The Stoddard County Commission meeting opened their weekly meeting with the Pledge of Alligence and a prayer.

Stars and Stripes Museum, Laura Dumey

Mrs. Dumey with the Stars and Stripes Museum updated the Commission on Bloomfield being named a Historic Site Town.  They will have a pre-meeting tonight, March 4th and then a meeting at 9 a.m. on March 19th to discuss.

ARPA Funds Update with Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning

Puxico Fire Dept

The signed portion of the Distribution Agreement has been signed and ready for the Commissioners to sign.  The questions about the fire dept equipment being deemed a good project was approved by the County attorney.  The Fire Dept is part of the city of Puxico and therefore is covered under the city of Puxico.  

Motion to enter into the Distribution Agreement with the City of Puxico for the Fire Department and the City Library for the roofing project was made by Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to accept $5,748.00 for the Puxico Fire Department equipment from ARPA funds made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Bell City Fire Dept

Check was signed in the amount of $76,924.00 for foundation and framing.  This has already been approved out of the ARPA funds.

Water District #2 

Mrs. Lambert has received minutes showing they voted to request money.  She is waiting on the cancelled checks and itemized invoice.

Closeout of the CDBG Broadband Grant

The ADA  compliance form was not signed by the previous Commission nearly four years ago. 

Before signing the compliance form and completing this paperwork after the fact Mr. Mathis asked if a letter from Bootheel Regional Planning Commission could be obtained to make sure everything is legal.  Since the grant has not been totally closed out and there are no repercussions financially on the County. "We just want to be covered," commented Mathis. "We are dating it today and not backdating this document to when the previous Commission should have filled it out."

Lambert stated that they are still waiting on the monitor to come and completely review all the documents to make sure everything is filled to properly.

Tweedy Law Firm - Tweedy Law Firm sent a letter to the Honorable Robert Mayer and Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.

"This letter is to formally alert you of the dangerous condition in our courtrooms.  The chairs at counsel tables are too tall for most litigants.  I have personally witnessed two individuals almost fall out of the chairs as they tried to get into the chair and the chair rolled backwards.  One individual, almost rolled into the wood railing that is perpendicular to the swinging doors as she fell; the other was going straight down before someone caught her."

"Further, shorter members of the bar, sit with their feet on the base of the chair, because their feet do not touch the floor when setting in the chair.  It is only a matter of time until someone actually falls out of the chair and is injured."

Commissioner Mathis will take letter to the Mrs.Yancy, Circuit Clerk and go over the chairs with her.

Other Business:

Three County vehicles were sent to auction.  One Tahoe received $1,300, a second Tahoe for $2,100 and the Dodge Avenger for $400.  Minus the Commission fees for Jacob Goodin Auction a positive number of $3,515.00 was paid to the County.

Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis and Commissioner C.D. Stewart attended a County Commissioners of Missouri annual training Conference at Osage Beach, MO. Mrs. Jarrell was unable to attend because of appointments already on her calendar.

Carl Hefner, Stoddard County Sheriff

He updated the Commission that there are currently over 90 inmates housed in the new jail.

The regular meeting ended at 9:59 a.m. without motion.

10:00 a.m. Bid Opening Meeting Clean-Out of Ditch #19

Shannon Morgan Excavating - $87,000 w/o GPS and $127,000 w/GPS

Kinder Brothers Excavating - $68,000

Donald Bond Construction - $77,250.89

Roper Excavating - $74,275.00

Hessling Construction $39,616.78

No motion to accept Hessling Construction as the lowest bidder as Mr. Mathis will contact the owner and make sure everyone is on the same page on the clean-out.  The Commission will make a motion on Monday, March 11, 2024 to accept the lowest bid.

Recorders Office - Candy Collier, Stoddard County Recorder

She spoke about deedwatch.com as an online service that will notify and help you against deed fraud.  Anytime there is a deed that comes through their office then you will be notified. You have to set it up first then when there is any action on a deed then you will be notified of that information.  It won't stop deed fraud, but will help notify if there is any action taken on a deed in your name.

Dee Loflin, ShowMe Times has a Tax-Payer Contact her on Sunday 

The concern was off-duty deputies shopping at a local business using their work vehicle.

