Gasconade County Commission Minutes

Posted 7/8/21

July 8, 2021

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Gasconade County Commission Minutes

Posted

July 8, 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 July 1, 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 117275 through 117310. 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 Jerry Lairmore reported road department was out working on the roads this morning when he stopped at the Drake shed; he said the Hafertafe road low water slab construction has not been started yet by Barry Krause. He had also been contacted by the McClure engineer who is working on the trade of BRO funds with soft match credit; he got to see a draft letter initiated by the Lincoln County Commission and once it is signed by all six Commissioners’ it will be sent to MoDOT for their final stamp of approval and the actual transfer of funds.

Commission asked Clerk Lietzow if she had any luck with the AT&T telephone accounts being changed for primary point of contact and she said after an hour on hold first by web chat and then by telephone, she did not. She contacted ISM Rhonda Stoker and told her either Wayne Kottwitz or Roger Dahl will have to initiate the call to add Stoker who can then add either Presiding Commissioner Miskel or Lietzow and she can also remove the names listed that are no longer employed by the county.

Commission received notice from River Cement Co. of their application to MoDNR for a site expansion to their existing permit on four-acres of land in Section 12, Township 40N, Range 5W.

Regarding the job opening for brush cutter, Lietzow an ad placed in both newspapers and has asked website manager to add it to Commission’s page; Stoker is making contact with the career placement office at Linn State Technical College to have it added there also.

Lairmore said he is dealing with two right of way issues on county roads where vehicles are parked improperly so he is notifying Sheriff Scott Eiler for assistance.

Commissioner Jim Holland reported problems on Ferry road and some more trees down and some road grading issues.

Last issue was the decision to award the chip and seal projects as bid by Binks Trucking and Excavating; Lairmore suggested the bids be accepted with the understanding that they will only be completed to the extent of the budget constraints.

MOTION/VOTE ACCEPT BID FROM BINKS TRUCKG & EXCAVATING FOR FRENE CREEK AND HOLZSCHUH CHIP AND SEAL PROJECTS UNDER CONDITIONS AS DETAILED

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to accept bid from Binks Trucking and Excavating for both Frene Creek and Holzschuh chip and seal projects under conditions as detailed. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:
Jerry Lairmore (Yes),
Jim Holland (Yes),
Larry Miskel (Yes).

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Commission was notified by Department of Agriculture Land Survey division, that now is the time to apply to participate in the corner remonumentation program if they are interested; Clerk Lesa Lietzow said Surveyor Vincent Klott called her yesterday to say he plans to set 10 corners through this program so she will initiate the paperwork. They were also notified by Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management that the 2022 district grant call is now open through Aug. 20 and asks Commission to encourage public agencies to participate to reduce the amount of solid waste landfilled.

Treasurer Mike Feagan presented his monthly account balances to Commission for review; since this report ended June 30, it does not show the newly established funds adopted on July 1, but it does show the final settlement of the CARES Act fund and he also prepared his semi-annual report of finances as required by law. In addition, he had received the monthly sales tax distribution which was significantly higher than the same time as far back as 2018; while everyone is encouraged by these positive numbers, Commissioner Jim Holland pointed out the reality of being ahead in sales tax revenue by almost $53,000 or General Revenue bank balance being ahead by almost $179,000 how easily that could be wiped out by equipment failures or computer crashes or any number of unexpected expenses when all the elected officials are trying to mange their offices. Commission received copies of all department budgets and Lietzow said all elected officials and department heads have been invited to Commission meeting July 15 at 9:30 a.m. to review budgets and discuss the coming months. Lietzow said the private audit firm should be done soon with the financials audit triggered by federal funds received.

Holland received a report from TREMCO inspectors that had been to the Courthouse to look at the new leaks appearing in the offices on the second floor; the report shows leak to be on the right back steeple in northeast area. The inspectors were not able to access the leak area from the roof because of the metal roof pitch. From within the attic, they were able to locate two openings where you could see light coming through so it was fixed. While other ceiling issues were pointed out to the inspectors, it was their determination that was from previous leaks and further searching uncovered no new leaks.

Commission discussed whether they would meet during the week of the county fair; Holland will not be here anyway, so since Commissioners Jerry Lairmore and Larry Miskel will likely be working at the fair, session will be cancelled that week.

Presiding Commissioner Miskel asked Feagan for clarification on the timeframe for spending ARPA funds; Feagan explained the funds must be obligated by 2024 and spent by 2026.

Miskel mentioned Greg Lara, Gasconade County Health Department Director is retiring and he wanted to acknowledge the great job he did as Director, particularly during the pandemic; while they didn’t always agree, there was a mutual respect.

Commission received for file preliminary budget from Scenic Regional Library board, until final budget is approved in mid-September; Steven Campbell, Director also notified Commission that Diann Wacker has to resign from her term on the board effective immediately. He said Laura Hengstenberg, 112 Springfield Road, Owensville, has agreed to fulfill this term which expires June 30, 2024 if Commission agrees to appoint which they did.

MOTION/VOTE APPOINT LAURA HENGSTENBERG TO SCENIC REGIONAL LIBRARY BOARD TO FULFILL TERM OF DIANN WACKER

Commissioner Jerry Lairmore made a motion to appoint Laura Hengstenberg to Scenic Regional Library Board to fulfill term of Diann Wacker. Commissioner Jim Holland seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote:
Jerry Lairmore (Yes),
Jim Holland (Yes),
Larry Miskel (Yes).

REPORT OF FEES

Commission reviewed monthly report of collections from Shawn Schlottach, Collector for the month of June 2021 in the amount of $75,024.63.

REPORT OF FEES

Commission reviews report of fees for June 2021, from Pamela R. Greunke, Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Deeds for Divisions 1, 2 and 4 in the following amounts:
Recording $8,624.50; Dom Viol $70; CERF $2,821; Rec Records Reten $2,069.86; Record Techn $486.25; Clerk fees $588.80; County fees $407.80; Incarc/medcl costs $125; LETF $54; PATF $64.76; Fines $4,036.19; Sheriff’s fees/mileage $306.25; Overpayment $1.75; Misc county fees $62.55; Dep. Sher. Sal. Suppl. $10; Inmate Security Fund $96; Municipal Fines $4,754.50; LETFMunicipal $84.

ADJOURN

Commissioner Jim Holland made a motion to adjourn commission until July 15, 2021. Commissioner
Jerry Lairmore seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.