The Atchison County Commission did not meet Tuesday, October 6, 2020, due to lack of a quorum.
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The Commission met Thursday, October 8, 2020. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, and North District Commissioner Jim Quimby. Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission, was absent.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Monthly department reports were reviewed and approved.
Bills were reviewed and approved.
The Funding Approval and Grant Agreement for CDBG project, County of Atchison (19-LR-04) for the Phelps City Road District was reviewed, approved, and signed by the commission.
A memorandum of understanding between Atchison County and the Atchison County Health Department for an allocation of 15% of the CARES Act funding was reviewed by the commission. The commissioners voted to approve the memorandum of understanding as presented and grant Presiding Commissioner Livengood signing authority.
The commission reviewed the Recorder of Deed’s Internal Control Policy for audit purposes. The commissioners voted to approve the policy as submitted.
The Missouri Association of Counties Self-Insurance Workers’ Compensation and Insurance Trust will meet virtually this year. Each member county is required to have one voting delegate. Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood was designated to serve as Atchison County’s delegate to the MAC Trust virtual business meeting on Monday, November 23.
The county commission selects from within its membership one voting delegate for the Missouri Association of Counties annual business meeting. The commissioners voted to select Presiding Commissioner Livengood as the voting delegate from the Atchison County Commission. Additional voting delegates as voted on by the elected officials will be: Eliza Beasing, Recorder; Debbie True, Treasurer; Diane Livengood, Collector; Lori Jones, Assessor; and Susette Taylor, Clerk.
Additional voting delegates are elected by the body of elected officials. Additional voting delegates for the 2020 virtual business meeting are: Clerk Susette Taylor, Assessor Lori Jones, Collector Diane Livengood, Treasurer Debbie True, and Recorder of Deeds Eliza Beasing.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
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The commission met Tuesday, October 13, 2020. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Monthly department reports were reviewed and approved.
Bills were reviewed and approved.
Nate Salmond contacted the commission about extending Fagen’s lease for the laydown site for an additional two months. The original lease expires on October 21. The commissioners voted to extend the lease on a month-to-month basis at a rate of $500 per month.
Insurance broker Randy Arnold met with the commission to present the 2021 insurance rates with Blue Cross and Blue Shield. He continues to feel this is the best option for the county. Rates originally came in with an 11.9% increase, but Mr. Arnold was able to negotiate the increase down to a 6.9% increase. After discussion, the commissioners voted to remain with the current plan for 2021.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood reported that he had been contacted by Sheriff Dennis Martin to see if the commission would issue a burn ban due to the severe dry conditions. Presiding Commissioner Livengood contacted the local fire departments and they all approved.
The commissioners voted to issue a burn ban effective immediately. Ordinance 009-2020 issuing a county-wide burn ban was approved.
ORDINANCE 009-2020- COUNTY-WIDE BURN BAN, OCTOBER 13, 2020
STATE OF MISSOURI
County of Atchison
In the County Commission of said county,
On the 4th day of the October 2020 term, the following, among other proceedings were had, viz:
COMES NOW the Atchison County Commission and having before it the matter of the Imminent Threat of Disaster by the way of fire, and
WHEREAS, the grassland and cropland of Missouri form an important part of our economy, and provide for protection of watersheds, forage for livestock, refuge for wildlife, and recreational opportunities. Wildfires endanger these resources, real and personal property, and the lives of residents and visitors in these areas. Extremely dry and windy weather conditions with temperatures above normal have created an extreme fire hazard in the grassland and cropland of Missouri. Fires have been reported throughout the county and have caused substantial damage. Once started, these fires are difficult to control and strain volunteer fire department manpower and resources, and
WHEREAS, the fire danger is extreme in Atchison County, and
WHEREAS the dry conditions, above-normal temperatures and fire danger will continue unabated until sufficient rainfall occurs across the area, and
THEREFORE, be it hereby ordered by the Atchison County Commission that the following acts are prohibited within the boundaries of this County by all citizens and visitors:
• Careless use of materials, including cigarettes, cigars, and smoking pipes. Discard shall be in a manner to prevent threat from smoldering remains initiating a fire.
• Building, maintaining, attending, or using any open fire or campfire except in permanent stoves or fireplaces or barbeque grills.
• Prescribed burning of all fence rows, field, wild land, ravines, trash, and debris. Prescribed burning may be exempted from this order where such burning is necessary and has been specifically approved in writing by the Atchison County Director of Emergency Management (or other appropriate officer) of this County.
NOW THEREFOR, IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the knowing and willful violation of this Ordinance shall constitute a misdemeanor and any person convicted of such violation shall be punished as provided by law.
FURTHER, MAY IT BE RESOLVED that this ordinance shall be in force and effect until action is taken by the Atchison County Commission to terminate.
DONE BY ORDER of the Atchison County Commission on the 13th day of October 2020.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
