Meramec Regional Planning Commission
Minutes
February 14, 2008
Call to Order
In the absence of the chairman, Vice Chairperson Laura Antolak called the Feb. 14 meeting of the Meramec Regional planning Commission to order at 7:30 p.m.
Guests
The following guests were welcomed to the meeting:
Bruce Struemph and E.J. Meyer from Maries County;
Andy Becker and Jeff Whited, students from Missouri University of Science & Technology; and
John Tracy, new city administrator for Owensville.
Consent Agenda
The following consent agenda items were presented for approval:
1) Minutes (January)
2) Statewide Grant Applications
3) Contracts
• City of Crocker
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract to provide administration of a DNR Scrap Tire Materials grant for the city of Crocker.
• Progressive Ozark 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 Progressive Ozark Bank of Salem, Mo.
(Additions)
• City of Hermann Addendum (Quiet Zone)
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to sign an addendum to add administration of a Quiet Zone Project to its existing Hermann Downtown Revitalization administration contract.
• Town & Country 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 Town and Country Bank of St. James, Mo.
John Petersen made a motion to approve the consent agenda with the additions; seconded by Russell Scheulen. The motion carried.
County Commissioners Workshop
The County Commissioners Association of Missouri held its annual training session on Feb. 6-8 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. Russell Scheulen gave a brief report on some of the topics that were up for discussion at the meeting,
• County commissioners recommended the state to impose a cell phone fee. However, since this is an election year, it will be difficult to get legislation passed.
• It was reported that 26 of Missouri’s counties do not have 911 availability.
• The legislature is recommending a $1.25 increase in per diem for counties to house prisoners, however, the counties are recommending that the state allow $37.50 per day as listed in the state statutes.
• Mr. Scheulen also reported there was a discussion that the state of Missouri may support a voluntary animal identification program. The act prohibits the Missouri Department of Agriculture from mandating premises registration under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Identification program unless the department is specifically statutorily authorized to do so. Participants may withdraw from the program at any time.
Rural High Speed Internet Task Force Report
Richard Cavender was one of 25 individuals appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt to serve on a Rural High Speed Internet Access Task force to address the technological needs of Missouri’s rural communities. In Mr. Cavender’s absence, Bonnie Prigge distributed a preliminary report, which was made available on Feb. 1.
It was made clear in the task force hearings and meetings that broadband access is critical to Missouri’s economic development, small business competitiveness and the overall quality of life of its citizens. The report, required by an executive order, constitutes a preliminary review of the technological needs of Missouri’s rural communities. The task force recommends in this preliminary report the necessary steps to be taken in order to increase broadband accessibility in the state of Missouri.
Ms. Prigge added that Mr. Cavender received a lot of feedback on problem areas. It has been recommended that the task force continue its work, but it is not known whether the governor will act on this.
External Relations-Membership Committee
Russell Scheulen reported on external relations committee activities as follows:
• The committee received an on-line tour of MRPC’s organizational website. They were asked to make recommendations on how to improve the site. They agreed that the format was not user friendly. A recommendation was made to have e-mail links to board members and associate board members.
• In January 2009, MRPC will have a 40th birthday. The committee was asked for recommendations as to how to celebrate the event. The recommendations are as follows:
• The committee also discussed special board presenters. The goal is to have an educational component at each meeting. Some recommendations were representatives from the Division of Tourism, SEMA, Missouri Enterprise and Missouri Federation for Health. The committee also recommended having staff and committee reports distributed instead given orally to shorten the meeting.
Operations Committee
Vice Chairnan Gary Brown chaired the Operations Committee meeting in the absence of the committee chairman. At the request of Mr. Brown, Linda Loughridge reported on financials as follows:
• With 58.33 percent of the budget year expended, January month-end revenues over expenses amounted to $49,535.
• Currently, MRB has a deficit of approximately $3,500. However, that is not sufficient enough to make a change in the budget.
• The loans programs are doing great.
