Commissioners - Regular Meeting

I think so. Yeah. You

guys ready? Yep. Okay. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Stand for the pledge. To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, welcome everyone. Porter County Board of Commissioners meeting today, Tuesday, March 31st, 2026. Consent agenda.

Approval of payroll March 13, 2026 and March 27th, 2026. Approval of claims March 12th, 19th, and 26, 2026. Approval of minutes March 10th, 2026. Weights and measures monthly report January 16, 2026 through February 15, 2026 and February 16th, 2026 through March 15, 2026. I move that we approve. Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Motion carries.

Announcements. We have an appointment for the Westchester Public Library Board. Did you do the Yes. I'd like to nominate Denise Barco Chesterton resident. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? by saying I I

motion carries. Uh we have an announcement here. We're going to be accepting applications for the transportation redevelopment or transportation TDD, which is the RDA appointment uh transportation uh district development. Um, individuals interested in being considered for the TDD RDA may visit the Porter County Commissioner's Office, 155 Indiana Avenue, sweet 205 below Indiana to obtain an application or visit our website www.porter county.gov.gov. Under the board of commissioners, click on the citizens board appointments. The application must include a completed application form, your resume along with a completed background check. The applications must be received via email at melanie.griffin@porter county.gov or in person at 155 Indiana Avenue, Sweet 205, Velaso, Indiana, 46383, no later than May 22nd, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Applications will not be accepted after May 22nd, 2026 at after 4:30 p.m.

And do you just want to explain what happens then once we have the three have it narrowed down to the three? Do you want to explain what after that? Uh after that we will submit three names to uh governor and the governor will make the final decision. Anything to add to that?

Also we'll be accepting applications for the board of zoning appeals. This is to finish uh Mer Brick Nurse term which finishes December 31st, 2027. No political affiliation necessary. The applications must be received via email at melody.griffin portercountin.gov or in person at 155 Indiana Avenue 205 Belareo, Indiana 46383 no later than April 16th, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. The commissioners will make the appointment at the April 21st meeting 2026 commissioners meeting at 10 a.m. Scott, they do have to be a resident of the unincorporated area. That's correct. Okay.

Okay. Next, Commissioner Rigness. Megan, if you want to come up. So, I'm so pleased that we are going to be awarding uh the grants from the uh OPI Settlement Funds. Uh for the year, we are awarding a total of $125,000, no more than five awards. And this year, we are awarding five grants. Commissioners, if you don't mind, I'm hoping that we can have all five organizations present and if we want to vote for all of them at once, we can. Or if there's one organization that you might have a question about, we can vote on that one separately. What would you like?

Well, let's wait and see. Let's hear the presentations. By the way, and Megan will introduce them. They're only going to be allowed two roughly two minutes to speak, but I want to let you know that's barely going to cover what these organizations actually do for our community. And they're just they're wonderful organizations. They make such a huge contribution and I'm glad at least you get to hear a little bit about what they're doing today. So, turn it over to Megan.

Thank you. Yes, we so we awarded five um or picked five uh agencies that we felt met um uh the goal of the the funding. Um we did interview uh eight different organizations and as a committee we came to the five listed here. So um to jump right in a representative from the caring places here and Sorry, I should come with you. Hi, I'm Jessica Luth. I'm the CEO of The Caring Place. Um, and we are very grateful for um all of the support. We have continually um had dual programming at the Caring Place. We're very well known for our domestic violence services, but we also have women in recovery as well. They live with us for up to two years. um and we work with them reintegrating them back into the community in a healthy way. So this funding is intrical in that. Um we have recognized how the services that we provide for women and families actually fa all families um in domestic violence really connect a lot with um women in recovery and the services the groups the day-to-day um case management that we do we've recognized has really helped the recidivism of our clients going back into dangerous situations both with drugs and alcohol and domestic violence. So, um, as we grow this program, we have seen so much progress in our community clients turning, you know, turning their lives around and really starting fresh. And so, this gives us an opportunity to really make a change. So, we're very, very grateful. So, Jessica, I was talking to you at Rotary because you had done a presentation at Rotary and I went up and I asked how that program was

going and and she had tears in her eyes and she said, "We've saved lives." Do you just want to just address that? Absolutely. I think um we we in this um presentation we did submit um just kind of an editorial from one of our clients, but you know people say to me all the time, you know, this has got to be the worst the hardest job. Like how do you see what you see when you actually get to see people turn their lives around um people that have not even thought about their future whatsoever. Um and and really recognize that they have a chance to live a brand new life. Um it's the most amazing job that anyone could have. And so um we are absolutely the staff of the caring place. We are lucky. We're the lucky ones to see these families um survive. You know, they people are close to death sometimes when they come. They don't think their future looks bright at all. And then when they put in the work and they start focusing on how they're going to take care of themselves, which is what we teach them at the Caring Place, um it's it's the coolest thing ever. It does make me tearary. Um but especially in the women's recovery program, we have seen I actually got a text this morning from one of our clients. Her daughter is moving back in with her and um they applied for college at VU. They got some scholarships the Caring Place helped them get and um she's just so proud to be, you know, she was incarcerated for eight years prior to that and um her family's back together. So, it's pretty cool.

