Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Okay, let's call this meeting to order. Stand for the pledge.

I 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.

Okay, welcome to Porter County Board of Commissioners special meeting, Monday, August 31st, 2026. We have... First up, we have an emergency purchase of a 190kW generator in the amount of $146,250 bill. During the storm, we lost our main generator. Here at the county building, we had to rent a 480, 190kW generator. It was a little bit out of a circuit, or I should say a wattage to have. But it may be obvious that we need to have some of this back up in case this should ever happen again. So we've rented this used generator. We asked for a price for it. Came back at a pretty good price. That also comes with cables and other things. It's something that we're going to have to have in the event that this should ever happen again. It's something we did not have. So.

I move that we approve.

Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye. Motion carried. What kind of warranties does it have with it? I don't know if it has any warranty with it, really say, because we're buying a used, in their term, a used one that barely had 1,000 hours when we got it. So that's what we're buying? Yes. All right. Thank you.

Next, Mr. Chavo. We have a Dell Soul Consulting professional services agreement for assistance to prepare the request for quotes, RFQ coordination, middle, the Federal Emergency Management Agency related to the pre-pickup and disposal following the August 11, 2026 derecho storm not to exceed 100,000. You want to bring us up to date on some of the things that have happened?

Well, first, I think it goes without saying this is an unprecedented event. We know infinitely more than we did 10 days ago, and we even know more since last Friday. Generally, when dealing with FEMA, there's three components to a successful project and reimbursement. Del Sol represents the professional services. They're experienced in these matters, and they help get you your maximum return as far as your eligibility scores before you get 75% return. Then there's a contractor that does all the locations because everything's got to be track, cradle to grave. In other words, chain or custody all the way through the process. And then lastly, there's the contractor. Originally, we had on the agenda the sole agreement plus acknowledgement to allow us to go out for bids for the other two legs to that stool being the location consultant and the actual contractor. But as of last Friday, FEMA director got approached by a gentleman from the state. Do you want to fill them in on that?

we were actually getting ready to hold a meeting about debris removal and somebody, it was a contractor that the state had hired IDHS to do assessments of what it would cost to remove the debris. We learned that they are investigating um hiring a company or companies that would do all three of what mr j would just describe we did not know that that was in the works so um there's a possibility that they will do this come in and do this and manage the whole thing and then would get applied for fema reimbursement um as a state so

So it sounds like, and I just want to see if this is, if I have a good understanding, we might want to hold off and have another meeting in a couple of days if we get a better understanding and that's not happening, in which case we can approve this agreement.

That is correct. Okay. That would be one way to approach it, yes.

Because it seems like we're getting new information every day and I hate for us to do a contingent vote on this and then we get all new information once again and we have to meet anyway. So I move that we just table the sole consulting agreement and that we reconsider that once we have more information.

Second.

And then for discussion, we're hoping, or at least we've indicated, the state is attempting or we've requested some sort of memo outlining what the state would be offering. And basically, the state, in a nutshell, would be taking our place with the FEMA recipient. The state would be taking it at the higher level. and then dealing with all of the same contractors, same procedures, same tracking that we would be tracking. It's just we wouldn't have to be doing it in-house or managing the contracts or administering the contracts or dealing with the payment terms as those cash flow issues occur. the state very well may be in that place. And then the state would be responsible for that FEMA reimbursement and that back of the house paperwork. So it seems like it's a very good possibility if it comes to terms and something that from a financial standpoint, we probably need to wait for. But in the meantime, I guess let's talk a little bit about what highway has done to make sure any of those emergency situations are been taken care of because I know they Really haven't had much time off since the storm.

Yeah, we have crews out today actually cutting low hanging limbs or limbs that are going to possibly fall.

and to add to that we sent two staff jim sent one staff member i sent another we went up in a helicopter last week and from the air the devastation we see much greater than we can see on foot on the road so there's quite a bit of material out there that needs to be picked up just for the record

The contractor that came out, I talked to him, you did too, Friday night and Saturday on the phone. He said the same thing. So he did submit his report to IDHS. And the questions that we had posed, I have not gotten an answer on those yet. I'm hoping to get one. I checked right before I came. There is a 9 a.m. briefing with Homeland Security with all the EMA directors this morning. So Deputy Director Degnegard's on that to see if there's any more information that we don't know about that may help us too.

So let me ask you a question, Lance. If we were to schedule tentatively a special meeting again for Wednesday morning, do you see us delaying this until Wednesday morning in terms of hiring a consultant, whether it be the state doing it or whether we hire DeSalle Consulting, just waiting two days? Do you see an issue with that?

I think Wednesday is a little too quick. I think Friday morning would be the first time I think we would potentially be in a position to have enough information to go one way or another.

Okay.

Because to add the complexity, we're not the only one. We're a unit of government. All of our local units of government, our solid waste district, they're all need to be able to get their arms wrapped around what may or may not be reimbursable. What may or may not be part of the state program. If we opt in. Once we know what those terms are, so it is. Um, more complicated than just. Our 1 little piece, because we're obviously in the county and all of the pieces are working together at some point to come together with 1 plan.

Okay, so should I am my motion that we. Table this until potential meeting on Friday special meeting on Friday morning.

Yeah, if the commissioners are in a position to make that meeting now, we could schedule it for Friday morning tentatively and. to see what happens with the state.

If Bart will take her motion off the floor, I'll go ahead and make that motion.

I removed my motion. I'll let you restate my motion.

So moved. Whatever Scott said. That was a lot.

Or I can restate.

Again, Friday. Friday. Yep. Okay, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Motion carries. Next up, we have a request authorization to issue a formal request for bids countywide debris collection handling and disposal resulting from the August 11, 2016.

This item and the next item, this was just allowing staff to go ahead and prepare the bid documents. We will go ahead and forge ahead and do that to be prepared, but I see no action at this time.

So we're going to prepare those documents for these next two?

No, he was talking about the bid. You jumped down to the local disaster. You skipped the two he was on. Okay.

Authorization of bids, we're not asking authorization yet. We're just going to continue to draft them and get them ready. We do have documents we've been working on. So now we can do the local disaster emergency deck.

Okay. And whatever funds that we expend for this effort, is reimbursable through FEMA?

A lot of it is, yes. A lot. It qualifies, yes.

Okay, I move that we approve the request for authorization. No, no, no.

No, we're going to table those.

The day saw and the next two items down are tabled until Friday.

Oh, okay. We're on the local disaster response. Right. We're going to move on to local disaster response.

I thought Mike wanted us to, he wanted us to start moving forward on those.

We're going to go ahead and prepare them.

Oh, okay.

The trigger will be ready in case you pull it, okay? Okay, I'm sorry.

