President Winnecke: Would you please stand and join in the Pledge of Allegiance?

(Pledge of Allegiance was given)

President Winnecke: Good morning. Its nice to see such a healthy crowd at this hour of the day. Just a reminder for the folks who are sitting in the audience who might not normally be here and the folks who are viewing at home, this is our voting meeting. We heard discussion on many of these issues at last Wednesday’s meeting, so if you don’t hear questions today, its likely that we heard the answers to the questions we had at last week’s meeting. So with that caveat, I’ll entertain a motion for the approval of minutes from our January 4th meeting.

Councilmember Sutton: So moved.

Councilmember Tornatta: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second, questions or discussion? Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

President Winnecke: Okay at this time we’ll begin with our appropriation requests and I’ll turn the floor over to our Finance Chair, Mr. Raben.

CLERK

Councilmember Raben: Okay, thank you, Mr. President. First on the agenda is a long list of upgrades for the Clerk’s Office, for a total request of $57,843. I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Abell: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

CLERK                                                                   REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

SHERIFF

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next under Sheriff’s Department, total request of $11,162, I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Wortman: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

SHERIFF                                                                REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

JAIL

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next under Jail, starting with 1051-1850 Overtime to be set in at $25,000; 1051-1130-0368 reads Jail Clerk, the first Jail Clerk there, to be set in at zero; all other requests as listed, with the total appropriation of $37,998. I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Tornatta: Second.

Councilmember Abell: Jim, would you read the total again, please?

President Winnecke: I’m sorry?

Councilmember Raben: 37,998.

Councilmember Abell: Thank you.

President Winnecke: Questions or discussion? Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

JAIL                                                                       REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

SUPERIOR COURT

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next under Superior Court, I’ll move that that be set in at zero.

Councilmember Abell: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

SUPERIOR COURT                                               REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

DRUG & ALCOHOL DEFERRAL

Councilmember Raben: Okay, Drug & Alcohol Deferral, Office Machines in the amount of $1,420, I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Sutton: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

DRUG & ALCOHOL DEFERRAL                          REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

CCD/COMMISSIONERS

Councilmember Raben: Okay, that’s it for General Fund, moving to CCD/County Commissioners, Voting Machines, Mr. President, I’m going to move that we set in six new machines at $3,000 each, which will be a total of $18,000.

President Winnecke: There’s a motion on the floor for line item 2031-1300-4260 in the amount of $18,000, is there a second?

Councilmember Wortman: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Madam Clerk?

Susan Kirk: Good morning. My little Chief Deputy, who is like the little Charlie Chan sleuth, I had received an email and I’d actually forgotten about it from Gary Olsen, and he was one of the IT people that showed up election day, you know, helped with different things throughout the election. And it looks like that we may be able to reach our goal and not have to spend any money because we have like 550 machines or 551, there’s one that we’re not sure if its – it’s a broken one, I think, down there. One that wasn’t working. We used 504. That was what was deployed election day, which leaves, what, 46? Nineteen of those were used for instructional meetings and I’ve got an email from Gary that there were like 15, at least, that were not even deployed. So it looks like that the Council or the Commissioners wanted 25 extra machines. Well, it looks like we’ve got 46, actually, that were not used election day. They were either used for instructional meetings and weren’t reprogrammed, and the other ones were just, -- “The following is a list of iVotronics that were not deployed in the November election. They may have been cleared in preparation for use as backup and may have needed to have a demo ballot reloaded.” So before Council spends any money on voting machines, let me again get with Gary to go over this. I know that the Election Office experienced a little difficulty with ES & S on several things that we’re trying to work through now. But we may have more than what you even wanted, that will be available election day. And before the county spends this money on more voting machines that I’ve said before, we have no room for, let me get back with him again one more time, just to go over this and be sure. But yes, I think we have more than what you even thought.

President Winnecke: And Gary Olsen is from ES & S?

Susan Kirk: Yes, he is. He is. I don’t know his title. He was there throughout – he’s what?

Councilmember Abell: He was the project manager.

Susan Kirk: Project Manager. So, I mean, he was, you know, involved.

President Winnecke: Was he on the ground here election day?

Susan Kirk: Yes, when they could find him.

President Winnecke: Mrs. Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Susie, do you have any idea how much it would cost for you to get some extra P.E.B.’s?

Susan Kirk: No, I don’t. I can check into that and see.

Councilmember Abell: I think if you had several of those laying around that were pre-programmed for different precincts like, for instance, Plaza School, when one precinct isn’t busy, they could use the hardware, just run a P.E.B. over to the other – and share.

