March 24, 1973 Missouri State Land Survey Authority Meeting Minutes

STATE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY

Minutes of Executive Session

     An Executive Session of the State Land Survey Authority was held March 24, 1973, at 7:30 a.m., at the Manor Inn, Rolla. All Authority members were present.

     The meeting was called by Mr. Daniel Kennedy in order to discuss per diem and out-of-state travel expenditures by Authority members. The folowing conclusions were made:

     1.  On March 26 (date of Senate Appropriation Committee hearing) and at the next meeting, discuss with Mr. Myers the possibility of transferring funds from other parts of the budget to allow Authority members to receive per diem and out-of-state travel expenses for the remainder of the fiscal year.

     2.  To review and reevaluate per diem and out-of-state travel expenditures so far this fiscal year and make adjustments in the allotment for the FY 1973-74 budget if necessary.

     3.  To submit to the State Land Surveyor a reasonable estimate of per diem and out-of-state travel expenditures required for Authority members to be included as part of the FY 1974-75 budget.

     Mr. James Anderson reported that Mr. Harold Haas, Director of Planning for the City of Springfield, asked him what the SLSA could contribute to Springfield for the coming fiscal year. Mr. Anderson told him that the SLSA budget has already been made and that it does not include funding for Springfield, but that the SLSA could contribute up to six man-months in Springfield. Authority members agreed that this was a reasonable statement.

     Dr. Larry Fellows asked about the policy pertaining to use of State cars by SLSA employees, as it had been called to his attention that certain employees have been seen driving them in Rolla after hours and on weekends. It was agreed to review this policy at the next Authority meeting, and that Mr. Myers should be contacted about the matter before then.

     The Authority members decided to change the date of the next meeting from April 26 to April 16 in order that all members can be present.

                    Respectively submitted,

                    Larry D. Fellows


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transcribed by Steven E. Weible

New Madrid Claims in Missouri

This article has been modified. See Chapter 11 of "It Was Not Quick and It Was Not Simple: The Saga of Private Land Claims in Missouri". (Go to book now.)

Robert McCay, being duly sworn, says ... that AD seventeen hundred eighty six, he this deponent was on his way to New Orleans from Post St. Vincennes, and in the month of December of that year he stopped at the place where the village of New Madrid now stands, at which time, there was not any persons living there, it being a perfect wilderness. This deponent further says, that in the spring of the following year, being AD one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven, when He returned there was about twelve persons living on the spot where the village now stands, being employed in trading with the Indians ... this deponent further says that in seventeen hundred and eighty nine, he was again at New Orleans, when the then Governor sent for Him and made enquiries as to the situation of the place etc, and in the year of AD seventeen hundred and ninety, Pierre Fouché arrived at this place and took command of the same, and named the village New Madrid ... This deponent further says ... that AD seventeen hundred and ninety four or five, the village of Little Prairie was settled by Francis Lessieur ... This deponent furthers says that on the morning of the seventeenth of December AD one thousand eight hundred and eleven the first Earthquake was felt, which was the one that destroyed the Little Prairie, but the one that did the material injury to the Village of New Madrid was not until the seventh of February following. This Deponent says that Earthquakes have continued from that time to this time, during the fall & winter. (Excerpt from deposition of Robert McCay, August 15, 1825, Hunt’s Minute Book #2, pages 154-155, Missouri State Land Survey microfiche location: 720/3198A1.)

The New Madrid earthquakes that began in mid-December 1811 and continued into 1812 are considered by the United States Geological Survey to be “some of the largest in the United States since its settlement by Europeans.” Reports indicate widespread occurrences of ground fissures, subsidence, liquefaction, landslides and damages caused by ground motion. The physical damage was obvious and directly affected the livelihoods of the inhabitants of the region. More devastating, though, was the psychological effect of the lesser quakes and aftershocks that continued to occur, causing many established inhabitants to want to leave the area.

At the time the series of earthquakes began, the First Board of Commissioners was nearing the end of its task of examining the claims to land granted by the Spanish and French and deciding the validity of those claims. Since the New Madrid area was an established area of settlement prior to the purchase of the Louisiana territory by the United States, there were many land claims in this area that had been approved by the Commissioners.

