- Good morning. I'm going to call to order this meeting in Monroe County Board of Commissioners.
- It is Thursday, November 6. And I will note for the record that both Commissioner Madeira and myself
- are here and present in the NatU Hill Room. And we will begin with our public statement.
- The Monroe County Board of Commissioners renew our commitment to welcome and protect the rights of all
- people, regardless of age, race, color, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity,
- marital status, economic status, and national origin. And we affirm the right of every person to live
- peacefully and without fear. And we will fight and resist at every step, discrimination and harmful
- policies, whatever their source. We believe in diversity.
- equity, inclusion, and belonging. We also stand in support of our county public school systems, both
- RBB and MCCSC. And with that, we will move on to our proclamation. Proclamation, Operation Greenlight
- for Veterans. Whereas the residents of Monroe County have great respect, admiration, and the utmost
- gratitude for all the men and women who have selflessly served our country and this community in the
- armed forces,
- and the contributions and sacrifices of those who served in the armed forces have been vital in maintaining
- the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by our citizens, and Monroe County seeks to honor individuals who
- have made countless sacrifices for freedom by placing themselves in harm's way for the good of all,
- and veterans continue to serve our community in the American Legion, veterans of foreign wars, religious
- groups, civil service, and by functioning as county veterans service officers in 29 states,
- to help fellow former service members access more than $52 billion in federal health, disability, and
- compensation benefits each year. And approximately 200,000 service members transition to civilian communities
- annually. And an estimated 20% increase of service members will transition to civilian life soon. And
- studies indicate that 44% to 72% of service members experience high levels of stress during transition
- from military to civilian life
- and active military service members transitioning from military service are at a high risk for suicide
- during their first year after military service, and the National Association of Counties encourages
- all counties, parishes, and boroughs to recognize Operation Green Life for Veterans, and Monroe County
- appreciates the sacrifices of our United States military personnel and believes specific recognition
- should be granted
- We, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim November 4th through 11th, 2025 as
- Operation Green Light for Veterans, a time to salute and honor the service and sacrifices of
- those transitioning from active service and encourage Monroe County citizens to recognize the importance
- of honoring all those who made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom by displaying green lights
- in a window of their place of business or residence from November 4th through 11th, 2025.
- Proclaim the sixth day of November, 2025, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners. Thank you so much,
- Commissioner Madera. We have Stephen Miller joining us, our veteran service officer.
- Thank you very much, and thank you very much for the proclamation. If it's okay with you, I was planning
- to tell you about the Veterans Day events that we have coming up, as well as Operation Emergency Food
- from the Indian Department of Veterans Affairs. Briefly, my office is going to be supporting a number
- of Veterans Day events starting today. Directly after this, I'm heading up to Meadowood from 11 to 2
- for a Veterans Day luncheon and book signing. Then on Veterans Day itself, we're
- We're going to be supporting an early morning coffee with veterans at Starbucks on Indiana Avenue with
- a number of IU folks. Then we're going to be at the IU flag raising that starts at 730 AM. Then we're
- going to be at the Veterans Day Breakfast Social at the Center for Veteran and Military Students from
- 830 to 11. And starting at 1030, we're going to be at the American Legion for the Veterans Day program
- sponsored by them.
- And finally, on the day after, on the 12th, we're going to be hosting a Veterans Day Employee Appreciation
- Event for all Monroe County Government veteran and military members. We're going to have coffee and
- donuts, so if you have folks, please let them know about that. We're real excited.
- And then additionally, the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs has produced a program called Operation
- Emergency Food for SNAP beneficiaries. Folks whose SNAP benefits are in danger may apply for a Military
- Family Relief Fund grant that will pay up to the amount of the SNAP benefits. A couple of things that
- are of note, the benefit does count against the $2,500 maximum grant benefit
- per individual. So that is a consideration. And we're being told that they're processing checks as quickly
- as 72 hours. So if anyone has need, please reach out to my office. We're happy to help get folks connected
- to that benefit. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you for your service. Ms. Purdy has your proclamation
- for you. And I believe, Mr. Kreider, are we lighting the courthouse green?
