August 31, 1973 SLSA Memo on the State Reorganization Act

August 31, 1973

To     : Governor Christopher S. Bond
                                 Cason

                                 Holt
                                 Volkmer

From   : Chairman & Members, State Land Survey Authority

Subject: State Reorganization Act

Section 10 of the final version of the Omnibus State Reorganization Act of 1973, S.B. No. 77, creates and is concerned with a Department of Natural Resources. Most of the transfers of existing agencies to this new Department are by Type II transfers where the identity of the agency and its board are continued.

However, under S.B. 77, Sec. 10(5), the functions of the State Land Survey Authority are transferred to the Department of Natural Resources by a Type I transfer and the Authority is abolished; thereafter the State Geologist supervises and coordinates the work formerly done by the State Land Survey Authority.

The State Reorganization Act in its several versions and changes has been a matter of interest to the State Land Survey Authority during the past year and has been discussed at various meetings of the Authority. At the meeting of the Authority on August 2, 1973, a position was adopted and the present statement of that position was approved by the Authority at its meeting on August 30, 1973. The State Geologist (a member of the Authority ex officio) thought it inappropriate for him to act on this particular matter and he abstained.

1. It is respectfully submitted that the transfer of the State Land Survey Authority to the Department of Natural Resources should be at least by a Type II transfer and preferably by a Type III transfer. The principal reasons are stated briefly in the following paragraphs.

2. The State Land Survey Authority has certain functions which are the same or similar to the rule making and hearing powers of agencies transferred by Type II transfers under S.B. 77, Sec. 10(3). In particular, the State Land Survey Authority modifies certain distance limitations under RSMo Sec. 60.460 as amended in 1973, and issues advisory regulations on land surveying under RSMo Sec. 60.150(7).

3. We have the highest regard for the present State Geologist and his assistant, and their predecessors, as professional geologists and as administrators, but the State Geologist as such is not a land surveyor or civil engineer and has no expertise with regard to land surveying. Probably confusion has arisen because of the use of the word "survey" in both the State Geological "Survey" and the State Land "Survey" Authority, but the word is used in two entirely different senses.

In terms of professional staff, the agency in Missouri most closely related to the State Land Survey Authority is the State Highway Commission with its staff of engineers and right-of-way surveyors.

4. The State Land Survey Authority has five members whose qualifications are stated in RSMo Sec. 60.500. Two are professional surveyors (also professional engineers), one is a professional engineer (also a professional geodetic surveyor), one is a lawyer, and one is the State Geologist ex officio. The Authority is non-partisan in that no more than two of the members may be of the same political party.

5. The State Land Survey Authority is a relatively new agency which started to function on a nominal appropriation in September 1970, and which for the first time in 1973-74 will have an appropriation approximately equal to the user fees which as a practical matter support the agency.

Basic thrusts and policies still are in the formative stage, and at least for some years to come there should be an expert board to establish policies and provide guidance and priorities for the State Land Surveyor.

6. The State Land Surveyor was appointed solely on the basis of his professional qualifications and is continued in office solely on the basis of his professional performance. The continued existence of a non-partisan board of successful professional persons will help assure that there will be no change in this policy and will make it easier to attract and retain an excellently qualified person for the very modest authorized salary.

7. Each present member of the State Land Survey Authority performs this somewhat obscure public service at a sacrifice of time or money or both. The recommendation in Paragraph 1 above that the State Land Survey Authority continue in existence is not based on the desire of any member of the Authority to be perpetuated in office.

                      Respectfully submitted,

                         JAMES S. ANDERSON
                         RICHARD J. BARR
                         WILLARD L. ECKHARDT, Members
                         DANIEL KENNEDY, Chairman


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transcribed by Steven E. Weible

August 30, 1973 Missouri State Land Survey Authority Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF MEETING

STATE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY

August 30, 1973

     The meeting of the State Land Survey Authority was called to order at 9:00 a.m. at the State Land Survey Authority Building, Rolla, Missouri. Dean Willard Eckhardt presided at the meeting in the absence of Chairman Daniel Kennedy. Others present were James Anderson, Richard Barr, Larry Fellows and Robert Myers. Arthur Jacobs was also present during part of the meeting.

     The minutes of the August 2nd meeting were reviewed. It was agreed that Paragraph 5, Page 1, sentence 2, be amended to read as follows: "It was agreed that the questions pertaining to church and union affiliation should be deleted from the form and a space added for minority status if in accord with State personnel practice. Mr. Jacobs will inquire into the State policy of designating minority groups on the job application form and the appropriate change in the SLSA application form be made subject to approval by Mr. Robert Myers." Minutes approved as corrected.

     Trial Balance sheets for the months of July and August were received and noted. Several suggested changes in the structure of the Trial Balance sheets were discussed. These changes will be initiated before the next meeting.

     Mr. Myers reported the following on new personnel. As directed at the August 2nd meeting, Chancellor Baker and Mr. Joseph Wollard, Business Officer, University of Missouri-Rolla, were notified by letter that a present UMR employee was being considered for the SLSA position of Chief, Repository. To date no reply has been received. After a reasonable delay, Mr. Jack McDermott was hired as Chief, Repository and will begin his duties on September 1, 1973. Mr. Robert Wethington has been hired as Surveyor and will begin work on September 1, 1973.

