Meramec Regional Planning Commission
Minutes
April 8, 2010
Call to Order
Chairman Laura Antolak called the April 8 meeting of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission to order at 7:35 p.m.
Welcome
Cornelius Root, newly elected mayor of Newburg, was welcomed to the board meeting. He came as a guest of Andy Mattison, who chose not to run for re-election as mayor. Andy noted that Newburg is facing many challenges, and Cornelius is interested in moving the community forward.
Plaque
A plaque was presented to Andy Mattison in appreciation for his service to MRPC and the community of Newburg.
Consent Agenda
The following consent agenda items were presented for approval:
a. Minutes (March)
b. Statewide Grant Applications
c. Contracts
• Washington County Commission
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract to provide asbestos inspection consulting services for the Washington County elevator project.• Mid America Bank and Trust Company
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract to provide SBA 7(a) loan application assistance to the Mid America Bank and Trust Company.• MRPC/MRDC Contract Renewal for Professional Services
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to sign a contract renewal for professional services between the Meramec Regional Planning Commission and the Meramec Regional Development Corporation for the purposes of providing administrative support for the Small Business Administration’s 504 loan program. Contracts will be renewed for the period of July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011.
** Tabled until the May meeting.
• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Because of a time constraint, permission was given by MRPC’s executive committee for the executive director to sign and submit a grant amendment for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services contract for lead abatement. The amendment extends the contract period to December 31, 2010. Costs are not to exceed $5,000. Full board approval of this action wass requested.• City of Bourbon
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 PROMACo Industrial Infrastructure grant application for the city of Bourbon.• Rolla Public Schools
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract with the Rolla Public Schools to develop a P-20 committee for South Central Missouri.• South Central Ozark Council of Governments (SCOCOG)
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract with SCOCOG to assist in the formation of a P-20 committee for South Central Missouri.
(Additions)
• Letter of Support
Permission was requested to authorize MRPC’s chair to send a letter of support to MRPC’s congressional representatives for HR 4302. The bill raises the cap on the SBA 504 Business Loan Program from $2 million to $5 million. This increase is needed by businesses in the Meramec Region and will lead to the creation and retention of jobs in the region.• Ozark Central Ambulance District
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract with Ozark Central Ambulance District to provide technical assistance in the preparation of FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant application for an equipment request.• Meramec Regional Development Corporation (MRDC) Board Appointment
Ed Worley, presiding commissioner of Crawford County, nominated Mardy Leathers, president of the Cuba Chamber, to fill the unexpired term of board member, Larry Dearing.
There were no objections from MRPC’s board, so Chairman Antolak appointed Mr. Leathers to the MRDC board effective April 8, 2010 to June 30, 2010.
• MRPC/MRDC Contract Renewal (tabled)
The MRPC/MRDC contract renewal has been tabled until the May MRPC board meeting since part of the contract includes new budget information for FY 2010/2011, which will not be available until next month.• Westphalia Senior Citizens Complex, Inc.
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 Federal Home Loan Bank- Des Moines Renovation Grant application for the Westphalia Senior Citizens Complex, Inc.
Dennis Wilson made a motion to approve the consent agenda with the additions; seconded by Paul Smith. The motion carried.
New Staff Introduction
Patti Adams, MRPC’s new community development specialist, was introduced to the board. Patti formerly worked at Missouri S&T in procurement as a buyer. She is currently working toward a double BA in English and writing at Drury University. She lives in Rolla, is married and has three daughters. Patti now holds the position formerly held by Lesley Bennish. Lesley still works for MRPC in the Environmental Department and will continue to perform floodplain administration in addition to her new environmental duties.
External Relations
Franky Todd reported in the absence of the chairman on External Relations Committee activities as follows:
MRPC Bylaws: The committee recommended full board approval to change the amount that competitive bidding is not required from $300 to $1,000 in Section 13.1 of MRPC’s Bylaws. The purpose of this change is to make the amount consistent with MRPC’s procurement policy.
Ray Schwartze made a motion to approve the change to MRPC’s Bylaws; seconded by Kathy McCann. The motion carried.
MRPC Election: The External Relations Committee will present a slate of officers for MRPC and certain at-large positions up for re-election at the May meeting for board approval. Staff will contact those being considered prior to the meeting to see if they are willing to serve if elected. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor.
Community Foundation of the Ozarks Contracts and Foundation Board Formation: The External Relations Committee reviewed copies of a model bylaws as provided by Community Foundation of Ozarks. The committee suggested naming the foundation Meramec Regional Community Foundation as it would show a connection to MRPC.
The proposed make-up of the board would be 11 members, one director from each of the eight counties, two directors from MRPC’s board and the Executive Director. There was also the possibility of four affiliates. Initially all appointments will be made by the board of MRPC. After the Meramec Regional Community Foundation is established, the eight county directors will be appointed by the Foundation Board. The MRPC board would continue to appoint the two directors from its membership. The Foundation Board would determine which affiliates would serve on the board. The terms for the directors would be three years and affiliates two years. The terms would be staggered. The terms would be determined by population with the higher populated counties—Phelps, Pulaski, Washington and Crawford having three-year terms and Dent, Gasconade, Maries and Osage having two-year terms.
MRPC’s board was asked to make suggestions as to people that would serve on the board. Ms. Prigge noted that MRPC will be sending out an e-mail to board members, asking for their input. Prime candidates would be the movers and shakers in the community—especially those with a regional interest.
Operations Committee
Gary Brown reported on Operations Committee activities as follows:
Financials: Gary Brown made a motion to approve the MRPC/MRB financial statements and MRPC/MRDC-RLF & IRP program financial statements for the period ending March 31, 2010; seconded by Bob Reed. The motion carried.
