- Good morning. I'm going to call to order this meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners. It
- is Thursday, May 7th, and I'm going here in the NETU Hill Room by Commissioner Jones. Commissioner Madure
- may be joining us shortly. In with our public statement, 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. And with that, we'll move on to our department updates. Ms. Kelly. Good morning,
- commissioners. According to the Indiana Department of Health and Wastewater Scan, we have not seen any
- changes in wastewater concentrations for COVID.
- as of May 5th, and levels remain low. Flu activity is currently at minimal levels. The Health Department
- is scheduling appointments for vaccines for all ages. The number to call to schedule an appointment
- is 812-803-6364. Thank you so much. Comments or questions, Commissioner Jones? No, I don't. I don't
- have any either. Thank you for the update. We appreciate you.
- Thank you. All right. Next we have Ms. Woodruff from the auditor's office to give us an ARPA update.
- Good morning. Good morning. We're just here to give that ARPA update. As we all know, that expenditure
- deadline is coming at the end of this year. I believe
- There is talks of having a joint session between commissioners and council to iron out what those next
- steps look like. We have two projects that we're aware of right now that are expected to come in under
- budget and so that means if we don't re-obligate those dollars to another project that we may have to
- send that money back to the federal government and we do want to keep those dollars local if possible.
- The amount that we expect as of right now to come in under budget is just north of about 315,000. We
- have received some requests from projects that are open that we think may be able to use some of those
- fundings. One of them is for parks. It looks like they have some drainage situations going on. The second
- project is another park project and because of the turf
- extra traffic we've had going in with all the big trucks. They have some interest in getting some paving
- done and that would fall well within an open project they have right now. The third project is for the
- Monroe County Fire Protection District. That is also an open project and we would fund some of those
- extra costs needed to get those ambulances up and going. And then the last one that would be most feasible
- would be the airport stormwater drainage. And so of those four, those are all very feasible, very great
- projects. We have received a couple other requests, but whenever we look at the nuances of those ARPA
- dollars and open versus closed projects, those are the four that we would recommend sticking with with
- re-obligation.
- I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. And if you don't know the answer, just let me know that.
- So we have the septic and the jail locks as two projects that are going to be underutilizing the funding
- that was allocated, right? Those are the only two, correct? As of right now, those are the only two.
- Okay, when will we know?
- When will we know exactly that those are the two and how much those will be? It's really on a project
- by project basis. We've touched base with all of the open projects and we have estimated timelines of
- when they're expected to come to conclusion. Some of those are very soon. Some of those are closer to
- October. So
- it really is on a project by project basis. Right now we're trying to get a plan of action for the dollars
- that are currently unobligated or expected and then hopefully a plan of action so that it's an automatic
- process once those come in under budget. Yes, maybe if I could answer for the septic. I think we know
- what we have out in contracts and obligations. We just don't know if weather is going to permit all
- of them to be done.
- We think we can by the end of the year. We think that's not a problem. We're working with vendors. But
- we do know that the $505,000 unexpended in this is not all overage because we have contracts out. And
- I can't remember. I thought it was about $200,000 or neighborhood of what is there. So we know from
- a septic, we know what we know is not obligated. Now, there's an off chance that one of these
- projects that are out there won't get done. There's always that chance, but we know what that number
- is. So you're saying that 256 number that we have in the memo is not obligated. The rest is,
- but it may. But if there's a really wet summer or something happens and they can't get the construction
- done, then that 256 number may actually be higher.
- I think that's a highly unlikely because we were working with the vendors. They know that they want
- to pay, they need to get this done. All these arrangements were made last November, right? So they knew
- last November that these had to be higher in their priority for this year. So I'm fairly confident that
- they'll get in, but I'm not going to stake mine.
