WEBVTT 00:00:00.418 --> 00:00:06.842 - I'm going to call to order this meeting in Monroe County Board of Commissioners. It is Thursday, September 00:00:06.842 --> 00:00:13.027 - 17th. I will note for the record that Commissioner Madeira and myself are here and present in the NatU 00:00:13.027 --> 00:00:19.631 - Hill Room. And we will begin with our public statement, please. We, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, 00:00:19.631 --> 00:00:25.755 - renew our commitment to welcome and protect the rights of all people, regardless of age, race, color, 00:00:25.755 --> 00:00:29.598 - creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, 00:00:29.730 --> 00:00:34.972 - marital status, economic status, and national origin. And we affirm the right of every person to live 00:00:34.972 --> 00:00:40.574 - peacefully and without fear. And we will fight and resist at every step discrimination and harmful policies, 00:00:40.574 --> 00:00:46.073 - whatever their source. We believe in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We also stand in support 00:00:46.073 --> 00:00:49.054 - of our county public school systems, both RBB and MCC SC. 00:00:49.954 --> 00:00:58.401 - Thank you so much. We will now move on to our department updates. First, we have the health department, 00:00:58.401 --> 00:01:07.011 - Dr. Ryder Band, our health officer. Good morning. Good morning. I'm happy to be here as the county health 00:01:07.011 --> 00:01:15.134 - officer and to share with you, first of all, that there has been a change at the health department. 00:01:15.650 --> 00:01:24.099 - As many people are well aware that the health administrator is no longer with us and we are approaching 00:01:24.099 --> 00:01:32.386 - council to get approval of posting that position and approval for a replacement for that position. In 00:01:32.386 --> 00:01:40.510 - the meantime, I guess I need not tell anyone in Monroe County that it is hot out, that they need to 00:01:40.510 --> 00:01:43.678 - be very careful, they need to hydrate. 00:01:43.810 --> 00:01:52.923 - well, that if you feel the least bit faint or out of sorts, please get inside, get into a cool space, 00:01:52.923 --> 00:02:01.947 - and drink as much water as you could really manage, because there are serious health consequences to 00:02:01.947 --> 00:02:10.882 - heat. And people forget that. So going on, indeed, mosquitoes and ticks are still very prevalent in 00:02:10.882 --> 00:02:12.222 - our community. 00:02:12.898 --> 00:02:23.033 - as members of the health department are out gathering them and inspecting them, and they are with us, 00:02:23.033 --> 00:02:32.969 - so please be mindful. We may be very close to autumn, nonetheless. We have these vectors of disease 00:02:32.969 --> 00:02:40.222 - in our presence, so please protect yourselves and protect your children. 00:02:41.346 --> 00:02:49.736 - vaccines. The most exciting thing I can say is that there is a new covid vaccine that has been approved 00:02:49.736 --> 00:02:57.964 - but is no not yet available. I'm hoping that in the next month it should become available and I would 00:02:57.964 --> 00:03:06.273 - encourage people covid has once again shifted and changed. We do not know the consequences of this new 00:03:06.273 --> 00:03:09.822 - strain so we need to be very cognizant that 00:03:09.986 --> 00:03:19.526 - It is still very much a presence in our lives and in our communities. Measles, again, is on the rise 00:03:19.526 --> 00:03:29.538 - and it is continuing to rise as fewer and fewer people are being vaccinated. Please vaccinate yourselves, 00:03:29.538 --> 00:03:39.550 - vaccinate your children. We've lost the herd immunity we had back in 2000 and there are deaths, there are 00:03:40.066 --> 00:03:48.328 - certainly children's deaths, but we now have adult deaths as well, and they are all in, most of them, 00:03:48.328 --> 00:03:56.672 - I think, especially the adult we know was not vaccinated, and the predominance of the children who are 00:03:56.672 --> 00:04:05.015 - becoming infected and the ones who are dying were never vaccinated. Vaccines are infinitely safer than 00:04:05.015 --> 00:04:09.470 - receiving the disease and obviously than the mortality 00:04:09.602 --> 00:04:20.051 - and the morbidity associated with the diseases that can easily be managed through vaccination. Are there 00:04:20.051 --> 00:04:30.202 - any special questions that I can answer? I wish I had a crystal ball and could tell you. I have great 00:04:30.202 --> 00:04:39.358 - optimism about what we can do as a health department in association and in partnership with 00:04:39.842 --> 00:04:49.977 - some very prominent folks in our community. And while we already have partnerships, they're not quite 00:04:49.977 --> 00:05:00.012 - as robust as they may be. And I'm hoping that we can make programs that we do far more extensive and 00:05:00.012 --> 00:05:09.054 - far-reaching by partnering in the future. And yet, that will remain with the health board. 00:05:09.282 --> 00:05:16.339 - to determine. So if there are questions, I'd be happy to answer them from you. Great. Thank you so much. 00:05:16.339 --> 00:05:23.330 - Do you have comments or questions? No. Thank you so much for your very detailed summary. I thought that 00:05:23.330 --> 00:05:30.387 - was very thorough. Yeah. I appreciate it. I appreciate the hard work. And there's also a new flu vaccine 00:05:30.387 --> 00:05:37.108 - that's an mRNA. Yes, there is. There are mRNA. They've been doing mRNA for a little while, but it's 00:05:37.108 --> 00:05:37.982 - more broadly 00:05:38.178 --> 00:05:46.488 - being accepted by the industry. I am sure there are going to be a lot of deniers that will have issues 00:05:46.488 --> 00:05:55.121 - with that, as always. Nonetheless, flu, again, is one of the things that kills. And one of the big things, 00:05:55.121 --> 00:06:03.512 - again, in this state is that we're trying to encourage everyone to get, especially if you have anything 00:06:03.512 --> 00:06:06.174 - to do with children, to get RSV. 00:06:06.914 --> 00:06:18.575 - Again, it's dreadful for children and has long-term consequences for their lungs. And in addition, there 00:06:18.575 --> 00:06:30.014 - is a section of folks who are resisting giving children vitamin K at birth. And this is a huge concern 00:06:30.014 --> 00:06:35.678 - not only to those of us who are physicians, but to 00:06:36.002 --> 00:06:42.697 - the Indiana Department of Health, and they are trying to get the word out. So if there were questions, 00:06:42.697 --> 00:06:49.328 - of course, people can check with us in the health department. But yeah, there are so many things. And 00:06:49.328 --> 00:06:56.153 - there are so many things that the health department does that aren't necessarily talked about. So you'll 00:06:56.153 --> 00:07:00.638 - be seeing me quite regularly to tout all the wonderful things we do. 00:07:00.930 --> 00:07:11.532 - Thank you. Excellent. We appreciate it. We look forward to the continuing education. Thank you so much. 00:07:11.532 --> 00:07:21.829 - Next, we have Parks and Recreation. Director Whitmer. Hello. It's going to take me a second to write 00:07:21.829 --> 00:07:23.358 - all this down. 00:07:51.426 --> 00:08:00.340 - I'm actually here to talk about Bug Fest. It's a wildly popular program that we have at Cars Farm Park, 00:08:00.340 --> 00:08:08.998 - but I'm not the one that's gonna talk about it. We have here Ant-Man and Caterpillar Carl, who would 00:08:08.998 --> 00:08:17.998 - like to tell you everything about Bug Fest, and please ask him any questions you would like. Cool. Nice. 00:08:17.998 --> 00:08:19.198 - It's Ant-Man. 00:08:20.898 --> 00:08:34.864 - It's Caterpillar Carl. Good morning. Good morning. You got room? Hi, everybody. Boy, we have been waiting 00:08:34.864 --> 00:08:48.830 - all year in anticipation to announce that our 12th annual Bugfest event will be hosted at Karsh Farm Park 00:08:49.282 --> 00:08:55.944 - On Saturday, September 26th, from 10 to 2, Bugfest is a family-friendly event where folks can learn 00:08:55.944 --> 00:09:03.006 - all about insects, such as us, and the important roles that they play in the environment through hands-on 00:09:03.006 --> 00:09:09.802 - bug-themed activities, crafts, educational experiences, and even interactions with live insects. Now, 00:09:09.802 --> 00:09:16.797 - although we are opposed for personal reasons, rumor has it we can even try edible insects. Unfortunately 00:09:16.797 --> 00:09:19.262 - for us, no caterpillars or ants were 00:09:19.554 --> 00:09:26.313 - There's only crickets and the occasional mosquito. Outside of that, we'll have live music, food trucks, 00:09:26.313 --> 00:09:32.877 - t-shirts for sale. The event is free to the community, but we do encourage that folks bring a canned 00:09:32.877 --> 00:09:39.571 - food item. After the event, these cans are collected and donated to Hoosier Hills Food Bank. Thank you 00:09:39.571 --> 00:09:46.134 - for your time. We hope to see you all out there. One of the most popular and well-attended events of 00:09:46.134 --> 00:09:48.734 - the year. Excellent. That's all we got. 00:09:49.058 --> 00:09:58.801 - Thank you so much. Kelly asked me to do it. I've been practicing. Thank you. Hopefully it won't be crickets. 00:09:58.801 --> 00:10:08.276 - Yeah, that was it. So anything they can answer any questions. It's awesome. See you later in the meeting. 