The Starke County Commissioners held a meeting Monday April 21st and covered a lot of ground.
In regards to highway bids, three bids were received for the Crossing Grand. Reith Riley bid $867,866.81; E&B Paving bid $1,074,773,80; and Milestone Contractors bid $949,000. The bids were taken to another room to be reviewed for accuracy and it was stated that the topic would be re-visited later in the meeting.
Next Nancy Coad with EMS submitted the receipt report. Jim Garner, EMS Director, submitted his March report which is on file. Garner recommended accepting the bid from McQueen in the amount of $166,106 for a 2027 ambulance chassis. He has approximately $66,000 to use towards this from an insurance reimbursement for a wrecked one. Don Binkley moved to take the balance from the Cumulative Capital Development Fund pending council approval, and the motion was seconded and approved.
Garner also submitted a flyer that he intends to distribute around town for the 50th anniversary of the county taking over EMS. They are requesting donations for help with equipment, supplies, and etc. The motion to approve the flyer passed.
Additionally, Garner discussed holding a t-shirt selling fundraiser with the 50-year logo on it, which was also approved.
In regards to the Starke County Youth Club, the Commissioners heard a report on the local youth enrichment organization, including note that their radiothon here on WKVI will be on May 2nd. Starke County Youth Club reported that they are hoping to raise $55,000 dollars this year, and they requested the commissioners’ support.
In regards to the concrete approval for Bison placement, Rick Green, Maintenance, submitted the concrete quote for the Bison placement in the amount of $4,885. Commissioner Binkley moved to approve pending council approval, and stated he wanted the ADA request and the memorials brought before the council again as previously approved out of the Cumulative Capital Development Fund. He noted this should be done either first or at the same time as the Bison pad, as a package. The motion passed.
Next, Recorder Mandy Thompson submitted the IC Code on preparing and preserving records and improvements on record keeping systems and equipment. Commissioner Binkley suggested removing the existing wall and building a new wall with shelves all the way up. Rick Green, Maintenance, said that would require a permit from the City. The commissioners asked Rick to check with the City Inspector on this item, and made a plan to walk up after the meeting and look at the area before adjourning.
In response to archiving social media, the City IT Director Stanley Budd recommended Marsh to do this as he felt they offered the best quote. The commissioners were told that if they approved 1 year, it would cost $2,135.50; or 3 years would be $5,568.83, which comes out to $1,856.28 per year. It was noted that if the City terminates at any time, their information would be sent back to them. The 3-year contract was approved pending council approval.
In response to the Planning Commission Ordinance #12 of 2025, Planning Commission Mary Beaver submitted the ordinance regarding members attending meetings via zoom or other electronics. The motion was approved.
Commissioner VanDeMark stated that they were still trying to establish a policy regarding solar and that they would mention it at that evening’s council meeting.
Following this, Surveyor Gwen Rentz and Park Director Amie Flora requested permission to allow Amie to use the Polaris Ranger when needed. They noted they would still let EMS have access. The motion was approved with it being clarified that only Amie with the Park could drive it.
Next the commissioners heard from Jim Garner, Assistant Fire Chief of California Township; Victoria Chessor, EMA Director; and Sheri Bartoli, California Township trustee. They requested that the Bass Lake Siren be replaced, specifically the broken one at the California Township Fire Station. Commissioner Binkley wanted to know if the new siren could be put at the beach, but was told that would be North Bend Township. Bartoli requested the siren be on the current tower where the old one is currently located. She stated that it hasn’t worked for 6 years. The siren would cost $9,900 to replace and would likely come out of the fire fund. Councilman Dave Pearman noted that any time you put something on a county-owned tower, you need an engineer to approve it due to a liability.
When asked about the distance for the siren, Commissioners were told it was comparable to the previous one; just more modern and lighter weight. Bartoli stated that the process could be started within a few days’ time.
Next, County Health Nurse Frank Lynch presented a memorandum of understanding with Bella Vita Pregnancy Center that was approved.
Highway Superintendent Rachel Oesterreich and John San Giorgio with United Consulting submitted a presentation on the Bridge Inventory for 2024. The report was completed in October and the complete report is on file in the Starke County Auditor’s Office.
Oesterreich submitted air compressor quotes and Commissioner VanDeMark asked about the cost of renting one. Oesterreich stated that she would look into it and that they generally use the compressor every year between May and September. She stated she has the funding for this in her LRS budget.
