County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

You guys good?

Good. Good morning everyone. I'd like to call this meeting of the Hancock County Board of Commissioners to order. Today's date is April 7th of 2026 and the time is now 8:02. This meeting is being recorded and streamed for public viewing. By participating, you acknowledge that your image, voice, and comments may be captured and made publicly available. This meeting has been properly noticed in accordance with Indiana code 5-14-1.5. Let the record show that a quorum of commissioners are present. The commissioners are open for business. We will now proceed with the agenda. At this time, I will invite all in attendance to stand and join us for the pledge of allegiance. Pledge

allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Could I get a motion to approve the minutes 31st? Yep. I make a motion we approve the March 31st meeting minutes for the board of commissioners. Second. We have a a motion second to approve the minutes for 331 2026. All all in favor? I oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Now, could we get a a motion to recess? Motion to recess.

Second. We have first and second for recess. Uh all in favor? I I bit call the April 7th Hancock drainage meeting to order. We start by uh do I have a motion to approve the March drainage board meeting minutes. I move that we approve the March drainage board minutes. Second. All those in favor of approving the M minutes signify by saying I. I. Motion passes. Are we ready? I'm ready.

All right. So, uh let's go to number three first. So we have a variance to daylight um and to run to a dry well and this is Barrett Miner sub. This is on 600 South just east of Carol Road. And uh here's the location that's here. As you can tell on the map, a lot of houses around there. This ground has been subdivided and resubdivided and resubdivided. Uh this area in the back back here is a very wet area. Uh there's a ridge here in the front uh in the middle of the property. And so what they are looking to do is to run uh dry wells. Lot two in the middle there is already an existing residence. They're looking to add lots one and three on the side. And uh next to the house here on lot one uh the hill is about right here on the downside putting a dry well there. And then on lot three up here closer to the road. Um but outside the the rightway putting a dry well there for lot three. So we've looked at the area. There's really not a good place to run tile or perimeter anywhere there. There are some private tiles in the back which are actually overloaded. Uh we've talked to land owners back there as well and they would not like the tiles to be tied in that way which we completely understand and agree with. Um and so this this is the best option for them to run to septics and um they have a perimeter drain for their septics and then also for if they have a sub pump or anything like that to tie it to.

I know. So we're going to run a perimeter drain and drain it to right into a dry well right next to it. Right. Right. just you're just they're just doing a dry well right here on their property so that they have a place. How are we not going to have pro how they not going to have problems down the road with that? Well, it it's keeping their water on themselves. It's keeping it away from their septic is what the perimeter drain is intended to do. So, all that's doing is it's going down the hill and putting the water in a different spot on their loc on their property. The can down the road. Well, for them it's it's keeping their water on themselves and not pushing it on somebody else because they really don't have anywhere else to take it. Are we sure that it won't push off onto anyone else?

No, it it'll it goes underground. So, a dry well is really a hole you dig in the ground that you put uh gravel in. And so, it's it's really almost like an underground pond. It's just on their property. Well, how deep is it? Uh I think six six feet six feet six feet wide. Six feet down, six feet wide. Uh, and it's going to be open or No. Then then you put it's it's filled with gravel. Okay. Pipe runs into it and then at the top you put uh sod grass back on top of it. And so yeah, and so it disperses through the ground through time for where it's at. So, and they shouldn't get enough water that would cause the surface. Correct. I mean, you're just talking about a perimeter drain off of your septic and um

until you get a 3in rain fills the dry well full of water. Yes. That's then it overflows. but it's on their property. So, and in this situation, the the the ground does drain um away from that dry well down here towards the road um on both situations. So, it does have some leeway to get away. Is there a fee for this? Yes. So, it's a variance to it's a variance for the 8 in pipe. So, it's um $250 per lot. because we want them to tie into an 8 inch top. I know they can't. I know they got no choice, but I know

they're just going to have trouble down the road. It's not It's not our problem. Right. So, we have a motion. I'll make a motion to to approve the perimeter drain and drywall for both the properties. Lot one and lot three. Lot one and lot three of the uh Barrett Randall minor or Barrett minor sub as presented $250 with a $250 cost per each lot. Second. All those in favor of approving the variance for a drywall approved by saying I. I.

Motion passes. Let's go to um code number six on your uh so last month um Waller was in this is subdivision uh M new minor subdivision coming in off of State Road 9 and 550 north. So, we are just south of 600 and they are going to subdivide this piece of ground right here. Um, there is a regulated drain that runs on the west side of their property. Um, last time we agreed to reduce that easement because it is a an 8 inch tile or a 10-in tile that runs down through here. Um they were going to originally run a 8 inch tile along the north line to tie in lots two and three uh into that tile. After doing more uh investigation, they found that there actually is a 6-in tile that is running currently through there servicing uh the house to the single house that is here. So there was a 6 inch that was ran to this originally to the um to the Thomas Barrett uh arm there of that ditch and they are requesting to be able to use that 6 in on those two lots. Lot one has access to the main tile. So, it will not access those that uh 6 in in the north, but they are looking to have a access to that. And that would just be

as usual the perimeter tile for their septics and uh any sump pump or anything that may have to go in for a crawl space or that to tie into that 6 in. The landowner to the east, is he the one subdividing? Yes. So he's the one that's going to have to live with it when his when his tile starts backing up. Yes. To do this variance. Yes. I think it's a mistake, but

I own that. Correct. The lawers that are down on the south side of 550 lawers live in this house here. If you see on your screen, south's at the end of 550. It dead ends there. They own this property here. They also own this and this is the one they're subdiv lots on the end. And just for reference, um, and when we have a new subdivision and tie a septic and perimeter drain for a septic and a house, uh, sump pump, allow them to tie into it. Uh, we we typically allow up to eight houses on an 8 inch tile when you do subdivision. So, this is three houses on a 6 in. So, it's it's comparable. that stand for in capacity.

Are you saying lot one to the west is tying into the 6 in or they going straight They're going straight to the regulator. So just have two on the 6 in. Well, and then the original house that's there. We still have the three because the original houses on it. We're adding three lots. We're adding three lots, but only two of those lots are going to be on it. Correct. Yes. So there'll be a total of three lots that will be on that 6 in. So, two lots. So, times two on 250. Yep. Y.

So, you want a motion to approve for? I'll make a motion. We approve the variance to use a 6 in tile all our property at 550 northeast of State Road 9 as presented. Surveyor and 250 per lot and a $250 fee per lot. Second. All those in favor of approving the variance to use a 6-in tile on the Lola property signify by saying I. I motion passes. So let's go to number five on our list. You'll notice there is a theme today. Yeah.

So um number five is Severs. Um, this is off of Steinmeer Road and um we are off Steinmer Road um which is down near New 800 West. Do creek runs back behind these properties. Uh C minor sub as you can see is the area in gold here on the map that we have that is there. Um they have found so they have found or there is a 6-in tile that is in the field here just to the east of them that runs to a 20-in tile that runs to the creek. So instead of having to put in a new tile or an 8 inch tile to run to that 20-inch tile, they would like to just be able to tie into that 6inch tile already there is 30 ft off the property line. Uh part of them doing this they have to also get an easement from the land owner there which is they have that in agreement tie into that but they are looking for a variance to tie into that 6 in for a single house.

Do we know what the sever property? What's that? Do we know what the severes are doing with that property? What they're doing with that property? They're building a house, are they? Yeah. It's a single house. So it's a minor sub single house. Yeah. Make a motion to approve the uh connection to the 6 in tile for the seaver. Severe severe

fevers severe uh with the 250 connection fee and county hold armless. Second. All those in favor of approving the 6-in variance for Dave Siver Seir signify by saying I. I. Motion passes. It doesn't need to be included in your motion, but from what you said, they don't own the larger field around it. Find that if they don't obtain that easement and record it, they're going to have to do then I'll make another motion. If they do not have the variance, they cannot do it. Do we need to cut out the recorded easement to be able to get

right? Yeah. And so, yeah. Yeah. We won't let them build a house there unless they have that too. Unless we have that easement, they won't be able to go through our office. Yeah. They have to have an easement to tie into ex a neighbor on their property. They don't own that. They don't own the bigger piece around them. My understanding was that tile is not on that little piece. Correct. It's not right. So, they have to have illegal access to that tile which is recorded. Correct. Gotcha. Y I know you farmers like your handshake.

I don't know what you're talking about. Okay. Um, let's go. Let's do claims um before we jump into the last two. They're going to take a little longer for what we have um lead into our our last. So, we have claims there. Um so, this was a longer payment cycle. So, we only had one uh in that payment cycle. one more but there was nothing

right there was nothing for drainage planes for the one and then so then there was a longer wait just the way the calendar ran so here's the ones um and most of these were u open ditches dredgings that we did only one contractor still working on on dredging and that is uh Jimmy Molen there in Portsville bill there just across from the cemetery. We're doing that little strip north of the park. Else I think is done now for this year. Those are the claims for 318.

Make a motion to approve claims for 318 2026 in the amount of $12,83744. Second.

All those in favor of approving claims paid as presented signify by saying I. I. I. Motion passes. All right. So, um the next two are going to kind of lead into uh a conversation we will have about fees. Um so these will kind of prime you a little bit as as we get into things and talk about things. But u first one, this is a house in um Fortville. So in a bigger map um of Fortville. Uh this is Madison Street uh State Road 13. uh which is north of 67 Ohio Street north of the railroad tracks went back through there. Um raiders of Stolemire drain that runs in their backyard. As you can notice if if you look at the bigger map um Smirey still has a 75 foot easement on it. Okay. And so if you just do simple math on any of these right almost every house that is here well within right that 75 foot drainage easement um it's part of the law that when they originally did um drainage code and then the town was already there um it kind of encompassed those and it never you know it was never reduced never anything from that standpoint. So what ends up happening is you have a lot of people that have homes and things that are through there. Um but obviously they have homes, they have barns, they have garages, they have different things that are all through uh through the main thing that is there. Um, conditionally here in the last oh 15 20 years um Fortville has actually maintained a lot of mowing the banks and doing different things in Stomle uh just because it's in the town and they've just done it uh

it's been a part of what their parks department is. Now, if there's a bigger uh thing that's going on, we'll we'll take care of it for them uh from that, which do it all from where it's at. All of that to say this, uh there are the person here at 405 um East Ohio Street, uh the Moors, u they would like to put a a barn. See, they already have a building here. They would like to put another shed back here in the back of their property for where it's at. And go from the map here. They're going to be just about same distance. They're looking to be about 25 ft off of the ditch one just about where this garden is on this side. Um, and so they're coming before the board u to do a to get an encroachment uh into the regulated drain have there. So here's the ditch they want to put in. So it's 25 ft from the ditch and 56 feet from the road, right? So it's where it's at. So there and so as I look at as an advisory point uh to this board sometimes there are situations that we have where you know is it right to allow them to put that there on their property for where there be when there's already a number of things that are already there do have some some room to get in there and do work if we need to do work from that standpoint uh makes it very difficult for us to

I think this is a perfect point of why these new subdivisions why we don't decrease I encroachments happen because we are causing an issue down the road I I agree so this issue's already been created so there's no way to fix it correct correct and so that's um you know other than going all the way through and reducing that easement right uh through there to get people out and I don't believe that's what the board would want to do either, right? Um an older subdivision just because of different things that you need to do. It's just it's an animal we have to deal with. Yep.

