DECATUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEETING MINUTES


AUGUST 7, 2006


The Commissioners opened their August 7th meeting with the following present: Jerome Buening- President, Charles Buell, John Richards and Sylvia England-Deputy Auditor.

The July 17th meeting minutes were approved as read.

Rick Hall, Barnes, & Thornburg came before the commissioners to request an ordinance to put an area in Washington Township to expand the existing TIF District.

The City cannot expedite this area unless the County transfers the land over to the City.

The assessed value would be effective back to March 1, 2006.

Mr. Hall discussed the City taking over a portion of the land on the other side of I-74. Mr. Buening responded “stone no”.

Mr. Buell moved to consider an Ordinance of the Board of Commissioners of Decatur County, Indiana Granting the City of Greensburg Redevelopment Commission Jurisdiction Over Certain Unincorporated Territory of the County for the Purpose of Creating an Economic Development Area and Allocation Area, Mr. Richards seconded and Mr. Buening concurred. The transfer of land over to the city for the economic development would take effect as of August 7, 2006. Taxes will remain the same for these properties.

Mr. Buell moved to adopt the ordinance for final reading, Mr. Richards seconded and Mr. Buening concurred. 

Mark Mohr, Decatur County Highway Department, recommended leaving the alley open in Burney because of drainage problems that may come up in the future, as we have no obligation to maintain the alley way once it is vacated. 

Mr. Mohr updated the Commissioners on 500 South – 180 East. They are waiting on O’Mara’s to do the paving.

Mr. Mohr informed the Commissioners that Bridge #115 (Little Africa) will close in the next month. This is road 500 South east of Letts. 

Claims were approved.

David Neuman, Area Plan Director, came before the Commissioners requesting signatures for an Ordinance to amend the Decatur County Zoning Ordinance. There were several items for heavy industrial usage. Mr. Richards moved to adopt the ordinance, Mr. Buell seconded and Mr. Buening concurred. Mr. Neuman will have the original recorded.

Tami Wenning, Decatur County Clerk, came before the Commissioners for signatures on the compliance contract with Decatur County and the State for the Help America Vote Act. 

Vicki Kellerman reported the Japan mission will be October 14 through 21st, 2006. The cost will be $5,000 to $7,000 per person. 

The Simmonds’ Family came before the Commissioners to discuss the alley closing in Burney. Ms. Polanski, County Attorney, informed the Simmonds’ that if the alley was closed it would be the owner’s responsibility to take care of any problems.

Mr. Buening stated that Mr. Mohr researched the area and his recommendation was not to close the alley. The Simmonds’ family agreed.

Christy Hitchell, Cingular Wireless, came before the Commissioners to offer the County a discount on any employee having a cingular wireless phone or planning on purchasing one. She will arrange a time to meet with employees to discuss the discount.

Don McCreary, Decatur County Airport, came before the Commissioners to update that the Airport is going to lose the funding unless we proceed with the Airport. He has met with the Decatur County Council and they told him the only commitment is to search for an alternative site. The next Airport Board meeting is on August 21st at 6:30 at the Courthouse.

Brian Messer and Hugh Miller came before the Commissioners to ask if they could close the streets around the square for parking during the Fall Festival. They would like to close Broadway Street. The Commissioners informed them that the county only owned the area around the Courthouse. The Commissioners agreed to the closing on Thursday evening at 5:00 and will re-open on Sunday. 
Charles Buell stated that the Courthouse needed to be cleaned up, especially the sidewalks around the square following the festival. 

Pam Blasdel, EMA Director, came before the Commissioners to update them on everything she has done with EMA. She asked for a part time person, but since she has no part time help in the budget, the funding would not be available. Ms. Polanski, County Attorney, stated that if she needs more money she will have to go to the County Council. 

Peg Polanski, County Attorney, wanted to put an amount in the budget to cover the Wellness Program for 2007. Mr. Buening and the Auditor’s office will follow up with this. 

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



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Jerome Buening, President

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Attest: _____________________
Date: ______________________