00:10:08.276 --> 00:10:15.070 - Thank you so much. Is that all of county business for today? Yeah, love it. 00:10:15.202 --> 00:10:23.486 - I'm glad they came here to bug us about this. Yeah, great sting operation. Yeah, I like it. Excellent, 00:10:23.486 --> 00:10:32.092 - excellent. Thank you so much. Any other department updates in costume or not? That's a good way to lighten 00:10:32.092 --> 00:10:40.296 - the agenda. All right. Let's see if there's any public comments for items that are not on our agenda, 00:10:40.296 --> 00:10:41.342 - we ask each. 00:10:41.474 --> 00:10:47.691 - commenter to limit their time to three minutes per person. Please provide your name and county residents 00:10:47.691 --> 00:10:53.730 - when you begin speaking. Good morning. Good morning, commissioners. This is Christopher M.G. from the 00:10:53.730 --> 00:10:59.651 - Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and a proud resident of Monroe County. Now, last night, the 00:10:59.651 --> 00:11:05.690 - chamber held its 111th annual meeting. We have waiting lists for that. We look forward to an expanded 00:11:05.690 --> 00:11:08.414 - convention center where everybody can attend. 00:11:08.514 --> 00:11:16.556 - One of the things that we honored last night was our teachers, our education workers that work in both 00:11:16.556 --> 00:11:24.676 - RBB and MCCSC, and the standing ovation for those eight educators was very moving. But we have an issue 00:11:24.676 --> 00:11:32.797 - here with working families and that we don't have enough of them. If you look at the numbers for MCCSC, 00:11:32.797 --> 00:11:35.998 - those numbers are going downward of just 00:11:36.674 --> 00:11:43.541 - based on both population growth of birth rates and less working people here. We have an issue here in 00:11:43.541 --> 00:11:50.476 - Monroe County. And that is something combined with SEA 1 has made a really an amazing school district. 00:11:50.476 --> 00:11:57.545 - If you look at the numbers, what they provide as a real economic engine of this community is in trouble. 00:11:57.545 --> 00:12:05.086 - What we need is advocates and what we need is growth of those families. With 16,000 or more commuters coming in 00:12:05.218 --> 00:12:11.891 - coming into Monroe County to work but live outside. They're using our infrastructure without the local 00:12:11.891 --> 00:12:18.563 - tax base that supports the roads and other things. We have to come up with some growth strategies that 00:12:18.563 --> 00:12:25.366 - make sure our school districts have enough students to be as prosperous as they are. These are important 00:12:25.366 --> 00:12:32.168 - assets to the community and we shouldn't take them for granted nor should we not market these wonderful, 00:12:32.168 --> 00:12:33.982 - wonderful anchors really to 00:12:34.434 --> 00:12:40.741 - Why I live in Monroe County is the schools. I'm a proud parent of an MCCSE student, and we wouldn't 00:12:40.741 --> 00:12:47.237 - go anywhere else, and it's a really benefit to us. This is an issue we'll be talking about more later, 00:12:47.237 --> 00:12:53.606 - but I just wanted to say that go to our website at chamberblueton.org and see those eight educators, 00:12:53.606 --> 00:13:00.670 - because it's moving. Thank you for your time. Awesome. Thank you so much. Congratulations to the award winners. 00:13:02.466 --> 00:13:12.424 - any other public comment for items not on our agenda? Okay, before we get to item five, I'd like to 00:13:12.424 --> 00:13:22.880 - add resolution 2026-36 to our agenda as item J. I second that. All right, we have a motion and a second. 00:13:22.880 --> 00:13:29.950 - All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries to zero. 00:13:30.082 --> 00:13:37.262 - And now we will move on to the next item, please. Yes, I'd like to move approval for the minutes for 00:13:37.262 --> 00:13:44.442 - September 3rd, 2026 seconds. We have a motion in a second. Any comments, corrections or edits? Thank 00:13:44.442 --> 00:13:51.765 - you so much. I don't either. All those in favor of approving minutes for September 3rd, 2026 signified 00:13:51.765 --> 00:13:56.030 - by saying aye. I motion carries to zero. Next item, please. 00:13:56.354 --> 00:14:04.106 - Yes, I'd like to move approval of the claims docket for accounts payable for September 17th, 2026 and 00:14:04.106 --> 00:14:12.010 - for payroll for September 18th, 2026. I will second that. Ms. Gallardo. Good morning. Hi. Good morning. 00:14:12.010 --> 00:14:19.686 - The accounts payable claims docket for September 17th, 2026 totals $10,810,144.76. This includes all 00:14:19.686 --> 00:14:22.270 - emergency claims and adjustments. 00:14:22.658 --> 00:14:39.406 - The payroll docket for September 18th includes $1,603,464.61 in direct costs and the remaining $674,925.55 00:14:39.406 --> 00:14:48.798 - were for indirect costs for a grand total of $2,278,390.16. 00:14:49.314 --> 00:14:56.063 - Thank you so much. Comments or questions? All right. I don't either. Let's see if there's any public 00:14:56.063 --> 00:15:02.878 - comment on this item. You raise your hand on teams or come to the podium. All right. Seeing none. All 00:15:02.878 --> 00:15:09.694 - those in favor of approving the claim stock and accounts payable September 17th and payroll September 00:15:09.694 --> 00:15:11.966 - 18th, 2026 signify by saying aye. 00:15:12.578 --> 00:15:21.108 - motion carries two zero thank you so much for joining us and I will note we do not have did not receive 00:15:21.108 --> 00:15:29.803 - any reports this week and so with that we'll move on to new business please yes I'd like to move approval 00:15:29.803 --> 00:15:38.005 - for the in dot grant letter of support for Bloomington transit I will second that Ms. Purdy yes I'm 00:15:38.005 --> 00:15:40.958 - going to actually invite Mr. Hunick 00:15:41.250 --> 00:15:49.971 - to come up and speak to you guys about this requested letter of support. That CUNIC grants and procurement 00:15:49.971 --> 00:15:58.856 - specialist with Bloomington Transit coming here first to request your support on behalf of the commissioners 00:15:58.856 --> 00:16:07.170 - for application. It's a federal application actually to the 53 39 program. That's the kind of primary 00:16:07.170 --> 00:16:10.430 - grant program for big capital projects. 00:16:10.594 --> 00:16:22.602 - that we're applying for. Um. As you might know, we've well, one 2024. Let's go back a little bit. 2024 00:16:22.602 --> 00:16:34.377 - service area was expanded from the city of Bloomington proper to all of Monroe County. Um, preceding 00:16:34.377 --> 00:16:39.390 - that the city of Bloomington injected, uh, 00:16:39.490 --> 00:16:46.492 - that we've been doing. We've been boosting transit throughout the city. So as we got those projects 00:16:46.492 --> 00:16:53.775 - underway. Uh and we had always long recognized that our operational capacity at the current Grimes Lane 00:16:53.775 --> 00:17:00.917 - facility had pretty much been at capacity. But as we got these. Extra projects underway, the priority 00:17:00.917 --> 00:17:08.060 - quickly became expanding our operational capacity through a new facility. So that's what we're trying 00:17:08.060 --> 00:17:08.830 - to do here 00:17:08.994 --> 00:17:16.938 - purchased property this year out on Profile Parkway. Part of that was to centralize our operations in 00:17:16.938 --> 00:17:25.271 - our newly expanded service area. We've started, our first route started in 2025 out to the Park 48 complex 00:17:25.271 --> 00:17:33.059 - beyond city boundaries. And we have plans to expand service further, but it's all contingent upon a 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:37.342 - facility to make that possible. So I'm here to, again, 00:17:37.506 --> 00:17:45.649 - request your support for this application and then to answer any questions you have about the project 00:17:45.649 --> 00:17:53.792 - or anything about transit you have. Great. Thank you so much. Comments or questions? None. I'm really 00:17:53.792 --> 00:18:02.174 - excited by the potential. Yeah. No, we appreciate that we've been able to partner with BTU with funding. 00:18:02.498 --> 00:18:10.434 - to provide that West third connector. And I know that there's a shift coming. No pun intended for, uh, 00:18:10.434 --> 00:18:18.215 - you know, pun intended, sorry, uh, for, uh, going some sort of express route for West third. Can you 00:18:18.215 --> 00:18:25.997 - talk about that a little bit and when it might start? Uh, that's, uh, again, a part of our planning. 00:18:25.997 --> 00:18:31.390 - Um, the grand idea of a what we would call a bus rapid transit route. 00:18:31.522 --> 00:18:39.114 - Um, that's probably on hold for the foreseeable future, but we still see, uh, you know, there's a whole 00:18:39.114 --> 00:18:46.414 - lot of density on that corridor going up and down third street or whatever the names become as they 00:18:46.414 --> 00:18:53.933 - go east and west. Um, so there are still plans to boost service frequency along there and that service 00:18:53.933 --> 00:18:59.262 - frequency is what drives transit usage. And, um, that of course requires 00:18:59.362 --> 00:19:08.472 - additional buses, additional operators, all of which we can't supply at this point. I get it. 00:19:08.472 --> 00:19:18.552 - I get it. Do you happen to know if ridership is up on that route that we've co-sponsored? It's not been 00:19:18.552 --> 00:19:25.918 - up. It's been, I would call, stagnant. But it's a new route. It takes time. 00:19:26.882 --> 00:19:34.250 - to serve a new destination, you're talking about people changing their behaviors around transportation 00:19:34.250 --> 00:19:41.476 - that are built in for beyond just a year or so. In the transit world, we usually expect these things 00:19:41.476 --> 00:19:48.844 - to take several years to develop. Well, anything, and I know this is not your department, but anything 00:19:48.844 --> 00:19:55.998 - that can be done to help advertise it, especially at Ivy Tech, would be really greatly appreciated. 