And the disaster declarations are just the initial ones are only good for a maximum of seven days. So we're, yes. So that we're current and keeping them current.

So the local disaster emergency declaration for August 19th, 2026 and September 2nd, 2026.

Yes. Yes.

I move that we approve.

Second.

We have motion and a second. We're doing August 19th, 2026, August 26th, 2026, and September 2nd, 2026.

I move that we approve the emergency declaration for those three dates.

Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Could we internally get something out to the public through, I guess, social media? The press coverage from the county government is horrific. with these newspapers that we have that supposedly cover Porter County. So we, people are looking for some answers, some help. If we could get that information that, it appears that Calvary's coming to get that.

Can we put that on the front page of our website? Because we no longer have a Facebook page. We haven't had one for months.

We can work jointly on that. Okay.

Let's make sure, yeah, let's make sure we do that.

We just want to make sure whatever we, put out there that we have confirmation so that we're not.

Well, everybody's asking.

The papers don't do that. What do we got to do? I know. We deal in accuracy. I know you know that.

So I'm getting a number of calls, emails, requests as to when residents can start putting their debris on the side of the road, when they can start pulling it to the side of the road. They just need to have an understanding that they can pause temporarily until we have better information, but we will be giving them a date soon.

Well, what we've been told, if they call our... by agency, what we've been telling them is if they live in unincorporated areas, check with the highway department. if they live in the city of Valpo Portage, check with their city because they may have different requirements on what they want you to do. Some of them are collecting and putting the debris in a park. So we are directing them to their municipality or their authority-having jurisdiction so they can direct them and that way we're not telling another municipality what they have to do.

But your point's well taken. We think in the next few days we'll have clear, distinct directions for the residents on the incorporated border. It's our intent to pick that stuff up. And it is eligible for reimbursement if it's done correctly. That's what we got to make sure it's done correctly.

Can I just ask, I know people were asking, in addition to tree debris, would they be able to bring other sorts of debris? I know when we had the presentation from Homeland Security, it said as long as you are keeping it separate in separate piles, but we're only going to pick up tree debris.

We're going to pick up what's called vegetative debris.

Okay.

Okay. Go for the question.

All right, this MOU is going to be full, I believe, Scott? Correct. We're going to table this MOU until that next meeting, which will probably happen on Friday. There'll be more on that. Next, we have this Parade of Homes Road Closure Review. So let me give everybody an update for the record. On August 4th, the commissioners meeting, we had a request for Stonebridge Subdivision to close the road. the request to close Farnview Drive for the Parade of Homes, September 1st through the 28th, 24 hours a day. There would be seven homes on display. It was said it'd be the first in Porter County in almost 20 years, and we're gonna have vendor tents, designated parking, and they asked that that pass-through section of Farnview Drive be closed for planning purposes and to take care of that event. There were several questions asked about the other residents being asked if they were aware of that. We were shown there were other exits on 900 North, one on 500 East. We also asked if the residents had been notified of the disclosure and the answer at that time on August 4th was not. Our planning director, Mr. Jaybo, was a school corporation notified for the routing. It has the emergency access for emergency vehicles, EMS, fire that would be needed. They were expecting 10,000 to 15,000 people in that 10-day period. And with that three other accidents, as you looked at the map, you would think that would have been fine because you would have had two on 900 north, one on 500 east. But then after the August 11th ratio, which nobody expected that to happen. That devastated northern part of the county and shut down numerous amounts of roads. 900 north from what I'm to understand, both those exits, that road was closed for debris, which would then have left the only exit on 500 east. And then the Stonebridge Parkway exit to 500 east with that cut through open, leaving them two exits. And so with that said, normally when I looked at this and I look at something where you have these developments and a cut-through road is put in, normally that's something that the original development doesn't want. So they're always a problem in the opposite direction. So my way of thinking was that, well, if this road was closed, normally... You know, these residents in these other areas don't like these cut-through roads. It wouldn't be much of a problem. But then given the storm situation that we had, something we've never seen before dealt with, if you just heard in our earlier presentation with this debris removal, which is massive, now it becomes a matter of if this should happen again, you know, what are we left with here? So I have a couple of questions, you know, with this. So, you know, what is possibly – so this event's taking place the 18th through the 27th, correct? Yeah.

That is correct, yes. Nathan Viss here on behalf of the Stonebridge owner subdivision.

Okay, so the 17th, though, is the VIP invite-only party where we're going to have...

So then am I correct to say that it's the 17th through the 27th? Yeah, pretty much. So it's the 17th through the 27th. Okay, so my question is, okay, so you want to close it from the 1st to the 17th. What... What is actually going to be built that's going to take 16 days prior? So I think 16 days, 16th to 17th is the event.

Yeah, Mr. Commissioner, Attorney Nathan Viss here on behalf of the owners. Originally when the petition came in, obviously the derecho and resulting damage was not part of the equation. This is a development that's been in process of being developed the past several years. The idea of bringing the creative homes to Porter County to this area has been going on about two years. So this is a pretty significant event. And at that time, like you indicated, anticipated 15 to 17,000 people. It's a huge highlight of the homes and development builders that we have here. in Porter County. And what we needed at that time anticipated working with NWI Builders Association was about two weeks to start setting up tents to get everything proper and in good order. Now we recognize situations change. We've gone back with them since we've learned that there's been some concern raised from the adjacent development. and if we push that from the first to the ninth that gives an additional eight or nine days for the county to help clean up 900 north so what we'd be looking at would be a closure from september 9 through the 29th so we'd reduce that time frame in talking to the various vendors etc that would give us about 10 days to get that set up and that'd be a concession that we'd be able to reasonably make and still allow for everyone to get set up that week beforehand

When you all say set up, what does that entail?

Sure. So what that's going to be involved is setting up tents, setting up electrical, setting up stands, booths, et cetera, everything that goes into the presentation for all the vendors. Where are they going? Yeah, so go ahead.

Go ahead. So the Farmview Street is actually going to house the tent and several of the portable restrooms that are on there. But we have to leave a lane open that's going to have an emergency exit because for that VIP party that we have, Brian Urlacher from the Bears is going to be there. And this is required that we have to have a second exit that he is allowed to go out in case something unforeseen happens. So that's still going to have emergency access through it. And when Stonebridge was developed, and Mike Jaber will attest to this, it's a modern subdivision. Those streets are wider than normal, and those cul-de-sacs are all able to house emergency vehicles to turn around, including EMS and police. So you're able to turn around in the cul-de-sacs and come back out. So the subdivision was meant to be one in, one out. We had them attached to high metals because that was what was there.

Yeah, I was out there the other day. I drove this. You guys have done a very nice job out there. Thank you. But what I don't understand is why can't you put those tents all on one side of the road? Leave the road open.