Thank you so much, Jessica. Thank you all. All you do. Thank you. Thank you. Questions? Am I done? Right. No grilling. Uh we have Alan from 320. Good morning. Morning. All right. So, yes, thank you so much for this opportunity. Pull the microphone. There we go. All right. Thank you so much for this opportunity. It means a lot. Um, you know, knowing where these opioid settlement fun,

can you say the name of your organization and where you're located? Um, Alan Casula. I am from 320 Recovery and we are Chesterton. So, we are an RCO which is a certified recovery community organization and we employ. And what that means is we have folks with lived experience, folks that have been there uh really navigated through the systems uh and have an understanding of what that looks like. And what that really does is give hope for individuals when they walk in that door and they can meet with someone and say, you know, I understand and go a little bit into their journey. Really just again, you see you see the hope in in the individuals that walk through our doors. And um we do that through multiple pathways. And so our five core pathways that we do, we've got a cooking and nutrition program, we've got a fitness program, we have an art program, we have a music program, and we have a faith component. And what this funding allows is for us to have all of that programming, have not only a peer, but a local facilitator as well come in and help with that. Because as great as our peers are, nobody can do everything. So we can't expect them to be art instructors and you know cooking instructors and all of that. So to really have quality programming and you know one of the things is um it's not just about what happens in our programming on whatever night it is but how they carry those things and those skills and those interests outside of that um has really been a success. We our music program is one we had an individual who came in they came to one music program and we did a creative writing exercise and next thing you know

they're writing a song about their whole life and their journey and knowing that they're thinking about that outside of 320 and what we do is you know that's where we see the growth. So, so Alan, I got exposed to 320 recovery because I was in I was invited to something that you do on Wednesday evenings. And so this is not just for people in recovery. This is for people who also want to support people who are in recovery. Could you just talk about that opportunity for people because I I mean you just said words, but for people to actually see what you do I think is so impressive.

Absolutely. So on Wednesday night we have what's called our life recovery service and that is open to the whole community and that is our faith bank night. So what we do is we have a meal, we have some live music and we have a message that ties into the recovery process and um that's very successful and at the end of the day what we see there is we see relationships being built with individuals that probably wouldn't have that facility to connect with each other in any other way. And so being able to see that and truly see the community that happens is is really a win. Thank you. Yeah. Appreciate everything you do for community. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Um we have Sam Burgett from the community change center.

Good morning everybody. I'm Sam Bett on behalf I'm the founding director of Community Change Center. Um I'm not on behalf of the sheriff's department today um but with their support. So um the our nonprofit fills the gap in terms of re-entry services that start during someone's incarceration and then continues out in the community. So for the past several years we've been working to make sure those services are comprehensive. If we can't meet all of the basic needs of someone then really they can't typically afford to be focusing on their recovery. Um, so we are now a recovery works and Medicaid provider, which allows us more of a sustainable billing source. So this funding, our proposal was to launch an individual counseling program that starts in jail and then continues to be accessible out in the community. So this funding would allow us to kickstart that program while we work on the paperwork to then tie it into those sustainable funding sources so that we won't be asking anybody else for more money for this in the future. Um, but we know that a majority of people who are incarcerated also either currently struggle or have struggle with substances. So that's the correlation here. Um, but our goal is meet their most basic needs through our workforce development program, our housing program. We have case management and peer support offered in Valpo and we're trying to expand kind of the holistic wellness in terms of doing counseling, peer support services like that. So we really we would not be where we are without Porter County support. So, thank you for all your all your support and help over the years.

What I think is so amazing is this is what Sam does for a living. She's one of our police social workers, but she can't seem to get enough of it. So, she creates organizations and activities that you can continue on and I don't know when she sleeps because she is able to accomplish so much much in both her job and her her volunteer activities. Thank you for what you do. Thank you, Sam. Thank you. Thank you. Um, and then we have Michael here from Brain House.

Good morning. Morning, Michael.

My name is Michael Okconor. I'm the executive director of the Marine House. Um, the Mate House opened in 1976, so this is our 50th year in operation. And, uh, we were the first in Corder County for sure and in this general area to substance abuse. Um, we're a residential home. We have up to 13 clients and two livein staff. Um, our program is about recovery. Our little moniker is that Marine House is the hopeful side of addiction. like other people have mentioned, hope is a big thing. And um we're a 12step house, so uh they have to focus their recovery in that area, but they're also able to do things on their own. Um we have counselors that come in twice a week and also do individual counseling. Um we progress review every week. We check the client's progress as they're going along. Um make any suggestions. Um, but getting back to like where the funding is focused on is we're an old house. The Marine House, we're we're a block away. Um, it's a turn of the century house that needed a lot of work and we've been able to put some, uh, some necessary work done over the last couple of years with the help of Porter County. Um, I mentioned at the last meeting, um, you helped us put on a new roof at the house. Last year, we took the uh opioid money and we remodeled all the client rooms. And I I always say it when I'm in these things, but prior to this and us doing this with your help, um the house was like something out of the 70s. It just looked like that. And we've we've changed it all. Um we've got great feedback on the client rooms because it is uh again, it's residential. Clients live there. And if I didn't mention it before, it's a six-month program. So, it's their living for at least six months. And they

