VANDERBURGH COUNTY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OCTOBER 16, 2007

The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners met in session this 16^th day of October, 2007 at 3:32 p.m. in room 301 of the Civic Center Complex with President Bill Nix presiding.

President Nix: Good afternoon. I would like to call to order the Board of Commissioners of Vanderburgh County, October 16, 2007. It’s 3:32, and I will start with introductions to my far right.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Ted Ziemer, County Attorney.

Commissioner Korb: Jeff Korb, County Commissioner.

President Nix: Bill Nix, County Commissioner. We’ll do the shadows here in a minute. Go ahead.

Commissioner Tornatta: Troy Tornatta, County Commissioner.

Madelyn Grayson: Madelyn Grayson, Recording Secretary.

Bill Fluty: Bill Fluty, County Auditor.

President Nix: Along with us today we have some shadows here. I would like them to introduce themselves.

Andrew Ritter: Andrew Ritter, Mater Dei High School.

Sarah Krampe: Sarah Krampe, Central High School.

Ellen Scherger: Ellen Scherger, Central High School.

President Nix: Thank you, and welcome. I think we have a couple other students from North High School in the audience today too. Any other students here today? What high school are you from?

Unidentified: North.

President Nix: North? Go Huskies, eh? Okay. Appreciate you all coming today.

Commissioner Tornatta: That’s right.

President Nix: If you would, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

(The Pledge of Allegiance was given.)

President Nix: Our first action item is permission to open quotes VC07-10-01, St. Joe Avenue bridge 1924 installation. I’ll entertain a motion to open the quotes.

Commissioner Tornatta: So moved.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: We’ll move right ahead.

President Nix: The next action item is a proclamation for Memory Walk Day for Alzheimer’s awareness. Mr. Bodkin is here today to address this.

Tom Bodkin: Thank you very much.

President Nix: If you hit that button there you’ll–

Tom Bodkin: Modern machinery. You know, those lawyers won’t mess with it. Thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to address the Commissioners. I get a smirk over here from the lawyer, you see. I have the privilege of being the chairman of the board of the Alzheimer’s Association chapter that serves this part of Indiana, and all of Kentucky, except some counties around Cincinnati. I also have the privilege of serving on the national board of directors of the association. This Sunday at USI the Alzheimer’s Association conducts its annual Memory Walk. We’ll have over 1,000 people there. This is a fundraiser for the association to raise money to fight this disease. I appreciate the opportunity to request a proclamation from you designating that day as Memory Walk Day here in the county. I can tell you that you are joining neighbors in Warrick County, the Commissioners have so declared it to be that day in Warrick County, and the Mayor has done that in the city as well here. We have about 10,000 people in the tri-state that have Alzheimer’s. My mother died of it, that’s why the cause is so passionate for me. Every 72 seconds someone in the United States is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. We have over five and half million people in this country that have Alzheimer’s. There are about five million people in Indiana, so, we have a state full of Alzheimer’s, as it were. If we don’t stop this disease, gentlemen, by the year 2020, 2030, actually, we anticipate some 16 million people with Alzheimer’s disease. The current cost of the federal government is about 90 billion dollars a year. By 2010 that number is predicted, by the Office of Management Budget, to be 190 billion dollars a year. It begins to make the cost of the Iraq war look a little small, quite frankly, as we look at what may happen to us. Unfortunately, we have no cure for Alzheimer’s. In fact, we have no effective treatments, at the moment. There are four drugs that are used today that affect about half of the people they are given to and last about 12 months. So, this is a very real epidemic. I would request your consideration in declaring Sunday, this coming Sunday, Alzheimer’s Walk Day here in this county, so that the people of the county will realize the government is in fact, the local government, in fact, is committed to helping us find, not only a cure, but a way to reach our vision, and that’s a world without Alzheimer’s disease.

President Nix: Okay, before you step away, if you could, what time is it Sunday at USI?

Tom Bodkin: At 2:00 at USI on the campus, at where, and I’ll get in trouble, because I don’t remember the building. It’s what I call the student union, but I went to Bloomington, so, you know, it’s the same thing. Where the old library used to be. That’s where we’ll meet. The walk is one mile. You can run if you want. Most of us don’t, we walk. We simply walk around the campus. We expect a beautiful day. The good Lord smiles on us every Sunday when we do that, and I think it will happen again.

President Nix: Appreciate your time with this, Mr. Bodkin.

Tom Bodkin: Thank you very much.

President Nix: I’ll have Commissioner Tornatta read the proclamation.

Commissioner Tornatta: A proclamation recognizing the Alzheimer’s Association 2007 Memory Walk:

“Whereas, on October 21, 2007, the annual Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter Alzheimer’s Memory Walk will be held at the University of Southern Indiana, and; Whereas, Vanderburgh County is located in the Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter’s territory, and; Whereas, every 72 seconds someone in America is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and; Whereas, over five million Americans have Alzheimer’s and over 500,000 Americans between the age of 30 and 65 have this degenerative memory-robbing form of dementia, and; Whereas, one in eight people over 65 years, and half of those over 85 years old suffer its effects, and; Whereas, in the next three decades 16 million people will have the disease if its not stopped. Therefore, be it proclaimed that Sunday, October 21, 2007 is hereby declared to be Memory Walk Day in Vanderburgh County and all citizens are encouraged to join in the fight to defeat Alzheimer’s disease.”

President Nix: Okay, and that is in the form of a motion?

Commissioner Tornatta: And that’s in the form of a motion.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

Tom Bodkin: Thank you, gentlemen. I appreciate it.

President Nix: If you’ll stick around, I don’t know, do you need this now? I was going to say we’ll go ahead and sign it.

Tom Bodkin: I’ll get it tomorrow.

President Nix: Okay.

Tom Bodkin: That’s okay.

President Nix: Okay, thank you.

Tom Bodkin: Thank you.

President Nix: The next action item is Mr. Andy Schroeder is here today to talk about the tree memorial ground breaking ceremony at Burdette. Good afternoon, Mr. Schroeder.