"Prior to our current Sheriff, Mr. Carl Hefner, Steve Fish, was the sheriff," stated Mathis.  "All deputies drove their own vehicles and they were reimbursed their milage....The Commission thought it better at that time to purchase vehicles for the county and not pay milage."

It was decided by that Commission that it was an additional public relations move to see the Stoddard County deputies out at church, a  basketball game, a grocery store etc to driving their work vehicles," continued Mathis.  "It was a good tool to see an officer in regular street clothes as normal everyday people and put a face with the public.  They are on call 24/7 as well."

After Carl Hefner was elected the policy remained the same.  Since that time another person in the community made a complaint about the use of county vehicles and the Commission once again agreed to keep the same policy in place for on and off duty officers.  

"It has not been abused," commented Mathis.  "Carl Hefner has never came to us and asked us to continue this policy.  Since 2003 or 2004 this has been the policy and we will continue this policy," stated Mathis.

"The deputies understand and know when they are in those cars," continued Mathis.

"They can only drive their cars within the county," commented Hefner. 

Jacob Clary - Stoddard County Assessor's Office

The Assessor's website was down for three days, but it is up and running now.  

"We did decide to extend two weeks for those filing online as well as the hard copies.  March 14th is the deadline," commented Clary.

Closed Sessions

After Mathis spoke to the County attorney this week, moving forward the practice will be to put those wishing to be heard in closed session for personnel and cyber security and such shall be put on the Agenda for Closed Session.

"We need to change the dynamics of our closed session," Mathis said.  "We will give our office holders this information and make sure they are on the Agenda if they need to be heard in Closed Session."

Motion to enter into Closed Session made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart made at 11:02 a.m., seconded by Commissioner Jarrell.  All Three voted yes and motion passed.

The Stoddard County Commission began their meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer led by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.

Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission 

City of Puxico - Public Library roof

The city of Puxico submitted an official request for the Puxico Library roof along with an estimate of $11,500.  The roof is a cedar shake shingles and is the older portion of the log structure built by the PA (Works Progress Administration) in 1939.  The roof that is older section now has a shaker roof that was installed by Mingo Job Corps over 20 years ago.  The roof leaks and needs to be replaced.

According to Mrs. Lambert, any amount between $10,000 - $12,000 and the company is registered with the state and is a reputable company to use then they do not have to get a bid for the ARPA monies.

"This is considered a good project and an eligible expense for the Commission to consider," stated Lambert.

Motion to accept the bid for the Puxico Library Roof and approves the request from the City of Puxico for APRA funds in the amount of $11,500 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Bell City Water District #2

"I am still waiting on the minutes," commented Mrs. Lambert.

Bell City Fire Department

Bell City Fire Department dropped off this morning a request for monies already approved by the Commission for ARPA funding in the amount of $76,000 for the framing of the new building.

Puxico Fire Department

The Puxico Fire Department is requesting fire equipment for the firemen. $1,437.00 to outfit each fireman and there are four firemen at Puxico..  Peter Coutavas, Puxico City Alderman, brought in an estimate for the uniforms and equipment.

Bid for Clean-Out of Ditch #19

Bid Opening Meeting is set for 10 a.m.on Monday, March 4th for clean-out of drainage Ditch #19.

Bid for Clean-Out of Ditch #14 and 13-33

The bid for the clean-out of Drainage Ditch #14 and Drainage Ditch #13-33 Wednesday, February 28th is in the Bernie Banner Newspaper.  The bid gathering will be open until Friday, March 8th with the Bid Opening Meeting on March 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the Commission meeting.

Matt Kinder from Kinder Brothers Excavating, stopped by and had questions about the ditch clean-out.

Other Business:

Motion to accept the February 20, 2024 regular meeting minutes made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to accept the February 20, 2024 closed session meeting minutes made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to adjourn at 11:52 a.m. made by Commission Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.

They will enter into executive session at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the Cyber Security Grant that was received.

Stoddard County Drainage Ditch #19 is accepting sealed bids for mopping and cleaning out the drainage ditch.

The drainage ditch starts on D Highway in Stoddard County and will end at the County line going south.

