Jan. 28, 2021

The Gasconade County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel at the Courthouse beginning with Pledge of Allegiance. Attendance: Commissioner Jerry Lairmore, Present; Commissioner Jim Holland, Present; Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel, Present.

PRIOR MINUTES

Lairmore made a motion to approve prior commission minutes dated 1/21/2021 8:30 AM. Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

ROAD CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS

Lairmore said road department is out blading snow off the hills and spreading cinders; they had also been putting down a lot of rock. Holland said since the Hwy. J bridge closed west of Hermann, First Creek and Zastrow roads are getting more traffic so more rock was put down there also; Commission thanked the road dept. for doing a great job.

Clerk Lietzow said the online auction closed Tuesday, and all items sold with the county getting $13,700 for the dump truck, welder, generator and air compressor and Commission was satisfied with that.

Commission received an invoice from Archer‑Elgin engineers for BRO project on Valentine Ford road in the amount of $11,093.26.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Todd Witthaus, representative, Peoples Savings Bank, came in for Commissions’ signature on re‑writing the Courthouse roof loan papers for another year; interest rate remains at 2% with quarterly payments due from the county. Clerk Lietzow provided a copy of the 2021 county budget to be adopted this morning, showing the county’s commitment to the payments. Witthaus thanked the Commission for their business and said he appreciates all they do for the county.

Miskel reported on the annual trip to the MO state capitol representing the MRPC region this week; they were able to meet with nine of the state representatives and three senators who are working on transportation bills and usetax bills. While Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe was not in his office, the regions’ priority list was given to him, too. Regarding the usetax, it is everyone’s hope that there is a way to find one tax rate that can be divided among the 114 counties; the problem also discussed was how to enforce the honor system of reporting. He said there was more security at the capitol, not only the police, but the state parks law enforcement division was on hand to assist.

Lydia Nipper, representative University Extension Council, came before the Commission to present the annual report from 2020; she said for obvious reasons, many of the programs and activities during 2020 were done on a very different scale, but most continued on. Miskel wanted to commend her on the phenomenal job she has done since she started.

Treasurer Mike Feagan said he had talked with Kelly Sink at MRPC about the way the county would handle the CARES Act interest reimbursement and with Commission concurring, she agreed that would be fine; the final amount as of January is now $67,316.21. He also ask her on the Commissions’ behalf, to provide a list of the remaining applications on file, in the order they filed, and the amounts associated with each so Commission will be able to decide how to make the final distribution.

Lairmore has a GVEZ meeting this afternoon via ZOOM; Presiding Miskel has a MOCA meeting also this afternoon via ZOOM, and said through Feb., the MRPC meetings will all be held via that method. He also mentioned that the county health dept. has received the COVID‑19 serum for vaccinations and started this week in Hermann at the Methodist Church and this afternoon in Owensville at the First Baptist Church; online registration is required on the health dept. website.

Lietzow reported that the Sheriff’s dept. vehicle that had been wrecked has been totaled out by the insurance company; she will be sending the title and she talked with Sheriff Scott Eiler about removing all the equipment from the vehicle. The newly installed antimicrobial laptop has to be removed by a professional and insurance company will pay for that process also; it was decided rather than refund the county the value of the vehicle, Eiler made arrangements with Hermann Ford to accept the refund as down payment on a new vehicle he was ordering anyway. This was done last year and works well and doesn’t affect the budget in a negative way.

Lietzow reported that both Dan Dyer and Clyde Zelch will be in this week to start the transition in the EOC; the vehicle is parked at the Courthouse now and Commission wondered where Director Zelch planned to park it as that wasn’t discussed and ask her to find out. She also said Coroner Jeff Arnold will be bringing in his appointment for deputy coroner next week to be sworn in, with the pay structure and timesheet.

Commission also agreed to accept the payment received from Centurylink Communications for $9,253.78 without penalties as Collector Shawn Schlottach had explained last week; it had been mailed on Dec. 14 and received on Jan. 21.

MOTION/VOTE ‑ ACCEPT CENTURYLINK COMMUNICATIONS TAX PAYMENT WITHOUT PENALTIES

Lairmore made a motion to accept Centurylink Communications tax payment without penalties. Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Commission held the final hearing to adopt the 2021 budget; payroll will be tomorrow and the first payment of bills will be next Thursday.

MOTION/VOTE ‑ ADOPT 2021 BUDGET

Lairmore made a motion to adopt 2021 budget. Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:

Jerry Lairmore (Yes),

Jim Holland (Yes),

Larry Miskel (Yes).

ADJOURN

Lairmore made a motion to adjourn commission until 2/4/2021. Holland seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.