Andy Schroeder: Good afternoon, Commissioners. Commissioners Korb, Nix and Tornatta. I appreciate you once again welcoming me here for this project. It’s been a long time in coming, but would you like for me to give you a brief synopsis, just so we have it on the record?

President Nix: Please do, so everybody will get caught up then.

Andy Schroeder: Absolutely. In October of 2005, a woman by the name of Jean Cook was killed, shot to death, in an apparent robbery at the store where she was working in northern Vanderburgh County. A short time later, her daughter, Bobbi Jo Cook, came to me, I’m a reporter with the local Fox affiliate, and she asked me could I think of way to come up with some sort of memorial for her. Over the last two years, with a whole lot of help along the way, especially from Steve Craig and all the staff out at Burdette, and all of you sitting here before me, we’ve formulated a tree memorial that will be installed, if you will, along the new USI to Burdette hiking and biking trail, which is set to have its groundbreaking Tuesday, October 30^th. So, coming up very quickly. After that groundbreaking for the trail, we’re going to have a groundbreaking for the Jean Cook Tree Memorial, and I’m here today just to give you a little bit of an update on the progress, where we stand right now. Essentially, we’re just x’ing out days on our calendar at this point, waiting to get to November 1^st at 10:00 a.m. We’ve got some press information that has been prepared. I’ve worked with Steve, and also with the Commissioners staff. Also, Steve has worked with the Commissioners staff to make sure that we’re putting out a document that has all the t’s crossed and i’s dotted. This will go out to all the local media, to let them know, not only to cover the event, but also to advise the citizens of Vanderburgh County on how they can participate in this tree memorial. It’s also, apparently Steve has gotten with his staff as well to make sure that they’re covered, from a few legal angles here, in case we get somebody that plants a tree and the tree gets bag worms and dies or something like that, unfortunate. But, Steve is doing a really good job of covering all those angles, that, I guess, I was kind of the idea man, and he is the realist. Which it’s nice to have somebody help you out like that. So, we’ve got some press information that will be going out prior to today’s meeting, or after today’s meeting. We’re going to get with Matt Arvay to make sure that that information is linked on the Burdette Park website. Fox 7 will also be providing a long term link to the Burdette Park website, so that we can direct folks, and to give them more information. I just wanted to let you know we ran a story on this last week, it was on the two year anniversary of Jean Cook’s murder, and I’ve been inundated with e-mails and requests for more information about this. And was told just a short time ago by Steve that he’s not too happy we put it out there, because his phone has been ringing off the hook. So, there is a whole lot of interest on this project. I want to take this opportunity, as I will several in the future, I’m sure, to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this possible. I know for Bobbi Jo, who cannot be here today, but will be here November 1^st, she thanks you immensely for making this a reality. I’m sure the citizens of Vanderburgh County are going to enjoy this long after we’re all gone.

President Nix: Mr. Schroeder, or Mr. Craig maybe, just explain just in 30 seconds or so what’s involved here, as far as if a person wanted to plant a tree and a memorial to someone.

Andy Schroeder: Absolutely, and jump on in if I say anything incorrect. What we’ve got going here is there’s about eight tenths of a mile is constructed so far, right?

Steve Craig: Six tenths.

Andy Schroeder: Six tenths of a mile is constructed so far. Several trees were removed in the construction of the trail. So, there’s an opportunity install several trees. The county was looking for a way to do it at low cost, and this is an opportunity to invite folks in, and they can sort of supply the trees, Burdette will supply the labor. You have two options. Steve has a lot of contacts, obviously, in the tree propagation industry, so, for a minimum $50 donation to Burdette and the cost of a tree, they can get the tree for you. Or, if you get the tree on your own, you can bring it to Steve, and his staff will plant it. All you’ll have to do is supply the tree. So, if you have an opportunity to get an inexpensive tree, you can do it on your own. Or, if that’s something that wouldn’t be possible for you to do, you can go through Steve, and we have a list of preferred trees, but I don’t think we’re going to exclude anything right now, unless it’s some sort of noxious, invasive species that his staff would recommend otherwise. So, there are two different ways to do it. We’ve also got a little money set aside that we’re going to try to use so we can open this up to everyone. If they don’t have the financial resources, we’ve got a few hundred dollars set aside, and we’re going to try and encourage people to donate, those who may be a little bit more financially well-to-do, so others who don’t have the resources can still take part in this.

President Nix: And, one other thing, there’s a plaque that will be purchased?

Andy Schroeder: Right, and this is not required, but if you would like there are two options, and Steve did a great job working with Tri-State Trophy. There’s a brass plaque you can get, which is a little more expensive, but you can go through Tri-State Trophy, and they have been notified of how this works, and then staff at Burdette will install that. Or, they have a composite of some sort, some sort of composite material that’s a lot less expensive. For whatever reason, so far people have been really interested in the more expensive brass plaques. I think that goes to show that people are really energized by this idea, and willing to take part and spend a little money to beautify Burdette Park, and to create a lasting, living memorial.

President Nix: Mr. Schroeder, I would like to thank you on behalf of the Commission on the work that you’ve done, kind of taken this project on your own to do, and Mr. Craig and his staff out there also. Any questions or comments from the board?

Commissioner Korb: The only comment I’ll have is in the limitation of a couple trees, and we can talk about that later, Mr. Craig, is stay away from Bradford Pears, and the type of tree they just removed from the walkway, because the last thing we want to do is come back in five or ten years and say, oh, we have to cut the tree down because the pigeons have taken up home and they’re crapping all over the trail.

Andy Schroeder: I think there’s enough red hawks out at Burdette that pigeons aren’t a–

Commissioner Korb: Just a thought. Just a thought.

Andy Schroeder: Yeah.

Commissioner Korb: To try and plan ahead a little bit.

Andy Schroeder: Rick Mitchell who’s an arborist–

Commissioner Korb: Right.

Andy Schroeder: –has, a landscape architect–

Commissioner Korb: Great.

Andy Schroeder: –has done a great job of drawing up a preferred tree–

Commissioner Korb: Great.

Andy Schroeder: –list. So, we’re going to try to steer folks along those lines.

Commissioner Korb: Super. Good, thanks.

