Sept 16, 2010

For more information, contact:
Richard Cavender or Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993

MRPC Board Developing List of State Priorities
MRPC Annual Dinner to be Nov. 9 in Osage County

ST. JAMES— Each year, the MRPC board develops a state priorities report that is delivered to the region’s legislative delegation at the start of the new session.

At its September meeting, the Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s committees began developing its list of state issues affecting the Meramec Region. The MRPC board met in regular session on Sept. 9 at its office in St. James.

Once the issues are defined, board members will prioritize them and make the most important issues a part of their discussions with legislators. The board plans to meet with state legislators as a part of its December meeting and will then hand-carry the report to the Capitol in January.

The board also made its final appointment to the Meramec Regional Community Foundation Board. At the recommendation of the External Relations Commission, Jim Grebing, community and economic development director for the city of Hermann, will serve as one of MRPC’s board appointments to the foundation board. The newly formed foundation board will meet in early October.

In other business, the board:

• Heard an update on MRPC’s 2010 Annual Dinner, scheduled for Nov. 9 at the Linn State Technical College in Linn. The External Relations Committee has selected 12 people, at the recommendation of MRPC board members, to receive awards and recognition. Ticket prices will be $25 for the event, and invitations will be mailed in early October. The 2010 Annual Dinner is hosted by Osage County, the city of Linn, Linn State Technical College. Legends Bank of Linn is helping to sponsor the event.

• Approved a by-laws change that allows the board the option of using a consultant when hiring an executive director and outlines the process, if a consultant is used.

• Approved a contract with the U.S. Economic Development Administration that increased the funding amount and scope of work and the Bank of Crocker for a lead risk assessment;

• Approved a memorandum of understanding with Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation for the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee to lease a cargo trailer from MCEC for $1 plus expenses for use by its CERT trainers.

• Was presented with a plaque of appreciation from the U.S. Census Bureau for its assistance in promoting the 2010 Census.

• Was briefed on the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program that was passed into legislation by Missouri legislators last session. The program would allow homeowners to make energy improvements to their home and paid for through a special property tax assessment attached to the property. The Missouri Association of Councils of Government—the state association for regional planning commissions across Missouri —has been approached by the private sector about helping to implement this program in the future.

• Learned the MRPC has loan funds available for lending.

The MRB Corp. board met after the MRPC meeting and approved a contract with J. Rogers Architecture of St. James for design work to expand the MRPC building. The group wishes to add a new conference room/storm shelter and reconfigure the existing conference room into offices. The MRB Corp., a non-profit made up of the cities and counties in the Meramec Region, owns the assets used by MRPC.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 30, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

The MRPC board will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 at its office at 4 Industrial Drive in St. James. All meetings are open to the public.

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