So I think a couple different things. If you look at the first, there's a couple pages that we have here, the colored pages, you can see the horseshoe of where the parade is intending to be set up. And it's going to be to the right of Fairview Drive on Stonebridge Parkway, and it's going to work its way around in a horseshoe pattern. I mean, very candidly, what my clients have experienced in the past four years since they've been connected to Highview is Stonebridge Parkway is viewed as an autobahn for people who are leaving the subdivision to the north. My clients have had multiple complaints with the vendors and the contractors that are out there, the guys that are parking on the street, unloading equipment, etc., And now to be placing vendors, folks who are setting up tents, et cetera, out there and having high traffic run from the north to the south, then going east through the parkway. There's a modicum of safety that we're just asking here for. There's still three ingress points out of Highview to the north, high tower that folks can get out. i get it yeah you say we can just shove everyone to the side and people can still drive through what we're asking for is about 10 days prior to this event where that doesn't happen so that people can move about freely in safety get things set up properly so that we can invite like we said 15 to 17 000 people into the community it's it's a big deal and candidly i'm not sure that a two to three minute inconvenience for about two weeks is going to sign the health, safety, traffic, et cetera, of what's going on. I can appreciate you get used to an ingress route, but in the grand scheme of things, I think what my folks are asking for is a very reasonable request, and we're willing to alleviate now nine days of that and reduce it from September 9th through the 29th.

And those lots to the left, Mr. Biggs, those where the parking's going to be, we're going to be putting in a temporary sidewalk that the people are going to cross. They're going to be crossing Barnview into that tent, and then they're going to come across Stone Parkway, get into the braid route around. So there's going to be a lot of people walking up. Our residents in Stonebridge, they all know, and they're all for this. They're like, it's 10 days.

Not give you a chance to speak, but not right now. You mess up my thinking and I'm all screwed up. I just got to keep going. You know, I understand. I understand what you're trying to accomplish here. But we're you know, you're we're bringing in people. You know, we're bringing in people to sell an idea, you know. Here's the problem I have. My first and foremost concern is that people are already living here. And I can't dismiss that. But I also have an obligation to work with you, your resident, your business owner. I just think that you guys got it in your mindset. We want the road. We want both sides of the road. It'd make it easier for us. It'd be easier to set up that way. And I'm not saying that you're telling a falsehood up here. I just don't think we're going to see 15,000 people... you know, jump on this development at one time. I think people will be coming and going. Honestly, I mean, I've been out there because we've had, you know, when you first started developing out there, we had drainage issues. So I was out there quite a bit. You've done a great job out there. But I'll be honest with you. If I pass one or two cars going in and out of there, it's a lot. So, you know, I don't understand why we can't move everything to one side of the road Leave the road open. And that everybody's happy. I just don't.

I get that. I just think that with the traffic with pedestrians, we are going to have issues. And the thing is, is we already have to have security out there by base. We're going to have to have more security. And I mean, that's just the way we have police officers from the county that are already scheduled to be out there every day during that break.

So they're going to be directing traffic.

We got them as security for parties that are going to be out there. We have an open beer tent to the back that is going to be three or four days. We have food trucks and vendors. I mean, this is an all-day thing for people that are out there.

I think, and the other thing, Mr. Commissioner, is that if you suddenly turn it into a one lane, one way, now you're dealing with who's directing the traffic coming in, coming out. You've got a right-hand turn. In and out from Fairview. With all due respect, that's your problem. And I understand it. And that's why we had requested to have it shut down a month ago. And that was approved.

Well, we heard from our residents.

And I understand that. And I think Mike. He asked you if you had talked to the residents.

And you said you had not. Right. And you see when you do that, here's what happens. Mm-hmm. And again, I understand what you're trying to do. I support it. You would have gotten a big fat no the first time in Europe if we didn't support this. We support it. But we have to understand that there's homes out there. There's lives, people living every day out there. And you're wanting to do something. You're talking about beer tents. You're talking about bringing celebrities in. That's all fine and good, but you can't disrupt other people's lives in the process of doing it.

Can I ask a question? When we asked the county... Could you grab the mic? So when we asked the county a while ago for the device out there, we said we were going to get one. We never got one. Our residents in Stonebridge... are very offended by people that do drive through that are going over the speed limit. And basically, they give us the, basically, that's what they tell us when we ask them to slow down. And I can bring in six or seven contractors that are out there working right now that have to actually pull their equipment in the middle of the street to slow people down. So this is what we fear. This is why we are here. And there's just a lack of respect. I mean, as far as Stonebridge, I worked with Dwayne Hartman on pine metals for a long time. That was a subdivision 42 years prior to that street. That was developed in 1970. So for 42 years, people on that street, in that subdivision, exited those three areas. And I talked to Kurt Luddings, who was a resident over at Pine Metals, last night. And he said it stayed through about 30 to 45 seconds going out 900 and then going out Stonebridge. And what happened when Route 6 closed down? Going through Stonebridge is less convenient getting to the hospital than going out 900 and going to Baton Rouge because the people from Stonebridge had to go to Baton Rouge down Trattles. But we're looking at it's more of a safety thing for us.

Can I ask, because we've had other residents complain about speeding through, can I ask you, on the sheriff's website, you can actually register a complaint. They will go out there. They'll set up the radar equipment. Would you do that today? Yes. So we can actually get going on that right now? Yes, I would. And make sure that by then everybody's used to that? I would.

Okay. And you and I spoke about the portable traffic control device. I called twice about that, called the sheriff twice. But in his defense, you know, we've got 800 miles of county road. We've got two of those machines. So we have to share them. And they just haven't gotten around to you. But the commissioners will. You know, moving forward, the commissioners would make sure something's done there. And I think that if it means having a sheriff's officer out there during this event to make sure nobody's traveling through there like that, that there is some traffic control. It's just not a couple of off-duty sheriff's officers walking around, you know, taste testing, you know, the food, that they're actually, you know, out there managing that road. That is going to be the biggest problem. I don't think you're going to have it. Fights breaking out in the backyard, stuff like that. So it's a traffic. That's where I put my effort. And that's, quite honestly, that's why I think that moving that to one side of the road, having your officers out there to manage traffic, I think problem solved.

