Meramec Regional Planning Commission
Minutes
February 11, 2010
Call to Order
Vice Chairman Russell Scheulen called the Feb. 11 meeting of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission to order at 7:40 p.m.
Introductions
The following individuals were welcomed to the meeting:
Brian Fogle, executive vice president for the Community Foundation of the Ozarks;
Don McCulloch, presiding commissioner for Pulaski County;
Paula James, new city clerk for the city of Edgar Springs; and
Caroline Dunham, alderperson for the city of Edgar Springs.
Consent Agenda
The following consent agenda items were presented for approval:
a. .. Minutes (January)
b. .. Statewide Grant Applications
c. .. Contracts
• Chamois Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract to provide technical assistance in the preparation of a Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) application for the Chamois IDC.• City of St. James
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract to provide administration to the city of St. James for a Missouri Department of Economic Development Industrial Infrastructure Grant for Lighting on Industrial Drive in St. James, Mo.• Osage County Ability Center
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract to provide technical assistance in the preparation of a Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) application for the Osage County Ability Center.• City of Cuba
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive dirextor to enter a contract to provide technical assistance in the preparation of a CDBG application for disaster funding for a water project for the city of Cuba.• Village of Freeburg
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract to provide technical assistance to computerize, index and cross-reference existing ordinances for the Village of Freeburg and to provide annual update service.• MRPC/MRDC Joint Resolution
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman to sign an Annual RLF Certification by and between MRPC and MRDC for the period ending March 31, 2010.(Additions)
• Steelville Fire Protection District
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or excutive director to enter into a contract to provide technical assistance in the preparation of a CDBG application for funds to build a new fire station for the Steelville Protection District.• Dent County Fire Protection District
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract to provide technical assistance in the preparation of a CDBG grant application for funds to renovate the fire station for the Dent County Fire Protection District.• City of Salem
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract to provide technical assistance in the preparation of a CDBG Storm Drainage grant application for the city of Salem.• Subordination Agreement
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to endorse a subordination agreement—on behalf of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission—for an IRP and RLF loan provided to R & L Automotive, LLC in Phelps County. MRDC recently approved to subordinate both loans to the Phelps County Bank’s first position as part of a refinance on the first lien. This subordination will retain MRPC’s collateral position and interest on the borrower’s personal residence as a covenant for both loans.
Randy Verkamp made a motion to approve the consent agenda with the additions; seconded by Ray Schwartze. The motion carried.
Presentation: Central Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO)
Richard Cavender reported that MRPC has been working with CFO over the past few years to promote foundations in rural Missouri, and we have had some success in this area. He added that MRPC hosted a meeting on Dec. 16 to explore the idea of establishing a Meramec Regional Community Foundation. There was interest among the board members who attended, so Brian Fogle, executive vice president for CFO, was invited to make a presentation to MRPC’s full board.
Mr. Fogle gave a history of CFO. He explained how local community foundations could help capture wealth such as the St. James Area Community Foundation, which falls under CFO. He noted the advantages of affiliation with CFO, includes providing administrative support, having professional investment management, the power of collaboration with 41 other affiliates and providing matching grant initiatives. CFO has a staff of thirteen who are willing to be of assistance. CFO charges .75 of one percent of the funds held to oversee the foundation funds. If MRPC were to establish a regional foundation and bring other funds in under its umbrella, CFO would charge only half its normal fee, allowing the regional foundation to use that small fee for staffing.
Mr. Cavender asked Mr. Fogle what is the advantage of existing foundations changing to regional. Mr. Fogle stated that there is strength in numbers. He compared it to the advantages that communities receive from belonging to a regional planning commission.
Mr. Cavender recommended donating the windfall from the liquidation of Principal stock MRPC received in the amount of $275,000, which was put in the organization’s reserve fund, to provide seed money to start a Meramec Regional Foundation.
Paul Smith express concern for taking money from secured funding and investing in the stock market, which is unsecured.
John Petersen made a motion to initiate a discussion to develop a plan for establishing a regional community foundation; seconded by Jim Grebing. The motion carried.
External Relations
Russell Scheulen reported on External Relations Committee activities as follows:
• On Feb. 2, MRPC board and staff delivered state priorities to the Capitol and met with legislators to discuss legislation.
• Rep. Tom Loehner from the 112 th District visited the External Relations Committee meeting to give his opinion on the status of bills up for consideration.
• Rep. Loehner also spoke about HB 1995, which he sponsored and Rep. Charles Schlottach co-sponsored. This bill would require an electrical corporation engaged within this state in the production of electricity utilizing nuclear energy to pay a surcharge of one-tenth of one cent per kilowatt hour of nuclear energy produced and is sold out of its service territory. These funds would be distributed to school districts within the ten-mile emergency planning zone as defined by FEMA. Five schools in the Meramec Region would be impacted by this legislation. The external relations committee recommended that MRPC send a letter of support for HB 1995;.