Um the issue then runs into as we look at and we'll have this discussion here in a little bit of of the fees that we do to do things, right? So you have an existing thing that's here. Well, to encroach in the easement right now, our fee schedule is um to encroach in it, it's $25 a foot. Okay? And so they're only going to be 25 ft from the top of the bank. So that's a 50 foot encroachment. So that's $1,200 for them just to put a barn that's probably not going to cost $1,200 u in that location. And so as as we get to the conversation about fees a little bit down the road, um you know, what is what are the fees there for and why and when is it applicable to allow those to be there? You know, they're going to put a a little shed here in the backyard and it's going to cost them just about as much for the encroachment into there as it is and they're going to have to sign a hold harmless anyways. And so

have you built a barn lately? This isn't a this is this isn't a this is a a fab one that they're just buying and bringing in, right? This isn't a this isn't a barn barn, but it's going to cost more than $1,200 cuz I can tell you I've got one and it cost me almost $4,000 after I got done doing but but still I mean the cost of that of the of the fee to just encroach. You understand what I mean? as opposed to the what is the use of the fee? Is that to deter people from encroaching? And so that's the question. And so um so if you're coming before this board asking to encroach, we have a fee to deter from it, but you still want to do it. So why would we change it?

Correct. And I'm I'm just I I guess from my standpoint in just thinking through it and um allowing the board to have that discussion is what is the purpose of that fee, right? Is it to deter them or is it from a standpoint of uh time and material and everything that we may have to incur if we have to get into there and get around that building, right? Or is it something to just completely deter people from doing it? Um, but that was a question. I Yeah, I mean that's a fee for detering people.

I I don't know. I I don't know exactly what that fee um I I think sometimes it is for that. Um and here's the point. You know, it's a minimum of $250. And um sometimes I can understand it if you're in a subdivision, right, and it's a 30 foot easement or a 40 foot easement and you want to get 10 feet in or 12 feet in. Now you're getting really tight for where you're at. Right. When you're talking about a 75 foot easement, you know, that first 50 feet or first I mean that first 50t is their house. We're never going to get there anyways from that standpoint. And so I I don't know. I mean I'm just that's why I'm bringing it to the board from that standpoint. And so um I mean it's it's a twofold thing from this standpoint. Um there's the uh approving of the uh the shed of whether they can encroach into there and then the question is is the fee that is there you know I mean the board has the right to impose or to wave the fee but as we have the discussion here in a little bit is that fee applicable or should it be applicable especially in these older subdivisions what should be the what is the proper deterrent right uh for for wanting them to do something in that standpoint.

I I don't I don't like that word deterrent and I'll have to go look and and we've talked about that too. We're trying to look at at the resolution that the county commissioners used to establish these fees because there's some question about if this barn is 20 foot long just because they're 50 feet where they're going to build it, should that entire 50 ft be included in the calculation of 25 time 50? Or if it's a 20 foot long barn, then that's the actual encroachment. And the idea is the fee is paid because we can't access where that 20 foot barn. So I don't like the word deterrent. So sorry. Um that's not that's not the rationale. And if you actually go back and look at it, if they were going to file for a reduction in easement, that fee is huge.

$2,500. I mean, so that's even larger number. So um the idea is that if you're going to reduce the easement should have to have some skin in the game because that blocks our ability to go in and That is certainly at your discretion. It has to be a reasonable fee and and I just talking to Chad briefly, I I think that the last time this was reviewed was early 2000s. Yes. So, it's probably time to pull that resolution and look at Did you say the county council set these fees? No. No. County commissioners. I believe it has to go through the commissioners. It was set by the board. We don't have a say in it.

So, we do. It's it's similar to planning a recommendation. Recommendation commissioners. That's you three. Yeah. Uh now Okay. Are they Oh, there you are. Mrs. Morris here. Okay. Absolutely. Yes, ma'am. I just, you know, I have just a few things that I don't know if it's pertinent or not, but

your name your name and your address and you'll be fine. There's a mic right there. Um, hi. Um, Melissa Moore, 405 East Ohio Street, Fortville. Um, I guess I have a couple of questions here because, you know, we have we've been owners of the home for 30 years and in that 30 years there's been a lot of erosion of that ditch. So, it's kind of, you know, backing our property up a little bit. Um, I didn't know if there was any kind of like um I mean as far as it goes the town coming through and cleaning out and maintaining the ditch. They do to a certain extent, but kind of along where we're at, there's usually not much action there. They usually focus on the park down the street to keep that clean. And then of course, you know, there's some other areas. Um, so we've never really had a number one a problem with anybody having to get back there and especially considering the barn that we have existing is quite close to the to the ditch itself. Um, and it was there when we bought the property, but also um, as you know, I know it is a flood plane because of it being on a drainage ditch. Um, but in the 33 years we've lived there, yet again, there has not been any flooding in that area of our yard. Thus, that's why where our garden was located. Um, but yeah, like any kind of like like a grandfather clause or something in there. And my question is is because of these fees, we're really reconsidering the whole thing cuz it's a lot. I mean, that's a lot of money. $1,250, you know, and if it's more, I mean, it's going to be more than that with the permits and what other fees get snuck in there. But, uh, as far as the existing

barn that we have, if we were to fix it up and add on to that, is that still encroaching? If we're going the opposite direction, we're not going towards the ditch. We're trying to find, you know, something that's, you know, affordable to do. I mean, we've got about maybe seven to 10 more years before we're retiring. And, you know, we don't know what exactly we're going to do yet and as far as that goes. So, you know, we're not trying to I don't know, put a lot of money into it, per se, but we do want to improve it. You know, of course you want I mean and I do think that a new barn would be an improvement, but with the

$25 a foot encroachment fee, it it So, are you uh planning on removing the one building or Yes. Yes. Our plan was to remove the other one and this barn this barn is going to be I could we are sideways in the backyard 20 foot.

Yes. Yes. It's 20. Yeah, it's 12t 12t deep and 20 foot long. And we could in fact I mean put it where that barn is, but I feel like it's up a little bit further and in a better spot because I know that the lot next to us, which we do not own, it does hold water. It holds a lot. I' I've seen that come up to almost my knees before. Um but so and it's that barn's closer to that. So, we were kind of trying to move it away. We're trying to be respectful of like the um I think it's the sewer lines because I know that there are some sewer lines that run through our backyard. We're pretty certain as to where they're at because there have been issues throughout the year. So, we're trying to be respectful of that, but yet try to come up a little bit from the ditch. Um you know, we're just trying to make an improvement here. Speaking for myself, the conversation here is not particularly about your property.

It's about the problems that have been created in the past, right? I understand. We can deal with them individually. Like I don't have a problem with letting you encroach. We can discuss the fee, but the problem is what we're building now is getting too close. None of those buildings should have been put that close, but they've been there 50, 60, 70 years. Yeah. And I think so that's what that's what the main discussion is try to prevent this in the future.

Yes. And I can guarantee in that amount of time that that ditch has widened considerably. So you know I know that about four doors down that lady I'm worried about like her house. It looks like it could very much just I mean she could step out her back door right into it. So I don't know. But I mean anyway I think that's really kind of my question. is kind of like um you know sort of grandfathered in on that and you know assessing the fees and and then we're we need to weigh once that's assessed as to financially how we want to go about this. I thank you for your time. Thank you.

Thank you. So, what are you wanting to do? Reduce the fees for this particular

Well, we can we can walk through it's a two-step process right now, right? Um, one is they're requesting to um encroach in the regulated drain easement um within 25 ft of the top of the bank, I guess, is the best way to say that from from our standpoint. So, they're encroaching in the ement ft. So that would be the first motion of whether you want to grant that approval for that building to be in that location. Then the second conversation then is amongst yourselves of what you want to do with the fee from that standpoint. U do you want to keep it still at the $25 per foot uh for where you're at? I don't Well, I I imagine are they allowed to reduce that or are they since it's a set fee schedule, it's either a wave or a um I don't know. I guess that's my my other question that's involved in there.

I I would think you would want to leave the fee intact the but you could actually individually since they did not create I'm talking about this one particular. So I'm not talking about overall I'm just talking about this one in particular. So if you go to make this motion then that is that you know whether they can reduce it or whether they just have to wave it. So I don't know

my opinion on it just briefly from what I've heard this morning. I don't want to use the word precedent because each project is on its own merits. But we have some history where there have been utility crossings. Yes. Where this board has reduced or modified fees for certain applicants. So in this situation uh with the history here, you have an equitable power that fee as you so choose. That does not impact the set fee. You've had an applicant come present to you. That would be at your discretion on the fee. And that that's an individual decision for this property. Everyone is on its own merits if you believe that.

But if they're building a new subdivision somewhere, we're going to hold them to the 75 footer. You you can hold that however. Yeah. Each each on its own each mer. Absolutely right. Correct. I think that's why we set those standards. Absolutely. Uh my concern is whether the building's worth $5 or, you know, $500,000, we're going to do something that it's going to continue to open a box where people come here. And no disrespect to you, miss, just that it's in place for that reason, right?

It's not to try to deter anything. It's to try to make sure that we don't get buildings too close to this area. So if equipment is needed to get in there and do things, we can do it. And then if we find out, holy moly, there's a ton of other stuff in here that we've paid into this enough to to air that. And I appreciate that, you know, the fact that things are old. I live in a place that's over 50 years old, but I think to change the standard is it wouldn't my my opinion is not good to go away from the standard. I mean, I look at the other two homes and I feel for them that they're not part of this, but you look at that whole little ditch area. Yeah. and they may be in the ditch here in a few years.

I do not disagree. Yeah, water water will move ground. So, but if that's the case, why am I going to approve something where someone's property will be in that ditch somewhere on down the line?

And it it has been the um I want to say the precedent and this is just for information has been the president preference. Mrs. more asked. Um it has been the precedent of our office um from my predecessors that are there. If somebody is adding onto a structure and not getting closer to the ditch on an existing structure, we usually don't bring it before the board because we look at that encroachment as something that is adding into closer to the ditch. So, like if she was using this existing structure that is here and building back towards her house, we wouldn't see that as a more of an encroachment because that building is already in existence at that spot and the closest point to the ditch is already there. Does that make sense?

So, if she just adds on to that other shed, we don't need to know about it. Is what you're saying? If they don't make it any closer to what is already there, that is how we have always looked at it in our office because they're not including any more of an encroachment that building we are we are still that that building is already inside that easement and they're not getting any closer to it. So it's not creating any more of an obstruction from that stand.

So their north wall needs to be in line with the little north wall on that little building and then they're not encroaching is what you're saying. Well, we were we're saying we have always said if they touch if they if they are adding on to the building that is already there. If they're putting a new building in, we have always then still brought it because it's a new structure in there. But if it's a connected structure, we have always said if you're not going any closer, you're not creating a anything closer to the ditch that's already existing and that's how we've handled it. Now, if the board wants our office to do that in a different way, you know, we're more than welcome and and obliged. And not only that, we are, you know, mandated to do it how the board would see fit, but that has always been the practice in our office as we have seen it. So that's just anformational thing from that standpoint. And I know she had came up talked about whether adding on to that building or not adding on to that building. And so that's just how we have always looked at it from that standpoint. But those I think these are good conversations.

Okay. Here's the other question. Okay. You're saying this is a bought building. They're going to come in and put it on there or or they're building. Yeah. Yes. No, the plan was to um we were going to tear down the old structure. They were actually place. Yes. A pre Okay. So, you've got a movable storage building. Yes. They're going to put it on a put it on a concrete slab and then Yes. So, if you guys had to get in there, that's a portable building. Yes. That's a portable. Read the drainage code here. Okay. So, the drainage code language is different than our building.

