Owen County Commissioners

Owen County Commissioners

Regular Meeting
Courthouse 60 S. Main Street Spencer, IN 47460

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 9:00 a.m.

Present: Rich Foutch, Donnie Minnick, George Jennings & Richard Lorenz

Guests: James Baughn, Anton Karl Neff, Spike Shepler, Michael Conly, Denise Shaw,
Matt Sward, Joe Pettijohn, Sheila Reeves, Ernie Dufault, Barron Barnett, JC Larsen,
David Plunket, Don Hawkins, David Lanham, Don Kivet, Shelley Edwards, Chester
Richardson, Sam Hobbs, Jack White, Cris Lunsford, Tami Snodgrass and Tony Abney

MEETING WAS OPENED WITH THE PLEDGE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG

IN THE MATTER OF REORGANIZATION

Auditor Lawson opened the floor for nominations for County Commissioner President for 2012.

Mr. Foutch moved to nominate Mr. George Jennings as President for 2012. Mr. Minnick
seconded.

No other nominations were made so nominations were closed for President.

Motion Passed 3-0 to Elect Mr. Jennings as President of the Owen County Board of
Commissioners for 2012.

Mr. Foutch moved to nominate Mr. Donnie Minnick as Vice President for 2012. Mr.
Jennings seconded.

No other nominations were made so nominations were closed for Vice President.

Motion Passed 2-0-1 (abstention by Mr. Minnick) to Elect Mr. Minnick as Vice President of
the Owen County Board of Commissioners for 2012.

IN THE MATTER OF THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 19TH, 2011 MEETING

Mr. Foutch moved to approve the minutes of December 19th, 2011. Mr. Minnick seconded
the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

IN THE MATTER OF CLAIMS ADVERTISED FOR PAYMENT DATED JANUARY
3RD, 2012

Mr. Foutch moved to approve claims as presented. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion.
Motion passed 3-0

IN THE MATTER OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT UPDATE –Speaking Joe
Pettijohn

Mr. Pettijohn reported that they are continuing hole patching and ditch work throughout the
county. He stated there was some culvert work that needed done on Porter Ridge Road and
Patricksburg Road.

David Lanham came forward again regarding an issue from the previous meeting. Mr. Minnick
stated that he had gone to look at the site and he determined that the water flow has not changed
and that it is the natural flow that nothing was done in his opinion to that culvert area that would
cause problems for Mr. Lanham. Mr. Pettijohn stated that a culvert was put in many years ago
and that the highway department has not done anything in that are to change the flow of water
either. Mr. Minnick stated that if anything there is actually an improvement for traffic and
passage of the road.

Mr. Lorenz stated that he was in possession of the Highway Bids and had discussed the issue
with Mr. Pettijohn and that he felt the Commissioners should go ahead and except any and all
Bids submitted.

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Mr. Foutch made a motion to except all of the submitted Highway Bids for 2012. Mr.
Minnick seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

IN THE MATTER OF THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – Denise Shaw

Ms. Shaw came before the Commissioners for approval of the Ordinance for the Creation of the
Owen County Redevelopment Commission in order to start looking at bringing in new business
to Owen County. Mr. Lorenz stated that doing this ordinance would not raise taxes that all the
board members would be working free of charge. Mr. Barron Barnett spoke against the creation
of the Ordinance for the Redevelopment Commission. Mr. Foutch stated his concerns regarding
the secretiveness of the issue and that he did not fully understand the entire implications of the
passage of the ordinance. Mr. Foutch stated he continues to have questions about the ordinance.
Mr. Jennings stated that this ordinance just like any other County Ordinance can be rescinded at
any time.

Mr. Minnick made a motion to sign Ordinance 2012-01 for the creation of the Owen
County Redevelopment Commission. Mr. Jennings seconded the motion. Motion passed 2-
1. (Mr. Foutch voting no on the motion).

Ms. Shaw stated that appointments would also need to be made and that she had some names of
volunteers who have stepped forward to help with the creation of this board. Commissioners
suggested Mr. Minnick be the Commissioner appointment to the Redevelopment Commission
and he accepted.

Mr. Jennings made a motion to appoint Craig Coffman and Jay Henson to the
Redevelopment Commission as well as Mr. Minnick. Mr. Foutch seconded the motion.
Motion passed 3-0.

IN THE MATTER OF THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT INSPECTOR DISCUSSION-
Anton Neff

Mr. Neff reported that Mr. Tim Ball had requested that his name be pulled from the possible
Building Inspectors. The second choice of the task force is Mr. Billy Roberts who is currently
performing the duties of Building Inspector for the County. There was discussion regarding the
inter-local agreement with the Town of Spencer and whether this should continue. It was stated
that there is a meeting of the Town Board this evening and they may not want to appoint the
Counties selection so there may need to be more discussion if that happens.

Mr. Minnick made a motion to appoint Billy Roberts as the Building Inspector. Mr.
Jennings seconded the motion. Motion passed 2-0-1 (Mr. Foutch abstained from voting).