- Then let me jump to the end of the memo. So the one, the LATCF 162,000, $378.82, right? So what happens
- with that money? So that money does not technically have an expenditure deadline. We're just putting
- that on your radar because it is closely tied to ARPA and this money
- while it doesn't have an expenditure deadline set forth by the federal government, they do have a chart,
- and that last day on that chart that they provided is 2027. So our ARPA advisors have advised that we
- spend those money prior to the end of 2027. Okay, okay, perfect. I want to make sure I understood that.
- It's explained well in here, but I thought 27, really? Okay, so okay, good. So what we're hoping to do
- in this joint meeting, and correct me if I'm wrong, is to sit with the council and determine not necessarily
- how much is left, because I don't think we're gonna know that, right? It would be highly unlikely. Right.
- Even if we did, I wouldn't imagine change. Yeah, but we're gonna need a drop dead date. We're gonna
- need a date that says, as of November 1, if this isn't spent, we're allocating it here. But that's the
- decision that we have to make jointly
- as to where to allocate those dollars, correct? Correct. Okay. My concern is this. My concern is this.
- Let's say the septics project goes through October, which it shouldn't, but it might, right? Let's say
- the septics, and one of the jobs doesn't get done. Now we've got a little extra money.
- many of these projects are capable of spending and receding out these projects before December. I have
- a department head here who looks very eager to provide an answer to that. Look, she's got a couple items
- on here. I don't know where's Liz. Because they have to be receded out. This has to be not just allocated
- but actually spent before the end of the year, correct?
- Yeah, at least three of the four that we've received that are in the green on the memo. At least three
- of those, I believe we could turn that money around very quickly. And so I would say I've been row fire
- and the two parks. They could spend it before the end of the year and get us receipts so we're not losing
- any money.
- I believe as long as we give them enough time. So if we're making this decision in November, that's
- a very short period to turn around. But if we're making that decision in June, I believe at least those
- three projects would be able to get that out very quickly. Except they might not get money. So that's
- the issue, right?
- But we do know for sure that there's an unallocated septic amount, 256. And jail locks. And the jail
- locks. And it will not be allocated. And that's it, right? So we know that that money should be decided
- now. Correct. Or soon. And divvied up or sent out. Okay. Now, I'm the one who raised the issue for item
- Beacon item for the beacon item and. I don't know what information you need, but maybe. If you wouldn't
- mind calling forest. How far along they are there waiting so. It was February. I was at one of their
- events. And they were about 300,000 short.
- And once they get that 300,000 or so, they're going to start building. That's how close they are to
- being ready to build. So that was my fault that I raised that. So if Angie can get that information
- to you, because I don't know the exact amount as of this date, if Angie can get this information to you, then
- Um, I don't know if that puts that back into play. I guess, and I, I've been working with the auditor's
- office in our, I think if I were you, I would look more for that, that separate $180,000 funding to
- cover that because the 162, 378, 32, the LATCF funding. Yeah, because that doesn't have any of the restrictions.
- Once it gets closed in the ARPA project, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to reopen it.
- So I think if you're going to look to support that group with funding, I think you should look there
- and not necessarily with this. Is that accurate? I think that's a very good explanation. We're really
- trying to keep the re-obligations within the green section. We gave a spreadsheet here, and that green
- section down here for the open projects is where we're trying to keep the re-obligations. Okay, great.
- I will note for the record that Commissioner Madera has joined the meeting. Welcome. So yeah, we're
- talking through the ARPA stuff and I just asked a thousand questions. She's really been very patient
- with me. I will review the meeting to see what I've missed. Okay. I guess we've extinguished questions
- about what the funds can and can't be spent for. That's what we were just talking through. Yeah. Awesome.
- Yeah. Perfect. Okay. Good.
- Anything else? Mr. Cockrell, Ms. Purdy, do you have questions? Okay. Okay. Sam? Please. This is our
- project director, Ms. Whitmer. Good morning. Good morning. Now, if the criteria is an open project,
- our project is closing within weeks. So that meeting is supposed to happen.
