Meramec Regional Planning Commission
Minutes
March 8, 2007
Call to Order
Chairman Bob Reed called the March 8 meeting of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission to order at 7:35 p.m.
Welcome
The following individuals were welcomed to the meeting:
Jan Vaughn, executive director of Central Region Workforce Investment Board, Inc., Rolla
Dennis Wilson, candidate for mayor of St. James;
John David Lester, new city administrator for Hermann; and
Paula James, library board member, representative for the mayor of Edgar Springs.
Consent Agenda
The following consent agenda items were presented for approval:
a. ................................................................................................... Minutes (February)
b........ Contracts
• Crawford County Foundation
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter a contract to provide technical assistance in the preparation of Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) application for the Crawford County Foundation.
• St. James Caring Center
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter a contract to provide technical assistance in the preparation of Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) application for the St. James Caring Center.
• Maries County Bank
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract to provide SBA 7(a) loan packaging services for D.I. Excavating and Landscaping services for the Maries County Bank.
c. Addition to Consent Agenda
• City of Hermann
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract to provide administration of a Community Development Block Grant for an industrial infrastructure project for the city of Hermann.
T.R. Dudley made a motion to approve the consent agenda with the addition; seconded by Jim Schatz. The motion carried.
Plaque Presentation
Chairman Reed presented a plaque to Steve Mueller, former city administrator and representative of the mayor of Hermann on MRPC’s board, in appreciation for his service from March 2005 to March 2007. Steve expressed appreciation to MRPC staff for all of their support and friendship. He added that many projects in Hermann would not have become a reality without the help of MRPC. He said he considered it an honor to have served on MRPC’s board.
Passing of Decky Finn
Chairman Reed reported that Decky Finn, at-large representative for transportation on MRPC’s board and chairman of the Transportation Advisory Committee, passed away on March 3 from a long illness. MRPC’s board observed a moment of silence in memory of Decky. Board members also signed a sympathy card to be sent to Decky’s wife and family.
Get Well Wishes
Board members sent get well wishes to Ron Jost, presiding commissioner of Gasconade County, who is recovering from surgery.
Presentation by Jan Vaughn
At the recommendation of T.R. Dudley, Jan Vaughn, executive director for the Central Region Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (C-WIB), was invited to MRPC’s board meeting to speak on the services provided by C-WIB. T.R. Dudley represents economic development on the C-WIB board for the Meramec Region, and shares information to both boards on economic development activities of each organization.
Ms. Vaughn explained that C-WIB is the administrative agent that provides funding for a variety of job-training and employment services for both workers and employers. The C-WIB contracts with Central Ozarks Private Industry Council to provide services in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps and Washington counties, with Lake of the Ozarks Employment Services in Pulaski and four other counties and with Central Missouri Community Action, for services in Osage and seven other counties.
The Rapid Response Program, which assists permanently laid off workers to re-enter the workforce, was of interest to MRPC’s board. Since July 1, 2006, 26 companies have laid off 1,285 people in the 19-county area served by the C-WIB. Nine of those companies —and 659 employees—are in the Meramec Region. The lay-offs at Briggs and Stratton in Rolla and the plant closure of Affinia Brakes in Cuba are included in that number. Only Osage, Maries and Washington counties posted no Rapid Response job losses according to information provided by Ms. Vaughn. When job losses are reported to the Rapid Response program, workers are then provided information on a variety of programs to help them become re-employed. Ray Cassidy, director of field operations and Rapid Response coordinator, also attended MRPC’s meeting and distributed information packets on the various services offered by C-WIB.
Richard Cavender has accepted an invitation from C-WIB to speak to its board on the services offered by MRPC at a future date.
MRPC and Transportation Advisory Committee by Bonnie Prigge
Bonnie Prigge reported that MRPC’s board has changed since its Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) was established in 1994. She reviewed the purpose of the TAC, its relationship with MRPC and the Missouri Department of Transportation and its role in transportation planning. Highlights of her powerpoint presentation are as follows:
• In 1991, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) opened the doors for transportation planning at the local level. Prior to 1991, the state planned for rural areas transportation projects. Ms. Prigge reported on the history of the process prior to 1994.
• In August 1994, TAC was formed to advise MRPC on transportation needs and issues, and MRPC was recognized as a Regional Planning Organization by MoDOT. All of the state is covered by Regional Planning Organizations or Metropolitan Organizations..
• The MRPC TAC is composed of three representatives from each county who meet every two months. County commissioners appoint TAC members who serve three years and can be reappointed. The goal is for the TAC to be representative of all modes of transportation in the region.