IN THE MATTER OF ADA CONSTRUCTION BIDS

Mr. Spike Shepler stated that 3D Professional was the low bidder and that all references have
been checked and that it is below budget. Mr. Sward is going to send in a Release of Funds to
the State and after that confirmation has been received that the Commissioners could then award
the bids. So Commissioners have taken the recommendation under advisement pending release
of funds.

IN THE MATTER OF COUNTY HOME – Tony Abney

Mr. Abney stated it has been a little slow since December but that he had received 13 bookings
in the last few days and he did not want to accept deposits for the County Home unless he had a
commitment of more time.

Mr. Foutch made a motion to extend the contract with Mr. Abney for 6 months. Mr.
Minnick seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

IN THE MATTER OF EMS UPDATE

Mr. Lunsford reported that the Medic Truck was damaged last week in an accident. He also
stated that he would take the remaining plaque from the last meeting and get it to the individual
who it was intended for. He also stated that he will be out of state for several days next week
and that his Supervisor Stan Frank would be in charge of EMS during his absence.

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IN THE MATTER OF ATTORNEY UPDATE

Mr. Lorenz stated that he would like the Commissioners to mark their calendars for January 25th
9to 3:30 for the 6th Annual Owen County Retreat. There will be team building exercises that the
County officials will benefit from. Mr. Lorenz also asked for signature from Mr. Jennings on a
parcel that had been purchased from the Commissioners from Gavin & Victoria Krebs parcel
#60-03-32-100-010.000-019. He reported that they have very few County owned parcels left to
sell at this time.

Mr. Foutch moved to have Mr. Jennings sign the Commissioners Deed and Sales
Disclosure. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0

IN THE MATTER OF COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

Mr. Foutch made a motion to keep all the meetings in 2012 the same as 2011, the first
Monday of every month at 9:00 a.m. and the 3rd Monday at 4:00 p.m. unless there is a
holiday. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Ms. Lawson stated that there were multiple appointments that required attention from the
Commissioners:

Mr. Foutch made a motion to appoint Mel Walters to the ABC Board term ending
12/31/12. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Mr. Foutch made a motion to appoint Dwight Dunnigan to the BZA Board to fulfill Mike
Branham’s position term ending 12/31/12. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion. Motion
passed 3-0.

Mr. Foutch made a motion to appoint Mary Wheeler to a vacant position on the BZA
Board term ending 12/31/14. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Mr. Foutch made a motion to appoint Carol Miller to the Health Board term ending
12/31/15. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Mr. Jennings made a motion to appoint Peggy Walters to the Health Board term ending
12/31/15. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Mr. Foutch made a motion to appoint Dr. Charles Cochran to the Health Board as a
Physician Appointment term ending 12/31/13. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion. Motion
passed 3-0.

Mr. Foutch made a motion to Re-appoint Dwight Dunnigan to the Plan Commission Board
term ending 12/31/15. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Mr. Foutch made a motion to Re-appoint Regina Gephart to the Plan Commission Board
term ending 12/31/15. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Mr. Minnick made a motion to appoint Jay Fulmer to the Plan Commission Board term
ending 12/31/15. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Mr. Foutch made a motion to Re-appoint Joe Heinmiller, Margie Tucker, & Bob Janke to
the PTABOA Board term ending 12/31/12. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion. Motion
passed 3-0.

Mr. Foutch reported that the Weeping Willow is listed and ready to show. Ms. Lawson
requested clarification of the heaters that were discussed at the last meeting. No motion was
made at that time to go ahead and purchase the 3 heaters. One of these will be a Gas heater for
the shop, and 2 heaters; one for the bathroom downstairs and the hallway.

Mr. Foutch made a motion to approve the purchase of 3 heaters for the Armory based on a
quote of $5,209.00 to be paid from encumbered money in the Cumulative Cap fund. Mr.
Minnick seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Mr. Hobbs approaches the Commissioners with an issue regarding the Armory Usage for law
enforcement for the purpose of exercising and using the basketball court. Ms. Lawson is to get

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cost estimate for liability insurance for law enforcement officials to use the armory. Friday
January 13th Mr. Hobbs intends to move the offices on the second floor and the two offices want

new carpet with a cost of around $5500. Mr. Hobbs was instructed to go to the County Council

at their next meeting to ask for funding for the carpet. Mr. Hobbs also mentioned that he is

having difficulty getting help to do the move. He was also told by the Commissioners to discuss

hiring a moving company; Mr. Lorenz stated that he used a company with great success. Mr.

Hobbs is to call the company and get information to the Council as well. Mr. Hobbs stated that
the hot water heaters at the jail are on their last leg and need replaced – he has one quote for
$39,000 and Commissioner suggested he bring the issue to the Council’s Attention as well.

IN THE MATTER OF ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Foutch makes a motion to adjourn. Mr. Minnick seconded the motion. Motion
passed 3-0 at 10:40 a.m.

___________________ ___________________
George Jennings Donnie Minnick

Attest: ___________________ ___________________
Angie Lawson, Auditor Rich Foutch

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