HOWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - SPECIAL CALLED MEETING –

JULY 10, 2003

The Howard County Board of Commissioners met in Special Session on Thursday, July 10, 2003, at 9:00 a.m. in Hearing Room No. 338 of the Howard County Administration Center. President Bradley J. Bagwell and Member Paul J. Raver were in attendance. Also present were County Attorney Larry Murrell, and Auditor Martha Lake. Vice President John B. Harbaugh was unable to attend the meeting.

The meeting was called in order to consider acceptance of quotes for new Sheriff’s Department vehicles and any business in regard to flood emergency matters. Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting held on July 7th, 2003 was deferred until the next regular meeting scheduled for July 21st, 2003.

Sheriff Marshall Talbert called the meeting to order and President Bradley J. Bagwell conducted the meeting.

# As a matter of proper procedure, President Bradley J. Bagwell

vacated the chair when necessary in order to carry out the business of the

County in the absence of Commissioner Vice President John B. Harbaugh.

IN THE MATTER OF SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT – NEW VEHICLE QUOTES:

(See page 2, July 7th, 2003 minutes, “In the Matter of Sheriff Department Issues”, Item 7, for related discussion)

Sheriff Marshall Talbert proposes to purchase two administrative pursuit vehicles and one road pursuit vehicle. Two administrative Ford Crown Victoria vehicles will then be reassigned to road patrol. Quotes were requested from Brad Howell Ford, Button Motors Dodge, Kokomo Auto World, and Bloomington Ford. Three of the quotes were submitted. Brad Howell Ford chose not to submit a quote.

Kokomo Auto World, Inc. 2004 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (with power seat) $27,187.00

Less Discount - $ 5,336.00

Difference Price $21,852.25

Bloomington Ford 2004 Ford Crown Victoria (without power seat) $22,227.25

Ericks Chevrolet, Inc. 2003 Impala Police Package – GM Sandrift color with $19,067.15

Indiana State Sheriff Association Decals

Less Trade In -$ 4,000.00

Difference Price $15,067.15

2003 Impala Police Package - Demonstrator $23,283.51

Less Trade In -$ 4,000.00

Difference Price $19,283.51

Sheriff Talbert indicated he would like to purchase one 2004 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor from Kokomo Auto World and two 2003 Impala Police Package vehicles from Ericks Chevrolet, Inc. Kokomo Auto World will need to order the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria. The two Impalas from Ericks Chevrolet are ready for immediate delivery as soon as the graphics are placed on the vehicles.

Brad Howell Ford advised they could not order one single two-tone car, a minimum of five must be ordered. If the Sheriff’s Department purchases cars next year, Brad Howell Ford would like to be included again. There is about $92,000 in the automotive budget and once the three cars are purchased, the department should not need to purchase any more vehicles in 2003.

Sheriff Talbert commented that moving the Crown Victorias currently parking at the jail to road patrol will save the County about $2,000.00 per vehicle.

Mr. Raver made a motion to approve the purchase of two 2003 Impalas Police Package vehicles - GM Sandrift color with Indiana State Association Decals; the dealer to install full size tires at a price of $19,067.15 minus $4,000.00 trade in for each vehicle resulting in a total of $15,067.15 for each vehicle from Ericks Chevrolet, Inc. in Kokomo and as being the lowest responsible and responsive quote. Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion, and it carried.

Mr. Raver made a motion to approve the purchase of the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor from Kokomo Auto World, Inc. because this is the lowest responsible and responsive quote at a base price of $27,187.00 minus a discount of $5,336.00, for a total price of $21,852.25 minus any trade in. Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion, which carried.

IN THE MATTER OF POLICY ON TAKE-HOME POLICE VEHICLES:

(See page 2, July 7th, 2003 minutes, “In the Matter of Sheriff Department Issues”, Item 6, for related discussion)

Major Steve Rogers completed some research on previous polices regarding take home cars. The Commissioners were provided with a written report on Major Roger’s research.

IN THE MATTER OF EMERGENCY ISSUES:

1. Jane Fallon, of the Howard County Solid Waste Department contacted Mr. Raver asking if there was anything that department could do to help with the flood issues. Mr. Bagwell suggested that the Solid Waste Department could come up ideas regarding how to help citizens dispose of their flood damaged furniture and other large items. The County Highway is not responsible to pick up these items.

2. Commissioner Bagwell expressed concern that a local publisher stated that the Governor declared Kokomo and Howard County a “disaster area” resulting from a single call from only one of our State Representatives. Mr. Bagwell commented that there has been a combined effort of City, County, and State and U.S. officials making several calls to actually accomplish the declaration of a “disaster area”. Mr. Bagwell recognized and commended Mayor James Trobaugh, Congressman Dan Burton, Congressman Chocola, State Senator Jeff Drozda,, Howard County Highway Department, Sheriff’s Department, and all those who dedicated time in and effort surveying the damages and working to help with the flooding disaster.

3. WIOU-WZWZ Radio News Amber Stearns apologized on behalf of the radio station for the confusion on Saturday, July 5th in regard to the state of emergency declaration. Ms. Stearns gave a detailed explanation on what the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allows broadcast stations to do. According to the FCC guidelines, an EAS can be triggered on three levels: Federal, State, and Local. Only two individuals on the local level, the Sheriff and local Emergency Management Agency Director, are permitted to call for the EAS tones to and issue an alert for a Civil State of Emergency.

Mr. Bagwell explained one individual cannot issue a notice of a Civil Emergency. It takes a group of City and County officials to call together in declaring a State of Emergency. One of the goals is to work together on how emergency notifications can be issued quicker in the event of an emergency.

4. Sheriff Talbert commended Conservation Officer Dirk Harris’ helping the Sheriff’s Department with the emergency. Officer Harris using his four-wheel drive Ford Expedition and boat. Also, the Indiana State Police phoned to offer the use of their helicopter.

5. The flooding caused a lot of crop damage. Mr. Bagwell stated that farmers who have crop damage need to report the losses to the Howard County Extension Office.

There being no further business before the Board at this time, Mr. Raver made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Bagwell seconded the motion and it carried. The meeting closed at 9:35 a.m.

THE HOWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

___________________________________________

BRADLEY J. BAGWELL, PRESIDENT

___________________________________________

JOHN B. HARBAUGH, VICE PRESIDENT

___________________________________________

PAUL J. RAVER, MEMBER

ATTEST:

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MARTHA J. LAKE, AUDITOR

Commissioner Special Meeting Minutes, July 9, 2003