County Cares Act Committee Receives 34 Requests

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, commonly referred to as the CARES Act.

The $2 trillion aid package provides financial aid to families and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shelby County was granted $695,707 in funds from the state of Missouri to distribute to county applicants.

Requests for aid are required to meet qualifications set by the State and the local COVID-19 Committee.

The first committee meeting was held Thursday, Sept. 10 with nine committee members and two Mark Twain Regional Council of Governments (MTRCG) representatives in attendance.

Committee members are: Glenn Eagan, Tom Shively, Larry Roberts, Stephanie Bender, Wendeline Brumbaugh, Lynn Perrigo, Andrew Coon, Gina Mesmer and Kelly McEwen.

Meeting minutes released Monday, Sept. 14 indicated the committee received 34 grant requests for consideration totaling $822,869.33.

1. Shelby County requested payment for six Dutch doors and 10 sneeze guards totaling $899.81. A motion was made by Andrew Coon and seconded by Wendeline Brumbaugh with the motion passed with all committee members voting yes.
2. Shelby County requested payment for a doorbell in the amount of $22.99 since there is only one unlocked door at the courthouse. Coon made a motion to accept. Brumbaugh seconded. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
3. Shelby County requested payment for ropes in the amount of $24.54 to rope off stairs to the court area. Individuals seeking to ascend to the court area are required to wear a mask. The intent is to have people from going upstairs without stopping. Brumbaugh made a motion and Coon seconded it. The motion passed with all voting yes.
4. Shelby County requested payment for thermometers in the amount of $343.88. Kelly McEwen made a motion to accept, Coon seconded and the motion unanimously passed.
5. Shelby County requested payment for a dehumidifier in the amount of $199.99. During discussion, it was stated the dehumidifier would help keep humidity down, therefore keeping mold and other allergens that cause COVID-19-like symptoms down. Brumbaugh made a motion to accept. Gina Mesmer seconded. The motion passed with all voting yes.
6. A request was submitted for replacements for the three main doors to the courthouse at a price of $47,945. Following discussion, Coon made a motion to replace only the east doors since those are the only ones citizens are entering at this time. Brumbaugh seconded the motion. It passed with all voting yes. The price of replacing just the east doors is unknown at this time.
7. Shelby County requested payment for face masks in the amount of $877.52. A motion was made by Larry Roberts and seconded by Tom Shively. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
8. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office requested $4,193 to provide better Wi-Fi since court is being conducted virtually. This request was voted on via email earlier for approval so as to facilitate the process. All members voted yes with emails and notes all in the binder.
9. The Shelby County Associate Circuit Judge requested an iPad, as his is outdated, in the amount of $1,119.08. The judge uses an iPad during virtual court proceedings currently taking place. The request was previously voted upon by email. All members voted yes with documentation in the binder.
10. The Shelby County Senior Citizen’s Association requested payment for extra expenses incurred during COVID-19 in the amount of $13,903.17. After much discussion, a motion by Coon to pay for supplies minus the duplicate request and 25 percent of payroll, mileage and repair costs with new amount being $6,453.58. Brumbaugh seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
11. Peoples Clinic requested $13,000 to purchase two rapid response COVID-19 testing machines. The request was voted upon previously via email so the machines could be ordered. All members voted yes with documentation in the binder. As of Sept. 11, Peoples Clinic has been paid $6,349.90 and will be paid the remainder as it orders supplies and submits invoices.
12. The Sheriff’s Office requested a Repeater in the amount of $19,006.72. The equipment will enable the Sheriff’s Office to better communicate with each other and other emergency entities. After Sheriff Dennis Perrigo answered some questions the committee had about the equipment, a motion was made by Brumbaugh and seconded by Coon. It passed by unanimous vote.
13. The Sheriff’s Office and 911 requested $187.25 to purchase new mouse pads that will be easier to cleans and keep germ-free. Brumbaugh made a motion seconded by Mesmer. It passed unanimously.
14. The Sheriff’s Office and 911 requested $1,183.16 to purchase headsets for dispatchers. Mesmer made a motion which was seconded by McEwen. It passed with all members voting yes.
