PORTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2007
6:00 P.M.

The regular meeting of the Porter County Board of Commissioners convened at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 in the Commissioners’ Chambers of the Administration Center.

Those present were: Commissioners Robert Harper; John Evans and Carole Knoblock; County Attorney Gwenn Rinkenberger, Administrative Assistant Melissa Hartig and Recording Secretary Vi Wagner.


CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE

President Harper called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.


APPROVAL OF PAYROLL

Com. Evans moved to approve the payroll of February 20, 2007, Com. Knoblock seconded, motion carried.


APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Com. Evans moved to approve the minutes of January 9 and January 23, 2007, Com. Knoblock seconded, motion carried.


APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

Com. Evans moved to approve the claims of February 7 and February 15, 2007, Com. Knoblock seconded, motion carried.

APPROVAL OF COURSE FOR VALPO MINI-MARATHON
Bob Paulson, Race Director

Com. Harper, “Is someone here for the request for approval for the Valpo Mini-Marathon? Do you want to come up and tell us a little bit about what you are doing?”

Bob Paulson, “For the running of our Valpo Mini Marathon the proceeds go to a company called Human Race Cares in the local community we are now partnering up with the Y and they are in this also. We are requesting the same course that is USAT Certified. We may look to change that next year, but not at this time. I have listed all my contacts, the only thing that is changed is my meeting with Capt. Nick Floro, that has been moved to this Friday due to our scheduling conflicts.”

Com. Harper, “So you have talked to our Sheriff’s Department? Everything is okay?”

Mr. Paulson, “I’ve talked to the Sheriff’s Department, they said they will provide people to help and I’ve talked to the police department, he is willing to provide people, we just have to iron out the details.”

Com. Evans moved to grant the request, Com. Knoblock seconded, motion carried.

CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER LEASE
Cheryl Polarek, Prosecutor’s office

Com. Harper, “We had the approval of Child’s Advocacy Center on the schedule but Cheryl Polarek, because of a funeral, has asked to re-schedule so we are going to re-schedule for two weeks from tonight.”

APPROVAL OF DISTRICT FEE COLLECTION AGREEMENT
Therese Davis, RWRD

Ms. Davis, “I do believe you have been provided with the bi-annual or semi-annual, I’m sorry, agreement that was presented to the district, Solid Waste District 4 in January and at that time the board signed an agreement for basically it’s a grant between the District and the County Commissioners and entities for the county to collect a user fee on behalf of the District.”

Com. Harper, “Which we approve every year, don’t we?”

Com. Evans, “Every second year.”

Ms. Davis, “Every second year, yes, it’s been an ongoing agreement since the implementation of that fee which is ten years old.”

Com. Harper, “Do I hear a motion or is there any discussion?”

Com. Evans moved to approve the agreement and the schedule, Com. Knoblock seconded, motion carried.

ADOPT OF COUNTY ROAD PROJECT
Therese Davis, RWRD

Ms. Davis, “This is in regards to the results of 2006 for the Adopt a County Road Program. Really, it is in it’s first full year, it started in 2005, but really got off last year. So what I provided for you is an overview of results as well as actual collection dates throughout the year. The overview reflects that 128 miles were covered, trash collected was 320 bags, about 30 gallons each, in each container, recyclables collected 202 bags of the same volume, actual participants were 100, volunteer groups came out several times so actually, 251 bodies were out there but actually repeat so about 100 people participated, 12 groups were represented in that collection process. Funds expended on the program last year were 1,700 and that was mainly for recognition signage to acknowledge those groups that were out there. Then the supporting agencies are listed there, thanks to the Commissioners, the Porter County Court system, the Sheriff’s Department who we worked closely with and PACT to get out to the those individuals to collect trash, the Highway Department, Environmental Department, the District. And our goals for that program for 2007 to have at least one road in each township to be cleaned through the program I think we are not in Washington or Morgan Township and Boone Township at this time. To increase the amount of recyclables collected as opposed to people collecting it as trash recognizing that these are recyclable items, and also to increase the volunteer group participation. I think it is going really well and more people have acknowledged the signs and the program and we have about 4 or 5 groups who have received information but did not sign up for participation yet. I think we are going to increase that.”

Com. Harper, “I think it is a great program, one of the roads happens to be right in front of my house.”

Man in audience, “How’d that happen?”

