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Board of Commissioners March 22, 1999
President Jerrel: I'd like to call the Vanderburgh County Commissioners' Meeting to order. At this time I would like to introduce the people that you see before you. On my far right is our Superintendent of County Buildings, Tony Greubel, who met the ice last week. Unidentified: Here? President Jerrel: Well, no at home. Everybody that comes
in says, oh, you're lucky it wasn't your right arm except he is left-handed.
Next to him is Joe Harrison, Jr., our County Attorney; to my right is Pat
Tuley, County Commissioner; far left, Charlene Timmons, our Recording Secretary;
Suzanne Crouch, County Auditor; Richard Mourdock, County Commissioner;
and my name is Bettye Lou Jerrel. I would like to ask you to join me in
the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Jerrel: At this time I would like to call for the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting. Commissioner Tuley: I'll move approval of the minutes of the March 15th meeting. President Jerrel: And I'll second and say so ordered.
President Jerrel: The next item is the certification of the Executive Session. We did meet from 4:40 until 5:32 and discussed litigation and personnel matters. Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move approval of those summary minutes. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered.
President Jerrel: The first item on the agenda is the opening of bids for the Hepler Road culvert replacement. Is there a motion to ask the attorney to open those? Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move the opening of bids for VC9903. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered.
President Jerrel: The next items on the agenda, D, E, F and G, are the final hearings for the vacation of easements. Mr. Morley. Commissioner Tuley: Does he need to go through them again since he just went through them? President Jerrel: Are you going to...you're not going to do them? Jim Morley: On the...I'm sorry, I was talking to John. President Jerrel: Okay, we're to you on the agenda. Jim Morley: Okay. We have the vacation of the roadways, is that...? President Jerrel: Yes. Jim Morley: Okay. President Jerrel: That's the final hearing of vacation of easements. This is a public hearing and it's the final hearing and we can do them one at a time. Joe Harrison, Jr.: Yes. Jim Morley: Okay. President Jerrel: The first one is the five foot public utility easement. Jim Morley: At the last meeting we talked about that five foot public utility easement which lies along the north side of University Drive extended. That portion has not been built. That would be relocated to allow room for the Lowe's Store. President Jerrel: Again, is there anyone here that would like to speak to this issue? Anyone that has any questions concerning this? Hearing none, are there questions from the Board? Is there a motion? Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move approval on final reading the vacation of an easement for a five foot public utility easement lying adjacent to and north of the platted right-of-way of University Drive located in Expressway Commercial Subdivision, Section 1A and 1B. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: And I'll call for a roll call vote. Commissioner Tuley? Commissioner Tuley: Yes. President Jerrel: Commissioner Mourdock? Commissioner Mourdock: Yes. President Jerrel: And I vote yes. The next item is the final hearing on the Jones Road right-of-way. Jim Morley: Jones Road is an old roadway that was recorded on some very old deed records. It was never opened as a road and it was created by some old deeds some 30 foot wide, 15 feet on this property and 15 feet on the adjoining property to the north. We're requesting that 15 feet on the property proposed for the Lowe's Store be vacated. Portions of Jones Road have already previously been vacated. The vacation of Jones Road will not interfere with any existing driveways of adjacent property to the north. President Jerrel: Again, is there anyone here that would like to speak to this final approval on the easement? Are there any questions from the Commissioners? Hearing none, is there a motion? Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move on final hearing the vacation of an easement for a public right-of-way the south 15 feet of the Jones Road roadway easement located along the north line of Expressway Commercial Subdivision, Section 1A. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: I'll call for a roll call vote. Commissioner Tuley? Commissioner Tuley: Yes. President Jerrel: Commissioner Mourdock? Commissioner Mourdock: Yes. President Jerrel: And I vote yes. The next is the public right-of-way at University Drive. Jim Morley: University Drive had been platted for across some six lots to the west of where it was originally built to which was alongside the Circle S Mart. Those lots will not now be divided up. It will all be one large parcel and that portion of University Drive would run right into the proposed Lowe's Store. No pavement is there existing and the traffic of University Drive would be not only interconnected with the parking lot of the proposed Lowe's Store, but also interconnected with Weston Road to the south. President Jerrel: Again, is there anyone here that would like to speak to this vacation of the easement on University Drive? Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move approval on final hearing of the vacation of the easement for public right-of-way of University Drive located in Expressway Commercial Subdivision, Section 1A and 1B. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: I''ll call for the roll call vote. Commissioner Tuley? Commissioner Tuley: Yes. President Jerrel: Commissioner Mourdock? Commissioner Mourdock: Yes. President Jerrel: And I vote yes. The last is the ten and a half foot public utility drainage easement. Jim Morley: The ten and a half public utility drainage easement runs from the north side of the Fairfield Inn down into the location of the proposed Lowe's Store. There is no storm sewer or drainage swale in this easement at all. The sewer, the storm sewer serving the Fairfield Inn was routed through the center of the site and along the north side of Weston Road to service this area. This sewer easement is no longer needed and it is necessary to vacate it in order to make way for the proposed Lowe's Store. President Jerrel: Is there anyone that wishes to speak to this easement vacation? Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move on final hearing the vacation of an easement for public right-of-way, the ten and a half foot public utility and drainage easement that runs from the north line of the Fairfield Inn north to the extended north right-of-way line of University Drive. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: I'll call for a roll call vote. Commissioner Tuley? Commissioner Tuley: Yes. President Jerrel: Commissioner Mourdock? Commissioner Mourdock: Yes. President Jerrel: And I vote yes. Thank you.
