Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the meeting as usual with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer for county officials.

On the Agenda there was a line item for the Ivan Schrader Legal Update.  Josh Speakman, County Collector, is not available today as he is at a spring conference.  This item will be placed on next week's agenda.

City of Bloomfield

Justin Bell "In 2015 we passed a million dollar bond issue to upgrade the sewer and lagoon projects.  These monies being requested will be towards an additional project."

Somewhere within the city when it rains the water overloads our sewer system.  The City of Bloomfield is requesting funds from the ARPA program to test, repair, and replace items needed for a Sewer Collection System.  The testing would divulge where they have inflow and infiltration issues with excessive rainwater.  When they have a two or three inches of rain their present sewer system which is rated for a discharge of 300,000 gallons per day becomes strained.  The result of such a rain means several of their citizens being unable to use their toilets for approximately three days until the excess water moves through the lagoon system.

The city knows there are areas in our city where rainwater is flowing directly into their lines and by video testing will identify those areas.  They know they will have to insert new lining in approximately 15,000 linear feet of existing sewer lines and maybe more.

Their engineers are also telling the city that they will need to replace at least four manholes and have inserts for approximately 25 more.

The City of Bloomfield is requesting $500,000 from the Stoddard County Commissioners to assist the city in this project.  They have a cost estimate from Smith & Co. available to the Commissioners for review.  The city of Bloomfield had asked for $400,000 in ARPA assistance early on, but it has since been denied based on the federal guidelines set forth and the County attorney has already reviewed that request and was in agreement.

C.D. Stewart, New Commissioner

Mathis stated that Stewart would appear before the Senate at Jefferson City on Wednesday, March 8th for his confirmation as the new Stoddard County Commissioner.   Stewart was appointed by Governor Mike Parson following the removal of Commissioner Steve Jordan.

The Stoddard County Commission had appointed Greg Lintz in the interim until Governor Parson rendered a decision.  Mathis said upon his confirmation Stewart will have a swearing in ceremony during the Commission meeting on Monday, March 13, 2023.

Peter Coutavas, IDASC Director

Coutavas has requested to help a boutique owner in Puxico the ability to rent the old pharmacy in Bloomfield.

Motion the authority given to the IIDASC terms of the lease agreements - No rent for four months, Rent of $150/mo for four months, rent of $250/mo for four months, and notate a new lease for the 2nd year and no security deposit.  Motion made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  Seconded by Greg Mathis.  Lentz Absent.  Both voted yes.

Motion to accept the minutes from Tuesday, February 28th made by Commissioner Jarrell.  Seconded by Mathis. Both voted yes.

Motion to accept the minutes from February 28th, Executive Session made by Commissioner Jarrell.  Seconded by Mathis. Both voted yes.

Minutes from the Executive Session - Stoddard County Commission met for a closed meeting pursuant to RSMo: Section 610.021 (13)

Commissioner Mathis asked for a motion to give financial incentives to Stoddard County Sheriff Office personnel who work when the Stoddard County Government Building and Justice Center are closed fro inclement weather.  A motion was heard from Commissioner Lintz and seconded by Commissioner Lintz and seconded by Commissioner Jarrell.  Vote as follows Lintz No, Jarrell No, Mathis NO, Motion did not carry.   

Commissioner Mathis asked for a motion to give five Stoddard County Sheriff Office employees who were hired after October 1, 2022, a raise equal to new employees performing the same job, after January 1, 2023.  Pay raise will be effective for the pay period February 21, 2023 to March 20, 2023.  A motion was heard from Commissioner Lintz and seconded by Commissioner Jarrell, with no request for discussion.  Commissioner Lintz - Yes, Jarrell - Yes, and Mathis - Yes.  Motion carried.

A motion to close the Executive Session made by Commissioner Jarrell.  Seconded by Lintz.  All three voted yes.

Motion to adjourn at 12:03 p.m. for today's meeting made by Commission Jarrell.  Seconded by Mathis.  Both voted yes. 

Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer for local elected officials and their decisions that they make daily and how it affects our county citizens

Heather Davis, new employee of the County Clerk's office, will be taking minutes at the Stoddard County Commissioners Meeting.

Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission

Bernie potentially wanting to purchase a commercial lawnmower to mow a park in their town.  The would also like to purchase a snow plow attachment for one of their city trucks in the event the region would receive inclement weather in years to come.  This is covered under Government Services until the ARPA Funds and is an allowable expense.

A small business in Puxico is looking to get roof repaired/replaced on their building.  they estimate it to cost around $25,000 from ARPA monies.

Another small business has reached out to Commissioner Mathis asking about ARPA funds for small businesses.

"The current Commissioners will discuss this as we don't have a lot of funds available," commented Mathis.

The previous Commission chose only to give funds for Broadband, Water and Sewer infrastructure and not to local small businesses.  

Motion to approve the minutes for Tuesday, February 21, 2023 minutes made by Commissioner Jarrell. seconded by Commissioner Lentz.  All voted yes.

The 2023 Salary Schedule was distributed.  This information is open to the public and can be obtained from the Stoddard County Clerk's office by request.  Employees were given a 3% raise effective January 1, 2023.

Elected Officials Salaries for 2023:

Presiding Commissioner - $49, 329.72

Associate Commissioner - $47,329.72

Associate Commisser - $47,329.72

County Clerk - $67,582.46

County Treasurer/Collector - $83,234.17

County Recorder - $67,582.46

Prosecuting Attorney - $150,035.00

Coroner - $28,451.50

Assessor - $66,964.45

Sheriff - $90,021.00

Beau Bishop, Emergency Management Director for Stoddard County

Siren Grant was approved federal HMPG grant for $157,500.00, The County would have to ad $17,500.00 to match monies for a total of $175,000 grant.

"I am currently working on the Stoddard County Hazard Mitigation Questioner," stated Bishop. "I will also be attending the NWS Spring Weather Workshop on march 1st in Paducah and then on March 2nd and 3rd I will be in Jefferson City for a MFSMA Tools of Floodplain Management.  I will also be in Portageville on March 16th for an Earthquake Summit."

FEMA has announced that all COVID-19 Disaster Declaration Incident Periods will close on May 11, 2023.  "I will be gathering information to finalize the closing of the Reporting Period."

"We did not receive the grant for the new truck, so we are going to table that for now," continued Bishop. 

At 11:30 a.m. Commissioner Lentz  made a motion to adjourn from the regular meeting and enter into Executive Session: Personnel 610.021 (13).  Seconded by Commissioner Jarrell.  All voted yes.

Route ZZ in Stoddard County will be reduced as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform shoulder repairs.  

This section of roadway is located from Route H to County Road 642. 

Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, Feb. 27 through Friday, March 31 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.  

The work zone will be marked with signs.  Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area. 

For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT

Governor Parson appoints C.D. Stewart to replace Steve Jordan as Stoddard County Commissioner.  

At the opening of the Stoddard County Commission meeting on Tuesday, February 21st, 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." 

It may be March 6 or 9th before the Senate of the General Assembly approves the appointment.

Here is the letter from the Governor

"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

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.