Com. Harper, “Because the Porter County Young Democrats are doing it, that’s the one they picked to do. But it’s a great program and I think the idea is hopefully we keep doing it year after year after year, we are going to add roads, have more groups take part and so forth. Are you asking us for help this year?”

Ms. Davis, “No, I do believe that earlier in the year you did allocate some funds for that. I just wanted to follow up with you and let you know what the progress was.”
Com. Harper, “I think it’s a great program and for what we put into it we get a lot out of it.”

Ms. Davis, “I agree.”

Com. Harper, “John, Carole, do you want to add anything?”

Com. Knoblock, “No.”

Com. Evans, “I agree, too. The only thing, are the renewable supplies like the vests and stuff like that, they are holding out okay?”

Ms. Davis, “Yes, they are. We have a check out program in that groups that participate come pick them up and then we get them back. Thank you.”


REPORT FROM COMMISSIONERS


Center District: Com. Harper

1. Hampton Manor Subdivision, Performance Letter of Credit #HACH164166OS from Harris Bank in the amount of $70,000.00. Recommend approval.

Com. Harper moved to approve, Com. Evans seconded, motion carried.


CORRESPONDENCE

Treasurer’s monthly report for January 2007 is on file.
Clerk’s monthly report for December 2006 is on file.

Service Agreements with Able Disposal for refuse collection at the following County buildings:

Administration Center
Sheriff’s Garage
Animal Shelter
Courthouse
North County Complex
Opera House
Juvenile Service Center
Long Lake
Long Lake Fishing Access

Com. Evans moved to approve, Com. Knoblock seconded, motion carried.

Approval of proposal for material and labor to install a kitchenette in the Plan Commission Office

Com. Harper, “Which one are we going to use? She’s got several, does she not?”

Ms. Hartig, “There are two.”

Com. Harper, “Does she recommend one?”

Ms. Hartig, “Von Tobel’s was the cheaper of the two and their labor is only $200.00.”

Com. Evans moved to approve, Com. Knoblock seconded, motion carried.

Approval for Valparaiso Parks to conduct concert on east lawn of Courthouse on July 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

Com. Evans moved to approve contingent upon insurance coverage, Com. Knoblock seconded, motion carried.


RESOLUTION NO. 07-02

Com. Harper, “I know Carole’s got a resolution she wants to read.”

Com. Knoblock, “I would appreciate it if the Commissioners would sign this. The resolution says:

Resolution 07-02

WHEREAS, the proposed Illiana Expressway could run through the center of South Porter County;
WHEREAS, the proposed Illiana Expressway and the construction of it will require the taking and loss of hundreds of acres of farm land in South Porter County;
WHEREAS, the proposed building of the Illiana Expressway would encourage rapid residential and commercial development in South Porter County and would completely change the present rural residential atmosphere of South Porter County;
WHEREAS, the building of the proposed Illiana Expressway would hinder the quality of life enjoyed by those in South Porter County;
IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Porter County Board of Commissioners are on record as opposed to this project and call on all the Senators and Representatives in the State of Indiana and especially those from Porter County to take a stand against this project in order to protect the quality of life of the citizens of South Porter County.
s/Robert P. Harper
s/Carole M. Knoblock

Com. Knoblock moved to pass Resolution No. 07-02, Com. Harper seconded,

Com. Harper, “Discussion?”

Com. Evans, “Can I? I am not in favor of the Illiana Expressway going through Porter County. Having said that I am not opposed to the Illiana Expressway providing aid and assistance to our neighboring counties. LaPorte County has a plan that they stand to benefit greatly from some type of construction of an Illiana Expressway for an inter mold district that they are contemplating that connect Illiana and I-94 Toll Road and railroad agencies. Lake County, I don’t think there is any doubt in anybody’s mind that the Illiana Expressway should start at I-65 and go west as far as they want it to do. Although I do kind of object that that would probably become a promoter for the ever maddening and hopefully never constructed Peotone Airport, but I think the Gary Airport is already there and should be considered the third airport and well, that is another subject. But I think that it’s foolish to think that the population bases that it would serve wouldn’t not benefit from it. The Illiana Expressway would certainly benefit those people living in south Lake County from 65 to the west of those road going north and south: Cline, Indianapolis, 65 and what have you and the morning rush and the evening rush are just terribly congested and I think the Illiana would be a benefit there. And to LaPorte County, if they decided it would be a benefit to them. I agree with Senator Heinhold’s proposal that the Illiana, if and when it is constructed, then connect from 65 and go south and not come through Porter County. But I don’t object to the Illiana in any other respect other than I don’t really think that we need it in our county.”

