Great. I'm going to call to order this meeting in Monroe County Board of Commissioners. It is Thursday,
February 26. And we will begin with our public statements. We, 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.
Thank you so much. I forgot to note for the record that Commissioner Madeira and myself are here and
present in the Nattie Hill room, and we have Commissioner Jones joining us via Teams. All right, so
I don't know if her mic's been... Yeah, it has. Perfect. Thank you. All right. And with that, we will
move on to our department updates.
We have Ms. Kelly from the Health Department joining us. Good morning. Good morning, commissioners.
Just a few updates. According to the Indiana Department of Health, as of February 24th, emergency department
visits for COVID-like illness remain stable, and wastewater concentrations are trending down. Flu activity
across the state are at moderate levels.
there were five flu associated deaths for the week of February 8th through the 14th. As a reminder,
the Health Department does have combo flu AMB and COVID tests for free. Individuals can walk in Monday
through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM to receive free tests. Thank you so much. Comments or questions?
Commissioner Madeira. I have none. Thank you. Commissioner Jones.
No, I don't. All right. Thank you so much, Ms. Kelly, and we'll see you shortly. Thank you. All right.
Next, we have Ms. Myers from Rural Transit. Good morning. It's good to see you. Good morning.
Can you hear me? Yes. Good to see you on this little snowy morning.
I'm just here for the quarterly update for rural transit and wanted to tell you our 2025 total trip
numbers for the full system is 41,466. Monroe County was 15,128, which is about 36.5% of the total of
the four counties.
pretty close to the same as last year's ridership. So we're kind of seeing that stabilized now. That
does not include the urbanized area routes. That is an additional 6,202 routes trips that we had, which
is higher actually than 2024, which was just under 6,100 for 2024. So we had a little bit higher.
On Tuesday, we had an all staff, we actually closed the system down for a half day and had all staff
required training for passenger assistance training, which is wheelchair securement, which went really
well. Also reviewing footage of real accidents that happened when you don't strap wheelchairs
down appropriately, which is a terrible thing to see. It always makes my palms sweat and it's pretty
bad. But it was good. We had a good training.
We did have our long-time mechanic retire in December and so we are without that position right now
and we're actually trying to see if we will continue with that arrangement and doing the preventative
maintenance through contracted services for a while and see what that cost comparison is. So I'll keep
you updated on that as we go forward.
The renewal grant will, of course, start coming around in March, and I think it's due mid-May, so you'll
see me again, hopefully, in April, where I'll bring all of that to you for the full next year,
which is 2027. I do intend to make sure that we get that in as early as we can, just because of timing
of other things going on at the agency.
give you a heads up. So I don't want to push that to me. I really want to do that in April if I can.
And then the only other news I had was that last week we had a catalytic converter stolen off of one
of our buses that was up in ND at Superior Van and Mobility, which is the required place we take them
for lift maintenance and repair. So it was behind a fence.
and they came in, somebody came in and cut off all of the vehicles that were there, their catalytic
converters. So unfortunately, we're going to be dealing with that, which hasn't happened in years.
So anyway, that's the big update from rural transit. Any questions there? Thank you so much. Thank you
for being here. We appreciate it. Commissioner Jones, comments or questions? No, I don't. Thank you.
I'm just sad to hear they converted the catalytic converter. There is a crime called conversion, right?
Yes. I want to thank you again for whatever magic you did to have in dot pay for urban transit. And
I hope they feel generous for
27, but we'll see. Yes. I think that will be an interesting development. 2027 is going to be
this year, Bloomington Transit's gonna be going through another strategic plan. They did actually invite
me to be a part of reviewing their proposals for that, and I agreed to do that, and I think we're in
the process of coming together as a committee and looking at who they're going to contract with, and
then that will begin the process for them on updating their strategic plan, which will certainly loop
in, as I understand it, Monroe County, town of Ellitsville, rural transit as well, so. Well, in 2029,
still well now 2029. The transit piece falls to the county to finance and administer so it's interesting
that we haven't heard from transit about this so interesting. I think you'll probably start to hear
from them maybe closer to March or April okay based on the RFP information I saw yeah and it's and it's
not on you
you're going to step in okay I was because my understanding is is that. Our Chris is going to be
I think that I've been here for the entire time that you have been in that position and we've had our
own battles and we've come out of it strong and more knowledgeable and I just, I hate to hear that you're
going to be leaving. So I just want to say that.
I know. It's really hard. But we're going to see you in a couple months, yeah? You will. And please
don't make me cry. I wanted to cry when I saw that email, honestly. I did announce that I'm retiring
early from Area 10. I'm going to do some rebalancing in my life with home and family. But it was a really,
really difficult decision, probably one of the most difficult decisions I've had. And I'm going to try
and say that without. Yeah. Wow.