Susan Kirk: I know that in the 2004 General Election, my precinct, we got four voting machines and Knight 1 that was in with us, got three. And we could probably have gotten by with one, that 1-14 just, unfortunately, doesn’t have many voters. And I had called the Election Office and I believe I ended up – I talked to you first, and then I think I spoke with this Gary, because I told my group, don’t even open one of those machines. Don’t touch it, just leave it alone, don’t even break the seal on it, because maybe Knight 1 can use it. And needless to say, I don’t think ES & S was real cooperative in trying to address some of the things that happened. And it heard it from Alberta, I’ve heard it from both sides: Democrats and Republicans, about a little difficulty getting going, so I know 2004 was an unusual election, but I think, I know for a fact that the Commissioners wanted 25 more machines. We will have more than that available to go out to the polling places.

President Winnecke: I just have two questions. First, what’s a P.E.B.?

Susan Kirk: That’s the little, it looks like a little old eight-track tape thing, kind of. Its just a little cartridge, and that’s what activates the machines. The machines don’t do anything until you put those in. So I know that there’s been discussion about, well, how many Democrat machines are we going to get or how many Republican machines? That’s a thing of the past. Its those little P.E.B. or PEB’s that they call them, that’s what activates the machines. If you’ll go back and remember some people said, well, I voted – I wanted to vote Republican, but all the Democrats came up or vice versa. And what happened was, and we’re going to address that, too, ES & S, when you looked at the screen, everything was kind of up in the left-hand corner of the monitor. And, of course, we all know what it is looking at computers, depending on the light, and if things were kind of close together, and it is easy for someone to reach around that wall that comes out there on the machine, try to press what that person is asking for and maybe have the wrong thing come up. So I’ve already discussed this with ES & S. Everything, all verbiage as far as instructional, what you’re going to chose, will be moved to the middle of the screen, larger font, with spaces in between, so that things like that don’t happen. But its that P.E.B. that makes the machine go, its not the machine.

President Winnecke: And do we have an equal number of P.E.B.’s as voting machines?

Susan Kirk: I would think we would have more of those. Well, I take that back. I don’t know whether they, they sent out one for each judge, but the thing of it is, to have a judge walking around with three or four of those in their pockets, they don’t need it because the P.E.B. can only get there if the person takes it. So they don’t need two unless they’re giving it this, and I don’t really think we want that, trying to do two at a time. So we’ve got two judges, to have a lot of extra P.E.B.’s, I don’t know how they’re going to get over there, too much, but anyway.

President Winnecke: I guess my last question really has to do with the county’s relationship with ES & S. I mean, if it was as kind of disjointed or as it appears it was in that election, I mean, what’s being done to rectify the relationship because although this is not a presidential year, I mean, there certainly is the potential for a lot of – probably more local interest than normal based on the possibility of the unification referendum. And there could be a lot of people going to the polls again.

Susan Kirk: There could be but I think if we go back and really think about it, after Florida’s fiasco, of course, the federal government made everybody go buy new equipment because they had a problem. So you take the voting machine vendors, they weren’t prepared for the onslaught of orders that they were going to be receiving, ergo, that’s why we had machines that weren’t even certified in the primary because they were just beating it to try to, you know, get their orders placed. I don’t think they had enough staff. We got through the primary reasonably well, but then there weren’t too many people. You know the November election, it was just different, and I just don’t think that anybody, and its not just Vanderburgh County, I don’t think anybody was prepared for the voter turnout. Now whether or not people think boy, that was really cool standing in line two hours and I want to go vote again, they think that’s good, more power to them. We want them to all vote or are we going to kind of get back in our complacent attitude and its like eh, you know, we don’t know yet. All I’m saying is that at this moment, we have more machines available than what the Commissioners even requested. So I really can’t see us buying even six more machines when we’ve got 47, 46.

President Winnecke: Mr. Goebel and then we’ll come back around this way.

Councilmember Goebel: Susie, is the number of voting machines we have now comparable to the number of the old voting machines that we used to have before we updated?

Susan Kirk: Yeah, its pretty close.

Councilmember Goebel: And in your opinion, its basically getting the machines set up correctly and maybe even voters becoming more familiar with the process and it should work out a lot better?

Susan Kirk: Its not only the voters, I mean, I think the voters, we had a good response from the voters, its just like anything else, when you have something new, it takes everybody: poll workers, even Election Office workers, it takes a little while to kind of get used to it. Well, they’ve been through two, one of which was, you know, the biggest of all, and we’ve got this primary election of which I, just from past experience think that its going to be a little bit lighter turnout. I agree with Mr. Winnecke that in the fall, yes, that referendum is going to bring out a lot of people, but I think that we’re going to be ready for it this time. We will keep probably at least five machines up in the Election Office and you always need to keep some spares just in case something happens, but that still means at least 40 more will be going to the polling places. So like I said, I think we’ve gone beyond our expectation of 25, we’ve got more than that. So, like I said, rather than do that, maybe you could get us some computers down there in the Election Office. Because for those of you that are running this year, if we don’t get those, you might as well save your money and we’ll just toss a coin.

