Jan. 23, 2020

The Gasconade County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel at the Courthouse beginning with Pledge of Allegiance.

PRIOR MINUTES

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to approve prior commission minutes dated Jan. 16, 2020. Commissioner 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 reported road department employees were out this morning spreading cinders where needed, with more inclement weather coming; Commissioner Holland concurred that road dept. was doing a great job. He had looked at Benson road after receiving the report last week and a culvert wall definitely needs work, but that can wait until spring; he also mentioned tree down across Sandplant road and he started cutting it up and then road department came to finish it.

Commissioner Lairmore had been notified by Kathryn Hawes, Environmental Specialist for MRPC, that they had landowner permission to clean up the illegal dump on Roethemeyer road; he said there is another illegal dump near the Bourbuese river, not off of a county road, but instead off a highway, that he will let them know about. All Commissioners’ mentioned that is a wonderful service provided by that division of MRPC.

Commission discussed the new snow plow coming in and the discrepancy in the invoice paid versus the bid accepted and it was found that when the bid was accepted, only the price of the plow was marked as accepted, not a separate page detailing the cost for mounting on the truck. Commission agreed that in the future, either they needed to be more specific at the time of accepting the bid or the road department needed to be more clear when instructing the Commission of their recommendation for acceptance.

Clerk Lietzow provided the Commission and the road department with the final settlement showing the four items sold on Purple Wave online auction bringing in $24,325, which was more than expected.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Correspondence received by Commission included notice from Community Foundation of the Ozarks of the balance in the fund being $103.09; also notice from MoDNR of loans available for energy improvements for qualifying political subdivisions, including the county. Clerk Lietzow mentioned the existing energy loan will be paid off in 2020, from savings that county has enjoyed since entering into this program in 2013. Lastly, there was a notice from David Hickman Agency interested in offering the county a new approach to cost savings in health benefits management; it will be forwarded to chairperson of the Health Care Team.

Presiding Commissioner Miskel said he had contacted the Mid‑Missouri Regional planning commission to cancel a pending grant application initiated by former EMD for two lighted message boards; he said there is a FEMA meeting in Hermann this afternoon regarding flood program and he might be attending, but EMD Dan Dyer was also expecting to be there. Director Dyer has been talking with former EMD who has been very helpful in providing passwords and other administrative assistance as needed and Commission is appreciative of the help; Clerk Lietzow provided Director Dyer with the most recent inventory of the office and as time allows, he will account for all items in the various locations.

The MOCA meeting Presiding Commissioner Miskel was to attend this evening has been cancelled; he did attend a meeting at the capitol in Jefferson City yesterday on behalf of MRPC’s legislative day. In talking with representatives in the Missouri house, he said there will be a bill this year for the state to collect usetax for not only the state, but to disburse down to the county level. When he has the actual bill number he will pass it on so officials can follow it through the process.

Commission acknowledged the budget adoption hearing next Thursday, Jan. 30 at 9 a.m.; they know this will be the toughest budget year of any for elected officials to make it through without going over. Presiding Commissioner Miskel asked Clerk Lietzow if in any of her years as budget officer, if the county had ever used the emergency fund set‑aside and she said there was not one time, and everyone is hoping this will not be the first time.

Commissioner Holland said he received a report from Joe Brazil, TREMCO, regarding the roof inspection done last week and he will forward that to Commission and Clerk Lietzow for the record.

ADJOURN

Commissioner Jim Holland made a motion to adjourn commission until Jan. 30, 2020. Commissioner Jerry Lairmore seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.