President Nix: Thank you very much.

Andy Schroeder: Thank you all very much. I look forward to seeing you out there twice in one week.

Commissioner Korb: We can’t wait.

President Nix: The next action item is to award the bid for the removal of debris at 102 Read Street. I think we opened bids up a couple of weeks ago, Mr. Ziemer? That bid was, actually the only bidder was J.L. Crane Concrete, and that bid was for $8,300. Is that correct? I’ll entertain a motion.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Thank you.

President Nix: The next action item is permission to advertise the November 2007 polling locations. Apparently only one location has changed from the May primary, Ward One, Precinct 13 has been moved to Plaza Park Middle School from Eastview Community Church. The ad went in the Courier, it says, by law, we have to advertise in the Courier, so, I guess, the other thing is that we’ve had a request to run this in the Our Times newspaper. I don’t know if this is something we have to do, or if it’s something we want to vote on today possibly.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Yeah, I think you should vote on it today.

Commissioner Tornatta: I would just make a motion to run it the legal time in the Courier & Press and then the one time in the Our Times newspaper. I will make that in the form of a motion.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. Thank you.

President Nix: The next action item is a letter to the Congressional delegation for a federal appropriations request. Commissioner Tornatta, if you wanted to address this.

Commissioner Tornatta: That’s not the–

President Nix: This was for appropriations for the University of Southern Indiana bike path, the Parkway, and some other items.

Commissioner Tornatta: Well, we’ve got, essentially, some of these are going into different bills, and what we’re trying to do at this point, with this Commissioners group, is to narrow our focus as much as possible to address the University Parkway and its continuing on to Diamond Avenue. Then, we are looking at some opportunities to get some emergency warning sirens, and that’s been very positive in the community, and we would look to pretty much finish up our warning sirens in this grant. Then, part of that will actually be to get in front of the Senators and the Congressman and see if we cannot just show how united we are as a Commission, and in a bipartisan effort to come up with some of these funds. So, this is something I think is much needed. There are opportunities for the bike path, but we also have looked for state funds for the bike path, and I think there are transportation enhancement dollars that are available, and that’s kind of a place that we see that we can get some funds that are from the federal government, but allocated through the state. So, we can be more focused on some of the programs that we have right now. So, it’s an on-going process, and as we found out that the appropriations from the federal government have been stalled a little bit, so we want to make sure that this being the appropriate time that we get in and just clarify our thoughts and make it one concerted unit toward a common goal.

President Nix: I guess, one thing under the sirens is that if we do in fact get the money we were requesting, we will have coverage for all the sirens in Vanderburgh County to cover the whole county. So, that’s something we feel like is very important, especially due to the things that happened a couple of years ago in November here. I feel like this is very important. Any other comment on that? I guess, we’re going to be sending a letter, so, I guess we need a motion on that.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: You need a motion to send the letter.

Commissioner Korb: So moved.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. Thank you.

President Nix: The next action item–

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Excuse me, Mr. President, do you want a report on the bids?

President Nix: That would be fine, if you’re ready, sir.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: I am. We’ve received bids for the St. Joseph bridge replacement. We have two bids. One is from CCC of Evansville. Their bid is $77,535.27. Then we have a second bid from Koberstein Trucking, and their bid is $79,625.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to take under advisement.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: The next action item is resolution number CO.R-10-07-012. This is supporting the construction of a pedestrian overpass at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Washington Avenue. I believe Mr. Duckworth is here today to address that.

Mike Duckworth: Thank you, President Nix, Commissioners, ladies and gentlemen. I guess, I’ll wear a different hat for a little bit today. I approached the Commissioners in regards to following up on a resolution that the School Board and now the City Council has passed, and that is in support of a pedestrian, the study or the construction of a pedestrian overpass at 41 and Washington Avenue. For years we have needed something in that area to help us get students across that very busy highway, to school and back. We’re going to be asking, as you have today, Congressional folks and federal leaders, as well as state leaders, to look at funding the study and that project to help that come to fruition. So, I would ask you to consider the resolution that’s before you at this time.

Commissioner Tornatta: I’ll make a motion that we recognize the resolution and submit it into our minutes for today.

Commissioner Korb: I’ll second that, but I’ve got a couple of questions.

President Nix: Go ahead.

Commissioner Korb: I’ve read past reports, what’s changed? The problem has been INDOT in the past, they’ve indicated that there’s, no matter, that similar resolutions like this have been voted on and sent to them, and they could actually care less. Because they’ve conducted their studies and they’ve come back and said the numbers don’t warrant this. What’s different this time? What are you changing in terms of how you’re approaching this with the state?

Mike Duckworth: That’s a fair question. Let me say a couple of things have changed. First and foremost is the fact that we have a person now that’s running our EUTS department that is in agreement that this is needed. In the past that was not the case.

Commissioner Korb: Okay.

Mike Duckworth: If you don’t have an MPO that’s supportive of it, then INDOT’s not going to listen to you very close. So, Brad Mills is on line with this, and he and I have met. In addition to that, the Mayor, I’ve met with him, he is also considering, and I think is preparing a letter to INDOT requesting a study to look at this, and to see how, in fact, this might even be considered as a part of the Greenway project. That Greenway has the possibility of coming down Highway 41, and at some point in the stretch it’s going to need to cross over Highway 41. The thought there is to look at that area, and we would cover a number of different issues at once there. So, of course, there are warrants that they have to meet that deal with the construction of such a structure. I guess, my feeling is that government should try to work around those things in the betterment and the safety for students and those pedestrians that need to get across a very busy highway. If we can do it for recreational purposes, we should be able to do it for young people going to and from school and other activities. The School Board is cognizant of this situation. We will put the necessary restrictions to students to and from school to utilize it, and we think by doing that that we can ensure their safety getting to and from school. Of course, no project and no remedy is full proof, but we want to take another look at it because of the increased danger and the amount of traffic that’s in that area.

Commissioner Korb: I mean, I think it’s a great idea and I think it should be done, but, again, as I’ve read before, basically, INDOT just says we don’t really care what you all think, we say no.