     At present, three part time employees are working and one student has been assigned to the SLSA through UMR's Financial Aid Program.

     As agreed at the August 2nd meeting, a memo concerning transfer of the SLSA to the Department of Natural Resources in the State Reorganization Bill was prepared by Dean Eckhardt and distributed to Authority Members prior to the August 30th meeting. This memo was reviewed in detail. Minor changes were suggested and the memo approved for mailing. It was agreed that copies of the memo be sent to Governor Bond, Members of the House Reorganization Committee, and Members of the Senate Reorganization Committee, with information copies going to Paul Doll, M.S.P.E.; Wendell Locke, M.A.R.L.S.; and Charles Valier, Alan Woods, Robert James and Hugh Sprague, Office of the Governor. Mr. Eckhardt will contact Mr. Valier to obtain names of persons working out details of the Reorganization for Governor Bond. If possible a meeting will be arranged with this committee and members of the SLSA.

     Mr. Myers asked for an opinion from the Authority on writing a letter to Governor Bond suggesting that State agencies be directed by Executive Order to follow surveying rules and standards issued by the SLSA. It was the consensus of opinion that this action might be premature. It was agreed that Mr. Myers should make definite overtures to other State agencies concerning this action. Mr. Myers will report back to the Authority with possible recommendations.

     Mr. Myers reported no information had been received from the Division of Contracting and Procurement on obtaining Public Liability Insurance for SLSA employees.

     Mr. Myers stated that an architect for 1974 Capital Improvements had been selected by the Office of Design and Construction. Motion made by Mr. Barr that Mr. Myers be authorized to negotiate and sign the Capital Improvements contract when received. Seconded by Mr. Eckhardt. Motion carried.

     Mr. Myers reported a letter had been received from Governor Bond requesting ideas for new legislation. It was duly moved by Mr. Barr, seconded by Mr. Anderson, and carried that RSMo 60.520(2) should be amended to provide a more adequate salary for the State Land Surveyor. It would be preferable to have no ceiling, but if there is to be a ceiling it should be at least $25,000. Mr. Myers is authorized to prepare and submit appropriate legislative recommendations.

     Due to long delays in processing of purchase orders, Mr. Myers requested approval to initiate purchase of the large Reader-Printer during the second quarter rather than the third quarter. Mr. Anderson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Barr, that the Reader-Printer be approved for purchase during the second quarter. Motion carried. Approximate price of the Reader-Printer is $7,000 plus.

     Authorization was given for Mr. Myers to attend a Surveying Seminar at Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, on September 20-22 and a meeting of the Oklahoma Society of Land Surveyors at Tulsa, Oklahoma, September 28-30, 1973. Mr. Myers will speak at both meetings. Expenses will be partially reimbursed by Purdue University and OSLS.

     The regular budget for FY 1975 was reviewed. Mr. Myers stated that he had been informed through Mr. Cooper's office that no change would be made in the UMR-SLSA utility arrangement. Therefore no funds have been requested for payment of utilities in FY 75. Additional personnel requested are: 1 Surveyor; 1 Survey Technician I; 1 Survey Technician III; and 1 Clerk Typist. The SLSA salary chart in relationship with the Merit System salaries was discussed. The Authority members agreed that Mr. Myers should review SLSA salaries again to be sure an expected Merit System increase during Fiscal Year 74 is included in comparable SLSA salaries. Mr. Myers stated that a 1% merit increase will be allowed in FY 75 to be distributed to employees at Mr. Myers' discretion. It was agreed that Mr. Myers request a 5% increase in per diem appropriation. If the increase is not allowed no issue should be made. Equipment purchases were reviewed briefly. Operations request was reviewed by line item. The Operations request is an increase of $34,000 over FY 74, with the entire FY 75 budget request totaling $347,814. Mr. Eckhardt made a motion that the budget be approved and changes by Mr. Myers allowed within a limited extent. Any major changes should be referred to Authority members. The 1975 Capital Improvement budget totaling $98,601 was approved subject to discretion on changes that have to be made.

     Mr. Myers reported on the status of SLSA projects:

     1. Iron Co. Project. Aerial photography has been reviewed. Mr. Brown has started working on computations and is also traversing some additional points. Coordinate values are being key punched.

     2. Carter Co. Project. Ten resume information type forms were sent to possible contractors. A basic inventory of the project has been made.

     3. St. Louis Project. A great deal of work has been completed checking out the coordinate system. It appears that the Kosciusko system is out by about 65 feet. The possibility of tieing this system to a National Geodetic Survey station will be investigated. Approximately 709 man-hours has been spent on this project to date. At 2.5 times payroll, this would be $8600.

     4. Microfilming is going very well. All of the records of the Lincoln County surveyor and the Lincoln County recorder's books have been filmed.

     The next meeting will be held at the SLSA building, September 27th at 9:00 a.m.

     Meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.


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transcribed by Steven E. Weible