TUESDAY, FEB. 4, 2020

The Pentecostal Bridge across the Maries River on CR 611 is now open. The department has posted truck signs at both ends; and "hopefully we won't have a semi going across a five-ton bridge," said Road & Bridge Foreman Ron Kempker.

* Work is nearly completed on the CR 638 bridge. Contractor Jeff Strickland has poured concrete on the abutments, and expected to complete deck work last Tuesday. "That job will be completed today, weather permitting," he said.

* The crew replaced a guard rail on a bridge on CR 303, and has been gathering supplies.

"We've been hauling a lot of rock," said Kempker. The crew is spending some time today loading trucks with cinders. They are generally preparing for another coming snow event.

"We have a lot of equipment which is going to need service before long," he added. "The board is filling up." Nonstop gravel maintenance and snow removal has not allowed a lot of time for keeping up.

Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin thanked Kempker's crews for their work on CRs 303 and 403. They had been taking a beating from heavy construction and pipeline traffic. Kempker is recording the extra expense; and the county is likely to receive some reimbursement from the owners of the equipment. "They really did a number on those roads," Kempker concluded. "We're trying to keep track of it all."

* First District Commissioner John Glavin was very critical of the general state of the county roads, especially CRs 315, 317, and 319. "Washouts and snow plowing at the same time is quite a challenge," said Kempker. "We'll get to it when we can get to it. Most of these snow events take at least a week," in order to restore the road to what it was before it snowed.

* Second District Commissioner Larry Kliethermes asked about a spot on CR 515. "They're out there this morning," Kempker assured him. He added work is being done on CRs 507 and 508 as well.

* A culvert on CR 521 has had some erosion around it. One end of the tile pipe is visible from the road bed. It needs repair for safety.

* Constituents ask Kliethermes about "wind rows" of gravel when it would be more useful on the road. Grader operators often keep gravel on the side, available to move onto the road when needed. "A lot of these roads don't have any of those wind rows," said Glavin.

* Glavin asked Kempker for special attention on a CR 313 hill.

* Rock has been hauled on CRs 303, 310, 313, 314, 403, 503, 506, 611, 622, and 625; service has been done on Graders #01 and #06, and Truck #26; a culvert has been replaced on CR 622 at the intersection with CR 625; and grader operators have been active repairing washouts on multiple roads.

* Commissioners signed a card for grader operator John Strubberg, who has completed three years of employment with the Road & Bridge Department.

* Kliethermes received an email from Outreach Specialist Kenneth Wade of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (C of E). He and Corps Area Engineer James Rudy will attend the commission meeting Tuesday, Feb. 18, to address needed repair issues on a road near the levee at Osage City.

* Griffin has been in touch with Missouri Senate Legislative Assistant
Ashley Bax. Glavin had asked him to talk with her about possible grant availability to help with issues at Rt. CC and Hwy. 50. She promised to turn Griffin's request over to another agency; but was unaware of anything under her jurisdiction. "I have not heard anything back," he said.

* Towner Communications is troubleshooting the dead phone in the Osage County Courthouse elevator. AT&T says the line was in operation through June, 2019, but cut it off at that time.

For AT&T to repair and renew service, a repair fee plus $46 per month billing would apply. Towner Communications has estimated $1,000 spent one time could establish a closed circuit from that phone to the Osage County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Final action is pending more details from Towner.

* CCA, LLC, of Linn, is working on repairs to a shower cell at the Osage County Jail. While operating a grinder on the floor, the dust activated a smoke detector. As Osage County Building and Grounds Janitorial and Maintenance Worker John Kennedy responded and reset that detector, it became apparent it had not been serviced since being installed in approximately 2008. Further investigation revealed that to be true for every detector in the Jail, Courthouse, and Osage County Administration Building.

Searching for a company who would provide a service contract has been difficult. Nobody will go over them without an appointment. "We're at everybody's mercy waiting for bids to get things taken care of," said Griffin.

* Ads have been placed inviting bids for tuck-pointing and foundation excavation at the Administration Building. Both projects aim to stop leaks in the building's basement, especially those threatening Osage County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operations. "They will be in the paper for two weeks," announced Griffin.

Glavin inserted an idea about installing an outdoor sump pump. He remembered it had been mentioned a few years ago when a similar problem emerged.

* An income report from the County Clerk for the month of January showed a grand total for the year of $33,016.97, including liquor license ($28), notary ($70), election ($32,693.97) and miscellaneous ($225) revenues.

* The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) has distributed their emergency planning CD. Griffin will give it to the EOC, and they can file it.

* Commissioners signed outgoing checks.

THURSDAY, FEB. 6, 2020

Kempker reported all the trucks were out working on another snow event. There was not enough accumulation, though, for the heavy graders to be involved. "The trucks are addressing all the county roads," he said, adding that special attention was being paid to hills, with more planned later that day.

* The crossing on CR 638 has been completed. It's the bridge near the Turkey Hill Ranch Bible Camp; and concrete contractor Jeff Strickland has made major repairs to the supports and deck. Kempker promised before and after photos "as soon as the snow goes away."

* Glavin passed on concerns from constituents about CRs 313 and 713. "I'm going to go drive down there this weekend," he said.

Kempker noted the comments.

* Kliethermes asked how the work on CR 508 was going. Kempker updated the work which has been done, but added, "We need to give it some more attention. We'll go back and readjust after the snow."

* A lot of material has been placed on CR 303 near the pipeline work, but more is needed. "That material just disappeared," grinned Kempker.

* Grader #01 is getting some new hydraulic hoses and a pair of new tires installed.

* Commissioners voted to approve Prosecuting Attorney Amanda Grellner's revisions. A full account of those amendments appears in another story in this edition.

* County offices will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 12, for Lincoln's Birthday, and Monday, Feb. 17, for Presidents Day.

Commissioner training with the County Commissioners Association of Missouri (CCAM) is scheduled Feb. 12-14.

* The Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone (GVEZ) board meeting is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, in the Airport Terminal Building at the Rolla National Airport in Vichy.

* Candidate filing for the Aug. 4 Primary Election begins Tuesday, Feb. 25, which is also the first day for absentee voting for the April 7 General Municipal Election.

* The Osage County University of Missouri Extension will host a dinner 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the Linn Community Christian Church. Osage County Clerk Nicci Kammerich and commissioners are invited to attend. Various speakers will address agricultural plastics recycling.

* The Missouri Presidential Preference Primary Election is Tuesday, March 10.