Owners of confirmed claims petitioned the Federal government for relief, but the more pressing matter of the War of 1812 prevented a timely response. Finally, three years later, the Federal government responded to this natural disaster by passing the Act of February 17, 1815, chapter 45, An Act for the relief of the inhabitants of the late county of New Madrid, in the Missouri territory, who suffered by earthquakes (U. S. Statutes at Large, Volume 3, page 211). The Act applied to those owning confirmed claims of land in the county of New Madrid, Missouri territory, to the extent that the county existed on November 10, 1812, whose land had been materially injured by the preceding earthquakes. They were authorized to locate the same quantity of land on any of the public lands of the territory that were authorized for sale. No one was permitted to locate a quantity of land greater than was confirmed to him unless he owned less than 160 acres. Such persons owning less than 160 acres were authorized to locate and obtain any quantity of land not exceeding 160 acres. The maximum quantity of land that could be located under this Act was limited to 640 acres. Lands containing lead mines or salt springs were not authorized for selection. In exchange, the title to the lands previously held was relinquished to the United States.

In order to make a claim for new location under this Act, the landowner was required to appear before the recorder of land titles for the territory of Missouri and produce competent witnesses to affirm that the land owned had been materially damaged by earthquakes. Having received sufficient proof, the recorder of land titles would then issue a location certificate, stating the quantity of land authorized to be located. The claimant would select a tract of land and then make application to the principal deputy surveyor for the territory, later the Surveyor of the Public Lands, specifying the land located and requesting that it be surveyed. The results of the survey were forwarded to the recorder of land titles for recording and issuance of a patent certificate. The patent certificate was then submitted to the Commissioner of the General Land Office. If approved by the Commissioner, a patent was issued for the new location.

To prevent the process from dragging out indefinitely Congress passed the Act of April 9, 1818, chapter 42, An Act limiting the time for claims being produced for lands authorized to be granted to the inhabitants of New Madrid (U. S. Statutes at Large, Volume 3, page 417). This Act compelled those making a claim under the previous Act of February 17, 1815 to file their application and produce their evidence to the recorder of land titles on or before January 1, 1819. The recorder of land titles was not to issue a location certificate for any claim that did not meet the deadline.

As claimants began to file claims under the 1815 Act, location certificates were issued, surveys were requested and issues began to arise. The 1815 Act was intended to provide relief to those who owned the land at the time of the earthquakes. Many of these original owners, however, had already sold out and moved away. In their place were opportunists ready and more than willing to take advantage of the situation. The opportunity to locate prime real estate before it was available for sale was very attractive to the settler and potentially very lucrative for the speculator. Thus, location certificates were readily sold and transferred from person to person for valuable consideration.

At the time the 1815 Act was passed, the surveys of the public lands in the Missouri territory had not yet begun. The Fifth Principal Meridian would not be established until later that year, beginning in October. Nevertheless, the Act appeared to allow the holders of location certificates a right to locate at their option without being limited by sectional lines, since waiting for the lands to be surveyed would not provide the relief desired. Tracts located in this manner did not conform to the sectional lines, resulting in fractional adjoining sections. The U. S. Attorney General took issue with this and opined that such locations were illegal and any sales of the fractional sections that had already occurred should be declared void.

New Madrid Claims that do not conform to the sectional and quarter sectional lines,
located in Township 48 North, Range 14 West in Boone County, Missouri.
(image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey)

In response to this issue, Congress passed the Act of April 26, 1822, chapter 40, An Act to perfect certain locations and sales of public lands in Missouri (U. S. Statutes at Large, Volume 3, page 668). This Act allowed those claims that had already been located that did not conform to the sectional and quarter sectional lines of the public land surveys to be perfected into grants. It also approved the sales of the fractional sections created by these nonconforming New Madrid locations. This Act further stipulated that any claims located after the passage of the Act were required to conform to the sectional and quarter sectional lines as nearly as possible to make the quantity of land permitted to be located. The time allowed to locate a claim was limited to one year after the passage of the Act.