Yeah, but we've got a long way. I've got, you know, I think we're going to be in a good place for a
smooth transition, and I'm going to be unloading and infusing that person with a lot of deep information
and hopefully ethics, too. So, yeah. Yeah. It's such important work. People don't realize. It really
is. It's more than transit, obviously.
And we don't toot our horn enough, but there will be some need for some local advocacy here in the coming
months that I will loop you into as far as state administration and area redesign and things like that,
that we're gonna need allies for sure. Please, please let us know what we can do. Cause it is so, it
is as important as transit is. It is. And that there's so much more. Thank you. Thanks Angie.
Thank you. I know my heart is like,
I couldn't even respond when I first saw it. I know. See you in a couple of months. We're all new to
it. All right. Ms. Purdy, did you want to talk about the towers building remodel? Yes. So it was brought
up during the council's Tuesday night meeting that there was concerns expressed by the election supervisor
and the clerk regarding the new space.
And I think Council Member David Henry also had concerns. And it would have been appreciated if they
could have spoken with us because we have everything under control and the problems that were referenced
about telephones, security issues, those are taken care of. Do you have any questions?
I just, yeah, I think it was a little confusing too because there were discussions about both spaces
and they overlapped and they shouldn't have overlapped because they're not the same. Yes. They will
be the same in the future, but right now they're. Yes. So for clarification on the first floor of the
showers area, we have early voting and that will be open and ready to go for early voting.
that. And the other side of that is actually voter registration, and that is where, um. The supervise
the election supervisor and her staff will be housed. And that is not scheduled to be open per se, um,
in time for. Early voting, so they're in a
providing the additional phones in the new space as they will need and we're going to be talking with
them to come up with a solution that they would like that is in that area because we have the ability
to solve their problem that they believe.
And we are on track. We are on track for early voting space being open and operational on time for that
time frame. Absolutely. Mr. Kreider has been doing a great job. And he's finding himself torn in 12
different directions. And I know that when it was first brought to us
regarding like three phones, there was a concern and he was the one who was able to find the solution
of like, hey, why don't we just forward the phones to cell phones, give those cell phones to your staff,
that will resolve that point in time. So he's solving problems and he's going to,
beautiful early voting site and voter registration is going to be beautiful when it's done too. Yeah,
but that's later and that's on purpose. That was always planned. It was always planned. Yes, we're having
to phase this. We can only do so much. We certainly want to prioritize early voting, open and operational
before the rest is done. And, um, Mr. Crider, you've done a great job. Thank you. Appreciate you. Um,
comments or questions, commissioner Madeira.
I know. I think that if anyone from the public has any questions, they're welcome to call our office
or attend office hours. And we're always happy to address those questions. Yeah, for sure. Commissioner
Jones, comments or questions? Just thank you so much, Mr. Kreider and Angie and everyone else who have
worked on this. And I think it's going to end up being a really nice situation. I agree.
Thank you. All right. Thank you so much. Any other departments have an update for us. All right with
that we will move on to public comment. This is time for items not on our agenda. We ask each
your name and county of residence as you begin speaking. If you're on teams, you may raise your hand
and wait to be recognized. And we have Mr. M.G. from the chamber joining us. Good morning. Good morning,
commissioners. This is Christopher M.G. from the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. And I want
to just echo the sentiments of this body on Ms. Meyer's work at Area 10. I've collaborated with her
and the passion she brings and dedication. Knows no bounds, really. So I'll kind of
change my order and kind of talk transit I was at the Monday public hearing on on route 13 at Bloomington
transit for their board hearing feedback and we're at kind of an impasse on that it was celebrated the
first sort of transit service outside the incorporated area
And we're needing some action from the county, both on the MOU level, which is this body, and then also
with the county council, March 10th, and how important that is. That has not been the perfect first
year, but I think it's a starting point. I think Commissioner Thomas mentioned the SB1 and how that's
going to change. And it's important we continue this service. One thing with transit, it needs to be
consistent. We have a baseline now. I think we can make some improvements. And we heard from, in that
public hearing, what that service means
employees at Park 48 specifically, Cook Medical mentioned that. Second, I want to bring up kudos to
County Assessor Judy Sharp. She sent letters to, I think it was 120 businesses around the near south
side of Bloomington regarding just get some rollbacks on their assessments. She heard some appeals.
She saw the conditions down there, the vacancy, the market softening, and she took action with it.
very long conversation with her last week, very open, very honest. The work she does is really, for
the past 30 odd years, knows no bounds. She's a frequent visitor to the Builders Association luncheons,
very honest and impeccable staff that she has, really appreciated there. And the last thing I want to
talk about was the county council's resolution that they did on the justice center. And one thing we
wanted to hear from the council, I think it's clarity a little bit,
nitpick on what's included there and what is not, but just axing North Park, getting a cap on what they're
looking for. These are at least getting us moving in the right direction. I've been with the public
comment, the public meetings on the co-, between the two bodies, and we need some progress. We have
a firm deadline, so I'm hoping this is a signal that these two bodies can work together and we can get
the justice center that Monroe County deserves. Thank you. Appreciate it.
