PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE DAY

Pledge of Allegiance Day on December 28th commemorates the date Congress adopted the "The Pledge" into the United States Flag Code.

Congress formally gave recognition for the Pledge of Allegiance on December 28, 1945. Francis Bellamy receives credit for writing the Pledge of Allegiance. The Youth's Companion, a magazine for young people, first published it anonymously on September 8, 1892, under the title "The Pledge." It was written in celebration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America.

In 1923 and 1924, the National Flag Conference inserted text of the pledge into legislation. Though modifications were made, the pledge remained nearly the same. At the same time, the conference didn't designate it as the official pledge. In its original form, it read: 

“I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” 

The small changes resulted in this version: 

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

NOTICE OF OPEN MEETING 

BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING

PUXICO CITY HALL

Regular Board Meeting

Thursday, December 19, 2024, 6:00 p.m.  

TENTATIVE AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Invocation
4. Pledge of Allegiance
5. Announcements –  Municipal Election Filing – Dec. 10 – Dec. 31 
6. Adopt Agenda
7. Approve Minutes of November 21, 2024, Regular Meeting
8. Approve Payment of Bills
9. Patrick Kintner – City FY 2024 Audit Review
10. Department & Board Reports
    1. Maintenance – 
    2. Police
    3. Animal Control
    4. Fire 
    5. Library  
    6. Historical Museum
    7. Park Board
11. Unfinished Business
    1. Street ARPA Fund Expenditures – Sidewalks
    2. City ARPA Fund Obligated by December 31
12. New Business
    1. Insurance quotes for Buildings, Vehicles, Equipment, Liabilities, Work Comp, Earthquake
13. Adjournment

PLEASE NOTE:  In accordance with RSMo.610.021, the Board may go into closed session during this meeting to discuss matters of litigation, legal actions, and/or communication from the City Attorney as provided under Section 610.021 (1), and/or personnel under Section 610.021 (13), and/or employee under Section 610.021 (3), and/or real estate under Section 610.021 (2).

NOTICE TO AIRPORT ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

The City of Dexter, Missouri (“Sponsor”), is hereby soliciting statements of qualifications and experience from qualified consultants for airfield development projects at the Dexter Regional Airport (DXE). Projects may be subject to future receipt of Federal funding under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program, as administered by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) through the State Block Grant Program (SBGP). These projects may include the following:

1. Pavement Maintenance of taxiway and apron. Estimated cost $500,000.
2. Obstruction Removal/Mitigation. Estimated cost $575,000.
3. Airfield Drainage improvements. Estimated cost $409,444.
4. Replace Runway 18/36 Lighting. Estimated cost $1,020,000.
5. Install Taxiway Lighting. Estimated cost $1,375,000.
6. Replace Terminal Building. Estimated cost $3,000,000.
7. Vehicular parking and fencing.
8. Hangar improvements. 
9. New Agricultural Operations area. 
10. Site and aeronautical surveys, Instrument Approach development. 
11. Assistance with required environmental actions and documentation. 
12. Assistance with acquisition of land and rights for airport development. 

The required services include, but are not limited to, engineering services for preliminary, design, bidding, and construction phases and incidental special services including geotechnical, preparing categorical exclusion documentation, as-built ALP updates, and surveying. The consultant should provide the name(s) of preferred firm(s) for any work which is likely to be sub-consulted. Sub-consultant changes can occur with Sponsor approval. At the Sponsor’s discretion, this selection can be retained for projects initiated within five years or until all projects are complete. Projects other than those listed above will require a new solicitation except as allowed in FAA Advisory Circular 150/5100-14 paragraph 2.7.2 (4). Disclosure: Under a previous agreement, Hanson Professional Services Inc. assisted the Sponsor with preparation of their CIP and the above cost estimates.