Mike Duckworth: Well, and we’ve had different administrations, and we’ve not tried it under this Governor.

Commissioner Korb: Okay.

Mike Duckworth: So, we’ll take a swing at it this time.

Commissioner Korb: Okay, great, thanks. That’s all.

President Nix: Mr. Duckworth? Just a couple questions. Do you know how many students live on the west side of 41, and how many live on the east side, from Bosse, and what the enrollment is? I guess, those are the other questions.

Mike Duckworth: The enrollment’s a little over 900, or right at 900.

President Nix: Okay.

Mike Duckworth: It fluctuates over and above, it’s right at 900. I don’t know the exact number that live in those neighborhoods, but I will tell you that it takes usually a couple of busses full of students that don’t have the transportation to get there to get them to school. We have quite a few kids going back and forth for after school activities. To increase the amount of danger in that area, of course, we have Enlow Field and activities at the school and in the gym at night, and they’re crossing there at night quite a bit. So, the state has put flashing lights, reduced the speed limits, but if you’ve seen the news coverage, you’ll see that the crossing guards and the school administrators in those areas say that it’s just a tragedy waiting to happen. I think we ought to take a proactive approach. I think we need to, kind of as a community get together, and that’s why I’ve asked the City Council, your body, as well as the School Board to get together. We’re going to contact Congressman Ellsworth, Senator Lugar, Senator Bayh, Governor Daniels, and any other person that might listen that can put their foot in this to try to get this done. So, it’s something that we want to take another swing at, and, hopefully, we can get it done this time.

President Nix: Thank you. Okay, a motion has been made and seconded. All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. Thank you.

Mike Duckworth: Thank you.

President Nix: The next action item is resolution number CO.R-09-07-011. This is transferring property to the Evansville Redevelopment Commission. I believe this came up in a meeting here some time back. Mr. Ziemer, do you have some information on that?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Yes, it did, Mr. President. Yes, since it came up originally, there have been some discussions about the possibility of the Redevelopment Commission paying some consideration to the County for the transfer of these two properties. Since there were costs involved, publication costs, attorneys fees, recording fees, title search fees and so forth, and the Redevelopment Commission has determined that they are willing to pay $699.20 total for both properties, and that would, in fact, reimburse the County for the expenses it incurred in taking title to the properties. So, we recommend that you adopt the resolution.

President Nix: Questions from the board?

Commissioner Korb: None.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. Thank you.

President Nix: The next action item is first reading of ordinance CO.10-07-013. This is the sex and violent offenders fees. Mr. Ziemer, do you want to address this?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Just to state that, I mean, I have advised the Commissioners by e-mail, but the purpose of the ordinance is to establish fees for registration of sex and violent crime offenders, which would be $50 per year for the registration. Then also a charge of five dollars for each time that there has to be a registration of a new address for a sex or violent offender. In addition, it would establish a Vanderburgh County sex and violent offender administration fund, 90 percent of the funds collected by this would go into that fund to help defray the costs of administering the sex and violent offender registration and so forth. In addition ten percent of that would be paid to the Treasurer of the State of Indiana for deposit in the state’s fund for the same purpose.

President Nix: We don’t normally take public comment on first reading. Is that appropriate?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: If there is someone that has comment. It’s not inappropriate to take it.

President Nix: If there is any public comment on that? If not, I will entertain a motion.

Commissioner Tornatta: So moved.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: We need to do a roll call vote. Commissioner Tornatta?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

President Nix: Commissioner Korb?

Commissioner Korb: Yes.

President Nix: And I vote yes. We will have final reading on that at the next meeting then, the 23^rd?

Madelyn Grayson: We could, does that depend on the Council enacting this?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: No, it doesn’t. We’ll go ahead and do first and second readings here, then we’ll send this to County Council. I do know that it’s being put on the agenda for approval by the County Council.

President Nix: So, we’ll have second reading at the next week’s meeting on the 23^rd. Thank you.

President Nix: The next action item is contracts, agreements and leases. Mr. Ziemer?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: As the Commissioners know, we have a contract with SMG to manage the Vanderburgh Auditorium and Convention Centre. That contract calls for an audit each year of the books of SMG. It was determined, after some consultation with some CPA’s that really the county could get by well with a review of the books and records of SMG, accompanied by the possibility of their doing some special procedures, if we request that. The cost of that, it’s anticipated, would be substantially less than having an annual audit conducted. Then, in considering that, we know that it’s possible for us to request an audit by the State Board of Accounts, and if we do that, then that audit would review amounts that vary from the SMG records by five percent or more, and SMG would have to pay for that audit. So, it seemed that it was appropriate to do a review, which is less costly, instead of an audit. To do that we have to amend the SMG contract to provide for a review instead of an audit, and you have before you today a proposed addendum to that contract, which contains a lot of language, but the effect of it is to change from a review to an audit.

Commissioner Korb: You mean the other way around?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Oh, yes, from an audit to a review. Thank you.

Commissioner Korb: Got it. So moved.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Thank you.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Also, you have before you today two proposals, one by BKD to conduct the review. BKD indicates in a proposed engagement letter that their fee for that would be $11,000, and then up to an additional $5,000 should we request agreed upon procedures. Then there is a second engagement letter, a proposed engagement letter, from Harding Shymanski and Company to do those same services for $9,500, with agreed upon procedures not to exceed $5,000. It would be appropriate to select one of these to conduct the review.

Commissioner Korb: Ted, does Harding Shymanski do the city’s review now with SMG?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Harding Shymanski currently is doing the city review with SMG, yes.

Commissioner Korb: And that would be for the stadium and–

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: It would be for the stadium and the Victory Theater, and–

Commissioner Korb: Mesker Park?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: I don’t know. I know it’s the stadium and Victory Theater.

Commissioner Tornatta: It is Mesker Park.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: And Mesker, okay.

President Nix: And Swonder.