do notice that when things change and when you're doing something that helps them and their surroundings and it's just a more of a positive environment to be in, I found as we've been able to make these changes and um we're really grateful for all the help that we've gotten um to I I personally have been connected to the Marine House for 13 years. Um, the Marine House took me in when I had absolutely nothing. I always tell the story. I came to Valareerezo with everything I owned in a garbage bag. And um, not that my life isn't still crazy, but um, I love my life today. And the Marine House was one of the first steps that got me and I've been sober for 13 years. Um, and that's where it all started for me. So, I've always been connected to the Marine House. My heart will always be at the Marine House and I appreciate any help we get from the bottom of my heart. I believe me, I appreciate this and so do the guys, so are the clients in the house. So that's all I got.

Thank you, Michael, so much for sharing your journey with us and how you're giving back and and that you recognize that these people do need hope and that you're willing to provide it. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Um, and then we have a representative from the health department here. It's just easy.

Hi, Matthew Paul, Porter County Health Department. I'm the administrator. Thank you for having us. Um last month, last month we uh talked about the Pulse Point integration and the ads that we're putting at the parks and the expo center. Uh but we're also wanting to get funding for find help, which is a website for services for Porter County residents who are in need. Uh it's anywhere from addiction addiction and recovery to uh mental health, housing, and food support. it it's a one-stop shop for needs and and we have real-time people who can make adjustments to that site based on the services that are available. And then also we'd like to send a peer recovery coach to the JDC to help build trust with at risk youth and to provide early support and help connect them to resources to improve long-term outcomes. So that's really what we'd like to do.

Do you want to just talk a little bit about who you have in mind? Yeah. Uh one of our food inspectors actually went to school to be a peer recovery coach. So, uh, Antonio, who's been with us for a little while, who does a phenomenal job, will be the one who will be going out to do that. He's very excited and really happy to be doing. Yeah. And I want to let everyone know, the commissioners know that the committee was so excited with all of the projects that uh they brought to the committee and and thank you so much for bringing these and and asking for some uh financial assistance with those. We really appreciate it. Thank you very much. We appreciate it. Thank you. I want to thank you too, Megan. I know it was a lot of hard work that you put into this. So, thank you for all your efforts and this as well. Of course. Of course. Happy to do it.

And just to um do you just want to say everybody that was on your committee? Yes. So, um we had uh I'm one of the citizen appointments uh as well as Chuck Harris. Um and then we had uh Andy Vasquez and Greg Sims from the council uh representing and then Barb was on for commissioners. So, So, so would you mind if we voted on all all these at once? Do you have a problem with that? Okay, Scott, please. Okay. I move that we approve uh the uh awarding of $125,000 is broken down to five different organizations on the agenda.

Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Motion carries. Thank you so much, Megan. Really appreciate it. Next we have standard operating procedure for call handling initial dispatch for Chesterton quarter 911 calls. Debbie, how are you?

Great, thank you. So I did submit the amended SOP to the commissioners as well as to um the administrative leadership of Chesterton and Porter. Um, as promised in the meeting we had Friday morning, um, we did have a follow-up meeting with both the assistant chief of Chesterton, Cisco Rodriguez, as well as the chief of Porter Police, Dan Dicki, and that happened Friday afternoon. The meeting went very well. Um, there were no additional concerns brought as I had said I would bring to your attention if there were. There were none. So um with the just to make public the change the signed SOP that was approved here um in section C we have with the new SOP we removed 0.1 we felt as though the language was confusing regarding um would not be responsible for maintaining I'll read it. Porter County Central Communications will not be responsible for maintaining communication with Chesterton Porter police officers beyond initial dispatch. We removed that. We felt as though it was um confusing regarding our update. Um, so that was removed and then we added the.3 which is now if responding officers have incident related questions while in route that are not addressed through CAD notes or radio traffic, they are encouraged to contact PCC directly via the Chesterton Porter radio talk group for clarification. PCC personnel will provide any available information to support officer safety and situational awareness. So that um dealt with the one concern. The second concern that they had was um the recommendation of units within CAD and we were able to provide them instructions and and share with them the CAD functionality that will accomplish the needs they have in that area as well. So we parted on great terms. I'm excited. We we actually gave them a tour

of the center. They had not been there. So that was exciting for us and our and our uh dispatchers there. And so um I'm looking forward to the future with So tomorrow is April 1st. Are we delaying anything? No, we're moving forward. Okay. Well, I just want to congratulate you and your team. I know this has been challenging. Um, but I think we came to such a good conclusion and I think overall everyone is going to be really happy. It just might take a couple weeks before, you know, everybody feels comfortable with it, but just congratulations. Great job. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Very good. Any other questions? I move that we approve the amended standard operating procedure for call handling and in and initial dispatch for Chesterton Porter 911 calls. Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Motion carries. Thank you.

Okay. The second. We have a request for approval for Porter County Board of Commissioners Emergency. Let me read that again. Request for approval. Porter County Board of Commissioners emergency board of services with United Services 911 rotation list policy. Is that is that also you Debbie or um I wasn't aware I believe we got another application. Okay. And that was reviewed by uh the commissioner staff and put on the agenda today to approve United Services, a division of US Contractors, Inc. to be added to our boardup list and our rotation.