- The project that you're talking about is the... Karst Athletic Complex. Right, but this one is erosion
- drainage. Same project. Oh, I see. And they're going to add them both to the Karst Fields project. And
- that's what you're talking about, is your Karst Fields. Bender will want his money, his retainage. So
- it's not like we can hold on. So I don't want to get kicked off because, oops, we closed two days early.
- Yeah, that's the criteria. Right. Yeah, I get you. I get what you're saying. That's very frustrating.
- Yeah, we don't want to delay paying a vendor, obviously. But we've all responded to the doodle poll,
- I believe, that was sent by council office. So it looks like that will happen in the next few weeks.
- If you don't know the exact amount at something, you could just do percentages.
- whatever you have, like 5% goes here, 10% goes here, whatever is there, as long as those percentages
- go with what they can buy. Yeah, I think my concern with that would be if we were to do that, let's
- say with the erosion drainage project, first of all, auditor's office, is there any way to keep a project open even
- question for Ms. Woodruff because no matter what, we're going to have to. Is this the airport? Is this
- the airport and us drainage problem? Yeah, OK, yeah. So let's say that was the one right and we said
- oh 10% well then how are you going to pay the other 90% like where are you going to get that money from?
- Because for your project. So let's say we can only cover 10% of your project. How are you going to actually
- Yes. How would you actually benefit? The park board has already agreed to cover anything. We will not
- bounce our checkbook. Perfect. Okay. Good, good, good. So I guess that would be something for you to
- get more information on. Probably from Baker Tilly. I don't know the advisors, but you know, we pay
- that last invoice on the fields. How do we keep that project open even though we've just paid an invoice,
- the last invoice?
- That's something you have to work your magic on. I will do everything I can to win the current projects
- open. I will say I don't believe the parks is the only project that's going to run into this issue.
- Yeah. Okay. Okay. Perfect. Good. Thank you. Did you want me to still look at Beacon or? Well, Angie
- can find out how much they need.
- Yeah, and and and once she finds that out I think mr. Cockroach point is a good one about Potentially
- using latcf money instead because it would be easier But let's we'll figure that out, but thank you
- wonderful. Thank you. Thanks so much. Thank you, Ms. Whitmer No, you will
- All right, any other department updates? You raise your hand on teams or come to the podium. All right,
- seeing none, we'll move on to approval of the minutes. Could you get a motion, please? Yes, I would
- like to move approval of minutes for April 30th, 2026. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Any
- comments, corrections, edits?
- All those in favor of approving the minutes for April 30th, 2026, signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion
- carries 3-0. Next item, please. I would like to move approval of the claims docket for Count Spable
- for May 7th, 2026. Second. We have a motion and we have a second. Ms. Gallardo, will you tell us all
- about it, please?
- Good morning. The accounts payable claims docket for May 7th totals $1,740,876.22. This includes all
- emergency claims and adjustments. Thank you so much. Comments or questions? Commissioner Madura? 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 claim stock, it accounts payable May 7, 2026, signify
- by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries, 3-0. Thank you. And we don't have any reports today, and so we will
- move on to new business, please. I would like to move approval for the Indian and DNR cost share program,
- Grassland Prairie. Second. We have a motion and we have a second. There you are.
- so soon need to print my name I'm ready if you like you can just tell us about both of these at once
- okay and then we'll go ahead and do the next item that would be excellent they are the same project
- as 14 acres of prairie grassland at the Monroe County Nature Preserve DNR is going to give us around
- and I'm gonna round these numbers thirty seven hundred dollars and
- We pay for the seed and whatnot. We also, last week you approved Jettle Farms for not to exceed 6,500.
- That's for our beans for the grassland area that we're planting. We will also be, we, Monroe County
- is responsible for upkeep and maintenance, 10 years for the prairies for U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
- Three years for DNR, served concurrently. So it's only 10 years. This is a wonderful opportunity because
- on another note, we are also going to buy 10 more acres. That has nothing to do with these agreements
- of the same grassland seed. So we can connect our two prairies around our gas well, which we don't want
- to plant anything else beside grass around the gas well.