15. The Sheriff’s Office requested $982.95 to purchase hypoallergenic mattresses that can be sanitized for the inmates. Brumbaugh made a motion, McEwen seconded. It passed unanimously.
16. The Sheriff’s Office and 911 requested $3,906 to purchase new chairs. The request was tabled until a later date.
17. The County requested payment in the amount of $150 for two more Dutch doors so foot traffic to offices on the main floor and upstairs is kept to a minimum. Shively made a motion seconded by Coon. The motion passed with all members voting yes.
18. Mark Twain Internet requested $410,000 to upgrade internet access. The request was tabled until further information is given.
19. North Shelby requested $39,000 to upgrade its Wi-Fi capability. Coon made a motion to pass the request contingent on obtaining the quote. Mesmer seconded. The motion passed with all members voting yes.
20. The County requested $3,323.10 to pay payroll for the employee the Commission hired to work at the door checking anyone visiting the courthouse. Coon made a motion. Brumbaugh seconded. It passed by unanimous vote.
21. The County requested $6,853 to pay for the employee checking-in visitors at the door. Coon made a motion seconded by Brumbaugh. The motion passed with all members voting yes.
22. The County requested payment for $63.76 to purchase disinfectant spray. Brumbaugh made a motion. It was seconded by McEwen. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
23. The County requested $273.54 for payment for Glenn Eagan’s mileage to pick up PPE supplied to the county by SEMA and FEMA. Brumbaugh made a motion and seconded by Mesmer. It passed with all members voting yes.
24. The Teen Center CTA requested $3,458.35 to pay for a refrigerator for no kid left hungry, as well as a few other items. After much discussion, it was decided to let a smaller group check further into the request and bring the results back to the committee to vote on it.
25. Blickhan’s Lawn & Home Service requested $5,850 to purchase a trailer to haul food to the county from the United States Department of Agriculture’s food program. Following much discussion, a motion was made by Coon to deny the request as it was not deemed to be a COVID-19 necessity. McEwen seconded and the motion passed with all members voting yes.
26. The County requested $2,842.99 to pay the administrative fee for MTRCG and for tabs to make the binders for the members to help the meeting go smoothly. Brumbaugh made a motion and Mesmer seconded. It passed unanimously.
27. The Sheriff’s Office requested $2,784.97 to purchase a commercial washer and dryer. The request was tabled until a further date.
28. The Shelby County Health Dept. requested $32,204.33. There was a lengthy discussion and with Administrator Audrey Gough talking to the committee and answering questions about hourly wages and overtime. Once Gough exited the meeting, more discussion took place among committee members. A motion was made by Coon that, at this time, to pay the overtime, COVID-19 mileage and supplies. The motion was seconded by Brumbaugh. It passed with all members voting yes. The new amount for the health dept., according to meeting minutes, is 4,764.71.
29. Salt River Ambulance District submitted a request of $25,388.75 to purchase vents and a sterilizing machine. After much discussion, and needing more information on the vent, Coon motioned to pay for the sterilizing machine in the amount of $1,378 and table the rest until the committee can obtain more information. McEwen seconded. The motion passed with all voting yes except for Brumbaugh, who abstained. She was writer of the request.
30. Salt River Ambulance District submitted a request of $37,248.18 to purchase new radios and pagers. The request was tabled with the committee seeking more information on the matter. With purchase of the Repeater for the Sheriff’s office, it was wondered if the new equipment will still be needed.
31. Bethel Fest Hall requested $10,000 to purchase a van to help with catering events to cut down on trips as the warming equipment is very large and bulky. Following much discussion, a motion was made by Coon to deny the request as it was not deemed to be a COVID-19 necessity. Lynn Perrigo seconded. The motion passed with all members voting yes, with the exception of Brumbaugh as writer.
32. South Shelby requested $54,350 to purchase chrome books. The request was tabled after discussion.
33. Salt River Ambulance District made a request of $6,867.78 to buy a stair lift. The request was tabled until a later date upon having questions.
34. Heartland School requested $75,415.52 for chrome books and equipment to go with them. The request was tabled as no one had time to review the request prior to the meeting.