President Jerrel: Moving on, Tony, what is this City Council? This is their appointment and we have to-- Tony Greubel: Well, their nomination and then we actually appoint them. President Jerrel: Their nomination to us, okay. Joe Harrison, Jr.: Yeah. President Jerrel: Is there a motion to approve this? Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move that we appoint Mr. Michael Malone to the Vanderburgh County Economic Development Commission as nominated by the City Council. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered.
President Jerrel: The next item is the County Auditor, permission to advertise for title search services. Commissioner Mourdock: Before we go to that, just for reference that prior appointment was for a four year term. President Jerrel: Right. Commissioner Mourdock: Just to put that on the record. I'll move permission to advertise for the title search services. President Jerrel: Okay, and the ads will appear March 26th and April 2nd. Is there-- Commissioner Tuley: Yeah, I'm going to second. The only question I had is this for the Auditor and Treasurer tax sale or is this for this Commissioners' tax sale we're getting ready to do? Joe Harrison, Jr.: It's not for the surplus sale. Suzanne Crouch: No, it's for the Commissioners. Commissioner Tuley: It is for the Commissioners? Charlene Timmons: Well, no it's for title search services. Tony Greubel: I think these are the properties that didn't...these aren't for sale in May, but they went...these were not sold at the tax sale in February and we'll go ahead...we'll probably sell them next year, but it takes a few months to get the title searches done. Commissioner Tuley: So they can go back for the B sale or whatever they call it. President Jerrel: We were advertising for services for better prices. Joe Harrison, Jr.: Yeah, this is not for the May sale. Commissioner Tuley: Okay, that's fine. I just didnt know what it was. Okay, I''l second. President Jerrel: I'll say so ordered.
President Jerrel: The next item is a carryover from last week and in your packet there are some contracts that are for the Xerox copy machine contract. Jerry Bryan: Bettye, Joe asked me to summarize this contract. President Jerrel: Okay. Jerry Bryan: Summarize this deal for Sandy. I have done that. President Jerrel: Thank you. For your just overall information Marsha Abell has two that she is going to let go back because they don't...they just simply will not copy more than a couple at a time if that and she would like to lease a machine that was able to turn out, you know, a much larger quantity and she'll pay for it out of her (inaudible) money or whatever it is called. Jerry Bryan: Sandy Rust asked me to summarize these three proposals between Xerox, Ikon and Data Business. You basically have a two for one deal here. We're going to propose to lease two copiers and I've talked to the Xerox people. Of course, they are excited about the possibility of using two of their copiers. They waived the maintenance agreements on the first Xerox 5820 and if you put the two together, Bettye, this is an excellent deal for the county. You're talking about $1,300 a month, roughly $15,000 a year. They are the low bidder. Joe, there is an escape clause in there. It's a month-to-month renewal and there is a 30 day clause should we decide to cancel. Standard. President Jerrel: Okay, and she could not enter into the contract so they're asking us to. Commissioner Tuley: Right. President Jerrel: But she will pay for it. So your recommendation is the Xerox? Jerry Bryan: Yes, ma'am. President Jerrel: Okay, is there a motion? Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move approval as recommended. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. Jerry Bryan: Thank you. Joe Harrison, Jr.: Will you submit...did you submit that into the record, your recommendation? Jerry Bryan: Yes. Joe Harrison, Jr.: Thank you. Commissioner Mourdock: Did you get one, Charlene. President Jerrel: Okay.
