to look into it, but they haven't gotten back on that matter. 

Gary Bush: I have not heard of any accidents or pedestrian problems in Audubon Estates up to this point in the last 11 years. I would like to see what happens in the next 11 years if this goes through. The other thing is he talked about speed limits. It sounds like people are doing 30 miles an hour back there on average, pretty close to 30 miles an hour. If that little narrow street of Audubon Estates is 30 miles an hour I question why Washington Avenue and places like that is 30 miles an hour or vice versa. So we had one of our individuals try to get that speed limit lowered in the last couple of years and we were unable to do that. You know, it sounds like...you know, it really sounds like it's a done deal in my opinion from what has been said here, but my opinion and the opinion of the association is that this will create a traffic situation for the people that...for the narrow streets back in the subdivision. I'd be glad to have anybody else (inaudible).

Denise Bartholomew: Well, I hope it's not a done deal. My name is Denise Bartholomew and I live in Audubon Estates and I am opposed to the opening of the Ridgeway Avenue extension. I am a parent as well as a neighborhood walker, rollerblader and bicyclist. If I understand it correctly the sole purpose of opening this road is to convenience people that do not live in our subdivision. If that is correct and with that in mind I would ask that by doing so would we pose any safety risks to the children and adults who have in the past enjoyed our neighborhood as a safe haven? One where we could meet neighbors and take a stroll. What would this influx of traffic do to the many young families I see out every night pushing baby strollers and teaching youngsters how to ride a bike? It would totally change the dynamics of our neighborhood. We have been blessed with a neighborhood that feels like a big playground with a park setting. Opening this road would alter that drastically. I pray that you will not let that happen. Thank you.

Unidentified: Bettye, may I speak?

President Jerrel: Sure.

Louis Williams: I'm Louis Williams, but everybody calls me Gene. I think you possibly got my letter the other day that I had written to Chuck Leach. 

President Jerrel: Yes, we do have the letter to the editor. 

Louis Williams: Now, were you able to obtain what we were speaking about in the ambulance? The problems that I had? 

President Jerrel: Mr. Williams called me because...and most of you saw the letter to the editor.

Louis Williams: Chuck didn't quite put the caption that we wanted, but some of the people did miss it. 

President Jerrel: Well, I did--

Louis Williams: It's very explanatory as our problem. We are a trapped bunch of rats back there if there is anything that does happen and any type of...well, a truck accident. I know from speaking because I have been in the trucking business 40 years before I retired. Every day of our life there is traffic and hazardous materials that travels I-164 there. I'm three doors from it. I've got neighbors right here that is three and four doors can vouch for it. That don't make you sleep too good because with the evacuation problem there is no way in the world that we can come out Audubon to Ridgeway turn right and get out to Fuquay in event of an evacuation. 

President Jerrel: Mr. Williams, the story that you explained to me was--

Louis Williams: About 911?

President Jerrel: About your wife, yes.

Louis Williams: Alright, would you like to hear that?

President Jerrel: Well, I think--

Louis Williams: In detail?

President Jerrel: Well, I just think that is new information that some of your neighbors on the other side of Ridgeway might be interested in hearing.

Louis Williams: Alright, yes. It was August 9, 1984...or `94, I'm sorry. I called emergency, 911. Well, the volunteer fire department that's over there, Number 7, is very close to us on Pollack and they came out. They were there I'd say within six or seven minutes arrival time. They come in and the wife we think is paralyzed, but not knowing what she is they did not have a defibrillator nor oxygen. They are not allowed to transport. So the men stood around on my carpet which my daughter knows some of them and no animosity there. I was glad to have them and thank God they were. Mercy got lost. From the time I had called them to the time they got to my house...what I had done prior to that is I had went back and asked the man in the fire truck can you run his wavelength? Well, they're on the same frequency apparently. He said, yes, I'll find him. He is lost, we don't know where he is. Well, I apparently...he has got on one or the other side of this barricade because when I give explicit directions I mentioned how to get back there to the 911 operator. So finally after time and time again waiting they showed up. Well, it took all of five minutes possibly to carry my wife out on the gurney. We just literally had to pick her up because we didn't know what it was. The time we rolled in to St. Mary's Hospital the elapsed time was 50 minutes or maybe a little in excess of that. So I called the dispatcher thereafter and he agreed that it was too long an arrival time. What had happen they weren't able to get in there. They got on the other end of Chickasaw coming off of Pollack. Showed arrival time 11 minutes, but he said, Mr. Williams, I totally agree with you. He said you're a 100 percent right and let's stop and think, if a person is a heart patient, which I happen to be which is no big deal in that respect, but to go with an hour a shot to get somebody to the hospital so that is my one complaint plus the hazardous material that travels every day. Now our opponents here are looking at one side of the thing. This might be just as beneficial to them on this evacuation deal as anything else because...now they do have more than one way out of Plaza. They have Greenfield. They can cut through the area and enter Pollack. We don't have anything but to go through the field. I ask with all sincerity to please open this for us. 

