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Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners Meeting Agenda

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AGENDA Of The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners

February 5, 2019, At 3:00 pm, Room 301

  1. Call to Order
  2. Attendance
  3. Pledge of Allegiance
  4. Action Items 
    1. First Reading of Vacation Ordinance CO.V-02-19-001 & Permission to Advertise Notice of Public Hearing
    2. Resolution CO.R-02-19-003: Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals Attorney 
    3. Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Design of a Proposed Expansion of the Vanderburgh County Jail 
    4. County Auditor: Permission to Advertise the 2018 Statement of Receipts & Expenditures Legal Ad
    5. County Health Department
      1. Opioid Crisis Presentation 
      2. Memorandum of Understanding 2019 Vanderburgh County Health Department Lead Hazards Reduction Demonstration Program 
      3. Evansville Courier and Press Advertising Services Agreement 2019 
      4. Dietetic Internship Contract with Murray State University
    6. Burdette Park: 2019 Marketing Contract 
    7. Old National Events Plaza: Engagement Letter
  5. Department Head Reports
  6. New Business
  7. Old Business
  8. Consent Items
    1. Approval of January 29, 2019 Meeting Minutes
    2. Employment Changes 
    3. Township Trustee Standards 2019
      1. Armstrong 
      2. Union 
      3. Perry
    4. County Health Department: Travel Request 
    5. Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana: January 2019 Monthly Report 
    6. County Auditor: Claims Voucher Report for 1/28/19-2/1/19 
    7. County Engineering
      1. Department Report 
      2. Pay Request #52 U.S. 41 Expansion T.I.F. for the sum of $54,849.84
      3. Claims
    8. County Commissioners: Appropriation Request Change of Venue 
  9. Public Comment
  10. Adjournment

A Message from Sheriff Dave Wedding Concerning Where He Stands On Gun Control

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FEBRUARY 4, 2019

I was recently quoted in a Courier and Press article, entitled “Vanderburgh Sheriff Wedding Wades into Hot-Button Gun Rights Dispute“. I appreciate that reporter Tom Langhorne has covered this topic and would encourage you to read the full article as well as my message concerning where I stand on the issue of gun control.

As a long term National Rifle Association (NRA) member and supporter, I believe in gun owner rights. As an avid outdoors-man I also believe in hunter’s rights and as a 37 year veteran of law enforcement, I believe in the right to self-defense. I donate to NRA causes, help sponsor the local NRA banquet and support the NRA’s mission to protect the 2nd Amendment. With over 5 million members, the NRA is indeed a powerful voice for gun rights supporters. That voice is not always unanimous, however, as public polling has consistently shown that 70 to 80 percent of NRA members support universal background checks for gun ownership. Among the broad spectrum of NRA members, I fall into that majority category.

As Sheriff, I will always support the 2nd Amendment. I also support all the other 27 amendments, including the 1st Amendment (free speech), the 4th Amendment (protection from unreasonable searches) and the 6th Amendment (Rights of Criminal Defendants). With the guidance and oversight of our independent judiciaries, our elected government officials and law enforcement officers apply these amendments to everyday life during the course of each citizen’s interaction with the state.

Both locally and nationally, few issues engender such fierce debate as the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The meaning of the amendment’s 27 words, written nearly 230 years ago, continue to inspire impassioned arguments today. To be clear, the bill before the Indiana House of Representatives does not seek to expand or restrict who is eligible to obtain a handgun permit. Indiana House Bill 1643 does aim to defund the current gun permit statute in Indiana by abolishing the application fee. Of this bill, NRA-ILA Indiana State Director Chris Kopacki was quoted as saying, “There is no good reason why an honest, hard-working gun owner should be forced to pay $125 to exercise a fundamental right that ought to free…”

Both locally and nationally, few issues engender such fierce debate as the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The meaning of the amendment’s 27 words, written nearly 230 years ago, continue to inspire impassioned arguments today. To be clear, the bill before the Indiana House of Representatives does not seek to expand or restrict who is eligible to obtain a handgun permit. Indiana House Bill 1643 does aim to defund the current gun permit statute in Indiana by abolishing the application fee. Of this bill, NRA-ILA Indiana State Director Chris Kopacki was quoted as saying, “There is no good reason why an honest, hard-working gun owner should be forced to pay $125 to exercise a fundamental right that ought to free…”

So where do I stand? I stand with legal and responsible gun owners and support both their right to hunt and their right to self-protection. I also stand with non-gun owners who don’t want to pay for someone else to carry a handgun in public.

And finally, I stand with my fellow law enforcement officers whose safety is enhanced by the current Indiana State Police gun permit system. The system can instantly notify one of my deputies if a suspicious person he or she is dealing with at 2 AM on a deserted county road is properly vetted and licensed to carry the handgun in their possession.

