BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- At a regular meeting of the Stoddard County Commission recently, Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis instructed county Circuit Clerk Paula Yancey to send out a letter to all prospective jurors informing them new security measures have been instituted at the Justice Center. Yancey told Mathis a letter would be included to all individuals who are called for jury duty.
Mathis said he received several complaints from citizens who were called to a jury trial recently. He said they were unaware that they would not be allowed to take cell phones, knives, guns, pepper spray, clubs, recording devices, purses or bags of any kind into the building.
"One prospective juror was very upset she couldn't take her purse into the courtroom," said Mathis.
Commissioner Steve Jordan said he also received calls complaining about the new security measures, but explained to them why the new measures were instituted.
"It is an inconvenience, but it is necessary to provide for the safety of our judges, court personnel, county employees and the public," Mathis said.
Mathis asked Yancey if she would prepare a letter to be sent out to prospective jurors "as a courtesy."
"I can do that," responded Yancey. "We need to make people aware of what items are prohibited in the building."
Commissioner Carol Jarrell asked Yancey if she knew how the new duress system was working and whether employees had been trained to use the system. The duress system sends an emergency notification to the sheriff's office and alerts all county offices of a possible dangerous situation.
"It is my understanding that installation of the duress system has not been completed," said Mathis. "When they are finished, there will be training."
Mathis, moving to another item on the agenda, said the county had received a letter from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) informing them that needed final paperwork on two bridges which have been replaced in the county has not been received by MoDOT. The paperwork is needed from the contractor. Mathis said the county was subject to penalties if that paperwork was not received soon.
County Clerk Joe Watson said final paperwork has been received by MoDOTon two bridges that were replaced using BRO funds, but paperwork on two other bridges has not. Mathis asked which contractor had not submitted the needed paperwork, and Watson said it was Joe's Bridge and Grading in Poplar Bluff.
Jordan said it was his understanding that the contractor has not received final payment on the projects, so it was in his best interest to complete the paperwork.
Mathis said the commission needed to contact the contractor and be sure all the paperwork is submitted.
"We will have to address this problem at our next bid opening," added Jarrell about awarding future bridge contracts.
Mathis asked the other commissioners about the status of future bridge projects. He said the commission should select two more bridges to program for replacement using BRO funds.
Jordan said he thought the commission had asked Smith & Company, Engineers, to submit a list of deficient bridges in the county for the commission to select two for replacement. Jordan called a representative of Smith & Company who said they had provided that information to the county. The firm was to email the information to the commission. Mathis said the commission would look over the information and address it at their next meeting.
Mathis asked if there was any updated information on the grant application to USDA Rural Development for the purchase of a third vehicle in the sheriff's office.
Jordan said he was told there were no additional grant funds available for the purchase of a third vehicle. He said the only money available was in the form of low-interest loans. He said more would be known about the availability of Rural Development funding next month.
Mathis asked Jordan to contact Prosecuting Attorney Russ Oliver about the status of an attempt to collect reimbursement from Kajacs Contractors, Inc. A sewer line was damaged during work on the City of Bloomfield water system, which flooded a portion of the county jail. The county paid a contractor to fix the problem and is seeking compensation from Kajacs. The commission asked the prosecutor to file paperwork in court to seek reimbursement.
Jordan said he would contact Oliver and have an update at the next commission meeting.