HENRY COUNTY COMMISSION, HENRY COUNTY MISSOURI
TUESDAY OCTOBER 1st, 2024, 1st DAY OF THE OCTOBER TERM
The Henry County Commission met pursuant to adjournment at the courthouse in Clinton, Missouri.
Those members present were: Jim Stone – Presiding Commissioner
Rick Fosnow-North District Commissioner
Dale Lawler – South District Commissioner
Rick Watson – County Clerk
At 8:11 a.m. Commissioner Stone brought the meeting to order.
Circuit Judge Baker, Associate Circuit Judge Dump, Prosecutor Gray, Sheriff Brown, Bailiff Richardson, and Circuit employees Deborah Powel and Pat Nilson met with the Commission to discuss courthouse security.
Sheriff Brown shared the difficulty involved in shutting off the 3 doors and allow free flow on the 1st floor. He continued by stating there would be no security issues if there was only 1 entrance. He stated it difficult to secure the upper floors with free access.
Judge Baker agreed. He shared that a full-time person, manning the west door, would be paid out of his budget. He stated that he would request an additional Bailiff in the 2025 budget.
Prosecutor Gray shared that she will have an investigator that would be able to relieve the Bailiff for breaks. She shared that her budget would assist in security.
Sheriff Brown shared that Johnson County has a policy that they don’t even allow cell phones past the checkpoint.
Bailiff Richardson stated that he has taken 3 knives off of individuals during the past week.
Deborah stated that people will recognize that the county is serious about courthouse security.
Prosecutor Gray shared her concern of individuals that plan on doing harm don’t care if they injure individuals on the 1st floor, in route to upper floors of the building. There is potential for 1st floor employees getting injured by intervening with the individual.
Judge Baker stated that he doesn’t feel that a checkpoint into the courthouse would cause a bottle neck.
There was much discussion on the security request and ideas from the court personnel.
Prosecutor Gray shared that all the buildings she has worked at had doors that closed quickly, but wasn’t a full glass door.
Clerk Rick shared that he was opposed to limiting access to the courthouse when he first started, but the time has come to close 3 of the 4 doors, and create a checkpoint into the building.
Commissioner Fosnow agreed that people are more unstable than ever.
Commissioner Lawler stated that he opposed any type of security checkpoint, as individuals shouldn’t need to go through it to absentee vote or pay their taxes. He also stated that he didn’t oppose anything that was done in the courtrooms.
Judge Baker asked the Commission what needs to happen. He urged the Commission to make the decision to create a checkpoint at the west entrance door. He agreed that the courtrooms were his responsibility, and the courthouse was the Commission’s.
Sheriff Brown agreed to make the decision to create a checkpoint.
Commissioner Lawler shared of a conversation he had with a citizen regarding not wanting to lock down access to the courthouse.
Sheriff Brown shared that he respected that opinion, but urged the Commission to act.
Prosecutor Gray shared of conversations she has had from individuals that are shocked regarding the full access to the building. These conversations were with victims, defendants, and attorneys. She stated that nobody wants to go through metal detectors, but the vast majority understand the reasons for it.
The group discussed how the right to vote shouldn’t be restricted to individuals going through a security checkpoint. Commissioner Lawler stated that the headlines would state that individuals were turned away. It was agreed that accommodations can be made for those that do not want to enter the building, like curbside voting. Prosecutor Gray stated that headlines would be worse if there was a shoot out at the courthouse.
Commissioner Stone stated that there has been discussion of the construction of a Justice Center, or moving county offices out of the building, like neighboring counties have done. There were comments that security would still be an issue when transporting inmates to the courthouse from the jail.
After discussion, Commissioner Fosnow made a motion to create a checkpoint at the west entrance door of the courthouse. Commissioner Stone seconded the motion. The motion passed with a roll call vote of Fosnow – yes, Stone – yes, and Lawler – no.
Clerk Rick commented that they need to make the parking lot available for citizens use only, with additional disabled parking available. All agreed.