Com. Harper, “I think this resolution talks about south Porter County mainly.”

Com. Evans, “I am not going to vote for the resolution because I think the Illiana itself, we shouldn’t be negative in doing it before the study is done and before all the facts are known. As I said, I am not for the Illiana in Porter County but I think that our neighbors deserve our respect and due diligence in having the study studied, and having it created anyway.”

Com. Harper, “Let me just say this, John. I think this motion talks mainly about south Porter County but it was worded before we saw it and I understand that. The other thing I would say is this, you know it is one thing to say let the study go forward, but that’s not what the legislation is doing. The legislation is giving a go ahead without any way for our state representatives or senators to stop it. In other words, if it is passed, it says in the legislation they can advise, which they can do without saying it in the legislation. So, it is really saying nothing and what it is doing is it is actually passing it. If it was just the study it would be one thing, this is not just a study. This is giving the power to determine whether this road is going to be built or not and where to non elected public officials and I think that is the danger. Do you want to say anything else?”

Com. Evans, “Well, I understand your side, too, but I have to believe that the governor is going to be fair and impartial if he is going to go to the trouble of appointing the study group, I think he is going to hear the results before he makes any decision and I think he will honor that statement that he has made that he is going to listen to what the study group has to say.”

Com. Harper, “Do you want to say anything, Carole?”

Com. Knoblock, “No.”

Motion carried, with Com. Evans voting against.

Ms. Hartig, “Would you like to assign it a resolution number?”

Com. Harper, “Yes, what is it?”

Ms. Hartig, “07-02”


OVERHEAD DOOR IN CLERK’S OFFICE DISCUSSION

Com. Harper, “One other thing that is not on the agenda. We have this problem with the overhead door in the Clerk’s office which is a serious problem. And in fact, I was talking to the Clerk about it again today. We had it with another door over there where these doors, the sliding doors that go up and down when they close for the lunch hour and so forth, and the problem we had with the other one was that it appeared that it might, at some point fall and injure somebody. We have a price to completely replace it which is what we did with the other one. Dale Brewer tells me that it works fine now that we’ve got it done. The price is $5,900.00 and I would like to get the authorization to go ahead and replace that door.”

Com. Evans, “Where would the funds come from?”

Com. Harper, “From our CEDIT Building Maintenance, if that is all right.”

Com. Evans moved to approve the request, Com. Knoblock seconded, motion carried.

Com. Harper, “We are going to replace it, yes? All right. If no one has anything else, we will go right into Plan Commission.”


PLAN COMMISSION-PUBLIC HEARING
Petition to Vacate an Unimproved Road Right of Way located in the First Addition to Roble Woods, Petitioners Christopher and Monica Lovall, represented by Lee Lane, attorney

Com. Harper, “We have a petition to vacate an unimproved road right of way. Do you have anything to do with that? You are not going to speak on that one way or the other?”

Mr. Thompson, “No.”

Com. Harper, “All right. We have a petition.”

Atty. Rinkenberger, “Highway Department usually does that and I faxed it to Dave Schelling and he faxed me back what the Highway Department’s position is on that.”

Com. Harper, “All right. I am sorry, I got mixed up on where we are at. So we have this petition you have filed on behalf of this family to vacate this alleyway?”

Lee Lane, “It’s actually a platted road right of way in the subdivision. Christopher and Monica Lovall own the lots next to that blue highlighted area, the four lots that are in there, and as you can see by what has been highlighted in yellow, these are all the roads that have been vacated in there and they are requesting the vacation of that blue highlighted area adjacent to their property.”

Com. Harper, “And John and Carole, let me just say, I sort of remember this, we did this while I was here, so if I understand this correctly, this little piece, the blue piece they are asking to vacate, because our Highway Department was concerned about what it would do to the road, right? Isn’t that what the Highway Department was concerned about?”

Com. Evans, “The right of way.”

Com. Harper, “The right of way. If I look at this correctly, that right of way has been tore up, all the rest of it is gone already.”

Atty. Lane, “Right, what happened is this road, well actually the old rail road, the Inter Urban, and they’re next to it and that actually is the road. Porter County took over that railroad right of way and that is actually where the road is located. So, that originally platted right of way just west of there is not being used and it has been vacated for years.”