The other thing, too, and something that we always have to consider, and that's why I asked you guys when you came in if you had polled the residents or asked the residents, and the answer had been no. I think that once residents understand what's in it for them, how they're going to benefit, and I'm not sure that they understand that right now. They know that there's going to be 10,000, 15,000 people coming in, there's going to be celebrities, but they're wondering how they're going to benefit. I mean... i i love the idea that you're showcasing our local builders here i i truly love that because we want to we want to showcase them it's a great opportunity but we also as commissioner biggs said we also have to recognize that there are people that live there and so if there's any way that you could talk about how this is going to benefit the people who live in these two subdivisions and

I think a lot. I just talked to people last night because they just bought their house in Stonebridge. Our residents in Stonebridge, they understand that there's a lot of construction down there and there's a lot of strategy and there's people everywhere and holes being dug that It's going to be done in probably six months. And we are going to have two neighborhoods that are completely finished. And you're not going to have this construction. You're not going to have the traffic. And that is a benefit to everybody. You can live your quiet life and enjoy yourself. But the project will be done. That's what the whole thing was. It dragged on for how many years? How many years? really stagnant for three years until we were able to land this deal with the Home Builders Association. And we're bringing a lot of activity to the area. And it's going to be a good thing for everyone.

So what was the initial number of days that you were going to have this closed?

Yeah, the initial number of days that you had approved was the 1st through the 30th.

1st through the 30th, so 30 days.

Yep.

So what are you proposing now?

We were proposing to close it down on the 10th to the 29th. If the commissioners were, okay, 10th to the 29th, because we're looking at one day of takedown after the 27th, the 28th of takedown, and then open it back up that evening. and then having one week prior that attempt to the 17th to get set up. So what are the actual days of operation there?

17th to the 27th. 17th to the 27th. How do we get lesser days than what you're proposing? I can go to as much.

We need the HBA said we need at least four days. The minimum, the maximum is 10 or 7. The minimum is 4. So even if we got to that Monday, what's the Monday of the event? Because we have street cleaners coming through on the 15th. So if we can get it closed down on the 14th, we would be willing to do that. The 14th to the 29th night.

How many days is that?

That'd be 15, so two weeks and a day.

You know, I have a question. So the street that's going to be closed, okay, I'm looking at your drawing.

Well, there's going to be one lane open, right?

Right. I mean, so... So what I'm looking at here is this is going to be the parking, right? This is the street we're talking about.

Yep, that's very good. Correct.

Where most of your weekend festival stuff is going to take place, correct? So I scratched it. So this is the street that's cutting through. Is it fair to say that there's going to be tents on one side of the street here? Okay, look at this.

Right here. So we have to run a sidewalk straight through here this week. Where people are parking, they can walk down through here. So it would be right here on this street. And then they would have to cross the street here to start the parade. And this is all going to be snow fenced off so people can't get back and forth.

Can you show me too?

Let's see. So this is where the entrance will be.

Wait a second here. Give me a second.

The sidewalk is going to run straight through here. Our tents are going to be here. They'll check people in, and then they'll come across the street here. This is where they're going to come.

So they're walking. They're going to walk. They're not driving.

We have golf carts that are going to take people, but for the most part, they're going to be walking.

Okay.

So it'll start here, but this will all be snow fenced off.

Okay.

And this will be snow fenced off all the way up there. Okay. And we do have a resident right here, and he's fine with it. Okay. So he actually owns multiple classrooms.

So getting back to my original question, so is the tent going across the street here?

That's what the plan was, yes.

Okay.

And we were, it was going to be where it's portable. So we can, for emergency basis, we could get out there. Maybe we could move it back and then get out for one way. If we have to have an emergency, you know, because that's required.

You know, my question is, if something did happen and you have to have it taken down in 23.2 seconds, will this road be able to be open? Yes, that road will be open. You know, if there was an EMS call, Lord forbid a fire call, then given the luck that we have out here, anything can happen.

We have an hour and 45 seconds to pick it up.

All right. Commissioner's having further questions.

So... Just for the record, I understand why they want both sides of the road. I get it. And again, I support what you're all doing, but I think you want it all your own way. I think you can put everything on one side of the road, keep people from having to, and if people have to walk to see a home across the road, you have the police officers out there to direct traffic in order to do that.

And I mean, I believe that we are compromised. We asked for the first to the 30th and we're coming down. We'll go to the 14th just to give us that. And I mean, us, we hold insurance in Stonebridge as well. But I mean, safety is the biggest thing for us right now and liability.

What's your question?

Any other further questions? No. Yeah, you can come to this microphone if someone has a question. My name is Brianna.

Were you guys able to read my email I sent to the three of you? I'd like to read it so the room can hear it. But really quick, while we're talking about where they're studying in the restrooms, there are huge lots available in the subdivision that can accommodate these things. There's also huge grassy areas in the cul-de-sacs. I have pictures of all of this I can show you guys. If you can see the pictures, the Parade of Homes is all on one side and it curves around. All of those houses connect. There are sidewalks. There's large grassy yard areas, large driveways. These tents can be placed. So I just want to read this email I sent you guys really quick. It would like to discuss the proposed 30-day closure of Farmview Drive. Respectfully, I request Porter County deny, reconsider, or at least substantially modify any request to close Farmview Drive. This closure creates an unreasonable burden on families who live in and around the affected area. I'm not asking the county to prevent the parade of homes from taking place. I am asking that the event be managed in a way that respects people who live in this neighborhood every day. For the people attending the parade, Farm View may simply be an entrance or exit. For us, it is part of the road system we use to get to and from our homes every day. My concerns include access to our homes for residents, guests, and caregivers, emergency vehicle access, including police, fire and ambulance services, school bus, and transportation for children living in the neighborhood. We have many unstable trees in surrounding neighborhood on 900 North. And this was a typo. On Tuesday, August, not September 25th, and Wednesday, August 26th, the bus was unable to access 900 North due to a downed tree. In order for the bus to enter the subdivision and safely transport the children home, Stonebridge Parkway had to be utilized to get access to Farm Bay Drive. In addition, mail, packages, food and other residential deliveries, garbage pickup, service providers and contractors needing access to homes, increased traffic and congestion on surrounding residential streets, the length of the proposed closure and the impact of restricting a public residential street for the benefit of a temporary event. For several years, I have worked at our local hospital. I am consistently called in for emergencies. When looking at lots, I expressed needing a quick route to the hospital rather than the winding and hilly roads that outline our subdivision. When agreeing to purchase our lot, Mike Tezak assured me he would soon have Stonebridge Parkway paved and ready to access. Mike also assured me once the road was open, it would always be accessible. He also told my former neighbor, a Porter County sheriff, Stonebridge Parkway will never not be open. We have a general surgeon, a cardiologist, and several other healthcare workers. living in the neighborhoods. In an emergency, would you approve of your emergent caregiver taking more time to get to you because of an unnecessary road closure? Would you be concerned if your spouse, parent, or loved one had to wait even a second longer for an emergent cath lab catheterization when your heart is dying every second counts? In Mike Tezak's words, he cannot wait for this event. Multiple times he articulates, we're so excited to throw a big party out here in the subdivision, and we're going to have beer trucks, we have a beer tent, we have food trucks. I've saved these videos and can send them to you via email, or I could play them for you right now. The community and taxpayers are being exceedingly inconvenienced. I ask you, who's more important, the people whose lives and daily commutes being jeopardized or the people who wish to block a road off for approximately 30 days to have a big party while drinking beer? Moreover, there are easy compromises to locate these vendor tents, beer garden, beer trucks, food trucks and restrooms. Stonebridge subdivision has numerous empty lots, cul-de-sacs and driveways to utilize for these items. Upon pulling into Stonebridge, there are empty stretches of grassy areas where vendor tents can easily be set up. In the middle of Stonebridge Parkway, Lot 10 provides a very large empty space to operate a welcome tent and restrooms. In addition, there are three houses all next to each other taking place in the parade. And there's actually more, they all connect. But for example, March number 123 on the parade map, which have large yard and driveway availability. These areas include the homes from Brucebuilt, Davis, and Crusader Homes. Lot 7 is empty and another good location to utilize for any parade activities. Furthermore, there are two cul-de-sacs available to use where no one is living. These cul-de-sacs offer pavement space and grassy areas to use for multiple purposes. And I have photos of all of those right here. This 30-day closure for a 10-day event is particularly interesting and leaves behind numerous questions and concerns. The requested closure is for several consecutive dates. What evidence did you, the commissioners, rely on to determine that closing Farm View Drive for the entire period would not unreasonably interfere with the flow of traffic as required by Indiana Code 8-20-8-4? Belparazo's Unified Development Ordinance says that generally a public interest or special event is limited to no more than four successive days. You must consider traffic circulation to minimize adverse impacts on residents. Under what ordinance or statutory authority was a 30-day street closure approved for an event when UDO 2.605 limits public interest or special events to four successive dates? Did the city determine? Excuse me.