Councilmember Goebel: Well, its obvious, we don’t want a recurrence of the last election because of the numbers of people that had to wait and all of us that waited in line probably saw a number of people that just simply got frustrated and left. And we do not want to deny anyone the right to vote, but in your expert opinion, we’ve got everything mechanically we need, we just need to become a little more in tune with the process, is that correct?

Susan Kirk: That is true. And what I am saying is, that the Commissioners asked for 25 new machines. We will be able to deploy more than that.

Councilmember Goebel: Thank you.

President Winnecke: Mr. Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Just a quick question, could you report back to us possibly in March or April with your plan for deployment of those machines?

Susan Kirk: I will report back even quicker than that. I’m almost there.

Councilmember Raben: Thank you.

President Winnecke: Mrs. Abell, did you have anything? Mr. Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Last Friday I attended the polling place advisory committee meeting, very good meeting that – and this was one of the subjects of discussion there and just wanted to maybe give you an update related to their discussion and their research and a lot of good data that they shared with the committee. They had broken down this request, part of this request for 25 machines came through this committee and they broke the request down in four different ways: four of those machines were intended to stay in the Election Office, two were for voter outreach, 18 for training and backup, and then they were going to have one as an extra machine. And based upon kind of what we’ve heard here and I know we’ve been discussing since last week, it appears that maybe that’s what they’re requesting here, that we may already have that covered with how they plan to spread these machines out. As they have it structured, the intent was not to add more to the different polling places out there, but more so, like I say, training, backup, that type of thing is what these additional machines are going to be used for. They also shared some really good data based upon the elections and how the turnout has been over the past several years. And as a percent-wise, we had 56 percent voter turnout in the 2004 election, which if you compare the 2000 election, excuse me, the 2004 election to the 2000 election, we had an increase of 13,000 voters in between those two presidential years. So we definitely had an upsurge. But if you look at the numbers that follow the presidential election years, you take the ‘98 and then the 2000, after the `98 election, the next election, voter turnout dropped by 20,000 voters. And just coincidentally, after the 2000 election, the next election that we had, voter turnout basically dropped another 20,000. So I don’t know if that will be the same type of scenario that we see this year in the election, I hope not. I hope we’ll have a strong turnout. But mid-term elections tend to be, as we’ve talked about on a number of different occasions, that its likely that we won’t see that type of turnout. Do we still need to be prepared? Absolutely. And I think the process issues that we’ve talked about here, if we can as well, get an understanding from this polling place advisory committee, the Commissioners, the Election Office, of maybe some different approaches that might be taken to improve our level of efficiency, I think will be extremely valuable to us to see that type of information other than just the request for more machines. This polling place advisory committee also had a couple of other recommendations that they, at some point in time, will bring before us. They were really interested in the pay for the workers at the polling places, and we discussed that slightly. And I asked them, well, would it be a better investment in the machines or the people that are working there? And I think it would tend to be a stronger interest in seeing if we could increase that pay a little bit. And right now we’re paying $50 to each site and there’s beginning to be some issues with some of the polling places that we’ve got out there. And so that’s another request we’re likely going to get to see if we can increase that level for the polling places that we’ve got around there. So I’ve got some really good data that kind of shows you some of the voting trends, so if anyone might be interested in that, I’d be more than happy to share that with you. But that’s kind of a synopsis from their meeting that I think will be very valuable for us as we consider this request, in light of what we already have as far as voting machines, we may not, we may be moving a little hastily with granting this request.

Susan Kirk: Well, I just want to assure everyone, just like Mr. Sutton had pointed out, everything will be done according to the numbers. I want to assure everybody that. Voter turnout, I’ve gone back a few years. I’ve got some statistics, too. When I get through, I’m going to compare it to what the polling place advisory committee, as far as the allocation of machines. Everything will be done by the numbers, voter turnout. But like I said, keep in mind, there are no Democrat and Republican machines like there used to be where you went to the one that had the white pages or you went to the one with the green pages. Anybody can go to any machine and vote on it. So I think that’s – a lot of it’s a learning process, but I’m just glad that I wasn’t in Marsha’s place to have to go through that in 2004 with new equipment and the turnout that they had. We’re dealing with the Quest System, the state voter registration system this year, which is turning out to be a nightmare, so everybody have a little patience if we have a few little glitches, too, because we’re dealing with a system that really isn’t working properly from the state.

Councilmember Sutton: For those that are really interested in this issue, the next meeting of this polling place advisory committee is going to be February 17th at 9 a.m. in the room just on the other side of here. So February 17th at 9 a.m.

President Winnecke: Mrs. Abell?

Councilmember Abell: If you would stay here, at 9:30 I’m meeting with Computer Services about your computers.

Susan Kirk: Very good. Thank you.