President Jerrel: Are you...you're not ready yet? Joe Harrison, Jr.: Not yet. President Jerrel: At this time is there anyone here that
wishes to speak to the Board?
President Jerrel: Hearing none, I'm going to move on to the County Engineer. John Stoll: First I would like to request approval to hire Dave Savage to do some signal design work for the intersection of Fulton Avenue and Diamond Avenue. The plans as they were drawn show a wood utility pole to be relocated by others. That wood utility pole is a signal pole and it wasn't addressed in the plans, so we need to get a signal modification drawn up and submitted to INDOT to get that taken care of. It's not critical time wise as of yet to get this done simply because even if we get good bids tomorrow the contractor probably won't get going for a month, so we can get this resolved, but Dave Savage has told me that he estimated the cost of that would be around $2,000 so I would like to get an approval to get a purchase order with him to do those signal design changes. President Jerrel: Is there a motion to that effect? Commissioner Mourdock: Just to clarify with a question and I understand this is a professional services type thing so we don't have to put it out to bid. John Stoll: Right. Commissioner Mourdock: But I have to ask the question are there other engineering groups around who might look at this or who have that expertise, I guess is a better way to say it? John Stoll: They have that expertise. It's just that this is already set up in the agreement with the Traffic Department. He has rates established in his agreement with the City/County Traffic Department that gives us a pretty good rate on these types of projects. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay. John Stoll: I didn't shop prices around, but this is the same manner that we handled the St. Joe and Allens signal. Commissioner Mourdock: Right. I'll move approval as recommended. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. John Stoll: Next I've got some street plans for Baseline Park Subdivision. This is located at the southeast corner of Baseline and 41. Those plans call for the widening of Baseline Road east of 41. This will run past the subdivision street, Neeley Street. This will provide three lane cross section on Baseline as it approaches 41 and it also provides a three lane road on Neeley as it runs into the subdivision. The subdivision streets themselves will be curb and gutter streets and we've reviewed the plans and would recommend that they be approved. They pick up this left turn lane on 41 and then provide shared through and right turn lanes. Commissioner Mourdock: I don't think there is any implication here, but since we did vote this as an impacted drainage area does that add anything? I mean, is there anything we need to look at differently there? John Stoll: Not that I am aware of. I believe it has got its drainage improvements taken care of already. Commissioner Mourdock: But the road doesn't enter into it? This is the one where Azteca is right here, right? President Jerrel: Right. No, this looks like it's going to be a very productive change. John Stoll: Yeah, this isn't a mirror image of what we built for Azteca, but it is real close. President Jerrel: Right. Commissioner Tuley: Did we do something with easements along there, too, on this fence or something? John Stoll: Yeah, they've got an encroachment to allow that fence to be in the Boyle Lane right-of-way and then farther the Boyle Lane right-of-way has been vacated. Commissioner Mourdock: Does this...well, you're only asking about this section. President Jerrel: Uh-huh. Commissioner Mourdock: This still fits with our overall plan we approved previously? John Stoll: Yeah, we've got streets that will eventually extend and run straight south to the south property line to provide a future frontage road paralleling 41 and then this street is just to provide access to the abutting property there. President Jerrel: Yeah, I think this is...I think this actually even sitting back probably is a good idea. John Stoll: Yeah, it gives us a little more room to stack up some traffic. President Jerrel: That's right. Commissioner Mourdock: Yeah. President Jerrel: Yeah, I think it looks like a good plan. Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move approval then for the street plan for...what's it called? Commissioner Tuley: Baseline Park. Commissioner Mourdock: Baseline Park Subdivision. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. Commissioner Mourdock: Is this the first one, John, that has been built according to the plan since we implemented that plan? I think it is. I should of made the motion with a bit of gleefulness in my voice. President Jerrel: Yeah, I thought you should. John Stoll: The next item I've got is also a street plan approval request. This is for Winstead Place Subdivision. This is located off of Hogue between Red Bank and Rosenberger on the north side of Hogue. This is the extension of a street that was already constructed in that subdivision. This is a cul-de-sac that runs east off of the main street in that sub and it has been modified. It used to be a longer street, but they've shortened it and they've cut down the number of lots that will be out there in that sub. President Jerrel: Could you walk over and point to us the extension and where it is and where it is going. John Stoll: Sorry I didn't bring an overall plan. The main entrance of the subdivision lies over in this area. This is one lot in depth all through here. You come in off Hogue in this area and this cul-de-sac just comes straight off of the main street within that