The group discussed creating a committee to work out the details of the checkpoint and its staffing.
The agenda was approved as presented.
The minutes from the Thursday September 26, 2024 meeting were read; Commissioner Fosnow made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Lawler seconded the motion, motion carried.
At 9:00 numerous 4H participants met with the Commission for a proclamation signing signifying October 6th – 8th as National 4H Week in Henry County.
The closed minutes from the Thursday September 26, 2024 meeting were read; Commissioner Lawler made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Fosnow seconded the motion, motion carried.
Expenditures from the following were approved to be paid:
County Payroll Law Enforcement Fund Sheriff’s Civil Fund
Sheriff’s Revolving Fund Administrative Handling Cost Fund Law Enforcement Dept
Inmate Security Senior Citizen’s Service Tax Fund Prosecuting Attorney
Road and Bridge Tri County Child Support Victim Advocate
Buildings and Grounds
At 9:32 Commissioner Fosnow made a motion to go into closed session via RSMo 610.021(3) to discuss personnel matters. Commissioner Lawler seconded the motion. The motion passed with a roll call vote of Lawler – yes, Fosnow – yes, and Stone – yes.
At 10:18 Commissioner Lawler made a motion to end the closed session. Commissioner Fosnow seconded the motion. The motion passed with a roll call vote of Lawler – yes, Fosnow – yes, and Stone – yes.
Dennis Bowers, Road and Bridge Supervisor, shared that the SW351 Rd bridge replacement, in Fairview, has been put on hold, by the Corps of Engineers, due to the replacement plans of the bridge. He recommends the Commission close the road at the Corps of Engineers property line, if the bridge gets downgraded, at the next bridge inspection, in March. He stated that the material to replace the bridge in on hand, and can get used elsewhere.
Dennis shared that 1 side of the concrete project on SE91 Rd, at the Buck Stop intersection, in Bethlehem Township, is complete. There was discussion regarding the agreement getting recorded.
Dennis stated that the brush hog is back on the road. Clerk Rick shared that the county received and deposited the settlement check from the burnt-out tractor / mower. Dennis stated that he would get the scrap hauled off.
Brad Wright asked how important courthouse security was, in addition to public safety for our citizens. The Commission answered that it was very important. Brad continued by stating that he received a call from Public Safety that some of the grants he worked on have been refused by the county. One grant would have provided funding for a clear film to be placed on interior and exterior windows of the courthouse to prevent rounds from going through the window. He wanted to know why the Commission turned down that grant. It was explained that additional funding was required for the completion of the project and the product had received unfavorable reviews.
Brad shared that the county was to receive a $200,000 grant that would have provided a security devise to be installed at the entrance of the courthouse, that would detect weapons more efficiently. The Commission stated that they would look into it.
Brad asked about the FEMA declaration that would have allowed the county to upgrade its storm warning sirens, as well as communications during storms. The Commission stated that they would look into it as well.
Michael Rosiere asked if the Commission was going to sign the Chapter 100 agreement prior to January 1st. Commissioner Stone stated that the Chapter 100 agreement is not complete. Michael continued to ask if they had plans on signing the agreement before the newly elected Commissioners were in office. Commissioner Lawler and Commissioner Fosnow both stated that they would sign it if it were ready before December 31st.
Michael continued to state that the people do not want the Commissioners to sign the Chapter 100 agreement, due to the outcome of the election, as the 2 sitting Commissioners were voted out. Commissioner Stone stated that there are a lot of individuals involved with the agreement. Michael wanted to know why the Commission wants to push this through before January. Commissioner Stone asked if they should just put everything on hold, Michael stated that only the Chapter 100 needed to be put on hold. Commissioner Lawler restated that he would vote for it, if the Chapter 100 agreement was completed before December 31st.
At 10:40 Commissioner Lawler made a motion to adjourn, Commissioner Fosnow seconded with a roll call vote of Lawler – yes, Fosnow – yes, and Stone -Yes