Com. Harper, “Here’s my point, in fact I used to live out there, south of this. This is what the road that curves north from 600, right, up along the lake? My point is that even if the Highway Department is correct that it leaves too little room for the road it’s true of all the rest of the roads. It wouldn’t make a lot of difference. We would have a little bump in the road, do you see what I am saying?”

Com. Evans, “Yes, I do. The only thing is if you look at the piece that connects here, I don’t know if that has some bearing. Actually, what I would like to do is, and I haven’t looked at this, but I did go out and physically walk the other vacations we’ve done out there, and we have done two of them since 2001, and I really would like to postpone this until I could get out there and walk it and take a look at it.”

Atty. Lane, “That’s fine. I can tell you just for your information, when you go out there to take a look, that that angled road running to the north of the property is actually drainage. It’s just a drainage area between lots; it’s vacant; there’s nothing that is happening there other than drainage coming through. This 30 foot area to the south of the property is really a road for the private residences that go through and it dead ends at that area. So, it’s just used by a couple of the home owners who live there and that railroad right of way, the 60 foot wide railroad right of way. So, just for informational purposes, I don’t know if that helps.”

Com. Harper, “Is that railroad right of way not used for a road?”

Atty. Lane, “It is a road, it is the correct road.”

Com. Harper, “Okay.”

Com. Evans, “When you take that out, and there was talk at one time of connecting the bicycle path and walking path to Sunset Hill and I’m not sure where that overlay would come in if it is even still in the works.”

Atty. Lane, “That is why I think they left also open, the distance, that 30 foot, it’s not quite 30, but that angled road that runs northwest-southeast, you know, we’ve angled along that to keep that as open as it is anywhere else in the subdivision, so it wouldn’t be restricting access in any way for anyone at that point.”

Com. Harper, “Let me ask Gwenn. Gwenn, does this meeting, especially if we are going to continue over to the next time, is this meeting a public meeting?”

Com. Evans, “A public hearing. I think we could go ahead with the public hearing and then just postpone it if that’s okay.”

Com. Harper, “Then let’s do that. Is there anyone here to speak either for or against this, would you please, there is a mic there and we ask that you stand under the mic and give your name. It is all the way up front here, and give your name and address and your concerns.”

James Rowe, “My name is James Rowe, I live immediately north of that angled right of way, I own 16 lots right there. That right of way that appears not be being used is drainage for the 40 plus acres in back there, back of my property I have a femoral pond right there. When that drains it drains through the back portion of my yard, through a couple of my lots and into that right of way where the power lines run through right down that right of way. The north and south section that is looking to be vacated, I’ve got nothing to do with that. I don’t mind that, but I would be concerned about it is upcoming then once it is vacated the garage that we built up, it is going to change the flow of water. And if it changes the flow of water, how much further onto my property is it going to be put and when that happens, how much siltation and pollution is going to be going into Long Lake? I’ve been out of town. I’ve got a 24 by 36 inch map of that.”

Com. Harper, “Can you come up for a second and show us?”

Mr. Rowe, “Sure, I can show you what the 16 lots I own, too.”

Com. Harper, “You’re right in here, right?”

Mr. Rowe, “Yep, all fifteen of these and Lot No. 16 right there.”

Com. Harper, “Okay, this has been vacated so this is yours.”

Mr. Rowe, “That’s mine, and this has been vacated.”

Com. Harper, “Who had these vacated?”

Mr. Rowe, “The previous residents, the people I bought the house from had this vacated.”

Com. Harper, “And this little blue area is what they are asking to be vacated?”

Mr. Rowe, “That right there.”

Com. Harper, “Not crossing this, right there.”

Mr. Rowe, “I though that, well, I can’t really read it upside down, because I thought it was being vacated on this west side right here, either way, there is the drainage for the 40 plus acres back here.”

Com. Harper, “The way I understand this vacation is it is not touching that drainage, if this is where that drainage is right there.”

Mr. Rowe, “Right, but if anything goes onto here, the property can be kind of low here. I don’t know if the garage is going to be out here in this corner, that’s all right, but if it is right up to the edge of the property, I doubt if there is going to be an abrupt drop off. It is going to be sloped down and it is going to extend into the right of way, how far over it is going to come, there is a piece of ___ clay tile that was underneath the road right here, the water comes through here, winds back or there is an existing water main right there and I have allowed the water to come across the back of my property right here.”