It is approximately 7 3/4 miles of ditch.

This will also consist of smoothing out spoil pile.

If anyone would like to look at Drainage Ditch #19 you can call Keith Mayberry at (573) 421-2427 and he will assist you.

The last day to accept bids will be February 29, 2024.  The bids must be sealed and will reopened on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Stoddard County Government office in the Stoddard County Commissioners' office.

Any bids need to be mailed to this address: Stoddard County Clerk's Office, Bid Drainage Ditch #19, P.O. Box 110, Bloomfield, MO 63825

Or if you wish to drop off the bid here is the address: Stoddard County Clerk's Office, Bid Drainage Ditch #19, 401 S. Prairie Street, Bloomfield, MO 63825.

Please make sure that you put on your envelope that it is a bid for Stoddard County Drainage Ditch #19 and make sure it is sealed.

The Stoddard County Commission began their weekly meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer for the Stoddarad County Clerk's office, police and the farmers who are beginning their planting season.

Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning, ARP Funding Update

Bell City Fire Department - "They have completed their paperwork and have a bill for $11,085.00 to help build the new fire station," commented Lambert.  "This portion was to lay concrete and move electrical lines."

The amount is higher due to moving electrical lines the invoice is more than the original contract; however the amount was still within the approved ARPA funds pre-approved amount.

Motion to accept the invoice in the amount of $11,085.00 made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Water District #2 - They need a copy of the minutes from Water District #2 to show they voted to get the new meters.  They also need to get to Mrs. Lambert some documentation itemized invoice of the meters and the canceled check that they paid for the meters.  If the additional request goes over $10,000 they will have to bid out the computers

The final acceptance of the Engineer/Consultant's Certification for acceptance and final Payment request on the CDBG Grant for the work done at the Bootheel Regional Planning office and the Commission will sign off on the portion of the final payment for Smith & Company. 

Motion to sign the engineer certification and final payment to Smith & Company and the Zoellner Electric made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell and seoncded by Commissioner Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Puxico Library Roof is ARPA eligible to accept as a project,: according to Mrs. Lambert.  The city of Puxico will need to get some paperwork to Bootheel Regional Planning and then the Commission will vote on the acceptance of ARPA funding for the new roof.

Ira Tucker, Puxico Weekly Press and private citizen

First time in history that the Puxico Weekly Press now has color.  Worked as a park ranger at Wappappello Lake and was the oldest ranger in the state of Missouri.

David Scherer Bell City Fire Department

"They poured concrete today for the new fire department building.  In three to four weeks they will have the building up and then the inside can be worked on and we might be in the building by the first of May, 2024 if everything goes according to plan," commented Scherer.

Motion to accept Stoddard County Road 752 Bridge Replacement (BRO-R103(075) to Smith & Co. Engineers in the amount of $5,860.29made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.   The monies will be reimbursed to the County at 100% from the BRO Program.

Motion to accept Stoddard County Road 766 (BRO-R103(76) to Smith & Co. in the amount of $5,500.79 to Smith & Co. for Bridge Replacement made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed. The monies will be reimbursed to the County at 100% from the BRO Program.

Motion to accept the open session minutes from February 13th made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to accept the closed session minutes from February 13th made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Stoddard County Commission is now accepting sealed bids on Stoddard County Drainage Ditch 13/33 and Stoddard County Drainage Ditch 14. The project will consist of mopping and cleaning out the drainage ditches as well as smoothing down the spoil piles.  It will also consist of timber removal and disposal.  The project consists of three main sections.

Ditch 14 - Starting at C Highway where Ditch 14 turns southeast and then continues east until it reaches Ditch 13/33.  Approximately 1.65 miles.

Ditch 14 Lateral - Starting at Hwy 25 continuing east, then turning north until it meets Ditch 14.  Approximately .88 miles.

Ditch 13/33 - Starting at Hwy 25 moving south and southeast, stopping at Ash slough in Sec 17, TWP 28N, Range 11E.  Approximately 2.35 miles.

If anyone would like to look at or have questions of this project consisting of Drainage District 14 and 13/33 you may call C.D. Stewart at (573) 820-0991.

Motion to enter into closed session at 11:02 a.m. made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.