Gary Brown made a motion to approve the MRPC/MRB financial statements and MRPC/MRDC-RLF & IRP program financial statements for the period ending January 31, 2008; seconded by Russell Scheulen. The motion carried.
• Ms. Loughridge further reported that MRPC has received an unexpected windfall. MRPC used to have health and life insurance with the Principal Insurance Group. As a result of a class action suit or de-mutualization, Principal has awarded MRPC 4,827 shares of stock, with a present value of approximately $274,000. Staff provided a draft financial policy for the committee to review. The draft will be perfected and presented to the board at the March meeting. Plans are to conservatively invest the money with A.G. Edwards, our current pension carrier, and work toward building a six-months surplus to ensure the financial stability of MRPC.
Planning Committee
Planning Committee Chairman John Petersen reported on planning committee activities as follows:
• At the recommendation of MRPC’s Planning Committee, which serves as the CEDS advisory committee, full board approval was requested of the 2007 Revised CEDS document.
Darryl Haller made a motion to approve the 2007 Revised CEDS document; seconded by Russell Scheulen. The motion carried.
• The MRPC Planning Committee has served as the CEDS Advisory Committee since 2000, when staff started the CEDS process. EDA requires private sector and other representation that is difficult to maintain with current subcommittee structure. The Planning Committee is working to restructure the advisory committee to meet these requirements.
• Tammy Snodgrass, environmental programs manager, gave a demonstration on the making of identification badges.
Grant Update
Amy McMillen reported that she is working on nine Safe Routes To Schools applications. She and Bonnie Prigge are working on four Federal Home Loan applications. An application is in process for the Hermann One Soy, Inc. for industrial infrastructure.
Ms. McMillen distributed a detailed report on upcoming deadlines, applications in process and recently submitted applications.
Environmental Report
• Kraig Bone reported on emergency planning activities as follows:
The MREPC met on Jan. 23 and reviewed training grants. The committee awarded $35,000 to three fire departments in the region. Jodie Waltman—from the Phelps County Health Department—provided a presentation on Medical Reserve Corps.
• The NIMS 400 training session, which was scheduled for Jan. 30 and 31 at MRPC, was canceled due to a low number of registrations.
• The Missouri Emergency Response Commission (MERC) mailed out packets in December that included a public information program as well as a check for the local emergency planning committee. County commissioners were reminded to forward the LEPC funds to MREPC. MREPC is encouraging counties to establish a direct deposit accounts with them so it can distribute funds electronically. Ms. Snodgrass has forms to complete the process.
• The statewide SEMA conference is scheduled for Mar 25-26 at Branson. Information is available at the SEMA website.
• The next meeting of the MREPC will be April 23 at noon.
Tammy Snodgrass reported on environmental activities as follows:
• In September, Ozark Rivers SWMD awarded $300,000 in solid waste grants. Those grants were approved and made effective on Jan. 15.
• Two communities—St. Robert and Rolla—have agreed to host permanent household hazardous waste collection sites in the region. Both facilities are now open and accepting household hazardous waste on an appointment basis.
• The next meeting of the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District executive board is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m.
• Staff has been working with various local governments and the Forest Service to get some dump sites cleaned up on public land. These clean ups are currently underway.
• Staff submitted a grant to the United States Environmental Protection Agency to develop a website for the solid waste district.
Homeland Security Oversight Committee
Tammy Snodgrass reported on Homeland Security activities as follows:
• An additional state grant round for interoperable communications is currently open and applications are due at the end of February. The state has $800,000 available. It will be a very short turnaround because the money has to be spent by November 2008.
• Staff has completed most of the procurement for Fiscal Year 2007 grant funds and is working toward establishing regional programs on shelters, volunteers and interoperable communications planning. Projects include: interoperability planning, setting up CERT teams throughout the region, establishing shelters and shelter supplies for the Red Cross, generators and oxygen cascade systems for six ambulance districts, a response trailer and training for vets in the area of agriculture risk, a repeater and funds for interoperable radios.