Conflict of Interest:
MRPC had requested an attorney’s opinion on whether a conflict of interest existed when the husband of an employee who works in a management position with a construction company that wishes to bid on a commercial project, funded by a CDBG grant secured by a county on behalf of a non-profit. MRPC would administer the grant on behalf of the county. The attorney found no conflict in this situation based on MRPC’s policy.
The committee agreed with the attorney’s recommendation that the contractor could bid the work. The committee also agreed that the decision could set a precedent for all community development projects where the same situation exists so long as there is no funding agency regulation prohibiting it.
Pension Plan Resolution: Gary Brown made a motion to pass a resolution to terminate the 403(b) pre-tax deferred compensation pension plan it has at Merrill Lynch and to transfer those funds to our 457(b) plan at Wells Fargo, our current pension provider; seconded by Paul Smith. The motion carried.
Salary Survey: This item will be postponed until after the new budget.
Planning Committee
Dennis Wilson reported on Planning Committee activities as follows:
Richard Cavender reported on the P-20 grant that was awarded by DESE to the Rolla Public Schools. DESE held a meeting on April 1 in Jefferson City for educators, CORE and industries to discuss a planning strategy. MRPC is partnering with other RPCs and Linn State Technical College on this effort. A webinar featuring Bill Daggett, president of the International Center for Leadership in Education, will be held on April 29 at the Rolla Middle School. The purpose of this webinar is to bring schools and businesses together as a group to discuss issues impacting students ability to learn and to develop an action plan.
Teri Smith, staff, reported on the winners of the trash art and poster contest and upcoming Earth Day activities. There were 110 trash art projects and 758 Earth Day posters submitted for the contest. Contest winners will have their work displayed at the April 22 nd Earth Day Celebration and April 24 th Fort Leonard Wood Earth Day Celebration.
Connie Willman reported on the current Census responses of each county in the Meramec Region. She added that individuals can track the numbers of responses by counties and communities on the Missouri Census Data Website.
Tee-Shirts
Teri Smith asked Chairman Antolak to make board members aware that MS&T Earth Day tee shirts are available for $10 each. The larger ones are $12 each. MS&T adopted Ozark Rivers logo for the shirts.
Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
Donald Dodd reported on TAC activities as follows:
Richard Cavender and Bonnie Prigge attended a meeting on Feb. 25 in Jefferson City to talk about which project they would want funded if $1 billion dollars was available.
Highway 63 came in second. Highway 50 from Mari-Osa-Delta in Osage County to I-44 in Franklin County ranked #25.
The TAC reviewed bylaws revisions and asked TAC members to bring any changes to the June 10 meeting. A vote for approval of the revised bylaws will be taken at that meeting.
Connie Willman informed the committee about MoDOT’s roadside trash clean-up program—No More Trash. She encouraged the members to call MoDOT to participate in the program this year.
MoDOT Director Pete Rahn has resigned. The committee voted to send him a letter of appreciation.
Environmental
Tammy Snodgrass reported that ORSWMD will meet at 2 p.m. on April 13, MREPC at noon on June 23 and Region I HSCO at 2 pm. On April 29. She distributed an Environmental Department Update report.
Business Loans
Tom Klebba reported that the next MRDC meeting is scheduled for April 21 at noon. He added that staff is in the process of closing on three SBA loans. He further added that MRDC has money to loan. The Revolving Loan Fund has approximately $92,000 available to loan, the IRP has approximately $44,000 for relending and MRDC’s CDBG Microloan fund has $125,000 available for small businesses with five or fewer employees for start-up or working capital financing needs. Mr. Klebba distributed a written report.
MCEC
Connie Willman reported on the MCEC meeting, which was held on March 30. She stated that MRPC has been recertified as a HUD Housing Counseling Agency. She further stated that Chuck Cantrell gave a presentation on past and present Federal Home Loan Bank projects.
Workforce Development
T.R. Dudley reported that there is still high unemployment and Workforce Development is helping to teach unemployed individuals basic skills and computer training. C-WIB is also partnering with area colleges to encourage individuals to train for mid-level jobs instead of settling for a minimum wage job. T.R. added that these are hard times, and Workforce Development is trying to turn things around. He provided copies of Missouri Central Region Next Generation Jobs Team informational packet.
Succession Committee
Laura Antolak reported that the Succession Committee reviewed the Strategic Plan for Leadership Succession. The report was compiled from the discussions of the board retreat, which was held on Feb. 16, 2010, at the Nelson Hart Community Center.
The committee discussed pages 8 and 9, which listed the areas of functional expertise that the new executive director must have. Input will also be solicited from employees and service providers. The current executive director’s job description was matched with the report.
Chairman’s Report
Chairman Antolak reported that Sen. Claire McCaskill responded to her letter regarding the Off-System Bridges program and surface transportation reauthorization legislation. A copy of that letter was included in the agenda packet. She also noted that a response from Dawn Warren, executive director of Missouri Emergency Response Commission, regarding the resolutions from MRPC and MREPC opposing SB 680. A copy of that letter was also included in the agenda packet.
Director’s Report
Richard Cavender reported that MRPC has been interviewing for four positions. The department manager does the initial screening and selects potential candidates for the job. The executive director and the assistant director participate in the second interview.
The Community Development Specialist and the Senior Secretary positions have been filled. The IT/Community Development Specialist and Bookkeeper/Accountant positions are still open.
Sip’n Savor
Dennis Wilson encouraged people to attend the second Sip’n Savor event, which is to be held in St. James on May 1. There will be food tasting and a wine and beer garden. Shuttle service will be provided.
Adjourn
T.R. Dudley made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 a.m.
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Laura Antolak, Chairman
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Gary Brown, Secretary