I move that we approve. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. I.

Motion carries. Number three, we have anou town of Hebrin, Boone Township, Porter Township Trustee, uh Porter County Commissioner to bring a committee to study the need for the regional fire and emergency services for the south Porter County. Um I'm just going to bring a little update on this. So we came up with a draft of theou and I spoke about a little bit about this at the last commissioner's meeting and thisou is nothing more than an agreement uh between these parties to discuss the future of fire services. Uh there are no commitments to this. Uh there are no uh you know obligations. Basically all it is is an outline of the things that we want to do discuss with these entities uh and what the future of firefighting services holds. So um and with that uh we have distributed uh a draft of these out uh to these uh entities uh for them to uh look at it and if they have any concerns we can you know address those. But again thisou is nothing more than an agreement to have a discussion about the future of fire services in that particular uh southwest port county area. And that's the update that I have for you at this time. I move that we approve the MOU to create a committee to study the need for regional fire and emergency services for for Southwest Porter County.

Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. Next. Gilman. How are you, Paul? How are you guys?

All right. Uh just for the uh Porter County Jail, we have pay applications one through six. I can read through these uh Gary up construction payout number 11 in the amount of $18,000 $18,14420. Uh number two is Kleener Interior Systems pay up number 10 in the amount of $14,152.34. Stans Painting and Decor payup number eight in the amount of $60,800. FE Moran pay number 11 in the amount of $247,218.50. Quality control systems pay up number 10 in the amount of $18,189.80. And number six is H&T Electric Services pay up number 11 in the amount of $25,823.79. I move that we approve payouts uh on the agenda 1 through six for the jail.

Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. Okay. And then on the next is the highway. Yes. Highway department. Just two pay applications here. Uh number one is the area of construction payup number 16 and the amount of $28,547.50. and number two is stance paint and decor pay up number eight in the amount of $4,537.58. I move that we approve. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Motion.

Thank you. Thank you. Paul human resources. How you

morning have the comp time report? Yes. Um I've been working with the departments trying to lower the comp time report. It did go up this month, 88 hours as a whole. Um a lot of departments went down, but as soon as the weather breaks, our 24-hour operations or our outside um events take up um some comp time, but I've reached out to all the department heads and they are well aware to try to follow the handbook. and if there's an exception that they would need to let me know so I can tell you guys what their exception is. Okay.

So, do you have any insights that I mean do you think the commissioners need to get involved in any way or do you think it's being handled right now? Um I'm hoping that these meetings now that they're you know out and people can see them live. I'm hoping that the department heads really understand it's very important to get the numbers down. Um, if you want to interject, that'd be great. Um, I said the ones that went up were the 24-hour operations or the outside operations people, but the ones indoors they've had lowered because we were down 372 hours. Um, so they were down in office, they just went up from the outside

and that is what the shortest staff there for. There are short staff. We've got some um people that are hurt. We have uh things they can only do outside with the bridges are starting to get active and so all the outdoor work people are racing to get catch up. So nothing alarm me then? No. Okay.

And what's the status report issue um within the council's office? They they've got their secretary working um she went down 28 hours but they do have their admin admin secretary working like four hours a day couple of days a week and the rest is coming from comp time. The auditor's office is assisting them keeping up in the minutes so those don't fall behind trying to lower her count time. So they they brought in somebody part-time.

No. Um they have they have her working a couple of hours a day, probably maybe 20 hours a week. And in the meantime, the auditor's office has picked up on hiring an outside source to catch up on the minutes. So she's working 20 hours a week. Correct. Uh to to to get rid of some of that comp time. Yeah, she's working like 20 hours. The other 15 is the comp time off. So, what is the projected um time frame by which she will they're hoping within a year? Okay.

So, here's my question. How does that solve anything other than taking some comp time off the record? But once that happens, you know, unless the auditor's office is going to continue to do part of her assigned responsibility. I'm not sure the discussion with the auditor's office has had with the council. Um I wasn't privy to that. I just know what she's working and how much is coming off. Have you had a conversation with them?

We've had some suggestions. The situation is it's only been with one or two individuals. It's not been with the council as a whole. It's been primarily with the president. Um what we are doing now is with reference to the minutes, we've already finalized 10 of the 36 that were missing um within the two months. And what we do is we send it out to have it transcribed and it's brought back here and we have to verify all the information. So it's not an AI program. They're actually people transcribing it. But if they don't know the speaker or the name, then we have to enter that information. So, we have approximately 26 left to do and I'm hoping we can get the meds done within five per month because all the the only thing that happens is I send it out and then someone from my department um will review it and then I finalize and then all the information um as as with reference to the meetings or any of that as I don't know if you're aware but the last council meeting she did not attend and everything went fairly smoothly. I think we're trying to change some of the processes to verify that they are working everyone involved. Instead of getting hard copies of everything, we're sending them a month or a couple weeks in advance so they can review it instead of having it before the nightclub and trying to stuff like that. So, we're hoping to get them that information quicker and more effectively.