President Jerrel: Any questions of Mr. Williams? Okay, thank you.

Louis Williams: Thank you, Bettye. 

President Jerrel: Is there...yes, sir. 

David Oliver: My name is David Oliver and I live on Ridgeway Avenue. If I may add to what...is it Mr. Williams?

Louis Williams: Yeah. 

David Oliver: To what Mr. Williams had to say. In his particular situation the road was open they just couldn't find it. In 1995 we had a large storm come through town June 8th, do you remember?

President Jerrel: Uh-huh.

David Oliver: Ridgeway is a tree lined street. In our situation we had one of those large trees--

President Jerrel: May I ask you are you west of the barricade or east of the barricade?

David Oliver: Yes...no east.

President Jerrel: East, okay.

David Oliver: I'm sorry. In our situation we had a large tree fall on our house. Praise God nobody was hurt, but there was $70,000 worth of damage done to the house and if it had fallen any further to the south it would have...well, we were all in the house and anyone could have been killed or severely injured. In our situation had emergency vehicles needed to get to us they would not have been able to because one of the trees further east of us had fallen completely across the street and there was no way for an emergency vehicle to get into our house from Fuquay or from Ridgeway where it is blocked at the other end, so we were completely cut off even if they had known the way. 

President Jerrel: Questions? Okay, thank you very much. 

David Oliver: Yes.

President Jerrel: Yes, ma'am. 

Krista Norvell: My name is Krista Norvell. I live next door to the Olivers. Something I would like to add to that night, I was stuck out in the storm and I was 18 years old at the time. I called my parents to have them come get me. They couldn't get out. It took them over an hour to get to me. They were worried about how I was, you know, but they had to stop and saw up a tree to get out of our street because there was no other access. Another thing, you were talking about bus drivers earlier. I used to ride the school bus to McGary and to Harrison. My school bus had to...it would stop at the end of Ridgeway on Fuquay or go all the way down once the street was connected going all the way down to Chickasaw and Audubon to pick up kids down there. I am sure Mr. Dugan knows about this because his son rode the bus and he lives down in the Chickasaw Subdivision. When there is snow or ice the bus was not able to reach Chickasaw and Audubon because of conditions and our street wasn't plowed. These kids had to walk or had their parents take them, and if their parents left for work early they had no one to take them to the very end of Ridgeway up at Fuquay to get to the bus. There is the possibility of a child falling, you know, a multitude of other things, you know, the temperature and the conditions. One last thing I would like to add is for the lady here. Convenience is not our main purpose, safety is our main concern here. Personally I think most of the residents on Ridgeway anyway, as myself, would rather go out to Fuquay and turn up that way because personally I use Newburgh Road. It makes much more sense for me to go up Fuquay straight up to Newburgh Road to go into town. There is a convenience issue, but the main factor is safety. Thank you.

President Jerrel: Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to speak to this issue? 

Dennis Dugan: My name is Dennis Dugan and I live at 1907 Chickasaw.

President Jerrel: What is your name?