Thank you. Um and just, um, as a preview, we're going to be talking about this at our work session.
So thank you. Also line 13. We're waiting on council before we sign anything because we need
that appropriation so. And I believe it is on their agenda for March 10th. Uh, meeting so we look forward
to seeing how that goes, and, um. We would. We would have to take that
All right. Any other public comment? Done. Let's move on to our next item, please. I would like to move
approval of the minutes from February 12th, 2026. I will second that. Any
comments, corrections or edits? No. Mr. Jones is no, okay. No. All right. The copper, will you please
call the roll on the approval of the minutes for February 12th, 2020. Commissioner Thomas. Yes. Commissioner
Madeira. Yes.
Yes. Motion is approved, three to zero. Thank you so much. Next item, please. I would like to move approval
of the claims docket for accounts payable for February 26, 2026, and for payroll from February 20, 2026.
I will second that. Skyardil, please tell us about it. Good morning. The accounts payable claims docket
for February 26, 2026
total is $11,941,243.97. This includes all emergency claims and adjustments. The payroll docket for
February 20th, 2026 includes $1,690,318.91 in direct cost and the remaining $720,982.41
Um, sorry, we're indirect costs and a grant and a grand total of 2,411,301 and 32 cents. All right.
Thank you so much. Uh, comments or questions, commissioner Jones. No, I have none. Thank you. All right.
Um, any public comment on this item? You raise your hand on teams or come to the podium.
I'm seeing none. Mr Cockrell, will you please call the roll on the claim stock at accounts payable February
26th, 2026 and payroll for February 20th, 2026. Mr. Thomas. Yes. Madera. Yes. Mr. Jones. Yes. Motion
is approved three to zero. Thank you so much. I will note for the record, we have
received reports from the clerk of the circuit court and that is for january 2026 from the treasurer
january 2026 and weights and measures report for february 2026 although the month's not done so that's
kind of odd um i think it might be january all right uh and with that we'll move on to new business
please yes i would like to
and the grant amount up to $55,000. All right. I will second that and we have Mr Baker joining us online.
Good morning. To unmute. Let's see. They
Thank you. Good morning, commissioners. Okay, so this grant is our annual grant that we get each year
that pays the county $55,000 or up to $55,000 back of our salaries that we get each year. All right,
thank you so much. Comments or questions, Commissioner Madeira? Nope, I love the word grant.
Yeah. Commissioner Jones? No, I don't.
Yeah, it's really useful to have this reimbursement, definitely. So thank you. And thank you for your
hard work. And I know we had a travel advisory this morning. So it's been a busy morning. I kept looking
at radar last night. I kept saying, oh, it's going to rain a little. And then I woke up to this. But
it's going to be gone by this afternoon, which makes it especially beautiful.
It really does. Let's see if there's any public comment on this item. You can raise your hand on teams
or come to the podium. Seeing none, Mr. Cockrell, will you please call the roll on the 2025 Emergency
Management Performance Salary Grant? Mr. Thomas? Yes. Commissioner Madeira? Yes. Commissioner Jones?
Yes. Motion is approved three to zero.
Thank you so much. Thank you. All right, next item, please. I would like to move approval for the partnership
agreement with the Center for Community Engaged Dissemination and Implementation Research, or CDER.
Second. Ms. Kelly, good morning again. Good morning again.
This is just a partnership agreement. There's no funding involved. Essentially, we have been in discussion
with Indiana University about coming together, providing a Monroe County Health Department employee
who will help to conduct programming for families focused around healthy eating habits and physical
activity. So currently the plan is that this would be hosted this summer. It's eight weeks.
the employee would be spending approximately up to 10 hours during that eight week period providing
these programming and services. But this is aligned with our Health First Indiana initiatives and our
department strategic plans. All right. Thank you so much. Comments or questions, Commissioner Jones?
No, I don't. Commissioner Madera? Just that this is, I think, an excellent example, again, of a,
you know, government
And so I'd love to see more of these. I know Cedar and their work, and this is, of course, our health
department, which is awesome. So wonderful. I think this is going to be great. And my question is actually
about something else. And since you're here, you had sent me an email yesterday about that letter or
that grant
that we need to sign is documentation enough so. If if you could do that that would be great we're going
to have a work session today so thank you appreciate it I don't have any questions about this I'm glad
to see that.
the program. Let's see if there's any public comment on this item. You can raise your hand on teams
or come to the podium. Seeing none, Mr. Cockrell, will you please call the roll on the partnership agreement
with CDER? Commissioner Thomas? Yes. Commissioner Madera? Yes. Commissioner Jones? Yes. Motion is approved,
three to zero. All right, thank you.