Correct. As far as a building permit, the owners of land over which the rightway runs may use the land in any manner consistent with this chapter. Permanent structures may not be placed on or in the rightway without the written consent of the board. Temporary structures may be placed upon or over the right ofway without the written consent of the board, but shall be removed immediately by the owner when so ordered by this board or by the county surveyor. So you say it's a they're putting it it's a portable barn. Well, they're putting it on a concrete. Are they anchoring it to the concrete? We are I I'm not real 100%. I know that I had sent over a drawing. Um I cannot remember what it was called that were using

I mean it probably yes to the concrete um or to the permanent but we were using what are they they're t I don't know they're like um they're they're removable I can't remember the name of them I'm sorry I'm not I think they're the the metal the metal things that you put into the concrete and then you and then you can take them off and move them but you still have you still have the concrete it's It's into the concrete. Correct. You're you're bolting it to the concrete. You can take the bolts off. You're not putting it in posts that are in concrete. Okay. You understand the difference? Yeah. Okay. But it doesn't mean it's easy to move, right, for where it's at, you know, from that standpoint. So that's

but yes, so that's whether that I guess the question then is is whether it is a temporary structure or a permanent structure. Not sure how that is defined. That's definitely one above my pay grade when it comes to a law question. What's considered permanent? What's considered to me? Even if it's anchored to the concrete, if you can remove the anchors and pull it with it with something out of the way, it's portable. It's it's portable.

The concrete, yes, is permanent, but we can drive over concrete if we had to move the barn. So, in my in my opinion, it's a portable building. We can get equipment in there if we had to and that's the goal, right? And if that's your determination as a board, ma'am, with the understanding that if this board says we need to get in there, you need to move that building, they have the authority to order that building removed at any time. That clear? I mean, if if you determine it's temporary, I mean, that's that's what you determine. sign a hold harmless at that point. Absolutely. So when we approve it in our office, have them sign a hold harmless.

And I would think that hold harmless needs to be modified just a little bit with the idea that pursuant to drainage code 3692733, the board has determined this is a temporary structure with the understanding that if we need to get in there, we can order it removed. I don't I mean that's that's just that's just the legal part of it. I mean it's still up to it's it's that's your discretion. And since there's already a building there, might not be as big, but it's there. And she's she's actually wanting to move it to the other side of the lot, aren't you? So, but if it's temporary, they don't need to worry about they would not need your information and knowledge that at any point if we need to get in there, it's still within the easement, right? And it can be moved.

She attests to the fact that it's a movable building. the commissioners day comes that it needs to be moved. So, we don't need to make the decision here. No, no, no. That's fine. That's You'll make that decision. I can Yeah, I can have her sign that wholeheartless and we don't have to change any of our regulations or fees or anything like that. No, no. Okay. Can withdraw her? Yes. request for encroachment. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. That still won't relieve you from any other permitting requirements that you need. It doesn't relieve any other. That's government at work right there. From the government and I'm here to help.

Would have to move the structure. That would be on us. I mean, okay. If you wouldn't mind come saying that into the microphone so we got that on the on the No, I'm serious. I'm serious. I'm serious. Okay. Yeah. Sorry. I You've already stated your name just yet. Um Melissa Moore 405 East Ohio Street, Fortville. Um yes, we are aware this is a temporary structure and the uh tie downs are going to be removable and if you were to have to get some equipment back there to do any kind of work. We are well aware that we would have to take responsibility for moving the structure and holding county harmless

and what? Holding the county harmless. Holding the county harmless. Yes. Okay. Yes, sir. All right. Gotcha. I'm good with that. I'm good with it. Okay. So, that means no one along. Yep. We'll contact you after it's over and we'll move through. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Have a good day. You too. Thank you. All right. So, let's go. So, this is Heron Creek. We're across the street from This is number uh I think eight on your sheet. This is Heron Creek. 200.

Uh this is across the street from Gateway. So, this is a unique situation and so I wanted to bring this up to the board and kind of go from there. Something that uh is interesting. And so, this is lot 93, which when you come in off of 200 North, it is the first platted lot. Uh here on the side of the pond that is here, there is this line is not correct on GIS. This line actually runs straight here. You can see the structure right here. It runs on this side of this the north side of this property. It is a 30inch tile. Okay. That runs through there. It's the main it's the main um one that takes a lot of the water from around here into the pond that is there. There's 30 foot easement on this side. Uh and they're looking to put a house in this situ place here on it. Uh they brought a building plan in and the building plan as you have in your packet um they are putting that house directly on that drainage ement right and so part of the conversation to begin with was um I've been in the building industry um to build a house and a foundation without encroaching in the easement and building your footers is really interesting to see if you can do that uh without disturbing that side of that easement.

But this is a brand new home. Brand new home. Brand new subdivision. Brand new subdivision. So they knew that that drain was there before they ever had that easement was there. Correct. And there's the model of the house. They are 6 ft from the property line on the other side. I think we just had this about a just getting ready to recreate it.

Okay. So here's here's here's now on the easement. Um you know, can you build that house directly on that easement? You know, that's that's a a question for whether you can or not, but you know, technically they can build up to that line. The problem that we have is this is a 30-inch pipe in here. So, if we ever have to fix that, we need a big excavator. Okay? And if you understand when you build a house, here is your base of your house. Here's your overhang. Your overhang is over in the eman. So even though technically the base of your house is outside the easement, top of your house is not out of the east. Okay. And so when you have Can you go back one?

Here's the house. Yep. There's and the easement line is right here. It is right on the line of that house. Gotcha. Okay. Okay. And so this would be the overhang over here. So technically the house the overhang is about 12 in 12 to 14 in over that line. Why can't they move the house 12? The problem is from building and planning they have a there is a minimum of so far there have to be from the property line on the other side for the house. Right? So this house is designed exactly for the size footprint of what's there. Uh the issue that we run into is if I put an excavator in here and I have to swing around, I have part of that house which is in the easement.

Okay. For what's there? Maybe they need to build a smaller house.

Yes. I I just I'm I'm relaying the information to the board. So So the the conversation and just in full uh clarity um they are working at this from two sides. So um they would they are coming to the board asking if they could have a one-foot encroachment uh to do that on that side obviously which would come with they hold harmless and what's there. So that's one side of what they're doing. That is not ultimately what they would like to happen. Uh what they would like to happen is to go to the planning commission and get a variance to move the house a foot that way. So they're five feet from the property line instead of six feet from the property line on the other side. So that that overhang in all the house is completely out of the easement. Okay. I'm not I'm I'm just bringing the information to you. All right. So, um, so their request to the drainage board is to have a one- foot encroachment within that easement, um, for the drainage board with a $250 minimum. Um, because it's it's $25 per foot, $250 minimum, uh, to encroach that in there. Um, am I happy with that or do I think that is the right thing to do? No, I don't. Uh but they asked me to bring that here to the board uh to see if they would do that uh for that encroachment um under the assumption that they also are going to go to the plan commission would like to move the house for where it's at. Um ultimately they just don't want to redesign the house. Um but that's where that plays at. And so I don't know how often we do not get very many houses that build directly on the easement line, right? I mean, maybe two I've had since I've been here, uh, that do that. And so, that's where the conversation,

even the conversation with the builder is, you know, we never thought about the overhang. We never thought about the house that actually, and if this was a, you know, this is an 8 inch tile that was running through there, I would worry less about it because I could get a mini excavator in there. It's not as big of a deal, right? But if I have to get a big excavator in there and now we're closer to that house, then now we're talking a lot a lot more chance of a liability of of just all kinds of different things. Right. I'd make a motion then that we do not approve the encroachment request for Arbor Homes for Heron Creek Lot 93 as presented. Second.

Been approved and seconded that we deny the encroachment for Arbor Homes. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion passes. Okay,

that is perfectly fine. All right, so um two more things uh want to go over. U first, so as you see number four on your list, we have a discussion about drainage fees. So we have a resolution that that we have here. This is from our office. Um per the resolution that was done in 2009 through the commissioners. uh these were the things that were set by in relationship to uh drainage board. Okay. And that's really just regulated drain and utility work uh down to that point. Everything else on this page is um things that we do through our office that aren't necessarily through the drainage board. Um, and so I'd like to have just a a short discussion about some of these and what they are and what we have what we have seen uh in our office um and from requests going forward and whether the fees first of all are in line with what we want them to be there for. um and two um how they have not only been applied but how they have been um utilized by the people who have the land u in relationship to the drainage board. So the first one, the reduction in regulated drain easement uh currently is $2500 per lot or parcel, right? And so as as we look at it from the from the surveyor's office, um when this was first built in 2000 was done in 2009 was really right after the uh 2008 20067 uh boom that we had and then kind of had a little bit of a recession for where we were. Um and so they kind of looked at it from this standpoint. The way that we have done this recently is person owns the entire uh area that they have and they want to do it. So a lot of times this happens originally when

somebody comes in to build a subdivision, right? They're going to build a subdivision, they have 40, 60, 80, whatever acres they have and the ditch runs through there, okay, through that property. And so they will look to reduce that 75 foot easement to 50 feet for what's there. And so we have charged them $2,500 for that to do that. Now that's $2,500 for it could be 1300 feet that drain is on that on that piece of property and you're reducing it 50 ft and for all that 1300 feet times the 50 ft you're just you're doing $2,500. If somebody has a regular drain easement in their backyard in a minor subdivision or a subdivision or anywhere else and it's a 40 foot easement and they're asking for it to reduce to 35 ft, they get charged the same amount of money for what they're doing. And so from a way you look at it in our office is I don't think it's a I guess use a legal term there an equitable uh way of looking at what we're trying to do with that because if we're reducing the d the relay drain easement I think part of that is a deterrent for what they want to do but two are we able to get in and do the work that we need to do um is it change equipment or whatever we need to do from that. So, we would like to see that at $2,500 per platted lot. So, if the lot's already platted, $2,500 or $25 per linear foot. So, if you have, you know, a,000 ft that you're looking to do and it's $25. So now it's $25,000 for you to is it worth it to you to do that in that development from that standpoint? And so

that's what we came up from our office uh to looking at is from a standpoint of ultimately we are trying to I believe the board's uh look on this is to try to deter people from reducing the drain regulated drain easement right for not only for that for us to do the work for things that we need to do in there. Um the $2,500 just per platted lot or parcel to me becomes manipulated by people who own large pieces of ground um that are looking to develop that ground for where it's at. And it hinders those people who are um you know in single platted areas. And so I think in the single platted areas if we still want that to be the deterrent that's fine from that but I don't think that 2500 is enough for that deterrent of what we need to do from that standpoint. Any questions? I mean I just that's that's the thought process that that we came up with as we looked at that

to this resolution. Chad, do you plan on adding something also to say we want to at this annually? I mean, some of these fees haven't been changed since 2006. And I if there's a way to just take a look. I mean, we're trying to keep up with cost.