Dennis Dugan: Dennis Dugan. I've lived there since `76 and my biggest concern is like my other neighbors and a majority of our neighbors are for opening it up. My biggest concern is getting emergency vehicles out to the neighborhood in time. I had a loved one, my mother had a...she lives five minutes from me in Warrick County and she had a stroke six years ago, but she had a relapse about three years ago. Well, they got...they called the Newburgh Fire Department and paramedics and they got there. The response time was great. They got there within five or six minutes. I got there five or six minutes and they were already there. You know, if it wasn't for a quick response time they worked on her for ten or fifteen minutes and brought her back so the response time was terrific. If something would happen in our neighborhood response time, as Gene Williams pointed out, we may not get that response time. He didn't. So I think that's a crucial point that with just one way out we're limited to how we can get emergency vehicles in here as quick as we can. Myself, I would like to see it.

President Jerrel: Thank you.

Dennis Dugan: Thank you.

President Jerrel: Do you have any questions? Yes, ma'am. 

Cinda Coomes: Good evening. My name is Cinda Coomes and I'm the school bus driver on Ridgeway. If this road would be opened it would be much safer for the children that ride my school bus. At this point when I come down Ridgeway I have to turn around at Chickasaw and there are many mornings in the spring and in the fall that there is a very heavy fog in that area and you cannot see when you are turning around. When the children get off and get on if one would cross behind my bus or come at a late time it would be very difficult for me to see the child.

President Jerrel: Okay, questions? Okay, thank you.

Cinda Coomes: Thank you.

President Jerrel: Anybody else? We did receive letters. We received a letter from Gene VanStone who is here tonight and from the petitioners. We have copies of everything that has been given to us. If there are no questions, is there anything you would like to ask John Stoll?

Unidentified: Bettye.

President Jerrel: Yes, Tom.

Tom Gregory: I would like to say something. I was the spokesperson before--

Commissioner Mourdock: State your name please.

Tom Gregory: Oh, Tom Gregory is my name. I live on the west side of Ridgeway. I live in Audubon Estates on Plaza Drive. You almost have to ask yourself this question. When I went into this project all we asked the people when we went for the petition is do you want the opening of Ridgeway. There was no pressure. There was no...anything lead down to signing or not signing. You have to say to yourself, we got 124 residents. We've got 101 right now that was against opening it up. I don't think we're anti neighbor type people. I mean, I kind of feel us as very compassionate people. We're concerned with two things. I don't think Fuquay Road can handle the traffic, number one. If that field behind there on Ridgeway borders on Covert Avenue let's say becomes housing. That's probably, what? Seventy-five houses probably. Which way will the traffic be focused? Will it go to Covert Avenue? Would it come out to Ridgeway? Will they block it on Ridgeway and say we'll send it to Covert? Will we send it to Fuquay? Which way are we going to send it? It's almost the same kind of situation that we've got in the city is right there that is just north of Covert. That's in the city. They got all the blocks. When Covert was put through they dead-end the streets. Now that's what really concerns all of us. It's not Chickasaw. It's not Audubon. We've got to look to the future. If you okay opening this Ridgeway up, and it sounds like you're on the verge of it, before they do any building out there you better reassess Fuquay Road and also how you're going to cut Audubon all the way through then to Covert. How are you going to do it?

President Jerrel: John, do you have some comments about these? Of course, all of this is speculating on the property behind you all. I don't know what that situation is.

John Stoll: Right. That would all hinge on when it was developed and what the subdivision codes called for at the time that it came through the subdivision review process, so it's hard to say. Typically, all the subdivisions like Eastland Estates, Audubon Estates, The Seasons, Indian Woods, they have all been limited to one main road coming in off of Covert Avenue, so something along those lines may be what would happen out there as that field developed. Given the fact that multiple access points are asked for it's possible they may have one on Ridgeway and Fuquay as well. It's hard to say at this stage of the game.

President Jerrel: Well, I think in fairness to the people that are here, both sides, we need to remember Ridgeway regardless of what the future holds so that if someone wants to develop this property many of the people here do not live adjacent to it so they wouldn't be receiving automatic notification so I think we...it's easy to put things out of your mind and make your decisions but for the basis of future development the minutes to this meeting have described Mr. Gregory's concerns and I think we want to keep those on the front burner if development begins so that we're aware of it and the safety issues that have been raised by the volunteer fire department, the School Corporation and neighbors on the other side need to be taken into consideration. I would hope you would see to it that these minutes are identified for future protection of whatever goes in out there. 