A qualifications-based selection (QBS) process conforming to FAA Advisory Circular 150/5100-14 will be utilized to select the most qualified firm. Selection criteria will include:

• Recent experience in airport projects
• Capability to perform all aspects of project
• Ability to meet schedules within budget
• Knowledge of FAA/MoDOT design and construction standards
• Knowledge of FAA/MoDOT regulations, policies, and procedures
• Quality of previous airport projects undertaken
• Personnel experience and qualifications
• Familiarity with, and proximity to the project
• An implemented Affirmative Action Program

Fees will be negotiated for projects as federal funds become available. Consultants shall not include fee or cost information when responding to this solicitation. Prospective consultants are advised that applied overhead rates must be in accordance with the cost principles established within Federal Regulation 48 CFR Part 31, Contract Cost Principles and Procedures. After selection, the successful firm will be required to submit a copy of their current overhead rate audit certification or MoDOT pre-qualification.

The agreement(s) between the Sponsor and the selected consultant will be subject to all applicable Federal Rules and Regulations as identified in AC 150/5100-14E. The most current version of the Federal Contract Provisions for A/E agreements will be included in each agreement.

Airport consultants should submit three copies of their statement of qualifications and experience along with references to the following address, no later than 10:00 am CST, January 24, 2025. The consultant should also provide an affidavit of compliance with the federal work authorization program and a copy of the firm’s E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding (15 CSR 60-15.020). Questions regarding this solicitation can be directed to David Wyman PE, City Administrator at 573-624-5959.

SUBMIT DOCUMENTS TO:

David Wyman PE, City Administrator

City of Dexter

301 East Stoddard

Dexter, MO  63841

David.wyman@cityofdexter.org

VA Begins Transition to Simpler Online Sign-in Experience for 

Veterans’ Account Access

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced plans to start transitioning Veterans, over the next year, to a more modern, streamlined online login process to access benefit and health care services. This is a step in VA and the Biden-Harris Administration’s comprehensive efforts to safeguard and protect Veteran data and that of their beneficiaries.

With VA’s support through consistent outreach and training, Veterans will transition to one of two 

sign-in options to access VA.gov, VA mobile 

applications, and other VA online services: Login.gov or ID.me accounts. Veterans can begin this transition now by visiting www.va.gov/sign-in-changes to learn how to create a verified Login.gov or ID.me account. The process takes about 10 minutes.

Veterans and other beneficiaries will no longer be able to use usernames and passwords for My 

HealtheVet after Jan. 31, 2025, or DS Logon after Sept. 30, 2025.

After these deadlines, Veterans who have not yet transitioned will still be able to access their data and resume managing their benefits and services online once they have created their new account.

“Modern accounts like Login.gov or ID.me enhance the existing security and safety of online interactions, offering a robust defense against unauthorized 

access and identity theft,” said Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer Kurt DelBene. “The transition is all about putting the Veteran first. By streamlining accounts, simplifying access, and providing tailored support, we’re empowering Veterans with a more user-

friendly and modernized online experience that 

caters to their needs.”

Key aspects of the transition include:

Increased protection for Veterans and enhanced security compliance: VA is committed to implementing President Biden’s Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, which calls for sign-in accounts to meet modern security standards for 

identity verification and multifactor authentication. This transition ensures compliance with these 

regulations and provides a more secure experience for Veterans, particularly by retiring the My 

HealtheVet sign-in option.

A simplified experience - while still providing options: In response to Veteran feedback and to meet the goals of President Biden’s Executive Order on Transforming Federal Customer Experience and 

Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government, this transition consolidates sign-in options for a simplified experience. Login.gov and ID.me accounts may also be used across many other government websites, such as for social security accounts, 

providing Veterans with a more streamlined 

experience.

Efficient and reliable service: VA’s transition to Login.gov and ID.me accounts increases Veterans’ reliable access to online services by reducing downtime.

It is estimated this transition will impact approximately 3 million Veterans and other beneficiaries who do not yet use Login.gov or ID.me accounts to access VA’s online services. The department is dedicated to supporting Veterans through this transition. During the next several months, VA will work hard to communicate this change to all Veterans, particularly those who currently leverage My HealtheVet or DS Logon credentials.

Training and resources will be provided to help VA staff and Veterans Service Organizations support Veterans in selecting the account and multifactor authentication option that best suits their needs and preferences. 

This includes assistance tailored to the unique needs of Veterans who use assistive devices and screen readers.  

Through the transition and beyond, Veterans are always able to manage their benefits and services by phone or in-person at a VA location. 

For more information and updates on the transition process, visit www.va.gov/sign-in-changes or call the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center’s My HealtheVet coordinator at 573-778-4180.