All right, next item, please. Yes, I'd like to move approval for the Midwest Pre-Sort Service Agreement
for printing and mailing Form 11s. Fund name reassessment, fund number 1224, and the amount not to exceed
$47,000. I will second that. Mr. Cockrell, I believe you're handling this today. Yes, and this is a
contractor that we use quite often when we have these mass mailings. The Form 11 is the notice to all
property owners of the assessment of their property, land and homes, and has some historical background
to it. So that's what the Form 11 is. It's sent out every year about this time, and it's required under
state code to be sent out. So I believe this contract is for a amount not to exceed about 42,000 different
mailings, which is how many properties we've got to send these notices to. Absolutely. And some of these
are envelopes with multiple properties in them, et cetera. Yep.
All right. Let's see. Do my colleagues have any comments or questions? Commissioner Jones? No, I don't.
Vera? No. All right. Any public comment on this item? I will, as we're waiting to see if anyone wishes
to speak, I will echo Mr. M.G.'s kudos for our great assessor. All right.
Seeing none, Mr. Cockrell, will you please call the roll on the Midwest Presort Service Agreement for
Printing and Mailing Form 11s? Commissioner Thomas? Yes. Commissioner Madeira? Yes. Commissioner Jones?
Yes. Motion is approved, three to zero. Thank you so much. Next item, please. Yes, I would like to move
approval for the Centerstone Memorandum of Understanding for the Rent Reentry Program, Fund Name Justice Partners,
fund number 81 60 and a grant amount of $30,000. I will second that and we have Mr Williams joining
us. Good morning. Tell us all about it. Good morning.
This is a grant that we have been receiving from the state through the federal government for probably
at least six, seven years now. But for the last three years, we've used this to overcome one of our
biggest hurdles in getting individuals into treatment by having the actual centerstone clinicians in
our office two days a week to perform those assessments.
We have eight open slots every week, and it's proved to be very successful for us, and we're glad that
we can continue it. The grand amount that they gave us has dropped dramatically this year, but we're
still glad to have at least $30,000 to continue the program. All right. Thank you so much. Comments
or questions? Commissioner Madera? I don't have any. This sounds like a wonderful program. Obviously,
it's been implemented for about seven years, and I know that our community really relies on it.
sure commissioner jones comments or questions yeah yeah some fortunate that the grant amount is falling
hopefully it'll go the other direction next year thank you for your work on this absolutely thank you
thank you so much um let's see if there's any public comment on this item you raise your hand on teams
or come to the podium
I see none. Mr Cockrell, will you please call the roll on the Centerstone MOU for the reentry program?
Commissioner Thomas? Yes. Commissioner Madeira? Yes. Commissioner Jones? Yes. Motion is approved, three
to zero. Thank you so much. Thank you. Commissioner Williams? All right, next item, please. I would
like to move approval for the Go Express Travel Service Agreement. Fund names, county, general,
and parks, non-reverting, fund numbers,
$1,179 in an amount not to exceed $7,000. I will second that. And we have our parks director, Ms. Whitmer,
joining us. Good morning. Good morning. This is for Go Express Travel. And you will be seeing a rural
transit service agreement in a month or two. So we'll use both of them.
Basically, summer day camp. We start registration Sunday, March 1st. So we fill up fast. So I encourage
everyone. And there's an early bird special, of course. It's a 10-week program. Everyone signs up weekly.
We have four weeks and five weeks. It depends on the holiday that they do such fun stuff. They do a
lot of nature activities. They go swimming. They use the splash pad.
They're going to go to Blue Springs Caverns. They're going to go to the Indianapolis Zoo. So if I was
a kid, I would love to come to camp here. So any questions about Go Express Travel? I have any Commissioner
Jones comments or questions? No, just this is a wonderful program. No, none. So so grateful.
for this programming. And I know a lot of families in the community are as well. And I'm with you. I
think we need an adult version of a kid for several weeks over the summer. And this camp is maybe 37
years old. Wow. Really? So we've been running. Yes. Amazing. Amazing. Very cool. That's an interesting
piece of trivia. Let's see if there's any public comment on this item. You raise your hand on Teams
or come to the podium.
Seeing none, Mr. Cockerill, will you please call the roll on the Go Express Travel Service Agreement?
Mr. Thomas? Yes. Mr. Madeira? Yes. Mr. Jones? Yes. Motion is approved, three to zero. Thank you so much.
Next item, please. Yes, I'd like to move approval for Wiley's Floor Covering Incorporated for Karst
Commons Building
fund names County General and Parks and Honor Verding fund numbers 1178 and 1179 in an amount not to
exceed $6,410.83. I will second that.
