Nov. 5, 2020

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

PRIOR MINUTES

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to approve prior commission minutes dated Oct. 29, 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 116243 through 116260. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

ROAD CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS

Commission met first at Drake with road department this morning and reported discussion to Clerk Lietzow for the official minutes: the Shockley road project will be finished today and the Doll road project will be done tomorrow; also discussed were budget needs for next year, primarily as it relates to equipment and this year as it relates to buying more rock; dump site clean up on Roethemeyer road has been canceled again for today due to a participant having COVID‑19 and has not been rescheduled; removing dead trees along county roads during winter months.

Commissioner Lairmore mentioned to Owensville Mayor and alderman present, that he would like them to consider taking over Old Highway 19 from the county as that would serve as a great location for city expansion for business and serve as a connection route; he said after talking with MoDOT, they will be re‑surfacing their portion, but it is not scheduled yet. Mayor John Kamler said the city had closed Springfield road for business expansion that is taking place and ask Commission if they would agree to same action for their small portion, which of course they did.

MOTION/VOTE

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to to approve temporary closure of county portion of Springfield road during business expansion project. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Presiding Commissioner Miskel had received a questionnaire from MRPC as it relates to Hazard Mitigation and told Clerk Lietzow to give it to EMD Dan Dyer for completion; he was also notified by USDA Rural Development that they are conducting a compliance review in all counties where they have financed facilities and urge Commission to report any complaints.

Clerk Lietzow was commended on another successful election this week; she said 74 percent turnout was about as expected with hardly any issues to deal with other than the COVID‑19 situation. Presiding Commissioner Miskel spoke about the long weeks being worked by County Health Department for that same reason and unfortunately, they are suffering through many negative responses and comments when handling the contact tracing as required. He urges everyone to realize that they are just trying to help people and to be more considerate when Health Department has to reach out. Clerk Lietzow said Health Department had reached out to her also about the procedures for voting while in quarantine or COVID‑19 positive; they got the word out and her office assisted many voters in the two weeks leading up to the election and then at the polls on election day. Presiding Commissioner Miskel also mentioned that he was contacted yesterday by a FEMA representative who said there are funds available separately from CARES Act funds and they do not expire at the end of the year; he is researching further to find out the procedures to access the money since this is not part of what MRPC is handling for the county.

Treasurer Mike Feagan presented his monthly account balances to Commission and reviewed for them; Clerk Lietzow said she will use these numbers when she looks at the budgets before the next meeting to determine where the county looks to end 2020 and look ahead to 2021.

Commission was in receipt of a revised CARES Act application in the amount of $50,000 for Hermann Hill Vineyards and wasn’t sure of action to be taken at this time; they will turn it over to Treasurer Feagan for review.

Commission was scheduled to meet at the Sheriff’s Satellite office location at Swiss this morning after session, to finalize coroner’s office location; both Coroner‑elect Jeff Arnold and Sheriff Scott Eiler were present. Before leaving, one of Owensville’s alderman asked Sheriff Eiler if he was considered to be a constitutional sheriff; he said the oath of office he took was to uphold the Constitution of the U.S. and the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri so he would assume to be. The question was more about the training he receives in that regard, as he is the official charged with upholding civil liberties; the article and information on this subject had been shared with Commissioner Lairmore and would be shared with Sheriff Eiler.

REPORT OF FEES

Commission reviews report of fees for October 2020, from Pamela R. Greunke, Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Deeds for Divisions 1, 2 and 4 in the following amounts:

Recording‑$7,795.35

Domestic Violence‑$75

CERF‑$2,702

Rec Records Reten‑$2,225.58

Record Techn‑$463.75

Clerk fees‑$592.30

County fees‑$339.00

Incarc/medcl costs‑$105.50

LETF‑$60.00

PATF‑$66.75

Fines‑$3,205.00

Sheriff’s fees/mileage‑$242.36

Overpayment‑$0

Misc county fees‑$29.50

Inmate Security Fund‑$87.00

Municipal Fines‑$5,314.00

LETMunicipal‑$68.00

REPORT OF FEES

Commission reviewed monthly report of gross collections from Shawn Schlottach, Collector for the month of October 2020 in the amount of $27,758.41; also from Scott Eiler, Sheriff for the same month in the amount of $1,576.97 civil fee fund and $350.00 DSSSF; lastly, from County Clerk Lesa Lietzow for the same month in the amount of $42.00.

ABATEMENTS AND ADDITIONS

Commission approved abatements No. 2140 through No. 2148 and additions No. 8836 through No. 8850.

ADJOURN

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to adjourn commission until Nov. 12, 2020. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.