Absolutely. We we can do that whether it's every year, every two years, however we want to do that. Absolutely. Um yeah, I mean, we can add that into that resolution. I'm looking more along the lines right now of of trying to set a a framework of what we have of what we want to do going forward and then we can continue to look at them as we go through. Uh I was just kind of looking at things now that are 17 years old. Um do they reflect and our county has changed in those last 17 years? I mean the economy has changed too so immensely. And so you know there's a a

as the drainage board we want to be able to uh still get into and be able to maintain the drains that we have um in a way that allows that drainage to continue to move. And so, you know, at what point do we where is that line that we're looking at? And so, um, that would be the first recommendation on the change would be that on that first one, instead of it being just $2,500 per lot or parcel, that would be $2,500 per platted lot or $25 per linear foot. And then whichever's greater of the two. That sounds reasonable.

I mean, it's costing more to run your office. It's costing more to send your work everything. Yeah. Every I mean I absolutely and we're running a surveyor's office on,26 with 2009 income. I do not disagree. I'm just so I I guess I'm trying to get recommendations so when we put the resolution together um to take to the commissioners that it's I want to take it to the board here first, right? Um to see is that because you guys will ultimately be the ones who uh give those fees to those people whenever you approve. You mean those commissioners?

Yeah, those commissioners. But Eric, you're a big part of that, right? because you you have the you have just about as much right u I would ask the question does it make sense to do work for nothing I just want to see something that that's where it comes down to because if we're working off 2009 fees and knowing good and well how the economy has changed pull that resolution this one the reduction in the relay dram along the lines informed as to why they set them back then twofold one the first part of it is more of you're going to Why did my permit go? No, you don't like that one. It is more of a restriction upon the land. No, you don't want that one either.

It is more of a maintenance and we won't have the situation a position of the board being able to utilize the at first glance. I agree. Okay. Me too.

Okay. And so on there there is the ones there for um we kept the one for the regulated drain encroachment. We figured that was still pretty good for where it needed to be. Um it's pretty much in line with a lot of the surrounding counties for where we are. Uh the variance to daylight, um we bumped that up to 450. Um because ultimately you don't want people to daylight or to use a smaller 8 inch tile. I mean that is that that one you want to make sure that people are doing that and with the cost of everything that's going up that where it's at. And then number four is one that we have talked about before. Um, instead of it being a removal of obstruction from mutual drain, it's the filing of a petition for a mutual drain obstruction. Uh,

it might encourage people to have a discussion

with their neighbors before they Absolutely. But $1,000 talked about that so that we can by statute if they bring a mutual drain obstruction uh petition in, I am required to go and investigate that. And so that cost should be upon those people who are looking to do that if they can't get along and figure it out on their own. Um so and then utility work um regulated drain crossing permits. Uh we think that should go up as well. Right now it's a 250. Uh we think that should double for that from that standpoint. Um because there is a lot more that goes into that and there is a lot of those people doing it. So, uh, just getting our crews out to verify what they're doing and where they're at and they're doing it the right way and where they're at. It it takes some time and effort. Um, and then the the second one is just the regular drain encroachment permit, which is really the same as the other of how close they're putting their stuff to it. So, don't worry about the pond one. That's us. Um, we'll be doing that at a different time. So, we will look at that resolution for what's there. But um what I'd like to do is put these together and then maybe bring it to the next range board meeting and then have you guys look at it from a total standpoint and then we can take it to the next commissioner's meeting after that. There any questions on those from that standpoint?

Okay. All right. So, um, two more things that I'd like to Well, uh, first of all, do you guys have any any other business that you have from drainage boards standpoints?

So, our July 7th meeting, so with the way the calendar runs this year, it it creates a lot of different things in a lot of different places. So um the July 7th meeting that we have uh Purdue has uh scheduled their storm water conference at the same time. Um traditionally we are the first Tuesday of the month which usually during that month is earlier in the month. Um, so Purdue has their storm water conference on the 8th, which is when our our drainage board is that that month. I actually have a surveyor conference on the 7th and then storm water conference on the 8th. Um, I would and I know you'll have your commissioner meeting that day as well on the 8th. I would like to see uh people from the board if they could go to that go to that. But my question is would it be possible to move the drainage board maybe in the next week? Um, if not that's fine. Um, so that way I could attend that stormwater conference or if not uh that's fine. I just wanted to put that out to the board.

I will not be here the 7th. So if you move it to the next week, I could be here. Perfect. I don't have I don't have a problem with it. Or you move it to the next meeting date on commissioners. Yeah, we could do that. You guys have two a month. Sometimes three. Sometimes three. We have three. Yeah, last month they had three. 21st is good with me. Okay. We're looking for the 21st for that of the 7th that meeting.

And you will advertise that or what? Yes, we will. We will. Yes. Yep. We will advertise that for which there you said you had one more thing. Um uh next month uh we are in May. So we are we don't have it on the schedule there but the last thing is our May drainage board will be May 5th. So, just so everybody knows, it's election day is May 5th. That's right. So, it's the fourth. I'm sorry. So, it is moved to the It's moved to the fourth

and that might already be I didn't. Yeah, it should be. So, it is the fourth on Monday. That was the thing I wanted to let you know. All right. Thank you, Janine. That's why we I wanted to bring that up because the 5th is Tuesday was election day is the day before it is on a Monday next. I was going to say something. Yeah, I'm sure you remember that day.

Motion to motion to adjurnn. Second. Properly moved and second we adjourn the meeting. All those in favor say I. I. Meaning adjourned. Do you need a break? Yes. Thank you all. Okay. Thank you. We're going to stay. You have a minute for me. We are. Yes, we are. Yep. Oh, absolutely.

Morning trustees. I can get a motion to approve the minutes from our October 7th, 2025 meeting. I make a motion that we approve our uh minutes from the October 7th, 2025 meeting. Second. There's been a a motion made on the floor and a second to approve the meeting minutes from our last meeting as presented. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. Motion passes.

Did you also include the March 31st special meeting? Oh, okay. Well, let's do that, too. Can I get a motion to approve that? So moved. So moved. Been moved and seconded. We approve the special meeting for March 31 as presented. Any other discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. Motion passes. Do we need to election of officers? Well, the next next thing on my agenda is my conflict of interest statement that I've I think it's in your packet that I've submitted. I'm also the uh the attorney for the Greenfield Central School Board. So, we need to file this and I will do so with the uh clerk's office and send it out for the state.

Okay. Then a motion to accept Mr. Straw's conflict of interest form. Make a motion to accept Mr. Straw's uh conflict of interest form. Second. It's been moved and seconded. We accept Ann Straw's conflict of interest form as presented. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. Motion passes. Now's your time. So we have election of officers. Correct. And what? It's just the president and the secretary. President secretary. Yes. Okay. Then I would make well, excuse me, and the other two commissioners or trustees. Okay. Any other commission?

I I would make a motion then u as the the next president of the water and sewer district board to be commissioner Gary McDaniel. Second. It's been moved and seconded that we approve Gary McDaniel as the next president of the water and sewer district. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I motion passes. So we're just trustees. So okay,

let's finish here. Okay. Okay. All right,

Mr. President. So,

I don't know. Do we have your agenda? Do we have your agenda, Dan? It should be in your Is it in our packet? It should be. Did your following did your motion also include the appointment of you and Janine as trustees? Yes. Okay. Next thing on my agenda is the election of attorney for the water and sewer board. Here we go. Signed it.

Yep. So, I'd make a motion we approve um or recommend Dan Straw to continue as our attorney for Hancock County Regional Water and Sewer District. Second. There's a motion on the floor to uh retain Mr. Dan Straw as our attorney for the Water and Sewer District. All those in favor say I. I. Motion passes. Okay. Any new business? I have none. Okay. Any old bees other than what we've done? So, Oh, sir. I'd say we're I'm looking for a motion to adjourn.

I have Oh, just one other thing. We have the next meeting would be on the 6th of October this year. Okay. Can the motion reflect that uh the for the president to add additionally the trustees of commission self just to make sure. Yep. All right. Motion to second. A motion to adjurnns on the floor. All in favor say I. I. Thank you. Thank you. See you in October.

Yes. that get back up here. Okay, I call back to order of the meeting of the commissioners. So, Gary P. Good morning. Good morning. Remind you to think about county senior services. Thank you. Um, on your mind talking to elected officials.

Hopefully, uh, Mr. Binky, hopefully you and Beth have come to an an agreement on the interlocal agreement in McCordsville. Hopefully, they're good to sign that on the 14th, I believe. Yeah, I think the she reached out to me and said that she was going to be presenting it to their board for approval.

Excellent. So hopefully that'll be good to go. I spoke with uh M. McCallip and she went ahead and took our word for it that it probably go well and I think they've added it to the stip, but I'd hate for them to have to pull it off of the state transportation improvement plan. So the money has been reloaded. Um so hopefully we can keep that 6.1 million loaded there for the town of Mccorsville to get that roundabout done for them. So let me know if anything goes sideways on that on that. Um I have two items for bids today. I have distributor trucks and a single axle truck. So Janine, if we could open those, read the bidder. Do the truck bid.

We could read them both and then we'll sort them out. But one's a truck and one is a distributor truck. Got it.

Then I pass this down to Scott and I will take First bid is from Selking International and Ideal Lease um which is a Navastar company for the high Kokai County Highway Department. Uh, new dump trucks bid. Uh, time of delivery be fourth quarter of 2026. Annual payment for all dump trucks less tradeins 163,158.96. And in words, 99,300.96 for chassis with tradein, 63,852 for body, tradein value, $4,000. What I'll do is I'll analyze them and I'll second bid is from uh JX Truck Center.

Say that again. JX Truck Center. Quote number DE13493. Uh this is a price per unit of 199,42.88 less the tradein of 2007 international 7300 at $2,000 making the total price for this bid 1 or 197,647.88. 88.

Next one is also a dump truck bid from Stoops. Uh this uh amount quoted by Stoops based in Indianapolis, Indiana is $180,911 $912. I'm sorry. $180,912. uh new dump truck bid from Stoops Freightlininer uh located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Uh annual payment for all dump trucks $190,710. And this is a distributor truck kit. again from Stoops Freight Liner. Distribu uh one distributor tank truck unit price $343,860.

Say that again. Sorry.

$343,860. the highway. We'll take those bids and figure out which one's the best and then bring them back. I'll let Scott look at those while I finish the meeting. Then I'll look at the not those two. the Indiana trails grant receipt as I mentioned last meeting. So, good job to Miriam and Anne on that.

Was that an 8020? I didn't

It is an 8020. It'll be run through the highway department, but I want the parks department to kind of be the lead on it to kind of build some cloud with them. Uh bridges on three south and four south are moving along. I hope to have those open within a couple months. Uh depending on rain and things like that. We have a meeting with Lisa Lee about pilot programs. Um, I also sent an email early this morning about um, school corporation met with uh, Commissioner Gray, myself um, Greg and Dr. Parker met about some of the struggles that Mount Vernon is having. Uh, that email, a summary of that has been sent to you. Feel free to look at it. There would be lots of debate with the council and between the commissioners on that and some of that will have to do with pilot as well. and Miss Gray has brought in a report from Mount Vernon also distributed it.

Yep. Um, Shirley Trail Construction. So, we're waiting on a paper to arrive and then we'll probably get that paved, but I think they're just opening the asphalt plants right now. So, I don't like to get the first batches asphalt anyway. Work out the gremlins before we get the first batches. But, um, we'll get it paved this year. We're just waiting on when that's available.

Excuse me. Allergy's eating me up. U just FYI on State Road 67 at 400 West. Uh they may be removing, they're still working on the design there, but they may be removing some left turns there. Keep that in mind. Um I do need a motion to surplus um E222. It's the mulching head. It's our former Frecon. It was one of the first pieces of equipment I bought here long time ago. Um it's given up on us. It's died. Um we've bought a new one and I need that surplus. so we can recycle it.