New Madrid Claims in Township 44 North, Range 10 West in Cole County, Missouri.
(image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey)

New Madrid Claims conforming to the sectional and quarter sectional lines,
located in Township 52 North, Range 16 West in Howard County, Missouri.
(image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey)

New Madrid Claims in Township 44 North, Range 10 West in Callaway County, Missouri.  New Madrid Claims are distinguished from other private claims by the wording "Certificate No.", followed by the number of the location certificate issued by the recorder of land titles.
(image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey)

New Madrid Claims in Township 57 North, Range 04 West in Marion County, Missouri.
(image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey)

Another issue that arose concerned the manner in which location certificates were issued by the recorder of land titles. The original Act provided that those owning less than 160 acres could claim a quantity of land equal to or less than 160 acres. The recorder of land titles apparently interpreted this as meaning one location certificate for 160 acres for each confirmed original claim so long as the total quantity permitted to be located did not exceed 640 acres, the maximum authorized by the 1815 Act. Thus, owners of small town lots of 1 or 2 arpents (i.e., 0.85 or 1.7 acres, respectively) were issued a location certificate for 160 acres for each lot owned up to four location certificates. When patent certificates were issued and presented to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, the Commissioner acted on the advice of the U. S. Attorney General and refused to issue patents for locations made under a single original claimant that were based on location certificates issued for more than one town lot.

This issue was addressed by the passage of the Act of March 2, 1827, chapter 34, An Act supplementary to “An act to perfect certain locations and sales of the public lands in Missouri,” passed April the twenty-sixth, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two (U. S. Statutes at Large, Volume 4, page 219). Those locations that were based on location certificates issued for lots and out lots in and adjoining the villages of New Madrid and Little Prairie were allowed to be perfected into grants, so long as the total did not exceed 640 acres.

Yet another issue that arose involved the right of pre-emption that had been previously granted by the Act of April 12, 1814, chapter 52, An Act for the final adjustment of land titles in the State of Louisiana and territory of Missouri (U. S. Statutes at Large, Volume 3, page 121). The fifth section of that Act permitted a person who had actually inhabited and cultivated and continued to inhabit and cultivate a tract of land in the territory of Missouri, not rightfully claimed by anyone else, to purchase the land under a right of pre-emption. Further, the Act of April 29, 1816, chapter 162, An Act concerning pre-emption rights given in the purchase of lands to certain settlers in the state of Louisiana, and in the territory of Missouri and Illinois (U. S. Statutes at Large, Volume 3, page 330), extended the right of pre-emption to adjoining fractional sections. The problem developed when a New Madrid claim was located adjoining a tract subject to pre-emption rights. The New Madrid location might then be taken by the pre-emption rights that extended to adjoining fractional sections, leaving the New Madrid claimant without relief.

To provide the necessary relief in such a case, Congress passed the Act of March 2, 1831, chapter 92, An Act for the relief of certain holders of certificates issued in lieu of lands injured by earthquakes in Missouri (U. S. Statutes at Large, Volume 4, page 482). New Madrid claimants that had located on lands subject to the right of pre-emption were authorized to make a new location on those lands available for entry at private sale, provided that they relinquish all claim to the previous location. The Act set a time limit of eighteen months from the time of its passage to make the new location.

A total of 516 location certificates were issued by the recorder of land titles. One certificate was determined to have been issued erroneously and was nullified. Twenty-two (22) certificates failed to result in a patent of new location. These were either withdrawn and not relocated, were located, but rejected due to interference with an existing claim, or, simply, were not located at all. That left 493 certificates that resulted in a patent of new location. Twenty-two (22) of these locations were made in Arkansas, leaving 471 locations in Missouri. These are distributed by county as follows:

   Howard County              120

   Saint Louis County or City  61

   Cooper County               60

   Boone County                41

   Callaway County             31

   Saline County               27

   Chariton County             21

   Marion County               16

   Cole County                 11

   New Madrid County           10

   Pike County                 10

   Saint Charles County        10

   Clay County                  7

   Lafayette County             7

   Montgomery County            5

   Cape Girardeau County        4

   Scott County                 4

   Franklin County              3

   Lincoln County               3

   Ray County                   3

   Warren County                3

   Jackson County               2

   Mississippi County           2

   Moniteau County              2

   Osage County                 2

   Ralls County                 2

   Carroll County               1

   Lewis County                 1

   Macon County                 1

   Perry County                 1

It can easily be seen that the majority of these claims were located in counties adjoining the Missouri River, some as far west as present day Kansas City. By far the most popular destination was Howard County. In many of these counties, New Madrid claims are the only U. S. Surveys that occur there. Those claims that conform to the sectional and quarter sectional lines are often easy to overlook on the General Land Office Township plat and are sometimes ignored altogether, preference being given to the designation by aliquot part of the section. New Madrid claims are easy to distinguish from other private claims on the GLO plat, however, because they include the wording, “Certificate No.”, followed by the number of the location certificate issued by the recorder of land titles. No other variety of private claims includes this wording. (As a side note, those U. S. Surveys having the wording, “Decision No.” are the private claims approved by the Second Board of Commissioners and confirmed by the Act of July 4, 1836, chapter 361, U. S. Statutes at Large, Volume 5, page 126.) It should be noted that the New Madrid claims are numbered in the General Series of U. S. Surveys. (See the article, “GLO Surveys of Town and Village Lots” for more discussion on series of U. S. Surveys.)