John Stoll: It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to send a copy down to Area Plan Commission too because that's the office where all the notification takes place.

President Jerrel: Yeah, I think that would be helpful. If you didn't hear him, we'll send a copy of these minutes with your remarks to the Area Plan because we often don't see things until after the fact. So they'll be sent down there so it's a matter of record and it will be available if anything ever begins to happen. Okay. What's your pleasure? 

Unidentified: May I say one more thing?

Commissioner Tuley: There is someone in the back, too.

President Jerrel: Yeah. 

Louis Williams: We discussed lowering the speed limit out there. Are you still in favor of that?

President Jerrel: Well, we have to go through a process to do that. Personally, yes I am in favor of it.

Louis Williams: Well, I think everybody is in accordance with that.

President Jerrel: Yeah, I think it should be lowered.

Louis Williams: I and Mr. Dugan Saturday polled our neighborhood to see who was and who wasn't interested actually in opening it which we got 98 percent in favor. Everyone I asked that you had spoke about we might have to give to lowering the speed limit is in favor of it. I've got nobody who contested that on either street, so I thought I might bring that up as a benefactor to us--

President Jerrel: Appreciate it.

Louis Williams: --because we don't want our children run over. I ride a bicycle up there just like the lady spoke. I don't think there is any animosity in any of it, it's just the fact that we are trapped rats. 

President Jerrel: Well, we'll put that on the examination. There is another process to look at lowering speed limits or raising them either way.

Louis Williams: Right, but what you're saying in essence if Mr. Allen out there ever sells that property that is in limbo right now which I don't know whether he will or not, but I doubt for many years it will ever be sold out of that family, then we will have a notification to vote on it before it's built. Is that how I understand your--

President Jerrel: Yes, we're going to put that down at the Area Plan so that's on the record.

Louis Williams: Alright, that gives us an idea, you know.

President Jerrel: So you'll be on top of things.

Louis Williams: Okeydokey. I appreciate it a lot. Like I said, I'm not trying to take up too much of your time, but as my mind is as it comes up I like to get it off my chest.

President Jerrel: Okay. Gene, there is gentleman right behind you and then you. We've got two more people.

Commissioner Mourdock: And for the record the previous speaker was Mr. Williams.

Dennis Vowells: I'm Dennis Vowells and I live in the Audubon Estates Subdivision. I really didn't want to get up here and speak tonight, to tell you the truth, because I already spoke my peace. If there is a heavy traffic flow on Fuquay...I haven't done any surveys on that or anything, but if you divert the traffic and remove the barricade then in essence you are increasing the traffic flow in a heavily populated residential area and I can't see doing that because somebody could get hurt from that. You know, more accidents or something. So it would look like to me the biggest problem is Fuquay and either doing something with that road or something else, but if you divert it into a heavily populated residential area that just doesn't make any sense to me at all. 

President Jerrel: Actually, the Ridgeway traffic is not as heavy as some of the other traffic. We had the traffic count done.

Dennis Vowells: Well, I know, but if you have heavy traffic on Fuquay, right, which goes to Pollack.

President Jerrel: Well, we have westbound and eastbound Fuquay.

Dennis Vowells: Okay.

President Jerrel: Both of them.

Dennis Vowells: Okay, but what I am saying is if that's heavy and they get...people get a chance to go down Ridgeway and then come up Plaza you're just increasing traffic flow heavier in a thickly populated residential area so to me that doesn't make sense because then you are putting more and more people at risk. Thats one reason I oppose it being opened. That's all I have to say.

President Jerrel: Thank you. Yes. 

Joan Harpe: I am Joan Harpe, contractor with the EVSC. EVSC has two 66 passenger buses going to that point that would have to turn around and they also have a special ed bus that has to go down to that area and turn around. Due to that laying close to the river some mornings you cannot see an inch behind your bus it's that thick, the fog is. Anytime a late straggler comes along you know what will happen if a child isn't seen and he is hurrying to get to the bus, but they have a total of three if not four.

President Jerrel: Okay, thank you. Gene, did you have a comment? 