00:19:56.130 --> 00:20:04.073 - staff and students would both benefit from that that program. So I should note we've actually as a part 00:20:04.073 --> 00:20:11.786 - of the as a part of that route, we had our historical route, the route three west. We've essentially 00:20:11.786 --> 00:20:19.423 - integrated that with that independent route. So now serves more destinations. And that's a that was 00:20:19.423 --> 00:20:24.158 - newly implemented. So I can't speak to the ridership on that. 00:20:25.378 --> 00:20:35.131 - in the last few months, but we hope to see that develop. That helps. Okay. Good deal. Thank you so much. 00:20:35.131 --> 00:20:44.513 - Um, all right. Um, so I, I, I was, um, uh, feeling a little, um, cheeky and small minded when I read 00:20:44.513 --> 00:20:54.174 - this grant and it's not anything about BT, but, um, I wondered why the city is building a bus terminal. 00:20:54.818 --> 00:21:04.522 - out in the county because shouldn't it be in the city? And maybe land. Yeah. And maybe they should consider 00:21:04.522 --> 00:21:13.507 - building a multi floor facility in order to make it work in the city. Or maybe they're too far away 00:21:13.507 --> 00:21:22.942 - from services like the transit building on third and Walnut. Or maybe we should form a committee to help 00:21:23.202 --> 00:21:31.786 - them make a decision about where to put the transit. Not on you. Thank you. I just had to take a moment 00:21:31.786 --> 00:21:40.039 - to share the kinds of things that's rolled around my head. And I know, and I will say this, that we 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:47.550 - are actively moving toward allowing a bus terminal, um, building, um, a bus depot building 00:21:47.650 --> 00:21:54.995 - um, in that particular zone in county planning. So you don't have to come to county planning and wait 00:21:54.995 --> 00:22:02.340 - nine months to a year for a decision, although we're much quicker than that anyway. But yeah, so, uh, 00:22:02.340 --> 00:22:09.685 - we're actively working to support this. Um, so, um, anyway, yes, we do. Thank you. Appreciate you for 00:22:09.685 --> 00:22:13.214 - being any, any public comment on, uh, this item? 00:22:21.506 --> 00:22:28.295 - sign it if you have a copy. Okay. Okay. She's going to get a copy of the letter so we can vote and then 00:22:28.295 --> 00:22:35.411 - sign, sir. Thank you again. Commissioners, Christopher M. G for the greater Bloomington chamber of commerce. 00:22:35.411 --> 00:22:42.069 - Just a quick blurb on, uh, commissioner Thomas's cheeky comment. I think moving forward, um, with the 00:22:42.069 --> 00:22:49.054 - climate in here, we're going to need county and city really working together. I, uh, I know there's a, uh, 00:22:49.570 --> 00:22:55.955 - sort of a fiscal tax committee meeting tomorrow in these halls. It is going to take some sort of hard 00:22:55.955 --> 00:23:02.341 - work and maybe some serious conversations. We can be cheeky at times, but this is serious stuff of us 00:23:02.341 --> 00:23:08.726 - and the issues before us. Going to the issue at hand here, I just want to say the Bloomington Chamber 00:23:08.726 --> 00:23:15.112 - of Commerce supports Bloomington Transit and the broader investment of reliable public transportation 00:23:15.112 --> 00:23:16.990 - and this letter. It is great. 00:23:17.218 --> 00:23:22.993 - part of my job is working with Mr. Hunick and that the access he has on the questions our members have 00:23:22.993 --> 00:23:28.768 - for him. We talk about cost of living, especially housing, but transportation is part of that equation 00:23:28.768 --> 00:23:34.600 - too. From a business perspective, it's workforce infrastructure. Employers need people to work reliably 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:40.487 - and increasingly that means thinking beyond Bloomington city limits. That's one reason we like the reset 00:23:40.487 --> 00:23:46.206 - on route three access to park 48. Bloomington transit is committed to maintain existing service while 00:23:46.434 --> 00:23:52.575 - planning growth, a modern facility will help do that really efficiently and expand when appropriate 00:23:52.575 --> 00:23:58.163 - and partner with Ivy Tech. So we appreciate the commissioner's support on this application 00:23:58.163 --> 00:24:04.549 - and the recognition of public transportation as a major infrastructure supporting workers and employers 00:24:04.549 --> 00:24:10.874 - across Monroe County. Thank you. Thank you. Any other public comment? You can raise your hand on teams 00:24:10.874 --> 00:24:12.286 - or come to the podium. 00:24:17.570 --> 00:24:23.674 - Um, back to us. Any further comments? No, I just reiterate that this is something we welcome moving 00:24:23.674 --> 00:24:29.900 - County back. Absolutely. Um, all right. Um, so Mr Hewitt, just so you know, we take this vote. Um, Ms 00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:36.065 - pretty is printing the letter so we could sign it and hand it to you so you can leave today with it. 00:24:36.065 --> 00:24:42.718 - All those in favor of approving the in dot grant letter support for moving to transit signify by saying aye. 00:24:43.298 --> 00:24:49.616 - Aye. Motion carries 2-0. I think this is another good example of our continuing efforts to work with 00:24:49.616 --> 00:24:56.060 - the City of Bloomington and to make their lives better and easier. All right, so we'll move on to item 00:24:56.060 --> 00:25:02.628 - B, please. Yes, I'd like to move approval for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Landowner Agreement for Habitat 00:25:02.628 --> 00:25:07.070 - Improvement, fund name to be determined, fund number to be determined, 00:25:07.298 --> 00:25:16.212 - Uh, the amount of, um, for county dollars, $20,207.50 federal dollars, $8,378. Second. This shouldn't 00:25:16.212 --> 00:25:25.125 - be complicated, but I guess it is. Um, I'm working with the auditor's office and I will go downstairs 00:25:25.125 --> 00:25:32.990 - to figure out how we do the paperwork, but this is a very, this is literally very simple. 00:25:33.602 --> 00:25:40.422 - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife, along with the National Wild Turkey Federation, will be buying seedlings 00:25:40.422 --> 00:25:47.174 - for 29.5 acres at the Monroe County Nature Preserve. We, as the Parks Department, will do some site 00:25:47.174 --> 00:25:53.994 - prep, which we've already done, and we will maintain and mow and make sure we don't damage the trees 00:25:53.994 --> 00:26:01.083 - for 10 years, because that's everyone's goal. That should not be hard at all. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife 00:26:01.083 --> 00:26:02.974 - is not giving us any money. 00:26:03.138 --> 00:26:10.263 - We are not giving them any money. That is about it. The benefits of trees, shrubs, forbs, and grassland 00:26:10.263 --> 00:26:17.250 - prairies, because we have a second agreement with them that you signed earlier for grassland prairies 00:26:17.250 --> 00:26:21.566 - for 24 acres, not all of it is under the cost share agreement. 00:26:22.338 --> 00:26:28.926 - to bring back native hardwood trees, to control invasive species, to provide habitat for forest-dwelling 00:26:28.926 --> 00:26:35.576 - birds, endangered Indiana bat and northern long-eared bat, to provide valuable wildlife forage and nectar 00:26:35.576 --> 00:26:42.101 - pollinators, including the monarch butterflies. So everything we're doing, we're doing with the experts 00:26:42.101 --> 00:26:47.998 - in our state and the federal government, and they're doing it all for free for Monroe County. 00:26:49.218 --> 00:26:56.218 - Excellent. This is quite a program and thank you for all the hard work that you did to make this happen. 00:26:56.218 --> 00:27:03.551 - Did you have any questions? No, I just want to echo Commissioner Thomas's remarks. Extraordinary cooperation, 00:27:03.551 --> 00:27:10.284 - extraordinary efforts, and we're so grateful. Yeah, this is really good. Well, and I do want to also 00:27:10.284 --> 00:27:17.150 - thank with all this, I said the National Wild Turkey Federation in IDNR, Monroe County Soil and Water, 00:27:17.314 --> 00:27:24.790 - with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Excellent. Absolutely. They're all helping out. Excellent. Excellent. 