New Madrid Claim (Survey # 2851) in Township 31 North, Range 15 East in
Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, conflicting with private claims confirmed
by the Act of July 4, 1836, chapter 361.
(image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey)

New Madrid Claims in Township 51 North, Range 32 West in Clay County, Missouri,
being the most westerly located New Madrid Claims.
(image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey)

New Madrid Claim in Township 61 North, Range 05 West in Lewis County, Missouri,
being the most northerly located New Madrid Claim.
(image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey)

New Madrid Claim (Survey # 2938) in Township 22 North, Range 14 East in
New Madrid County, Missouri, just north of the Town of New Madrid.
(image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey)

This 1815 Act for the relief of those that suffered from the New Madrid earthquakes was a grand attempt by a benevolent and caring Federal Government to, in the words of then U. S. Attorney General William Wirt, “help the poor who had been rendered indigent by a visitation of God.” In the end, though, it provided yet another irresistible opportunity for enterprising and resourceful Americans to translate a government benevolence into personal gain.

COMPLETE LIST OF SOURCE REFERENCES

- excerpt from deposition of Robert McCay, August 15, 1825, Hunt’s Minute Book #2, pages 154-155, Missouri State Land Survey microfiche location 720/3198A1.

- United States Geological Survey, Earthquake Hazards Program, Historic Earthquakes, New Madrid 1811-1812 Earthquakes, http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/events/1811-1812.php

- Act of February 17, 1815, chapter 45, An Act for the relief of the inhabitants of the late county of New Madrid, in the Missouri territory, who suffered by earthquakes (U. S. Statutes at Large, Volume 3, page 211)

- Act of April 9, 1818, chapter 42, An Act limiting the time for claims being produced for lands authorized to be granted to the inhabitants of New Madrid (U. S. Statutes at Large, Volume 3, page 417).

- Act of April 26, 1822, chapter 40, An Act to perfect certain locations and sales of public lands in Missouri (U. S. Statutes at Large, Volume 3, page 668).

- Act of March 2, 1827, chapter 34, An Act supplementary to “An act to perfect certain locations and sales of the public lands in Missouri,” passed April the twenty-sixth, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two (U. S. Statutes at Large, Volume 4, page 219).

- Act of March 2, 1831, chapter 92, An Act for the relief of certain holders of certificates issued in lieu of lands injured by earthquakes in Missouri (U. S. Statutes at Large, Volume 4, page 482).

- American State Papers, Public Lands, Volume 3, page 437, No. 334, New Madrid Claimants

- American State Papers, Public Lands, Volume 4, page 39, No. 429, New Locations in Lieu of Lots in New Madrid and Little Prairie Villages, in Missouri, Injured by Earthquakes

- American State Papers, Public Lands, Volume 4, page 155, No. 453, Grants of Land to People of New Madrid County, Missouri, Who Suffered by Earthquakes

- American State Papers, Public Lands, Volume 4, page 749, No. 504, New Madrid Claim in Missouri

- American State Papers, Public Lands, Volume 4, page 872, No. 551, New Madrid Claim

- American State Papers, Public Lands, Volume 4, page 881, No. 560, Application of Missouri for Further Relief to the Sufferers by Earthquakes in New Madrid County, in that State

- American State Papers, Public Lands, Volume 6, page 184, No. 853, Claim to Land in Missouri

- American State Papers, Public Lands, Volume 6, page 409, No. 1034, On Claim to Land in Missouri

- Letter, dated January 19, 1821, from William Rector, Surveyor of the Public Lands of Missouri, Illinois & the territory of Arkansas, to Josiah Meigs, Commissioner of the General Land Office (Missouri State Land Survey microfiche location 720/3264B).