Copy right here. You say the city of Valpo is UEO?

Yes.

Wait, this isn't physical. This isn't a city in operation.

Okay. Well, I'll just continue.

Residents are being told to accept this significant restriction on our normal access for a privately promoted public event. What is the governmental purpose for keeping a public road closed for several days, including days no events are taking place? Can you please share with us the actual approved road closure permit and maintenance traffic plan for FarmView? I would like to ask, are residents able to retain access? What barriers or traffic control devices are authorized? Who is responsible for traffic control? What will be done for emergency access and what justification was provided for closing the road? what government authority allows farm view drive to be closed to residents or the general public for this event and what findings were made that a full closure was necessary instead of less restrictive traffic control i would like to say something um so stonebridge is we're going to have one way in to a subdivision with 17 000 people who's maintaining

County Road 500 to Route 6. Are we going to have police officers out there? I mean, that's a ton of people. 17,000 people?

I'm just going to continue. For safety, most subdivisions require two points of access. Closing this part of Farmview Drive will leave Stonebridge residents with only one exit. Is that in compliance with county requirements? When Porter County approved the original 40-lot Stonebridge subdivision in 2018, did the approved preliminary plat or plan commission conditions require Stonebridge Parkway slash Farmview Drive to connect for secondary access? Residents who live on Farm View Drive were never notified of this closure. No adjoining property owners received the required notice. Indiana law specifically says a petition must be sent by certified mail to owners of property contentious to the road. Again, I ask you, What problem requires harm view to be completely closed? And is there a less restrictive way to solve the problem while keeping the residents normal access? I want to take a break and pause in my letter. None of the Stonebridge residents were notified either. We spoke to them over the weekend. They are not happy about this. They have also signed our petition. except for like two who were not home. One was very nervous to sign the petition because Mike is the HOA director and he was nervous for retaliation and one person would not sign due to retaliation from Mike. Indiana law contains specific provisions governing county roads and county road closures. I respectfully request the commissioners and county attorney to identify the specific statute, ordinance, or other authority under which this closure was approved and demonstrate that all applicable requirements were satisfied. Why is complete closure necessary when a resident only restriction can accomplish the events traffic control goal? I am asking for transparency and opportunity to address the impact on the people who live here before Farm View is closed. I would like to, I would like clarification about the actual purpose and scope of this several day road closure. Mike Tezak has publicly discussed a big party and bear tents in connection with the event. Were those activities disclosed to the county when the road closure was requested? And are they part of the reason they wish to close Farm View Drive for several consecutive days? Are those activities included in the application or traffic plan that was presented to the county? I am asking you to put the needs and safety of the residents who live here every day ahead of the convenience of completely closing this road for an event. Please keep Farm View Drive open for residents and emergency vehicles. I would also like to touch on an experience from a few years ago, which I believe involved illegal misconduct. A few years ago, when Stonebridge began development, some residents' yards began to flood and experience extensive damage. A resident made social media comments and posted pictures of this damage. In spite of such comments, Mike Tezak placed dumpsters in Farmview in a manner that blocked and prevented throwaway. I called the Porter County Clerk's Office to ask whether he was legally permitted to block the road. The woman I spoke with told me she would forward my concern and question to the appropriate county official. Sometime after that call, I received a call on my personal cell phone from an unusual number that appeared to be associated with an internet or WhatsApp type calling service. The caller represented himself to me as the county clerk. Based on the conversation, I subsequently came to believe that the person calling me was Mike Tezak, rather than the county clerk. Having several in-person meetings and phone conversations... Wait a second, Mike.

Wait a second. The county clerk has nothing to do with... That the county clerk is involved with the courts and elections has nothing to do with any of this.

Yeah, I mean, if this is something you have with the clerk or something that happened a while ago... You know, we don't have any.

I just kind of wanted to touch base on the integrity of.

I'm going to say this. I don't know what happened years ago. I don't know you. I don't know you or you. Okay, that's not the issue at hand right here. The issue at hand right here is this road closure situation, how we're going to deal with it.

That's fine. I'll stop.

So I have one quick question. As far as the dumpster on the road, That dumpster was placed on the road at that time because infrastructure was being placed into the ponds, and they had to close that. So Mike took care of that for us. I've got one quick question for you.

So I'm going to assume that you live in this back half here, right?

I live in the back half. I'm just trying to get some perspective. So you're closest, you live over here. To this, no? So to this entrance of 500 East?

No.

Oh, I live right here.

Okay, that makes more sense. Okay, okay, thank you.

So while we take that pathway, trying to get on to about 600 or 400,

The other thing I wanted to say, I know that you had asked if they had pulled.

I don't know if it's turned up.

You can pull that up, but pull it. You had to throw in your back, bend it over like that.

Is it on?

Yeah, that one.

Okay. So you had asked if they had pulled residents, which I believe they're supposed to have certified letters. Is there any contiguous reason? any house on that continuous road.

They did say no, right?

