Commission hears bridge report

COUNTY COMMISSION

Following are approved minutes of the July 26, 1999, meeting. All members were present.

Daniel Lynn, bridge supervisor, met with the commission reporting on progress on the Clear Creek project and other routine matters.

The commission discussed the policy for the disbursement of the Frazier funds for orphan students’ school supplies. Upon request to the commission, with proof of status of the student, the commission may approve payment for necessary school supplies, with the following stipulations: 1) Elementary school supplies will be purchased from lists provided by the school district as necessities with a $100 maximum; 2) Secondary school students may be approved for up to $150 in supplies; 3) Food purchases will not be allowed; 4) Club and class dues may be approved for reimbursement.

Danny Heldenbrand removed himself from the following portion of the meeting. A letter was received from the Daviess County Library Board with a recommendation that the term of Pauline Heldenbrand be renewed. David Holcomb moved that the recommendation be approved. David Tolen seconded. Carried.

David Hamilton of Shafer, Kline & Warren met with the commission for the execution of engineering contracts for the replacement of bridge #2890018 on the Marion and Jefferson Township lines. The contracts were forwarded to MoDOT for approval.

Harrison Township was approved for the delivery of CART rock.

Renate Wilkinson, Missouri Department of Transportation, met with the commission regarding the application for an enhancement grant. Application will be made in September.

Gerald Heldenbrand met with the commission questioning the status of a tube replacement near the Mary Bills farm. The tube will be replaced as soon as possible.

The commission discussed needed repairs in the voting room on the first floor, rewiring and lighting being the primary concerns. Also, they inspected the ceiling outside the voting room following the collapse of a section last week.

The commission met with Julia Roselle, prosecuting attorney; Orval Hughes; Mark Hughes; Jim Hoover and Bob Sutton, Salem Township board members; and Bob Burnette and Renate Wilkinson, MoDOT. The purpose of this meeting was to attempt to resolve some issues arising since the construction of a bridge near Mr. Hughes’ farm. Mr. Hughes had submitted a list of demands to Ms. Roselle and those issues were addressed. Mr. Sutton responded that everything was done as agreed.

1. Mr. Hughes stated that the fill should have come from the old road bed. Mr. Sutton replied that the township could not afford to haul the dirt that distance and that Mr. Hughes was to provide the fill. Mr. Holcomb (at that time a township board member) and Mr. Sutton had met with David Hughes prior to obtaining the fill dirt. Mr. Hughes was to call his father for permission and report to Mr. Holcomb and Mr. Sutton if there was any opposition.

2. The commission and township board stated that it is not feasible to remove dirt from the present road bed and place it on the hill.

3. Mr. Hughes requested that erosion be controlled in the ditches. Mr. Heldenbrand stated that the commission would agree to place riprap at the northwest corner of the bridge.

4. Mr. Hughes requested field access. Mr. Sutton agreed to place a tube but would need fill dirt. Mr. Hughes’ response was to take it from the new road.

5. Mr. Hughes suggested that the roadway be lowered to ramp the bridge. Mr. Burnette responded that to do so would impede vision of oncoming traffic, creating a hazard.

6. Mr. Hughes requests that deeds be rewritten; that several people had looked at the deed and said that it was no good, that’s why he signed it. Mr. Tolen responded that it is not necessary to rewrite the deeds; that the accepted boundary line will not change. Mr. Hughes stated that he intends to break it (the deed).

7. Mr. Burnette opined that the channel has moved above the bridge; that the problem is not with the shape of the piers.

8. Mr. Hughes suggested that tubes be replaced east of the bridge with smaller tubes, using that dirt for fill. The commission stated that this would not be possible because the large tube was needed for drainage.

Mr. Heldenbrand added that Mr. Hughes wanted ownership of the old bridge because the fill on the new bridge was not settled and that the deeds were signed and recorded after the fill dirt was in place. The commission also agreed to remove an old foundation near the site

Board of Equalization: July 26, 1999

Roland Peterson, no change; Vincent Runnels, reduced; Stephen Reed, assessor will re-measure; Jack Parker, assessor will re-measure; Kyle Parkhurst, no change; Leland and Brenda Tracy, reduced to 75% completion; Dean Pierce, assessor will inspect; Bob Bandelier, no change; Henry Boyle, no change; Mildred Hartley, no change; Paul Jeffries, assessor will inspect; Dwaine Myers, no change; William Huffman, assessor will inspect.

July 29, 1999

The commission met with Tom Everly, assessor, to discuss the valuation increases on residential property ordered by the State Tax Commission. He reported on the comparisons between counties in the state and that other counties may be ordered by the State Tax Commission to increase a set percentage or forfeit any future reimbursements from the state.