Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Posted 1/26/21

SHORTER QUARANTINE

PERIOD WELL-RECEIVED

Osage County Health Department (OCHD) Deputy Administrator Kim Sallin told commissioners last week that a recent policy change concerning quarantine has …

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Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Posted

SHORTER QUARANTINE
PERIOD WELL-RECEIVED
Osage County Health Department (OCHD) Deputy Administrator Kim Sallin told commissioners last week that a recent policy change concerning quarantine has been well-received by those impacted by COVID-19.
“Everyone seems to be pretty pleased with the change from 14 days to 10 days,” Sallin added.
The virus seems to be changing a little, and it’s taking less time from exposure to making a victim ill.
“We have gone from an average of five to 12 days before the first symptoms show up to just two to five days in some cases,” she said. “It would not surprise me to see a second strain lurking around but since we don’t test for that around here, it’s impossible to say.”
Predictably, Sallin’s staff arrived on Jan. 19, after a holiday weekend, to a backlog of voicemails. Now that the vaccine has come to Osage County, many residents are wanting to get on the list. The next phase of eligible recipients is now starting but “there’s not enough vaccine,” Sallin lamented.
She expects things to improve when brands requiring less stringent refrigeration become available. Things become doubly easier if a single shot rendition comes around.
Administrator Susan Long introduced Callaway County Environmental Public Health Specialist Mylene Dunn, who works with sanitation inspection and emergency planning. She will be helping daycares, food establishments, and lodging enterprises. She also will help with the construction of on-site sewer systems. She’s worked in Central Missouri for 10 years.
“If you get complaints the OCHD doesn’t, call me,” she said.
Long’s final announcement this week was, “Chlamydia is alive and well in the county. People are not social distancing.”
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION
University of Missouri (MU) Extension East Central Region Director Elizabeth Smith addressed the commission. She was accompanied by Osage County Extension Council member Patsy Luebbert. The visit was triggered by the reduced Extension allotment in the 2021 budget. Smith and Luebbert both touted the return on investment from the Extension’s service.
Smith began by saying the Osage County 4-H and the Extension may have done better than expected in 2020. Officially, 155 children were served but the transition in the Osage County Extension Office may have missed others.
“In a pandemic year it’s been a challenge, but the Extension may have actually made money,” she said adding she believes significantly more kids benefited. “I believe we will increase that in coming years.”
Nor is 4-H all the Extension does in the county. The agency also conducts “Life Skill Development” classes and sponsors “Treatment Court.” In 2020 the Extension held four “Focus on Kids” classes and conducted several childcare provider classes via Zoom.
Besides youth services, the Extension also promotes agriculture. Agronomy and livestock are major causes they address. The Extension offers many services to help producers make more money. It promotes better practices. Programs for farmers include “Show Me Select,” “Backgrounding 101,” and “Show Me Quality Assurance.” Consultations are available. Smith believes the investment of a rural county in the Extension service pays well.
She then addressed the Osage County Extension Office, specifically. The secretary in that office is a three-quarter-time position. However, that worker is the face of the local Extension service. He or she fields most of the Osage County citizens’ public interaction with the Extension.
The County Engagement Specialist is a full-time position. The total personnel cost for both jobs is $43,900. The county appropriated $42,000, which may work out this year because both positions have been vacated recently. A new Engagement Specialist has yet to be named. Smith emphasized, though, the appropriation would be inadequate in a normal year. She announced she does have the authorization to hire a new Engagement Specialist. The position should be filled soon. However, expense sharing must be adjusted. Grants and other fundraisers are being considered.
Luebbert concurred. She felt the council was poorly informed about the budget process. She did agree the vacant positions had a lot to do with the inadequate communication. She lamented that volunteers can’t do what full-time workers can. It makes it hard to keep information flowing properly.
“We actually upped what we planned on doing,” said Osage County Eastern District Commissioner John Trenshaw, whose overall position was to defend the county’s budget.
The appropriation was above what similar counties across the state are budgeting.
Smith, though, countered by stating many counties don’t have a comparable 4-H presence. Nor do they access the other Extension services as much as Osage County does.
“I’m all for 4-H,” said Griffin, acknowledging Smith’s point.
