The Atchison County Commission met on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, for an emergency meeting to discuss current conditions and needs related to the flooding. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.
Also present were: Rhonda Wiley, Emergency Management Director; Mark Manchester, Assistant Emergency Management Director; Chad Gray, Missouri Department of Conservation; Troy LaHue, Jason Garst and Ryan Ottmann, Atchison County Levee District; Jim McDonald and Mike Quilty, Missouri State Highway Patrol; Dennis Martin, Atchison County Sheriff; Jason Brown and Tim Hayes, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT); Adam Meyer, Atchison County Highway Department; Representative Allen Andrews; and Congressman Sam Graves.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. and stated that the main reason for calling the meeting was to determine what efforts need to be focused on at this time.
The Levee District reported that at this time the river should be at full flow, but honestly no one really knows. Rock Creek is still overtopping and the weather report is showing that it will not be below 42’ until next week. Concerns were expressed that there will be a need to open a section at the bottom of the pool to let the water back out. The district is seeking permission from the Corps of Engineers if that is needed.
The Highway Patrol reported that there is increased water on I-29 between the 102 and 105 mile markers, and both northbound and southbound lanes are currently closed north of Mound City. They currently have 11 officers per day in Atchison and Holt Counties and six marine officers. The scale officers are being used as extra officers in the area. The plan is to maintain that level as long as possible.
MoDOT reported that the break in the Mill Creek levee on the Holt County side was sending water strong and all routes were closed moving into Holt County.
Sheriff Martin reported that traffic has been reduced due to road closures so calls to assist stranded travelers has slowed. They have been inventorying and checking equipment that is stored around the county. He stated that the cooperation level has been amazing from MoDOT, Highway Patrol, Conservation and citizens. Sheriff Martin concluded that the level of expertise and knowledge that has been passed on to the new young levee board members is nothing less than outstanding.
Conservation Agent Gray reported that they have six agents with boats available in the county.
Ryan Ottmann received a report from Adam Meyerkorth who had just completed an aerial inspection and reported as follows:
• Two levee breaches on Mill Creek and water flowing into Corning hard
• Break on the corner at Wanda Haer’s
• Hwy. 136 appears to be intact but there is a lot of debris
• No change in the original breach near Watson
• Breach on the Nishnabotna is huge.
Emergency Director Wiley reported that tetanus vaccines will arrive later today and she and Gene Bradley, Atchison-Holt Ambulance District, will be giving shots. Dr. Burke has recommended that anyone who has not had one in the last five years needs to get one if they are going to be in the flood area or return to the flooded area.
Rep. Allen Andrews reported on the disaster declaration process. Members of the levee district and county officials expressed the urgent need to have this emergency declaration.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood asked Congressman Graves, “What can we do to this change and stop this from happening every few years?” Congressman Graves stated there must be a huge push to get the authority back under Congress and see that the dams are used for flood control and not habitat. Congressman Graves also reported that he had flown the area with the Highway Commissioner and they are ready to assist as soon as possible.
The commission urged Rep. Andrews and Congressman Graves to please relay to the Governor the urgency of the emergency declaration. (Rep. Andrews had the Governor’s office on the phone with Presiding Commissioner Livengood as soon as the meeting adjourned.)
Following the meeting Presiding Commissioner Livengood took Rep. Andrews on a tour of the flooded areas.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
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The Commission met Thursday, March 21, 2019. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Bills were reviewed and approved.
At 9:00 a.m. Road and Bridge Supervisor Adam Meyer and Roy Young with Westfall O’Dell were present for bid openings for a heavy duty semi-tractor. There were a total of four bids received. They were:
• Kansas City Peterbilt – $61,522 with trade
• Westfall O’Dell – $47,895 with trade
• MHC Ozark Kenworth, Inc. – $150,260 no trade listed
• MHC Ozark Kenworth, Inc. – $148,994 in stock/last year model. No trade listed.
All bids were tabled for Supervisor Meyer to review specifications.
At 9:15 a.m. bids were opened for a 2020 belly dump truck trailer. Bids received were:
• Jim Hawk Truck Trailers Inc., – $42,960
• R-Way Trailers – $44,775
• R-Way Trailers – $46,785
All bids were tabled for Supervisor Meyer to review specifications.
The commission was notified that Governor Parson would meet with them at 3:30 p.m. today. The commission contacted key personnel to attend the meeting.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