00:27:24.790 --> 00:27:32.194 - Great news. All right. Let's see if there is any public comment on this item. You can raise your hand 00:27:32.194 --> 00:27:39.743 - on teams or come to the podium. Seeing none, all those in favor of approving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 00:27:39.743 --> 00:27:44.606 - Landowner Agreement for Habitat Improvement signify by saying aye. 00:27:45.186 --> 00:27:52.067 - I motion carries two zero. Next item, please. Yes, I'd like to move approval for habitat solutions, 00:27:52.067 --> 00:27:59.085 - wildlife and forest management agreement funds named food and beverage funds number forty nine thirty 00:27:59.085 --> 00:28:05.278 - two in an amount not to exceed ten thousand and thirty dollars. Second, Ms. Whitmer. Yes. 00:28:05.378 --> 00:28:12.018 - in accordance with what you just passed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, that is part of this agreement 00:28:12.018 --> 00:28:18.658 - that Habitat Solutions will actually pick up the trees, retain them in cold storage, deliver the trees, 00:28:18.658 --> 00:28:25.107 - and then they will machine plant mixed native hardwood at approximately 6 foot by 10 foot spacing on 00:28:25.107 --> 00:28:31.683 - the 29.5 acres in the spring of 2027. Now, we have this under the Food and Beverage, but the Auditor's 00:28:31.683 --> 00:28:33.982 - Office in the future may move that. 00:28:34.370 --> 00:28:40.119 - to a different line. I don't know how this works, so we have to work it all out. We'll figure it out. 00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:45.868 - We'll figure it out. It's not that hard. This is a placeholder fund. We'll just say it that way. Yes. 00:28:45.868 --> 00:28:51.674 - It'll all get worked out. Excellent. Thank you. Thank you again for working on this. Any comments? No. 00:28:51.674 --> 00:28:57.367 - All right. Let's see if there's any public comment on this item. You can raise your hand on Teams or 00:28:57.367 --> 00:28:58.494 - come to our podium. 00:29:04.098 --> 00:29:10.443 - Seeing none, all those in favor of approving the Habitat Solutions Wildlife and Forest Management Agreement 00:29:10.443 --> 00:29:16.553 - signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries 2-0. Thank you. Thank you so much. This is really good news. 00:29:16.553 --> 00:29:22.605 - All right. Next item, please. Yes, I think this is one of my favorite types of items. I'd like to move 00:29:22.605 --> 00:29:27.070 - approval for resolution 2026-30, surplus property for multiple departments. 00:29:28.098 --> 00:29:34.248 - We'll second that. Mr. Crider who manages fleet and maintenance building. Sorry, fleet and buildings. 00:29:34.248 --> 00:29:40.580 - Good morning. Good morning commissioners. Richard Crider, Monroe County building and fleet. This request 00:29:40.580 --> 00:29:46.911 - is to approve the declaration of items for surplus from the commissioner's office, community corrections 00:29:46.911 --> 00:29:53.243 - and the highway department from the commissioner's office. We have a rolling file cabinet system located 00:29:53.243 --> 00:29:54.750 - in the justice building. 00:29:54.978 --> 00:30:00.884 - The rolling file cabinet system is no longer needed for its intended purpose, and the space is needed 00:30:00.884 --> 00:30:07.022 - for other storage purposes by the Sheriff's Office. The system will be offered for sale through GovDeals. 00:30:07.022 --> 00:30:12.754 - If the system does not sell at auction, we will see if we can utilize the shelving somewhere else, 00:30:12.754 --> 00:30:18.834 - or if not, it will be sold as scrap metal. From Community Corrections, 26 Kevlar vests that have reached 00:30:18.834 --> 00:30:21.150 - the end of their 5-year service period. 00:30:21.410 --> 00:30:29.328 - Warranty period and have been replaced the vests will be donated to the Owen County Probation Department 00:30:29.328 --> 00:30:36.869 - and st. Michael's shield project from the highway department You street signs these signs have been 00:30:36.869 --> 00:30:44.486 - replaced with new and are no longer needed. The signs will be offered for sale through gov deals All 00:30:44.486 --> 00:30:48.030 - right, thank you so much Comments or questions 00:30:48.162 --> 00:30:55.483 - We always like to get the maximum amount of life out of all of our properties. So thank you so much. 00:30:55.483 --> 00:31:02.731 - You're welcome. I was just kind of curious about Owen County probation using outdated Kevlar vests. 00:31:02.731 --> 00:31:10.051 - That's kind of sad. They they have a connection with a staff member here in our probation department 00:31:10.051 --> 00:31:17.662 - and it seemed like a good fit for them. I'm glad you can use them. It's just it's just. Yeah, it's fine. 00:31:17.826 --> 00:31:24.448 - So the Kevlar has a five-year warranty period, but in the industry, they say that the Kevlar is much 00:31:24.448 --> 00:31:31.004 - more effective long after that. And I've also heard some Kevlar is better than no Kevlar. There you 00:31:31.004 --> 00:31:37.626 - go. Exactly. There you go. I guess that's what I was going to say is I guess that's a good thing. So 00:31:37.626 --> 00:31:44.444 - I'm glad we can help out Owen County and make a donation to St. Michael's Shield project. That's a good 00:31:44.444 --> 00:31:47.198 - thing. Yes. Excellent. Thank you so much. 00:31:47.618 --> 00:31:58.761 - Um, do you have any, anything else? Nope. All right. Uh, any, uh, public comment on this item? You raise 00:31:58.761 --> 00:32:09.585 - your hand on teams or come to the podium. Seeing none. All those in favor of approving resolution 20, 00:32:09.585 --> 00:32:17.438 - 26 dash 30 surplus property signified by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries. 00:32:17.954 --> 00:32:26.354 - Thank you. Thank you so much. Next item, please. I would like to move to approve Resolution 2026-34, 00:32:26.354 --> 00:32:34.921 - approving the increase of the max levy for Monroe Fire Protection District. Second, Mr. Cockrell. Yes, 00:32:34.921 --> 00:32:43.736 - and I'll just let TSD know that Chief Dillard is on team, so if he could be promoted or allowed to speak, 00:32:43.736 --> 00:32:45.982 - that would be appreciated. 00:32:46.114 --> 00:32:52.215 - December, you guys added Bean Blossom Township to the Monroe Fire Protection District. In accordance 00:32:52.215 --> 00:32:58.255 - with statute, that does not become effective until January 1 of 2027. The reason for that is to try 00:32:58.255 --> 00:33:04.416 - to get all these ducks in a row, and one of those is funding. And so this is to allow the Monroe Fire 00:33:04.416 --> 00:33:10.698 - Protection District to request the ability to increase their maximum levy to account for the additional 00:33:10.698 --> 00:33:11.966 - territory they have. 00:33:12.290 --> 00:33:19.778 - And so they've requested that maximal allow amount. They've estimated that to be $13,757,526. I do not 00:33:19.778 --> 00:33:27.267 - know off the top of my head what it is currently, but clearly that, a large portion of that is already 00:33:27.267 --> 00:33:34.973 - included in their levy. So if you haven't. This is not adding a lot to it. That's not what's being added. 00:33:34.973 --> 00:33:40.862 - That is the neutral. I just want to make sure people know that. Okay. All right. 00:33:41.634 --> 00:33:50.618 - It looks like we do have Monroe Fire Protection District Chief Dustin Dillard present on Teams. And 00:33:50.618 --> 00:33:59.781 - if you'd like to add anything or make any comment, please do so. I think Mr. Cockrell covered most of 00:33:59.781 --> 00:34:08.855 - it very well. The exact amount that we're requesting the increase for is $1,089,126. So that is what 00:34:08.855 --> 00:34:11.550 - we're requesting in addition. 00:34:11.682 --> 00:34:18.542 - That is the figure that was used in the public meetings that we had. And really the process is slightly 00:34:18.542 --> 00:34:25.402 - just changed. In the past, we would have taken those presentations and we would have sent that directly 00:34:25.402 --> 00:34:32.329 - to DLGF. They actually now require us to have this resolution from you for me to be able to submit that. 00:34:32.329 --> 00:34:39.057 - So I appreciate your time. And if you got any questions, that's what I'm here for. Thank you so much. 00:34:39.057 --> 00:34:40.574 - Comments or questions? 00:34:40.770 --> 00:34:49.305 - I think it's incredibly important to do whatever we can to support our fire district. Absolutely. And 00:34:49.305 --> 00:34:57.840 - thank you again for getting this information out to the residents of Bean Blossom early on. And we've 00:34:57.840 --> 00:35:06.625 - had lots of discussions there. So we did the road show. And so we're really excited about this prospect. 00:35:06.625 --> 00:35:10.558 - And I think they're excited to have, you know, 00:35:11.458 --> 00:35:18.407 - 24-7 staffing at their station in Steinsville, which would be great. So thank you again for that. And 00:35:18.407 --> 00:35:25.356 - your staff, amazing, amazing work as always. So thank you. All right. Let's see if there's any public 00:35:25.356 --> 00:35:30.398 - comment on this item. You raise your hand on teams or come to the podium. 00:35:37.282 --> 00:35:46.730 - none all those in favor of approving resolution 2026-34 signify by saying aye aye motion carries 2-0 00:35:46.730 --> 00:35:56.177 - thank you sir thank you all you mr. Cockrell appreciate you all right I didn't realize that this was 00:35:56.177 --> 00:36:05.438 - the new thing we had to do all right they like to give us new things they do new unfunded mandates 00:36:05.538 --> 00:36:13.762 - All right, more paperwork. Next, we have quotes on three paving projects. And with that, our highway 00:36:13.762 --> 00:36:22.148 - superintendent, Mr. Turner, is going to open the envelopes. Do you have a letter opener with you, sir? 00:36:22.148 --> 00:36:30.942 - I do. Excellent. You're welcome to sit if that would make you more comfortable next to Ms. Purdy. I'm fine. 00:36:31.170 --> 00:36:39.613 - I can just get my stuff sorted out here. So there is three projects, kind of a push here at the end 00:36:39.613 --> 00:36:48.224 - of the year to get a few more miles of road paved, re-requested quotes from three contractors here in 00:36:48.224 --> 00:36:56.920 - the area. Milestone, ENB paving and lens paving. So I'll try to sort these out where we can make sense 00:36:56.920 --> 00:37:00.382 - of them as the three different segments. 