Commission Meets With Health Care Officials At Tuesday Meeting

The Grundy County Commission met Tuesday, having a conversation about a mask ordinance and approving COVID relief funding allocations.
The commission met with Wright Memorial Hospital CEO Steve Schieber, WMH Chief Nursing Officer Catherine Hamilton, Dr. Jennifer Bowe and Grundy County Health Department Administrator Elizabeth Gibson as well as Grundy County Ambulance Director Steve Tracy. The group presented information on a mask ordinance and public health advisory in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with no action taken on either issue. All members of the group presented information on the need for a mask mandate in the county and how COVID-19 is affecting health care facilities in Trenton and the surrounding area, with First District Commissioner Don Sager stating that it is his understanding that the only person in the county who can issue a mask mandate is Ms. Gibson, who is the appointed county health officer. Sager said she is the only one who can put it in place and the only one who can rescind it. Ms. Gibson indicated she has been authorized by the health department board to do so and will be taking action in the coming day but she had hoped to receive a statement of support from the commission. It was noted that the county continues to have an emergency declaration in place due to the pandemic.
Commissioners discussed road and bridge issues, noting that culverts have been ordered from Metal Culverts, Inc. to replenish inventory depleted over the last two years. The order primarily includes tubes larger than 48 inches in diameter. It was reported that the crew is also performing maintenance on equipment and working on drainage issues on NE 90th Street.
Emergency Management Director Glen Briggs reviewed information regarding 911 communications consultant proposals, with the commission meeting again on Thursday to consider the proposals along with an update on the NG 911 grant.
COVID Relief Fund allocations were approved for the several entities, including the Spickard R-2 School District for $21,115.04; the Laredo R-7 School District for $891.94; the Grundy R-5 School District for $30,720.28; Pleasant View R-6 School for $26,406.85; Grundy County for $8,162.46; City of Trenton for $1,845; North Central Missouri College for $555; and the Senior Tax Board for $10,193.73. Expenses are categorized as distance learning, telework capabilities, public health expenses, person protective equipment and school nurse payroll. The late date for CRF expenses to be submitted is Dec. 15.
The commission is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Thursday for a 911 communications project update. The agenda for the regular meeting on Dec. 15 includes preliminary budget meetings with Coroner Dewayne Slater at 8:30 a.m., Prosecuting Attorney Kelly Puckett at 9 a.m., Public Administrator Jill Eaton at 9:30 a.m. and Assessor Kathy Veatch and Assessor-Elect Nathanial Curtis at 10 a.m. The regular weekly meeting with Tracy is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., followed by consideration of CRF allocations at 11 a.m.