Oct. 10, 2019

The Gasconade County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel, Southern District Commissioner Jerry Lairmore, Northern District Commissioner Jim Holland at the Courthouse beginning with Pledge of Allegiance.

PRIOR MINUTES

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to approve prior commission minutes dated Oct. 3, 2019. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

WARRANTS FOR PAYMENT

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to approve the following items: warrants for payment 114577 through 114620. Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

ROAD CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS

Commissioner Lairmore said he talked with Debbie Thomas, office manager, when he stopped at Drake this morning, and was reminded that Commission needs to talk to the newest hired employee and clarify his CERF membership denial due to his earlier decision to permanently opt out; they had the situation reviewed by legal counsel who confirmed that is statutorily correct. Presiding Commissioner Miskel said he received a call asking whether the county could pay that four percent contribution into LAGERS retirement since it can’t go to CERF and Clerk Lietzow said that was not allowed; the LAGERS contribution is based on a formulary that changes every year. One of the Commissioners’ will talk with him to settle this issue so a decision can be made.

Commissioner Holland said he had just a few road issues that are being taken care of; road department worked late yesterday on River road project. Presiding Commissioner Miskel mentioned getting a call from David Harrell, Souders road, and his complaint is that now the road department is grading the road too much, cutting away too much of the road and there was also a tree taken down but just pushed to the side; it was explained that is will be cut up and removed during the winter months.

Commission had received an email from MoDOT reminding them that one of them would need to be LPA certified in order for the county to receive BRO funds for the project which they are aware of; Presiding Commissioner Miskel has been struggling with this for a couple months due to the functionality of the program not saving information and then with computer issues, so Clerk Lietzow mentioned that he was more than welcome to use the spare desk and computer in her office that is currently unused, to work on this. Commissioner Lairmore offered to try to work on it this weekend from home.

Commission received notice from Missouri Department of Conservation that the 2020 CART agreement is available for their signature if they so choose; the maps will be given to the road department first to verify the road locations and once they agree it is in order, Presiding Commissioner Miskel will sign because it is a great program for the county.

Commission has been notified by one of their employees that he will be retiring in February 2020, so rather than wait until then, they would like to open up his position of truck driver in‑house to anyone that might be interested; based on interest level, decision will be made at that time as to what position will be advertised.

Last issue Commission discussed was some new signage needed for the Courthouse driveways as there has been some frustration leveled at which is to be used to come up the hill and which is to be used to go down the hill.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Clerk Lietzow shared with Commission, notice from MO State Auditor Nicole Galloway, encouraging adoption of best practices relating to management, operations and fiscal responsibility, which is coincidentally, much like the Internal Control document recently prepared by Clerk Lietzow and put out to elected officials for comment before adoption. This memo focuses specifically on public document retention, including electronic communications and refers to both Missouri statutes, and SOS retention laws.

Commission received proposal from Callabyte Technology for internet service at the Courthouse after the recent walk‑through they completed with Commissioners’; it seems to be well worth considering, but not until elected officials are given the opportunity to ask questions also so hopefully it can be scheduled for next Thursday morning.

Commission also discussed County Government Day next Wed.; with 175 students coming to the courthouse from the 2 in‑county high schools, it will be very crowded. John Buckner, AC editor asked about it and Commission explained it is a great opportunity for students to learn about county government which is something they do not learn about in school. They sit in on court session, they hear elected officials talk about the jobs they do and they see the seat of county government; in addition, they are part of the plaque presentation where county employees are recognized for years of service, some as many as 35 years.

Presiding Commissioner Miskel mentioned that he had been contacted by residents in the Brown Shanty area who have experienced 12‑20 days of no landline telephone service from Centurylink; he has contacted state representative Aaron Greisheimer to investigate and unfortunately, the reason given for such drastically slow repair service is due to it being such a small segment of population in the area. It was noted, cell phone service is not strong in that area either.

Treasurer Mike Feagan presented his monthly sales tax report to Commissioners’ showing better collections this month since 2016, with hopes of continued improvement. He also wanted to talk to Commission about the annual request received for the Victims of Domestic Violence (VDV) funds; in the past, the only facility requesting was Turning Point, but another location the Rape and Abuse Crisis Service has also serviced Gasconade County residents so based on the numbers, Commission agreed to split the contribution $400 to the new facility and $200 to Turning Point and Treasurer Feagan thought that to be a good decision.

MOTION/VOTE ‑ DIVIDE ANNUAL CONTRIBibution OF VDV FUNDS AS DETAILED

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to divide the annual contribution of VDV funds as detailed. Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

REPORT OF FEES

Commission reviewed monthly report of collections from Shawn Schlottach, Collector for the month of September 2019 in the amount of $39,492.02.

ADJOURN

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to adjourn commission until Oct. 17, 2019. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.