May 14, 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 May 7, 2020. 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 115457 through 115486. 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 had been notified of some ditching problems on a county road and when he checked it out himself, he agreed it was a problem; he talked to the road department about it and is waiting to hear back from them. Commissioner Holland has had three or four calls on road issues to be taken care of; he and Presiding Commissioner Miskel looked at Peace Valley Lake road last week after session in Owensville and it will be looked at again later this year.

Commissioner Holland had been contacted by Archer Elgin engineers about right‑of‑way on Valentine Ford road as their surveyors were not finding a lot of information; he recommended talking to Joe Mundwiller in the Assessor’s office and if that didn’t work, then contact him again. Clerk Lietzow said she looked in the old road record books that Debbie Thomas, office manager, has indexed and did not find the road at all; she also suggested he ask Ms. Thomas as she has indexed right‑of‑way information from the old minute books, too.

Commission opened two bids received for chip and seal projects on Holzschuh and Frene Creek roads; they will be copied for review by the road department and recommendation for acceptance.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Present for discussion on the opening of the building for public access starting Monday, May 18, were Prosecuting Attorney Mary Weston, Collector Shawn Schlottach, Circuit Clerk and Recorder Pam Greunke, Assessor Paul Schulte and Treasurer Mike Feagan; Judge Ike Lamke had notified the court offices that effective that day, the flex work schedule will end and normal work schedule will resume. The safety protocol he wants implemented, follows the Supreme Court directives in phases so Presiding Commissioner Miskel agreed that is how the county employees will proceed too. A COVID‑19 notice will be posted on the front door along with: use of face masks by all entering the building to conduct any business; heightened sanitation and disinfection of common and high traffic areas; conduct screenings for temperature; ensure any employee feeling ill stays at home; allowing option of working from home when appropriate; social distancing and occupancy restrictions; transitioning to the next phase after 14 days or if necessary, transitioning backward; prohibition of anyone entering that has been exposed to or exhibiting symptoms of COVID‑19. Prosecutor Weston has been talking and planning with Judge Ada Brehe‑Krueger the best manner in which to handle court proceedings when resuming from entering the building, to coming upstairs, to waiting in the hallway, to where to stand in the courtroom, to exiting the building. Presiding Commissioner Miskel encouraged any official interested in having a 1/2 door mounted at the entrance to their office to get those ordered; furthermore, if any official would like to install the sneeze guards such as the example Clerk Lietzow has, it is time to order those also. With the requirement that everyone entering the building wear a mask and have temperature check, it’s obvious someone has to be hired to work the front door entrance to handle this duty and everyone agreed the most likely would be a law enforcement officer. Presiding Commissioner Miskel will contact Sheriff Mark Williams about handling the hiring for that position, but with the funding coming from the CARES funding received; he will also find a source to buy the masks for public distribution and the thermometers. Clerk Greunke has ordered 200 of the KN95 masks for employee use, each of which can be worn up to five times before disposal. Since it is obvious that all of this cannot be done by Monday’s planned opening, it was agreed the door would remain locked until accommodations are made.

Presiding Commissioner Miskel said correspondence included notice from USDA Farm Service Agency of loans available to ag producers who need help due to COVID‑19; FEMA advisory starter kit for restarting operations; Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management not having a quorum so will meet electronically; Missouri poverty report with disheartening information. He also mentioned that he won’t be able to attend the next University Extension meeting and asked Commissioner Lairmore to attend on his behalf; they are preparing for budget cuts coming from the state of Missouri and are discussing how to move forward with staffing, compensation, operational hours, upon the retirement of Virginia Buschmeyer officially at the end of May.

Presiding Commissioner Miskel will attend the regularly scheduled MRPC meeting this evening and expects to receive guidance on their assistance with handling of CARES ACT funding; Treasurer Feagan mentioned that if they would be hosting any informational seminars on working through this, he would be more than willing to attend. Clerk Lietzow said she will begin the process for budget amendment necessary for the two new funds created.

Clerk Lietzow mentioned that open enrollment for health insurance closes tomorrow and the only employees’ still unsigned were mainly in the Sheriff’s office and her office is working to get that done; two Commissioners’ will complete their’s today. She also mentioned on another note, that she was notified that the Bland Courier will cease production of the weekly newspaper.

REPORT OF FEES

Commission reviewed monthly report of gross collections from Shawn Schlottach, Collector for the month of April 2020 in the amount of $102,349.00.

DELINQUENCY IN PAYMENT OF LOCAL SALES TAX

The following businesses have had their sales tax license revoked by the Missouri Department of Revenue due to delinquency of payment:

Meghan Kohlbusch, 225 E. 2nd St., Hermann, MO;

Alice M. Martin, 1891 Bem Church Road, Owensville, MO 65066;

Central Tire Sales & Service LLC, 106B L&D Drive, Owensville, MO 65066;

Danusers Doodles R Us and Cavapoos Too LLC, 1918 Strassner Road, Hermann, MO 65041

ADJOURN

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to adjourn commission until May 21, 2020. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.