Gasconade County Commission Minutes

Posted 10/29/20

Oct. 29, 2020

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Gasconade County Commission Minutes

Posted

Oct. 29, 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 Oct. 22, 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 116224 through 116242. 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 Laimore said road department is still working on the bridge they are building, and that they have been busy hauling rock; unfortunately, the dump site cleanup on Roethemeyer road for today has been canceled due to the rain and rescheduled for next Thursday at 1 p.m. Commissioner Holland said he had talked with Stephan Brothers about the idea of selling their quarry and they were not ready to do that yet.

Commissioner Lairmore read to those present from an email of appreciation Commission received about Roger Dahl, road overseer, and his handling of a request from a couple who ask about getting a new driveway added to their property on Lone Grove School road. Also, mentioned in their thanks was Debbie Thomas who handled the initial telephone call. They credited his prompt response and his idea of a better way to handle the situation they were wanting. Within no time the project was done even better than expected and they just wanted to point out those traits of kind, courteous, professional and respectful aren’t always shown these days, and it was much appreciated.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Steven Campbell, director of Scenic Regional Library District board came into Commission session to present their annual report and reviewed briefly for them; he said even in this year of pandemic and their temporary closure of facilities, they still had tremendous visitation, both digitally and virtually through their new Youtube channel and Facebook. Many chose to get new eCards, many used curbside pickup which was a feature they were wanting to start anyway. Nearly all services they offer saw at least a slight increase in usage; they did a community survey of cardholders and received very good feedback on staff being helpful and that the library made good use of taxpayer dollars. As far as new ideas, they are still sorting through all those responses. Another thing that has really helped in this pandemic year, is the use of wireless internet service even when the library was closed, sitting in the parking lot gave access to wireless. They are growing the adult programs i.e.: issuing passports, including soon to be pictures taken at their facilities, ancestry research, foreign languages, chilton vehicle repair and parts, stocks database. While homebound delivery is still popular, traveling to nursing homes has been off‑limits which is a shame as that interaction was enjoyed on both sides. He applied for and received a $15,000 grant from the NEA which helped fund 64 programs; they are at 20 percent of their bond repayment and all facilities are complete except for Hermann. The Union facility opened in 2019 and has received a lot of positive feedback from users; they still have two buildings for sale in Union and if they sell, some of that money will be used for the $1.5 million project in Hermann. He said design work is just starting, with plans to begin work next summer and hopefully be complete in eight months, then plan a grand opening to be in 2022, which just so happens to be the 50th anniversary of Hermann becoming a member of the Scenic Region. They will plan to use approximately 40 percent of the former ALCO building and hope to find at least one big tenant for the rest of it which will help with revenue; it will be slightly larger than all the other locations, simply because they have the space to work with and already plan to include a 1000 sq. ft. art gallery. Commissioner Holland asked about if mitigation charges are a part of the total cost of the project and Mr. Campbell said it is and estimated at $40‑80 thousand; the first work they will start will be completely redoing the parking lot, drainage and lighting outside. When asked how many employees the district has, Mr. Campbell said 81, with a hiring freeze on right now; they have had to adjust staffing at all branches due to COVID‑19 and applied for and received $13,000 from county CARES Act funds. Presiding Commissioner Miskel said they are a perfect example of promises made, promises kept; Clerk Lietzow thanked Mr. Campbell for their notarial services offered on all absentee ballots.

Presiding Commissioner Miskel will participate in a ZOOM meeting immediately after session today, as required by MRPC due to the Hazard Mitigation Plan in place due for renewal; he also mentioned that Judge Ike Lamke announced this week that the Courthouse will drop back to Phase 1 stage due to an employee testing positive for COVID‑19, not contracted at the Courthouse though. Everyone entering the building, including employees will have to have temperatures taken upon entry into the building by the deputy at the front door.

Regarding CARES Act applications, the Gasconade County Health Department had submitted two requests last week, and only one was approved by mistake; MRPC and Commission approved the application for $14,086.35 and gave to Treasurer Mike Feagan for payment.

MOTION/VOTE

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to approve application for CARES Act funds for Gasconade County Health Dept. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Commission also approved, after MRPC had approved, an application for CARES Act funds from Hermann Area Ambulance District in the amount of $44,913.07; it was then given to Treasurer Feagan for payment.

MOTION/VOTE

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to approve application for CARES Act funds from Hermann Area Ambulance District. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

DELINQUENCY IN PAYMENT OF LOCAL SALES TAX

Commission was notified by Missouri Department of Revenue that the business license of Mama Bears Cafe LLC, 307 W. Hwy. 28, Bland, MO has been revoked due to delinquency in payment of local sales tax.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Before adjourning, Commissioner Lairmore mentioned to Buck Collier, Gasconade County Republican reporter, that he did not appreciate in the CARES Act article in this week’s newspaper, that he was referred to as a Democrat; Mr. Collier apologized and did not realize the mistake and said he was surprised that wasn’t caught by someone else before going to print. Commissioner Laimore said he has received quite a few comments about it and didn’t appreciate it here the week before the election when he has a Democratic opponent.

ADJOURN

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to adjourn commission until Nov. 5, 2020. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.