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Original composition by Steven E. Weible

March 8, 1973 Missouri State Land Survey Authority Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF MEETING

STATE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY

March 8, 1973

     The meeting of the State Land Survey Authority was called to order at 9:00 a.m., March 8, 1973 by Acting Chairman Willard Eckhardt, at the Land Survey Authority Building, Rolla, Missouri. Also present were James Anderson, Richard Barr, Larry Fellows and Robert Myers.

     The minutes of the February 8 meeting were reviewed and minor changes suggested. Minutes approved.

     The trial balance sheet for February was received and noted.

     Fourth quarter budget request proposals were approved as follows:

          Personal Services              $16,724.28
          Equipment Purchase & Repair        812.00
          Operations                      17,678.00

     The following items were approved for expenditure:

          Printing and binding               750.00
          Purchase of trees - UMR            800.00
          St. Louis Coordinate System        500.00
          UMR Microfilm                      320.00

     Mr. Myers called attention to the fact that the remaining funds allotted for per diem for Authority members was limited in the fourth quarter. A review was made of planned Authority meetings and the attendance of other meetings by SLSA staff members and board members during the remainder of FY 72-73. Authority members agreed that the planned 2-day meeting in May should still be scheduled, but only one day per diem be paid each member for attendance. Authority members requested that Mr. Myers draft some guidelines pertaining to attendance and expenses of staff and board members incurred as a result of meeting with out of state survey organizations. The guidelines will be presented to the Authority for action at the next meeting.

     Mr. Myers reported as follows on current legislation:

     a) Supplemental Appropriation (H.B. 16) - In Senate committee.

     b) 1973-74 Budget Request (H.B. 4) - Still in House committee.

     c) Reorganization Bill (H.B. 419 & S.B. 77) - Messrs. Barr, Eckhardt and Myers appeared at a hearing on H.B. 419, February 20th at Jefferson City. A brief paper prepared by Mr. Eckhardt was presented to the committee recommending changes as agreed by the Authority. S.B. 77 has been modified and is still in committee.

     d) State Coordinate Bill (H.B. 138) - Has been perfected by the House.

     Mr. Myers reported he had talked with Mr. Robert James, Mr. Wm. Moon and Mr. Mark Edelman at Jefferson City regarding the SLSA Capital Improvement request and the elimination of funding for the vault from the request. Mr. Myers asked Mr. James to meet with the Authority in the near future for the purpose of acquainting Mr. James with the present SLSA facility and to assist in planning for the vault and facility expansion as needed. Mr. Myers recommended that a concrete plan, either for a new site or expansion at the present site, should be prepared by the SLSA prior to the meeting with Mr. James. Mr. Arthur Jacobs, Chief, Administrative Services, presented a preliminary study he had prepared and cost projections for expansion in the present SLSA building and also for a new structure on a site that would possibly be available from the University of Missouri-Rolla. Advantages and disadvantages of the two plans were examined in detail. A definite decision was delayed until the next Authority meeting. However the consensus of the Authority members was that Mr. Myers should work up a more detailed plan on utilization of the present SLSA building for presentation at the next meeting.

     Comments concerning the preliminary draft of the State Coordinate Manual were offered. Mr. Anderson presented additional information that he recommended be added to the Manual. Authority members approved this addition. It was agreed that the Manual was ready for final draft.

     Copies of an Executive Order dated December 4, 1970, stating that the State Land Survey Authority was assigned to the Division of Geological Survey and Water Resources, Department of Business and Administration, were reviewed. Mr. Myers reported that as far as he knew, the SLSA had no knowledge of the existence of this Executive Order until recently. Mr. Myers stated he had talked to Mr. Hugh Sprague concerning the Executive Order, and steps are being taken to rescind this order.

     Mr. Myers reported that he had written to Mr. John D. Ashcroft requesting an audit of SLSA records. It was Mr. Myers' opinion that an early audit of the SLSA would be helpful with the accounting and inventory records.

     A letter of complaint concerning survey quality by an individual surveyor was reviewed. Mr. Myers requested a recommendation from the Authority for handling this type of correspondence. It was the recommendation of the Authority that all substantial complaints be forwarded by the State Land Surveyor to the State Registration Board with an information copy of this action sent to the person issuing the complaint.

     Mr. Myers stated that copies of certain survey records had been offered to the SLSA Repository with the request that the records be kept confidential. It was the opinion of the Authority that it would not be to the advantage of the SLSA to store confidential survey records. Dr. Fellows suggested that an index of confidential records available to the SLSA for their use might be helpful.