Commissioner Tornatta: To me it seems like it would be in our best interest, especially since it’s the low bid, to enter into agreement with Harding Shymanski, since they’re doing the city’s as well. I make that in the form of a motion.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. Thank you. Mr. Ziemer?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Yes, the next item is renewal of a lease in the Old Courthouse. The lease is with Phoenix of Evansville, which is operated by Mr. Pataki. Mr. Pataki, since he leased his space it became necessary to put some HVAC equipment in one portion of his space. That was done some time ago, but he has been utilizing the space as it is. But, given that, he has asked for a reduction in his rent for the space from $9,880.56 per year, to $9,444 per year. Then he also asks for an extension of the lease. He asks for some other things, which we did not recommend that you do, but you have a lease agreement in front of you which would provide for those changes.

Commissioner Tornatta: I make a motion to approve.

Commissioner Korb: You mean the new lease for him?

Commissioner Tornatta: Yes.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. Thank you.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: You also have before you an addendum to the lease of space in the Old Courthouse by Quantum Health Automation. They want to lease additional, they currently lease two suites in the Old Courthouse, they want to add to that suite 111. The addendum that you have would provide for the extension of their lease through November 30, 2010. It would provide for an increase in their rent in two ways. One, by increasing their overall rent by three percent effective December 1, 2007 through November 30, 2010, and in addition by increasing their rent by $506.77 per month for the additional suite 111, and we find this satisfactory for execution from a legal perspective.

Commissioner Korb: So moved.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: All in favor?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Next, oh, I’m sorry.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. Thank you.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Next, the Health Department has a need, has had it for some time for wireless data service that could be provided by Verizon Wireless. They’ve investigated that and have found that they can obtain two lines for wireless data service from Verizon for $48.59 per month. There would need to be air cards, don’t ask me what they are, used in conjunction with the wireless data service, but they are free. So, since they’re free I didn’t worry too much about what they are. The proposal that you have in front of you is to approve the Health Department obtaining two lines at $48.59 per month per line. We find, there is 27 pages of standard Verizon comments about all of their various services, but we’ve reviewed those and we recommend that the proposal is satisfactory for approval from a legal perspective.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. By the way, Mr. Ziemer, an air card is a card that allows you to basically use your computer anywhere via wireless.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: That’s why I come to these meetings, so that I can learn that sort of thing myself.

President Nix: You’re not going to get much more out of me than that, I can tell you that.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Next, we have, also on behalf of the Health Department, this company, Liebert Global Services has had an agreement with the county on behalf of the Health Department for a number of years to provide battery backup power service for the freezers and the refrigerators in the Health Department lab. The agreement is identical to that of the prior year, with the only difference being that the cost has gone up from $5,193 per year, to $5,238 per year. A very small increase. The Health Department recommends that you approve this, and we find that it’s satisfactory for approval from a legal perspective.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. Thank you.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Also on behalf of the Health Department, some time ago the Commissioners approved a grant agreement for the Health Department. The state is now recommending that an amendment number four, and you’ve approved previously amendments number three, two and one, that amendment number four be approved, and the only purpose of this amendment is to add some technical information about the electronic and information technology accessibility standards, which I invite you to read at your leisure, and in addition there’s a non-collusion affidavit. We recommend, we advise that this is satisfactory for approval from a legal perspective.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: In addition–

Commissioner Korb: Whoa, whoa, whoa.

President Nix: Hold on just a second.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Oh, I’m sorry.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. Thank you.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: I don’t want to ever be accused of going faster than the Commissioners.

President Nix: You won’t turn your mic off.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Okay.

Commissioner Korb: He’s an attorney.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: When I get my mic on, I leave it on.

Commissioner Korb: Told ya.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: We have another matter, and this we were only able to get to sort of at the last minute, but it got into the hands of Madelyn Grayson and she has execution copies of this should you decide to approve it. It’s yet another Old Courthouse lease. This lease is with a company known as Stone Tablets Consulting LLC. Under this lease they would, under all of the standard forms that we have for leases of space in the courthouse, they would lease suites 105 and 106, for an annual rent of $10,226.16, payable at the rate of $852.18 per month in advance for a term of one year, ending October 31, 2008. We recommend your approval of this from a legal perspective.

Commissioner Tornatta: So moved.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. Thank you.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Finally, as you’re aware consideration is being given to selling some 160 properties, which the county acquired title to after they were not purchased at tax sale. We think that the best way of selling these properties would probably be at public auction. There are some advertising requirements that will need to be met, there will be, in addition to that some appraisals that we have to do for all those properties that have an assessed valuation in excess of $6,000. So, we’re just in the process of putting all of this together. One of the things we will have to do though is select an auctioneer to actually do the auctioneering services, and in addition to providing auctioneering services, to perhaps assist the county in marketing these properties, at least some of the properties that might appear to be more saleable than others, so that the county could recoup maximum dollar value at the sale. We’re requesting, as County Attorney, the right to submit requests for proposal to be received Mr. Kleinman, if that’s correct, and by the way, we’ll need to obtain an address for him so that we can appropriately request this of him. In addition, Sohn Auctioneering Services, Hugh Miller Auctioneering Services, and Tucker Emge Auctioneering Services. We request the right to do that.

Commissioner Korb: So moved.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign.

(Tape change)

President Nix: Is there any new business to come before the board?

Madelyn Grayson: You skipped department head reports.

President Nix: Oh, excuse me, I’ll back up here. Department head reports. Any department heads? Mr. Stoll, I know you had a few things.

John Stoll: First, I have a storm sewer acceptance request on Section 7 of Stonecrest Subdvision. This is for 325 feet of 21 inch concrete pipe, and the developer has paid the $650 fee for the acceptance of that pipe.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. Thank you.

John Stoll: Next, I have a storm sewer acceptance request for Section 8 of Stonecrest Subdivision. This is for 313 feet of 15 inch pipe, and 130 feet of 21 inch pipe, for a total of 443 feet. An $866 fee has been paid.

Commissioner Korb: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign.

John Stoll: Then, third, I have another storm sewer acceptance request. This is for Sections 2A and 2B of Havenwood Subdivision. This 489 feet of 12 inch pipe, 753 feet of 15 inch pipe, 211 feet of 18 inch pipe, and 79 feet of 24 inch pipe, for a grand total of 1,532 feet, and a fee of $3,064.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

John Stoll: The next item I have is a street plan approval request for Whitehead Subdivision. This is for a short extension of a rock road off of Kuebler Road. It will be a 20 foot wide rock road. It will be maintained by the property owners within the subdivision. It meets the standards for the rock road, so, I would request your approval of the street extension.