00:37:00.546 --> 00:37:11.449 - First we'll try to get Liberty Hollow Road. I did receive an email and have from Lentz Paving and they 00:37:11.449 --> 00:37:22.034 - will not be submitting a quote because of scheduling conflicts. They don't think they can get to it 00:37:22.034 --> 00:37:27.326 - this year. But we did receive, so Liberty Hollow. 00:37:27.970 --> 00:37:35.799 - We did put these out two different ways. So they have an option one and an option two on their quotes. 00:37:35.799 --> 00:37:43.704 - Option one is where the contractor supplies everything, which would be the mix, the trucking, the labor 00:37:43.704 --> 00:37:51.686 - traffic control all in one package. Option two is they would pick up the county's mix at the plant where 00:37:51.686 --> 00:37:54.878 - we have our annual bid at for that price. 00:37:55.746 --> 00:38:16.081 - and we would supplement trucking with our trucks and our guys. So. Liberty Hollow option one EMB paving. 00:38:16.081 --> 00:38:24.990 - 185 78.75. Option two. 510070.01. That's EMB. 00:38:28.770 --> 00:38:40.999 - And that's Liberty Hollow Road, or is that all three? That is Liberty Hallow Road segment of Liberty 00:38:40.999 --> 00:38:53.228 - Hollow. Milestone Liberty Hollow option one. Looks like we're at 106. 803 50. And they did not. They 00:38:53.228 --> 00:38:57.950 - did not put a quote in for option two. 00:39:08.578 --> 00:39:28.803 - would do looks like this is Bowman Road. Again, whence paving did not quote scheduling conflicts ENB 00:39:28.803 --> 00:39:38.014 - paving option one for Bowman Road. 134 827.25 00:39:39.426 --> 00:39:46.622 - Option two, $39,048.51. 00:40:08.546 --> 00:40:28.172 - We have to make a correction. Liberty Hollow for milestone numbers $179,620 for option one. No bid for 00:40:28.172 --> 00:40:38.462 - option two. Omen. Option one $133,004 for option one. 00:40:38.978 --> 00:40:48.382 - No bid on option two. Now we're to brown. 00:41:12.674 --> 00:41:31.459 - EMB paving for Brown Road option one, $106,056.75. Option two, $30,743.01. Milestone, Brown Road, $106,803.50 00:41:31.459 --> 00:41:40.510 - and no bid for option two. And again, Lent's paving. 00:41:40.610 --> 00:41:47.659 - no quote due to scheduling conflict. So we will take all these under advisement and hopefully award 00:41:47.659 --> 00:41:54.707 - the projects next commissioners meeting. Excellent. Thank you so much. Yes, we will take that under 00:41:54.707 --> 00:42:02.249 - advisement. Yes. OK, we agree. Thank you so much for doing the letter opening show for us. Yeah, apologize 00:42:02.249 --> 00:42:08.734 - for the no paper cuts. I assume I'm just about to say no paper cuts. We're good. All right. 00:42:09.186 --> 00:42:17.509 - Excellent. Thank you so much. All right. Go to the next item, please. Yes, I'd like to move approval 00:42:17.509 --> 00:42:26.080 - for B and B Water Utility Agreement for the Baby Creek Bridge, number 629 project fund named Baby Creek 00:42:26.080 --> 00:42:34.238 - Bridge, Baby Creek Road Bridge, number 629 fund number 8167 in the amount of $16,070 and 28 cents. 00:42:34.498 --> 00:42:43.779 - I will second that Ms. Purdy standing in for Ms. Ridge. I am. This agreement is a result of construction 00:42:43.779 --> 00:42:52.883 - adjustments that had to be made during the Baby Creek Bridge project. And this allows for the provider 00:42:52.883 --> 00:43:00.926 - who's doing the work to be reimbursed for moving utility work. And so what that will do is 00:43:01.058 --> 00:43:11.459 - Total cost is $16,070.28. It is reimbursable to the county 80%, which is $12,856.22 will be returned 00:43:11.459 --> 00:43:20.831 - to the county upon completion. Great, thank you so much. Any questions or? I love the word 00:43:20.831 --> 00:43:29.790 - federal reimbursement. I do too. It's my favorite term. Yeah, so utilities are always, 00:43:30.114 --> 00:43:38.653 - of this, and sometimes you don't know until later what those costs are going to be. So, excellent. 00:43:38.653 --> 00:43:47.450 - All right, let's see if there's any public comment on this item. I said the feds are bridging the gap 00:43:47.450 --> 00:43:56.420 - of payment and reimbursement. All right, seeing none, all those in favor of approving the B and B water 00:43:56.420 --> 00:43:59.870 - utility agreement for Baby Creek Bridge 00:44:00.002 --> 00:44:09.511 - I would like to move approval for Resolution 2026-35, approving the issuance of a general obligation 00:44:09.511 --> 00:44:19.491 - bond, fund name to be determined, fund number to be determined, and an amount up to $6.5 million. Second. 00:44:19.491 --> 00:44:26.270 - Ms. Purdy. Hey, so this is a revised version of a list of projects that 00:44:26.722 --> 00:44:33.628 - had initially been presented to both yourselves and council. And this list of projects includes had 00:44:33.628 --> 00:44:40.534 - removed a request for a new elevator in the justice building or an additional elevator I should say 00:44:40.534 --> 00:44:47.440 - in the justice building and provides for elevator repair of the existing elevator. It also includes 00:44:47.440 --> 00:44:54.622 - highway vehicles that had not been included on the original conversation. I believe there's an interest 00:44:54.622 --> 00:44:55.934 - in putting if it's 00:44:56.226 --> 00:45:05.578 - if bond council says it's appropriate by two minutes on this list. This list is includes, but it's not 00:45:05.578 --> 00:45:14.749 - fully inclusive of all the projects, but one of the shower, jail shower and floor repair cameras for 00:45:14.749 --> 00:45:23.102 - within the jail as a safety issue for both inmates and staff. Blacktop at Carson Farm Park. 00:45:24.194 --> 00:45:35.009 - another payment on our in car. Body cameras and tasers and I'm trying to think if there's anything else. 00:45:35.009 --> 00:45:45.309 - Oh, continuation of the replacement of the emergency siren. Yes, seven, seven more sirens. Yep. And 00:45:45.309 --> 00:45:50.974 - that just just to clarify with the instead of buying a 00:45:51.522 --> 00:46:00.709 - the second elevator for millions of dollars. Two million, right? For a building that we hope to not 00:46:00.709 --> 00:46:10.080 - be using soon. So there's a repair line in here for 250,000, which is a lot of money, but it is. It's 00:46:10.080 --> 00:46:20.094 - 90% less than. We had before and that would include parts for future repairs and they could be done quickly. 00:46:20.834 --> 00:46:28.791 - Um, and then there's also, um, that the in car, the body cameras in cars, camera, right in car cameras 00:46:28.791 --> 00:46:36.671 - and tasers. Right. So we did 440,000 last year. This is the next payment of 440. There's another one. 00:46:36.671 --> 00:46:44.705 - It's a five year contract. Yeah. So there'll be another one next year and then the subsequent two years 00:46:44.705 --> 00:46:50.654 - after that. So, and then at that point they're going to have to be replaced. 00:46:51.298 --> 00:47:00.028 - probably got it. Yeah. Yeah. Was there something else that the dome has to be repaired? Yeah, it is. 00:47:00.028 --> 00:47:08.758 - It is leaking. It's leaking. And when there's water that leads to more problems. Yeah, we don't need 00:47:08.758 --> 00:47:17.488 - another mold. Yeah. And this building needs to be protected obviously. So, okay. Um, good, good. Um, 00:47:17.488 --> 00:47:21.118 - did you have anything you wanted to know? 00:47:21.218 --> 00:47:28.710 - I just think that it's important to say, you know, again, reflect the diversity of items here. Yeah. 00:47:28.710 --> 00:47:36.351 - And since there is another field repair coming at Karst, we're going to wait on the paving until those 00:47:36.351 --> 00:47:43.770 - trucks are. Yes. Right. And that's generally a lot of times with the bond, sometimes things have to 00:47:43.770 --> 00:47:49.630 - get pushed back a little bit. Got it. So, yeah. Not everything is going to be. 00:47:49.922 --> 00:47:56.664 - necessarily. Although some things are like the dome repair. The dome and the shower and the elevator. 00:47:56.664 --> 00:48:03.339 - Got it. Yep. Got it. So there's different parities. Parities for spending, parities for time. Right. 00:48:03.339 --> 00:48:10.015 - Okay. Let's see if there's any public comment on this item. You can raise your hand on Teams or come 00:48:10.015 --> 00:48:11.006 - to the podium. 