- We are in honor of this. So it's a good reminder for everyone in the community who sees the courthouse
- lit in green over the next week. Wonderful. It's actually a combination because I believe we are doing
- it for the hope for the youth and also for the veterans. And it's nice that they agree that everybody's
- using the same color. That is wonderful. Thank you so very much. Thank you. Yes.
- Let's see if there are any department updates. You can raise your hand and teams are coming here to
- the podium in the NatU Hill room. Okay. Oh, Ms. Kelly. Good morning.
- Good morning, commissioners. Just a few updates for you today. According to the Indiana Department of
- Health dashboard, emergency department visits for COVID-like illness have decreased and wastewater
- concentrations have decreased slightly. Flu activity across the state is still minimal, but the Indiana
- Department of Health has recorded the first flu death of the season.
- Last year's Indiana flu season recorded 660 deaths. The CDC does recommend an annual flu shot for everyone
- aged six months and older. And the public health clinic does have vaccines available. You can
- call 812-353-3244 for an appointment.
- Thank you so much. Comments or questions, Commissioner Madeira? No, I think this is very vital because
- I think the weather is supposed to actually turn to very cold weather this Saturday into Sunday. So
- a very good time to get those vaccinations. For sure. Yeah. The more time we spend indoors, right? Okay.
- Thank you so much. Any other department updates?
- We'll move on to our next agenda item. This is public comment reserved for items that are not on our
- agenda. We ask each speaker to limit their time to three minutes and to please share your name and county
- of residence before you speak. Does anybody have public comments to offer for items not on our agenda?
- You can raise your hand on Teams or come to the podium.
- see none. We'll move on to our next agenda item, please. I would like to move approval of the minutes
- for October 30th, 2025. I will second that. Comments, corrections, edits? I do not have any. I found
- one last night, of all things, and sent it to Ms. Freeman. So it's just a typo. All those in favor of
- approving the minutes for October 30th, 2025, signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries, 2-0.
- Next item, please. I would like to move approval of the claim socket for accounts payable for November
- 6, 2025. I will second that. Ms. Moser, please tell us all about it. Good morning. Good morning,
- commissioners. The accounts payable claims docket for November 6, 2025 totals $3,238,936.71. This includes
- all emergency claims and adjustments.
- Thank you so much. Comments or questions, Commissioner Madeira? No. I don't either. Is there any public
- comment on this item? You raise your hand on teams or come to the podium. Seeing none, all those in
- favor of approving claims, docket accounts payable November 6, 2025, signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion
- carries, 2-0.
- We now have our new business, and the first item are bid openings for hardscape improvements at the
- Showers Building. We have Mr. Kreider joining us. I hope you brought a letter opener. Mr. Cockrell has
- the letter opener. Good morning, Commissioners. Richard Kreider, Monroe County Building Enfleet, here
- to talk to you about hardscape improvements at the Showers Building North parking lot.
- The scope of work is drainage improvement, sidewalk repair and replacement, and asphalt replacement.
- On July 25th, we entered into an agreement with Specialty Engineering Group to provide professional
- services for the project. To date, design and development construction documents have been completed.
- We're currently in the bidding phase.
- Notice to bidders was published on October 6th and October 23rd. A pre-bid meeting was held at Showers
- North on October 24th, and proposals were due by 10 a.m. this morning. And with that, I'll hand these
- over to Mr. Cockrell. The first bid is from Milestone Contractors.
- Let's see if I can find that. Off of the base bid is $340,820
- There are alternatives that had a deduct. And since I found it, I'll read it for these, but I probably
- will not search them for any of the other ones. Alternative number one is a deduct of $2,915, and alternative
- two is a deduct of $500. The second bid is from EMB Paving.
- It has a base bid of $296,000. We will look at the alternatives. Yeah, they're deductions anyway. They're
- not additions, so that helps. Thank you. And the third one is from Crider and Crider.
