DECATUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

APRIL 16, 2007


The Decatur County Commissioners opened their April 16th meeting with following present: Charles Buell- President, Jerome Buening, John Richards and Bridgett Weber-Auditor.

The April 2nd meeting minutes were approved as corrected.

Mark Mohr – Highway Department discussed truck traffic on 280 W along with Kenny Wanstrath. Global Performance has issued a stay to using Harris City Stone. This will cause a hardship for this quarry. Mr. Richards does not feel that the taxpayers of Decatur County should be responsible to repair this road. Limited funds are allotted for roads and this is an extreme case with the Honda Plant. Mr. Buening would like to find a way to make a compromise. Mr. Mohr will try to get into the weekly construction meeting with Honda to see what can be done.

Mike Waldron provided a report of projects. Consulting parties meeting needs to be planned for Bridge #19. Mr. Mohr feels the meeting needs to be held locally.

Robert Barker – Park & Recreation Department would like to apply for an EDI Grant to tie in walk ways and existing bridge at the main park. There is no county match required for these monies. A river enhancement grant is also going to be applied for. Mr. Buening moved to allow Mr. Barker to go after these EDI grant monies, Mr. Richards seconded and Mr. Buell concurred.

WK Kellogg Foundation has grant monies available to make park more accessible. A partnership between Parks Department, City, County and Dec Co Foundation needs to be formed for match monies. The partnership would include $10,000.00 for each year from each partnership. Commissioners agreed to pledge $10,000 from Cum Cap Funds for 3 years.

Claims are approved.

Mr. Neuman presented a zoning ordinance for signature. Mr. Richards moved to sign ordinance, Mr. Buening seconded and Mr. Buell concurred.

Carolyn Fogg requested use for facilities in late September for food and music by the First Christian Church. Commissioners requested she fill out the request form at the Auditor’s Office.

The Decatur County Commissioners along Ms. Polanski opened bids for 2007 Road Program. The following bidders submitted: Dave O’Mara Contractors for Section A Hot Mix and Section B Cold Mix; Milestone Section A Hotmix and Section B Cold mix; Paul H Rohe Section A Hot Mix; Hot Mix Inc Section B Cold Mix. Mr. Buening moved to take all bids under advisement, Mr. Richards seconded and Mr. Buell concurred.

Joe Scimia of Baker and Daniels presented a petition to rezone 425 Acres west of Honda on County Road 420W. On March 7, 2007 a petition to rezone this area was presented to the Area Planning Commission. Brookville Properties LLC is the company wishing to rezone. This company wants to bring additional tax base and jobs to the area. Traffic is one concern. American Consulting Engineers is working on the traffic flows; adequate road usage; engineers have made statements to back that up. The bridge over Clifty Creek would have multiple guard rail systems will be put in place. Improvement costs would be provided by the developer, but hopes that TIF dollars can also be used to place utilities on this site. I-1 zoning is being requested at this time.

Several members of the audience stated their opinions for and against.

Doug Spitler presented 103 signatures against this rezoning and provided a map showing the areas. Mr. Spitler also discussed truck traffic over bridge on Clifty Creek.

Harold Wilson spoke in opposition to this rezone. Four homes totally funded by farm ground in this area and spoke of how good farm ground is in Decatur County.

Carol Reed spoke representing a committee 416 signatures in favor of the rezone.

Rob Smith lives in the middle of the proposed site. Four land owners selling around his property. He feels like he has no where to go.

Dennis Brown has property in this area. Mr. Brown has personal concerns such as the roadway will be closer to his property; property depreciation; hopes that growth can be controlled by use of the comprehensive plan and the zoning ordinance.

Jennifer Sturges of the Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber stated that planned growth for industry in this area, not a random zoning.

John Remmler, property owner in this area and a business owner in Decatur County. He is in support of this rezone. Utilities will also be beneficial to this area.

Vicki Kellerman, EDC Director of Greensburg and Decatur County mentioned Honda and its benefits. Zoning is a critical issue; shovel ready land is needed for future growth.

Al Knecht, former member of the County Council was present to show his support for the industrial park.
Larry Pumphrey is opposed to the rezone; it will affect a lot of people; jobs will not prosper in this area; let this development go to other counties.

Betty Remmler other counties are waiting to see what Decatur County gives up on projects.
She is in favor of the rezone.

Ed Blanton wants board to take a positive look at the rezoning petition.
Sara Myers lives in the area; doesn’t want Commissioners to overturn area plan commission and wants to stop future development.

Andy Hunter lives near Adams. People live there because they want to. Roads are too narrow for this development.
Mr. Richards discussed with Mr. Hunter the comprehensive plan.

Mr. Buening discussed the reasons for his upcoming motion. Mr. Buening moved to rezone property from A-1 to I-1 and Mr. Buell concurred. The rezoning petition was signed by the board.

Mr. Buening moved to sign a contract with the county and the Economic Development Commission to provide insurance coverage to the director, Mr. Richards seconded and Mr. Buell concurred.

The Indiana Development Finance Authority is providing grant monies to do studies on property that EDC has the option on. Mr. Buening moved to sign agreement, Mr. Richards seconded and Mr. Buell concurred.

With nothing else to come before the Commissioners, Mr. Buening moved to recess, Mr. Richards seconded and Mr. Buell concurred.


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Charles Buell, President

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Attest: _____________________
Date: ______________________