I make a motion that we approve the uh Gary Pock County Engineer to surplus E222 mulching head uh serial number BH62 EXC-2V. Second. We have a motion second on the floor to allow county engineer grade pool to surplus and E222 mulching head serial number BH62EXC-2V. All in favor say I. I. I. Motion carries.

Surveying's underway at the Tuner West interchange. There's obviously a large pile of debris in the way, so they're working with that. on the second page. Um, the CCMG was curtailed this year due to a bunch of things. We are we have a certain amount of money programmed within the RDC for road maintenance and improvements within the RDC areas. That's pretty much Buck Creek, Mount Vernon or Vernon Township areas. So, we're going to transfer a bunch of our uh road repairs and stuff to the RDC to fill up that budget. And we're going to transfer that to do the neighborhoods is what I'm going to recommend. Uh that seems to get more bang for your buck with the public. Um and we it's hard to do the neighborhoods because there's no deaths or anything in the neighborhoods. There's really no property damage accidents very much. Um so, it's hard to spend money in there. If you look at it just rationally, logically, we should spend it all on main lines and stuff for the most effect. But people do like to walk.

Yeah.

And so, we get a little bang for our buck. that's outside of the typical public safety and how long it takes you to get somewhere. Uh people do walk and that does help build community. So I do believe there's a value there that it's hard to calculate in my own calculations. So I'm going to recommend we try to capture some of that. And you don't have to make any motion or anything, but just so you know, we'll be paying a large portion of the Mount Vernon and Buck Creek uh roadway repairs and improvements because a lot of that's because of the development out there. It's appropriate to pay for that through the RDC. And the money we save out of MVH restricted, we will use to purchase the rest of this. And we're going to purchase it under the current contract we have. We already have a contract under. So, we're just going to add on to that contract. We already have a unit price and everything we've already competitively bid. And so, that will be the case. I'm going to sit down for a moment. You can move on with your meeting. I'll look at the Cell King. It looks like right now Cell King is low. on the single axle and stoops is the only bid on the distributor truck. Uh those are similar to the numbers we were expecting. So I'm okay with the numbers. I'll take a quick Looks like Scott's okay with the legal side of it. Actually, I could probably just take a motion. Let me look at it.

Yeah, let me look at it. I'll come back up. You'll see me pop back up. Okay. William Nelson. Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Corey Taylor. I'm sorry. Been moving around today. Sit down.

Good morning. Welcome back from your vacation. Thank you. Thank you. Uh the only item I've got for you is a settlement agreement and release. This is on behalf of Indiana Foundation Services. Uh this settlement agreement and release is made the effective day uh April 2026 uh by and between JES Indiana LLC DBA Groundworks formerly Indiana Foundation Services Groundworks and Hancock County government as a customer.

Okay. The settlement is uh settlement payment. Groundworks will pay the $63,35154 to the customer upon full execution of this agreement. No other funds or monies will be paid to groundworks. So this has been sent to you. It's been sent to Scott. I believe you sent an email. Yeah, it's good. And that will wrap that up. Okay. making that payment directly. So, so they did send a check to they will not do so until until they have the agreement typical agreement.

I make a motion that we approve the settlement agreement and release uh between JES Indiana uh doing business. It's groundworks formerly Indiana Foundation Service in the Hancock County government.

Second. We have a motion on floor for uh approving the settlement agreement and release between JES Indiana LLC doing business as groundworks formerly known as Indiana Foundation Services. Uh it settlement payment is in the amount of $63,35154 as presented. All those in favor say I. I. I. Okay, motion carries.

Just so it's on the record, I was notified it would take 7 to 10 days to um get payment out to the contractor on that. Okay. I will inform um uh service master and let them know once we've received this I'll forward it on and let them know that Oh, they they they agreed within a week or so to pay it once they have this. Correct. Yes, sir. 7 10 business days. Want to make sure they don't stall out on that. Sure. Keep me. Let me know.

We'll do. Uh, next item I've got for you is you saw the emails um about the window tent. U Marshia Moore had requested some window tent be put on. Um I kind of got brought into it later. Um with speaking to her and Mr. Ethridge, he wants to make it right. Um he did install what was quoted. His solution without ripping what's currently on off. He feels like it the better option is to double layer that. So with double layering that uh keep in mind that it's going to be more difficult to see out but it sounds like what we were going for was privacy and security. Um so you have to weigh that option. I will tell you that I believe Deborah K's looked at um the new IT director's office has been done and it's double layer film. Derek Eard's solution was to double layer it and there would be an additional cost with that.

An additional cost. Correct. But what about all the other windows? Are you going to put the correct one on that? He would he would double layer those. So his plan is to proceed, get everything done, get the first layer on. If you determine that you want to do the second layer, there would be an additional cost, but it's the cheapest route to go as opposed to ripping the tent off, starting over and getting different material. But you said the double layer would make it harder for the employees to see out, to see potential people coming. She's sorry. Um, Andrea,

Andrea, thank you. I apologize, ma'am. Um, she did say I had spoke to her about it. Ask her what what she thought. She says it's very difficult to see out. So, as long as the employees are okay with the function of safety, if worst case scenario, you had to be in an office and secure your office and be less visible. So, he can't make the tent one way. I mean, it looked like he'd be able to adjust the tent on the film for all the other offices to be dark. And

I can ask him about that. He made it sound like this was going to be the cheapest because But the thing is, here's my example. Yes, sir. If all of a sudden we have somebody come in, our our our people can't see out that window and all of a sudden a gunman forbid goes over and shuts the door and they think he's out and all a sudden they open the door. Sure. So I I think that uh safetywise if we could get that that done without double laying it to where they can see out but they can't the other guys can't see in that that should be more of a oneway. Yes.

For safety may weigh outweigh the cost. I mean, find out what it costs to take that off and do it, right? I mean, I I'm my concern is for the county employees to be able to see any kind of danger agree with that into their office before it hits if if that were to Yes, sir. Okay. I will uh revisit that with him and let you know. Okay. Um would you like for him to proceed or just hold off? I I would like for him to hold off until he can guarantee that we can see out. Yeah. And is there a way for him to test this on a small, you know, scale so we don't request that issue again? Yes, sir.

Just say, "Hey, here's what we're looking at." And he did state that this is what was discussed. Um I was not part of that discussion, but from what I was told, that was what was discussed and that was what the work that is being done. So we are getting what we were quoted. Yeah. I mean, if we had to I mean, adjust the cost. I mean, I'd like to know what that cost is. It wasn't very much to begin with, was it? It was 3500 maybe. Yeah, something like that. Something really, I believe, so small. Yeah. So, okay. Appreciate that. Yeah.

Uh, last item for you is just something to be aware of. I need to replace uh highway department has a salt bin that is covered with a canvas top. Um, I'm getting price to replace that. It's going to be probably $9 to $10,000. Um, if you have suggestions on maybe where you would like to pay for something like that, I will tell you my building maintenance I need to be frugal um through the end of the year just to make sure my building maintenance I know we can always go back and appropriate more, but um it is a larger larger item. So, if you guys have any suggestions on that, we'll look into it and we'll decide.

Okay. I will work on that and I will get a hold of Mr. Ethridge and I will get a hold of service master. All right, that's all. Thank you. Thank you. Before Cy goes, can I ask a question? We've got an invoice from Greenfield Parks Department for the flowers that they always do annually and it's typically paid out of building maintenance. Um, the charge is $2,97.50. So, I didn't want Corey not to be here. If you decided that that's where we wanted to pay it from so that he'd know that if it's typically paid out of there, we that's what we want to do. And that's fine. I didn't get a chance to talk to you about it, but it was in my folder today. So, absolutely. All right. Thank you. Do you need We need a motion on that.

Do that, do Yeah, I think so. Motion. Or is it just typical? It's It's just a typical. Okay. Okay. I just didn't want to do it without him knowing. Okay. You're pull. You're ready to go. I'm going to recommend that the low bids are accepted. Specifically, the Silk King single axle at 163,1 9.96 and for the distributor truck at $343,863, which I have here. You accept these bids.

Okay. Um, I make a motion that we accept the bid from Selkine International uh in the amount for uh uh dump truck in the amount of $163,159.96. Second. We have a bid a motion second on the floor to approve accept bids from Silk King. Uhhuh. Silk King Trucks as presented. All in favor say I. I.

Motion passes. I make a motion that we approve the uh distributor truck from Stoops Freightlininer. And that is a unit price of $343,860. Okay. Second, there you go. There's a motion and a second on the floor to uh for approve and accept a bid from Stoops uh for a distributor tank truck in the amount of $343,860 as presented. All in favor say I. I. I. Motion carries. Mr. You want to just

make an announcement then? Do we want to recess or something? Uh, we can till we figure it. Yeah, go ahead. I apologize everybody, but we need to uh stop the meeting because of video issues. Uh, we've got a motion. Motion to recess. Motion to recess. Second. On the floor, all in favor say I. I. Okay, we'll get you next. Well, we hope not. That's That's what everybody watches. The camera. Okay.

is not being uploaded to YouTube. So, what they're going to do, they are going to upload it later and that way the public can see it at that point in time. And I'd like to call back to order our meeting. And uh M Mr. William, Miss William Nelson,

can you can you say your name and spell your last name? William Nelson. N- E L S O N. Okay. What can we do for you? Uh, looking to get a variance for a driveway. Okay. Uh, we will uh Mike Mike is with the highway department. They have to look at it and he'll know whether you can do it or not.

I showed GIS the plot plan and the way it lays out and he's not in favor of the county. Okay. So, what what other solutions do you have? Because uh they they didn't want another driveway cut.

There a reason why though? the highway department and the engineer in the traffic studies and recommendation for the proposed driveway whenever I turn into like my personal driveway going into the home versus me turning into that driveway. I I don't see the difference

driveway someone to rear ended or additional um just potentially more potential chance for an accident. Gary. Okay. I think your input's needed here. That's why he's applying for variance. Typically, we oppose any double. We have roads where they wind up with a ton of two-way driveways and we're not we're not a fan of that. Um in the world probably not but we are against two drive we we were for one drive every 400 ft we can't get anything other driveways

they have a right petition so yeah I was just curious like so if you look at the picture like if I'm going to turn into my driveway obviously I'm not turning into both driveways at the same time so what's the difference if I turn into that driveway or if I turn into the new driveway way. What's the distance between your driveway and the proposed driveway footage wise? Do you know? Footage wise would be about 80 ft. Driveway on the neighboring house west that isn't

we're not seeing it here. you're not seeing in that picture, but is this one closed because they are the corner lot and we have this trim pine trees for people coming down 300 west coming south so they can see back line of sight issues with there doesn't seem to be any I would go along with the recommendation of our highway engineer. We'll have to do that. Traffic wise

that did you put that formal to not I I'd make a motion that we deny the request based on the information from our county highway engineer about road safety in this area. Second. There's a motion on the floor and a second to deny the variance for another driveway for Mr. Nelson. All those in favor say I. I. Sorry. Thank you for your time. No problem. Thank you.

Okay. Mr. Gibson, I'm let back for a minute.

Good morning. Good morning.

Good morning again. Good morning. Um, I'm here for the representing the hospital. Um, you guys heard this through drainage board last month. It's for a vacation of an easement for their new platted lot. So, we're just needing that signature on the plat that we already at the granted board. So,

that's correct. All right. I'll just come and get those all at once.

