Commissioners meeting opened promptly at 7:00AM on Monday, March 3, 2014 at the Ripley County Highway Department, Osgood, Indiana.

 

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

 

The new storage building has been started and will continue once the weather breaks.

It was reported Hoosier Hills Contractors for the water line had damaged Finks Road and would repair once the weather allows.

Commissioner Busching advised the bridge inspection quotes will need to be reviewed. Road repairs were discussed to be ready once weather will allow patching and the hot mix plants are open.

 

Commissioner Stutler advised Mr. Paul Wells had called Friday with a problem with a camera at the jail entrance. He was to get back with a cost to repair.

Commissioner Reiners advised he had talks with Mr. Gary Detmer of Maxwell Construction to check the attic and clock tower for where birds could possibly be getting in. He is to put trim around the screens to hold them from moving and cover the chimney so birds can't get down it. When they are here this spring they will check the exterior trim to see if any other places could allow birds access to the attic.

Foreman Kissell advised he was working on specs for Kenworth, Peterbilt, Freightliner, and International to bid trucks for the highway garage.

Superintendent advised the commissioners the Town of Osgood would be extending a gas line from Napoleon to the intersection of Brownstown Road and Millhousen Road.

 

With no further business to discuss Commissioner Busching moved to recess to the Annex meeting room. Commissioner Stutler seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Busching moved to reconvene while Commissioner Stutler seconded. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting reconvened with the Pledge to the Flag. Commissioners Reiners, Stutler, and Busching were present as well as County Attorney Ertel and Auditor Wagner.

 

Maintenance-Mr. Johnnie Lohrum 8:13:22

Mr. Lohrum advised he had received some information from a current water treatment person that the Easy Water System could harm the current pipes in the county buildings. He advised the sidewalk around the East side of the courthouse needed replaced. Commissioner Reiners advised he would contact Bruns Gutzwiller on the gutter issue on the back of the annex.  Mr. Lohrum advised the boilers for the HVAC system were back in alarm status.

Technology-Ms. Kelly Vollet

No Report

EMA-Mr. Patrick Rose 8:33:20

Mr. Rose advised there would be a hearing on the Milan Dam with CSX Railroad and the Department of Natural Resources on 3/19/2014 in the annex meeting room at 1:00pm. He also advised he was reviewing a mass notification system for emergency notifications.

Roger Linville 8:43:40

Mr. Linville expressed his concern with the damage to county roads, especially Finks Road, by Hoosier Hills Water Company in installing the pipeline. He stated the contractors for Hoosier Hills were leaving large piles of dirt on the road, damaging them and filling the road ditches so water could not drain. He requested the commissioners look into the damage. The commissioners advised they would consult the county attorney and have him contact Hoosier Hills with the problems.

Sheriff-8:51:31 Chief Deputy Bradley

Chief Deputy Bradley advised the camera problem had been fixed with no cost. He also advised that Mr. Brian Redick had been hired from the jail staff to fill the open deputy position. He then presented the commissioners with applications to fill the jail opening, Mr. Trevor Comer, and cook (Ms. Beverly Miller). These were approved. He reported the repair of the HVAC by QPH was begun and the dishwasher is to be installed.

EMS-Mr. Jim Corbin 9:06:21

Mr. Corbin advised Batesville Hospital had not yet informed them if they were able to provide the billing for the EMS units. Most of the EMS units were leaning toward MediCount at this time pending future information.

He discussed the old vehicles that were being replaced and was advised to take them to the Highway Garage after taking the decals off and store them until the commissioners decided how to dispose of them.

Mr. Corbin stated the EMS units were questioning some of the sections of the current contract. These will be reviewed and revised as needed.

9:31:45-Auditor Wagner advised the commissioners he had received information from the Health Department that the county EMS was currently listed as a non-participating entity with Medicare for billings and this was stopping their approval to bill for their services. In discussion with the current billing service for the EMS, Ambulance Billing Service, he had found that the bills were being sent as though the EMS was a participating entity and by changing to a participating entity it would not affect the funds collected by the EMS for the services. Commissioner Busching moved for Auditor Wagner contact Mr. Jim Corbin and if he agreed it would not change his collection amounts the status would be changed to participating. This would allow the Health Department to also charge Medicare for their services. Commissioner Stutler seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Freije Treatment Systems-Dean Freije----Water treatment for county facilities 9:41:45

Mr. Freije presented his quotation to treat the annex, jail, and courthouse. He stated the system would prevent and reverse any scaling of the current pipes in these facilities. They are currently serving 12 counties and Motel 6 nationwide. He will provide a list of clients for references and pictures of clients systems before and after to show the results of using the system.

Commissioner Busching moved to approve the minutes of the February 17, 2014 meeting as presented with a second from Commissioner Stutler. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Busching moved to approve the claims as presented with a second from Commissioner Stutler. Motion passed unanimously.

Auditor Wagner presented the commissioners with a request from Judge Jim Morris to purchase 12 new chairs for the jury. Judge Morris had provided two quotes, The Office Shop ($3660.00) and Batesville Business Machines ($3828.00), for consideration. After review Commissioner Busching moved to accept the quote from Office Shop for $3660.00 and pay from cum cap equipment with a second from Commissioner Stutler. Motion passed unanimously