President Winnecke: I would just ask one question to wrap it up and then we’ll bring this issue to a close. If in the weeks ahead through your discussions with ES & S you deem that we do need additional equipment, what is the lead time from this time this body would approve such a request before the county would take receipt of the machines?

Susan Kirk: I would think – because I think all the vendors, they’ve had time to kind of play catch up, I would think the turnaround time would be reasonably short. We’ll be working with them very closely, very shortly, and I’ve already got a call in just to go over this one more time. I will ask them then, but it will just be a matter of, you know, well, the Commissioners actually have to do it, would make the appropriation and I would think a turnaround of a month. And we’ll get on it early enough that, you know, we’ll have plenty of time to spare.

President Winnecke: Okay, thank you.

Susan Kirk: Thank you.

President Winnecke: Okay, we do have a motion on the floor and that is for an appropriation of $18,000. Mr. Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Mr. President, I’d like to amend my motion. 2031-1300-4260 Voting Machines be set in at zero.

Councilmember Goebel: Second.

President Winnecke: Will you amend your second?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

President Winnecke: Okay. And Mr. Goebel, you have the second on the new motion at zero. Other questions or discussion? Very well, roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

CCD/COMMISSIONERS                                        REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next, Health Department, we have a request for 24,663, which is account 2130-1640-2130 and 2130-1900 FICA. I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Sutton: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? This is not the one you’re here for. Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT                                       REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

LOCAL ROADS & STREETS

Councilmember Raben: Local Roads & Streets, 2160-4326 Burkhardt Road - Phase IV for $1,547, I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Sutton: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

LOCAL ROADS & STREETS                                REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

CUMULATIVE BRIDGE

Councilmember Raben: Cum Bridge 2030-2230 Garage & Motor – oh, this is a transfer. Are we ready to take transfers now?

President Winnecke: Yes, we are, Mr. Raben.

Councilmember Raben: Okay, we’ll move into transfers.

Councilmember Sutton: Councilman Raben, I didn’t mean to interrupt you, but can we take those separate, that first one, and then do the last two? Is that possible in your motion?

Councilmember Raben: Take the first one and do the last two separate? Certainly. Okay, first is Cum Bridge in the amount of $47,370. I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Wortman: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

CUMULATIVE BRIDGE                                         REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Councilmember Raben: Okay next, County Highway, account 2010-1850 to account 2010-1301-2010 in the amount of $12,648, I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Wortman: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Mr. Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yeah, first of all, this kind of came up on us real quick on our docket. In fact, it wasn’t even talked about last week when it should have been. First off, I’d recommend that we table this for a month to have some discussion and dialogue between the Councilmembers since there was not time available to do that and not get any further into that if that’s acceptable with the Chair.

President Winnecke: I would like to vote on it today.

Councilmember Tornatta: Okay, then we’ll get into it. We are, with this proposal, we are looking to fund exempt employees. Now, they’re exempt for a reason and that is because they are salaried and they’re not declared overtime available employees. This was just done for the Cumulative Bridge fund and the County Highway fund. We had Sheriff’s departments out there, we had some people from the Police department, we had people from the Fire department, we had other people who were exempt employees who were out there that did not get any extra funds. I did not ask for any extra funds for being out there, that’s part of my duty even at a time of crisis. We are leaders, we accept positions without the thought that there is any type of compensation or overtime for any works that we’ve done. In the past this has not been a part of our working order. I don’t know why it would all of the sudden be a part. Auditor Fluty, have you ever paid an exempt employee overtime?

Bill Fluty: Not to my knowledge.

Councilmember Tornatta: We are setting a precedent here that is not in the best interest of this county. Its not in the best interest of a working relationship between employees and how they do their jobs. We do not want an employee – they’re in an exempt position because no one can tell them to stay or to go home. We are not in a position where that employee should need to make a decision on whether this is a state of emergency situation on how many hours they should work, what responsibilities they should handle, its putting us in position where the county can be potentially liable for extra monies if we don’t get FEMA or state funds back. We have not addressed how that’s covered in this plan. And I think that with all these things that are out there in the air with this potential request, we need time to decipher if this is a good plan for Vanderburgh County and not a situation where its going to be a deal where, if we don’t get any monies back from FEMA, if we are allocated those funds, then the county is out extra money to certain employees with exempt status that had never been paid before.

President Winnecke: Mr. Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: I’ve got a question...because this came up rather late, I know we’d had some discussion the latter part of the year related to the county’s involvement with the disaster, the tornado relief effort, and we have a resolution in our packet today that addresses overtime and if somebody could kind of, and I know we’re not going to address this resolution until later on, but it appears that these are related, this transfer, am I correct? Is this transfer and this resolution, is that related or is that totally separate?

President Winnecke: Separate.

Councilmember Sutton: Separate thing? Well, if someone could speak to this transfer. Mike, I think I saw you in the audience somewhere. If you could just speak to this because we didn’t get any background necessarily on this particular request. I thought it was related to something else, but apparently – if you could shed some light it would be very helpful.