Commissioner Korb: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Thank you.

John Stoll: Then also, the developers have requested a sidewalk waiver on that subdivision. Basically, since it’s a rock road with no curbs, there’s no reason to put sidewalks. So, I would recommend approval of the sidewalk waiver.

Commissioner Korb: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

John Stoll: Then, next, I have a letter of agreement for the levee accreditation. Basically, there’s a section of the levee that is Vanderburgh County property, and FEMA is requiring these letters be submitted, and the letter basically says that the county agrees to pursue accreditation of the levee, which in turn means that there may be some future expense required on the county’s part in order to meet the FEMA and Corp of Engineers requirements. But, this letter does need to be signed and submitted to FEMA now. This allows for a two year window for getting the accreditation process done. The accreditation will actually be pursued by the Levee Authority.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to accept.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

John Stoll: Next I have a notice of intent letter for the Oak Hill and Bergdolt project. This is the notice of intent of land disturbing activities. It has to be submitted to IDEM, and this is for the proposed intersection reconstruction project that might go to construction next year, pending what happens with the Green River project.

Commissioner Korb: Motion to accept.

Commissioner Tornatta: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

John Stoll: Then, next, I have some right-of-way offers that need to be approved for the Cross Pointe Boulevard project. They are the following; parcel seven, Webb Development LLC, and that offer amount is $421,400; parcel 11, Virginia Cross LLC, the offer amount is $3,900; and parcel 12, SKE Investments LLC, and the offer amount is $5,400. These are all based on the appraised values on the, the appraisals provided by the county’s appraisers on the project.

Commissioner Korb: What was the first amount again, John?

John Stoll: Pardon?

Commissioner Korb: What was the first amount again?

John Stoll: $241,400.

Commissioner Korb: Okay.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Thank you.

John Stoll: Then, last, I have right-of-way offer amounts for the Green River Road project. They are parcel four, Carey, and the amount will be $36,300; and parcel 33, Buehner, $41,500.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to approve.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

John Stoll: That’s all I have unless you have questions on anything. Thanks.

President Nix: Thank you, Mr. Stoll. Any other department heads. Seeing none. Is there any new business?

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: I want to ask Mr. Stoll one thing. John? I’m sorry. Did you get the e-mail from Stan Flittner indicating the completion of the work?

John Stoll: Yes. I haven’t had an inspector back out since I got that e-mail, but all the times that they have been out there at MJM Industrial Park they said the work was going along really well and looked really good. Basically, it needs some grass growth, but they had cut all the ditches and done all the work, put all the seed and straw down, it’s just a matter of when the grass grows.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: This is with regard to MJM Subdivision, which has been, how long has that letter of credit been outstanding?

John Stoll: The letter of credit was called in several months ago, and it took a while to get it resolved to where–

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: But, the project’s been ten years?

John Stoll: Right, it was probably started ten years ago.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Ten years ago, and we just signed an agreement to do that with Mr. Flittner about a month ago.

John Stoll: Right.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: And the work’s completed. That’s a pretty good result, pending your inspection.

John Stoll: It was looking really good the last time they were out there.

President Nix: Good. Thank you. Any other department heads? Okay, Mr. Duckworth?

Mike Duckworth: Just briefly, just a couple of things. I have a couple of things in the consent items. We’re hiring three new employees, as well as we have a change order in regards to the new building, and I’m available if you have any questions on that. But, more importantly, I wanted to just point out, for the record, that this week the county lost a former Commissioner and County Clerk, Shirley Jean Cox. I thought it would be appropriate that the Commission just have that on the record that to keep her family and friends in good thoughts at this time. Thank you.

President Nix: Thank you, Mr. Duckworth.

President Nix: Is there any other new business? Seeing none.

President Nix: Old business, just a reminder, we are going to have a couple of hearings on the Hamilton Golf Course. The first hearing will be the 24^th of October, 6:00 p.m. at the Centre. We’ll have some signage at the entrance to the Centre pointing out which direction the hearing is going to be. That’s Wednesday, October the 24^th at 6:00 p.m. The next hearing would be October 27^th at 10:00 in the morning, we’re going to have that at the Oaklyn Branch library on Oak Hill Road, right before you get to Lynch on the right hand side. Once again, the second, October 27^th, 10:00 a.m. at Oaklyn Branch library. Is there any other old business?

Seeing none.

President Nix: Now is the time for public comment. Anyone in the audience that wishes to address the board? Sir, if you could, come to the podium. If you would, state your name for the record, sir.

Ken Lefler: My name is Ken Lefler. As a long time resident, or lifetime resident of Vanderburgh County, it’s becoming, the idea or the issue that I think that should be brought to your attention is voting places and their accessibility. I vote at Plaza School, and I know we were doing a lot of renovation there. The voting accommodations were pitiful at best. Two precincts were voting in one classroom, and they had a handicap voting place that wasn’t wide enough to even get to with a wheelchair. Back down at the end of an aisle of four voting places. My offer was made to hand me the computer machine, and I could sit out in the aisle way and hold it on my scooter and then my arm and do my voting there. Which, I took that under consideration seeing that all the construction and that was in hand, you know, but now that we’re under new facilities there at Plaza, it’s still not easy to vote if you’re in a wheelchair, because of the height of the voting machines. My challenge to the people who set these things up is to get out of the parking lot, or whenever you get out of your vehicle, to get in a wheelchair and see how easy it is to get in and to your duty of voting, you know. It’s a real challenge. A three inch curb is like an eight foot fence to a person in a wheelchair. While they’re there, maybe if they would do that, maybe even use the bathroom facilities to see how challenging they can be. My recommendation is to have one voting booth at a lower level, and maybe have a chair available that if a person in a wheelchair can come up, just move the chair out of the way and they can pull right in and vote. The angle, you know, that you have to get at to try to see the voting machine, you know, with our new electronic voting, is really not, it’s not good at all. I would be willing to work with anybody that sets these things up. I’m a recent graduate from our Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities, so, I’ve been made aware of more than ever of other people that have challenges, you know. So, I respectfully ask you to take that into consideration, and all the polls be made accessible. My answer, whenever I challenge some of these people, well, you know you can vote absentee ballot, but I choose not to do that. As long as I can get out and meet my neighbors, and aggravate them a little bit, you know, I choose to do that, you know. I really hope that you can take that into consideration and pass this information on along to other people that are setting up the polls to make them accessible. It is federal law, you know, that they do that.