subdivision. President Jerrel: Is this the affected cul-de-sac? John Stoll: Yeah, it used to come in and turn and run to the north. President Jerrel: Oh, okay. John Stoll: They had quite a few more lots in here, but they've shortened it and just provided three large lots and then a couple of smaller lots out front. President Jerrel: Okay. John Stoll: They are going to cut this embankment back again. On the first phase of this subdivision they pulled that embankment back along Hogue Road to improve the sight distance for people exiting out that main street. Commissioner Tuley: Where that house is going right up there on the entrance? John Stoll: Yeah. We're asking that they regrade that embankment in this area as well so that way it will help their line of sight because this goes down a hill and around the curve there on Hogue so it should help out. President Jerrel: Uh-huh. Is there a motion? Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move approval of the modification of the Winstead Subdivision as recommended. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. John Stoll: Next I would like to request that we get an additional $85,000 in the account for the Futrell site to do some additional cleanup on that site. It appears that there is up to around 3,000 tons more of trash that's going to need to be hauled off out there. I think with an additional $85,000 the cleanup should be able to be completed. President Jerrel: Is there a motion to that effect? Commissioner Mourdock: Um, I'll move that we approve the change order and I don't know quite how to do this conditionally, but the money that is funding that cleanup now is coming from the Solid Waste District, or part of the money actually. I certainly think that the Solid Waste District Board ought to continue the funding. We went into this project realizing that this was always a possibility hoping it wouldn't be. We discussed that at several meetings, but I think it is in everybody's interest, certainly it is in the people that live around Carpenter Creek interest to make sure we do get that cleaned up out there. So we can't do the project halfway, so having said that with the intention of getting the money back from Solid Waste I'll move that we go ahead with that funding. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: I'll say so ordered and I'll follow up on...we have an infrastructure account we can use and then we can make the appropriate motion at the next Solid Waste District Board. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay. President Jerrel: That they return the funding to the county. This way it can get done right away. Commissioner Mourdock: And I would note Bill Smith from Darmstadt is in the back row there so before he gets away maybe we can tie him up, wrestle him to the ground and just take a look at Tony's arm if you don't want to agree with it! John Stoll: Next I've got a roadway right-of-way grant for Virginia Street. This is for all of Virginia Street right-of-way across the Cross Pointe property. This does not include the 400 foot stretch between Cross Pointe and Gershman's property, but this does provide the right-of-way to replace the right-of-way that was vacated a couple of weeks ago. President Jerrel: You need a motion to accept? John Stoll: Yes. Commissioner Mourdock: So moved. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. Are we making progress on the 400 feet? John Stoll: That's the way I understand it. President Jerrel: Okay, I'm getting a yes back there. John Stoll: I was going to say, Jim Morley told me that was in the works. President Jerrel: Good, good. Jim Morley: From the attorney...from Haase, from that attorney we have had the word that they have approved but we have not yet received any documents and today I got an e-mail from Jim McKinney that he sent to the attorney telling him that he was still waiting for the documents. President Jerrel: Okay. Jim Morley: So it's very optimistic. President Jerrel: Good. John Stoll: Next I've got a copy of the signal warrant study that was done by Morley and Associates for University Drive and Red Bank Road. This study indicates that a traffic signal will be warranted when Lowe's goes in out there off the west end of University Drive. The question becomes if it is warranted should we go ahead and put the signal up. As it stands now Lowe's is willing to fund the signal and pay for some road improvements in conjunction with the signal installation. This is what I am talking about here. Commissioner Mourdock: Let me ask you, John, with the warrant as you call it, or I guess actually the state calls it, is there any way that we can say no when the study warrants that this thing be there? John Stoll: I guess for all practical purposes from the liability side of things probably not. You have to find a way to either eliminate the warrant or put the signal up. Commissioner Mourdock: But to eliminate the warrant means that the traffic count wouldn't be what is projected. That's the only way you can eliminate the warrant. John Stoll: Right, which if you ran a median through that intersection or something like that-- Commissioner Mourdock: Oh, sure. John Stoll: --then you could eliminate the warrant, but that's not really practical. So there are ways to do it but some of them aren't that feasible. Commissioner Tuley: Not that I am a big proponent of stop signs, but I pass through there and without that Lowe's I think you could probably justify the need for that warrant...I mean the need for that signal. Commissioner Mourdock: Yeah. President Jerrel: Even without Lowe's? Commissioner Tuley: It would be close. Commissioner Mourdock: I know