Gene VanStone: Gene VanStone. I addressed a letter to each one of the Commission so you've had a chance to read that letter. One concern that hasn't been mentioned that I think needs to be looked at and that is the area which currently is in fields. I haven't surveyed how many children are in the area nor how many homes, but I suspect there is probably 200 homes in the immediate area. If by chance some of that area could be set aside, perhaps purchased by the county, for a playground area that is something that I would like to see developed within my lifetime other than just more subdivisions with houses crammed together. That's all I had to say.

President Jerrel: You need to make that recommendation when and if anything happens to the property.

Gene VanStone: I will.

Connie Vowells: My name is Connie Vowells and I live on Plaza Drive and once again I would like to stress the concept of if you do pave that grassy area be ready for a dragstrip through there because again kids do loiter out there and you really should check into the number count of how many times the sheriff has been called out there because it has been quite a few. We've called several times and the 80 year old lady across the street has called.

President Jerrel: Well, we'll have the sheriff out there.

Connie Vowells: Yes, and between...I'll tell you what times. Anywhere from 9:00 to 10:00. About 9:30 they're out there because one night I was on my patio and again the barricades, you know, the construction deals were out there and they were out there whistling and clapping. They just wanted me to know that they were out there and, you know, I didn't call the police at that time, but, again, if it is paved, you know, the kids will be out there making nothing but a dragstrip of that area. 

President Jerrel: Well, it's the Sheriff Department's responsibility to see that doesn't happen.

Connie Vowells: Okay, let's hope so. 

President Jerrel: Okay, thank you. Is there any additional information?

Commissioner Mourdock: I don't know that this is additional information, but I don't know that there is any time more difficult to be on this Board than when you have two groups of neighbors who come in here who are so perfectly opposed to one another and who express it both sides for very good reason. It certainly ought to cause all of you to wonder why anybody would run for these offices. At least it seems once a year I get to quote a phrase my grandmother told me which is there are two things you almost never live to see, your greatest hopes and your worst fears. I think this is probably one of those situations. I know not too many months ago we had another situation up off Heckel Road where we had this same exact same situation. It came to mind when Mrs. Vowells a moment ago spoke of a dragstrip because there was concern if it was opened up there would be a dragstrip. It was opened up and I said something to the Sheriff the other day about it and they've been out there a bunch and they haven't had any problem. The problem that used to be there, because the kids could back up to a dead-end road and take off, isn't there any more because now the road is connected. However, having said that I can also appreciate those of you who are opposed to opening this simply from the point of view it is changing your neighborhood somewhat. Listening to both sides I have to tell you I am somewhat in the middle, but when I'm in the middle I try to be consistent and review the words of our technical experts because those of us who are elected to do this don't know every aspect. I have a page in front of me that John spoke from a minute ago. We have the Executive Director of the Area Plan Commission saying that this was the plan all along. We have the head of EUTS saying she has looked at the traffic and doesn't feel there would be any major changes in traffic. Certainly the safety and health aspects that Knight Township Volunteer Fire Department sent to us. There are several comments here about the buses. I think we need to go ahead and connect, so at this point I'll move that we direct the County Engineer and the County Garage to pave that section of Ridgeway.

President Jerrel: Is it the County Garage or a contractor?

Commissioner Tuley: It's a contractor, isn't it?

Commissioner Mourdock: Is it a contractor? Well, that we move to direct the County Engineer to continue on the present course of connecting the road.

Commissioner Tuley: Yeah, just real quick. I agree. When you get in a situation like this where we can almost watch the room divide as they come in here it puts us in a real awkward position and each of you have raised valid reasons and good comments about why it should or should not be opened, but I think Commissioner Mourdock summed it up pretty good. We've got to rely on the people that...traffic planners and the fire department and people like that. There is a couple of different kind of safety issues depending on how you want to look at it. I have to agree with your recommendation and I'll second your motion.

President Jerrel: Mr. Vowells I--

Dennis Vowells: I have another comment.

President Jerrel: Well, is it new?

Dennis Vowells: Well, it pertains to what we're talking about. 

President Jerrel: Okay, come on because we do need to...we have a zoning meeting. We get to do this again.