Is her is her presence at those meetings necessary at this point? Not as of right now. No. And so she on top of that she's allowed to work 15 hours a week. It's 20 hours I think. Or 20 hours a week. you know, you know, fine with with I mean, you know, for the record, I I think that there's a definitive problem there that's not going to correct itself by something allowing her to work 20 hours a week for a year.

That's approximately a year. Yeah. A year. And um and on top of that, taking part of her responsibilities away from her, I I failed to see where that fixes anything. It's put more of a burden on your office and and thank you for doing that. Um and and you know, and but I don't I don't know.

She only uses approximately 15 hours of count time. Well, big problems, you know, it takes, you know, it, you know, it it it takes big decisions to solve. And I and I and I hope that well, our board expects your office, Ronda, to keep us appraised of of what's going on there.

Yes. Because once this once this time if it's caught up with you know I this board needs to know what's going to happen at that point because if not if the personnel doesn't change and she's she's given even less responsibility then I think I think in all fairness you have to you have to you have to go back and and look at you know her her skill sets her job responsibilities is what she's being paid. If she's not doing and not work, you know, she's not doing what she was hired to do, then I I think that it's reasonable to reassess her salary.

Yeah. Am I? No. No. Can Can I ask the comp time report that you provided to us? Are you providing to the auditor's department? We office and I send it also to the council. Okay. Believe they get a copy at their meetings. Okay. The other thing is um Karen, I'm just wondering, is there

a way that we can get like an early warning signal where we have an employee that could turn into a situation like this where there's Rhonda comes in on a regular basis. This situation is a little unique due to the fact of things that had been taking place since the new um system went into place 2018. So it wasn't an accumulation of one year, it was an accumulation of approximately seven years. So it's just one of those things that unfortunately even though she works for the council, the council was not monitoring that during that period of time. They had differences in the presidential um positions. Also, they were not approving the time cards. She was approving her own. And that is why we came before the commissioners to make sure that in the future no one approves their own time card.

We've made Yeah. I'm just, you know, You know, I understand that there's there there has been changes over the last since 2018 and and who's been board chair there. Um, but there's seven people there. There's one employee, one and I can't think of another position in county government where this would have been managed as this as this situation is. They're they're I mean, it's just And I'm not even I'm not even disclosing everything,

right? So it's it's I again I think that you know tough decisions you know it's a tough decision what needs to be made here and but I think it's obvious. That's my opinion and somebody needs to make it. That's it for me. That's it. Thank you Rhonda. All right. Thank you. By talking

facilities department, Mr. Phil. Morning.

Morning. Morning. I brought Ryan Wagner to discuss in case you guys have any questions about the request to be the bid. This is uh 157 Franklin. You have a request advertise for bids for the 157 Franklin building near the basement access stair reservation project. Yep. This is so we can get the election equipment in and out.

In and out. and they can hire someone to actually use because the way now we use our elevators and about every election they break our elevators and we're spending money for fixing the elevators. We put out the public and the employees because we take both elevators up when we use it for them. Well, that that uh stairs back there, they're in horrendous shape. The salt is really just ate them away. I Yeah. Yeah. And this will put a full ramp that we'll be able to use ourselves. It'll be big enough actually even our K Cabota and stuff can Yeah. slide down there and probably should have been done a decade ago. Yeah.

And that we approve the request to advertise for bids. Let me read it for the record here. So, we're requesting to advertise for bids for 157 Franklin building near the basement access stair renovation project. Bids are due by May 12th, 2026 at 9:00 am. Bids will be publicly open and read aloud during the Porter County Commissioners meeting scheduled at at 10 a.m. on that same date in the Porter County government complex 155 Indiana Avenue 46384. So I have a motion and a second. Second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I.

Motion carries. JDC. Um, I want to get two panels that we're redoing since we're redoing all the bathrooms, the showers for the kids. Um, I sent a picture. I don't know if any you guys got to see the old panels, the the the bottom part on that is actually at some point they took it off. So, we're redoing these bathrooms. I'd like to be able to have them up to date with the ADA and handicap and everything. And since of course, like most things, those ones are all custom made, so they cost a little bit more for two of them.

Um I'm also replacing the standard ones, but those are just going to come in our budget because less than a thousand a piece for those. Well, we got over 30 years to do so. Yeah. Yeah. I move that we approve the mechanical concepts quote for or the uh purchase of the HDCP shower replacement doors not to exceed $11,500. Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. And then the last thing is my mechanical concept payout number five for $18,810. Move that we approve.

Second motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I still these uh these expenses these last two they're all within the budget that we have for that. Yes. Okay. Okay. I keep Thank you. Recycling and waste uh reduction.

Carrie, how are you? preparing before storm. So, this is our annual um notice that we request from the commissioners. We have our um two tire collections at the expo center. The state of Indiana now requires that we seek permission from the owner of that property, which is the expo, which is the commissioners. So, we are set up to have those two events, May 9th and October 17th. This just states that the cycling district is following. We are hiring a um licensed um contractor and the tires that we collect we will pay for and they will also be sent to a um registered processor in the state of Indiana. So in essence, we're just seeking permission to use the space. We did inform Lori and Tammy this is our normal process. So the expo is aware of it as well. So

I move that we approve. Second. We have a motion to second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Thank you. Have a great day. Thank you. Highway department, Mr. Polar.

