July 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 July 16, 2020. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

PRIOR MINUTES

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to approve prior commission minutes dated July 20, 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 115808 through 115825. 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 said road department completed their MSHA safety training class this week; since it was done in July, it was held offsite, but next year it has been scheduled for April so it can be held at the Drake shed. Commissioner Holland said Fowler road has a large hole that needs big rock as fill, caused by truck traffic; he had some issues with trees along county roads and said Frene Creek chip and seal should be started this week. Clerk Lietzow said when the contractor brought the bill in for Holzschuh road chip and seal, he said that was the plan, and Commissioner Holland had found a drop off location to store trap rock needed for the job. Commissioner Holland also had discussion with landowner on Mud Creek road about where county maintenance ends; he also looked at Uthe road while he was in the area. Clerk Lietzow had taken a complaint of a contractor working in Sugar Creek supposedly diverting the water to a private lake being built in the area; she found a point of contact for US Army Corps. of Engineers who was glad to look into the issue and talk with the caller.

Commission was notified by Missouri Department of Conservation of their cost share opportunity offered again this year to counties for roads serving their lands and facilities; road department will be notified and start the application process. Commission also received an invoice from Archer‑Elgin Engineering for services performed on the Valentine Ford BRO project.

Clerk Lietzow said Roger Dahl and Wayne Kottwitz stopped in the office yesterday with some information on joint purchasing options the county has through either Sourcewell or MO Buys; this will be the quickest way to meet the bid requirements for buying a new dump truck while satisfying the 45 day purchase order requirement of the VW Government award program. Commission asked Debbie Thomas to look at the budget to be sure the funds could be found to pay the full amount with a reimbursement coming after from VW for $45,000 and determine which purchase program they want to use; deadline is Aug. 14 to submit proof of purchase.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Correspondence received by the Commission included: notice from State Land Survey office of corner remonumentation program being offered again this year, but Surveyor Vincent Klott had said he did not have enough suitable corners to complete at this time, so county will not participate; notice from Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Mgmt. of grants available; additional CARES funds are being released to the state of Missouri focusing on family owned farms and retail trade.

Presiding Commissioner Miskel attended Hermann Chamber of Commerce meeting this morning where Dr. Michael Rothermich made a presentation in conjunction with Hermann Hospital and County Health Department, encouraging the wearing of masks by everyone; the same presentation had been made at Owensville City Council meeting and will be made at Hermann City Council meeting. While the health professionals would like to mandate the public to wear them, Presiding Commissioner Miskel said based on the overall in‑county statistics, including 21 diagnosed, four in quarantine and the rest cleared with the best news being, no deaths, there is no basis to mandate mask wearing countywide. He said it should be a personal decision made by each individual and a business decision made by the business. No-one can be forced to wear, or not wear.

Presiding Commissioner Miskel attended University of Missouri Extension council meeting where Nancy Stephan was introduced as the new hire working in the office on Thursdays and Fridays, with the other days of the week being by appointment only; he has another Health Department meeting and a MOCA meeting both via ZOOM. He mentioned talking with Glen Englert about moving forward with finishing the repair work in the upstairs courtroom and repairing and refinishing the hallway floor; the courtroom work will be done tomorrow and the work on the hallway floor will begin next week.

Commission wanted to announce that State Representative Aaron Griesheimer presented them with a Resolution recognizing Gasconade County’s 200th birthday on the floor of the Missouri House of Representatives and from Senator Mike Bernskoetter also issuing a Resolution recognizing the same on the floor of the Missouri Senate; Commission appreciate the recognition.

Presiding Commissioner Miskel confirmed Associate Commissioners, Treasurer Mike Feagan and Clerk Lietzow had read the proposed business application for the CARES Act funds as had been prepared by MRPC and since all were in agreement, Commission will adopt and notify MRPC to release to the public.

MOTION/VOTE

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to adopt Gasconade County CARES Small Business Relief Program. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

ADJOURN

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