00:48:19.426 --> 00:48:27.135 - those in favor approving resolution 2026-35 signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries to zero and I 00:48:27.135 --> 00:48:35.150 - will note that we're going to be meeting with council on the 22nd to discuss this. Did you have anything 00:48:35.150 --> 00:48:43.012 - you wanted to add? I just wanted to make sure because I believe Ms. Bertie indicated that you guys may 00:48:43.012 --> 00:48:47.134 - want to use it for by two minutes if the bond council 00:48:47.266 --> 00:48:53.850 - deems it appropriate. So you may want to amend that motion to state we will add by two minutes if bond 00:48:53.850 --> 00:49:00.370 - council determines that is allowable bond costs. I mean, we can pay for trucks, which we use to build 00:49:00.370 --> 00:49:06.826 - the roads, but we can't pay for a construction project for the road. And by two minutes is somewhere 00:49:06.826 --> 00:49:13.218 - in between. And I'd like to have their opinion on it before. Right. Now Ms. Prudy mentioned it, and 00:49:13.218 --> 00:49:16.798 - that's definitely our intention. But in the descriptor, 00:49:17.602 --> 00:49:25.804 - for resolution 2026-35, it says, projects include but are not limited to. So is that also in, I thought 00:49:25.804 --> 00:49:34.164 - that was also in the resolution itself. I'm gonna try to go there real quick. I thought it was inclusive. 00:49:34.164 --> 00:49:42.130 - I thought it was too, but let me look. Certainly the language allows for related projects if there's 00:49:42.130 --> 00:49:45.758 - funding left. There is a, generally a casual. 00:49:46.626 --> 00:49:53.542 - So we should be okay, yeah? Or would you prefer a second motion? I think it's better if you had that 00:49:53.542 --> 00:50:00.595 - motion in there. I mean, we do list them out for a reason. And I think if you know right now, we leave 00:50:00.595 --> 00:50:07.443 - that language in there in case we get to a point where three years down the road, we've got a small 00:50:07.443 --> 00:50:12.510 - amount of money left and we want to spend it in a way that is kind of not 00:50:13.026 --> 00:50:20.892 - directly addressed in the. Got it. OK, I see what you're saying, because we sometimes move money between 00:50:20.892 --> 00:50:28.908 - one funding and, you know, one project and another. OK, so I'm going to even though we've already approved 00:50:28.908 --> 00:50:36.474 - it. I'm going to go ahead and make a motion to amend. Our resolution 2026. Dash 35 to include by two 00:50:36.474 --> 00:50:40.894 - minutes or other highway item if Bond Council approves it. 00:50:41.890 --> 00:50:49.052 - Any second motion? OK, so we have a motion in a second to revise or add this item. Yes. And with that, 00:50:49.052 --> 00:50:55.658 - I'm going to go ahead and call another vote on. Well, let's see if there's any public comment. 00:50:55.658 --> 00:51:02.750 - First of all, you raise your hand and teams come to the podium. I will go ahead and call the question 00:51:02.750 --> 00:51:09.982 - on the amended resolution twenty twenty six dash thirty five. All those in favor signify by saying aye. 00:51:10.626 --> 00:51:18.252 - Motion carries 2-0. Are we good, Mr. Cochran? Yes. Thank you. I appreciate you. You make life complicated, 00:51:18.252 --> 00:51:25.736 - but so, so correct. And that's OK, then, because it's correct. I think that's a compliment, Mr. Cochran. 00:51:25.736 --> 00:51:32.935 - It is. It is. Oh, I am an attorney. Complicated, but correct. You are an attorney. I don't just play 00:51:32.935 --> 00:51:36.926 - one on TV. All right. OK. So next item, please, item I. 00:51:37.602 --> 00:51:45.054 - Yes, I'd like to move approval for resolution 2026-32, delegation of hearing requirement from the county 00:51:45.054 --> 00:51:52.718 - commissioners to the plan commission. I will second that. We have our planning director, Ms. Nestor-Jellen, 00:51:52.718 --> 00:52:00.382 - joining us. Hi, good afternoon or good morning, rather. Good morning. It's not that late yet. Good morning. 00:52:00.382 --> 00:52:07.550 - I'd like to go ahead and share my screen to discuss a quick resolution for your review and approval. 00:52:10.178 --> 00:52:17.916 - This resolution was prepared in conjunction with our legal department, and essentially what it does 00:52:17.916 --> 00:52:25.809 - is moves the requirement for a hearing to occur at the planned commission level instead of the county 00:52:25.809 --> 00:52:33.547 - commissioners. The state legislature passed House Enrolled Act 1001, which became effective July of 00:52:33.547 --> 00:52:34.398 - this year. 00:52:34.626 --> 00:52:43.491 - And what it asks us to do is before January 1 of 2027, we have to review our county development ordinance 00:52:43.491 --> 00:52:52.021 - in regard to items put forth in this resolution. And they're listed here as one through nine. We have 00:52:52.021 --> 00:52:58.878 - discussed this with the plan commission and they voted eight to zero in agreement 00:52:59.042 --> 00:53:07.388 - that they would be the responsible party for holding the hearing and listening to the public in regard 00:53:07.388 --> 00:53:15.816 - to these nine items. We will be publishing this as part of our packet for the meeting that will be held 00:53:15.816 --> 00:53:23.919 - on October 22nd. So the public will have a chance to see what the staff's response or understanding 00:53:23.919 --> 00:53:28.862 - is of these nine items and how they tie in or if they're not 00:53:28.962 --> 00:53:35.847 - actually in the county development ordinance at this time, we will make note of that. So essentially 00:53:35.847 --> 00:53:42.664 - what we're asking for today is for you to vote on delegating the authority of this required hearing 00:53:42.664 --> 00:53:49.821 - by the state from the county commissioners to the planned commission. And then we will bring the minutes 00:53:49.821 --> 00:53:56.638 - back for your review before December 3rd of 2026. And then that will get sent to the state as well. 00:53:57.186 --> 00:54:04.673 - Happy to take any questions you might have. Great, thank you so much and we believe the minutes will 00:54:04.673 --> 00:54:12.159 - suffice as the report that the state has asked for. Is that correct? Yes, they asked for a few other 00:54:12.159 --> 00:54:19.572 - items such as housing studies as well, so we will make sure we review that with the plan Commission 00:54:19.572 --> 00:54:26.910 - and then if they need the packet and minutes with that, that will be available to them. Excellent. 00:54:27.042 --> 00:54:38.055 - So this is something that is, in a sense, like an unfunded mandate. It's a new requirement from the 00:54:38.055 --> 00:54:49.288 - state legislature to address these questions, and some of these things are things that, as you noted, 00:54:49.288 --> 00:54:52.702 - we don't actually deal with in 00:54:52.930 --> 00:55:00.087 - the CDO at all, which means that they're permitted, you know, for example, roof pitch, right? So it's 00:55:00.087 --> 00:55:07.174 - an interesting thing. And this meeting on the 22nd, this is the only item that will be on the agenda 00:55:07.174 --> 00:55:14.472 - or is there a regular meeting that day as well? That is our regular meeting date, but this item we will 00:55:14.472 --> 00:55:21.278 - go ahead and present first. So if the public is there to speak to it, we'll prioritize it first. 00:55:21.730 --> 00:55:30.316 - Thank you so much. And so we do invite the public to consider joining us. You could do so via teams 00:55:30.316 --> 00:55:39.159 - or in person. That's right, because of the budget. Vote we are meetings usually are on the 1st and 3rd 00:55:39.159 --> 00:55:47.830 - Tuesday, and this is actually a Thursday night because we are. Yeah, OK. And this will be advertised 00:55:47.830 --> 00:55:49.118 - to potentially 00:55:49.410 --> 00:55:56.223 - include a quorum of council and or commissioners as well? Yes, great. Excellent. Thank you so much. 00:55:56.223 --> 00:56:03.105 - Really appreciate that. Did you have any questions? No, I think that this is this is one of those. I 00:56:03.105 --> 00:56:09.986 - remember House Enrolled Act 1101, and this is one of those tedious, complicated bills. Yeah. So then 00:56:09.986 --> 00:56:16.254 - I think the reports are just largely things we kind of need to check off for the bill. Yep. 00:56:16.386 --> 00:56:24.159 - I don't know. Yeah, but we do anticipate that this will become something more in the future. Potentially 00:56:24.159 --> 00:56:31.636 - I don't know. You can clearly see. What the. Legislators who came up with this are worked about, and 00:56:31.636 --> 00:56:39.039 - these are not things that. We're dealing with it to a great extent, which is interesting, right? So 00:56:39.039 --> 00:56:45.406 - do you do we know right now what the consequences of like? Are these just reports for 00:56:47.490 --> 00:56:54.620 - Do you happen to know that, Ms. Joan? If there's a consequence for not filing. Oh, consequence for not 00:56:54.620 --> 00:57:01.611 - filing. Or consequences of the numbers. Like, what? Does this get us anything? No, I know that part. 00:57:01.611 --> 00:57:08.880 - It doesn't get us anything. Nor does it detract from anything that we do. So there's no dollars attached 00:57:08.880 --> 00:57:15.941 - to these numbers that we're going to file. No. We were just asked to do this, right? Yeah. Yeah. More 00:57:15.941 --> 00:57:16.702 - paperwork. 00:57:18.178 --> 00:57:26.013 - Okay. So we don't know of a impending penalty of any kind. Okay. Thank you. Thank you so much. That 00:57:26.013 --> 00:57:33.926 - means we're not going to do it. No, we're going to do it. We're going to do it. And I think a lot of 00:57:33.926 --> 00:57:42.387 - it will be evident, but this is also the, um, this is also the bill that shortened review time for planning 00:57:42.387 --> 00:57:47.166 - documents. Um, and that's also impacting planning staff and, 00:57:47.298 --> 00:57:52.907 - to a great deal. So I appreciate everything you all do every day to deal with all of this. 00:57:52.907 --> 00:57:59.318 - So thank you. Appreciate you. Thanks. Thanks to you and your staff and Mr Schilling for working on this 00:57:59.318 --> 00:58:05.975 - resolution, um, because it makes much more sense to have the planning commission do this than us. Although, 00:58:05.975 --> 00:58:12.386 - um, I assume we'll all be there anyway. Um, okay, let's see if there's any public comment on this item. 00:58:12.386 --> 00:58:15.838 - You can raise your hand on teams or come to the podium. 