Ms. Whitmer, tell us all about it, please. Well, this is exciting, too, believe it or not. Our floor
is probably 10 years old, and it has large holes in it now and popping up. The kids at day camp use
it. We have tons of people. It's climate controlled with a full kitchen you can rent. So we need to
keep the stuff looking nice and safe. And this was the lowest quote we got. Great. Thank you so much.
Let's see if my colleagues have comments or questions. Commissioner Maduro? No, I do not. This sounds
wonderful. Yes. Commissioner Jones? No, I don't. We're floored. All right. Let's see if there's any
public comment on this item. You raise your hand on teams or come to the podium. Seeing none.
will you please call the roll on the Wiley floor covering ink comments building agreement. Mr. Thomas.
Yes. Commissioner Madeira. Yes. Commissioner Jones. Yes. Motion is approved three to zero. And next
item please. Yes, I'd like to move approval for blood. So right. Cooper James engineering services for
the nature preserve.
Fund name, food and beverage, fund number 4932 and an amount not to exceed $28,000. I will second that.
Ms. Whitmer. Yes, it is required to have engineering crew assess everything. They have to also hire
a company to look for contaminants in the structures and do what's correct and what's right to do when
buildings come down. So this is engineering for building demolition.
Thank you so much and necessity. Comments or questions commissioner Jones. No, I don't. Commissioner
Madeira. Hopefully this turns out not to be an explosive proposition. So no, no questions. And yeah,
we appreciate the we're expecting anticipating a letter from the
Historic Preservation Board of Review and got some information from their meeting about what will be
in that letter regarding the structures on this property. So this is the natural next step and it's
really a safety issue for that property and keeping it secure. All right, let's see if there's any public
comment on this item. You can raise your hand on Teams or come to the podium.
Seeing none, Mr. Copper, will you please call the roll on the Blitzer Rigger Cooper James Engineering
Service Agreement for Nature Preserve? Mr. Thomas? Yes. Commissioner Madeira? Yes. Commissioner Jones?
Yes. Motion is approved, three to zero. Thank you. Thank you so much. All right, next item, please.
like to move approval for ordinance 2026-06, amending in the Monroe County Code Chapter 270,
adding 270-83, enumerating the Monroe County Animal Management Fund. I will second that. Mr. Cockrell.
Yes, I believe this fund has existed for quite a while, and this is just a documentation to make sure
we know why it's there. Okay. It's good that we have that on record. That's because it has been a while.
It has been a while. Let's see if my colleagues have any comments or questions. Commissioner Maduro?
None. Commissioner Jones? No, I don't. All right. I don't either. Let's see if there's any public comments.
You can raise your hand in teams or come to the podium.
Seeing none, Mr. Cocker, will you please call the roll on Ordinance 2026-06? Commissioner Thomas? Yes.
Commissioner Madeira? Yes. Commissioner Jones? Yes. Motion is approved, three to zero. Thank you so
much. Next item, please. I'd like to move approval for Ordinance 2026-08, the Amendment to Substance
Use Disorder Awareness Commission, or SUDAAC.
I will second that. Are you managing this today? I don't see. Certainly. And I know that there was a
school delay this morning, which impacts staff members. Absolutely. This is essentially reducing the
number of members on Sudak from 11 to nine. It's done primarily because of inability to get a quorum
at the meetings.
I think that there was also a change in the makeup, excuse me, of the appointments in that they added,
I believe, one justice system member. Right, which makes sense, which makes sense. And this committee
that does important work, but the public is always invited to attend as well. I mean, this certainly
isn't saying that people can't come.
we would appreciate public attendance and input at the meetings. Um, comments or questions? Commissioner
Madeira, since this is your committee. Uh, no, I think these changes are very necessary increases, uh,
input from stakeholders that need to provide that input. And again, makes it easy, easier to have meetings
because it's harder to do committee business commission business if you can't meet due to lack of a quorum.
All right. Commissioner Jones, comments or questions? No, I don't. All right. If there's any questions
on this item, you can raise your hand on Teams or come to the podium. Seeing none, Mr. Cocker, will
you please call the roll on ordinance 2026-08? Mr. Thomas.
yes commissioner madera yes commissioner jones yes motion is moved to three to zero thank you so much
um um move on to the next item please yes i'd like to award dc construction services incorporated the
curry pike reconstruction project
fund name, Westside Economic Development Fund number 4920 in the amount of $679,420.75. I will second
that. Ms. Ridge. Good morning. So sealed bids were opened at your February 5th regular commissioners
meeting. We had five sealed bids that were received. The contract and project was discussed at the
that meeting was on the 18th, not the 28th. Thank you. Oh, yeah. That's tomorrow, right? Thanks. My
time machine is not working today.
I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I
don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.
