RIPLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

2010 Meeting Schedule

Meetings begin at 7:00am at the Highway Garage and at 8:00am in the Commissioner's meeting room located in the Annex Building

MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2010	MONDAY JULY 12, 2010
MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2010	MONDAY JULY 26, 2010
MONDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2010	MONDAY AUGUST 9, 2010
MONDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2010	MONDAY AUGUST 23, 2010
MONDAY MARCH 8, 2010	MONDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2010
MONDAY MARCH 22, 2010	MONDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
MONDAY APRIL 5, 2010	MONDAY OCTOBER 4, 2010
MONDAY APRIL 19, 2010	MONDAY OCTOBER 18, 2010
MONDAY MAY 3, 2010	MONDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2010
MONDAY MAY 17, 2010	MONDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2010
MONDAY MAY 28, 2010	MONDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2010
MONDAY JUNE 14, 2010	MONDAY DECEMBER 13, 2010
MONDAY JUNE 28, 2010	MONDAY DECEMBER 27, 2010

Commissioners meeting opened promptly at 7:00AM on Monday, February 8, 2010 at the Ripley County Highway Department, Osgood, Indiana.

Commissioners Robert Reiners, Gary Stutler and Mark Busching were all in attendance for the Commissioners meeting.

The Commissioners met with the highway garage employees to pay a tribute to John Vanosdol who lost his fight with cancer. He had worked for the county for 25 plus years. A notice would be put in the paper and the highway employees are purchasing a brick to be placed in the county veteran’s memorial in his name.

A discussion was had about the recycle center building addition. The plans at this time would be to leave a 10 foot set-back from the fence to allow for a sewer line to be installed. Also discussed was the possible grant money that may be available to extend the sewer line to the garage.

The commissioners revisited the equipment needs and directed Pat Kissell to obtain information about replacement cost of a front end loader. Commissioner Stutler and Jr. Heaton advised that chip and seal money should be available in February for Railroad and 850 North. Additional money for 400E and 300S may be available in March.

With nothing else to discuss, Commissioner Busching made a motion to recess to the Commissioner’s room. Commissioner Stutler seconded and the motion passed.

Commissioner Busching made the motion to reconvene while Commissioner Stutler seconded, motion passed. The meeting was reconvened at 8:00 am at the Ripley County Annex building in Versailles, Indiana and opened with the pledge of allegiance.

Commissioners Reiners, Busching, and Stutler were present as well as Auditor Wagner and Attorney Neil Comer.

Commissioners read the minutes of the January 25, 2010 meeting. Commissioner Busching made the motion to accept the minutes with a wording for the Frederick sub-division correction. Seconded by commissioner Stutler and motion passed.

Commissioner Stutler informed him that the town would clear the county parking lot of snow.

Johnnie advised the commissioners that he was working on the water system for the courthouse and would replace a regulator. He is to obtain an estimate to install a vent system in the downstairs restrooms.

He advised he would be on vacation starting 2-19-2010 and would have the snow etc covered. The repair for the compressor of the third floor courtroom was discussed. Commissioner Stutler made a motion to have the compressor replaced as per quote from QPH before the cooling season. Commissioner Busching seconded and the Motion approved unanimously.

At this time the commissioners discussed the hot water problem at the jail and reviewed the quote estimate for this fix from QPH. Commissioner Busching made a motion to have the repair made per the email estimate with commissioner Stutler seconding. Motion approved unanimously.

Commissioners questioned the invoice and contract from Cardinal Pest Control. They were advised that it was correct.

Ms Ostendorf appeared as a representative for several county citizens asking about the County Dog Warden duties and if they included rabies control and animal welfare education. The commissioners advised her that the warden was dispatched through the 911 system and his duties did not specifically include education of the public. E.H. Specialist, Mr. Andy Bryant was called into the meeting to provide information on any rabies reports in the county. Ripley County has had no reports or instances of rabies. The commissioners advised Ms. Ostendorf that at the present time there would be no changes to the Dog Warden’s duties.

Mr. Norman appeared before the commissioners to request a list of companies receiving tax abatement so that he could follow up with them to assure they were completing the correct paperwork. Auditor Wagner was directed to supply that list to Mr. Norman.

He also advised the commissioners that Ms. Stacy Staggs would not be able to fulfill her appointment to the Region 9 Workforce Development Board and that her resignation letter would be received soon. He requested to be appointed to that board in her place and the commissioners agreed to do so as soon as the resignation letter was received.

Mr. Norman advised the commissioners that Ripley County has joined 5 counties called the Southeast Indiana Growth Alliance to try to break the Cincinnati market for site selection for businesses.

Also discussed was the Pike Lumber building site. He advised that all construction to site was going well and was on schedule.

Ms Taul presented the commissioners with a letter from Mr. Bill Condant about conservation of the county stone bridges by using original materials, such as lime motar, when repairing those bridges. After discussion the commissioners tabled any action at this time.

Mr. Cooley appeared before the commissioners representing the developers with several requests to change the requirements for this sub-division. 1)road bond, 2)T turn around instead of a cul-de-sac, 3)road width to 13 feet rather than 18 feet. After discussion from the commissioners, the developer, and Mr. Cooley, the commissioners advised them they were not going to change the requirements as these were requested form all other developers and landowners. Requirements would remain that after the last house is complete the developer/landowner would have to maintain the road for a period of 12 months before the county would take it over, the road would require a 60 foot circumference cul-de-sac, and the road would have to be 18 foot wide. For exact requirements please see the plat for this sub-division on file.

The commissioners were presented the plans of the Delaware Fire Dept. to move to a location they would own and could possibly be used by the EMS as well. They discussed the advantages of having their own structure were they could lock up their equipment, provide emergency shelter, and provide back-up communications for the county during emergencies. Ms. Mary McCarty was also present from SIRPC to provide information on grants that may be available for the fire department. After much discussion about the possibilities and who would own what portion or how the EMS might benefit, Commissioner Busching made a motion for the County to be the lead government sponsor for the Fire Dept. to submit a CFF grant. Commissioner Stutler seconded and the Motion approved unanimously. As more information becomes available it will be presented to the commissioners to see if there is any further interest in sharing the facility.

The commissioners requested that Ms. McCarty check to see if there would be any grant money available to extend the sewer line. Also at this time the commissioners asked Mr. Tad Brinson about set back requirements for a possible addition/building at the recycle center. Mr. Brinson advised it was 20 feet but could apply for a variance if needed. He also advised a addition could be added to match the existing building setback without a variance.

A discussion followed about the property proposed to be used to construct an annex. Commissioner Reiners advised that IDEM advised to hire an engineer to determine how any contamination could be contained. The commissioners discussed with Council member Mr. Don Dunbar about the project and after a lengthy discussion about options Commissioner Busching moved to have the current wells tested for contaminants as the first step in deciding what options were available to the county. Commissioner Stutler seconded and the Motion approved unanimously.

In additional business Commissioner Busching moved to join/pay the NACO with a second from Commissioner Stutler. Motion passed. Also Commissioner Busching moved to accept the contract from Malinowski Consulting, Inc. for county cost allocation .Commissioner Stutler seconded and the Motion approved unanimously.

The Commissioners signed payroll sheets, claim vouchers, claims to be paid from the Commissioner’s budget, and contracts for Heart House, 4H Corp., New Horizons, Family Connections, Ripley County Historical Society, Soil & Water, Historic Hoosier Hills, Lifetime Resources, Safe Passage, and Malinowski Consulting.