     Mr. Myers reported that Mr. James DeYoung, acting attorney for the State of Missouri, had contacted him concerning the Missouri-Nebraska boundary dispute. Mr. DeYoung stated he had recommended to the Attorney General of Missouri that $100,000 be requested from General Revenue to be used for work concerning the Missouri-Nebraska compact. He suggested that the SLSA work up a rough estimate of cost for the project. To date, Mr. Myers has received no request for assistance from the Attorney General concerning the boundary dispute.

     Mr. Myers requested authority to employ additional students or student dependents on a part-time basis to assist with the indexing of records. Authority members approved the request.

     Mr. Myers recommended that the date of the Authority meeting be changed from the second Thursday to the fourth Thursday of each month. This would assist in arriving at a more accurate expenditure report for each meeting. Recommendation approved. The next meeting is tentatively planned for April 26, with the proposed 2-day meeting to be held on May 24-25.

     Mr. Myers reported on the progress of the following projects:

          a) Iron County - good progress on search and evaluation work

          b) Microfilming - 16 counties filmed to date
                             5 counties, indexing completed

          c) St. Louis Coordinate - no report

     Meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.


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Transcribed by Steven E. Weible

February 8, 1973 Missouri State Land Survey Authority Meeting Minutes

MISSOURI STATE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY

Minutes of Meeting

February 8, 1973

     The meeting of the State Land Survey Authority was called to order by Daniel Kennedy, Chairman, at 9:00 a.m., February 8th, at the Land Survey Authority Building, Rolla. Others present were James Anderson, Richard Barr, Larry Fellows and Robert Myers.

     The minutes of the January 11 meeting were reviewed and minor changes suggested. Minutes approved.

     The trial balance sheet for the month of January was approved.

     The tentative agenda for the spring workshop sponsored by the Missouri Association of Registered Land Surveyors to be held at the Land Survey Authority Building in Rolla was reviewed and approved.

     Mr. Myers stated that on January 22nd, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Eckhardt and himself had met with the House Appropriation Committee and submitted an amended supplemental request. The Governor's recommendation was for no additional funds; the Authority requested $20,425 to be appropriated for the supplemental request. On January 29th, Representatives Morgan and Wallis visited the Land Survey Authority office to further discuss the supplemental request. No word has been received on their recommendation as a result of these meetings. On February 6th, Messrs. Kennedy, Eckhardt and Myers appeared before the Appropriation Committee concerning the regular budget for 1973-1974. Mr. Myers reported no opposition was voiced concerning the SLSA appropriation request.

     The Executive Request dated January 29, 1973, requesting that all contacts with the Legislature dealing with proposed legislation be cleared through the Governor's office and in specific through Mr. Valier, was reviewed. Mr. Myers stated he had been unable to contact Mr. Valier but Mr. Valier's secretary told him that all they wanted was a brief summary of the legislation to be presented. The requested information was submitted for House Bill #138.

     House Bill #419 concerning reorganization of the Department of Business and Administration was reviewed. It was the consensus of the Authority that any opposition to the bill should be voiced to Representative Holt's committee by the Authority members. Representative Holt was contacted by phone and he stated that each agency concerned would be given an opportunity to appear before his committee and would be notified of time and date as soon as they were known. It was agreed that Mr. Eckhardt and Mr. Myers should prepare a statement, to be presented by Mr. Eckhardt, to the committee. This statement would be forwarded to the other Authority members prior to the meeting with the committee. It was also agreed that Authority members would attempt to contact their representatives concerning the SLSA's position on H.B. #419.

     Mr. Myers stated that he appeared before the Legislative Committee on February 7th to testify for House Bill #138 concerning state coordinates. There appears to be no opposition to the bill.

     Mr. Myers informed the Authority that three contracts submitted to the Office of Administration had been approved and returned on February 7th after a long delay. These contracts are with Ronald Murphy, Herman Kaller and Barry Bookout.

     Mr. Myers stated that a contract for the photogrammetric part of the Iron County project would be initiated as soon as practical. It was the consensus of the Authority that the photogrammetry work should be contracted for as soon as possible and the delivery date left open.

     As Authority members had not completed reading the State Coordinate Manual draft, it was agreed that after reading the Manual, members would submit their comments to Mr. Myers. Hopefully comments will be submitted at an early date in order that a final draft can be prepared before the March Authority meeting.

