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COMMISSIONERS MEETING EXECUTIVE SESSION SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 AT 5:45 P.M ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS: Kristina Warren, President Gene R. Beck, Vice President James Baird COUNTY ATTORNEY: Scott Hoff AUDITOR: Stephanie Campbell

The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met in executive session on September 4, 2007 at 5:45 p.m. to discuss litigation issues.

______Kristina Warren, President Gene R. Beck, Vice President

______James Baird Attest: Stephanie Campbell Auditor COMMISSIONERS MEETING REGULAR SESSION SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 AT 6:00 P.M. ATTENDANCE: COMMISSIONERS: Kristina Warren, President Gene R. Beck, Vice President James Baird ATTORNEY: Scott Hoff AUDITOR: Stephanie Campbell AUDIENCE: 28 Individuals

The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on September 4, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at the courthouse annex. The pledge to the flag was given.

TREE REMOVAL BIDS Highway Superintendent Dave Sutherlin presented the following bids for tree removal on County Road 925 South:

Cramer Tree Service $10,686 Marty’s Tree Service $ 9,500 Marsee’s Tree Service $ 9,800 D&S Tree Service $18,000

Commissioner Baird made the motion to approve Marsee’s bid at $9,800. Marsee’s had included a certificate of insurance. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried.

BRIDGE 137 John Moen with Floyd Burroughs recapped on what was discussed at the June 4th Commissioners meeting. Weintraut & Associates had completed the Section 103 report and submitted to INDOT and the State Historical Society. Weintraut recommends sending it to the Keeper to be determined.

The original contract $117,000 was signed on February 7, 2000. In 2002 a supplemental agreement was approved with a revised total of $123,542. Commissioner Beck asked if Washington D.C. was making the final decision in December. Mr. Moen said yes. Commissioner Baird asked what if it is submitted to the Keeper and it is not eligible. Mr. Moen replied 106 stops but if it is eligible then the 106 process continues. Highway 123

Superintendent Dave Sutherlin asked how long this would take. Mr. Moen said if it is not eligible with S 106 then you can get a construction loan next fall.

Commissioner Baird made the motion to approve the revised amount of $145,682. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried.

HOUCK BRIDGE Steve Luther from Beam, Longest and Neff discussed options regarding the bridge.

OLD BRIDGE 159 Steve Luther from Beam, Longest and Neff is going to request proposals for the rehabilitation of Bridge 159. He suggests going through the website and making a motion to advertise for the construction observation.

Commissioner Warren made the motion to advertise construction observation for rehabilitation of Old Bridge 159. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried.

FARRAR & GARVEY MERGER LETTER Diana Fetherspill with Farrar & Garvey presented a letter of company merger with Clark Dietz.

Commissioner Warren made the motion to sign the merger letter. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried.

HERITAGE LAKE Mary Williams is asking for signs to be put up by the county to give directions to Heritage Lake. She was given a price of $50 per sign. Chuck Phillips talked to her and tried to help out with suggestions. He suggested putting signs on the same pole as the green county road signs.

Commissioner Baird said an information sign would have to be a different color. Commissioner Beck does not feel it would be a problem but the county cannot pay for it. Attorney Scott Hoff said it would have to be approved by INDOT to add it to the county signs pole. Commissioner Baird said it is a good idea but the county cannot be responsible for paying for them. Mary Williams said she is not asking for the county to pay for them. Commissioner Beck asked Mrs. Williams if the seven signs she was asking for would be enough. She replied that she and Harold Paetow had counted it. Commissioner Warren said she does not have a problem with Mrs. Williams researching it. Mrs. Williams said they would slowly research it.