Sincerely,

Dave Wedding

Sheriff of Vanderburgh County

 

 

Evansville Teachers FCU Offers Ten $5,000 Scholarships

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Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union is accepting applications for the Ted Hitch Scholarship, which annually awards ten $5,000 grants to graduating high school seniors.

This year’s deadline is March 1, 2019, with the application and information available at etfcu.org/scholarship. Completed applications can be mailed to 4401 Theater Drive, P.O. Box 5129, Evansville, IN 47716-5129 or dropped off at any of ETFCU’s 14 branch locations.

Winners last year came from nine different schools in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

The scholarships are named in honor of Theodore “Ted” Hitch Jr., a longtime mathematics teacher who championed education and became president of ETFCU after his retirement from teaching at Evansville Bosse High School. Mr. Hitch passed away in 2016.

Applicants must be members or related to a member of the credit union.

“Right To Life Of Southwest Indiana” To Hold Press Conference Today In Evansville

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 Right to Life of Southwest Indiana To Hold Cress Conference Today In Evansville On Tuesday, February 5 To Discuss Planned Parenthood Merger

Right to Life of SW Indiana is expressing concern over the recently announced merger of Planned Parenthood chapters. The Indiana, Kentucky Chapter is merging with the Planned Parenthood Western Alliance.

“This will bring millions of dollars into promoting the pro-abortion movement in Indiana and Kentucky,” said Right to Life of SW Indiana Executive Director Mary Ellen Van Dyke. “Their press release refers to donors that want to fund abortion clinics and lobbying in the Midwest.”

One only needs to look to the bill passed in New York allowing full term abortions to see that the pro-abortion movement is supporting the killing of babies at birth. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, who received $2 million dollars in donations from Planned Parenthood, supported a similar bill.

Van Dyke says, “We are prepared to fight against any efforts to expand or promote abortion clinics.” She encourages all pro-life supporters to participate in Right to Life activities and keep in contact with lawmakers to remind them of the importance of protecting life.

Details:

Date:                Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Time:                2:30 p.m.

Location:          20 NW 3rdth Street Suite 810 (Fifth/Third Bank Building)

Evansville, IN  47708

 

Indiana, Kentucky Join Planned Parenthood’s Western Alliance

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Indiana, Kentucky Join Planned Parenthood’s Western Alliance

Il for www.theindianalawyer.com

Planned Parenthood’s affiliate overseeing Hawaii and three western states announced Friday that it was adding Indiana and Kentucky, a first-of-its-kind consolidation based not on geography but on reallocating resources to fight new abortion restrictions in the Midwest and South.

The arrangement by the women’s health nonprofit places Indiana and Kentucky under a Seattle-based affiliate that currently oversees clinics in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, and western Washington.

Chris Charbonneau, the CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands, said her group has an annual budget of about $70 million. She said its donors wanted to help Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky.

In recent years, that Indianapolis-based group has faced the legal costs of challenging far-reaching limits on abortion rights sought by Republican lawmakers in both states — including a proposed bill before Kentucky’s Legislature that would ban abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.

“They feel like other parts of the country have a tougher row to hoe and they’re looking forward to supporting this effect,” Charbonneau said of the donors. “… The political environments in Indiana and Kentucky have been particularly oppressive and they’ve made getting health care to low-income people in the states difficult.”

Planned Parenthood said the arrangement is the first such alliance for the health care organization. The boards of the two groups this week unanimously approved a “strategic alliance” that takes effect Saturday. Charbonneau will be the CEO of both groups.

She said the alliance will also help provide reproductive health care and other services in Indiana and Kentucky, with an expansion of services being eyed in both states.

Charbonneau said the new entity will have a combined annual budget of between $80 million and $90 million and will serve more 164,000 patients annually at 45 health centers across six states. Sixteen of those health centers are in Indiana and two are in Kentucky.

Planned Parenthood provides an array of health services, including Pap tests, breast and testicular exams, STD testing and treatment, birth control and pregnancy tests. It also provides abortion services, which has made it a target for anti-abortion and conservative groups.

Mike Fichter, the president and CEO of Indiana Right to Life, said in a statement that the alliance between the two Planned Parenthood groups “places a target on unborn children in Indiana and Kentucky by bringing in millions of dollars from far away states to influence policy and expand abortions.”

“… We believe this merger underscores Planned Parenthood’s intent to expand abortions which are central to its revenue stream,” he said.

Kentucky is embroiled in three abortion-related lawsuits. Two other abortion-related laws in the state have been struck down by the courts, including one that had required doctors to perform ultrasounds and show and describe the ultrasound images to pregnant women, who could avert their eyes. GOP Gov. Matt Bevin has appealed in both cases.