00:58:22.114 --> 00:58:30.780 - Seeing none, all those in favor approving resolution 2026-32, signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries 00:58:30.780 --> 00:58:39.610 - to zero. Thank you again, Ms. Nesterjohn. Thank you. Appreciate you. Thank you. All right. Item J, please. 00:58:39.610 --> 00:58:45.470 - Yes, I would like to move approval for Steinsville resolution 2026-36. 00:58:45.922 --> 00:58:53.891 - a resolution of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners expressing disappointment regarding the manner 00:58:53.891 --> 00:59:01.630 - in which a 287 G Task Force model agreement was executed on behalf of the towns of Sinesville. Okay, 00:59:01.630 --> 00:59:09.982 - thank you so much. I have to get to a document. I'm so sorry about this. Everything go. Oh, this isn't good. 00:59:16.034 --> 00:59:44.254 - We will get to that in a moment here. I apologize. I don't know why. For some reason I've lost 00:59:44.482 --> 00:59:54.274 - everything on my screen except TSD and printing. So maybe, oh, there it goes. I got it back. Thank you 00:59:54.274 --> 01:00:03.876 - so much. All right, thanks for the, sorry. All right, technical difficulty. Yes? This motion has not 01:00:03.876 --> 01:00:14.334 - been seconded. I will second it, thank you. I think I said just a second. All right, yes, I will second that. 01:00:14.690 --> 01:00:24.747 - So section 287 G of Federal Immigration and Nationality Act 8 USC 1357 G authorizes the federal government 01:00:24.747 --> 01:00:34.241 - to enter into written agreements with a state or any state political subdivision under which trained 01:00:34.241 --> 01:00:41.854 - local officers may perform specified functions of a federal immigration officer. 01:00:42.018 --> 01:00:49.869 - The party to these agreements is the governmental entity, not the officer who signs it. The task force 01:00:49.869 --> 01:00:57.491 - model at issue here is the most expansive of the three authorizing street level enforcement outside 01:00:57.491 --> 01:01:05.342 - any jail setting. These agreements are governed by Indiana's Interlocal Cooperation Statute IC-36-1-7, 01:01:05.442 --> 01:01:11.441 - and must be approved by the legislative body, the political subdivision through an ordinance or resolution 01:01:11.441 --> 01:01:17.104 - submitted to the attorney general recorded with the county recorded before it takes effect and filed 01:01:17.104 --> 01:01:22.767 - with the state board of accounts within 60 days later. Uh, under Indiana law, the town councils, the 01:01:22.767 --> 01:01:28.542 - town's legislative body and the town marshal locally titled chief of police is appointed by and serves 01:01:28.542 --> 01:01:34.709 - at the council's direction. A marshal acting alone has no authority to bind the town to an inner governmental 01:01:34.709 --> 01:01:35.326 - agreement. 01:01:35.522 --> 01:01:40.799 - test it on to you. Beyond these statutory requirements, a decision to accept delegated federal immigration 01:01:40.799 --> 01:01:45.929 - authority commits local personnel and local funds, changes the relationship between a police department 01:01:45.929 --> 01:01:51.108 - and the residents it serves, and is exactly the kind of choice that Indiana's open door law contemplates 01:01:51.108 --> 01:01:56.089 - being made in public on notice with an opportunity for residents to be heard. So it recently came to 01:01:56.089 --> 01:02:01.120 - the commissioner's attention through media coverage that a task force model agreement was executed on 01:02:01.120 --> 01:02:02.846 - behalf of the town of Steinsville. 01:02:03.330 --> 01:02:08.329 - and that the public record discloses no ordinance, resolution, or recorded vote of the town council 01:02:08.329 --> 01:02:13.479 - authorizing it, no submission to the Indiana Attorney General, and no recording with the Monroe County 01:02:13.479 --> 01:02:18.478 - Recorder. The Sinesville Chief of Police has stated that he signed at the direction of the previous 01:02:18.478 --> 01:02:23.727 - chief, and that he and the town attorney met with members of the town council individually who expressed 01:02:23.727 --> 01:02:28.777 - support. Individual briefings don't constitute official action of a legislative body, and assembling 01:02:28.777 --> 01:02:32.926 - consensus through serial private briefings defeat the purpose of the open door law 01:02:33.058 --> 01:02:38.627 - regardless of the good faith of those involved. Although Steinsville's a separate municipal corporation, 01:02:38.627 --> 01:02:43.984 - a field enforcement agreement doesn't stop at the town line. The action of this group of Steinsville 01:02:43.984 --> 01:02:49.394 - officers can impact any resident of this county. The failure to follow Indiana law and the failure to 01:02:49.394 --> 01:02:55.175 - ensure transparency impacts county residents and their trust in local government. The board of commissioners 01:02:55.175 --> 01:03:00.585 - therefore has both an interest and a responsibility to speak. Under Indiana law, therefore I think we 01:03:00.585 --> 01:03:02.654 - would like to execute this resolution. 01:03:03.042 --> 01:03:12.213 - Thank you. And so this relates specifically to the fact that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement 01:03:12.213 --> 01:03:21.475 - records identified the Steinsville Police Department, um, as a party to a 287 G Task Force agreement. 01:03:21.475 --> 01:03:24.926 - And that's what this is about. Um, so 01:03:25.090 --> 01:03:31.875 - This is our resolution, our now therefores, as it were. Number one, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners 01:03:31.875 --> 01:03:38.536 - finds that the execution of a Section 287G Task Force Model Agreement on behalf of the town of Steinsville 01:03:38.536 --> 01:03:44.824 - without prior authorization by the Steinsville Town Board through an ordinance or resolution adopted 01:03:44.824 --> 01:03:51.111 - at a properly noticed public meeting is inconsistent with the democratic process, with the letter in 01:03:51.111 --> 01:03:53.726 - spirit of Indiana's open government laws, 01:03:54.018 --> 01:04:01.465 - and with the values of this community. Second, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners respectfully 01:04:01.465 --> 01:04:09.281 - request that the Steinsville Town Board 1A place the 287G agreement on the agenda of a regular or special 01:04:09.281 --> 01:04:14.590 - public meeting with advanced public notice consistent with IC 5-14-1.5, 01:04:15.138 --> 01:04:21.590 - Second, to make the agreements full text together with all correspondence and records relating to its 01:04:21.590 --> 01:04:28.106 - negotiation and execution available to the public in advance of that meeting. Third, to receive public 01:04:28.106 --> 01:04:34.558 - comment from residents before taking any action. Fourth, to immediately suspend performance under the 01:04:34.558 --> 01:04:39.998 - agreement pending that public deliberation. And fifth, to take formal recorded action 01:04:40.386 --> 01:04:46.075 - to rescind, ratify, or modify the agreement and cause any resulting instrument to be recorded and filed 01:04:46.075 --> 01:04:51.874 - as required by IC 36-1-7. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners reaffirms the Monroe County government 01:04:51.874 --> 01:04:57.673 - will conduct its business regarding any agreement with the federal law enforcement agency in open session 01:04:57.673 --> 01:05:03.253 - upon public notice with an opportunity for public comment and by recorded vote and will not authorize 01:05:03.253 --> 01:05:08.286 - any such agreement through private consultation with individual commissioners. Number four, 01:05:08.386 --> 01:05:12.883 - The Monroe County Board of Commissioners request that the auditor of Monroe County transmit a certified 01:05:12.883 --> 01:05:17.207 - copy of this resolution to the president and members of the Steinsville Town Board, the Steinsville 01:05:17.207 --> 01:05:21.703 - Town Clerk-Treasurer, the Steinsville Chief of Police, the Steinsville Town Attorney, the Monroe County 01:05:21.703 --> 01:05:26.373 - Sheriff, the Monroe County Council, the Monroe County Recorder, the Ellisville Town Council, the Ellisville 01:05:26.373 --> 01:05:30.697 - Clerk-Treasurer, the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Bloomington, the Indiana Public Access 01:05:30.697 --> 01:05:34.718 - Counselor, and members of the Bloomington County delegation to the Indiana General Assembly. 01:05:35.330 --> 01:05:43.617 - the lawful authority of the town of Steinsville. Its town board or its police department or to express 01:05:43.617 --> 01:05:51.421 - a finding of law is to any matter reserved to a court or to the Indiana Public Access counselor. 