Record: 10-1
COMMISSION MINUTES
The Nodaway County Commission met in regular session Tuesday, September 15.
In attendance were Presiding Commissioner Bill Walker ,North District Commissioner Chris Burns, South District Commissioner Scott Walk and Melinda Patton, county clerk.
Business before the governing board included:
• Requisitions and approvals: Inventory Transfer/disposal Forms.
• The Commission reviewed the following information received by mail or email: Emails and articles from citizen on proposed data center; Statement from Schraeder Law Firm.
• Walker reported he had come to the building yesterday due to a call of a leak. He made a call to Maryville Glass & Lock and Jason Brown Roofing.
• Public Comment – A citizen stopped in to discuss noxious weeds. Asked the commissioners to contact Holt County to discuss how they utilize the tax for weeds. Citizens shared concerns regarding the development agreement process, a potential change in the developer of the project, if land purchases were going through (none known), solar farms, additional power plants in the St. Joseph area; decibel levels. Present: Jesse Stark, Sheridan Express, Geoffrey Woehlk, Maryville Forum, Susie Strauch, Wanda Goodspeed, Tim Schafer, Irene Alexander, Rhonda Beattie, Cindy Roach, Donna Tompkins, Scott Wilson, Bruce Skoglund, Dustin Skoglund, Chiya Dawoudi, Amy Zeigler, Josh McKim and Kim Mildward, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED) and Sheriff Austin Hann.
• The commissioners went into closed session at 9 a.m. and went back to open session at 10:22 a.m.
• A call was made to Tim Lance, White Cloud Township Trustee, to discuss the Road Use Agreement that is being proposed. Specifically, the pre/post inventory of the road(s) utilized and how Lance would like this handled. Lance confirmed that the township would work with the developer to put the road back to its pre-construction condition. Also discussed the roads utilized by Kiewitt with the Mulling Creek Project. Lance stated they are waiting until construction is completed and then will begin discussions.
• Rosalie Weatherman stopped in to discuss concerns about Weatherman Cemetery with a bank on road #982 that is eroding. She was directed to the Washington Township officials.
• Sheriff Hann came in to discuss courthouse security. Hann stated he had a statutory obligation to secure the courthouse on court days. He has asked the judges for permission to make the West Courthouse doors an employee entrance that will be locked down. The East Courthouse doors will be utilized by the public and everyone will go through the security at that end of the building. The commissioners agreed that this should be done. Hann will work on public service announcements and signage as they transition to this new security process.
• Aaron McVicker with McClure Engineering, spoke with commission regarding setting up an onsite meeting for BRO bridge project, Road #9. Landowners have also been invited to attend the meeting set for September 24th at 10:00am.
• A message was left for Dan Welch on Pebble Road in Independence Township.
• The Commission, along with Brian Engle, Road and Bridge Supervisor, inspected Road #73, #82 in Atchison Township, Road #329 in Lincoln Township and Road #546 in Green Township.
The Nodaway County Commission met in regular session Tuesday, September 22.
In attendance were Bill Walker, Chris Burns, Scott Walk and Melinda Patton.
Business before the governing board included:
• Requisitions and approvals: Invoice to Oden Enterprises for Bridge #00753004. Sheriff to Sellmark Corp for equipment; to Service Lube for vehicle maintenance and repairs.
• The Commission reviewed the following information received by mail or email: Emails and articles from citizen on proposed data center; Annual Training Certificate – Austin Hann, Sheriff; OSHA HAZWOPER – Emergency Response Technician Training for Scott Walk
• Patton reported Maryville Glass and Lock had stopped in to give an update on the window in the northwest stairwell.
