Meramec Regional Planning Commission

Minutes

September 9, 2010  

Call to Order
Chairman Russell Scheulen called the September 9 meeting of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission to order at 7:30.

Consent Agenda
The following consent agenda items were presented for approval:

a. Minutes August 12 and August 19

b. Statewide Grant Applications

c. Contracts

• EDA Planning Grant
Permission was requested that the MRPC board approve changes in the funding amount and scope of work for the EDA Planning Grant, which was submitted in November 2009 and funded in August 2010. The grant amount was increased from $55,000 to $78,000. The scope of work was amended to included additional meetings of the CEDS advisory and succession planning activities. The board approved the submission of the application in November 2009.

• Bank of Crocker
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into a contract to provide lead risk assessment services for the Bank of Crocker for residence located in Lebanon, Mo.

• FY 2011 Memorandum of Understanding by and between MCEC and MRPC’s HSOC
Permission was requested for MRPC’s chairman and/or executive director to enter into an agreement with MCEC on behalf of Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee for lease of a cargo trailer to MRPC/HSOC for $1 plus actual expenses effective July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011.

Mary Heywood made a motion to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Tom Klebba. The motion carried.

External Relations Committee
Russell Scheulen reported on External Relations Committee activities as follows:

MRCF Appointment: The External Relations Committee made a recommendation to the full board to appoint Jim Grebing as a MRPC board member on the newly formed Meramec Regional Community Foundation board. He would replace Russell Scheulen who now represents Osage.

Paul Smith made a motion to approve the recommendation; seconded by Kraig Bone. The motion carried.

Annual Dinner: MRPC’s annual dinner will be held in Linn at the Linn State Technical College on Nov. 9, 2010. Sponsors of the event will be Osage County, City of Linn, Linn State Technical College and Legend’s Bank. The cost of the dinner will be $25 person. There will be a silent auction. Teri Smith is in the process of collecting items for the auction. All twelve nominations submitted by board members will receive an award. The Eugene E. Northern award is kept a secret and will be announced at the banquet.

MRPC Bylaws Change: The External Committee recommended making changes to Section 8.2 of MRPC’s Bylaws, which addresses the procedure to use when hiring a new executive director. The changes included increasing the number of the search committee from three to five; engaging the services of a consultant, if the board is so inclined, and outlines the process, if a consultant is used.

Randy Verkamp made a motion to approve the bylaws changes as recommended by the External Relations Committee; seconded by T.R. Dudley. The motion carried.

Operation Committee
Paul Smith reported on Operations Committee activities as follows:

Darrell Skiles made a motion to approve the MRPC/MRB financial statements and MRPC/MRDC-RLF & IRP program financial statements for the period ending August 31, 2010; seconded by Tom Klebba. The motion carried.

Paul Smith reported that the Operations Committee reviewed the State Legislative Issues for 2011 and presented their changes to Bonnie Prigge.

Planning Committee
T.R. Dudley reported that the Planning Committee reviewed the State Legislative Issues for 2011 and will present their changes to Bonnie Prigge.

Emergency Planning
No report was given.

Business Loans
Tom Klebba reported on MRDC activities as follows:

Staff is in the process of closing four SBA loans in various stages: one in Webster County for $505,500; and three in Phelps County for $447,000, $272,000 and $611,000. Staff is also working on closing an IRP loan located in Gasconade County for $91,000.

The House Small Business Committee continues to work with legislators on the passage of HB 5297— the Small Business Lending Bill—in order to extend the lending limits of the SBA 504 and 7(a) guarantee programs for small business from $2 million to $5 million and to increase the company size standard regulation.

The Revolving Loan Fund has approximately $143,655 available for lending. Currently, there are no available funds in the IRP fund for relending. 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.

MCEC
No report was given.

Workforce Development
T.R. Dudley will report on Workforce Development activities at the October meeting.

Director’s Report
Richard Cavender reported as follows:

MRPC received a thank-you from the U.S. Census Bureau for serving as a partner to raise awareness and inspire participation in the 2010 Census.

Provided information on the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program that was passed into legislation by Missouri Legislators last session. The program would allow homeowners to make energy improvements to their home and paid for through a special property tax assessment attached to the property. The Missouri Association of Councils of Government has been approached by the private sector about helping to implement this program in the future.

Adjourn
Randy Verkamp made a motion to adjourn at 8 p.m.; seconded by Mary Heywood. The motion carried.

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Russell Scheulen, Chairman

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T.R. Dudley, Secretary