Legislation passed by Indiana lawmakers has also led to a series of court fights, including a law Vice President Mike Pence signed when he was governor that would ban abortions for fetal genetic abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. Another provision of that 2016 law would have required burial or cremation of aborted fetuses, but federal courts have blocked those provisions as unconstitutional.

In Indiana, Planned Parenthood offers abortion services at clinics in Indianapolis, Merrillville, Bloomington and Lafayette; it operates no abortion clinics in Kentucky — which has only one abortion clinic — but is seeking license to perform abortions at its Louisville and Lexington clinics, said Judi Morrison, the Indiana-Kentucky group’s vice president of education, human resources and training.

The Indiana and Kentucky affiliates merged nearly six years ago, part of an ongoing trend for Planned Parenthood. The national organization once had more than 200 affiliates, but there are now 53 nationwide due to consolidations, said Andrew Everett, a spokesman for Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands.

Charbonneau said the growing costs of providing health care have driven the consolidations. She said the alliance will reduce the cost of electronic medical records, laboratory testing and other overhead costs for the two groups.

“It is radically expensive to provide health care in America today and everyone looks for every opportunity to shave costs out of their system in order to be able to continue to do their work,” she said.

Governments Hiding Indebtedness Gets Harder

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Governments Hiding Indebtedness Gets Harder
by Gail Riecken, CCO Statehouse Editor

The State Board of Accounts has been doing its job. About four years back the SBOA successfully advocated legislation to ensure responsible accounting procedures for governments whose books they review. It was a good start, but surely, did not go far enough.

SB 608 is the SBOA bill this session and it is the kind of legislation I like to see. SB 608  is in response to public concern over the increasing indebtedness of local government. Among the requirements of the bill, a new comprehensive report is going to be required for the public.

Here is the summary from the Fiscal Report on the bill.

Debt Capacity Analysis Report:

The bill provides that, before a political subdivision that is subject to audit by the SBOA may issue or guarantee any debt obligation, the fiscal officer of the political subdivision must first prepare a debt capacity analysis report (report) and present the report to the fiscal body of the political subdivision in a public hearing.

It requires the SBOA, with the assistance of the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF), to prescribe a standard form report that must be used by a fiscal officer in the presentation. The bill requires the report to include a determination of the percentage of the political subdivision’s total debt obligations (including guarantees) compared to the political subdivision’s prospective revenue available for debt service.

The SBOA continues to show just how important they are by getting this legislation on the floor of the Senate (could be heard as early as this next week ). It will take grassroots support to get this bill adopted and then sent on to the House where it can receive another battle. This is year city councils are on the chopping block, so ask them where they stand. Ask them to call their Senator.

The Latest Edition of the Indiana State Police Road Show

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Catch the latest edition of the “Indiana State Police Road Show” radio program every Monday morning at your convenience.

This week’s show features retired First Sergeant Rich Myers who is currently the Morgan County Sheriffs. Myers was the host of the Indiana State Police Road Show for several years. Also joining the show is Captain David Bursten.

You can view the show on the Indiana State Police YouTube Channel at: State Police Road Show Guest Sheriff Rich Myers

The radio program was titled “Signal-10” in the early 1960’s when it was first started by two troopers in northern Indiana. The name was later changed to the “Indiana State Police Road Show” and is the longest continuously aired state police public service program in Indiana.

Radio stations across Indiana and the nation are invited to download and air for FREE this public service program sponsored by the Indiana State Police Alliance and Cops for Kids, a subsidiary of the Indiana State Police Alliance. For more information about the sponsor visit: Indiana State Police Alliance Cops for Kids Program

