Carnes promoted to
Assistant Foreman
Osage County commissioners last week announced the promotion of Osage County Road and Bridge Operator Justin Carnes to Assistant Road and Bridge Foreman. With cross-training, Carnes will substitute for any of the department’s functions. He’ll work as anything from grader operator to office clerk. His new salary is included in the 2021 Road and Bridge budget, and the position has been standing, but unoccupied, for years. “I am very honored and thankful that I was chosen,” said Carnes. “I am proud to serve the community in which I live and will do my very best to fulfill the role I have been given.”
Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin called attention to some potholes in CR 303. With the recent rough patch of cold, then rainy weather, Osage County Road and Bridge Foreman Ron Kempker’s crews have been working to fill many of those.
“We’ve been moving a lot of rock,” he said and took note of Griffin’s concern.
Freezing and thawing create potholes as fast as the trucks can fill and fix them.
When asked about the supply of material, Kempker said quarries are now crushing more. However, they don’t always have what he’s looking for.
Kempker continues to cross-train his crew to operate more equipment. The three drivers now checked out on the new Kenworth T8 day tractor and dump trailer all like it. They’re especially appreciative of how neatly it spreads rock. “They’re pretty happy with it,” he concluded. “We’ll get them all to drive it.”
A few of the county’s roads are impractical for the combination rig to navigate and serve. However, it’s very few. Dead-ends and tight turns near bridges will make some conventional dump trucks irreplaceable. Kempker thinks he’s got most of those identified. There have been no problems so far keeping the tractor-trailer out of trouble. “I’ve just heard nothing but good things about it,” Griffin commented.
Since Fabick CAT in Jefferson City closed last year, it’s been necessary to haul the county’s road graders to Columbia to have them serviced. Hiring a trailer for that haul is very costly. The county is looking to obtain a “low-boy” trailer capable of hauling the graders and other heavy equipment owned by the department. Osage County Eastern District Commissioner John Trenshaw is researching the availability of military surplus, and Kempker is shopping around other sources. Kempker informed the commission the Kenworth T8 is already set up to pull such a trailer. He had this in mind when having the tractor equipped before taking delivery of it.
The department hauled rock on CRs 202, 313, 416, 508, 603; crew members performed service on Trucks #32 and #34, and Grader #04; crews removed trees on CR 231; and grader operators worked on CRs 202, 231, 232, 233, 261, 271, 311, 314, 403, 404, 416, 508, 512, 604, 605, 621, 623, 625, 631 633, 727, 802, 803, 804, and 809.
SHERIFF
Osage County Sheriff Mike Bonham presented proposals from plumber Jon Wegman ($450) and Custom Coatings & Accessories (CCA), LLC, Linn ($3,323), for repairs to a shower and the modified Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) cell at the Osage County Jail, respectively, which commissioners approved.
The new arrangement to house prisoners from neighboring counties might be making the Osage County Board of Prisoners self-supporting, according to Bonham. Costs are up due to the higher daily population but the money coming in from those counties is adding up faster than the expenses. “We may now be paying our own way,” said Bonham.
The new “sally port” on the south side of the jail is now in operation. The garage door opener was recently installed, and only a little trim here and there is needed.
“The cameras have got to be finished,” Bonham added.
Circuit Court Presiding Judge Ike Lamke is interested in talking to the commission about upgrading the panic button system at the Osage County Courthouse. The sheriff’s office has also promoted a system offered by SecureTech, LLC, of Irving, Texas. Lamke is reportedly eying expected American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars as a possible source of funds. The Missouri Department of Justice might also have funds available.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Commissioners approved a request from Osage County Building and Grounds Janitorial and Maintenance Worker John Kennedy to purchase $650 worth of air conditioning, heating, and other electrical parts for repairs in the jail as some thermostats are not working properly.
Kennedy sent some of the new parking lot signs back for minor alterations. Some of them did not read as ordered, and the commissioners asked for them to be corrected.
PENTECOSTAL BRIDGE
Kliethermes and Osage County Prosecuting Attorney Amanda Grellner have been looking for a response from Kevin Case of Case Linden P.C., Kansas City, the attorney representing the trucking company whose rig destroyed the bridge over the Maries River on CR 611 east of Westphalia. Past communications indicate everyone is aware of a March 31 deadline. The wreckage must be removed by then, or else must wait for months. However, as the date draws near, no details of a plan have been communicated.
“We’re waiting to hear,” said Kliethermes. “It just seems like they’re slow about doing anything.”
Commissioners are curious about placing barriers, or at least flags, in the river, close to the hazard which exists for recreational activities.
OCHD
Osage County Health Department (OCHD) Administrator Kim Sallin updated the county’s COVID-19 statistics. There are now 20 active cases working, double from the previous week. Many can be traced to a single birthday party in Chamois. There is also an outbreak in Belle as well as a single student in Fatima. No one is currently hospitalized. This brings the county’s cumulative total to 1,647, and fatalities remain at 14.
Nearing the end of Phase I in the vaccination plan, 16.7% of the county’s population has received shots. That lags a little behind the state average of 19.5% but there are now fewer than 50 people on the waiting list claiming Phase I eligibility. Phase II is not yet open, but Sallin expects it any day.
Sallin also announced the resignation, effective March 31, of her predecessor, Susan Long, who has remained in part-time service for the opening months of 2021. She now wishes to completely leave county employment.
911/EMA
Osage County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Director Ron Hoffman has been shopping for wall cabinets for the EOC break room. He’s found a few and is now reorganizing his office.
Cummins Sales and Service, of Columbia, has tested the county’s backup generators, which are operating well.
According to Hoffman, at the time of his briefing, there were no Osage County roads closed due to flooding. Several warnings were issued during the week, and more were expected.
MISCELLANEOUS
Commissioners approved paying bills from March 2 through March 15 as follows by department: 911/EMA ($19,679.38), Assessor ($3,490.96), Building & Grounds ($735.33), Circuit Clerk ($673.04), Collector ($163.92), Commission ($112.50), County Clerk ($2,916.69), Elections ($716.81), Health Department ($2,054.61), Juvenile and Family Court ($2,558.53), Miscellaneous ($4,076.78), Prosecuting Attorney ($1.046.90), Public Administration ($86), Road & Bridge ($53,627.54), Sheriff-Jail ($10,240.47), and Surveyor ($6,000), for a total of $113,778.91.
Commissioners also signed outgoing checks.
A meeting of the Highway 63 Alliance is scheduled in Houston, Mo., on Thursday, March 26.
A General Municipal Election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6. There will be no commission meeting.
The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Annual Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 21, at Missouri State Technical College. The 2020 dinner was canceled, so there will be two years worth of awards given. Local government and other community leaders will be invited.