01:05:51.421 --> 01:05:59.628 - All right. Thank you. Thank you. Um, thank you. Both of you, Mr Cockrell and Commissioner Madeira for 01:05:59.628 --> 01:06:02.846 - working on this. Um, any other comments 01:06:04.706 --> 01:06:10.936 - Anything else, Mr. Cockrell on this? I don't I don't think so. I would just note that I think I received 01:06:10.936 --> 01:06:16.989 - communication from Scienceville about they're having a meeting next week in order to do this and look 01:06:16.989 --> 01:06:23.100 - at this issue. So I think they are progressing towards it. I think when they were when the board found 01:06:23.100 --> 01:06:29.212 - out about it was well after the execution of the agreement. And so I think they're just looking to try 01:06:29.212 --> 01:06:33.662 - to get their hands around it and figure out their proper course of action. 01:06:34.050 --> 01:06:40.549 - That's really good, and that will be a public meeting that hopefully will be noticed on their website 01:06:40.549 --> 01:06:47.111 - so folks in the community can attend. And let's see if there is any. Go ahead. I just want to be clear 01:06:47.111 --> 01:06:53.865 - to you that we aren't here as commissioners to assign blame to any individual. The question isn't whether 01:06:53.865 --> 01:07:00.427 - anyone acted in bad faith. It's just whether the town as a body ever made this decision public, right? 01:07:00.427 --> 01:07:03.294 - Right, and that's our concern because we do. 01:07:04.034 --> 01:07:12.313 - We live by the rule of transparency and we hope that everyone else does as well in our community and 01:07:12.313 --> 01:07:20.675 - that's what our residents deserve. And this impacts every county resident when this kind of agreement 01:07:20.675 --> 01:07:28.954 - is set because it can mean that those officers can act outside of the town of Steinsville. And so it 01:07:28.954 --> 01:07:30.430 - does impact other 01:07:30.690 --> 01:07:39.986 - other county residents potentially as well, not just those who live in Steinsville. Um, let's see if 01:07:39.986 --> 01:07:48.914 - there's any public comment on this item. You can raise your hand on teams or come to the podium. 01:07:48.914 --> 01:07:58.209 - All right, done. All those in favor of resolution 2026-36 signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries 01:07:58.209 --> 01:07:59.774 - two zero. Um, so 01:08:02.018 --> 01:08:10.093 - I just want to remind folks we don't have any appointments today, by the way. I just want to remind 01:08:10.093 --> 01:08:18.167 - folks that we do have office hours, six hours each month via Teams. Go to our website, in.gov slash 01:08:18.167 --> 01:08:26.565 - county slash Monroe and look at the calendar to find the dates and times. We are accepting applications 01:08:26.565 --> 01:08:31.006 - for all boards and commissions, and so we do encourage 01:08:31.522 --> 01:08:41.187 - I encourage folks to go to our website, and it's right on the main page. You can fill out an application 01:08:41.187 --> 01:08:50.576 - and get more information. Our co sponsored blood drive with Red Cross and Ivy Tech. Has a couple more 01:08:50.576 --> 01:09:00.149 - dates coming up in September, Friday, September 8th tomorrow 9 AM to 2 PM and Wednesday, September 23rd 01:09:00.149 --> 01:09:01.438 - noon to five. 01:09:01.538 --> 01:09:10.745 - happening at Ivy Tech rooms C130A and B and we ask that you make an appointment at redcross.org or if 01:09:10.745 --> 01:09:19.952 - you just show up they'll figure out a way to get you in because there's always seems to be a shortage 01:09:19.952 --> 01:09:28.798 - of blood products in our community and across the nation and we do encourage folks to sign up for 01:09:29.058 --> 01:09:38.314 - the resident alert notification system. And again, that's right on our website and includes information 01:09:38.314 --> 01:09:47.393 - up to the minute information. If there are weather emergencies or other emergencies in our community, 01:09:47.393 --> 01:09:56.382 - you will be the first to know via text call and or email. Our next meeting is the 24th of September. 01:09:56.706 --> 01:10:03.946 - right here in the NatU Hill Room. Clearly, I'm announcing that because we do not have a work session 01:10:03.946 --> 01:10:11.329 - today. Do you have anything else for the good of the order? No, I don't. I'm just delighted to finally 01:10:11.329 --> 01:10:18.568 - perhaps be within end, although it sounds petty to be talking about the weather. I am delighted that 01:10:18.568 --> 01:10:26.238 - we're almost at the end of the heat blanket that we've been facing. Almost. It's been dangerous, actually. 01:10:26.434 --> 01:10:33.666 - And we do want to remind folks, especially those who are downtown, that Stride is always a good place 01:10:33.666 --> 01:10:41.182 - to go if you need a cool down. Right. And our county buildings are also open eight to four Monday through 01:10:41.182 --> 01:10:48.485 - Friday. Yes. So with that, anything else, Ms. Purdy, Mr. Cockrell, anything else? Yes, I do have some. 01:10:48.485 --> 01:10:55.646 - OK, good. We we have paid the town purple tonight from five to seven. We didn't do the proclamation. 01:10:57.250 --> 01:11:05.815 - We have a proclamation for it. It is in the. Let's go. Let's go get it. Let's go. Yeah, gosh. Wow. It 01:11:05.815 --> 01:11:14.716 - is tomorrow. Five thirty to seven thirty. Yes. And it is right here at the courthouse. And it is a really 01:11:14.716 --> 01:11:21.854 - emboldening and yes, positive event that's part of National Recovery Month. And yes. 01:11:22.018 --> 01:11:28.134 - we do have a proclamation we forgot to do. Yes, and this is this is particularly something that I am 01:11:28.134 --> 01:11:34.190 - very embarrassed that we forgot because I have substance use in my family and history and something 01:11:34.190 --> 01:11:40.488 - that is near and dear to my heart. So so. So out of order, this is our proclamation for Recovery Month. 01:11:40.488 --> 01:11:46.665 - Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that evidence based 01:11:46.665 --> 01:11:50.238 - treatment and services can enable those with mental health 01:11:50.594 --> 01:11:57.481 - and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives. Recovery Month celebrates the gains 01:11:57.481 --> 01:12:04.572 - made by those living in recovery. It honors the tireless work of recovery providers who do work so hard 01:12:04.572 --> 01:12:11.390 - to make a difference in their community. Whereas medication assisted treatment or MAT is effective. 01:12:11.490 --> 01:12:17.357 - and can be integrated into both treatment and support settings to help people in their recovery. MAT 01:12:17.357 --> 01:12:23.339 - services can be integrated into clinical settings, criminal justice system, recovery housing, and peer 01:12:23.339 --> 01:12:29.322 - recovering support programs. Monroe County takes great pride in being a member of the Stride Coalition 01:12:29.322 --> 01:12:34.782 - and providing space in the Stride Center in alternative to incarceration for those in crisis. 01:12:35.170 --> 01:12:39.943 - And Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as we celebrate improvements 01:12:39.943 --> 01:12:44.669 - made by those who are managing other health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and 01:12:44.669 --> 01:12:49.443 - heart disease. And I'll leave the rest for you. And recovery is different for each person. For some, 01:12:49.443 --> 01:12:54.310 - it's absence. For some, it's harm reduction. For some, it's counseling. And for others, it's following 01:12:54.310 --> 01:12:58.942 - a medical regimen. No matter what path one takes, recovery is the process of taking back control. 01:12:59.042 --> 01:13:04.475 - and we seek to end the stigma attached to mental health, challenges and substance use disorders with 01:13:04.475 --> 01:13:10.015 - the goal of making it easier for people to come forward when they're ready. And we firmly believe that 01:13:10.015 --> 01:13:15.502 - recovery is possible for everyone, every person, every family and every community. And as part of our 01:13:15.502 --> 01:13:20.935 - support for those in recovery, this year we are hosting Paint the Town Purple, and it is actually in 01:13:20.935 --> 01:13:26.476 - purple on the proclamation. On Friday, September 18th, 2026, from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m., right here on the 01:13:26.476 --> 01:13:27.390 - courthouse lawn. 01:13:27.874 --> 01:13:32.750 - It's an opportunity to connect with others and celebrate the hard work of recovery of area residents. 01:13:32.750 --> 01:13:37.626 - Now, therefore, we, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, proclaim September twenty twenty six is 01:13:37.626 --> 01:13:42.406 - recovery month in Monroe County, proclaim the seventeenth day of September two thousand twenty six. 01:13:42.406 --> 01:13:47.234 - Sign the Monroe County Board of Commissioners. Excellent. Thank you. Oh, my gosh. I can't believe we 01:13:47.234 --> 01:13:48.190 - almost forgot that. 01:13:48.354 --> 01:13:55.633 - I had it right there. My tongue is not functioning. We're good. We're good. I got it. We got it. But 01:13:55.633 --> 01:14:03.056 - we do hope to see folks in the community tomorrow. It should be a little cooler. We recovered recovery 01:14:03.056 --> 01:14:10.407 - month. Yeah, there you go. All right. Thank you so much. Anything else we forgot to do? Like, OK, no, 01:14:10.407 --> 01:14:18.334 - we're good. All right. With that, we are adjourned. Thank you, everyone. Be well and take care of each other.