I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I
don't know. I don't know.
to State Road 48 are just short of that where it changes jurisdictions for the city. So we will be milling
it. We will be doing curb work, drainage work, sidewalk repairs, and then paving the road. And it'll
all be done in 2026 for this section. All right. Thank you so much. All right. Let's see if there's
any public comment on these items. You raise your hand on teams or come to the podium.
Um, see none. Um, Mr. Cockrell, will you please call the role on awarding DC Construction Services,
Inc. The Curry Pike reconstruction project. Mr. Thomas. Yes. Commissioner Madeira. Yes. Commissioner
Jones. Yes. Motion is approved three to zero. Thank you so much. Next item, please. Yes, I would like
to move approval to award EMB paving and milestone contractors the asphalt material supplies bid.
fund name Motor Vehicle Highway fund number 1176 in varying amounts. I will second that. Ms Ridge. So
typically we award to the two suppliers for the asphalt basically do if there's supply issues, plans
break down the vicinity of where we're hauling to a paving project. So and then are also for our cold
for patching. So we award it to both so we can be more economical of where we're hauling the materials
from. Yeah, makes sense. All right. Comments or questions? Commissioner Jones? No, I don't. Commissioner
Medeo? No. I don't either. It makes a great deal of sense. And just as the snow season ends, the orange
cone season begins.
but we'll be grateful for it. All right, let's see if there's any public comment on this item. You can
raise your hand in teams or come to the podium. Let's see, none. Mr. Cockrell, will you please call
the roll on awarding ENB paving and milestone contractors the asphalt material supplies bid? Mr. Thomas.
Yes. Mr. Madeira. Yes. Commissioner Jones.
Yes. It is approved three to zero. Thank you so much. Next item, please. Oh, sorry. I would like to
move approval for Butler Fairmont and Sufert incorporated for part-time engineering support. Fund name,
local road and street, fund number 1169 in an amount not to exceed $135,000. I will second that. Ms. Ridge.
So we are requesting to enter this agreement with Butler Fairman Seifert for the part-time engineering
support after the retirement of our highway, full-time highway engineer. We will have the engineer on
site for one full day a week, attend hybrid or in-person meetings as needed. The agreement is for one
year. We've worked with this firm for a long time, but we also know Brent Winholtz,
and he was a Du Bois County Highway Engineer for 11 years before entering into this new role. So he's
quite familiar with federal aid projects, plan reviews, drainage calculations, things like that that
we will need in-house until we can fire higher.
a full-time engineer. I know it's in high demand for engineers around the state is my understanding.
I know it took the city of Bloomington a couple years to just now build one of their transportation
engineers. Brent is here, so I'm going to kind of put him on the spot so he can introduce himself. I'm
sure he'll be
you know, working with parks and planning departments. So we'll take him around, introduce him, take
him out to our project locations and get him familiar. And Butler Fairman also has a couple of our projects,
some of our projects and have worked in Monroe County for many years. So we're thrilled to have him.
So excited, excited. I think this will be fun. Yeah, I've known Lisa the whole time I was at Dubois
County. I have a really good relationship with her. So I look forward to helping out. I have lots of
experience in local government.
The curveball's been thrown my way. That's one thing I told Lisa, with local government, everything
changes, so. And most of that's due to the state, so, as you know. All right. It's good to meet you.
You too. We look forward to working with you. Of course, we're on the stormwater board, and we're here
every week. And planning and everything else, we definitely will appreciate your assistance. Thank you.
Any comments or questions from my colleagues? Commissioner Madera? No, thank you. Commissioner Jones?
No, I don't. Thank you. All right. Let's see if there's any public comment on this item. You can raise
your hand on teams or come to the podium.
Seeing none, Mr. Cockrell, will you please call the roll on the Butler, Fairman, and Seifert, Inc. part-time
engineering support agreement? Commissioner Thomas? Yes. Commissioner Madeira? Yes. Commissioner Jones?
Yes. Motion is approved, three to zero. Thank you so much. Next item, please. Yes, I would like to move
approval for Butler, Fairman, and Seifert, Incorporated for Baby Creek Bridge 629 replacement.
for the baby Creek Road replacement bridge. Fund name Baby Creek Bridge number 6 29 fund number 8167
in the amount of $239,300. I will second that Miss Ridge. So we go through the process end up process
for RFPs on scoring consultants for different phases of our federal aid projects. This is for the phase
of construction and construction inspection services for the baby Creek Road
Our inspector for this project that Butler Fairman has assigned is Rob Burkhart. No ties with Brent.
There will not be any conflicts. The whole RFP process went before we did the negotiations for a part-time
engineer. So we realized that we'll keep those two areas separate.
we've had many projects with Butler Fairman on construction inspection services. They were the high
score and dot verified all of our paperwork, our calculations to verify this. So that's why we would
like to have the contract approved. Thank you so much. An important project and I appreciate the explanation.