     Mr. Myers stated that he had been asked to serve as chairman of ACSM Standards Committee. Authority members agreed that it would be beneficial for Mr. Myers to serve in this capacity.

     Mr. Myers requested approval to attend the ACSM meeting in Washington, D.C., March 15, 16 and 17, and the AARLS meeting at Hot Springs, Arkansas on April 12, 13 and 14. Attendance was approved.

     A letter from Mr. Joe Wollard, UMR Business Officer, was reviewed by Authority members. The letter in part states, "The campus would recommend to the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri that favorable consideration be given to negotiation between the two parties as to transferring the present site of your activities to the University and the University making available to the Authority a site for the new construction. The accomplishment of this transfer would appear to be in the best interest of both parties." No reply will be made at this time.

     Mr. Myers suggested that a letter be written to the Commission of Administration requesting that the SLSA be included in the State of Missouri's 5-year Capital Improvement plan. Authority members agreed that it would be advantageous to contact the Commission of Administration, but felt that SLSA personnel should continue working on plans for future facilities also.

     Mr. Myers stated that a contract had been initiated with Barry Bookout, UMR student. Mr. Bookout has been working for the SLSA part-time through UMR's financial aid program for students. Mr. Bookout has completed the maximum hours allowed him through this program. Contract maximum is for $340.

     In reference to January 11th meeting, Mr. Myers stated that no letter had been written to the Governor concerning the Capital Improvement request. Mr. Myers stated he had talked to Mr. Joe Cassidy and Mr. Mark Edelman concerning a supplemental request. It was his opinion that any added attempt for obtaining additional funds was useless, and in fact could be detrimental at this time.

     Mr. Myers reported he had talked to Mr. Peter Ruger, Assistant Attorney General, concerning the Missouri-Nebraska boundary. Mr. Ruger requested that the SLSA prepare some preliminary plans and cost estimates for this project.

     Dr. Fellows stated that it was his understanding that under proposed legislation, most state employees would be on the Merit System by 1975, and recommended that job descriptions be prepared for all present and proposed SLSA positions. Mr. Myers said these descriptions had already been completed, but that he would check to see if all future proposed positions were sure included.

     Mr. Barr stated that a task force committee had been appointed to make a study of East-West Gateway activities in order to determine future projects and funding.

     Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.


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Transcribed by Steven E. Weible

January 11, 1973 Missouri State Land Survey Authority Meeting Minutes

MISSOURI STATE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY

Minutes of Meeting

January 11, 1973

     The meeting of the State Land Survey Authority was held January 11, 1973 at the State Land Survey Authority building, Rolla. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Daniel Kennedy with James Anderson, Richard Barr, Willard Eckhardt, Larry Fellows and Robert Myers present.

     The minutes of the December 19th, 1972 meeting were reviewed and corrections made. Minutes approved as corrected.

     Mr. Myers reported that the Governor had not recommended any funds for the 1972-73 Supplemental Request as submitted December 18, 1972.

     A total of $44,565 has been recommended by the Governor for 1973-74 Capital Improvements budget. Since this amount does not include sufficient funds for a vault, it was agreed by the Authority members that a formal protest from the members should be submitted concerning the Capital Improvements recommendation.

     Mr. Kennedy suggested that Mr. Myers develop and present to the Authority alternate comprehensive plans for future housing of the State Land Survey Authority. These plans would be used in preparation of Capital Improvement requests.

     The Trial Balance sheet for the month of December was reviewed and approved.

     Mr. Myers reviewed the Missouri-Nebraska boundary problem and brought Authority members up to date on work that has been done by the State of Missouri and the State of Nebraska. Copies of a report of the Missouri-Nebraska Boundary Compact, Review of Land Survey Plats Entitled Appendix "A", prepared by R. E. Myers, were given to Authority members for their comments and approval. After review and discussion of the report it was agreed that Mr. Eckhardt and Mr. Myers would revise portions of the conclusion of this report. No specific survey recommendations will be made in the report; however, it will state that the SLSA will be available for recommendation and assistance if so requested by the Attorney General's office. Mr. Anderson made a motion that this document be approved with the aforementioned revision. Seconded by Mr. Barr. Motion carried. It was agreed that the SLSA would need to be reimbursed for any survey work executed by the SLSA for this project.

     Adjourned for lunch.