Paul Smith made a motion to accept the recommendation to send a letter of support for HB 1995; seconded by Ray Schwartze. The motion carried.
Operations Committee
Gary Brown reported on Operations Committee activities as follows:
Financials: Current revenue over expenses is $59, 016. As of 6/30/2009, MRPC has $295,168 in an operating reserve. The IRP fund has approximately $40,346 available for relending at this time. Current revenues over expenses are a minimal $655 for the RLF. The RLF has 12 active loans. One loan was recently paid in full, one is in default, one loan is one month behind ,and all of the other loans are current.
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; seconded by Randy Verkamp. The motion carried.
Personnel Policy Revision: The proposed change addresses former employees who have been rehired after a separation from MRPC with regard to their adjusted anniversary date and how their years of service for annual leave accrual will be calculated. As proposed, the policy would allow the individual to earn leave at the same level they did at separation with an adjusted anniversary date inclusive of prior year service less employment absence.
Gary Brown made a motion to approve the proposed personnel policy revision; seconded by Randy Verkamp. The motion carried.
Conflict of Interest: The proposed change would allow the operations committee to bear the responsibility in making the determination of whether a conflict exists. Additionally, the proposed change allows the executive director, or designee, to contact the committee electronically, if in between meetings. If the operations committee determines a conflict exists, then the full process will be followed as originally approved. If the committee determines a conflict does not exist, no further action is necessary and the committee will update the full board at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.
Gary Brown made a motion to approve the proposed change in the conflict of interest policy; seconded by T.R. Dudley. The motion carried.
Richard Cavender presented information on the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the idea of establishing a regional foundation. Several communities in the Meramec Region are CFO affiliates. The regional foundation would be pattered after the community foundations, but would serve the entire region,
The procurement policy revision was tabled until the next meeting.
Planning Committee
Dennis Wilson reported on Planning Committee activities as follows:
Richard Cavender presented the idea of establishing a Meramec Regional Community Foundation.
The new CEDS Advisory Committee has been in place for a few months. Connie Willman updated the committee on its progress and asked for input on its format.
Richard Cavender presented information on the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the idea of establishing a regional foundation.
Transportation Advisory Committee
Russell Scheulen reported that the TAC prioritized the “Taking Care of the System” projects in Districts 5 and 9.
Bonnie Prigge presented video clips on statewide needs in District 5 and 9. She pointed out that all 10 districts had prepared video clips on some 32 projects, and she and Richard Cavender participate in a meeting on Feb. 25 to rank projects in the state, should funding become available.
Richard Cavender reported that there was good attendance at the Missouri Transportation Alliance meeting, which was held on Feb. 11, 2010. He added that 70 people attended.
MREPC
Kraig Bone reported that MREPC is in the process of expanding its committee. (A written report was distributed.)
Business Loans
Tom Klebba was absent, and no oral report was given. A written reported was distributed.
Workforce Development
T.R. Dudley said he would report on Workforce Development activities next month.
Director’s Report
Richard Cavender reported as follows:
• MRPC’s Board Retreat will be held on Feb. 16 at the Nelson Hart Community Hall in St. James. He added that good people have been selected to facilitate the meeting and encouraged more people to attend.
• Delta Regional Authority (DRA) hearing will be held at MRPC at 2 p.m. on Feb. 23, 2010. Crawford, Dent, Phelps and Washington are the Meramec Region counties located in the DRA. Connie Willman distributed copies of the notice to board members.
• MRPC’s director, chairman, vice-chairman and spouses will be attending NADO’s Washington Policy Conference on Feb. 27 – March 3. While there, they will deliver the region’s federal priorities to the offices of the two senators and three representatives for the Meramec Region.
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid RE-Housing Program (HPRP)
Linda Loughridge gave a brief update on the HPRP program. Phelps County is the lead county for the grant, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
She reported that MCEC is working with the three provider agencies—MOCA for Crawford, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps and Pulaski counties; Washington County Community Partnership; and Central Missouri Community Action Agency for Osage County.
*(Dent Co. is serviced by South Central Mo. Community Action Agency in Wayne County)
She added that since Phelps and Washington counties have already expended a large portion of the funds to address homelessness, staff will be meeting with county officials next month instead of in October—as originally planned— to discuss whether funds should be redistributed.
Adjourn
John Petersen made a motion to adjourn at 8:35 p.m.; seconded by Randy Verkamp. The motion carried.
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Laura Antolak, chairman
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Gary Brown, Secretary