Leslie Riney, Family Service Director for Worth and Nodaway County came to the Commission to discuss emergency sheltering and Red Cross shelter supplies. After discussion it was concluded that Worth County does want to have an emergency shelter supplies on hand in the event of an emergency. Pat Kobbe, Emergency Management Director will look at a stocked trailer in either Nodaway or Gentry county and then will give a recommendation to the Commission. The project will be done at no cost to the county. The goal for the Red Cross is for the county to get by for 48-72 hours until they can get to a disaster; then, the Red Cross would be able to supply relief.
The county currently has two trailers; one is the command center in the event of a disaster; the other can be taken anywhere in the county as needed to supply food and bed cots. In addition, the county has shelter agreements with buildings across the county in the event of an emergency. Riney’s visit came as the result of an executive order from Governor Matt Blunt directing them to supply trailers and supplies to counties. In return, the county would lend trailers to neighboring counties in the event of an emergency there. In addition, Emergency Management Director Pat Kobbe said that as soon as she got a check from FEMA that she would have disaster simulations.
Jim Fletchall said that he would make room for the trailers at the county barn and put some gravel where it would be; he will also tear down an unneeded shed as well. The trailers can be hooked up to the generators that the county got as the result of the ice storm. The county can easily obtain extra cots, as all area National Guard and Air Guard units have them.
Charity Austin, Worth County Economic Developer came to the Commissioners to discuss interest in a consolidated fire, ambulance and possibly sheriff's building. The Grant City Fire Department does not have the money by themselves to match a grant for a new fire building, so they are seeking to join with other local entities for a combined project. Presiding Commissioner Bill Mozingo said that he was concerned with finances that such a center would involve, expressing concern about staffing. It would be imperative especially if the proposed center were to have a jail. "I was here when the county had no money," he said. "It’s wonderful if we can pay for it, but the question is, can we pay for it?" Mozingo added that it would not be a good idea to move the sheriff just for the sake of doing so.
West Commissioner Lorace Waldeier said that an advantage would be that it would improve communication, especially in conjunction with the Enhanced 911 service that voters approved. But he added that it would greatly increase the liability for the county as well. Commissioners agreed to come to the table to discuss ideas and work these problems out.
There was more discussion about the deteriorating road conditions and rising gas prices. While the ground may be different in different parts of the country, "there is not a lot of difference between Grant City and Redding," said Waldeier. "And yet, their county roads are in better shape than our state roads," added Mozingo. East Commissioner Bill Calhoon said that the repeated freezing and thawing was especially bad on the gravel and dirt roads. On a related note, Mozingo said that the county did not have the authority to investigate price-gouging, saying that was a matter for the Attorney General’s office. He said that they did not have any more access to their office than anyone else.
Fletchall reported that recent rains were slowing grader and bridge work and that crews were working on repairing equipment. He said that it was too muddy to deliver tubes in some places. In addition, a 6’x60’ tube on County Road #87 near Larry Scott’s needs replaced; Fletchall will order a new tube.
The county will have electrician Earl Drake wire the Courthouse so that it can be powered by the generator in the event of an extended outage.
Mozingo spoke on the phone with Engineer Roger Versules about the Courthouse Restoration Project during the meeting; Versules reported that he had gotten five bids on the roofing; ten days after the acceptance of the bids, work will start on the roof.
Charity Austin said that she would look into solid waste grants for the county for either a skid loader or a wood chipper. The county did not get the grant they applied for, as there was not enough money; many other entities in the area were turned down for grants as well. The City of Grant City had a similar problem as they were turned down for a grant for recycled rubber for the Pool Park. Mozingo said that this time, he wanted to see if there were limits to how much the county could ask for; Austin said she would look into them. The county would have to buy it new; Austin explained that the reason was that the government wanted to protect its investment; the county must pay prevailing wages and hire an engineer for the Courthouse Restoration Project for similar reasons.
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