I'm not sure. I'm not sure. All right. Any public comment on the side of me raise your hand on teams
or come to the podium. Seeing none. Mister Cockrell we please call the roll on the button butler Fairman
and see for ink.
Commissioner Jones? Yes. Motion is approved, three to zero. All right, next item, please. Yes, I'd like
to move approval for the in-dot agreement for the Eagleson Bridge number 922 replacement. Fund name,
Eagleson Bridge number 922, fund number 8176, in an amount of $5,326,229.62. That was going to be a
very unintentionally cheap bridge. Yeah.
I will second that, but I always love that they throw in the 62 cents, you know? Yes. Just like,
my gosh. All right, Ms. Ridge, tell us about this, please. So I've mentioned this in the past couple
of weeks. We had the bid letting for this bridge replacement in January, and NDOT reached out with some
extra funding that they had.
to go towards the project of construction, which decreased our local match from about $997,000
down to $160,000. So this is actually updating the contract with NDOT to cover those extra allocated
funds. Such good work. My goodness. Boy, it's huge. Comments or questions, Commissioner Madeira? No,
this sounds like it's a less troubled bridge over Monroe County waters.
Commissioner Jones, comments or questions? No, I don't. All right. Yeah, I'm so grateful. This is where
your experience and your incredible connection with NDOT has paid off for Monroe County residents. It was sad.
A nice phone call. That was very unexpected. So, you know, we did not know that extra funding was out
there. We didn't ask. It was just basically Monroe County had stepped up and the commissioners had supported
the contracts for taking over that bridge replacement. So that's why basically NDOT came back to us.
They knew we didn't have to take over the project for them. We did willingly. So they put the extra
funding towards the project force. Huge, huge.
I'm not sure why the clock is ringing early. It's true. I was late. Wait. It's thrown off by this new
team. Yeah, maybe. All right. Thank you again for this. Let's see if there's any public comments on
this item. You raise your hand in teams or come to the podium.
All right, seeing none, Mr. Cockrell, will you please, will you please call the roll on the in-doubt
agreement for Eagleton Bridge 922 replacement? Commissioner Thomas? Yes. Commissioner Madeira? Yes.
Commissioner Jones? Yes. Motion is approved, three to zero. All right, thank you so much. Next item,
please. Yes, I'd like to move to approve ordinance 2026-02, the Reese Rezone.
I will second that. Have Mr. Myers joining us from planning. Good morning. Tell us all about it, please.
Oh, you are still muted. There we go. Just got promoted. Okay, let me share my screen here.
So this is REZ-25-8, also known as Ordinance 2026-02, the Reese Rezone from limited business to agricultural
residential. This is at 7353 West Eller Road in Van Buren Top Ship Section 22. The rezone was to go
from limited business to agricultural residential for a six acre parcel. And the purpose is to match
this parcel with the adjoining property to the west, which is also owned by the petitioner.
all to be zoned agricultural residential. There was a prior commercial business on the subject property,
which is the six acre parcel, and that is why they had the limited business zoning district. That business
has since stopped operations and has dissolved as well. As I stated, the adjacent parcel to the west
contains 14 acres and is also owned by the petitioner.
Deed records indicate that the two parcels are indeed one lot of record totaling 20 acres and their
separation into individual parcels is due to a township section line that bisects the two. So moving
from the limited business zone to the agricultural residential zone will allow the commercial structures
that are currently on that six acre parcel to be converted to agricultural use.
and has also stated a potential interest in establishing a new dwelling on the property in whole, which
would involve the demolition of the existing residence on the 14 acre parcel. On the screen, we have
the definitions for the limited business zone and the agricultural residential 2.5 zone. We can come
back to those if we need to. Here on the screen is the location map. So the red polygon here is the
six acre parcel and then to the
West is the 14-acre parcel. So we see that here now. It's displayed on the screen. You can see the different
zoning jurisdictions currently. And they're going from that limited business to agricultural residential.
We now have on the screen, the site conditions map showing all slopes that are less than 25% in no coloring.
Slopes that are greater than 25% are colored in red. So you can see that the property is no concern
for those steep slopes. And you can see the former commercial structures are concentrated in the northeast
corner. You can also see the existing single family residence that kind of
straddles the lot line between the two parcels here in the western section of the property. Here are
the pictures from the prior or former commercial structures on the property. I'm just going to click
through these. This is West Eller Road that you see here. And then on this screen on the left photograph,
you can see the existing single family residence on that 14 acre parcel. And then another photograph
of just the general slope of the land.
more photographs here of those former commercial structures. I also included some information from the
county development ordinance. This area is designated as rural transition. Come back to any of this
if we'd like, but it is all in the packet.