- So this will be like 16 acres of contiguous prairie land. In total, it'll be 24 in the whole end of
- it. It's a great deal. The whole project's around $13,000. What we got free was one of the best wildlife
- biologists from the US Fish and Wildlife working on this. We got DNR biologists working on this. We
- had our arborists and our naturalists working on this.
- All free to us. They presented everything. They helped us pick out all the seed. You'll see a tree contract
- probably in a week or so. So this is quite an opportunity to get us started on the path of making all
- of this trees and grassland in the future. I mean, we'll have another 100 acres to deal with after this,
- but let's start. Start where we have to. Start where we have to.
- Basically, that's it. If you look at the DNR one, it's just one page. So sign here, we'll give you $3,700
- once you start growing your grassland. Pretty easy. You know, it's fish and wildlife, too. They're like,
- yay. Yeah, it's awesome. Comments or questions? Commissioner Madera? No, not really as to this. This
- is just amazing. And I have a slightly different question. Are we working with ornithologists as well?
- through US Fish and Wildlife? Okay. I'm wondering, at some stage, I'm gonna come tap you as to how we
- can get them hooked in as well here. Oh, okay. I mean, they know everybody and they know where they're
- at. And also, I did want to thank the National Wild Turkey Federation. They've donated to us this too.
- Okay, so they're in here too. Yeah, yeah. I mean, yeah. We're not going to, well, I won't say that.
- They like turkeys, even if they don't shoot them. Right. I think if we also do what we're doing, the
- birds will come. Everything that's being planted is to nourish the wildlife out there. I mean, it's
- going to be plentiful, that's for sure. If you build it, they will come. Excellent. Yes, yes, yes, yes,
- yes. Thank you. Yes, I just wondered if they were formally built in at this stage. Thank you so much.
- Mr. Johnson, comments or questions? Yeah, I'm just very pleased to hear that there's going to be a good
- deal of prairie land there that'll increase the diversity of the wildlife by a whole lot. Yes. Make
- it a more interesting park. Yeah, not for sure. Thank you for working on this. And I have a question
- not related to this directly. Did the driveway issue with Indot get worked out with the Eastman? Oh, yeah.
- Yes, it did. They were very helpful. Great. Lisa Ridge was there. Thank you. So cool. She's trying to
- go back in her memory. And I think they said once we put in our permit for a driveway, it might take
- a month or so. And we're going the shortest distance, which is the least expensive distance and is the
- best route. Everybody wins here. I'm glad it worked out. Well, they haven't signed yet.
- Good. But thank you to you, Ms. Ridge, Mr. Rodney. At least I got them there. Oh, yeah. I knew she'd
- work her magic. All right. Excellent. Thank you so much. Sorry to get us off track. Any public comment
- on the item? Deanna, Department of Natural Resources.
- Seeing none, all those in favor of approving the Indiana DNR cost share program, Grassland Prairie,
- signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries 3-0. Next item, please. I would like to move approval for the U.S.
- Fish and Wildlife Service Program Landowner Agreement, Grassland Prairie. Second. We have a motion and
- we have a second. Obviously, this is part of the previous item with a different entity. Anything else
- you wanted to add?
- No, they've just been so helpful. Yeah, it's awesome. You got connected with all the right people, and
- I appreciate the hard work that that takes, because that doesn't happen overnight either. Yes. Let's
- see if there's any public comment on this item. You raise your hand on Teams or come to the podium.
- My colleagues, do you have any comments? All these seedy items. Yeah, so seedy.
- All right, seeing none, all those in favor of approving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Program Landowner
- Agreement for the Grassland Prairie, signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries, three zero. Thank you
- so much. We're excited. All right, next item please. I would like to move approval for Reed and Sons
- Construction, the KAC contract number one, change order number nine. Fund names ARPA,
- Geobonds County General and perks non-reverting fund numbers 89 50 48 17 40 19 1000 11 78 and 11 79
- in the amount of 17 thousand four hundred fifty five dollars and 79 cents. Second. We have a motion.