Mike Duckworth: I’d be glad to, Councilman, thank you. Mike Duckworth, Superintendent of County Highway Department. What brought this about basically, was the fact that since my term as the Superintendent of County Highways, this was the third event that is being considered under a state of emergency declared by the Commissioners and the state. And during that time period, we’ve had three different FEMA teams in here that have brought three different ideas of how the process should operate. In this last event with the tornado, it was determined that because the county in their handbook recognizes employees to be paid exempt time, or be reimbursed exempt time by time for time that they work, that that would qualify FEMA to reimburse the county in the amount of time and the amount of hours that was worked by these exempt employees. Because of that and because of the fact that in the formula that they worked out, that those monies are going to be coming back into the county and because of the information that I’ve signed and sent forward to FEMA with the understanding that that is going to be reimbursed, the county is going to receive basically more money than we’ve actually paid out during this disaster. And because of that fact and the fact that we’re receiving funds from FEMA for this work, we felt that it was justified in applying for the supervisors to be paid for the number of hours that they were there.

Councilmember Sutton: I think I referred to this earlier, and I may have caused a little bit of confusion, I referred to it as a resolution and this is an ordinance that we have before us. So these are related, this ordinance –

Mike Duckworth: Yes, the ordinance was passed by the Commissioners recently that basically enabled this to happen. Now, we ran into a little bit of confusion and I’ve been working with Mr. Fluty quite a bit on this issue. We recently received a partial payment from the insurance revenues that were agreed upon from the property owner to pay. We received $72,000 of the $100,000 that was to be reimbursed for their obligation in the cleanup efforts. Where we’ve had a couple of problems is how we reinsert that money back into the accounts. The money was taken to Mr. Fluty’s office, I believe, and I’m not speaking for him, but from what I understand, he’s checked with the State Board of Accounts and that money, and, Bill, you can comment on this, as I understand it, it goes into what he considers a cash account and then to be distributed by this body or however deemed necessary. So, Bill, I don’t know if you want to allude on that or not, but once we got the $72,000 in, we felt like that was enough to pay these men that were out there during the same time period that the hourly union employees were out there. And overseeing that work environment out there and overseeing the debris pickup and overseeing the emergency response. I’ve got six people that have given 60 to over 100 hours over their regular 40 hour work week that were out there side by side with all of these different agencies and these different union employees that basically were not compensated. And when FEMA qualified us to be reimbursed for that, that’s how the process started.

Councilmember Sutton: Well, in terms of matter and form, I mean, wouldn’t it be appropriate for us to discuss this and act on this one way or the other?

President Winnecke: The Commissioners have already acted. This is an ordinance that was passed by the County Commissioners.

Councilmember Sutton: Right, but they don’t have any money.

President Winnecke: Well, that’s why, that’s the request for the transfer. To this date we’ve received about $72,000 in insurance reimbursements.

Councilmember Sutton: But on our agenda, I mean, we’ve got it to act on this down at number ten on our business. I mean, if we’re talking about giving the dollars and we haven’t supported the resolution, the resolution matter would be first. Then the dollars would go in thereafter.

Councilmember Raben: The ordinance has been passed, I think.

Councilmember Sutton: I keep saying resolution, but ordinance.

Councilmember Raben: Mr. President, the Commissioners have, in fact, adopted the ordinance.

President Winnecke: Yes, they have.

Councilmember Sutton: Well, why do we have it on our agenda?

President Winnecke: Number ten is unrelated.

Councilmember Sutton: Okay. Well, is this just going to be – let me understand this ordinance here. If someone from one of the other departments outside of say the County Highway, if they’d have been working, I mean, is this ordinance covering their services as well, if they would have been working out there and were the staff required? If someone said, I don’t want to participate; I don’t want to work. Did they have that option?

Mike Duckworth: I can’t speak for other departments. I would just tell you that at 2:35 in the morning when I received the call, dispatch asked me to bring all the men and all the equipment I could bring, that there could be up to 200 victims, and that they couldn’t move until we got there because of the debris that was blocking the roadways and access for the emergency responders. And that’s when we went to work, and frankly, no, my supervisors didn’t have any questions about being there. They were directed there as were all – every union employee I could get there. Now that was the emergency response and then you’ll recall that the Commissioners went through the process of gaining authority to go on to the private property by the fact that it was considered by the Health department, a health hazard. And then we went together, we went to work on removing the debris. We removed 3,400 ton of debris from that property to satisfy the health concern. And as far as other exempt employees from other departments, I don’t know if Sheriff’s Deputies, I think they have an overtime account, I don’t know if they paid out of that or not, but my concern is about these people that were working side by side that, basically, if you look at their job descriptions, there’s nothing in there about debris removal as far as going on to an emergency situation or anything else. And as far as I’m concerned, they went above and beyond what their job title is. In addition to that, we were under a state of emergency and that’s the only time this could be paid according to that ordinance is when we’re under a declared state of emergency.