people will doubt this, I kind of doubted it when I heard it said firsthand and you were there that night, Pat, with the Westside Improvement Association, the folks there saying, yeah, we need a stop light there. Commissioner Tuley: Yeah. Commissioner Mourdock: I mean, it's not often you hear that. President Jerrel: Okay, is there a motion concerning the acceptance of this? Is that what we're being ask to do? John Stoll: Right, I guess the developer and his engineer are asking whether or not the county would be willing to pursue this if the signal is warranted and I've got a couple of questions I want to get resolved with Morley's office regarding this traffic study, but I don't think it is going to affect the warrant one way or the other. I think this will still show it is warranted, so I guess the question is will the county be willing to allow the signal to go in if it is warranted with Lowe's paying for the signal and with Lowe's paying for the improvements on Red Bank Road and on University Drive. Commissioner Mourdock: If this isn't appropriate stop me, John, but I'll move at this time that we direct the County Engineer to enter into discussions with the idea that the developer would be doing the cost of those improvements as just mentioned. Joe Harrison, Jr.: And the signal. Commissioner Mourdock: And the signal, well, yeah, that was part of the improvement. Commissioner Tuley: And that's what you need? John Stoll: Right. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: And I'll say so ordered. John Stoll: These plans will come back to you as approval for the design plans at a later date once we get all these issues resolved, so you will get the opportunity to see this and review it again. Commissioner Tuley: Counsel's advice is we probably ought to go ahead and just put the motion on the floor that gives them approval to put the signal there subject to them working out John's questions and I'll so move at this time. Commissioner Mourdock: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. John Stoll: Next on the Daylight sewer I said last week I was going to check with a few more people regarding the question of safety violations out there and I spoke with Richard Meyer who is the permit inspector for INDOT and he said there were no safety problems that he was aware of. He said that the only issue that even remotely involved safety that he had discussed with the workers out there was parking their vehicles off the state right-of-way. Beyond that he said he wasn't aware of any safety concerns of any kind on that project. Don Adler of Three I Engineering checked with his inspectors and he said that they have not seen any unsafe construction going on on that project and then I spoke with John Sunderman of Peters Contracting regarding any safety problems. He said that they're following all the OSHA trench regulations and they have used a trench box on the gravity sewer but not for the force main because the force main is not as deep. He said that they have installed sheeting on all the lift station construction so that has not been a problem. He said they haven't had any OSHA inspections on this project, but on their last OSHA inspection in Gentryville about three months ago there were no violations that were cited for that project. In regard to job applications he said their standard practice has been to accept applications at their Owensboro site, at their Owensboro office and not on the job sites themselves. He said that although they don't have employees from Indiana working on this project he said they do have employees from Indiana working for Peters Contracting. So I'm getting all those things resolved. We got some certified payroll reports sent to us today and we're checking through those before we issue the next invoice for payment, so I think we pretty much got everything addressed. President Jerrel: You're looking now for the prevailing wage? John Stoll: Right. President Jerrel: Making sure they are paying that, okay. Are there any other questions? Commissioner Mourdock: Thanks for looking into that, John. John Stoll: No problem. I've just got one other additional item. A couple of weeks ago you approved Dave Franklin to go to a hazardous bridge coating class in Greenfield, Indiana and that has been canceled, so I just wanted to let you know that he won't be attending that. That's all I have. President Jerrel: One comment before you leave. If you could do a little bit of a projection more than just the conversation we've had, I would like to get permission from the Commissioners to let me go on Council Call for some potential road funding for Mount Pleasant Road. John Stoll: Okay. President Jerrel: Before I can do that I need to have some numbers from you. John Stoll: Okay. President Jerrel: I'd like to have permission. Commissioner Tuley: Oh, permission to approach the Council for funding? President Jerrel: Yeah, uh-huh. Commissioner Tuley: I'll so move. Commissioner Mourdock: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. Commissioner Mourdock: I thought you were asking to get the numbers from John first, so that's the only reason I hesitated. President Jerrel: It may happen before a meeting takes place, so I need to be able to get the information in. Commissioner Tuley: John, were you able to get with the Jones brothers? John Stoll: We mailed them a copy of that. Commissioner Tuley: Okay. John Stoll: I thought they were going to come by and pick it up last Friday, but they asked us to mail it so they've got that, they're got the original cost estimate, they've got some of the right-of-way information that showed that we only could find 20 feet of