- This has a base bid of $467,250. Request that you take these under advisement. Yes. Let Richard and
- I go through them and come back with a recommendation next week. I think we need to do the recommendation
- next week. Yes. Great. So your agreement to take this under advisement? Yes. Okay. I am as well. Thank you.
- both for that. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. I'm particularly excited about this project, having
- seen the state of that parking lot. Yeah. And after the flood. Yes. Oh, absolutely. All right. Let's
- go ahead and move on to item B, please. I would like to move approval for award ENB paving, Maple Grove
- Road Paving Project, Fund A Motor Beagle Highway, fund number 1173 in the amount of $114,356.
- I will second that. Ms. Ridge. Good morning. So we've requested quotes from three contractors for the
- paving of this road. We received two quotes. This is to help finish out our paving season for 2025 and
- deplete all of our paving dollars. So we would like to award a TMB paving for the low bid of $114,356.
- Thank you so much. Comments or questions? Commissioner Medeira? No. Again, I would, sometimes I hear
- concern from citizens that we don't award these projects transparently and it always makes me very happy
- that we do this on camera like we did today because I can always refer them back to, you know, a certain
- date and time. And so, you know, thank you very much just for
- you know, engaging in this process in the public and making it transparent. And so I think it's as clear
- and concise and efficient as possible. I think we go above what we need to to make sure that we are
- transparent or is not a paving project in the last 10 years that I've been in this position that's been
- awarded that has not been in public record. Absolutely. Yes. I think we do an excellent job with that.
- Thank you so much.
- So I noticed some hot patch on my road this morning. So when does the asphalt point close? I thought
- it would have been closed by now. It's weather dependent, but it typically close around the first week
- of December. OK, so they're going to be able to get this done. Yes, it is scheduled to be done in 2025.
- Excellent. Thank you so much. That's great news. I'm sure the folks on Maple Grove Road are going to
- be happy to see that.
- Excellent. Okay. Any public comment on this item? You raise your hand on teams or come to the podium.
- See none. All those in favor of awarding ENB paving the Maple Grove Road paving project signify by saying
- aye. Aye. Motion carries to zero. Next item, please.
- I would like to move approval for ground penetrating radar systems LLC on call agreement fund named
- stormwater professional fees fund number 1197 in the amount of $21,000 I Will second that this looks
- very familiar to us from yesterday's stormwater meeting miss ridge Yes, it was presented yesterday and
- it was passed by the board and this is actually to do some videos
- televised cameras, I guess, through the piping system, drainage system for Curry Pike. The RDC board,
- we're moving forward of possibly doing some paving on Curry Pike in segments over the next three years.
- This is our first task to find out what's underneath the road, what needs to be repaired before we would
- go into the paving mode of that project. Thank you. Comments or questions, Commissioner Medina? No.
- This seems to be very efficient because it allows us to actually not displace the pipes.
- you know, get a good visual on things. It's very affordable, in other words, other than digging everything
- up first. Yeah. And if it's, you know, if everything's in good working order, if something needs to
- be replaced, we can address those concerns before we use the funds for paving. The first phase is basically
- Bloomington City Limits, which is around Beasley Drive, just north of Phoenix, to State Road 48, just
- south of there, because you have boundaries and such. So that'll be our first segment.
- that we're looking at, but it does help us repair any infrastructure previous before paving or included
- into the project at the time. Totally makes sense to do it and very efficient. But it's not going to
- be something we see on television. No. Thank goodness. This would be like the most boring program ever
- if you thought. It's boring in my job. It's not. It's not.
- But for the general public, you'd be like, what am I looking at? I don't know, though. From what people
- find interesting on YouTube, we could have a whole new genre of pipe ASMR television. That is true.
- It'll be interesting to see actually what's under that road. It started, I think, oh my gosh. I don't
- even need to think of the date. We did groundbreaking. Subscribe on YouTube. Yes, a groundbreaking discovery,
- literally.
- the ground penetrating. Excellent. Thank you. So I was just like, televised. I was like, well. All right.
