August 15, 2024, Camden County Commission meeting at 10:00 a.m.

I attended the August 15, 2024, Camden County Commission meeting at 10:00 a.m.

All commissioners were present.

The first portion of the meeting was the Planning and Zoning portion.

The first agenda item was PZ24-0085 H. Marathon/Downey – Rezone B-2, R-3 to R-1.

The applicant was present. Nobody else spoke for or against the rezone.

It was approved unanimously.

The second agenda item was Lake Area Community Development Corporation – Discuss ARPA funding and project updates.

Richard Ross, the Chairperson of the LACDC, was present to speak to the Commission.

Ross explained that the LACDC used their ARPA funding to purchase a house on Mulberry Lane in Camdenton below its appraised value. The house had been on the market for several years. He believed that they would be able to sell it after renovation for $210,000. Hooterville field reporters were able to get a current photo of the house.

Presiding Commissioner Skelton asked Ross what portion of the LACDC’s funding was the Camden County ARPA money?

Ross responded that ARPA made up 90% of their funds.

Skelton asked how many people had been qualified for USDA loans through LACDC?

According to Ron Yarbrough (a LACDC Board member), there have only been a few successful applicants because many of the applicants haven’t been willing to complete the lengthy application process that is required for USDA loan approval.

Currently, the LACDC plans to continue to process applicants for USDA loan approval while also purchasing, renovating, and then selling affordably prices housing in the lake area. Camden County contributed $250,000 in ARPA funds to LACDC and none of the other counties (Laclede, Miller, and Morgan) have given a dime.

And that was that.

But there was one more item that came up in Public Comment.

A gentleman complained to the Commission about his neighbor’s hickory tree. The tree spreads out from a few feet across the property line and looms over his sloped backyard, dropping nuts all over the place. It also attracts various burrowing critters and he was concerned that their tunneling activities were undermining the soil integrity of the slope.

He admitted that the tree was in good health, but he feared that if it fell, it might damage his property. It seems his neighbor feels like luck is with him and has a more laissez-faire attitude about the potential threat the tree poses.

He requested that the Commission intervene on his behalf.

The commissioners politely declined, explaining that trees on private property were beyond their purview. The Camden County Commission has enough drama on their plate with easements and zoning issues. No need to expand into arboreal search warrants, rodent tunnel excavations, trespassing to extend gravel roads…that would be just too much.