President Nix: Right.

Ken Lefler: Somehow or another it gets kind of slid by. When I voted at Plaza the last time, they said, well, they did tell me that we could take the computer out and set it over on a table where everybody else could watch me vote, you know. That’s not the right answer.

President Nix: Mr. Lefler, have you voted at Plaza before the construction last year?

Ken Lefler: Yes. Even before, long before–

President Nix: And it was a problem then also, is that correct?

Ken Lefler: Yes.

President Nix: Was it any better before the construction?

Ken Lefler: Well, you know, I go back to paper ballots, and that wasn’t an issue. That was a time when there were, or the old machines, you know, you pull shut and that, but I was on crutches at that time and it wasn’t an issue, but now the more and more that I’m relying on this type of transportation, you know, because of my excessive, because of my physical condition. There are more and more people out there that are using these types of vehicles and using wheelchairs, you know. It just needs to be addressed.

President Nix: Ms. Kirk, our Clerk is here today. I didn’t know if she wanted to address the Commission on this particular issue.

Ken Lefler: Okay, thank you.

Susan Kirk: Hi, Mr. Lefler. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Susan Kirk, the County Clerk. If you would just stay here in case you have some comments.

Ken Lefler: Sure.

Susan Kirk: Hi, I’m Susan Kirk, I’m the County Clerk in charge of the Vanderburgh County Election Office. I agree with Mr. Lefler 150 percent. I do think though that if the County Commissioners, who are in charge of the polling places, and me as the Clerk work together, I think we might be able to not make it ideal, ideal circumstances, obviously, are a little difficult to do when we consider our polling places. As a matter of fact, you might want to consider Mr. Lefler for the Polling Place Advisory Board.

Commissioner Nix: I was going to ask him if he would be interested in serving on that.

Susan Kirk: He would great on that. But, to address the concerns, I think probably as the Commissioners, maybe the next time we do the polling places, if you could request an extra table, because I know in the Election Office what we do, we have three regular voting machines, and then we have an ADA machine, which is handicap accessible if your blind or so forth and so on. But, Mr. Lefler is absolutely right, you cannot roll up to those machines and vote unless you’re standing, basically. But, if we could take the machine, like we do in the Election Office, and instead of putting the legs on it, they open it up and set it right on the table to where there would be plenty of room to come up. You’re going to be right beside the other voting machines, to ensure your privacy. I think, do you think, Mr. Lefler, that that would be satisfactory if we have a, and I think that’s doable, if the Commissioners ask for another table, and then I will instruct our poll workers when someone comes in and they would prefer....I mean, we have people that maybe they just can’t stand that long, and they need to sit down. We could actually put two on a table in case you needed to sit down and vote, and the table would be low enough to where the light would shine on it correctly to where you could see the screen. Does that sound agreeable to everyone?

Commissioner Korb: Susie, a couple of questions. Is there anyway a part of this can be put into place, I know it’s the city election and we have no say in that, but–

Susan Kirk: Well, yes, we do.

Commissioner Korb: As County Commissioners?

Susan Kirk: We do everything and the city just pays us back. That’s what happens. But, we still go through the same process where the Commissioners get the polling places, the Vanderburgh County Election Board still does the city election, poll workers, and then the city reimburses the county. But, yeah, we’re still, we are still responsible for conducting the elections.

Commissioner Korb: I guess, I just didn’t know that, because I can’t vote in the city election because I live in the county. But, can we do anything between now and the next two and a half weeks.

Susan Kirk: Yes, I do. Number one, I will instruct the poll workers when they get, because it’s a little late to be mailing out more letters to each individual facility. It would help probably at least if the Commissioners maybe could do the private places, like the churches and stuff, asking for another table, but I will instruct our poll workers when they get there, if there is not an extra table to please ask whomever’s there at that time if they could possibly get us another table and a couple of chairs, and that they are to set the ADA machine up on a table that’s low enough where anyone that comes in has the ability to sit down and vote if they need to.

Commissioner Korb: Okay.

Commissioner Tornatta: I think just making it aware to the people in the polling places that are there working that these are some concerns that we have and we would like to address those. I think that’s going to be about as good as we can do for right now. Then we’ll kind of put the plan in motion to see if we can’t shore that up in some of the next elections.

Susan Kirk: Well, I think it will, I think this will help immensely. I mean, we don’t really have any trouble in the Election Office. They still have privacy, and it works out very well. Hopefully, our trial run here in the city election, do you live in the city or the county, Mr. Lefler?

Ken Lefler: The city.

Susan Kirk: Okay, well, there we go. Then again, don’t forget, ask him to participate and be a member of the Polling Place Board.

President Nix: Can I get your name and address before you leave?

Ken Lefler: It sounds like a title without a pay?

Commissioner Tornatta: Is there any other?

President Nix: Like most of these jobs.

Susan Kirk: But, you do a lot of good for people, so, that’s important too.

President Nix: Yes, we do.

Commissioner Korb: Susie, the second question is, can we make it clear to the poll workers that it’s okay if the ADA machine is not being used by someone who requires that type of service, that someone like me who is perfectly healthy can use that machine if the line is backed up? I say that because sometimes, and just out of respect for the voting machine downstairs, the ADA machine, when I’ve been in there is not being used and the line is backed up, there’s no one with a handicap there, I’m thinking why not go ahead and streamline it and say go ahead and vote there?

Susan Kirk: Oh, absolutely.

Commissioner Korb: Okay.