But then another realty executive representative said informally they asked. I don't know what informally really means in a situation like this. However, we took it upon ourselves to have 73 signatures of petition from residents within High Meadows and Stonebridge, and I was asked, You guys can have this, but I was asked to not make it available for retaliation by the Stonebridge developers because they, the Stonebridge residents, they don't want retaliation because Mike doesn't own their HOA right now. So they were very concerned. However, in addition here, Without getting too lengthy on you guys, because I know this has been taking a while already. The concerns for theirs was access to homes and neighborhood, emergency and first responders, school bus routing. Children from Stonebridge utilize FarmView to access High Meadows for their pickup by the school service. Three buses every day utilize FarmView to get back to Jackson Elementary through High Meadows. residential deliveries, the traffic and congestion surrounding, the storms blocking, as she had said. So there's 73 names here, addresses, signatures, everything. From both neighborhoods, High Meadows and Stonebridge, that do not want this. I believe there are plenty of areas within that neighborhood that they could utilize for their tents. Maybe it takes up one of their parking areas or something. There are cul-de-sacs that they're choosing not to use. These things can be utilized and not inconvenience the neighborhoods, the residents, everybody that would utilize these roads on a daily basis. That's about all I have.

Well, are you asking that that not be closed during the Parade of Homes either? It just not be closed, period?

I believe there are ways to modify the scaling of where they're putting things that it doesn't close at all. There are plenty of sidewalks they could utilize. There's plenty of areas they could use to get these people from place to place throughout the parade of homes. I am by no means against having a parade of homes. I think it's a great thing for the community.

Well, it's been, you know, I'll speak for myself here. It's been a learning experience. I mean, Mike, I think I asked, when's the last time Porter County's had a parade? 16 years ago. 16 years ago. So we haven't had to ever deal with this. This board made a mistake, and I'm one of the people who made the mistake, is we should have said, Mike, you go out there and you talk to these residents and let them know. We didn't do that. We should have done that. And you made the mistake by not doing it. Yep. So here we are. Real quick, how many sheriff's officers or police officers have you? We have two for the VIP night, and I believe we have one for the other nights. Now, hang on, Mike. Okay. Now, we've got, by your own admission, we've got 15,000, 17,000 people coming in here. Spread out. Over a 10-day. By your own admission, we're going to be selling alcohol in there. We got two cops. That's it. Well, I mean, for the VIP night, we're only having 300 people. So it's invaluable to that. Now, is the alcohol and the food going to be served after that VIP event? We have it catered.

The beer tent is only open on certain nights and it's only open for like the realtor care.

So yes. So yes. Yes. Okay. First of all, I don't think you got enough police officers. And second of all, I tend to agree with, and I was searching for ways not to because this board made the decision. And it's going back on our decision. But I think the residents make a strong case. We would be here if the commissioners had made you at that point. We want to hear back from them. So, you know, we've got some, you know, some of this dust up is on us as well. But how we react to that is going to make all the difference in the world. And I think my recommendation to this board is you move everything to one side of the road and the other. And you're going to leave that door, you're going to leave that road open. You redesign what you're going to have out there, you know, as far as utilizing more property that you own out there. I think you'll have a very successful event. So what can I say as far as property we own?

We own no more property out there. Every lot is under contract. And the ones that she was talking about, those are owned. Lot 10 is owned. Lot 22 is owned. Lot 20 is owned by individuals that are going to build their houses on. And as far as the builders, they bought those lots that are on the break. They do not want that in their yards. They're trying to sell. I get it. Thank you.

However, Mike has prohibited any builders from building the whole month of September.

So those lots are just big, grassy areas. You cannot build, you cannot have activities on somebody's private lot. Because there are septics on those lots.

So from my perspective, I think the fact that they have been willing to have it initially four days to set up, and they're closed for 10 days, and they're closed for one day after that. The gentleman said it is two weeks and a day that that's going to be closed. That's 15 days. It's 15 days. It's not a year. It's not five years. It's 15 days. And the fact that they have a commitment that should an emergency arise, that they can take that tent down within 40 seconds and we can have emergency access through that route. We have three other entrances into that. And I do believe, and I don't know that the residents believe this, but that by having these great homes and having exposure to these homes, that only is going to increase their property values. So that is a huge benefit, that the home builders' names are recognized in the community, that they're promoted, and it's only going to make their home values a lot better. So I personally, I mean, I agree. I had asked you the question about whether you had pulled the residents, whether you had asked the residents, and we didn't say that's a condition that you do that first. We didn't say that. But I really commend you on being willing to go from 30 days down to 15 days because that's a 50% reduction. I am okay with that.

I don't know. I've sat up here for almost 20 years, so. I don't ever remember closing something for two weeks. It is a very rare course of action that this board takes closing a road. Usually it takes a local disaster for that to happen. And I think it's going to be a burden to you. But I think with enough police officers out there, I think if you move everything to the side, you have traffic control. I think it works. I think it works well. I don't envision 17,000 people all in the same day converging on that problem. We never said there would be 17,000 people over 10 days. Fair enough. Fair enough, Mike. Fair enough. You need to come up here, sir. Let's just not start.

So the question I have is, the 500 people you're going to probably have today, 750 or whatever, we'll just give my assessment. Where are they going to pop in?

So I think, let me answer that.

Because they park in our subdivision. What they're going to say is that it's high metals. That means they're going to be along the roadway there, walking across. So that means our road is going to be from block to one lane in and out. That could be a problem also.

I think, let me answer that question. Maybe we're not understanding something here. So the folks are planning on accessing the development through Stonebridge Parkway. If you look at this particular map that's right here, So they're going to be coming in west on Stonebridge. They're going to be going past the entry tent, which is being planned to be set up, past Fairview, and then parking in these empty lots that are right here. So what we're bringing in is a lot of traffic going this way when there's what the development to the north wants is to be able to ingress to the south and back across that way.

For those 50 spaces they're in, we are going to have, I believe, that what, three, four posts? And we're going to go across four or actually three. So about 100. So 200, 400, 600 feet of about two acres worth.

Yeah. So how many cars is that?

We could park probably 400 cars at home.

But we're covered. We're covered. They're not likely to get more than 400.

They won't be parking on the street.

I had that question too.

Well, we don't want to keep taking the tent down and putting it up, but we can open the one lane.

We can have closure from the time of the parade, which is 10 to 8 at night.

I'll tell you, Mike, you'll get my vote to the agreement to have it close to two weeks. If you agree, you're going to open it up after at the, what, 5 o'clock?

I'll open it up between 8 and 9 a.m., 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. when we set up in the morning so we can have everything.

So you're going to run that till 8 p.m. at night? Yeah.

What about these school buses? I mean, this is... We all know what this is about. It's all about making money. I want you guys to sell these. Well, no, it's not about making money. I've been trying to do things for you guys forever. This is all about making money. Why don't you guys sell these?