Luebbert concluded by asking for more volunteers to help in all areas. The council itself has openings and they particularly want a Youth Program Assistant.
There will be no Extension dinner this year. It’s a casualty of the COVID-19 crisis.
ROAD AND BRIDGE
Osage County Road and Bridge Foreman Ron Kempker told the commission his department incurred some overtime costs during a recent snow and ice event. It was a minor one without much accumulation. Kempker noted the marginal ones can be more difficult to keep up with. “Everything went well,” he said, but, “It’s harder to do that kind of event than just regular snow. It’s kind of aggravating, but we have to just keep chasing after it.”
Gravel can’t be bladed until snow reaches a certain depth, which varies from hour to hour and in certain areas of the county. Asphalt roads, meanwhile, have to be addressed immediately when ice accumulates.
Trucks are currently hauling rock provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Some of the department’s suppliers have run out but there is still plenty available in the northern area of the county. Ben Branch Lake Conservation Area, and gravel roads leading to it, are receiving fresh material. “We’ll try to get that out onto the roads real soon,” said Kempker.
The recently-purchased combination rig, featuring a belly-dump trailer, is performing well. It holds eight more tons than the straight tandem-axle dump trucks. Every three loads equal four from the older units. It’s hauling 192 tons per day against 150 from the straight trucks. Kempker expects the rig to pay for itself by hauling efficiency in less than two years. Not only that, when the gravel hits the road it doesn’t need immediate grading. Trenshaw and Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin requested a cost-benefit analysis as soon as enough data is available. Kempker promised to comply.
Immaculate Conception School in Loose Creek has requested the department’s help again to conduct a roadside trash pickup. This year, they want to involve grades 4-8 and cover more area road mileage. They hope to work in early to mid-March. Their request from Kempker is signage, trash bags, and final pickup of full bags.
“I’d be proud and honored to do that,” said Kempker, who also promised to provide flags and cones where appropriate.
Osage County Western District Commissioner Larry Kliethermes asked Kempker about coordinating with Cole County asphalt repair contracts. Asphalt repair season is coming. Contractors can provide better prices adding loads to where they’re already hauling. It’s better than dispatching trucks to a completely different area. Kempker assured the commissioner he’s working on it.
The department hauled rock on CRs 623 201, 241, 242, 243, 244, 416, and 609; crews removed trees on Crs 736 and 742; and brush mowers worked on CR 242; and grader operators worked on CRs 235, 274A, 312, 319, 412, 431, 432, 503, 504, 505, 532, 541, 613A, 621, 623, 625, 634, 715, 727, 735, 737, 753, and 805.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Osage County Building and Grounds Janitorial and Maintenance Worker John Kennedy announced the Courthouse and the Administration Building elevators had passed inspection. Some fire extinguishers need to be serviced and recharged.
The soda vending machine in the Osage County Courthouse will soon be removed.
“[They’re] not selling enough and product is going bad,” said Kennedy.
Other machines in both buildings are on borrowed time. They are supplied by county employees so they may remain as long as they don’t require vendor service. When they break down, they will also be removed. Machines in the jail are supplied by a different vendor and are not included in this pronouncement.
The repaired porchlight at the Courthouse is up and running. However, complete installation of both lights is waiting for mild weather, which is required for painting.
“I’ve got to do some adjusting on the photo-eye,” said Kennedy, summarizing work left to be done, as well as the painting.
All recently purchased air cleaners have been installed in the Osage County Administration Building. Some thermostats are still waiting for installation. Kennedy is also looking into a timer to enhance the system’s efficiency. “It’s nothing urgent to do right now,” he added. He expects the investment to be less than $100, a cost he believes will more than be rewarded.
A toilet is leaking in Cell E of the Osage County Jail. Kennedy is trying to get the contractor working in Cell D to repair it.
Electrical access was installed for the new lock system coming for the Osage County Administration Building’s west entrance.
MISCELLANEOUS
Commissioners approved paying bills from Jan. 5 through Jan. 15 as follows by department: 911/EMA ($13,911.92), Assessor ($5,039.60), Building & Grounds ($271.07), CARES Act (7,461.96), Circuit Clerk ($316.44), Commission ($938), County Clerk ($170.34), Health Department ($1,606), Miscellaneous ($1,589), Professional Organizations ($2,452), Prosecuting Attorney ($353.93), Road & Bridge ($13,063.65), Bridge Rural Offset ($119,000.67), and Sheriff-Jail ($10,049.59): for a total of $176,270.15.
Commissioners also signed outgoing checks.
CORRECTION
In the Jan. 20 edition of the Unterrified Democrat, Osage County Sheriff’s Office employee Andrea Rice’s title should have been ”Administration Coordinator.”