Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Ron McKain, guest, said the prayer. Commissioner Carol Jarrell was not present for the meeting.
Commissioner C.D. Stewart made a motion to accept the minutes from the regular session, April 17, 2023. Mathis seconded the motion. Both voted yes. Motion passed.
Commissioner C.D. Stewart made a motion to accept the minutes from the Closed Session, April 17, 2023. Mathis seconded the motion. Both voted yes. Motion passed.
Stars & Stripes Museum Expansion Update
Mathis stated that he has a surveyor getting a lot description for the Stars & Stripes Museum expansion. The Museum had requested an additional 7 acres and the land belongs to the County.
Update on the Old Medical Building Owned by the County
Mathis updated those present about the HVAC system and it is in good condition. This is in reference to the old medical building that someone wants to rent and make into a coffee shop. They will need to put a meter in place and have AmerenUE turn the gas on. Mathis asked William Dowdy, Maintenance Manager, who was present, to contact AmerenUE to get a meter installed.
City of Puxico Alderman Travis Stafford
There is an old Ford Crown Victoria police car that belongs to the Sheriff's Dept and has been sitting and will eventually go to auction. Mr. Stafford has asked the County to donate or allow the city of Puxico to purchase the vehicle as they are in high need of a car. The Puxico Police Department has a Crown Vic currently and all the partition cage parts will transfer to this vehicle. " Let's have the city of Puxico Marshall come over and start the vehicle and drive the vehicle and see if in working condition," commented Mathis. "It has been sitting over there for over a year."
Update on Mr. Ron McKain's Request to have a County Prayer Meeting Prior to Pentecost
Bloomfield Park was a no because of two weddings that will be held in the park during the dates he has requested. Dexter Park and Recreation office has not gotten back to him, American Legion wants $125 per night to rent and I can't do that. "I am going to put it in your hands and since it is for the County, I am leaving it in your hands to find me a place. You all know of places and have an influence over the people," stated McKain.
Dale Moreland with Castor Township
Sally Cato, representing the Blackshare Family who owns the property in question is requesting that the County remove County Road 570 as a designated road in Castor Township. A gate was put up more than 20 years ago because the road goes through a swamp area and since 1998 there has not been any road maintenance since the railroad took over. The land has been designated as a wetland by the state of Missouri and the family that has owned this property has since the 1800s and want to protect the land.
There is a procedure to "close" a road which takes signatures of 12 people and an application as well as the Castor Township Board would have to be agreeable. Then a public hearing.
Cato presented a MO State Statute 228.190 and 228.110 states that if no one has done anything for 5 years then you don't have to do this process. Mathis stated, "We will take the statute and get legal advice on the procedure." Moreland said the Castor Board will meet and vote and he did not see an opposition of this removal as a road.
Update on the ARPA request by Castor Township to asphalt roads.
"We bought the asphalt machine and we then found out that we needed new tracks. It will cost $22,000 to replace the tracks. That's why we need to have someone to asphalt the roads and don't have the money to replace the tracks on the asphalt machine," stated Moreland.
Mr. C.D. Stewart left the meeting at 9:45 a.m. to attend a funeral.
10:00 a.m. Open Bids/Letting of the Depository Bid
Four bids were received
1. Southern Bank
2. First Midwest Bank
3. First State Bank & Trust
4. Bank of Advance
"All bids will be reviewed collectively as a group. Then at that time we will vote and choose a bank. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me," commented Mathis.
Josh Speakman, County Collector, has offered to make a spreadsheet to help with choosing the bank.
No official closing of the Opening of the Bids portion of the meeting.
John McCarty, Arch Brokerage Insurance
Health EZ end of the emergency for COVID-19. Insurance wants to know how to process claims going forward since the national emergency is considered over. Will COVID-19 tests be covered yes or no. If they choose no, then the plan will have to be amended.
No further business was conducted. Meeting adjourned without motion around noon time.