Commissioner Mourdock: Lucky us!

Dennis Vowells: I'm Dennis Vowells, like you said. What I want to know is how come this wasn't done three or four years ago?

President Jerrel: Well, it should have been.

Dennis Vowells: What you're voting on right now and then a neighborhood, a certain neighborhood, brings it up and now something is being done. This is what I'm upset about.

President Jerrel: Well, you're upset because what we've been told is this should of happened when it was built in the first place. Now we didn't know that it hadn't happened. I mean, most of us don't come out there and when the issue was raised and we researched it it was discovered that it should have been paved. That's what happened. Maybe Mr. Gregory has helped us because all of this we've weighed on both sides and he has touched on the future and we can at least see to it this information is down in these Boards...new Boards that deal with any new development to help protect all of you in the future. I'll be very happy to come speak on your behalf when and if any development begins in that area. 

Commissioner Mourdock: Let me add one thing quickly to that. This isn't in the form of a motion, but I would ask, Tony, if you would please draft a letter to Sheriff Ellsworth and ask him for at least six months after this is done to schedule and especially at the 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. hours--

President Jerrel: The evening hours.

Commissioner Mourdock: --to schedule some traffic through there to make sure he knows what is going on. Thank you.

Dennis Vowells: There was another thing though. I've just one more comment and I'll be quiet. Now I've done forgot my train of thought. Okay, the action was taken before we were even notified. That angered me more than anything, too.

Commissioner Mourdock: What action was taken?

Dennis Vowells: The barricade was taken away. I think that's totally wrong because you are affecting some other neighborhood. It doesn't matter what neighborhoods were involved, but something was done and the other neighborhood wasn't notified and that's what upsets me a lot, too. So I just wanted to put that point in there. 

President Jerrel: We passed that information on even though that is the county's road and the county is responsible for it and that would include the barricade your point is well taken and we went to the crew that removed them and gave them that information that we didn't want that to happen any more. From what you said last time. 

Dennis Vowells: Okay, thank you.

President Jerrel: There is a motion on the floor and a second and I will say so ordered. Tom, I can guarantee that will be included. Thank you.
 

Consent items

President Jerrel: At this time we're going to have to move pretty quickly because we've got another group coming. I'd like to move through some of the items. Are there questions about the consent items? 

Commissioner Mourdock: We do have one that I found on the desk. 

President Jerrel: One additional from the Health Department and that is included. Do you have any questions, Pat?

Commissioner Tuley: No.

President Jerrel: Is there a motion?

Commissioner Mourdock: With that addition I would move approval of the consent items as filed.

Commissioner Tuley: Second.

President Jerrel: Second and I'll say so ordered.
 

Old business

President Jerrel: Is there any old business? I'm going to get everything...I'm going to go back up and get John Stoll. Do you have any old business?

Commissioner Tuley: No.

President Jerrel: You have new business.

Commissioner Mourdock: Oh, yeah.

President Jerrel: No old business.
 

John Stoll - County Engineer

President Jerrel: Okay, John Stoll. Sorry to rush you, but I'm trying to--

John Stoll: No problem. The first two items I've got are storm sewer acceptances for two subdivisions. One is for Breckenridge Subdivision Sections 1 and 2. This is for 1,941 linear feet of storm sewer outside the right-of-way. The developer has submitted a check for $3,882 for the $2.00 per foot maintenance fee. On the basis of that plus the fact that we've inspected this as construction progressed and everything was put in according to plan I would recommend the county accept these storm sewers.

Commissioner Mourdock: So moved.

Commissioner Tuley: Second.

President Jerrel: So ordered.

John Stoll: Also the same is true for The Seasons Subdivision. There is $1,672 that was submitted for 836 linear feet of storm sewer. Here again, the inspectors were present on the job and with a few changes that were requested the contractor has complied with everything that we had asked and it is recommended that these storm sewers in The Seasons be accepted for maintenance as well. 

Commissioner Mourdock: So moved.

Commissioner Tuley: Second.

President Jerrel: So ordered. Thank you. 