Now on the screen we have the letter from the petitioner stating their request as well as a letter from
the office of the Secretary of State from the state of Indiana certifying that the commercial business
on the property has since dissolved. And now on the screen I have the information from the county development
ordinance for the limited business zone and the agricultural residential zone giving you a side by side
comparison of the differences between uses
that being primary uses, conditional uses, and accessory uses.
And finally, on the last screen here, we have the recommendation. So staff initially recommended to
the Plan Commission forwarding a positive recommendation to the Board of Commissioners for this rezone,
citing its compatibility with the comprehensive plan and subject to highway and stormwater program reports.
And then on December 18th, 2025, the Plan Commission voted 8-0-2 for this petition to the Board
of Commissioners with that positive recommendation and no conditions of approval. I don't have to get
any questions.
I think that's a good question. I think that's a good question. I think that's a good question. I think
that's a good question. I think that's a good question. I think that's a good question. I think that's
a good question. I think that's a good question. I think that's a good question. I think that's a good
question. I think that's a good question.
Yeah, it's really nice. All right. Okay, so let's go ahead and see if the petitioner petitioners
representative is present and wishes to offer information. I don't see anyone. Okay. All right.
We'll move on, then, to public comment. Does anybody wish to speak in favor of this petition? You may
raise your hand on teams or come to the podium here in the NatU Hill Room. Does anyone wish to speak
in opposition to this petition?
they come to the podium or raise your hand on teams. It is as non-controversial as it was when it was
presented to the Planning Commission. Okay, all right, so any other comments or questions, Commissioner
Jones? No, I don't, thank you. Commissioner Madeira, comments, questions?
I don't either. I appreciate Mr Meyers' presentation and the work the staff has done to bring this to
fruition. Mr Cockrell, will you please call the roll on ordinance 2026-02? Mr. Thomas? Yes. Commissioner
Madeira? Yes. Commissioner Jones? Yes. Motion is approved, three to zero. Thank you, Mr. Meyers.
Thank you. Thank you for waiting. All right. Um. We have, um one appointment today. So the Ellisville
Town Council has put forward. Mr William Ellis. Um. For the waste reduction district, Monroe County
Board of Directors, and we have to make the official appointment. So I moved to
And the term ends December 31st, 2027. I will second that. All right. All those, I'm sorry, Mr. Copperley,
please call the roll on the appointment. Mr. Thomas? Yes. Commissioner Madeira? Yes. Commissioner Jones?
Yes. Motion is approved three to zero. All right. Thank you so much. We look forward to working with
Mr Ellis on. The board. Um okay. And I know he's already, um. Head outreach from Tom the glass and the
director of the waste reduction district. Um nothing huge and earth shattering this week in terms of
announcements, but a good time to remind everyone to sign up for the
on our website, I think there's still a megaphone there, in.gov slash county slash Monroe. You see it
every day and you stop looking at it. There are still some openings for boards and commissions, including
library board and the health board, animal management and traffic.
commission. Um go to. The county websites and apply. Today if you're interested in serving on any of
those boards or commissions, we continue to have virtual office hours each week on teams. Each month
on team six times each month on teams. Um
I'm going to go through those days and times and just drop in to speak about anything. Um. And, um.
Did you have something? I just want to say that the megaphone has been changed to a little house with
an exclamation mark. Uh probably you know, it's so funny because you just go every day to that website
and you just see the house with the exclamation point that
I will note as well that thank you. I will note as well that we continue to support co-sponsor of the
blood drive at Ivy Tech. The next blood drive dates are Tuesday, March 3rd and Wednesday, March 4th,
March 3rd, 10 a.m. to 3, March 4th, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. This is at Ivy Tech.
From C130A and B, you should go to redcross.org to make an appointment or you can probably just drop
in because we always need donors. Anything else for the good of the order? I know we have a work session
galore with more items than what's posted because we are gonna talk about the council's resolution.
We're gonna talk about
that health letter that we need to get signed. So let's get that organized. And I have an amendment
to a YSP contract that I need to add on. Okay. Okay. And then Lisa has something too. Very small, very
minimal. I wasn't shooting you daggers. I was just thinking, make the list. All right. Lisa Rich.
and YSB contract. Okay, so it looks like we have three, four, five, six, seven items on our agenda.
And I might add one because we had a letter to the election board. That was it. Thank you. I wasn't
the only one. I'm not even going to count them again. But thank you for that reminding me about that
because you just did a few minutes ago and it's already left my head. I've not had enough caffeine today.
All right, so we will come back at, can we come back at 11 20? Is that good for you, TSG? Okay, good.
See the thumbs up. All right, we will come back at 11 20. Our next meeting is Thursday, March 5th, right
here in the Net, you're home at 10 a.m. I won't be here, but my colleagues will.
And with that, we are adjourned. Thank you.