RIPLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

2009 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 12, 2009	MONDAY JULY 13, 2009
MONDAY JANUARY 26, 2009	MONDAY JULY 27, 2009
MONDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2009	MONDAY AUGUST 10, 2009
MONDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2009	MONDAY AUGUST 24, 2009
MONDAY MARCH 9, 2009	MONDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
MONDAY MARCH 23, 2009	MONDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
MONDAY APRIL 6, 2009	MONDAY OCTOBER 5, 2009
MONDAY APRIL 20, 2009	MONDAY OCTOBER 19, 2009
MONDAY MAY 4, 2009	MONDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2009
MONDAY MAY 18, 2009	MONDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2009
MONDAY JUNE 1, 2009	MONDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2009
MONDAY JUNE 15, 2009	MONDAY DECEMBER 14, 2009
MONDAY JUNE 29, 2009	MONDAY DECEMBER 28, 2009

The Ripley County Commissioners opened their meeting promptly at 7:00AM, Monday, March 23rd, 2009 at the Ripley County Highway Department, Osgood, Indiana.

Meeting called to order promptly at 7:00AM with Robert Reiners and Gary Stutler and Mark Busching were in attendance.

Commissioners, Highway Superintendent and Foremen discussed the decision bids for the new tractors and mowers.

Commissioner Stutler made a motion to recess to the Ripley County Annex, Versailles, In. for the rest of the Commissioners meeting seconded by Commissioner Busching. Motion approved unanimously.

Commissioners opened the recessed meeting from the Ripley County Highway Department promptly at 8:00AM, Monday, March 23rd, 2009 at the Ripley County Annex, Versailles, In. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Robert Reiners, Gary Stutler and Mark Busching were all in attendance.

Attorney John Ertel was present to answer legal questions due to the absent of Neil Comer, County Attorney.

Ted Spurlock, Rising Sun Regional Foundation, Inc. presented the Commissioners a copy of the 2008 Annual Report from Rising Sun Foundation. Spurlock advised the Commissioner that last month they received $145,000 from the boat and in the past they would receive $300,000. Draws from the boat is down about half from the past draws.

Commissioner Stutler reported that the Vanosdal Benefit was a success and that they raised a little over $7,000 to be put into a trust fund at the Friendship Bank. Stutler thanked the Fire Department, anyone who had helped with the benefit and Chuck Folz for the donation of the chopper.

Jeff French, Ripley County Surveyor updated the Commissioner on the drainage complaint of Bowling and Bischoff. French advised that he had received a phone call from Phil Bowling, stating that the water level was lowered and now is having trouble with his other neighbor. Commissioner Reiners and Jeff French will meet with Bowling about this problem.

Kelly Vollet, Technology advised the Commissioners that the Treasurer’s Office is in need of some more receptacles and breakers due to more computers in the Treasurer’s Office. Vollet presented a quote from Micah J. Lohrum at a cost of $950. Commissioner Busching made a motion to accept the quote from Micah J. Lohrum for installing the six receptacles and four breakers for the Treasurer’s Office at a cost of $950 seconded by Commissioner Stutler. Motion approved unanimously.

Commissioners signed letters to the Senator Nugent and Representatives Duncan, Bischoff and Cheatham concerning the Welfare money that will be left in the county.

Commissioner Busching made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 9^th Commissioner meeting seconded by Commissioner Stutler. Motion approved unanimously.

John Gause, Apex Benefits Group Insurance updated the Commissioners on the Health Insurance. Gause advised that the claims in January were good, February claims a little higher and that about mid year we would look at the claims experience again. Gause advised that Corba was passed by the federal government several years ago, becoming very complex and recommended that the county have a third party handle the Cobra insurance. Cobra proposals of approximately $1,500 to $2,000 a year were presented to the Commissioners. Commissioner Busching made a motion to table for discussion on the Cobra insurance and take under advisement seconded by Commissioner Stutler. Motion approved unanimously.

