Stoddard County Commissioners met on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 with Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis leading in the Pledge of Allegiance and prayed over the county officials, county employees and the county commissioners. Commissioner Greg Lentz stated that the Governor has recommended to appoint C.D. Stewart to replace Steve Jordan and himself as a Stoddard County Commissioner.
Lentz stated,"I will continue to do my due diligence and cooperate fully with the County and complete my duties as assigned until Mr. C.D. Stewart takes over."
Water District #4 Update
"Water loss is about 46% currently," stated Lea Long. "We are looking for an immediate infusion of $247,000 in ARPA funds."
In 2021 they asked for funding from the Commission and have not obtained that money yet.
Commissioner Jarrell stated that, "Here in the last month or so they have had some major water problems, County Road #468 has been affected. A boil water was ordered for the entire district as well. I am all for helping the District #4 employees."
"I apologize for taking so long and the commissioners not moving forward on the ARPA Funding," continued Jarrell. "Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning is doing a great job for us."
Duck Creek Township
Commissioner Lentz met with Doug Lowery, of Duck Creek Township and stated that he is in agreement with him. The main problem is the box culvert. It is too small for the 1200 acres and it crosses a major gravel road #420. The water backs up and has made a another trail and hits culverts. There are three Tyson facilities on that road and gets a tremendous amount of truck traffic. If they don't get things fixed, they will lose the road.
Duck Creek Township would like to apply for much needed ARPA Funds that are available for Water, Sewer, and Infrastructure in Stoddard County.
They has applied through the Commission for a CDGB Gran and Bootheel Regional Planning Commission was handling the administration for the grant; however the former Stoddard County Presiding Commissioner Danny Talkington failed to sign off timely therefore the grant deadline was not met.
Had they known they would not have received the grant they would have applied for ARPA funding sooner.
Currently Duck Creek is requesting funds to cover the structural and contracting expenses they have incurred in 2022 for road maintenance and to offset expenses in 2023. Structural improvements planned for there 2023 year include a 7x18x40 box culvert on County Road 420 to improve drainage at a cost of $65,000. Tyson Foods has 3 house complexes along this road and flooding is a common issue. Also, there are erosion problems along County Road 487 and 436 from heavy spring rains that need to be repaired. The cost of installing rip-rap along the banks will be approximately $25,000. Also they would like to implement a dust control product to reduce dust and road maintenance on their busiest 9 miles of a road will be $4,000.00.
There total request at this time is $213,974.00.
Duck Creek will have a meeting on Thursday and will be discussing putting out the bids. They have already spoken to a few contractors.
ARPA Update from Bootheel Regional Planning Commission - Katelyn Lambert
Water District #4 - Waiting on Waters Engineering, Inc., for final numbers from the August 25, 2021 request for ARPA funds as there has been an increase in expenses since 2021. Lambert will give John Chittenden a call today. He is the owner of Waters Engineering, Inc. The Commission will wait on voting until all the numbers are updated and correct due to the request being from 2021.
Water District #5 - Working with them on grant for engineering possibly a DNR grant. They are working on the request for ARPA funds from the Commission. They are getting the new meters, valve replacements, mapping of lines, etc.
City of Dexter Request - The Distribution agreement has been sent. Waiting on Alisha Trammel to get back to Lambert.
Motion that the Commission approve $480,000 in ARPA funds for the Bernie Water Basin Project was put to the floor. Commissioner Jarrell made the motion. Seconded by Commissioner Lentz. All three voted yes and passed without consent.
Motion that the Commission approve $200,661.28 in ARPA funds for Water District #5 was put to the floor. Commissioner Jarrell made the motion. Seconded by Lentz. All three voted yes and passed without consent.
Motion that the Commission approve $213,974.00 in ARPA funds for Duck Creek Township was put to the floor. Commissioner Lentz made the motion. Seconded by Jarrell. All three voted yes and passed without consent.
Industrial Development Association - Peter Coutavas
"I feel we should offer some type of incentive to rent these offices and buildings downtown Bloomfield such as free rent or reduced rent for a period of time,"
Sheriff Carl Hefner Attended the Meeting
"They forgot to enter the HIPPA business Agreement when they signed the contract for the new nurse from SoutheastHEALTH. Basically states we would not go out and tell the world what medical condition inmates have in the jail, etc. I just need the Commissioners to sign. It was an oversight when we went into the agreement."
Motion to sign the HIPPA Business Agreement that is going through SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County on the floor. Commissioner Jarrell made the motion. Lentze seconded the motion. All three voted yes and pass without consent.
HMN Architectural Firm Update
The initial meeting was on January 9, 2023 with the new commission. Nothing has been done. Generator is not here yet. "This has been going on since August of 2022," stated Mathis.
Motion to allow Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis to write a letter to HMN Architectural firm setting a 10 deadline to respond to the County concerning the generator. Commissioner Jarrell made the motion, seconded by Lentz. All three voted in agreement.
Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk's Office
Letter has been received from the Governor's office making the official appointment to the Commission per Weeks.
"To the Senate of the 102nd General Assembly of the State of Missouri:
I have the honor to transmit to you herewith for your advice and consent the following appointment:
"C.D. Stewart, Republican, 25788 County Road 307, Bloomfield, Stoddard County, Missouri 63825, as district One Commissioner of the Stoddard County commission, for a term ending when his successor is duly elected or appointed and qualified; vice, Steve Jordan, vacated."
Respectfully submitted,
Michael L. Parson
Governor
Audit Update
Per Weeks, Daniel Jones has agreed to honor their bid from last year of $25,040.00.
"We need to motion release Devereux & Company from their bid contract and hire Daniel Jones and Associates CPA," stated Weeks.
Motion was made to release Devereux & Company from their bid contract due to lack of employees at their company to perform the audit and to hire Daniel Jones and Associates CPA to perform the audit. Cost will be $25,000. Motion made by Jarrell. Seconded by Lentz. All three voted yes and passed.
Earthquake Insurance for the County Buildings.
Tish Gentry with County Wide Insurance quoted Earthquake Insurance for the county buildings at $175,000 with a 5% deductible per building. Coverage would roughly be $18,630.00 total.
Commissioner Lentz stated that he is against having earthquake insurance on his own properties. Commissioner Jarrell said she felt it's better to have the insurance and not need it then to not have it and need it. It would take a lot of monies to rebuild or repair.
Motion to accept the Earthquake Insurance additional monies at roughly $175,000 cost for $18,630,000.00 coverage made by Jarrell. Mathis seconded the motion. Jarrell voted yes, Lentz voted no, Mathis voted yes. Passed.
Motion to approve the minutes of February 14, 2023 made by Commissioner Lentz. Commissioner Jarrell seconded the motion. All three voted yes and passed without consent.
Motion to adjourn at 12:00 p.m. by Commissioner Jarrell. Seconded by Commissioner Lentz. All three voted yes.
