May 20, 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

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to approve prior commission minutes dated May 13, 2021. 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 117145 through 117160. 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 reported getting the brush cleaned out of the ditch along county road last week after session; when he stopped at the Drake Shed this morning, everyone was gone out working. He talked with ISM Rhonda Stoker, who was busy doing some re arranging in the office; Clerk Lietzow said Ms. Stoker had asked if she could get a new office chair or who was she to ask about it. Clerk Lietzow printed her a budget so she could see how much had been budgeted in January for office supplies and equipment, and there was enough for a new office chair and to cover the new printer that was needed and new answering machine. The printer she had bought at the end of April was not working out and was being taken back.

Commissioner Holland had met with Supervisor Wayne Kottwitz on Lovers Lane road regarding some drainage issues and other culvert issues at Gascony Village and on Liske road.

Presiding Commissioner Miskel had received an extension document from Kim Tipton, MoDOT regarding the BRO project, that needed his electronic signature which he had done and submitted.

Commission opened two bids received for the low water slab project on Hafertafe road; they will be copied for road department review with a recommendation for acceptance at next week’s session.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Commission then opened one bid received from Larry Hanks for painting to be done at the Courthouse; it was for $21,200 for interior painting and $6,300 for scraping and painting around windows on red brick house. Commission tabled for further discussion. There were no bids received by the deadline for the door project at the Courthouse, so Commission will solicit independently to have the project completed.

Commission then opened two bids for county bank depository; The Missouri Bank had only submitted a letter stating they would not be bidding, while both Peoples Savings Bank and First State Community Bank offered bids for consideration. They were given to Treasurer Mike Feagan for his review and recommendation for acceptance at next week’s session.

Treasurer Feagan then updated the Commission on meeting he attended yesterday at MRPC discussing the American Rescue Plan Act, i.e.: ARPA as it relates to Gasconade County. The total amount of approximately $2.8 million will be divided into two equal deposits into county bank account with one arriving soon and the second deposit one year from now. The county will have through Dec. 31, 2024 to obligate usage of the funds, with the end date of usage being Dec. 31, 2026. Allowable uses include continuing to mitigate the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19 but in different ways than with the CARES Act funds; much more detailed information will be forthcoming along with another meeting hosted by MRPC. Treasurer Feagan asked MRPC if they are willing to provide the technical support for these funds as they did the CARES Act funds and they are interested and will work on preparing documents accordingly; he also updated Commission on the balance remaining in the CARES Act fund as that deadline for spending is not much more than one month away.

EMD Clyde Zelch updated Commission on his schedule for the remaining days of May; he is currently attending flood plain management meeting in Jefferson City this week and has been invited to attend, as a visitor, a nuclear plant drill in north Missouri as he prepares to host his first drill in August as EMD. On his return back to the county on May 26, he will be conducting a scheduled fire drill at the Courthouse and all offices have been advised in advance for this drill. Director Zelch also shared some positive information from the Callaway Nuclear Power Plant, that states Gasconade and Osage counties have in depth plans in place as it relates to access control points, whereas Montgomery and Callaway were not as complete.

Commissioners’ discussed the County Commissioner's Association 20-hour training required of them, must be completed by June 30; the course is on the MAC website and after proving completion, then each can access the County Commissioner's Association website to request their training certificates, which are required by law.

Presiding Commissioner Miskel announced that his term as chairman of MRPC has concluded as of last Thursday and Steve Vogt, mayor of Belle has assumed the duties. He said it was an honor and privilege to serve this great organization and represent on a local, state and federal level; he is now serving as Secretary/Treasurer He also wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone as we approach the Memorial Day holiday weekend, to remember our veterans and all they have given in service; Sheriff Scott Eiler, who was present in Commission meeting, will be serving as featured speaker at Owensville VFW celebration.

Last issue Commission needed to address today was whether they were going to place the usetax issue on the Aug. 3 ballot; with the support of the E-911 board of directors given at the meeting attended by Commissioner Lairmore, Treasurer Feagan and Clerk Lietzow and confirmed again this week, Commission was in agreement to move forward. This will be the first time that the two agencies will work together to support this proposition that, if passed, will finally level the playing field in support of local businesses versus out of state businesses; the 1.375-percent usetax is divided between the two agencies based on their sales tax received, being one percent to Gasconade County and .375-percent to E-911 Board. In addition to their verbal support and help in promoting passage, the E-911 board also agreed to help in funding the cost of the election, to which the Commission was extremely pleased. In an effort to cut the cost of the election as much as possible, Clerk Lietzow said she could consolidate precincts, rather than have all 16 locations open for voting, when there will be nothing else on the ballot, except for in the City of Rosebud, who has already certified a bond issue for their residents to vote on. She offered to do minor consolidation of only the two larger cities into one place or to do a more general all across the county consolidation, cutting back to maybe only six or eight locations in which to vote. She explained that any consolidation done will require a letter issued by her office to those voters, letting them know about the one time voting location change and making them aware there is an election on Aug. 3 for this issue only. After giving consideration to all options, Commission agreed to let Clerk Lietzow consolidate precincts all across the county at her discretion based on her expertise in handling such issues. Commissioners’ will continue to reach out to all organizations holding meetings throughout the county to promote the issue and the E-911 board will do the same within the realm of providing emergency services to all fire, ambulance, hospital, law enforcement agencies. With that, court order  No. 132 was signed by Commission with unanimous vote.

MOTION/VOTE ISSUE COURT ORDER NUMBER 132 PLACING THE USETAX ISSUE ON THE AUG. 3, 2021 BALLOT

Commissioner Jim Holland made a motion to issue court order number 132 placing the usetax issue on the Aug. 3, 2021 ballot. Commissioner Jerry Lairmore 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 May 27, 2021. Commissioner
Jim Holland seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.