• The next regular HSOC quarterly meeting is scheduled for April 17 at 2 p.m.
Business Loans
Tom Klebba reported on business loan activities as follows:
• Tonya Price of Belle has been hired as community development specialist/business loans specialist for MRPC. Tonya worked nine years for Linn Technical College, and prior to coming to MRPC worked two years as marketing director for the Maries County Bank.
• The next full MRDC board meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2008.
• An SBA 504 loan for a motel in Pulaski county has been rescheduled for closing in March. Staff closed on an additional IRP loan in February for a cabinet/retail business in Phelps County.
• MRPC staff made presentations in a workshop sponsored by the city of Hermann on January 23. There were about 25 participants at the workshop from the Gasconade County area. Staff will provide a similar presentation for Legends Bank in Owensville on February 25 along with representatives from SBA and Phelps County Extension office.
• There is still two vacancies on MRDC’s board—one in Crawford County and one in Maries County.
• The IRP and RLF funds are loaned out. MRDC continues to explore options for recapitalizing the IRP through USDA and will discuss using a state tax credit program for matching funds.
Transportation Advisory Committee
Donald Dodd reported that business of the TAC included a report by Robby Rakestraw from MoDOT District 9 on the Pulaski County Highway 17 Bridge Replacement; the American Association of State Highway Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO self –assessment; and MoDOT and staff reports.
Bonnie Prigge gave an overview of the process used to develop the Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Coordination Plan. She noted that stakeholders, including representation from OATS, SMTS and the Sheltered Workshop, have endorsed the plan.
At the recommendation of the Transportation Advisory Committee, Peter Herrington made a motion to approve the Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Coordination Plan; seconded by Donald Dodd. The motion carried.
Workforce Development
T.R. Dudley reported on Workforce Development activities as follows:
• Recognition was given on behalf of Ray Cassidy, director of field operations and rapid response coordinator, for the Central Region Workforce Development Board. Mr. Cassidy was fatally injured while feeding cattle on his farm in Cherryville.
• Trade Act/National Emergency Grant training and assistance continue for employees of Briggs and Stratton in Rolla and AMF Billiards in Bland. Elizabeth Bax, executive director of the Rolla Regional Economic Commission (RREC) is assisting with potential employment and completing skills assessments. Many requests for food and medical assistance are mainly referred to Missouri State Family Services Division or area Ministerial Alliances. Affected displaced employees include 318 for Briggs & Stratton of Rolla and 18 from Versa-Tag in Cuba.
• Workforce Development has a Mobile Lab, which teaches computer skills and services Dent, Crawford and Phelps counties and the city of Bland.
• The address for the University of Missouri—Columbia, Missouri Training Institute is as follows:
304 Cornell Hall, College of Business, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, Telephone 573-882-2860.
Dewey Thompson is the training instructor.
Director’s Report
Bonnie Prigge, assistant director, reported in the absence of the executive director.
• Copies of surplus computers and miscellaneous items were distributed to board members.
• Richard Cavender, Bonnie Prigge and Laura Antolak went to the state Capitol on Feb. 6 to hand-deliver the state priorities that were identified by MRPC’s board. The visit coincided with the county commissioners’ annual training workshop and MoDOT Director Pete Rahn’s address to the legislature on the state of transportation. Marcus Maggard and county commissioners Bob Reed, Glenn Dressendofer and Ray Schwartze joined them there.
• MRPC’s Section 8 Homeownership Program closed on its third house. This means that a third family has gone from rental to homeownership. The home is located in Potosi.
• Amy McMillen, grant writer, has moved from the community development department to the environmental department. MRPC now has an opening in the community development department.
Adjourn
Gary Brown made a motion to adjourn at 8:25 p.m.; seconded by Tom Paul Smith. The motion carried.
_____________________________
Bob Reed, Chairman
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Russell Scheulen, Secretary