• The presentation included information on the purpose of TAC, the job of a TAC member, the job of the TAC, the job of MRPC, the successes of TAC and MRPC and a list of the region’s TAC members. Some main successes were: Highway 72 and the Missouri River Bridge at Hermann (First priority of the TAC and MRPC); Highways 63 and 50 (Hwy 63 environmental study and Hwy 50 design work now underway.)
The presentation ended with a photo in memory of Decky Finn, TAC, chairman, who passed away on March 3.
Wurstfest 2007
Jay Gourley announced that Wurstfest 2007 will be held at Hermann on March 24 and 25 at Hermannhof Festhalle and Stone Hill Winery Pavilion. This event is a wurst competition and exhibition, and will feature a performance by the Rhineland Wurstjaegers Folk Dancers. Steve Mueller will be a celebrity judge. Jay said it is a fun event and invited all at the MRPC board meeting to attend.
External Relations Committee
Russell Scheulen, committee vice chairman, reported on external relations committee activities as follows:
• Discussed options to keep MRPC informed of Homeland Security Oversight Committee (HSOC) activities and recommended making no changes to its current method of having Tammy Snodgrass report for the group.
• The passing of Decky Finn has created a vacancy for the at-large position of Transportation, and Dawn Warren has indicated that she will be resigning from the at-large position of emergency planning due to a decrease in work hours by Gasconade County. Nominations will be solicited to fill those positions.
• Presentation by Linda Hollandsworth on housing programs offered by the Phelps County PHA and administered by MRPC.
• Joined planning and operations committee to discuss upcoming strategic advance.
Operations Committee
Gary Brown, committee vice chairman, reported on activities of the operations committee in the absence of Jesse Jarvis, committee chairman.
Gary Brown made a motion to approve the financial statements for the period ended Feb. 28, 2007, which includes MRPC/MRB, MRPC/MRDC-RLF & IRP programs; seconded by Randy Verkamp. The motion carried.
Wallstreet Insurance was selected as MRPC’s Agent of Record to coordinate its health insurance and ancillary products to obtain a more competitive price.
The committee discussed a draft amendment to MRPC’s personnel policies to clarify its policy on the use of office equipment by staff for personal reasons. Staff also asked for input on the practice of staff donating vacation or sick leave to another staff member in need, and had a discussion on the feasibility of e-mailing monthly meeting agenda materials.
The Operations Committee joined the External Relations and Planning committees to help with the Strategic Advance plans.
Planning Committee
John Petersen reported that Tammy Snodgrass gave a presentation on environmental activities and most of the meeting time was spent talking about the surveillance camera recently purchased by Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District, which may used to catch illegal dumpers. The rest of the meeting time was in a joint session with the External Relations and Operations committees on planning for MRPC’s strategic advance.
Grant Update
Amy McMillen gave a grant update as follows:
Upcoming Application Deadlines
• Neighborhood Assistance Program: Tax credits for non-profits. March/April for next round of credits.
• MoDOT Transportation Enhancements
Minimum grant of $25,000, Maximum $500,000
District 5 deadline—May 15; District 9 deadline—June 15.
• Delta Regional Authority: Economic development and emphasis on job-creation/retention. The amount that Missouri is to receive has not yet been determined for the Delta counties. The deadline to have them to the local development district was March 7, and one has been received that has to be turned in by March 21.
• CDBG: All categories are open year round. The cycle opens April 1 for community facilities, public needs, downtown revitalization, water and wastewater etc.
Applications in Process
• Leasburg Fire Station
$298,350 to construct a new fire station.
• Osage County Special Services—CDBG
$300,000 to construct the Ability Center in Linn to serve handicapped residents in Osage County.
• St. James Caring Center—NAP
NAP credits to acquire and renovate triplex adjacent to current facility along with seven vacant lots.
• Dixon Area Caring Center—NAP
NAP credits to acquire and renovate Town and Country into a caring center.
• Eden Heritage, Maries Manor —NAP
NAP tax credits to provide outpatient rehabilitation, respite care, caregiver training and support groups for caregivers.
• Potosi—DRA.
• St. James-Tacony Expansion—Industrial Infrastructure
$200,000 to pave existing gravel road to serve the east entrance to St. James industrial area. Private investment of approximately $4 million by Tacony to expand its current facilities to nearly double capacity. This will add 20 job in the next two years and 15 additional jobs over the next five years.
• Hermann Cheese Factory—Industrial Infrastructure
This project is currently in the planning stages.—looking at adding 10-15 jobs and will be applying for $100,000 to $150,000 for road and storm damage improvements.
• Newburg Fire Station—CDBG
Construct a new fire station.
• Bourbon Fire Station—CDBG
Construct a new fire station—beginning planning stages.