Com. Harper, “Where’s your house?”

Mr. Rowe, “My house is right here.”

Com. Harper, “Is it a brick house?”

Mr. Rowe, “Yes, it’s a brick house.”

Com. Harper, “I know the place. Thank you very much.”

Mr. Rowe, “Okay, if I can give you any other information, if this is going to be postponed, I will gladly talk with whoever else because I would like to find more information. I just flew in from Connecticut last evening.”

Com. Harper, “We are going to have a second hearing on this, we are going to have another meeting on this in two weeks.”

Mr. Rowe, “Fantastic. I appreciate the opportunity to express my opinion.”

Com. Harper, “All right. Anyone else that wants to talk for or against. Then I will close the public hearing. Do you want to respond to that now or wait until next week, or two weeks?”

Atty. Lane, “I will go ahead and just again reiterate the fact that, I mean, the streets have been vacated for all of the people all along that road basically, except for (inaudible)… and I understand the remonstrators’ position and concern but he has also received the benefit of the vacation of those two streets on his property for drainage purposes and otherwise for his property. I don’t think it would interfere with the drainage, we’ve purposely kept that clear and any other further discussion I will be happy to have with you after you have had a chance to . . . “

Com. Harper, “I think by next time you should talk to the Plan Commission to see what setbacks and so forth are required on that lot so you can answer his questions about whatever you are going to do and where it goes.”

Atty. Lane, “Okay.”

Com. Harper, “Anything else, John?”

Com. Evans, “Your clients own Lot 3 and 5, both?”

Atty. Lane, “They are actually 31, 32 and everything is kind of getting renumbered around there, but yes, actually, all of those lots, 44, 45, 46, in that fold section in there, 44, 45, 46, 32 and 31.”

Com. Evans, “And the plan would be to build a garage on one of those or both of those?”

Atty. Lane, “Their intent is to tear down the house that they currently have there and put up a new house. Their thought is to build a new house at the same time, a modular home, at the same time that their house is, that they can live there and then as soon as it is completed, to tear it down, the house they are currently living in. So, they have a septic system that’s located on the back of 45 and 46 and so they would be able to comply with having the extra space and doing that and expanding 31 and 32 with their new construction.”

Com. Evans, “I just want to walk it and make sure that I am clear.”

Com. Evans moved to postpone this to our next meeting with the public hearing closed, Com. Knoblock seconded, motion carried.

Rezone-AG to RR, Robert and Helen Surman, Owners, 2nd reading

Mr. Thompson, “This is Plan Commission 07-01, Petitioner Robert and Helen Surman requesting a parcel of land that is zoned AG, Agriculture and Open Space to be amended to RR, Rural Residential This is the second reading.”

Com. Harper, “John wasn’t here for this. What was the vote from Plan Commission?”

Mr. Thompson, “Vote from Plan Commission was 9-0 as a favorable recommendation for this rezoning.”

Com. Knoblock moved to approve the rezone, Com. Evans seconded, motion carried.

Com. Harper, “Anything else? The Unified Development Ordinance hearing got continued because of the snow? Or no, they didn’t, did they. We held them and . . .”

Mr. Thompson, “The maps, there is a map hanging out there, also the disposal map is there.”

Com. Harper, “There’s two more meetings set up for the public that we are going to have hearings on that or not? Do you have the dates on those yet?”

Mr. Thompson, “We are going to hold one on March 8, Thursday, March 8th, and I am holding a meeting with Indiana Farm Bureau tomorrow night.”

Com. Harper, “And maps are available, they are on the site, to be picked up and seen.”

Mr. Thompson, “They are on the website.”

Com. Harper, “Have the Commissioners each got a colored map yet?”

Mr. Thompson, “I will see to it that they each get one. We did most everything on line. There’s been a couple ….”

Com. Harper, “Where did you get one? I want one. Anything else?”


NORTH COUNTY HIGHWAY GARAGE PROPERTY DISCUSSION

Com. Evans, “I would like to suggest that we have our attorney actively pursue the acquisition of the property in north Porter County adjacent to our existing county Highway Garage for the purpose of making that facility workable, livable, and to put an addition on up there.”

Com. Harper, “I think we should find out how much it is going to cost, because I think there is, Al told me there is a possibility we might tear down what we have and build it on the property we have.”