right-of-way. They got a copy of the map showing the limits of what we thought it would need to be raised which was approximately 1,100 feet. Commissioner Tuley: Okay, Ward Road, we're looking hopefully maybe this week? John Stoll: Probably next week. Commissioner Tuley: Next week. Can you contact...I don't remember who got that contract. John Stoll: Biggerstaff, BMB. Commissioner Tuley: Biggerstaff and have him be sure and let you know when they're going to start so you can coordinate that with Erik and his crews? John Stoll: Sure. President Jerrel: I have a question about this and maybe if I read it more carefully I'll be able to understand it. What is...you don't take into consideration on the third cost estimate using the dirt provided by the Jones? That's the dirt, but we provide labor. John Stoll: Actually a contractor would provide the labor. If you look on there there is a $4 per cubic yard charge for the borrow. President Jerrel: Uh-huh. John Stoll: And that's the price that a contractor gave me if they had to haul and compact the fill in place. President Jerrel: Okay. John Stoll: They basically would just go get it and compact it, but they wouldn't provide it as well. So that does include the cost to place that dirt. President Jerrel: Okay, because you were concerned about them not being able...the Garage wouldn't have the capacity to-- John Stoll: Right. President Jerrel: --compact that. Commissioner Mourdock: I read the minutes from last week's meeting. Is that something that has been developed since then? I didn't see this in the packets. President Jerrel: No, I hadn't looked at it either. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay. Commissioner Tuley: You guys don't have it? Commissioner Mourdock: No, I don't have it. Is this something you just developed, John? John Stoll: Yeah, I just faxed it over here last Friday. Thursday or Friday, I can't remember which. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay, it didn't make it in my packet. President Jerrel: I don't have it either. Commissioner Mourdock: So the bottom line to all this looking at these numbers-- John Stoll: Free dirt is not so cheap! Commissioner Mourdock: Well said, yeah. So even with the free dirt you're at $60,000. John Stoll: Right. Those numbers could still change because nobody has done a detailed survey. That was based on assumed cross sections, but they're going to be in the ballpark. Commissioner Mourdock: Yeah, and the question based on at least the minutes I read, you're still waiting to hear back from them as far as how many people are going to be affected, is that right? Commissioner Tuley: Yeah. I mean, the night they were here they had a few people and I guess the concern I had was they said some of these people lived down there. Commissioner Mourdock: Yeah, I got the drift from the minutes that they live in the area, but I think I kind of read between the lines you were trying to ask them if, in fact, they really would be affected. Obviously it's hard to see a head count here, but reading between the lines was it your impression that not many were affected even though they live down there? President Jerrel: Could be three. Commissioner Tuley: Yeah, that's a pretty good read. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay. President Jerrel: Three people. John Stoll: I have not contacted Gary Kercher who the Jones said they had spoken with regarding the design of this, but from talking to Jerald Jones it was my understanding he was going to take whatever data we had and discuss it with some of his former students who may work in this type of area and see if they see any areas where we can cut costs or see anything that we had wrong in our data. I'm comfortable that's going to be in the ballpark whether it turns out to be $60,000 or $50,000 or what it is still going to be in the ballpark. President Jerrel: Okay, is that all? John Stoll: Yeah. President Jerrel: Okay, thank you.
President Jerrel: County Garage. Erik Bentle: You've got my work schedule for this week I turned in. We're in the process right now of running a complete inventory of the garage from top to bottom and I gave them a target date to have this finished by the third week of next month so we can have it in the minutes the last meeting of the month. President Jerrel: Good. Erik Bentle: So hopefully everything will go okay and we can get this done and get everything rolling again. President Jerrel: You and who else...who will be going to the Road School? Erik Bentle: Me and Stan Lutz. President Jerrel: Okay. Commissioner Mourdock: Erik, in last week's minutes I noticed that you had a thing in there again about ditching and trying to do some things to be more efficient with the ditching. Several months back, maybe as many as five months back, there was some comment or interest in checking out a piece of equipment that is basically a hydraulically driven-- Erik Bentle: Ditching machine. Commissioner Mourdock: --ditching machine. Erik Bentle: It was in the paper I gave to you for my goals. Commissioner Mourdock: Right, exactly. Have you checked one of those out? Erik Bentle: Yeah. Commissioner Mourdock: Have you seen one operate? Erik Bentle: I went up here to Gibson County, it has been a couple of months ago, and seen the one they use up there. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay. Erik Bentle: They use it year round. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay. Erik Bentle: They really do a good job. Commissioner Mourdock: I was in the hinterlands of Wabash County, Illinois a couple of weeks ago and they were out using theirs as well, so my point is I don't think there is any substitute for talking to the people that have them and use them so if you would call the Wabash County, Illinois Highway Department and see what their maintenance has been. Erik Bentle: Yeah, I've called several highway departments and all of them that I've talked to have at least two of them that they run just about year round. They've went from using gradalls like we do now where you can do probably on a good day a half mile of ditch line. With that ditch machine you can run anywhere from four to six miles a day. Commissioner Mourdock: The only question that raises in my mind is if we're going to do that are we going to get rid of a gradall? Erik Bentle: No, uh-huh. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay, and I heard you say a couple of weeks ago that you were looking to try to find enough ditching to do. Erik Bentle: We have found that! We had a very big turnout on that. The paper really did a number on us, so we've got it. President Jerrel: One of our gradalls is probably in its declining years. Erik Bentle: It's beyond its declining years. President Jerrel: One of them is in good shape, but the other one is-- Erik Bentle: The older one that we have now has a problem with the spindle in the back that the whole thing pivots on and to repair that to get it back up to shape is going to run about $45,000. Commissioner Mourdock: Is it the ring gears that's bad? Is it the ring gear? Erik Bentle: Yeah, it's where that all spins back there. Commissioner Mourdock: Yeah. Erik Bentle: The whole weld all the way around it is all broke. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay. Erik Bentle: So it is getting to a point where we are going to have to sideline it or think of another piece of equipment. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay, well, again before we go that route with that other one I would like to talk to you just to make sure we know what we've got cost wise and know that the application is right. Erik Bentle: I've got figures on them all for you, so I just want to make sure I've got everything together before I present it to you. President Jerrel: Is there a chance that we might advertise and sell, you know, that patching...pothole patching machine that you don't use? Erik Bentle: That's something that I was talking to one of the salesman for...can't even think now...gradall equipment and maybe purchasing an excavator. I've been getting prices on that with a trade-in on the gradall and the pothole patcher together towards that. Commissioner Mourdock: Sometimes with that kind of equipment you can do better just trading it because what they're going to do is the same thing you would otherwise do which is take it to an auction just to try to get rid of it. President Jerrel: Anyway we've got that just sitting there. Erik Bentle: I've just been looking at different angles of trying to get our money out of it. President Jerrel: Okay, well, learn a lot. Erik Bentle: Okay.
President Jerrel: County Attorney. Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move we accept the garage report. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. Are you ready yet? Joe Harrison, Jr.: Yes. I have the bids that came in on
the Hepler Road culvert replacement project. It's VC9903-01. There were
five bids submitted. They are as follows:
I would ask that the Commissioners take these under advisement. Commissioner Mourdock: So moved. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. Commissioner Mourdock: Who was the second bidder, Joe? Joe Harrison, Jr.: Southwest Engineering, Inc., $37,485.50. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay. Joe Harrison, Jr.: That's all I have.
President Jerrel: Okay, Superintendent of County Buildings. Tony Greubel: I talked with Charlie Warren from the Indiana Economic Development Council this afternoon and I asked him if he might be available for a meeting, you know, with local County Commissioners possibly on Thursday, April 8th, maybe at the airport at 5:00 or 5:30. I know that's not a definite time or anything just somehow a time that got made up. I talked with Posey County, Warrick County and Gibson County and each county seems like they are enthusiastic about going forward with this project. Commissioner Mourdock: Great. President Jerrel: Good. Commissioner Mourdock: What do we need to do by way of advertising then for that? Is there anything formal? Tony Greubel: The County Attorney did a draft announcement for me and as soon a I get letters from the other County Attorneys...I've already got a letter from Posey County Attorney saying it's okay to advertise. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay, next week would be the 29th. Can we wait to advertise? Joe Harrison, Jr.: It would be nice if we could get it done this week. President Jerrel: Well, we can give you permission and if you can get the rest of them. Joe Harrison, Jr.: Okay, I think that's fine, but we've just got to make sure. I think we kind of got permission before, but I don't think we had a definite date. If you want to go ahead and do that. Commissioner Mourdock: Let me formally move then that we grant permission to advertise to the County Attorney for the purpose of a meeting of the County Commissioners of Vanderburgh, Posey, Warrick and Gibson counties on April 8th at 5:00 at the airport. Tony Greubel: Yes. Joe Harrison, Jr.: The board room out there. If we could have the Auditor's Office, if they would be so kind to publish that. Charlene Timmons: I would love to do that. President Jerrel: Is there a second? Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. Is that all? Tony Greubel: That's all I have.