You know what? If you want to speak, come to the microphone, please. Okay, hold on.

This is going out of...

There's nothing wrong with making money.

No, absolutely not. No. I... Love it. I'm a business owner myself.

Shutting down the road.

We're shutting down. There's one way in to Stonebridge, correct? So who is going to direct traffic, right, Mike, on County Route 500 right there, leading on to Highway Route 6? How many cars are going to be coming in and out, plus the residents that live there? I want you guys to sell the home. Let me say this.

And I know everybody knows that the approval was in 2018. When we had this approved, when we had this approved, This development is a modern development. The streets are much bigger than what the street sizes are in Nine Meadows, and those cul-de-sacs are much bigger. But the cul-de-sacs are much bigger where emergency vehicles can turn around and come back out. The development was made to be at one end.

One out. One in, one out, right. But what about 400 people, cars coming in, there's people that live there. Well, I mean, we have that. Would you want this in your subdivision? That's what I'm asking. If it's doing what it's doing.

Just for the record, I live in my road. Jim will attest, my road on 200 has been closed for 18 months.

We can't get to Route 6.

So I have to take the back route wherever I go.

That was a bridge that went out. The bridge went out.

Right. But it's been tough.

Yeah, it's a nightmare.

I just have one more thing. We have a petition of 73. We actually did our homework and told the people. Would we even be sitting here if he had told the people properly? We would not be sitting here if they would have told him. That's a heck of a point.

Is it because...

Because if a new realtor is selling a house, I don't know.

Sir, I think that they still have the current homes. I think it would be a little different than what we had initially agreed on.

I agree.

Significant. Enough.

Jim, you said about hours. Yes. We run from right now during the week, it's going to be 12 to 7. And on the weekend. 12 noon. 12 noon to 7 p.m. Okay. On the weekends, on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, it's going to be 10 to 8. 10 to 8. So during the week, I would leave it open until 11 a.m. until we open at noon. Okay. And then on the weekends, leave it open until 9 because we open at 10.

Okay. So, again, the week, you're going to open up during the week at noon? Correct. And close at 7? Yes. Okay.

Okay. And a lot of that, I mean, we have the young builders from all the high schools from all over the region coming out one night. We've got a contract. We've got all these nights that everybody thinks that we're up just drinking beer. You're going to have your family party. You know what? I am excited to do that.

I'm not sure you'll get your fair share of it.

If I'm wrong for being excited, then you know what, then I'm wrong. But it's been a long time coming, and like I said, it's been six years with coverage, and it's a lot of hard work and tears put into this, and we're finally going to finish it up.

Sure, did you want to make a couple quick comments? If Mike Tezak was so concerned about people speeding through Stonebridge, why was there never a concern for a speed device installed in high metal subdivisions that he also controlled at one point? Now, all of a sudden, because of this prestigious subdivision, there is a whole new set of concerns and rules. Those same people supposedly complaining in Stonebridge are speeding through our subdivision in high metals as well. Also, one of the reasons I believe that he wants the subdivision road shut down is because he doesn't want to see anyone traveling through our subdivision coming to the Parade of Homes to see that those houses are worth half what he's charging on the new houses, potentially losing business. I would also like to add I'm not happy that the board approved this road closure in record time and do not appreciate it if they approve it with 15 days and that goes through.

I think to the commissioner is a thought here. One, I can appreciate, unlike a municipality, like a city that has a downtown venue where you frequently shut things down, it's different than the county. So I can appreciate these don't come across your desks every day. I think we do two things. One is we reduce it from the 15th through the 29th. And then number two is during the weekday, there would be a commitment to keep at least one lane open from eight o'clock p.m. to 11 o'clock a.m. That's during the weekdays. And then the weekends, it would be open from 9 o'clock p.m. to 9 o'clock a.m. That sounds very reasonable to me.

And what about the school buses when they're coming back? When they come through? Yeah. You're going to let them through? We'll let them through.

In the afternoons? Yeah. Okay.

Because it's open in the morning. Okay. Yeah, I think it's recent. It isn't, look, it isn't exactly what you wanted. No. It isn't exactly what you wanted.

That's the name of the compromise. That's a compromise.

Mr. Chairman, there's a lady in the back. Would you like to speak?

Yes, I would.

Come to a microphone. So we can hear you.

Well, I really don't want to use my phone.

But then you're not going to be on the recording.

I'm going to make you start. Come on.

My question is, where are the tents going to be?

We have one that's set up on Barnaby Drive. We have tents over in the cul-de-sac on 17, 18, and 19. Right here.

Do you know where I am?

It's been a while.

Yeah.

Okay.

I don't know what's happening. Well, it's... Where... What is this right here? Okay, this is Farmview. Yes, ma'am. My house is the very last house on that subdivision. Our tent's being put right here. Just on the corner.

Oh, I agree. That's not what this is about. Oh, I agree.

So just for the record, Nathan.

Yes, ma'am. My name is Jacqueline. I live at 851 Farmview Drive, right next to where all of this is going to be occurring.

Nathan, can you?

I've been through a lot in the process of this going on. because that's right where the road was put up. I have woke up to have to leave for work at quarter to six in the morning and have semis parked along my driveway where I cannot get out, have to go and look for people to move. I have a concern of that happening now. I would like to know if you are going to close the road, is there gonna be a road closed sign that is on Farm View and whatever that is.

That's the Stonebridge Parkway.

No, not on Farm View or Stonebridge. I'm talking in Whitestone. Is there going to be a road closed sign there? Because what I have, what one of my fears is, I have different small grandchildren that I take care of. I know that people, if there's not a sign there saying that that's closed, people are going to be coming around and they're going to be turning around on my property. And I have a concern of that because I have small children, grandchildren, that go up and down my driveway. And they know the limits, but other people don't know the limits. And let's face it, sometimes people just aren't respectful.

And she's right. When the infrastructure was going in in the ponds, we had that closed down for probably 60 days. And that dumpster was out there. That's why the dumpster was there. But some of the residents were going around the dumpsters into her yard and into the yard next door on the corner, which is not right. And that's why I'm fearful for safety.

The patch that is, we have a patch on our property that was asphalted when it was first put in so that the garbage man, the snow removal had somewhere where they can turn around and not do it. But you are amazed at how inconsiderate people are. Also, being on that road, Not seeing the children, because people, I just agree with you, people are going to come down that road and people are going to park there.

So I promise you this, the way it's set up and the entrance is only into the break from Stonebridge Parkway. They're going to have to come down, and they're not going to be able to come up Farm View because the parking, if you see.

No, I'm not saying that.