John Stoll: Next I've got a right-of-way dedication out in front of the new Matrixx building out on Highway 41 just north of PPG. After only a year and a half. The dedication covers just the portion in front of the Matrixx side. It does not cover the Southern Indiana Properties' right-of-way as of yet. There is another agreement pending that should be resolved here shortly, but Joe has reviewed this. I've reviewed this and it is recommended that this right-of-way be accepted by the county.

Commissioner Mourdock: And what are we lacking still, John? What did you say?

John Stoll: We still don't have the agreement with SIPI for the dedication of their right-of-way.

Commissioner Mourdock: But this takes care of everything we need from Matrixx?

John Stoll: Correct.

Joe Harrison, Jr.: Yes. 

Commissioner Mourdock: Great, okay. I'll move acceptance of the dedication.

Commissioner Tuley: Second.

President Jerrel: So ordered.

Joe Harrison, Jr.: We'll have to record that as well after it is signed. Maybe John or Charlene can get it signed. Then we are waiting for SIPI. They're apparently still surveying and hopefully we'll have something in the next day or two on the legal on the other dedication to the county from them.

John Stoll: Right. The final item I've got is a change order on the contract number VC99-05-01, the Old Henderson Road culvert installation. This is the change order for a decrease of $1,195. It's recommended that this be approved.

Commissioner Mourdock: So moved.

President Jerrel: We don't get those very often.

Commissioner Tuley: Second.

President Jerrel: So ordered.

Commissioner Mourdock: No, we don't get those very often. 

John Stoll: That's all I have unless you've got any questions. 

Commissioner Mourdock: One quick question. I got a call on Hillsdale, US 41 on the west side of Hillsdale. The vegetation has grown up in the state's right-of-way there where that view of the railroad is really obstructed. Could you give the state a call and see if they can get that out of there, please? 

John Stoll: Sure.
 

Joe Harrison, Jr. - County Attorney

President Jerrel: County Attorney.

Joe Harrison, Jr.: The only thing I have, several weeks ago the Commissioners entered into the amended memorandum of understanding with the Building Authority and one of the headings, and it was number 12, talked about the additional rentals to be paid by the county to the Building Authority. The heading states:

Commissioner Mourdock: So do you need a motion to formally amend it?

Suzanne Crouch: Yes.

Joe Harrison, Jr.: Well, I don't know about amending, but as far as this body is concerned as far as we know and the Auditor knows that it is additional rentals to be paid just so they will pay what needs to be paid this year. It will help them.

President Jerrel: Alright, is there a motion to approve the amendment of the reading to remove everything but the word paid...remove after completion?

Commissioner Mourdock: So moved.

Commissioner Tuley: Second.

President Jerrel: So ordered.

Joe Harrison, Jr.: That's it. Thank you.

President Jerrel: Nothing? You've had a busy week. 
 

Weekly reports

President Jerrel: Okay, new business.

Commissioner Mourdock: Before we do that I move that we accept into the record the other reports from the county departments.

Commissioner Tuley: Second.

President Jerrel: So ordered.
 

New business

Commissioner Mourdock: Now are you ready for new business?

President Jerrel: New business.

Commissioner Mourdock: Okay, I have two items of new business. First we received the Penco loss review study and if it has not already been--

President Jerrel: They've all gotten their copies and everybody has completed everything and we're expecting Penco back in a couple of weeks.

Commissioner Mourdock: Okay, because I would like to see the report after they review those various things.

President Jerrel: Yeah, they've done all of them.

Commissioner Mourdock: The second item under new business deals with the Community Corrections facility. I know there has been some discussions out there relative to what happened with the roof a few weeks back and just generally how the facility, how the County Commission and the Circuit Court and how everyone works together with that facility. I have been made aware as I think both of you have been in the last week about a report from 1994, I believe, and I would like to see us start to pursue that with some discussions to see how we can get a better handle on the overall situation out there. 

President Jerrel: Do you have any comments?

Commissioner Tuley: No, I am familiar with the report you're talking about because I think I'm one of the ones that commissioned it to be done to begin with.

President Jerrel: Yeah, it's excellent. I would like to recommend that we go a little bit further than that however. I think that it would be appropriate to ask our County Attorney to initiate discussion with the County Sheriff who has indicated an interest in taking over that responsibility from the Circuit Court and I think that's a matter of an ordinance and I would like to make a recommendation for you both to consider. 