Councilmember Sutton: Well, I know you were just – you were functioning under what your department is to do, but I’m wondering if we’ve got Health department officials, Emergency Management as well that may have put in additional hours related to this, that if we’re going to get requests from them on this. And if this ordinance – it appears that its not going to cover them – if we’re going to have to have, if the Commissioners are going to address another ordinance that relates to any additional work that they may have put in. And how many from your department would be affected by this request that we have?

Mike Duckworth: Six people.

Councilmember Sutton: Six people.

Mike Duckworth: Yes. And to answer your other statement or question, each of those departments submitted their paperwork to FEMA regarding the hours worked, the equipment used, and much of that was entered into a formula and that’s how the final number is based to come up as to what you would be reimbursed, 75% of that. And so, we went through that process as did I’m sure the Sheriff, as I’m sure Sherman Greer and other departments, the Health department and so on and so forth. I can’t comment or I have no knowledge of how they did their process.

Councilmember Sutton: Well, of the six, I mean, are you included in the six that are a part of this appropriation here?

Mike Duckworth: Yes, I am.

President Winnecke: Mr. Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Has all the FEMA money and insurance monies been collected and deposited at this time?

Bill Fluty: No, the only thing we’ve received and I think it was $72,000 from the insurance companies, that’s no FEMA money at this time.

Mike Duckworth: That’s right. I have signed the form that engages FEMA to cut the check, but we have not received that as of yet.

Councilmember Goebel: Okay, are there other outstanding bills that we still have not yet received from the disaster?

Mike Duckworth: Yes, there are outstanding bills. We paid some partial payments out of last year’s budget because we didn’t want the contractors that dealt with that emergency to sit and wait for all of their money and we had monies available out of the particular line items to pay them. So we paid them partial payments with the understanding that when we got the FEMA proceeds in that we would pay the remainder of the bills.

Councilmember Goebel: Well, Mike, I think, first of all, your department and yourself did a great job as far as getting FEMA here and the procedure of applying and getting the funds committed. But since we have so many questions and such a rush, I don’t think any of the six probably are going to suffer any hardship because their regular pay is not going to be disrupted if we maybe take, as Mr. Tornatta asked, another month to sift through all of this because it has come pretty quickly. And you’ve done a great job and I think if FEMA has got money appropriated to cover this expense, its pretty reasonable that we’d definitely consider that.

Mike Duckworth: I’m only here because the Commissioners passed the ordinance that basically got the wheel rolling to pay for this process. And once they did that, they’ve instructed me to file for the funds. And that’s why I’m here.

Councilmember Goebel: Okay. And I appreciate that, but I think you did a great job. I think the whole community responded the way any community should respond under those circumstances and you’re to be commended, but I think my feeling is that we should wait another month.

President Winnecke: We’ll hold for one second while we change the tape.

(Tape changed)

President Winnecke: Anyone else on this side? Mrs. Abell and then we’ll work around.

Councilmember Abell: Mr. Duckworth, as I understand this, the county employees did the debris removal at the trailer park, which is a privately owned facility. Is that correct?

Mike Duckworth: Yes.

Councilmember Abell: And the insurance money is what was received from the owners of the mobile homes that sat on that privately owned trailer park. Is that correct?

Mike Duckworth: Yes.

Councilmember Abell: So actually, the owner of that trailer park and the owners of those mobile homes could have contracted with a private company to remove all that debris and then the $72,000 would have gone to that private company. Is that correct?

Mike Duckworth: That’s right.

Councilmember Abell: So actually, what the insurance company is doing is paying you in lieu of paying a private company.

Mike Duckworth: Actually, that’s right. In fact, the $100,000 comes off what our total figure to FEMA would be. That figure to FEMA will be $100,000 less because the insurance company or I’m sorry, because the property owner and the trailer owners’ insurance, it was agreed upon between the county attorney and the property owners’ attorney that they collect $100,000 and put that toward the debris removal. And we’ve received 72,000 to date on that.

Councilmember Abell: Well, I have to feel that the mobile home owners and the owner of that private lot, who I happen to know, would be appalled to think that their insurance company paid something and we didn’t pay the people that did the work. Thank you.

President Winnecke: Mr. Tornatta and then we’ll start to wrap it up here.

Councilmember Tornatta: Well, I mean, we haven’t paid the West Side Nut Club and they did a lot of work, that’s just getting to that. I don’t even know why we’d be talking about that. I mean, no one is talking about why we pay people for a natural disaster. The question is, do you think all of the monies that were spent out, all the people that came in to help, do you think those will all be covered by the monies we get back?

Mike Duckworth: I do.