Larry Eaton, Attorney representing Hanson Aggregates Midwest, Inc. presented a Petition to Close County Road 50 west in Johnson Township, Ripley County, Indiana, at the Intersection with County Road 350 South, to its intersection with County Road 450 South. Commissioner Stutler made a motion to permanently close that section of County Road 50 seconded by Commissioner Busching. Motion approved unanimously.

Julie Brancamp, Ripley County Department of Parks and Recreation presented the Commissioners with the Fairgrounds Emergency Plans for 2009 which she explained is not complete but just wanted to keep the Commissioners updated and if the Commissioners had other suggestions concerning the Fairgrounds Emergency Plans. Final plans will be presented at a later date.

Bid Decisions for 2011 General Reassessment and Two Tractors and Boom Mowers.

Shawna Bushhorn, Ripley County Assessor advised that Neil Comer, County Attorney had looked at the bids for the 2011 General Reassessment. Appraisal Research didn’t have performance bond and Tyler Technologies had the performance bond. Commissioner Busching made a motion to accept the lowest bid received from Tyler Technology for the 2011 General Reassessment for Ripley County seconded by Commissioner Stutler. Motion approved unanimously. Commissioners signed the agreement with Tyler Technology.

Commissioner Busching advised that John Deeres has a 5 year extended warranty (Massey Ferguson doesn’t). Based on that and the ease of working on the John Deere, Busching made a motion to accept the bid from Smith Implement, Greensburg, Indiana for the purchase of two tractors (John Deere) and mowers (Diamond) at an approximate cost of $142,000 and trade in of three (3) three used tractors seconded by Commissioner Stutler. Motion approved unanimously.

Earline Copeland, Treasurer Ripley County and Katherine Taul, Ripley County Tourism advised the Commissioners that Browning Camp Grounds are not paying Inn Keepers Tax on the cabins at the campgrounds. Copeland questioned how far do the Commissioners wanted to go on this legal issue? Commissioner Busching made a motion to approve John Watson pursuing the Inn Keepers Tax problem/Browning Campgrounds for Treasurer Copeland seconded by Commissioner Stutler. Motion approved unanimously.

Ron May, AECON Engineering presented the Commissioners with Utility Coordination for placement of HMA Overlay on Friendship road from U.S. Route 50 to S.R. 62, Michigan Road from U.S. Route 50 to Route 421 and Millhousen Road from the Decatur County Line to U.S. Route 421 in Ripley County. Commissioner Stutler made a motion to approve the Right-of-Way for the Utility Coordination Certification seconded by Commissioner Busching. Motion approved unanimously. Commissioner Stutler made a motion to sign the Utility Coordination Certification of the placement of Chip & Seal on Cr 850 W from Holton to Decatur County & Railroad Road form Michigan Road to Osgood in Ripley County seconded by Commissioner Busching. Motion approved unanimously. Commissioner Stutler made a motion to sign the letters to Indiana Department of Transportation, Seymour District (Right of Way Certification) for locations Railroad Rd, from Michigan to Osgood town limits, Millhousen Rd, from Decatur County Line to US 421, Friendship Road, from SR 62 to US 50, Michigan Rd from US 50 to US 421 and CR 850 W from Holton town limits to Decatur Co Line seconded by Commissioner Stutler. Motion approved unanimously.

Commissioner Busching made a motion to amend the motion to purchase/accept the bid (February 23^rd,) for the two John Deere tractors and Diamond mowers, contingent on the Council approval of transfer of funds at the April Council meeting and sign the letter of intent to that effect seconded by Commissioner Stutler. Motion approved unanimously.

Commissioner Busching made a motion to sign the 2008 Homeland Security Grant Program Sub-Grant Agreement present by Wayne Peace, Emergency Management Director, for the salary reimbursement of $8564.41 seconded by Commissioner Stutler. Motion approved unanimously.