Susan Kirk: I mean, they’re instructed–

Commissioner Korb: Okay.

Susan Kirk: –yeah, you should not have, you use every available machine. The ADA machine can be used–

Commissioner Korb: Yeah.

Susan Kirk: –but, it’s also, I mean, you go up there and unless you do something a little bit differently, it’s just like voting on a regular machine. Someone could still, heck, you know, I wouldn’t mind going in and voting sitting down too. I wouldn’t, if I got the ADA machine that would be kind of nice to be able to do that. So, but, no, they’re instructed that they use all four machines.

Commissioner Korb: Okay.

Susan Kirk: Because that’s usually about all we can spare for each precinct is four machines.

Commissioner Korb: Okay.

Susan Kirk: So, yes, they can, but I will–

Commissioner Korb: Make that clear?

Susan Kirk: –reiterate that again at the instructional meetings.

Commissioner Korb: Just because it’s imbedded in our minds don’t park in a handicap spot, etcetera, etcetera.

Susan Kirk: Sure.

Commissioner Korb: There’s just always a little reservation.

Susan Kirk: No, I think it’s great that Mr. Lefler and we bring things up like this so that we can, you know, try to address them and make it easier. We want everybody to vote. We want to make it as easy as possible.

Ted C. Ziemer, Jr.: Susie, just one question, now, what exactly can the Commissioners do before this upcoming election in November? I mean, should they send a letter, or a phone call, or what do they need to do to these polling places?

Susan Kirk: Well, there are, the schools, normally they have plenty of tables. I don’t think that’s going to be any problem. Probably churches, places who may not be, you know, they’re going to set up, there’s not someone there all the time. Maybe if a letter could be mailed out from the Commissioners to the private places, like the churches, the VFW, places that we use that are not, like I said, a public place, just asking them if they could please spare another table and maybe a couple of more chairs, and then I will instruct the poll workers also, because I always tell them you’d better call before and be sure they’re there and call the church on Sunday, because we usually know they’re there on Sunday, and I will ask them to try to remind them also. But, maybe between all of us, we’ll get the message out, and it will be prepared and ready election day.

President Nix: I should know this and I don’t, how many polling places are there now?

Susan Kirk: 86.

President Nix: 86, okay.

Commissioner Tornatta: That’s city.

President Nix: That’s city only?

Susan Kirk: In the city, yes.

President Nix: And the total number, the total number is?

Susan Kirk: 136.

President Nix: For everybody? Okay.

Commissioner Tornatta: Right.

President Nix: Okay, any other questions? Mr. Lefler, appreciate you coming in today.

Commissioner Korb: Thanks, Mr. Lefler.

President Nix: If you’re interested in serving on that board, we’ve got a place for you. Okay.

Susan Kirk: Very good. Thank you, Mr. Lefler.

President Nix: Is there any other public comment? Please step forward. Please state your name for the record, please.

Valerie Ferguson: My name is Valerie Ferguson.

President Nix: Good afternoon.

Valerie Ferguson: I appreciate this time to talk to you about an issue I have with the bridge on Heckel Road. It’s, I don’t know if you’re familiar with the bridge, it’s an historical bridge. It was reconstructed in 1999, and the bridge is really slippery when wet, even with cars. On June 18^th of this year I approached two guys that had gotten in an accident on that bridge, and they were hurt severely. One was in the hospital for a total of seven days. I would like to ask the county to put up two signs similar to, or like the sign that is on, I’ve got pictures of the signs if you would like to see, and the bridge as well. As you can see in the picture, the bridge is real rough. I don’t know if it could prevent another accident, or accidents, but, I feel that if there was a sign like that, maybe people that aren’t from the area would look at that and possibly walk their bikes across the bridge.

President Nix: The County Engineer is here today. John, have you had a chance to look at this, as far as the request? Can you step? We can, I guess, the request is similar to what the city has on Ohio Street down here, where the tracks run at a 45 degree angle with the street. I can remember as a small child having an accident on the Ohio Street tracks.

Valerie Ferguson: I don’t remember that bridge.

President Nix: No, you wouldn’t remember that. This was long before. Is that something that we could look at?

Valerie Ferguson: Would you like to see the pictures?

John Stoll: I would think that we could get the work order put in to get identical signs like these put out at that bridge. That shouldn’t be a problem. If it is a problem, I’ll check with the sign shop and let you know.

President Nix: Okay.

John Stoll: But, I suspect that’s where this sign came from. So, I would think they could make a couple more.

Commissioner Tornatta: I’ll just say that I’ll make in the form of a motion to look at getting two signs, saying for bicycle, what, to dismount their bike, people dismount their bike before–

Valerie Ferguson: Dangerous, bike riders must dismount.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay.

Valerie Ferguson: I actually talked to Jim Bush–

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay.

Valerie Ferguson: –regarding, he, you, Mr. Tornatta, gave Jim Bush my phone number, he’s the guy over the Sharing the Road signs, which that’s a great idea, but this issue is kind of a little different, because it’s a one lane bridge, and it’s really slippery when it’s wet. It’s steel grated, and if someone could imagine putting their knees down on the bridge, you could imagine what it would be like. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like flipping your bike off the bridge and getting hurt.

Commissioner Tornatta: Okay, so, the motion will be to get the proper language from John Stoll, the engineer, and to come up with a couple of signs for that bridge.

Commissioner Korb: Could you amend that to install the signs too?

Commissioner Tornatta: Sure.

Valerie Ferguson: Please.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. Thank you. Appreciate your concern, your time, and appreciate your patience today, kind of a long meeting.

Valerie Ferguson: Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Have a good day.

President Nix: Thank you. Is there any other public comment to come before the board?

President Nix: If not, I’ll entertain a motion to approve the consent items.

Commissioner Tornatta: So moved.

Commissioner Korb: Second.

President Nix: All in favor?

All Commissioners: Aye.

President Nix: Opposed same sign. We’ll start Drainage Board immediately.

Commissioner Tornatta: Motion to adjourn.

President Nix: Motion to adjourn? Do you want to second that, Commissioner?

Commissioner Tornatta: You can.

Commis