- So any public comment on this item? You raise your hand on teams or come to the podium. All right. Seeing
- none, all those in favor of approving the ground penetrating radar systems LLC on call agreement signify
- by saying aye.
- Aye. Motion carries two zero. Next item please. I would like to move approval from Marshall security
- LLC for stormwater project traffic control flagging fund named stormwater fund number 1197 in the amount
- of $95 and 48 cents per hour. Second. Ms. Ridge. So again, this agreement was presented to the stormwater
- board yesterday and was approved by the attending board members.
- We typically use temporary flagging on different projects throughout the year. So this is just an as-need
- basis. It's similar to the contract we've done with Security Pro in the past. Thank you so much. Comments
- or questions, Commissioner Maduro? No, this really helps to have these folks on call. It really does.
- It makes a lot of sense. And yes, we did.
- approve this at the stormwater board meeting yesterday. Any public comment on this item? You raise your
- hand on teams or come to the podium. Seeing none, all those in favor of approving the Marshall Security
- LLC for stormwater project traffic control and flagging signify by saying aye. Motion carries. 2-0.
- We don't have any appointments today. We had
- received the sad news yesterday of the passing of former County Commissioner Charlotte Zitlow. And it's
- one of those things where every time I walk in this building, I think about her efforts to ensure that
- this historic courthouse was preserved. And there are a number of other
- project she's worked on, but I think this is probably the most visual in our community and the most
- visible and the one we see most often as well. And I just really appreciate public service and I appreciate
- her public service and she will be missed by her family and friends.
- I don't know if you wanted to say anything. I'll put you on the spot. Oh, yes, I think consummate public
- servant and just humanitarian and loss without words. Yeah, it is tough. But thank you for your service.
- It's impressive. I do have...
- We just found another typo. I would like to remind the public that county government is closed on Tuesday,
- November 11th for Veterans Day. Stephen Miller, our veteran service officer, gave us a whole list of
- different programs and events and the communities invited to any or all of them. It's important to take
- this time to thank those who
- have made the decision to serve their country in such a profound way and to thank veterans for their
- service. Also, next week before we meet is the 10th annual Monroe County Childhood Conditions Summit
- and it's Thursday, November 13th, beginning at 8 a.m., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Monroe County Convention
- Center. This is
- open to the public, free admission. Our rural housing repair program that we utilized ARPA money for
- is now being managed by the Bloomington Foundation. So if you live outside the city limits and you have
- necessary housing repairs in your home owner occupied dwelling that you need financial assistance with,
- please contact your Township Trustee or you can call our office. We continue to hold office hours six
- times each month. Join us by looking at the calendar and on our homepage, in.gov slash county slash Monroe,
- And while you're there, please sign up for the resident alert system, which will keep you informed of
- all emergency information regarding traffic, highway health, et cetera. I'd also like to remind folks that
- We continue to co-sponsor the blood drive at Ivy Tech. Thanks, Ivy Tech, for your help with this. The
- next blood drive is Wednesday, November 12th, 10 a.m. to 3, and Thursday, November 13th, 1 p.m. to 6.
- That is at Ivy Tech, rooms C130A and B. Please make an appointment at redcross.org, but if you drop
- by, they'll make it work.
- And just a reminder that I don't know if we've got this posted on our website yet with the food. Now,
- we're going to be posting some information about where to find food. I know SNAP benefits were partially
- restored this week. I don't know how people follow this. I just don't.
- Please contact your Township Trustee if you need assistance with food and they can help you with either
- their own pantry or one of the other many local food pantries. And we do ask residents to please consider
- donating to your favorite local food pantry or to the Hoosier Hills Food Bank, which is where
- Local pantries get a lot of their food, so please keep folks in your minds and hearts as we go through
- this terrible time in our history. Anything else for the good of the order?
- I can't think of anything, actually. Okay. So we do not have a work session today. And we are meeting
- next week on November 13th. So we will meet here at 10 a.m. in the NatU Hill Room on November 13th.
- And with that, we are adjourned. Thank you, everyone.