Oct. 31, 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

Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel made a motion to approve prior commission minutes dated Oct. 24, 2019. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

WARRANTS FOR PAYMENT

Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel made a motion to approve the following items: warrants for payment 114662 through 114668. Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

ROAD CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS

Commission reported road department was out putting rock on the roads after the rains this week made them muddy; it was mentioned that even though the budget line item is depleted, maintenance must go on.

Commission discussed how they wanted to handle the job openings in the road department; there were three or four in‑house employees interested in the truck driver position, which could lead to other openings in the department. Commissioner Lairmore suggested they consider when advertising for openings, that it be for both full‑time with benefits and also part‑time position (s) with no benefits and other Commissioners’ agreed and they decided to accept applications through Dec. 1.

Commission received new packet for signature from Missouri Department of Conservation to participate in the cost share program for maintenance rock on county roads that lead to their state‑owned areas; after final review by road department, it will be signed and submitted.

Commission received a letter from residents at Gascony Village regarding a barricade put up blocking a road; Commission has already responded to this issue stating it is a property owner issue to be resolved, not a county road problem.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Presiding Commissioner Miskel received correspondence asking for contact information to receive legislative drafts once session begins in order to attach fiscal notes; Clerk Lietzow said she has already responded and submitted his email address along with her office, Collector’s office and Assessor’s office. Commission was also notified by University of Missouri Department of Pathology that costs for autopsies performed at the request of the Coroner will be going up to $2,100 and will be locked in at that rate through December 2021.

Commissioner Holland attended the MRPC annual awards banquet last week where Presiding Commissioner Miskel serves as chairman; award winners from Gasconade County were The Missouri Bank as lender of the year, Tricia Heaney, Hermann City Clerk and E. Louise Baker for the Veteran’s Park in Owensville.

Collector Shawn Schlottach submitted a request for Commission approval from Daniel Willhelm, 3018 S. Service Rd. E, Union, Mo. 63084 to redeem property sold at the August 2017 Land Tax Sale and collect over surplus in the amount of $904.26 to be reimbursed by Treasurer Michael Feagan; Commission agreed.

Clerk Lietzow had listed on the agenda to discuss the final settlement from MOPERM for the interior Courthouse water damage suffered due to the roof leaking; Commissioner Holland has been working to get everything the county has coming and Clerk Lietzow had submitted additional bills paid by the county for interior renovations in early 2018 adding up to over $38,000. When she contacted the adjuster for an update, it was his understanding a final settlement had been made with the county; she then contacted MOPERM for confirmation and was told it had been mailed to the Courthouse to the attention of Commissioner Holland. When Presiding Commissioner Miskel asked about it, Commissioner Holland said he received it, but isn’t satisfied with the settlement and has turned it over to a private auditor. Clerk Lietzow asked if there was a check in with the paperwork and he said there was; since she is custodian of their records those originals should have never left the Courthouse. She could have put the check in the vault and copied all the paperwork for him to take to study and inquire about; she is the one responsible for having the original documentation available in the office for the public, not to mention there was a check included that is now in someone else’s hands. Commissioner Holland told her there was nothing for her to be worried about and she highly disagrees.

John Bassford, Ameren UE had scheduled to be on Commission agenda after having received a call from Kris Bayless, EMD and Teresa Bayless about a possible change in staffing of the EOC and he felt he needed to know some details. Presiding Commissioner Miskel started by saying he originally had no intention of discussing this in open session as he considered the private conversation he had with both of them to be out of courtesy, but since this visit was initiated by them, he has no problem talking about it. He went on to explain the Commission is considering a different approach to the position of EMD by possibly making it full‑time with post certification, meaning the EMD would also have law enforcement training allowing them to carry a gun, badge and have the powers of arrest. This additional certification would allow the EMD to also serve as a security officer for the Courthouse on any day when there were no officers already present. He had talked to Sheriff John Romanus only to the point of letting him know Commission was considering it and get his thoughts about it, not because the EMD would have to answer to both the Commission and the Sheriff. When he asked Mrs. Bayless for an up‑to‑date job description and duties list, it’s obvious there is more to the job than most would think; not only the commitment first and foremost to Ameren UE, but complying with all requirements of SEMA, FEMA and flood plain management just to name a few. While as Commissioners’ they respect and appreciate all those requirements, they also need to consider the safety of the Courthouse in it’s entirety and would be remiss in their duties not to consider this possibility. Everyone agrees the partnership between Ameren UE and Gasconade County has been strong since it began back in the 1980’s and no one will ever do anything to jeopardize that. Mr. Bassford couldn’t agree more and went on to add, that Gasconade County has always been the one county that during the drills has performed nearly flawlessly due to not only the EMD in charge, but to the seasoned group of participants assembled; he is only here to ensure that continues and reiterate the importance of the partnership not only from the perspective of Ameren UE, but most importantly the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. On a personal level, Mr. Bassford cannot say enough about the benefit of having both Mr. and Mrs. Bayless serving in this office, both bringing a tremendous amount of experience and resources in the emergency response field. He is concerned about how the new person can be effective in this dual role and only asks they keep him informed as the process moves forward as they obviously have a vested interest and Commission assures him they will keep communication lines wide open and the timetable is fluid.

Callabyte representatives Paula Barnett and Rob Barnes came to Commission meeting to give elected officials and staff and opportunity to learn more about the fiber optic connection they are proposing to the Courthouse for what is truly high speed internet service at 100 mg in and out; present also with Commission, Clerk Lietzow and Treasurer Feagan were Collector Shawn Schlottach, Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Deeds Pam Greunke, Joann Bickmeyer, Prosecuting Attorney’s office, Donna Struttman, Assessor’s office, Teresa Bayless, EMD office. While Mr. Barnes said their responsibility basically ends once the line is run into the building, they will commit to doing some inside work since the county does not have an IT person on staff, particularly in the Collector’s office since that is the current hub for several offices. While the offer includes telephone service, at this time the county is not interested in expanding that; the one thing they do not provide is email addresses. There was a lot of discussion and uncertainty among those present of how that would be resolved once Centurylink internet is discontinued.

Commission agreed to adopt the Internal Control Policy prepared by Clerk Lietzow and reviewed by all elected officials with no objection.

MOTION/VOTE

Commissioner Jim Holland made a motion to adopt internal control policy. Jerry Lairmore seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Last issue Commission needed to talk about today was the annual CERF election form indicating whether they would continue paying the four percent benefit on behalf of employees for 2020 and they agreed they would.

MOTION/VOTE

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to continue paying four percent CERF benefit for 2020. Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

ADJOURN

Commissioner Jim Holland made a motion to adjourn commission until Nov. 7, 2019. Commissioner Jerry Lairmore seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.