ATV ORDINANCE Commissioner Warren asked if the ATV ordinance had been advertised for tonight’s meeting. Auditor Stephanie Campbell replied that it had been advertised. Commissioner Warren asked if anyone had anything to say about the ATV ordinance, no response. She said she had one phone call and one e-mail regarding the ordinance. Commissioner Beck said he had phone calls in favor and two phone calls against it. Commissioner Warren said a big concern to her is with Manhattan Road and Fillmore Road may have to be looked at. Commissioner Warren said we can go back and add roads that cannot be traveled on. Attorney Scott Hoff agreed it could be done. Commissioner Baird said he received several phone calls for it and three against it.

Commissioner Baird made the motion to pass the ATV ordinance effective October 1, 2007. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried.

Keith Hutcheson thanked the Commissioners on behalf of the ATV group.

ROAD AT HERITAGE LAKE Brad Stratman passed out information regarding the roads at Heritage Lake. Mr. Stratman said that in 1971 when Heritage Lake was formed and the plat was signed, the county never vacated the roads. He purchased property adjacent to Old Road 525 North. He has been waiting to remove the old road bed and could not do it until Heritage Lake 124 drained the lake. He talked to the telephone company and told them that he was moving about four feet of the bed and the telephone company said okay. He said that he was not able to do it due to the lines and the telephone company said they have a right a way under the old road bed. He asked Attorney Scott Hoff about the easements into the right a way. Commissioner Beck said that 500 North and 525 North were abandoned by the county in 2002. Scott Hoff said the Commissioners cannot make a decision and that Mr. Stratman should consult with a lawyer. There is a lot of issues involved and he does not know which way this will go.

Brad Stratman stated that he had called Commissioner Beck and was told to talk to Scott Hoff and that he would put it on the agenda. Mr. Hoff said the only way for the Commissioners to make a decision or recommendation is in a public meeting.

FARM BUREAU Chris Mann from Indiana Farm Bureau thanked the Commissioners for letting him come and discuss the Local Option Income Tax. One main issue they have looked at for years is the property tax. They would like to see this tax eliminated.

The biggest advantage of LOIT is that it would be set at ability to pay since it is an income tax. Property tax does not take that into consideration. Commissioner Beck asked what all was passed. Commissioner Warren said Options A, B & C for a total of 1.55%. Don Gedert felt like they are going down the right path. The schools are out of control and need to be restricted more on their spending.

EMA SUBGRANT EMA Director Kim Hyten was not present but Commissioner Warren said it is a sub grant that needs to be signed for reimbursement. Attorney Scott Hoff said it appears to be a standard grant.

Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve and sign. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.

PAYROLL Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve August 24, 2007 payroll. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried.

CLAIMS REGULAR & EMERGENCY Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve claims. Commissioner Baird seconded. The motion carried. FSSA AGREEMENT Tabled until next meeting for Attorney Scott Hoff to review it.

PYRAMID & BELLS EXCAVATING CONTRACT Commissioner Baird made the motion to approve. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried.

MAIL 1. Indiana Community Action Association-Composting Training. 2. Sally Gray-Thank You Letter. 3. Putnam County Cemetery Board-July 11, 2007 Minutes. 4. GIE-Gray Tort Claim. 5. Nunn Law Office-Jones Tort Claim. 6. General Preservation Corp.-Courthouse Repairs. 7. IDEM-Bainbridge Compressor Station Air Permit Application. 8. Chris Mann-Farm Bureau Thank You Letter. 9. DNR-Bridge 146. 10. City of Greencastle-Big Walnut Sports Park Wage Committee. 11. Putnam County Hospital-July 19, 2007 Minutes. 12. Microfilm Monthly Progress Report-August 2007. 13. Treasurer’s Monthly Report-July 2007.

The mail was acknowledged. 125

ELECTION INFORMATION Commissioner Baird made the motion to table. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried.

COMMISSIONERS MEETING TIME CHANGE October 1, 2007 Commissioners meeting changed from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.

ADJOURN Commissioner Beck made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried.

______Kristina Warren, President Gene R. Beck, Vice President

______James Baird Attest: Stephanie Campbell Auditor