• Sullivan Demolition—CDBG
$125,000 to demolish blighted residential/commercial structures in town.
Recently Submitted Applications
• Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Grants:
—Cuba Retirement Homes, grant request of $481,400.
—Leasburg Senior Citizens Homes Inc., grant request of $347,247.
Housing Advisory Board
The housing advisory board met at 5:30 p.m. Linda Hollandsworth, housing program manager, reported on that meeting,
• New officers were elected as follows: Ron Jost, chairman; Randy Verkamp, vice chairman; and Ray Schwartze, secretary.
• Ms. Hollandsworth gave updates on utilization of housing assistance payments and Family Self-Sufficiency Action Plan.
Environmental Report
Tammy Snodgrass reported on environmental activities as follows:
• The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has approved the district grants, and those projects can now officially start.
• Staff has completed walk-throughs with the five pilot schools for the chemistry laboratory cleanup program, and the disposal contractor has removed the last of the materials. The project is being funded through EPA and Ozark Rivers will provide information and technical assistance on managing chemicals and provide funds to properly dispose of unwanted materials.
• Staff has selected Stan Slaughter, an environmental educator, to present environmental education programs in seven schools in the region. Plans are to schedule those programs for the fall of 2007.
• Staff has begun working with UMR on Earth Day celebration activities as well as the poster and trash art contest. The poster and trash art entries will be picked up from county clerk offices the first two weeks of April.
• The next meeting of the Ozark Rivers executive board is scheduled for March 13, 2007, at 10 a.m.
• Staff met with DNR personnel and trained on the use of Ozark River’s new surveillance camera equipment. It is hoped that the glitches in the equipment will be resolved in the next few weeks.
• Staff submitted an application to USDA Rural Development for solid waste technical assistance to the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District. That application is pending.
Tammy Snodgrass reported on emergency planning as follows:
• The next meeting of the MREPC will be April 25 at noon.
• A National Incident Management System (NIMS) for public officials training was held from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at the MRPC office on March 8. Five individuals took the class.
• Staff is working with Jim Pasley at SEMA and hopes to participate in an exercise that is planned for Maries County.
Homeland Security
Tammy Snodgrass reported on Homeland Security Oversight Committee (HSOC) as follows:
• The HSOC has reviewed grant applications, and staff has submitted the application to SEMA/Homeland Security and it is in the review process. Four types of projects that will be funded are agriculture risk, interoperable communications, mass care and citizen protection, volunteer and donations. At the December meeting, the committee earmarked grant funds for all four justifications. The committee is now awaiting state approval of its recommendations. The next meeting of HSOC group is scheduled for April 19 at 2 p.m. at MRPC.
Business Loans
Tom Klebba reported on MRDC loan activities as follows:
Currently, the business loans department is working on closing an SBA loan in Boone County. This loan will be closing in April and funded in May. There are four IRP loans that are in the process of closing totaling $318,000 and five EDA/RLF loans totaling $125,000. The MRDC board will be reviewing an SBA loan for a small business located in Taney County for a residential care facility.
On Feb. 22, MRPC hosted a workshop, which was sponsored by the Small Business Administration, on its 7(a) program, SBA express loan program and small business export services for area senior loan officers. Approximately 35 participants from 15 area banks attended. MRPC staff also included information on the loan programs administered by the agency. On Feb. 28, Maria Kardon and Candace Connell met with the Phelps County Bank and its loan officers to provide an overview of MRDC’s loan programs.
The MRDC board is still in need of one representative from Dent County and one representative from Osage County.
Workforce Development
T.R. Dudley did not report since Jan Vaughn had already given a workforce development report.
Director’s Report
Richard Cavender, director, reported as follows:
• The Fourth Annual Meramec Regional job fair will be held on March 27, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Cuba, Mo. For more information, call Nancy Montgomery at Tacony in St. James. Her number is 573-265-0500, Ext. 110.
• Mr. Cavender gave an associate member update as follows:
Silver: 2 new of 112 contacts
14 renewals of 34 in 2006
Gold: 1 renewal of 2 in 2006
Platinum 1 upgrade from silver
1 upgrade from gold
2 renewals of 3 in 20006
Exchange 4 chamber renewals of 7 in 2006
Mr. Cavender encouraged board members to tell local businesses about MRPC’s associate member program and to let our office know of any prospects.
• Mr. Cavender reported that Chairman Bob Reed, At-Large Commissioner for Tourism, Marcus Maggard and himself will be attending NADO’s Washington Policy Conference from March 11 – 14. They will hand-deliver the federal priorities identified by MRPC’s board.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
________________________________
Bob Reed, Chairman
________________________________
Russell Scheulen, Secretary