U the second uh item um again you guys heard this this morning for the Barrett minor subdivision. Uh since that was approved for drainage for the dry wells, we're asking for the dedication of the rideway to be signed. Uh so it's a 50 foot dedicated half rightway. The acreage is 0.695 acres on the north side of County Road 600 South. 600 South.

600 South. Yes. I make a motion that we approve the 50 foot 1/2 uh rideway uh compiling uh 0.695 acres north of 600 South. Second. Okay, we have a motion on the floor and a second to accept a 50ft half rideway equaling 0.695 695 acres on 600 South for the Barrett Minor subdivision. All those in favor say I. I.

I. Motion carries. and the third one is the Borgman minor subdivision located 9500 North Alford Road uh 35- ft dedicated half rideway way. Um, acreage is 0.984 acres.

0.98. Yep. That's for the boardman. Uh, I make a motion that we approve the 35 uh foot half setback uh for right away in the with acreage of 0.984 for the boardman property. Second. We have a motion and second on the floor to accept a 35 ft half right away uh and equaling uh 0.98 acres from the Borgman minor subdivision. All those in favor say I.

I post sign and sign. Motion carries. Thank you

Miriam Rollins. Good morning.

Slow down. We're good. We're good. So, good morning. I'm here to share an exciting opportunity for Hancock County to participate in the statewide community mental health bench project which is connected to the 988 suicide and crisis line. I've placed a picture on the monitor of one of the benches. Our Hancock County Parks Board has made a favorable recommendation uh for this project at our last board meeting. And for those who are not familiar with the 988, it's a three-digit national crisis line that provides immediate confidential support to anyone experiencing emotional distress, suicide, suicidal thoughts, or a mental health or substance use related crisis. It's available 247 by phone, text, or an online chat. and it connects people directly with trained crisis counselors. This resource is critical in providing immediate help to those who may feel alone and it has been proven to save lives by offering early intervention in connection to mental health support. So the purpose of this bench project is to create a visible compassionate reminders throughout our community that help is available and that no one is struggling. um that they have to face those challenges alone. Nationally, similar initiatives have

shown that placing benches with the 988 messaging in public spaces um serves as a quiet but powerful prompt to seek help and reduce the stigma around the mental health. These benches not only encourage reflection, but they also make mental health resources accessible to our residents in an approachable way. The need in our county is immediate. Last year, we tragically lost 12 residents to suicide and in just the past two weeks, we've already experienced three more losses. These numbers are sobering and underscore the importance of a proactive measure to support mental health and crisis awareness before situations escalate. By placing these benches in a strategic and high visibility locations throughout the county, we can provide meaningful everyday reminders that our community cares and that support is available. The suggested locations for these benches include, but are not limited to, areas along the Penzy Trail, the new multi-use trail connection at the pedestrian entrance of Ninstar Park, several spots within NinStar Park, the new heritage trail that's going in in Shirley, and a bench possibly in front of the annex along the Riley Trail right outside at the south entrance that would balance the facade of the Dolly Pardon Imagination Library. library bench. Um I've also communicated with our mental health partners for additional and um suggestions and their recommendation are two benches on the south side of our courthouse. Additional potential locations could include a bench at the jail um and then some at the fairgrounds and any other county owned properties as appropriated and approved by you the commissioners. And by placing these benches in these varied locations, we

can ensure that that message of support is visible and widespread throughout our community. Um, the benches arise fully assembled, so we don't have to put them together. And we will coordinate pickup and installation with the assistance of the highway department and Corey Taylor who can help with the ongoing maintenance and identify the best placement locations to keep the surrounding area landscaped and clear. Um, additionally, we could establish a volunteer committee potentially partnering with the Pensy Trails and other local organizations to help care for the benches as they weather and ensuring that they remain welcoming and visible for years to come. The application for the project requires a minimum of 10 benches and a maximum of 25 with a description of all the locations that we've picked. And based on that requirement, I'm requesting approval to purchase a minimum of 10 benches. But the good news is they're only $75 a piece. Not to exceed a thousand is what I'm asking for. Um just in case we pick more, we we find that we've got more than 10 locations that we want to place them. Um I would ask the board's guidance on the appropriate funding source for this project within the county's budget. And for the record, the payment for the benches um needs to be u made out to the Pendleton Correction Facility. They are the ones who fa who who make them for us um and brought in the time of pickup. So, I would need a money order for that.

So, how are they anchored to the ground? They're very heavy and um I could work with maintenance to find out how we can I didn't know if they had something that could attach the bottom down be buried whatever it is. I mean the hard time the safety issues. So sure the photo you're looking at is actually over by the sister cities of Cudas area off the Pensy Trail here in the city. So I can get with the uh Greenfield parks and you know superintendent and find out how they have that anchored. Is this treated bumper? Miam, it is treated. Uh, we would probably want to come in every couple of years and put some sort of a weather, you know, coating on it.

Um, how are the QR codes and and the writing and logos? How are those? I believe that those are all completed at the comm community corrections facility. I can have more information about the QR codes. Are they painted on? Are they branded in? I think they might be branded. Um, but that I'm not 100% sure of. I'm happy to find out. Treated or untreated. I'm not sure that they'd be everlasting if we just set them down on the ground, you know, on what soil. Uh, it looks like they're seted set on the ground there.

It looks like it's got buried down. Looks like something has been buried under the ground there to hold them steady. I can get with uh Ellen Cooker um or Josh Gentry at the city of Greenfield and find out um how they installed those and we can follow follow that. Um it's a great program for the Pendleton Correctional uh facility convicts that are there to continue their work when before they uh exit back into the population. So um it's a win-win for a lot of people. Maybe it'd be worth a concrete foundation so it could be anchored to the ground for Yeah, that's expensive per inch in concrete. Yeah, but I mean we we I'd like to have it all together

that way we can Okay. And 750 to,000, right? Mhm. But I uh threw in the thousand just in case they wanted a couple extra benches because there's maybe a couple locations that weren't thought of and the locations are up to your discretion. So, but the minimum is 10. We'd really like to know the locations ahead of time. Yes. And mounting and cuz I mean it it could change the price of this. So, the benches, sure, they're only going to cost you $750 and you're wanting a thousand just in case we wanted something, but I'd rather have know where these were going to go and how they're mounted and all that. That way, we'd get the final cost on that. Mhm.

So, well, I think we're all in approval of it. Just if you can go back and find out how they mount these things in the ground. I see something that probably involves a couple bags of sackrete and some kind of connector to be drilled in that because those benches have legs and sometimes those benches will walk away on those legs. Yeah. Um right. And right to get a total amount before we go ahead and say, "Hey, let's let's get this." So, if we do need to move above the not to exceed, it may be a little bit more than $1,000.

Well, and if we've found additional locations, we could order more um as well. So, um I just wanted to bring it to your attention. This this grant program is available um many people will benefit from it. So, thank you for considering the initiative and I'll get that information together for you all. Okay. All right. You got on your trees also? Um the trees. We are going to strike the trees because um they've started to to leaf and they've started to bud and uh we just don't we don't have the capacity at this point um to move them from that location and plant them.

Well, okay. Cuz I I was at the 250 meeting last week, I think it was. And uh they're interested in trees, but you know, and they would actually pay for the moving and all that kind of stuff. It seemed like that we were looking for a place to put them. Mhm. So, I'd say, yeah, my idea was to put them along the west um line of Ninstar Park up in the elevated area by the other tree line. Um, however, it's a large excavation project. Yeah. And even if Walmart were to deliver them with the construction going on with uh our highway, we just don't have the capacity of equipment right now. It's going to be used for our roads. So,

Okay. You let them know? I I've let them know. Thank you. You betcha. Thank you very much. Need a recess motion. Motion to recess. Motion second. Have a motion on the floor to recess. All in favor? I. Motion passes. Give us a couple minutes. We'll have the solid waste board up next.

Hello Dee. Hello. How are you? Wonderful. You doing good? So, how are you? Hello, Mr. Good. You all be glad in there.

Our Hancock County Solid Waste Management Board meeting for today, April 7th. Uh, first item on our agenda is a review of the minutes from uh, March 3rd, 2026. I make a move. Go ahead.

I'm I move that we accept the minutes from the uh, March 3rd, 2026 Hancock County Solid Waste Management Board meeting. Second. It's been moved and seconded that we approve the minutes from the March 3rd meeting as presented. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. Motion passes. Uh, next up is the director's report. We don't have any invoices, correct? Um, yeah, we do. On the um on the back page of your packet, you want to go ahead discuss the invoices?

Yeah. So, we have the the contract for March uh logo apparel under supplies. I did uh fill up the fuel fuel tank on my truck. Um and then we had the Verizon bill for February. I purchased some flower pot project supplies uh through Amazon for education materials for Earth Day classrooms to do. Um and then under Toxaway uh I bought some more supplies for our collection event from Amazon. I bought some signs from Vista Print. And then I signed up for the MS4 annual conference um uh meeting in May. And then um a couple things under the event fund that I didn't get updated. The canop insulation glass number six um recycling uh did we did get the check for that. So that has been received. So over to the right um the current total of the event fund um for this year is $30,21040. So, I'll get that updated for next month, but just

make a motion to accept the pay uh invoices. Second. It's a motion and a second on the floor to pay the invoices as presented. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. Motion passes.

Okay. That second little packet that I gave you um is my for my hours for January, February, and March. And I decided this morning that um I probably need to translate the total minutes to hours just so it's easier to comprehend what that means. Um so next time I give this packet out, I will u make sure that's on there. Um but this is just um you had asked for kind of a timeline of how I spend my days. So this is um a breakdown of the different things that I do. I hope this is acceptable or what you're wanting for for that listing of what I do. So, it's just general categories. If you need more information on any particular category, I can give that to you. Um at the top right, um corner of that spreadsheet. Um I had some over some hours that I had worked over from December and so I carried that forward into this year. So up there, the 780 minutes was what was carried over from last year. Um, and that will appear on every month because I never seem to balance out at the end of the month. I always have um additional time that's left over from the prior month. But, um, I am trying to use those those minutes up. Um, I'm probably going to acrew a lot this month because I have a really busy month. Um, so, but that's um my hours for the first three months of the year.

Okay. Did you questions on that or comments or anything you want me to do differently on that? Just continue to keep track of those minutes. Okay, looks good. All right, thanks. It might help to discuss that for the you know under the old business under the contract update is why we're kind of doing that.