Councilmember Tornatta: Every piece of equipment that is out there?

Mike Duckworth: As far as my department is concerned, and that’s what, you know, the contractors that we engaged out there, the specific services from local vendors that we used will all be paid. There were volunteer activities. You alluded to the West Side Nut Club. I would say to you that, first of all, the majority of the work that the West Side Nut Club did was on state property and they have sent a late claim in for $3,140, I believe, to help in that regard. And I know that the Commissioners are looking at the final figures of what we get in. And if we can get the process worked out as to who the money goes to and who rightfully, you know, it goes to as far as the vendors that they used, then that money will be reimbursed. There is plenty of reimbursement that’s going to be here to cover these bills. And I think the total that I was notified of what the Nut Club had put into this was about $11,000, so the $3,100 that the state has submitted leaves a balance of roughly $8,000 that, I’ve met with Mr. Will and his committee in regards to that, and Mr. Will basically told me, if we reimbursed them, fine, try to work through the process and get them reimbursed. But, if not, that he wasn’t worried about it because they weren’t out there basically because of trying to get their services paid for, they were out there to understand and to help the folks that were out there and to be a volunteer agency.

Councilmember Sutton: Well, Mike, –

Councilmember Tornatta: Okay, and I ask you the same question, were you out there to get your services paid for?

Mike Duckworth: I was out there as an employee of the county. I was directed by the Commissioners to run that –

Councilmember Tornatta: Did they tell you at that time they were going to compensate you for that money?

Mike Duckworth: No.

Councilmember Tornatta: Why are we here?

Mike Duckworth: Why are we here? Because FEMA is reimbursing the county for the hours that myself and five other supervisors spent there. They are giving us money. Should the county make money on what we did out there?

Councilmember Tornatta: No, but is the county served as an exception because we had three events that happened within the year: a snow, a flood, and this event, was that taken into consideration when this money started coming back? Yes, it was. We did not get – and you did not come before us when we had a snow. We did not come before to pay extra people on different events that have happened that were state of emergencies. But now we’re coming back to do that. I really don’t understand why we’re having to address this and especially not without the other people that have donated their services and not asked for extra comp time for an exempt employee.

Mike Duckworth: As –

President Winnecke: Mr. Duckworth, I’m going to cut the discussion off. I think everyone has made their point. Point is well taken. The motion on the floor is to transfer from line item 2010-1850 in the amount of $12,648 to State of Emergency Overtime line 2010-1301-2010, again, in the amount of $12,648. Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: No.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: You know, I probably don’t have as big of an issue with this. I just don’t want us to piecemeal this. I think you’re doing all the right things, Mr. Duckworth, in trying to pull all this together. And I think I’d like to see the whole picture. I’m going to vote against this, but just because I want to see all these different reimbursements that are coming in. This was rather short notice for us. And I’d feel much more comfortable having all the information available to me so I could know that what money is going where and who is going to get what. I could have a degree of comfort there. So, no.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: I do have a question before I vote. This resolution can be brought or this request can be brought back to us next month, is that correct? Then with that in mind, I have to vote no also.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes. The motion passes 4-3.

COUNTY HIGHWAY                                              REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion carried 4-3/Councilmembers Tornatta, Sutton & Goebel opposed)

Mike Duckworth: Thank you.

CUMULATIVE BRIDGE

Councilmember Raben: Okay next, Mr. President, under Cum Bridge, basically the same request in the amount of $2,487. I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Wortman: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. The same theory here unless someone has a unique perspective on this. Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes. (See page 27 for correction on this vote)

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: No.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

CUMULATIVE BRIDGE                                         REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion carried 6-1/Councilmember Sutton opposed)

President Winnecke: Okay next we’ll move on – before we get to the amendments to the Salary Ordinance, we have a larger crowd than usual here today.

Councilmember Tornatta: Mr. President –

President Winnecke: Sorry, I’m into new business here.

Councilmember Tornatta: Okay, and I’m asking you a question. I’ll come back.

President Winnecke: Okay, thank you. Before we get to the amendments to the Salary Ordinance, again, to recognize the larger than usual crowd here, we have representatives from CAJE, Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment. As most of you know, they’ve been advocates of a dental clinic for the under insured and poor of this county for some time. And, if you’ll recall, during budget times last year, we set aside $80,000 of county money toward this and we do have additional funding sources that have been given. We have indications that we’ll get that money. We have the documentation. That process is in the process of being finalized at this time from those grantors. Those grantors would ensure that this clinic would be able to be open. The issue before us today is the approval and creation of four positions for the dental clinic and, Mr. Raben, at this time –

Councilmember Raben: Mr. President, okay, again, we’re going to take this separate and then we’ll address all other salary related issues. But I’m going to move that we amend the 2006 Salary Ordinance adding the following positions with the 2006 salaries: Dentist at $84,000, Dental Hygienist at $38,182, Chairside Dental Assistant at $24,000, Dental Office Receptionist/Bookkeeper, which is a COMOT II, Step I at $22,252. All salary lines will be issued during the March 1, 2006 County Council meeting.