Commissioner Mourdock: Yeah, okay. You got ahead of me there. The recommendation for the ordinance, and let me be clear. Let me ask the question and make sure it is clarified. In 1990 something we did an ordinance...or this Board did an ordinance delegating powers to the Circuit Court. The process by which any change would occur would be twofold, correct, Joe? It would have to revoke the existing ordinance which would take a published hearing and then to do a new ordinance there would also be a hearing, correct?

Joe Harrison, Jr.: It could be done at the same time.

President Jerrel: One ordinance replaces the other automatically.

Commissioner Mourdock: Okay, but if there is just...if you have simultaneous hearings the revocation and the other would be done simultaneous so that even so--

Joe Harrison, Jr.: You could repeal and amend.

Commissioner Mourdock: --there would be a public hearing and a process of public notice and all that kind of stuff?

Joe Harrison, Jr.: As to the operation of the Community Corrections program?

Commissioner Mourdock: Right.

Joe Harrison, Jr.: Is that what you're saying?

Commissioner Mourdock: Yes, I asked a terrible question.

President Jerrel: The one would be repealed and the new one would be instituted.

Commissioner Tuley: Right.

Commissioner Mourdock: Right, yeah. But the point is it is an ordinance and we need to follow that process, so having said that for the purpose of beginning the process I will follow up with what Bettye Lou said a moment ago that we begin the process to investigate to see how the Sheriff's office might administer the facility. Is that--

Joe Harrison, Jr.: Are you talking about the facility or are you talking about the program?

Commissioner Tuley: The program.

President Jerrel: The program.

Commissioner Mourdock: Well, it is the program and the facility. We have the facility already as far as the building and structure, so it would be the facility and the program.

Commissioner Tuley: That's a motion so I'll second.

Commissioner Mourdock: That was a motion.

President Jerrel: Okay, and I'll say so ordered. Can you get started on that so that we can--

Commissioner Mourdock: And Joe can you give just off the top of your head some idea what the time line might be?

Joe Harrison, Jr.: Assuming the Sheriff is interested in that additional responsibility we will have to negotiate a contract with him and then at the same time begin an ordinance to repeal and amend the current ordinance which delegates the responsibility of operation of the Community Corrections program in the hands of the Circuit Court, that responsibility would go to the Sheriff. Typically, I mean, I could envision that within the next six weeks being completed.

Commissioner Mourdock: The full process?

Joe Harrison, Jr.: The full process.

President Jerrel: So you could have something ready if not next Monday the following Monday?

Joe Harrison, Jr.: Sure assuming the Sheriff is available and interested.

President Jerrel: Okay, any further business to come before this Board?

Commissioner Mourdock: It seems like we skipped something. I guess because we did consent out of order. Okay. No, I have nothing.

President Jerrel: Anything?

Commissioner Tuley: I don't either. We can adjourn and I'll let you guys handle the rezonings if you don't care and I'll go to my other meeting.

President Jerrel: Yeah, right.

Commissioner Mourdock: Okay.

President Jerrel: Okay, is there a motion to adjourn?

Commissioner Mourdock: So moved.

Commissioner Tuley: Second.

President Jerrel: So ordered.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m. 

Those in attendance:
Bettye Lou Jerrel
Richard E. Mourdock
Patrick Tuley
Joe Harrison, Jr.
Suzanne M. Crouch
Charlene Timmons
Tony Greubel
Jerry Bryan
Dan Hoefling
Mark Elpers
Steve Utley
Michael Buente
Sandie Aaron
Brian Williams
Tim Raber
John Stoll
Gary Bush
Louis Williams
Denise Bartholomew
David Oliver
Krista Norvell
Dennis Dugan
Cinda Coomes
Tom Gregory
Dennis Vowells
Gene VanStone
Connie Vowells
Others unidentified
Members of the media
 

Vanderburgh County
Board of Commissioners

Bettye Lou Jerrel, President

Richard E. Mourdock, Vice President

Patrick Tuley, Member
 
 

Recorded and transcribed by Charlene Timmons.