Okay. Um so then the next item on the um agenda is uh Libby Wyatt's appointment to this board uh was approved by the commissioners I believe. Um so I just wanted to bring that to everyone's attention. So welcome back. Um under old business uh the Hancock County Community Foundation grant that is the grant for the park bins. We actually have a meeting um actually this afternoon with the community foundation as part of that grant process. They either want a site visit or an interview. Um we are doing the interview and um Julie Patterson with the Greenfield Parks Department is going to be accompanying me on that um that interview with them. So um so I think everything will go great. We have a PowerPoint presentation laid out. I have a picture of the bins and the signage that's going to appear on the bins. And what we're we're um proposing to do if we get the grant is it'll have a big uh Greenfield Parks Department logo at the top of the sign. And then we put if we get the funding, we'd put the community foundation logo in smaller print underneath that. And then also the recycle Hancock County logo on there as well to show that we're all partners on that project. So, um that'll be this afternoon. I'm expecting it to go pretty well. So, um school program update. I have um I have 102 programs scheduled as of right now. So, I've got a very busy month, month and a half. And then our flower pot projects, I've got half of those delivered to the schools. The other half I'm hoping to distribute this week. This week we have 120 classes that are going to be participating in that program which encompasses 2,634

students. So we're reaching a lot of kids with our Earth Day flower pot projects. I had a meeting last week with Republic Services and and this is in regards to um collecting hazardous waste at the Republic Services transfer station. They have talked to upper management. they are in favor of proceeding with this project. Um we're not sure um we're still working on the details. They are working on their side to figure out how they want it to be structured. You know what their um if they need a hazardous waste storage unit to be placed on site, whether um they can do it during the weekday or if it has to be on a weekend. They're still working out all those details, trying to figure out exactly what they need on their side, but um they are ready to move forward with that. So, I wanted to get your blessing to proceed with those conversations. I think this is going to be a win-win for both of our organizations. you know, um I've been talking to Brian Breees, the um county insurance agent, and he is very much in favor of us going to this type of a setup rather than having our collection events offsite on non-county-owned property. Um uh we do have our vendors that supply a certificate of insurance naming the Hancock County government as an additional insured, but we wouldn't have to do that anymore. it would all, you know, be under Republic Services. So, that's, you know, good there. Um, so I'm really excited about this. This is going to be, um, an added convenience for Hancock County residents because they will have more than just two times to properly dispose of hazardous waste. So, I feel like by having more opportunities

for hazardous waste disposal, we'll um hopefully not get as much um or not have any residents that are d disposing of their hazardous waste improperly, throwing it in the trash, throwing it on the ground, who knows what they're doing with it. Um but I'm hoping this will will be a great benefit to our our community. So, I wanted to get your blessing on proceeding. Anyone in opposition to Dee continuing her discussions with Republic? Good idea.

Great. And um they are willing to extend beyond just hazardous waste. So once we get this up and going, they also take tires. They might even be interested in electronics. Um so I think this is just going to keep growing. So I think this is going to be great. So thank you for your blessing on that. Um, our spring collection event is coming up on April 25th. I did pass down the postcards um for that. We have all of our vendors lined up. We have the park chapels all lined up. We are going to set up all of our cones, which we're going to have a lot of cones, but we're going to set those up on Friday, the day before. and McCordsville um town is going to come help me. Um they're going to use their crew uh their storm water crew to help me place all those cones and they're going to provide additional cones for that. So um I feel like it's going to work out really well. Um we're going to have the two um police officers at each entrance and exit that'll help with traffic flow. Um we've got the bank lined up, Greenfield Banking Company lined up to pay for the shredding. So, I feel like we're we're in really good shape. It's advertising has gone out. We are also going to um place an ad in the Great Deals um advertising magazine and they are providing tickets to Holiday World. So, if we collect if the the residents bring that ad in with their name and phone number at the bottom, then they get a chance to win tickets to Holiday World. So, that's an incentive for us to track that advertising to make sure that it's working. So, we're good to go there. Um, one other thing I wanted to mention before we get to the director contract. Um, I am still in the running for the IDM tire grant. I got an email that, um, said we are still a potential awardee, but they needed some additional documents um, to further us through the process. So, we're still in

the running for that. Um, I don't think it's definite yet that we are awarded it, but we are still in the running. So, that's good. Um, now on to the director contract update. Um, I had some um had a conversation with Scott Bkey uh regarding that and um we are both under the um uh recommendation that this position really needs to be a county position um rather than doing an independent contract. It just would resolve a lot of issues and we feel like it would be better for for both parties if we were to pursue that avenue rather than doing an independent contract agreement. That's accurate and uh we had a very worthwhile conversation about the history and so we do recommend jointly to this board that her status change uh employee of the county. So I appreciate uh the fact we were able to resolve that.

Okay. We will address that going forward. Right. I was going to say that the commissioners would have to come together and create the position and then we also have to discuss what that pay looks like because then you'd be receive some benefits from the county. Have to take that in consideration if we didn't. But we would forward up a favorable recommendation to the council at least for tomorrow to say and Scott we would you know both speak to it as well that this is it's the best way to go in that time between May 4th structure that we can offer them so that on their sixth meeting they can get a hold of it and start to plan it and put it in the budget. But until then, we will move forward as we are

will continue. Well, I'll ask for a motion for favorable recommendation to consider DD uh to be an employee of the county to continue to take it to the council. I would make a motion that we continue as we are while we make favorable recommendation to the county council to actually create a position for that and go forward to discussions on pay and benefits. Second. It's been moved and seconded or I have a motion and a second on the floor. Is there any other discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Motion passes.

Okay. But since I am still an independent contractor for another month, I am going to go ahead and try to switch all my education programs that pertain to food or that where I serve food. I'm going to try to have them switch over to another program so I don't have to offer food um to those students. And then um for the um collection event, since I I don't have insurance, I will look into getting possibly a one-day policy to cover me for that collection event. So I feel like we can I can deal with that for Right. I thought I was reading here that said that since you're working for the county, you would be covered under our insurance

as a employee. Well, I won't be before our collection in the interim. Exactly. I think I am partially covered under the county, but as far as my business, it's not. I don't think so. I I feel like an additional insurance policy for that day would be in my best interest. And I know Brian's not here today, Breeze, but I would follow up with him to get some more input on that.

Okay. Okay. Um, thank you for that. I appreciate that. Um, under new business, um, the only thing I have there is there is a Hancock County Chamber of Commerce lunchon today and I will have a showcase booth at that event and I can talk about our upcoming collection event at that meeting. So, and that's all I have. Oh, and please note our next meeting is on Monday, May 4th, and not on Tuesday. Okay. Thank you.

Um, one thing just to add to new business. I know I noticed this at our at our last meeting. We've had the benefit of Scott just at these meetings. Uh was going to ask if anybody in the group would want to entertain um the submission of a request for proposal for legal counsel for this group. Got a pretty diverse group of folks here from different uh from city government, county, county government, people in the community that it might be to our advantage to look for that. We already do it with our water and sewer board. we do it with our drainage board. Um, is that something any of the board members would like to consider?

Well, I I'd go for it. I mean, I we kind of run just on our own here, so I mean, we've had Scott sitting here, but at the same time, I mean, we might want to entertain some legal representation. Could I could I get a motion made request to do that? I make a motion that we move forward and establish uh attorneys for solid waste management. Second.

So there's a motion on and second on the floor to uh put out an RFP for a solid waste management board attorney with additional scope put in that as to see. Um is there any other discussion? All those in favor say I. I I um opposed passes. So we can start that process to to for legal counsel, we'll also figure out out of your budget how we can accomplish that as well. Okay.

And DD, I suggest when you come to talk to the council about uh funding you as a county employee, bring that list and let them see again all the things you do. I don't think a lot of people still understand what you do and I've been involved with it for I don't know 14 15 years something like that and it's an essential service that we have. Okay, I can do that. Any other discussion? Uh seeing none, I'd entertain a motion to adjourn.

I I have a comment. I just want to make a note and comment and a question. I'm this board and DD yourself. You work so hard at keeping our community clean and nice and all that. On March 25th, I was coming home from New Palestine. I went down 52 to the State Road 9 back to Greenfield. I followed a a waste management semi. And I mean, it was amazing the amount of trash and bags and things that were coming out of that. And not only that, I had to drive 70 m an hour to catch the guy driving the semi before he got to the roundabout and headed on east. And uh you know going through the little areas where it says slow down to 45. But I was kind of appalled and aggravated. I started to call down there myself and make a comment, but I may be on deaf ears. I don't know if you know anyone, but I noticed that between New Pal on 52 and between the roundabout on 52 and 9 all the way to Greenfield, there's all this trash and it has to be coming from these trucks or a lot of it I would assume. I don't know if there's anything we can do or anything you can pass on to them that you know it's just it's appalling. We

we were having trouble at 200 because we the same thing and I mean Bill stepped up and called down there and they actually come out and cleaned up and stuff like that. That was best way. Okay. Best way. But I mean I would I would think that those things are supposed to be covered. It was covered but there was a gap that high and the thing was just bouncing and stuff was blowing out. I mean it was a large amount of things. I mean one of them was a great big bag. I thought it was going to cover my windshield. I'm going to hit a pole or something, but you know, but uh it was amazing. Have a hard time getting a live person with waste management. So, I would recommend just calling Chris Ross directly. Yeah.

If there is anything we could potentially do that involves Indiana Department of Environment because it seems that we've asked these people to come out and pick up trash, they don't have a problem the first time, but after that you get crickets. Yeah. Yeah. It's it's not only visually hard for us to take a look at, but all these farmers are getting ready to get into the field. They haven't already, and they got spend a day or two picking up trash before they can. And it just makes our community look terrible. I noticed it on 600 uh west too out there. You know, all the trash out in the fields are blowing and it's it's just I don't know. I I don't know if that's your purview or I just wanted to make a comment and see how we should possibly address it. Maybe I should have went ahead and called that day.

Yeah. No. um you would had a hard time getting a hold of the right person. That's what I figured. Yeah.

Said it's it's impossible to to find somebody unless you know somebody that's already working there. And since I was working there, I still have co-workers that are still there that I can contact. But um yeah, it's it's a huge problem. I know Morristown and New Pala both have had issues with them in the trash. And Morristown even went to the extreme where they were um putting their police officers on duty on 52 and they would watch the trucks drive by and anytime they lost a piece of trash and they were writing him a ticket and um that worked great, you know, for I don't know the month or two months that they did it. But yeah, now we're right back to where we were before. But yeah, I've run into the same thing. I was actually on the interstate coming back from a program just last week and a huge um wrapper from a water bottle case of water bottles flew off the truck and you know went right underneath me and I actually drug it all the way back to my office and was able to throw it in the trash. But um yeah, it's a huge problem and um I had hoped to do a cleanup event this spring, but with everything else going on, I decided I would wait another year and maybe tackle that next spring. But um Boone County has a really great um spring cleanup event that they get their residents involved in. They had done it for just Lebanon, but now they're expanding to the entire county because it was so successful. Um, and they get like five six hundred U volunteers that help clean up the whole community. So, I'm hoping to to do that next year. Um, try to get something like that going for for our community. But, yeah, it's a huge problem. There's, you know, I drive down nine all the time and it's always a mess. You know, I drive down 52 all the time and Yeah, it's it's just terrible.

Yeah, it was always a mess. Yeah, it's terrible. Yeah. And then on top of that, he was going like 70 mph. I think it's 50 or 55 the speed limit there. I was flying. I'm going to get a ticket trying to catch this guy cuz I was so mad. I wanted to be sure who it was first. I wanted to identify the truck before I started pointing fingers. Yeah. So, to my knowledge, the only big landfill, the bigger one that they don't use anymore. So, they direct a lot of their trash continued to get trash increase because everybody's coming through here to get rid of their trash. I would think that the Indiana Board of Environmental would be able to do something about that. Think

I'll reach out to them and see what they have to say about it. Problem with government. It never hurts to try. Okay. Any additional uh question? And great great great question, Mayor. I mean, because I think that that's been on everybody's mind, too. you just you start to forget about it because you see it all the time, but it'd be nice to have a court in place and people responsive to that. Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. Motion to adjurnn. Second. It's been moved and seconded. We adjourn this meeting. All those in favor say I. I. I. Motion passes. Thank you very much.