Otters sign Seeburger, Wood; acquire Browne

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The Evansville Otters have signed left-hander pitcher Brett Seeburger and catcher Hunter Wood and acquired left-handed pitcher P.J. Browne from the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association.
Seeburger comes to Evansville after a collegiate career at San Diego State University from 2014-2017 and spending the last two years in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
“Brett should prove to be a very capable left-handed pitcher for us,” said Otters manager Andy McCauley. “We are really impressed with his strikeout-to-walk ratio.”
In two seasons in the Cardinals’ farm system, Seeburger recorded a 2.83 ERA in 28.2 innings pitched and 14 games played while striking out 29 batters.
For the Aztecs, Seeburger earned 16 wins in 69 games played while accumulating 176 strikeouts in 231.2 innings pitched.
“He had a number of different opportunities, but we are very pleased he chose Evansville,” said McCauley. “We look forward to working with him this spring.”
Wood arrives in Evansville after spending two years with the Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers of the United Shore Professional Baseball League.
In two years with the Beavers, Wood hit a combined six home runs, had 28 RBIs, and scored 26 runs in 60 games played.
“Hunter was highly recommended by a former player,” said McCauley. “He has had great years in the USPBL and we hope he can continue that success here.”
“I’m looking forward to getting this opportunity to play for a first-class organization,” said Wood. “I’m excited to go out there and help win ball games both behind the plate and in the batter’s box.”
Wood played collegiately at Western Kentucky University where he was a 2017 Johnny Bench Award semifinalist, which recognizes the top catcher in NCAA-DI baseball.
During his senior season at WKU, Wood led the team with a .313/.386/.523 slash line, batting .348 with runners on base, and ranked top ten in the nation with 21 runners caught stealing.
“I’m excited to help the team reach its end goal of the 2019 season, bringing another Frontier League championship to Evansville,” said Wood.
Meanwhile, Browne was acquired in a trade with the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association. Winnipeg acquired relief pitcher Mitchell Aker from the Otters to complete the deal.
In his first season of professional baseball with Winnipeg, Browne posted a 3.74 ERA in 33.2 innings pitched, including four starts and a total of 16 appearances. The southpaw also struck out 17 batters.
“P.J. was on our radar last year and at the time, we didn’t have an open roster spot,” said McCauley. “I recommended him to Winnipeg where he threw very well for a rookie in an advanced league.”
“I’m excited to be a part of the organization this season and going after a league championship,” said Browne.
Browne played collegiately at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass. During his career with the Warriors, Browne was 18-12 with two saves and a 3.37 ERA in 38 starts and five relief appearances at Merrimack from 2015-18.
He finished his college career as Merrimack’s all-time leader in wins, strikeouts (266), and innings pitched (256.1).
“We look forward to seeing him throw this spring,” said McCauley.
The Otters will open the 25th season celebration against the Southern Illinois Miners on May 10 at Bosse Field.

HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE

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PSE MAIL PROCESSING CLERK
United States Postal Service 3.6/5 rating   19,141 reviews  – Evansville, IN
Please ensure you can receive email messages from our test vendor and follow instructions carefully so you can be….
Jan 31
MAIL HANDLER ASSISTANT
United States Postal Service 3.6/5 rating   19,141 reviews  – Evansville, IN
$16 an hour
Please ensure you can receive email messages from our test vendor and follow instructions carefully so you can be. Weigh incoming sacks;…
Jan 31
Mate
IRHR – Evansville, IN
$200 – $250 a day
Valid Driver’s License. Driver’s License (Required). Supervises and assists deckcrew in general maintenance of the boat such as painting, chipping, and cleaning…
Easily apply
Feb 1
Administrative Aide Part-Time
Vanderburgh County Health Department – Evansville, IN
$11 an hour
Duties include but not limited to scheduling appointments, checking clients in, verifying insurance, processing paperwork and entering information into…
Easily apply
Jan 31
Receptionist
O’Bryan Barrel Company – Evansville, IN
Strong, stable reconditioning company in Evansville, Indiana is looking for a passionate, dedicated individual to join our team as a receptionist….
Easily apply
Jan 29
Accounts Payable Clerk
Evansville, IN – Evansville, IN
Respond to state audit requests. Candidates should be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and have strong data entry experience….
Easily apply
Feb 1
HR Recruiter
RC Beverage – Evansville, IN
$45,000 a year
Design and implement overall recruiting strategy. SHRM-CP or Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification preferred….
Easily apply
Jan 30

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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 Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.

David Aubrey Myers: Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon (Level 4 Felony), Possession of methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 5 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 5 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Class A misdemeanor)

Stacy Lynn Cunningham: Conspiracy Dealing in marijuana (Level 6 Felony), Dealing in marijuana (Level 6 Felony), Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substances (Level 6 Felony)

Chance Brennan Bethe: Conspiracy Dealing in marijuana (Level 6 Felony), Dealing in marijuana (Level 6 Felony), Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substances (Level 6 Felony)

Roger D. Baldock: Domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury (Level 5 Felony)

Jazlyn Savannah Shell: Strangulation (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)

Michael Ray Coburn: Operating a motor vehicle after forfeiture of license for life (Level 5 Felony), Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), False informing (Class B misdemeanor), Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)

Tavion Keith Ford: Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 4 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 5 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 5 Felony), Resisting law enforcement (Level 6 Felony)

Jason Alan Greenlee: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Strangulation (Level 6 Felony)

Michael L. Mayes: Intimidation (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor), Interference with the reporting of a crime (Class A misdemeanor)

Gene Austin Goodwin: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony)

Michael D. Hemmings: Unlawful possession of syringe (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a narcotic drug (Level 6 Felony)

Dan Paul Sims: Operating a vehicle with an ACE of 0.15 or more (Level 6 Felony)

Lisa Renea King: Operating a vehicle with a schedule I or II controlled substance or its metabolite in the body (Level 6 Felony)

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