- We have a second. KAC refers to the athletic complex. Easy for me to say.
- And Ms. Whitmer, tell us all about it please. And this is also to approve the change of substantial
- completion date to April 28, 2026. Need two signatures. This is an unforeseen circumstance that was
- in the parking lot. And this is not a surprise. We've known this for like six months. It just so finally
- we got the change order in the park board has approved
- paying it months and months ago. All right, thank you. Comments or questions, Commissioner Madeira?
- Nope, we've known this was coming, so. 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. Seeing none, all those in favor of approving
- the reading sun's construction
- athletic complex contract number one, change order number nine with a change in the financial completion
- date signified by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries three zero. Thank you. Thank you. Next. Oh, we don't
- need a motion on the next item. Ms. Ridge, you have bids to open for our various heating projects. First
- bid packet we sent out was for some subdivisions.
- like we have received two bids, and the first one is gonna be milestone. The subdivisions are Amber
- Ridge, Bristol Manor, and Plateau Place. The first bid from milestone
- is $241,363. And the second one from ENB Paving.
- The second one is $243,600. The second bid packet that I'm going to open is for Night Ridge Road, just
- the portion east of State Road 446, along with Duke Road and Gross Road. The first packet is Milestone.
- This bid is $525,783.30. The last bid is ENB Paving.
- This bid is $519,400. So we will take these under advisement. Of course, our engineering estimate for
- the subdivisions was $155,746.80. And what we had for the other three roads was $481,140. So we will
- take a look at our budgets and hopefully try and get these awarded
- in the next couple of weeks after we can verify funding and make sure everything's in order. Thank you.
- We can take that under advisement. Agreed, everyone? Okay, we will take that under advisement. Great.
- Thank you so much. And both these projects will be done this year. Yeah, it's our goal to have these
- done in 2026. It'll, again, depend on funding.
- It sounds like it's a little off. Okay. Thank you so much. All right. We don't have any appointments
- today, but we do. I just want to go over a few announcements. We continue to hold office hours, six
- hours per month. You can go to the calendar on our homepage, in.gov slash county slash Monroe and find
- those dates and join us via Teams.
- for conversation. We are still accepting applications for boards and commissions. Go to our website
- and you can get more information on each of the boards and commissions and actually fill out your application
- online. The next blood drive, there's a blood drive today until 3 p.m. Thursday, May 7th. The next blood
- drive at Ivy Tech is Wednesday, June 3rd, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- and Thursday June 4th, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please go to redcross.org to schedule an appointment, but I'm
- sure they will be happy to see you if you don't make an appointment first. This blood drive takes place
- at Ivy Tech, 200 Daniels Way, room C130A and B. We do want to send our thanks and gratitude to all of the
- folks who served as poll workers for this election. It's a long day, but such important work. And so
- thank you for safeguarding democracy. And we thank all of the candidates who appeared on the ballot
- for running and for their interest in serving their community and congratulate the winners. Anything
- else for the good of the order?
- Just stay safe. It is graduation weekend. And we wish our IU graduates the best of everything. Absolutely.
- And stay safe. And have a wonderful celebratory graduation weekend. Yeah. Good. I'm glad you mentioned
- that. And the U-Haul caravan will be beginning shortly. It's going to be dumpster diving. So just watch
- the traffic. And don't be in a hurry.
- Although we're not scheduled for any spring storms, it's a good idea to, in this lull, in this cool
- May lull, to sign up for our resident alert system that's on our homepage. You can receive text, email,
- and or phone calls when there is a weather or road or other emergency that needs your attention. So
- we do not have a work session. There's nothing on our list.
- Okay, great. Excellent. So with that, we are adjourned and our next meeting is May 7th at 10 a.m. right
- here in the NETU Hill Room. Thanks, everyone.