How are you, sir? Good morning.

Okay. Okay, first up you have ASZ engineering provide to provide professional services on County Road 1050 North improvement suggested Indiana not to exceed $32,530. Yeah, this would fall underneath the uh previously approved $100,000. So it just be taken out of that. It's nothing additional to that. So it's just taken out. Okay, I move that we approved. Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. So you have the second one here, an MOU between the Porter County Commissioners and Porter County Storm Water Management Board regarding Hackne Lane, pavement and drainage improvement.

Deja, we just voted on. I move that we approve from the commissioner side theou between the Porter County Commissioners and Porter County Stormwater Management Board regarding the Hackne Lane pavement and drainage improvements. Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Hi. Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Storm water management, Mr. Jabbo.

Morning, Commissioner. Good morning.

Give me one second here. Well, you lost your screen, so I'm help agenda is discussion and the selection of consultant for construction engineering, which is inspection services for bridge one, which is division road over Hutton Ditch, Crooked Creek, Washington Township/Morgan Township. Total of five consultants submitted on a statement of qualifications or a letter of interest. This is an INDOT project. So we have to follow their procedures. We don't select on price. We select based on qualifications. Total of five consultants submitted. So we thank all five of them for submitting. uh independent scoring by four staff members independently when it was all subducted and ranked the firm locker was uh came out on top as the number one choice. Matter of fact, Loch Miller also did the design. So they do have intimate knowledge of the bridge. So this is just an extension of their services.

What is the fee on this? They don't have a fee at this time. It's based on qualifications. we negotiate the fee and then if we can't come to terms with them that we go to number two uh the letting will be September of this year but in advance INDOT wants us to get this pretty much put the put in shape before that time so we're recommending to uh what do we need to do here Scott

we need to have the we got to finish the discussion and then Mike that point to request is discussion. So staff recommends choosing lock Mueller for bridge one construction engineer I'll move that's that's their presentation their recommendation discussion that's okay move we have a motion second we have a motion to second all those in favor signify by saying I

I the same applies to bridge 66 we also got the same five submitts and again lock Mueller came out on top on the independent scoring sheets. Therefore, we're recommending engaging block Mueller for this project for construction engineering as well. I move that we approve. Second. We have a motion and second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries.

Next. Um, Good Oil Company, Inc. they are present meeting to make aation to you. This is the second reading for a zoning map amendment on the parcel of land located at 597 West US30 Valareerezo, Indiana. Revising the zoning district from highintensity commercial which is CH down to medium intensity commercial CM. At your last meeting, we had a lot of discussion. Uh the petitioner has gone and done a little more due diligence and they're here to make their presentation. Uh before we start, uh you are all recipients of an email I sent giving you your options, but you can do so. The pleasure is yours. So with that, I'll turn it over to the petitioner if he could state his name and address and company.

Hi, Matt Rossman uh with ICS 1135 Broadway, Indiana. Nice to see you guys again today. Um, I do have some additional handouts. Mind if I

can. Thank you.

Thank you. That's going to be for this presentation. So, the last time we were here, you guys discussed that we wanted to have you wanted to have some further clarification on the septic system.

Uh, what we don't have currently is an approval from the Indiana State Board of Health for a septic system. Uh part of the conversation or why we wanted to come in front of you before we have that is if there little bit of a um chicken and the egg scenario. If we don't get granted the uh approval for the zone change, then all the engineering and everything we do for the septic design would would essentially be not not functional. So we'd have to go back and and redo it again. So, I wanted to feel out what the temperature was and and understanding if we're providing enough material for you today. If not, we we can ask for a continuence. Uh, but I was hoping today that we could establish some of the information you were hoping to see that we didn't have on hand before. You know, I' I've uh I spent a lot of hours on this and I I've reviewed everything and and you know what? I'm I'm happy with the uh with the concessions that you made.

Okay. you you've you've done your due diligence and I just wanted to make sure you know I I want to make clear you know I I don't take reszoning very lightly. Absolutely. And you know that was my main concern but those those concerns were addressed uh I think uh you know the uh the permitted uses that you uh knocked out of this I think will will address those issues. Um, and again, you know, it was never in my my mind that I think you're going to do something nice. It's just a matter of would space. So, uh, given that, um, I have further questions. I'm I'm fine with

uh, last time you were in front of us, I had mentioned, um, emergency vehicle turnaround. Have you addressed that? Uh, we haven't we don't have a fully designed site yet. Uh but if you go to the second or third page, um there is a revised drawing.

Yep. And go all the way to the right. Uh you'll see a a temporary hammerhead there. Uh they could also pull into that last um complex there and turn around. the road will ultimately continue through at some point and that would be um I'm not sure what what pro what part of the process it would be that you would determine whether we needed a culde-sac or the hammerhead would suffice. Um but we would propose a hammerhead until we were directed otherwise by the county to that something else was more appropriate.