• Public Comment – Citizens shared concerns regarding the development agreement process, health and environmental pollutants. A citizen questioned if any prework efforts could be conducted while the moratorium is in place. The commissioners responded that grading could, but no clearing of vegetation unless by the land owner. This brought up the question of whether the land transactions could still take place during the moratorium period. The response was yes, the moratorium does not stop land owners from selling their property to any of those involved. A citizen shared an article from The Guardian out of Cheyenne, WY regarding pollutants in waste water. No change in the development company is known at this time. The commissioners shared that they have been working on the Road Use Agreement and the proposed Development Agreement. No new data center project teams have come forward at this time. The commissioners have not taken any steps to hire a consultant; however, they are discussing hiring someone that can assist in researching the questions that have been posed by both the commission and the public. The commissioners have not finalized an advisory board for planning and zoning. No land has changed hands according to Assessor Rex Wallace. Commissioner Burns discussed the TV that would be in the lobby of the county Administration Center soon that would have known information displayed for the public as it becomes available. Present: Tim Schafer, Nina Wilmes, Jeff From, Tony Wilmes, Susie Strauch, Dustin Skoglund, Irene Alexander, Wanda Goodspeed, Bruce Skoglund, Chiya Dawoudi, Jesse Stark, Sheridan Express, Rhonda Beattie, Cindy Roach, Donna Tompkins, Scott Wilson, Amy Zeigler, Nina Wiederholt, Kim Swyers, Josh McKim and Kim Mildward, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED), Rex Wallace, assessor and Sheriff Austin Hann.
• Mildward, NCED, discussed a potential property for purchase for a County Fairground location.
• Mildward, NCED, discussed that she is working on a slate of nine (9) individuals for the Nodaway County Community Foundation board.
• The commission went into closed session at 10:31 a.m. and returned to open session at 12:52 a.m.
• Reviewed the Affidavit of Publications for bridges #0251006, #0709005, #0645009 and #0890017. Received an email notice from Madison Woodward, Missouri Department of Transportation noting the county has $1,234,309.89 in softmatch credit.
• Robin Clark, deputy clerk, shared COBRA provider costs from Wex ($1,200), Group Benefit Services (GBS at $756) and Flexible Benefits (1,350). The commissioners opted to go with GBS who had the lowest annual cost.
• The commission, along with Brian Engle, road and bridge supervisor, inspected Road #530, bridge #53 both in Green Township and a culvert on Business Highway 71. Also inspected Road #951 and #961 in Grant Township.
• A call was made to Matt Smith, City of Maryville public works director, regarding the culvert on Highway 71. A call was also made to a Polk Township citizen regarding this culvert.
• A message was left with Lindsey Chaffin, Great River Engineering, regarding BRO-074(004) and bridge #530 in Green Township.
The Nodaway County Commission met on Thurs., Sept. 24.
In attendance were Bill Walker, Chris Burns, Scott Walk and Melinda Patton.
Business before the governing board included:
• Requisitions and approvals: Invoices to Oden Enterprises for Bridge #00753004 (softmatch bridge). County Clerk to Liberty Vote for annual licensing and warranty on election equipment.
The Commission reviewed the following information received by mail or email: Emails and articles from citizen on proposed data center.
• Responded to an email from Patrick Ryberg, Johnson Controls, regarding scheduling the annual fire alarm and sprinkler inspection for the Administration Center and Jail. This has been set for October 13, 2026 at 7:30 a.m.
• Public Comment – A citizen questioned if the county needs two different development agreements because the project has broken out into two different projects currently under Scale Microgrids. At this time, the commissioners can only work with a known company. Another attendee asked if the county had gotten any firm answers to the questions proposed. The commissioners responded that they are still working through attorneys to get responses. A question was posed regarding the company splitting off and whether they could declare imminent domain. Planning and Zoning was brought up. The commissioners reminded the group that P/Z would not stop any projects currently underway, but could prevent future projects from looking at Nodaway County. Present: Rena Puckett, Susie Strauch, Jean Calkins, J.R. Calkins, Bruce Skoglund, Chiya Dawoudi, Scott Wilson, Rhonda Beattie, Nina Wilmes, Dave Schmit, Mike Wilson, Jesse Stark, Sheridan Express, Josh McKim, Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED), Rex Wallace, assessor and Sheriff Austin Hann.
• Sheriff Hann followed up with the commissioners regarding the wage study he had submitted back on Sept.1, 2026.
• An email was received from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding the county’s request for disaster relief. Project FEMA 4929DR-MO has been denied. State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has requested that the county appeal and resubmit.
• Reviewed the annual project prioritization worksheets (STIP, safety and multi-modal prioritization, maintenance projects). These will be discussed and completed. A meeting has been set for October 15, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. to meet and review responses with Heather Montenguise, community planner.
• The commissioners, met with Aaron McVicker, McClure Engineering, and adjoining landowners on site for BRO-074(001) — Bridge #0870014 in Hughes Township and BRO-074(002) – Bridge #0009010 in Lincoln Township, to discuss right of way easements around bridge projects.