Oesterriech further stated that the bucket truck was inspected and approved for this year, but that she was told it probably wouldn’t pass next year’s inspection as it is 33 years old. She stated that REMC may have a used one available later this year, but they did find one that only had one owner for $45,000 in Michigan. The information is on file in the Auditor’s office. Oesterreich said she has the funding. VanDeMark stated that since it was not an emergency we should look into this next year. Oesterreich said they brought it up because they have been looking for quite a while and this one was reasonably priced. VanDeMark asked Oesterreich if she had ever used Truck Paper, which is a company that lists equipment for sale all over the country and tells you which dealer has the equipment. The Commissioners decided to table the truck for now.
Returning to the air compressor, VanDeMark stated he wanted to make sure that Bobcat clarified it was offering a 2-year warranty on the air compressor.
Kim Kroft with the Highway Department stated that the Kabota Tractor is to be delivered on May 19th to McCullough, and that it should be ready by the end of May.
Kroft also reported that the Loader is finished and they planned to pick it up the following day, with a cost of $9,667.38. It was noted that control valves needed to be replaced as they were rusted out. VanDeMark asked if it needed any other servicing and Kroft said it probably did. Kroft stated that the highway mechanics usually do the servicing but VanDeMark wants them to ask about it before they bring it back.
Re-visiting the topic of the highway bids that had been reviewed while the meeting was ongoing, Brian with United Consulting stated that the low bid was from Reith Riley and that the bid checked out. The only problem was the funding application. They are requesting to remove the milling and award the bid to Reith Riley at the adjusted amount of $797,247.41. Reith Riley approved the adjustment. There was much discussion on the project. It was noted that if they were to accept the bid of $867,866.81, they would have to go to the council for more money and the milling really isn’t needed.
Councilman Todd Leinbach stated he was worried that if they don’t’ mill, the road cracks will come through to the surface. It was noted that asphalt will be blended in, and that part of this project has a lot of houses and part has very few. It was also noted that the contract needed to be submitted before May 1st or the funding would be lost. Commissioner Binkley made a motion to approve the reduced amount of $797,247.41 with Reith Riley and it was approved.
Highway Superintendent Rachel Oesterreich spoke with commissioners again, submitting a Policy and Procedures that the State Board of Accounts requested. It was approved.
Oesterreich also requested 4-way stop signs at the County Road 800 East and County Road 50 South intersection; and at the County Road 25 North and County Road 800 East Intersection. Commissioner Binkley requested that extra warning signs be placed. The motion was approved.
Oesterreich informed the commissioners that there is a Mammoth Grant for improvements in the community of $1.225 million. That money would pave all the roads in the Mammoth area as the agreed amount is not enough. The grant would be in lieu of the agreed amount. The commissioners stated they wanted to table this until they had a chance to meet with Chris Kline from Mammoth. It was noted that they legally only have to give us $260,000. The $1.225 million is available in lieu of the $260,000. Oesterreich stated that the material alone would cost $1.3 million, meaning the full $1.225 million would still leave a $104,000 shortage before adding in the cost of labor.
There was much discussion on this, and Commissioner VanDeMark stated that he would like a joint special session of the commissioners, the council, and Mammoth to discuss the issue further.
In regards to the Outstanding Tradeshow Exhibit Services (or OTES) building in North Judson, Donna Osborne and Nan Wellman from OTES asked if anyone had questions, and submitted information received from the Center of Workforce Development explaining everything regarding the sale. The commissioners felt they hadn’t looked into it enough to decide, and noted they would like to tour the building. They also asked who would be responsible for the expenses involved. This item was tabled and moved to the May 19th agenda.
In regards to the US 30 Coalition, Todd Leinbach stated that he was on this board along with Mark Gourley so the county has representation. Leinbach further stated that the state does not have the money at this time for this project. There was a lengthy discussion on what the plan is for the Coalition.
Vendor claims, payroll claims, and the previous meeting’s minutes were all approved.
A new contract needed to be signed for the new printer for Purdue Extension due to a typo on the original contract.
Next, the Economic Development Foundation requested to trade some acreage with the county so that their property would be contiguous and would make it easier to sell. The commissioners asked if it would be easier for them to buy the property themselves. Economic Development Director Mikie Stogsdill stated that she would bring it up at their next board meeting.
Appointments to the Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals were again tabled.
A hospital lease agreement with Northwest was tabled until a joint executive session can be held.
Commissioners discussed the company currently storing patrol cars, and noted the company wanted the cars gone and was requesting some kind of compensation in exchange for storing the cars for five years. The commissioners decided to send him a letter from the county attorney, with Commissioner VanDeMark noting he would get the information to County Attorney Justin Schramm.
IT Director Stanley Budd asked if the commissioners wanted cell phone text messages archived along with social media, and the commissioners said no.
The meeting then came to a close.