I'm saying that the people are going to come through Farm View. Yeah, so when we come in here, they're going to get a chance to come back. This is where the parking is going to be down.

So you're going to have a closed sign here, and you're going to have a closed sign in our subdivision.

Yep, there's a tent there, and we're planning it. on putting the cultures up there. We're waiting for the county to get us signed.

Because of course they were out because of all the... And like the others, I was also concerned about the kids there. They do go. I know that they go. I see it all the time. They also, guess what? They also do it in front of mine. Okay. But given the fact, my number one concern as a retired bus driver When I heard that they were going to allow the buses and open up, that made me feel a lot better. Nothing is harder on a bus driver than to have to reroute. And I'm sorry, you're just in it for making money like we all are. I mean, don't do it.

Well, actually, just for face, there's no money being made.

You're looking to put your watch across. I understand that. But the bottom line is kids' safety. Kids' safety has to be top priority and number one concern. And if you're gonna open those roads up as a former bus driver,

I bet you were tough.

And I think, too, Mike is going to go online to the sheriff. You let me know when that's been done. I'm going to reach out to the sheriff. I'm going to make sure that they're aware. We want to make everybody used to the fact that they can't be driving recklessly on that road. So by the time this actually happens, hopefully they will realize that somebody is paying attention to the speed up.

I see that.

i'm going to ask you to double the number of officers okay double all right i'll talk today okay all right i'm talking to uh captain miller okay one more thing it was really wrong for you not to come to us because obviously we are very concerned if we live i i it was wrong it was a mistake we all make we all make mistakes yes there are a lot of things if everybody what's going on

with everything that's going on and how much that we've been dealing with. Oh, I understand. Yeah, and Jason, Jason's our other partner. He was taking care of this. If we would have known, all we did, and Melanie will answer, we called and asked what we had to do, and she gave us the direction on what we had to do, and that's what we did, because that's what we did.

There's no bad guy here. They're doing what they do. You're doing what you should be doing. And if we do what we're supposed to do up here, and that is to make sure there's a compromise been had here, we've enhanced the security. We're going to leave it open regardless of what the time of day is for the school to come and go. Yes, sir.

So when someone Google Maps like the Stonebridge subdivision and how to get there, and it leads them through our subdivision, now we have 15,000, 17,000 cars coming through our subdivision, and now there's a dead end between the two subdivisions. How do all those people turn around? They turn around in their front yard because there's nowhere else to go. What happens with all that, Mike? Are you going to Google Maps and have a lot of time to answer that?

I don't know.

So Nathan, so just to recap, you need four days for setup. You need one day for teardown. You need 10 days for your event.

That's 15 days.

During the days...

that you are actually having the event. During the days you're actually having the event, the road will be open up to one hour before the event starts and it will be reopened after the event is over.

Correct. And with that, we would also make sure that it's open for school buses both in the morning and in the afternoon. So we'll communicate with the school corporation to collaborate that. Two, we've committed to any time that there are alcohol sales, that we double the amount of officers that have been described. Correct. As well as committed to ensuring that there are road closure signs at the intersection of Whitestone and Fairview to avoid the possibility of folks coming down Fairview and having to turn around in the lady who spoke up in that stub section. And I think the other thing that we can do, like we'll work on that, is placing signs at the entryway of High Tower, East High Meadow, to indicate these are not access points for the event, that this is going to be off of County Road 500 East so that folks who might be driving past know to keep going down. So we can do that as well.

And we're going to ask the sheriff to keep an eye on this. If there's a problem that bleeds over into that adjoining subdivision or one of our county road, our main county road, then we're going to have a problem. Yep. Okay, fair enough.

Fair enough. Everything's been permitted. Everything's ready to go. And like I said, we're shutting down at 8 o'clock tonight.

So we're going to keep an eye on that, sir. If that.

Another concern that wasn't addressed, but this commissioner just has focused in on the days, not all the problems. Yeah. We just keep skipping all that.

Well, we're going to, we're going to.

Okay, Google, we can't control Google and what's going on with Google.

Keep an eye on it. We're going to ask the sheriff's department. If there seems to be a plethora of cars coming down in there and turning around, we're going to have to address that.

We'll get a sign out there that says whatever it needs to say.

We'll get an electrical sign out there. Yep. Right there.

Yeah, we'll get those out there.

We'll get out there. And just to be clear, and I don't think this is going to be the case, but if cars start parking on that county road, they're going to be towed. Yep. I'm all about tow. All right. All right. So, all right. Again, folks, you didn't get exactly what you wanted. You didn't get exactly what you wanted. We compromised here. We should be fine. Let's all get along. Okay.

I will move as we just did a synopsis of when the closures are going to happen. We know that you need four days of setup. You need 10 days for the event and one day for teardown. and that you will reopen on the days that the event is happening for one, you will leave the road open up to one hour before the event, and you will reopen it after the event shuts down for the day. Do you want to just recap also the signage that you're going to do?

Again, I'll recap that. In addition to that, Madam Commissioner, we'll have signage on 900 East and County Road 500 East indicating that the sole access point for the event is on Stonebridge Court. We'll have directional arrows and signage indicating that. We'll have road closure signs at the corner of Whitestone Drive and Fairview, indicating no one is to park there, as well as police no closure signs. We'll be coordinating with the school corporation to ensure that they have access both a.m. and p.m., as well as doubling the amount of officers during days of alcohol sales.

And that is my motion.

It's Farview, not Fairview. Farview. All right. When you hit 42, your eyes fade a little bit.

I'll second your motion with a quick discussion. Sir, what was that street you were concerned about? Them coming down.

I'm concerned about her house.

Okay, we're going to deal with your house. But I'm concerned about maybe we'll get a sign out in front of you.

We're just all concerned about safety. Sure. Yep.

Yep. On bicycles, strollers. Okay. So let's get that entrance he was talking about. Let's get a sign up in front of that letting people know, don't go down here.

And you indicated that, right?

I did. We've got Hightower Drive as well as East High Meadow Circle looks to be the two.

You're great. You're going to have those up a full day before you open your event.

I assure you that the HBA is going to be littered with signs. People are going to end up on that side.

But this is, you know, this is your own story. It's been 16 years since the Porter County's even had this kind of a learning experience for us. Let's learn by it. And then if it happens again, and I hope it does happen again, let's make it even better.

So, okay.

That the road's going to be closed? Did they notify the fire?

Is this Boone Grove? Is it Boone Grove?

It's not, it's, to be factually, it's not closed to emergency. It's not closed to emergency. Yeah.

Right. It was never going to be closed for emergency services. No.

Yeah. You, okay. We good? Yep. All right. I call the question.

So we have a motion and a second. Okay, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Hey, Mike, I want to make sure you have my phone number so you can let me know. Make sure.