President Jerrel: Burdette Park. Steve Craig: Good evening. All I needed to do was go over the recommendations that the Burdette Park Advisory Board had made at their last meeting. You had indicated earlier you wanted to take some time to look at the proposed rates for the year 2000, so we can address them next week at the meeting. The one that I wanted to...I needed the okay on was about the Easter egg hunt and the items they would like us to donate as our part of being the three people in it. They've already been running, but in exchange we get 60 tv ads and 60 radio ads. President Jerrel: That was good advertising. Steve Craig: Yeah, it is. All we've got to do is give them the field for the eggs and to donate the passes. President Jerrel: Is that something that one of you could make a motion to approve? Commissioner Tuley: I'm going to so move that the request be granted outlined in the board of recommendations' meeting from March 19th. Commissioner Mourdock: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. Steve Craig: Okay, then they recommend or voted on to accept the proposal that we...attached here for the county employee's picnic that we would give passes out instead of having a certain day that they would be able to come and use them at their convenience. Commissioner Mourdock: Is that a cost neutral thing to the county as far as the park? Steve Craig: Yeah. President Jerrel: Uh-huh. Commissioner Mourdock: So even if people would switch around, trade them, transfer them or whatever that still it's the same cost to us? Steve Craig: Well, we even...well, we're not even going to have a building so probably we are coming out ahead because we went ahead and rented the building that day. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay, I'll move approval of the issuance of passes to county employees as recommended in the Vanderburgh County Steering Committee letter of March 16th. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. Steve Craig: That's all I have. President Jerrel: We'll take the recommended rates under advisement until next week. Is there a motion to do that? Commissioner Tuley: So moved. Commissioner Mourdock: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. Steve Craig: If you guys have any questions on those you can call me at Burdette and I'll explain the thought behind them. Joe, what would be a good time to get hold of you tomorrow? Joe Harrison, Jr.: Probably isn't. I'm not going to be in, but I can talk to you in just a minute if you want to wait a second, is that okay? Steve Craig: I can do that. Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move we accept the Burdette Park maintenance report. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered.
President Jerrel: Okay, in your reports you had Soil & Water District and Ozone Officer reports. Is there a motion to accept those? Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move acceptance of both those reports and also add that there was a letter that Joanne Alexandrovich put together that I read on Saturday and I put it back in the routing packet. President Jerrel: And I brought it to the meeting because I thought it was...I agree with you, I read it and I was going to pass it on to Pat, but it is very well done. Commissioner Mourdock: Yeah. President Jerrel: And it was very interesting. Commissioner Mourdock: As I told her she made it so simple even I could understand it. Pretty complex issues. President Jerrel: Very complex. It was well done. You've heard that motion, is there a second? Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered.
President Jerrel: Consent items. There is a travel for me just one day to go up and back. I may go tomorrow or I may go Thursday. It depends on when they are going to do something up there. Commissioner Mourdock: I'll move approval of the travel request. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. Commissioner Mourdock: Let me...I really should modify that. I'll move approval of the consent items as filed including that travel request. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered.
President Jerrel: Any old business? There is just one thing and I'm going to pass it down. I did get an acknowledgment from FEMA about our insurance rates being reduced because of compliance with the flood mitigation and I would like to have that in the record. Commissioner Mourdock: Okay, I'll move the FEMA letter of March 15th be added to the record. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. Commissioner Mourdock: One, I don't know if this is old or new business, but having been out of town two weeks how did the media day go at The Centre? President Jerrel: Oh, it was good. We had a big crowd and it was very impressive. Commissioner Mourdock: A lot of oohing and aahing? President Jerrel: Oh, yeah, it was. By the way, we should have our Ogden contract maybe next Monday night. Joe Harrison, Jr.: Hopefully. President Jerrel: Okay. Joe Harrison, Jr.: That's what we're shooting for. President Jerrel: Good.
President Jerrel: Any new business? Commissioner Tuley: No. President Jerrel: Hearing none, motion to adjourn. Commissioner Mourdock: So moved. Commissioner Tuley: Second. President Jerrel: So ordered. The meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m. Those in attendance: Bettye Lou Jerrel Richard E. Mourdock Patrick Tuley Joe Harrison, Jr. Suzanne M. Crouch Charlene Timmons Tony Greubel Jim Morley Jerry Bryan John Stoll Erik Bentle Steve Craig Others Unidentified Members of the media
Vanderburgh County
Bettye Lou Jerrel, President
Richard E. Mourdock, Vice President
Patrick Tuley, Member
Recorded and transcribed by Charlene Timmons. |