Thank you. I can give you a consulting.

You can be the fourth Kayla Kayla Brooks.

Just following up on Dee's comments. If you see any sites where trash is blowing from a particular property, please contact our office and Dennis can write them a letter telling them to clean up their trash if it is blowing around like that. So, okay.

All right. So today I had two items to bring to the commissioners. Uh Joe Hollis reszone from a to uh rural residential was the first one and Mr. Hollis has been very patient here this morning. Um all right so the ordinance a rough draft of it was included in your packet and I did receive confirmation from our attorney and plan commission president that it was correct this morning. um property in Jackson Township at the intersection of near the intersection of Grandeson Road and um US40. I believe my presentation was also included in the packet if you wanted to have time to review it. Um this would reszone approximately 10 acres from agriculture to rural res uh with the um intent that Mr. Hollis would like to create a major subdivision on his property uh for his um children. Enough splits have already occurred out of that piece that it cannot be done as a minor subdivision at this point. Um this is just at the top of the hill before you go uh down into the Charlottesville area. The plan commission provided a favorable recommendation uh with two conditions. Um, first, subject to INDOT approval, the driveways will be combined as shown on the proposed site plan, which would create just one entrance point onto US40, um, which lines up with an existing, um, median crossing. And second, that the land will be subdivided in substantial conformance with the proposed site plan, which laid it out into uh, three good-sized uh, house lots. Um, if you have any uh Oh, in the the plan commission give a favor favorable recommendation with six eyes's and zero nazs. Um, six was just the number in attendance that day of the nine.

Um, if you have any questions for Mr. Hollis, I'd happily turn it over to him. I'm trying to find it. Did you say you sent it? Because the last thing I have from you was on the 24th. It should have been in your packet. Is it in my packet? Packet. It's in the packet. It's attached to the ordinance. It's all together. Carrie, I thought I saw another one somewhere. Okay. Okay. I have a clean copy as well in case you have a copy here for signature. Yeah. Um, what is that ordinance number? Looking for the ordinance number. Oh, 2026.

This is the latest and greatest. Got it. Oh, that's this is the latest and greatest for signature. This is right here. It should be all the same. They are. Had some highlights on it. She said it should. So, which one do you want us to use? The one that she just gave us. All right. Very good. I make a motion that we approve uh ordinance number 2026-4A uh which was uh going to amend the zoning map for subject area from agricultural to residential RR.

Second. We have a a motion and a second on the floor to approve ordinance number 2026-4A amending Hancock County zoning ordinance from 2007-1B amending title uh 15 chapter 156 zoning of the Hancock County code of ordinances from uh moving uh land from uh agricultural to rural res residential Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. I.

Motion carries. Thank you. All right.

The next item I have on my agenda today is a contract for the UDO light with HWC Engineering, which would just be combining together the um basically our existing sub subdivision control ordinance and zoning ordinance um into a a unified development format or structure. Um, so, uh, Rhonda had a chance to, um, revise, uh, the contract, any any issues she had had with it. Um, and it is, uh, I just sent it this morning to Sarah, the most up-to-date version, and I've got a copy printed here as well. Um, essentially the same as what I submitted um, last week, except with the attorney markups. Um, that's pretty much it. Uh, Scott, uh, I know you were on vacation, but you had had the chance to look over it briefly.

I did. And then I think I also looked at what, uh, Rhonda had made her changes, and so I sent her an email. Concur. Perfect. I think we're all in agreement. Good. Good. So, what what is that? I don't have it in the packet, so I'm going to have to get have it, Kayla. Would you like me to tell you anything in particular out of it or just hand you the Well, planning the planning board was good with the contract. We just have to find somewhere to pay for it out of the total 29,000, wasn't it? Let's see. Um,

did you have any in your budget to help pay or you have nothing in your budget? Yes. Oh, this is

Can we say to be determined? That way we can figure out where it can come from. Council potentially commissioner contractual food and beverage whatever. Yes. So we will uh we will check commissioner contractual. Okay. And uh we'll be going forward to it. If we have to go to council, we can do that and get it out of food and beverage or whatever. So just how soon do you need it? Um the sooner the better because we can get it up and running and uh hopefully get this uh finished up by the end of 2026 is the goal. Okay. So we could ask for that tomorrow at the council meeting. Council meeting. Tomorrow budget or council normal council.

So are you going to come and ask for that? I'll come and ask for it. Let me make sure my calendar. I make a motion that we approve the HWC engineering contract agreement for professional services. Okay. Uh in a total number not to exceed where did that go on? not to exceed $39,825.

Second. Uh with uh the understanding that we will present at council on April 8th to find a payment source. Okay. Yeah,

we have a motion and a second on the floor to uh approve uh a contract with HWC Engineering to look at our UDO and ordinance to try and combine those and coming up with something that we can use that the cost would be $39,825. And is there any other comments? Then I would ask for everybody to approve by saying yay. I I So motion carries. Thank you. Appreciate it.

So do you need this one back? No, you can keep it. Okay. But we'll figure it out. Do I need to sign it? That would be nice. Yeah. Yeah. And then we'll put it in here. Okay. And then I'll have to send that one back to Corey Whitel to get his signature as well. Okay,

there. There it is. All right, there you refill. There you go. Okay. Uh, I need a motion to approve claims and payroll. I make a motion we approve claims and payroll. Second.

Motion on the floor and second to approve claims and payroll. All in favor say I. I. Motion carries. Audit of business. We have a couple of items. Um first being the weights and measures. They just need you to sign off on this so that they can um get their vehicle or their trailer plated.

Okay. Just I mean we've already approved it. We just got to all been approved. This the paperwork. Uh And then while he's doing that, um, we had a situation with SERTA that I believe Sarah sent an email out and I didn't know if you wanted to discuss that.

Sure. I got a call from the auditor's office about a check that the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority wanted us to endorse and sign. 15,000 I think is what it was. And I'm not sure if we have in the past, but if we have, we've never had anybody come out and speak to why they need what they need. I followed up with Gary P and got his thoughts and he said SERTA itself really hasn't been beneficial to Hancock County. And uh in my opinion, what we ought to do is not pay this unless they want to come out and make a presentation to the commissioners as to what they're doing, what their goal is, and how we can benefit you. And um I asked Sarah if she would send off that message to them. No response as of yet to my knowledge. But until then, we don't pay this $15,000 uh request. We're not obligated to by any kind of contract. It it was it's just an ask but we would like them if they are expecting some monies to come out and share why they

should give this money. We were doing it with everybody else. They they need to do the same. Right. So Right. Okay. And then we had some more um paperwork submitted to um us from the prosecutor's office and one is this is it's the agreement the service agreement and then there's another um quote. So, I'm going to go ahead and let Sarah explain this because I wasn't involved in this. Okay. So, it's a little confusing. So, um the Titan interview room bundle that you guys approved last meeting for the prosecutor's office. This is the client service agreement that goes with that bundle.

So, it just needs a signature then? Yes. I'm not sure. I don't know if Scott has seen it. Okay. I have not. Okay. So, did they ever get an approval out of council to actually fund it? This is different. They haven't been there yet. Oh, sorry. Yeah, this this is something different than that um study. Study. This is for the equipment. Yeah, the electronic equipment. Okay. Yeah. So, let Scott look at it and just make a motion for me to sign it once he's approved it. Pending legal approval.

Yeah. Make a motion we approve the utility client service agreement um level. Let's see here. The depends on the equipment software and services of the system known as Titan. And uh we make a motion that we approve it uh pending legal review and then with the option for President McDaniel to sign. Second. We have a motion, a second on the floor to approve the utility uh electronic and user uh app, Helios. Uh and I think totaling $147,80 with yearly payments. Titan is Titan.

Titan. Titan. I got a different one in my hand. So, uh, it with Titan and with the option of President C Commissioner President Gary McDaniel signing it once we've had legal review. All those in favor say I. I. I. Motion carries. That's why it's confusing because there's another quote with Helios. Okay. That's the one I had in my hand. That's why you had in your hand for a different bundle. This is the one that they come out and talked about all the updates to the electronics and cameras and all that kind of stuff. I believe that was the first quote. That was the first one, too. Oh, so we got another one now. There's a separate one signature packet.

Yes. I highlighted it with the Helios to try to keep it. Now, Janine, you don't have it in in your signature packet because it's just a quote, so it doesn't need a signature. Okay. But I'm guessing they just want you to review it to see if it's an option. I I I think I would like to hear from him about it. Okay. Right. So, I mean, I'm not just gonna sign something. Right. So, I'll get them on the next agenda. Would that be okay? Sounds good. All right. Thank you. Is that it? Um, auditor. I Yeah, we already did the flowers. Is there anything else that you can think of, Sarah? I think we're I think we're good. Surveyor set for the surveyor.

Okay. Yeah, surveyor agreement. Corner's agreement corner agreement I believe was approved at the last meeting. Uh there was some issues with the wording on the document um from

yeah from the document where it had um stated me as the person on it instead of the Hancock County Commissioner. So I think you just need to sign that one now that it is for where it's at. The second part is I'm here to uh make a board appointment for the parks and recreation board uh for Terry Gotchalk for your appointment. Um I'm one of the elected officials who are able to do that. So I'm making it in a public meeting. So I don't think you have an approval or anything to do that. I think I'm just here to make an announcement that public announcement a public announcement that I am nominating Terry Gotshaw as a member of the Hancock County Parks Board uh for a four-year term. Thank you. Thank you.

When's her term end then? Will it have begun at the beginning of this year or right now? Yes, it started at the beginning of this. Yes. Yes. It's a four-year term. So, I think it was from January through. So, it's the at the last meeting they did um another one. Yes. Okay. Yes. So, it starts January this year and goes through. Yep. Yeah. Thank you all. Thank you. new. So, we have Do I have Nope. That's for structure.

Okay. All right. There we go. Uh, do I have any comment from public? You've waited very patiently back there. I appreciate the coffee break.

Hello, my name is Karen Woodall. I appreciate the time today. I've learned a lot of information. Um I'm with JES and Suns 2-way. Don't get us confused. JES 2-way and Suns. Um we have been out in your county. I've been introducing myself, speaking to several of your departments, just letting you know what all we offer. We um offer public safety handheld radios to businesses, private sectors, things like that. This is Rose, the operations manager. Um, just to expand on that, yeah, not associated with the prior JS. We were actually glad that we were here to clear that up in case you see our name around. Um, but yeah, like she said, we've just been talking to some of the departments in the community, um, private sectors, public sectors, and kind of just seeing if there's any need. It sounds like there potentially is. Um, so I just kind of wanted to introduce ourselves, um, because you will be hearing from us more, I expect, in the next couple weeks and months, and hopefully we can build a connection together and just kind of help you guys out with whatever you need. Like she said, it's uh, radios, dispatch systems, sirens, BDAS, um, inbuilding, Wi-Fi, everything like that is what we do. So,

um, if you're okay with it, Karen does have a card to pass out to you just so that you have records. We're based out of Indianapolis, so we're actually only about 45 minutes away from you. Um, which is a huge benefit to us cuz we can get here quick if anything ever goes down. As we know, public safety has to be fixed if it's down. Um, so even if it's not originally our equipment, um, we are happy to take a look at stuff if you ever need it. All right. Do you guys have any questions for us now? No. Very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you. No one else. Only one thing left. Motion to adjurnn. Second. Motion second on the floor to adjurnn. All in favor say I. I. I. Ajourned.