Councilmember Sutton: Second.

President Winnecke: We usually don’t have discussion during this portion of the meeting, but if there is anyone who would like to say anything.

Councilmember Sutton: I just want to add that, you know, with the efforts that have been put together collectively by members of the dental society, the hospitals, groups like CAJE, Councilman Winnecke and myself in coordinating this effort, the Health Department, don’t want to forget them, that this is a beginning of what we believe will be really an outstanding program and benefit for the county. We still have a lot more work to do. We anticipate that we should have a lot more information here very soon about the opening and some funding sources. But I just want to commend everyone up to this point about their involvements. Its really been a pleasure on my part, being involved with this and I think Councilman Winnecke would concur about the fun and the labor, I guess, that’s gone along with this. And we’re looking forward to that first patient that walks in the door and today, by approving these positions is the first step toward getting us to the point where we’ll actually see the dental clinic opening and actually addressing this real community health need.

President Winnecke: Before we vote, Father Jay, would you or anyone like to say anything?

Jay Davidson: Sure.

President Winnecke: Silly question, I’m sorry.

Jay Davidson: This has been more exciting than I expected this morning.

President Winnecke: You never know.

Jay Davidson: Actually, I wrote this out so I would be rather concise because I might go off in some direction. I represent CAJE, Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment. We officially launched this show me the dentist campaign last June. We did this after listening to our members, the members of our congregations and doing our research and determining that dental care for those who could not afford to pay was a major health crisis in our community. Today we come here to commend the progress that has been made by many people. We commend the Vanderburgh County Health Department board and staff for collaborating with the dental society in formulating a proposal for a clinic. We commend the County Council for hearing the need and responding by taking a leadership role in being the first to commit money, $80,000 to the Vanderburgh County Health Department for a dental clinic. We commend the hospitals, can I say this yet?

President Winnecke: Its been said.

Jay Davidson: We commend Deaconess and St. Mary’s Hospitals for investing significant sums of money to complete the startup costs and the beginning operation. We commend the local dentist society for being actively engaged in recruiting a dentist and for advising the Health Department. We commend especially, Mr. Lloyd Winnecke who, together with Mr. Royce Sutton, not only oversaw the writing of a business plan, but somehow managed to pull together all the players and worked a special kind of miracle to get us to the place we are today. The clinic will provide 3,800 hours of dental care per year for those who cannot afford it. It will meet a serious community health care need. It will help many people remain employed who might otherwise have been forced to lose a job and veer towards homelessness. So we are excited. We are thrilled. There are still many tasks to be completed. Most critical is finding a dentist, the right dentist, who is truly committed to serve the clientele the clinic will serve. Our community has been this close before. We have had dental clinics set up and funded but they have not been able to secure a full-time dentist. That major challenge still lies before us. But today, we focus on what has been accomplished and today we commend you, the County Council, and Mr. Winnecke and Mr. Sutton especially, for a job very well done. Thank you.

President Winnecke: Mr. Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yeah, I would also like to commend the CAJE members who have been here in the meetings, who have been very vocal and very much an outreach to not only the community, but to try and bring the community and government together in a positive fashion. I’d like to thank President Winnecke for corralling through groups at times when it looked like things were astray and Councilman Sutton for, as well, being that buffer point when maybe things didn’t look so hot, and when there were issues. And it was all brought together in a fashion that I think is going to be a wonderful addition to our community and its going to add to, not only our well-being of our citizens, but the opportunity for people to better themselves and get in a practice that is for good health. So I thank all of you for the jobs you’ve done. Thank you.

President Winnecke: Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Oh yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

President Winnecke: Okay, Mr. Raben, more amendments to the Salary Ordinance.

Councilmember Raben: Okay yes, more. On your desks everyone has a roughly five page copy of other amendments to the Salary Ordinance that pertain today’s meeting, so I’m going to simply ask that this be made part of the minutes and move approval.

Councilmember Wortman: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion?

Councilmember Sutton: Are you sure you don’t want to read this?

Councilmember Raben: I’m positive I don’t want to read it.

President Winnecke: Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

President Winnecke: Okay now, Mr. Tornatta, your –

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes, I was given the Salary Ordinance when you were – I thought we were taking both the late transfers as one transfer, so that would be a no vote on the second transfer. When she passed this out, I thought you were passing out the Salary Ordinance, and that was put before us, so that’s my only addition to the record.

President Winnecke: Okay. The next piece of business is Old Business, actually. The confirming resolutions for the tax phase-in for the Shoe Carnival. If you’ll recall, we passed the preliminary resolutions to this last week.

Councilmember Raben: Mr. President?

Pre