Com. Evans, “Even if we do, we still need to, that property, that entire property that it’s adjacent to, other than the one little house right by it, is for sale and I think that we would be doing everybody a favor if we acquired the property immediately to the east to the tree line along the railroad tracks because we could make a decent enough offer there to divide whatever gets built up there, a site lock, and the condition of the property would allow the yard to be much better.”

Com. Harper, “How much property are we talking about?”
Com. Evans, “What do you think? You need 3 more acres, 4 more acres up there to make a decent yard or a little bit more than that?”

David James, “That’s minimum.”

Com. Evans, “And you know where I am talking about? From the east of the existing property to the tree line and the width of what we have now, what would you guess?”

Mr. James, “If we could square it off, basically, instead of pie shaped that we have now. It would probably be 3 or 4 acres. But I don’t think we can get that, if they divide that up like that. The problem is, we’ve got the salt dome there and we hate to abandon it. If we do build somewhere else we won’t move the salt dome, we will have to go there.”

Com. Evans, “And I don’t know that the idea, unless I am way off base, is to build a facility similar or just like we have in south county that was the most recent addition to the county’s highway garages. And that seems to work very adequately. That will give them the possibility of using the existing brick buildings if they’re salvageable, I mean, the facilities up there don’t even have doors on them, when they work on trucks, they have to change them one at a time. It’s so dark and dingy in there and dirty and greasy, and we really need to do something. My fear is that the property is going to change hands before we are able to do something as far as acquire some additional property to build on.”

Com. Harper, “But, John, I agree with you, the garage is not… people shouldn’t even be working in it and it’s got to be replaced. But, I want to see some figures; how much is it going to cost and where the money is going to come from to build this building and so forth. I think we should move forward with the project, okay? But I just don’t want to say we are going to run out…”

Atty. Rinkenberger, “We can’t under the law.”

Com. Harper, “I understand that, we need to sit down here a second and say what’s this project going to cost, how much land are we going to acquire, I think we should move on it, I agree with you.”

Com. Evans, “The property is for sale, so I don’t want to see us lose.”

Atty. Rinkenberger, “How much do we need? I think we have been talking about this for a long, long time. The surveyor needs to go out there with somebody from the Highway Department and tell us how much of the property do we need, we need a legal description of the size of the parcel we want and then once we can do that, then we have to hire two appraisers to give us an appraised value of the property and then we can move forward and buy it. But, right now I don’t know if the parcel they have for sale is 40 acres and we want more. . . .”

Com. Evans, “No, they have 120.”

Atty. Rinkenberger, “We’re not going to buy 120, are we?”

Com. Evans, “No.”

Atty. Rinkenberger, “All right. So to proceed, the Highway Department has to get together with the surveyor, go out there, figure out how much property you want, have him survey it, give the Commissioners a legal description of it, and then we will have it appraised. Then we can try and make some offers on it if the appraisal value is appropriate. But, until somebody does that, we can talk about this for years.”

Com. Evans, “Well, I think we need to quit talking and get it done so, David, would you be responsible for contacting the surveyor and getting him out there to take a look through this.”

Atty. Rinkenberger, “Somebody from the Highway Department that has some authority, you know, you should go to the head of the North District, and Al, and maybe John, and go out there and walk it off and figure out and survey what it is that we want so I have a legal description. Is there a home on it? And then from there we can get appraisers and then answer our question on how much it will cost.”

Com. Evans, “And I think other than the land cost the building cost could be pretty accurately figured given that we have a very good example to work from with South County.”

Atty. Rinkenberger, “Yes, we just did the Environmental.”

Com. Evans, “And I just don’t think we want to continue to wait around.”

Com. Harper, “John, I don’t either, but there’s a way you’ve got to do it. I agree with you. Carole and I have been out there, I don’t know if you were out there with us, we’ve been out there, the building is falling down; people should not be working in the buildings, so we’ve got to do something. But, we’ve got to do it in an orderly fashion.”

Com. Evans, “Okay, so David, you will do that for us, get a hold of the surveyor and go out there and you guys get a look and I think Kevin could probably write us a legal description, then we will approach the owner and get our appraisals and go from there.”

Com. Knoblock moved to recess, Com. Evans seconded, motion carried.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PORTER COUNTY, INDIANA


Robert P. Harper
John A. Evans
Carole M. Knoblock


Attest: James K. Kopp, Auditor