You're talking about those short little driveways that are to the right here. They could turn into one of those. So, at the end of the last building, there's there's a piece that comes down to the to the south. That would be the hammerhead portion where people could pull in then back out, turn around. Is that uh I don't know that they would have when they do this, they have to turn in the site plan, right? They do have the lakes. This is going to go through a lot more.

I tell you what, I I'm going to take advantage. We get a fire here. And uh you what's your thought thoughts about turning a a a fire engine around in that But that would be addressed in your department and at the plan commission. Correct.

That is correct. to ensure that all of that if we make it a if we we have to make it a prerequ it's in it's already in the UDO they have to then how come nobody can answer me whether or not we can return it we can turn a truck around in there well this isn't final engineer drawings with dimensions yet when they submit the drawing to us it's got all the dimensions and we go over it then

just as a precautionary length though to the fact that I'm archaic we had the situation with if you remember correctly when they um they had built it but then they had bought a bigger truck and then it didn't work. So I think what he's doing is to make sure that in the future no matter what we purchase what we have to be able to turn around instead of just what we currently certain of course we've changed a lot since Aberdine too we have full staff that looks at that but if you want to make that an additional condition that's perfectly all right yeah it was my it was my only concern about payoff was the emergency vehicles able to turn around and get out yeah and it would be more

that was an ambulance or what Yep. And it would be our expectation that we would have to show those turning movements at some point in the process and we would have to do something in the site plan to accommodate those emergency vehicles to be able to turn around. Well, I would appreciate I taken iteration Karen's statement. It's it's as large as we can get it and you can make that a condition of your approval if you wish. Do you want to make that motion? The written commitments. So, this is our this is what we're intending to highlight.

Uh there's actually an attachment I sent email to you last night at this it more as an exhibit attached to the commitments. It's got the non-permitted uses, right? And then it has they can have up to four additional lots in addition to the gas station convenience store. And if you wanted to add another one, I can add the third one on there. I just want the to be clear. Commissioners want those things included in their motion. Set of written commitments signed by the petitioner and reported would be condition a condition of the reason. And might I recommend?

So moved. If I could go ahead and make your second got a motion. Get a motion with the discussion. Go ahead. Go ahead. Second. Second. Okay. Thank you. Um, you can add to the commitments. I would say you can approve it with those conditions. You would not sign that document because I would have to execute all these documents with the petition. Okay. First. Okay. Um, and you're okay? You're okay with that? Yes. I just wanted to make sure we're all on the same page. The yellow items are what is further excluded. That is correct. Um and then that is only applying to the four additional lots, not the sea store would just be a CM intended uses.

We'll tweak that language in the commitments. Okay. The intention is not to not store the intention is to have the sea store and then and that corner lot not to be limited by the further uses. Because you could have a bank machine ATM in there. You could have food and drink in there. You could have video rental in there. Although I don't know anybody rents any videos anymore, but I mean Yeah. Yes. Correct. So your motion should be make the motion with the commitments passed on to you by the plan commission. And if you want to add the thing about the turnaround, you can add that to it and we'll put it in there. So moved. Second.

All right. We have a motion and a second with conditions. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. Congrat. All right. Thank you very much. Thank you. Great day. You want these back, bud? No, you I'm just going to toss them. Okay. I'll take them if you want. No, that's okay. Thank you for your time today.

You're welcome. The last thing of our agenda is a donation of a new construction permit fee construction of a house to be built by Haven Homes in support of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It's not a H St. Jude's house. It's a way of them generating money. And I have the president of Haven Homes here. And what dollar amount is it that you are waving? What is the dollar amount? We did a preliminary analysis of the building permit and it's just over $2,200 building permit fee.

Okay. Good morning. I'm Mike Granis with Haven Homes. U about three years ago I pursued doing this with St. Jude Children's Re Research Hospital and about six months ago they approved us to be a home builder in Northwest Indiana to do this. In our newest development in Sienna is where we're going to build this house. And uh to date so far, we have about twothirds of all of our suppliers and trade partners that are going to participate 100%. Um we're still working with others to get to 100%. The goal is to build this house for zero dollars and give all proceeds to St. Jude.

So this house is just a residential home. There's nothing special about it. It's just you're taking whatever the the sales proceeds are and making that donation to St. Jude.

Correct. Yeah. So, we'll we'll sell it for full price and yeah, a family will buy it and all those proceeds will go to St. Jude. And we will have like uh I feel like it'd be really good marketing for everyone because we're going to have like a groundbreaking ceremony. We'll have a mid like boots type of walkthrough. We'll call it like a dusty boots. And then at the end, we'll do a floor signing with everyone that participated in it. And there will be patients that will come out also. And there will be St. you representation to speak on their behalf. So what percentage of the sales price goes to state?

It's gonna it's 100% like so anything like if we have to pay for this building permit that will get taken out. So it's whatever's left over like I'm given 100% of like my gross profit. Um von toal and are you going to put this up for auction because you might get a lot more especially if people know that it's going to a good cause.

That's so we have to kind of follow their guidelines. There's about 50 builders in the country that participate in this program and surprisingly the home builders are the biggest donors to St. Jude and to date they have raised about $800 million. Um so yeah it's there's two approaches they do. One is where you just sell it and all the proceeds that are left over will go to St. Jude or you can do a raffle. The state of Indiana doesn't make it easy to do a raffle and if you could you could produce a lot more money for St. you by going that route. Well, god forbid Indiana do that. Yeah. Um, is this is your home builder?

Yes. Haven Homes. Okay. Well, that's it's that's a wonderful organization, St. Jude. So, I I wish you luck and motion to approve. Second. Gladly. We have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Motion here. It might We've never done this before. I've only been here two years. I can't think of anything. I can't remember us doing this. This This is the uh second one in the state of Indiana. The first one is in Westfield. We don't count them. Yep.

And maybe a clarification to your motion you made if you concur. Up to $2,200 just to be clear. Okay. up to $2,200. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. And congratulations and best of success. Thank you. I hope you raise a lot of money for St. Jude's. Me too. Oh, we have that ribbon. We will. There's actually So this groundbreaking ceremony, I'll send an email to you, Mike, but it's at the end of this month, end of April. So appreciate it. Thank you. That's all I have, commissioners. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Thank you. Next up, Porter County sexual assault response team.

Good morning. Good morning.

Hello. Hi, I'm Ona Torres. This is Cadence Gilbert. She's an intern with my office from Bel University. Uh so the sexual assault response team would like to do a chalk the walk event around the courthouse on on the end of the month. Um our sexual assault response team is comprised of most of our law enforcement agencies, prosecutor's office, victim advocates from most of our uh community advocacy centers, our Duneboro caring place. Um we have our 911 and we have um even our Indiana State Lab. We have a lot of people involved. So we're really proud of our our efforts and the way that we coordinate. So, we want to do a very positive event um that kind of leads victims and people who want to show support for survivors in a way that is um just positive. So, we want to be able to use the square. We have gotten the permission from Belarezo City to use the sidewalk. So, we would like some of the grass area from the from the courthouse um for this event.

I move that we approve. Thank you. Uh with discussion. Okay. with discussion. You're asking, if I'm reading this, you're asking for all four corners.

Well, we're in the process of planning it. So, I asked for as as much as we could since we're going to be going around the courthouse. So, I'm not exactly sure if we're going to be utilizing it all because we're potentially we're just going to be using one table for um we want to get the word out about what kind of careers. Um and and we want this to be geared towards volunteers for our college students, middle school, um high school students so that they can get volunteer hours for their college application and for potential job opportunities in the future because we really want to promote the work that we're doing so we can build the future of employment for people that can help survive. Where did you where did you envision to have that?

I have like in the beginning of on the Indiana side of the courthouse. So the so the south side of the court. Yes. Yes. Well, I'll tell you what, we can't we can't uh approve all four corn forms, okay, of the property uh for various reasons. Uh but um you know, work if you work with our facilities director uh if you want to be on the south side of Indiana. Okay. uh work with him as to where um I would assume that would be what's what's the the road I'm thinking of on the uh east side of uh the courthouse. What road is that? Running north of

Franklin. Franklin. I would assume that's the corner you'd want to be. That's where the most traffic's at. Yeah. But that's up to you. Yes. I was kind of trying to avoid the Lincoln Way area, not to get mixed up with anything else that's going on on that side of the street. So, we want to definitely keep it very positive. And so, we just really want for resources where some of our like sexual assault nurse examiners can talk to people about that type of work and also maybe have like where people can have a selfie taken and they can post it on their social media that they supported. People are looking at looking for ways to support survivors and this is a good way of doing that just you know typically having a a walk.

So when do you think your main part because you've got it from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. That's a long long time. Yes. So 700 a.m. just so that we have plenty of time to get the artwork on the square which is going to be done by our student volunteers and our start team members. not going to be publicized for like anybody to do because this is our first time planning something like this. So we want to keep it within our organization which has plenty of of team members and you know open it up for students. So like in Valereza University they have um what what's the name of the the group? It was called safe no longer called that anymore

but they're a support system for sexual assault survivors. So some of the other universities have you know those type uh organizations. So we want them to participate. So what day of the week is that? Friday. Saturday. The Saturday. Yes. That's good. So if if you work with our facilities director, we give you that entire southeast corner to set up. I think you'll be I think that'll be perfect. You think that'd be all right? Yes. Okay. But just uh his name's Phil. You make contact with her at the window after. Okay. Uh call the question. I second. Yeah.

Mr. Chairman, we have we have a motion. Okay. We have a motion, a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. Thank you both. Thank you.

Okay, moving on. any other matters which may properly become before the commissioners. Anyone like to speak? Yeah, I have one one quick announcement I want to I want to make before we wrap the meeting up. Um it came to my attention a week or so ago that um the uh the proposed data center in in Porter County uh was still a possibility and uh uh I just wanted to uh set the record straight on that that's that's not true. Um that application expired uh as we said in our board meeting before uh we were done with that in that process and I just want to make it clear that uh you know any of that uh kind of nonsense of that still being resurrected uh is not true. So and if anybody has any questions further on that they can contact us here at commissioner's office and we'd be happy to address that. But uh that's just a false statement. So and with that um our next meeting 21st April 21st 10 o'clock um