     Mr. Myers reviewed two surveys executed in T. 41 N., R. 16 W., and pointed out discrepancies involved. Mr. J. T. Powell and Mr. Dale Miller will meet with Mr. Myers on January 12th at the Land Survey Authority office in order that Mr. Myers can outline the problem to them.

     A memo prepared by Arthur Jacobs, Chief, Administrative Services, showing comparative costs of medium range EDM equipment was presented to the Authority. The advantages and disadvantages of the Geodimeter 6BL and Ranger III were discussed. Motion made by Mr. Barr that the Geodimeter 6BL be purchased, including triple reflectors, if possible. Seconded by Mr. Anderson. Motion carried.

     Mr. Barr stated he had talked to Senator Cliff Jones concerning H.B. #139 dealing with county surveyors, prepared by MARLS. Senator Jones recommended that H.B. #139 not be introduced in both houses simultaneously; Senator Jones said he would support the bill if correct introduction procedure was used.

     Mr. Myers reviewed two changes included in the first draft of the organizational revision of the Department of Natural Resources. The draft states that the SLSA will become a division of the Department of Natural Resources, and appointment of the State Land Surveyor is subject to legislative approval.

     Mr. Myers reported that the SLSA repository now contains indexed information from 59 counties in Missouri.

     Mr. Myers stated that with the present slow down in operations in Jefferson City due to the processes of administration change, it appeared that approval of the contract for search and evaluation work to be executed in Iron County may be delayed beyond the date when it would be possible to have aerial photography completed. It was the consensus of the Authority that this project should be continued even if photogrammetric work had to be completed at a later date.

     Mr. Myers asked that Authority members suggest possible alternate projects they would prefer in the event photogrammetric work was delayed. Suggested projects were:

     1. Photogrammetric work in another area with search and evaluation.

     2. Personnel from SLSA traverse an entire township.

     3. Co-op work with NGS to execute a St. Louis coordinate reconnaissance project.

     Meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.


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Transcribed by Steven E. Weible

December 19, 1972 Missouri State Land Survey Authority Meeting Minutes

MISSOURI STATE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY

Minutes of Meeting

December 19, 1972

     The meeting of the State Land Survey Authority was called to order by Chairman Daniel Kennedy at 9:20 a.m., December 19th at the Land Survey Building, Rolla. Present besides Mr. Kennedy were James Anderson, Willard Eckhardt, Larry Fellows and Robert Myers.

     Minutes of the November 28th meeting were reviewed and approved as written.

     Mr. Myers reviewed the 1973-74 budget request as recommended by Governor-elect Bond. He also stated that the supplemental request recommendation was zero. On December 18, Messrs. Kennedy, Eckhardt, and Myers met in Jefferson City with Governor-elect Bond and Mr. Mark Edelman to appeal the Supplemental Request recommendation. A revised supplemental request totaling $26,925 was submitted. This included $1,425 for Personal Services; $19,500 for Equipment Purchase and Repair; and $6,000 for Operations.

     Third quarter expenditure requests as follows were presented by Mr. Myers for discussion and approval:

               Personal Services            $16,791.25

               Equipment Purchase & Repair      462.50

               Operations                    17,612.50

The above requests were approved.

     Mr. Myers requested an opinion from Authority members on endorsement of House Bill #138 regarding the State Coordinate System. It was agreed that the SLSA should support this Bill. Mr. Eckhardt made the motion that Mr. Myers give this bill top priority in working for passage. Seconded by Dr. Fellows. Motion carried.

     House Bill #139, in regard to the county surveyors, was reviewed. It was agreed that the SLSA should not officially support H.B. #139 in its present form.

     Adjourned for lunch.

     Representative-elect John Twitty joined the meeting from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. The duties and obligations of the SLSA were reviewed along with accomplishments to date. Mr. Twitty was brought up to date on the SLSA budget requests and acquainted with Capital Improvement needs. He was also informed of the legislation, H.B. #138, that the SLSA is endorsing for passage.

     As requested at the November 28th meeting, Mr. Myers presented photogrammetric plans and estimates from Surdex Inc., and M. J. Harden Associates, Inc., to complete cost estimates for search and evaluation and photogrammetric work for a restoration program in T. 31 N., R. 4 E., Iron County. Total cost estimates presented by Mr. Myers were as follows:

               Search and Evaluation        $8,000

               Photogrammetric Control       4,000 (approx.)

It was the opinion of the majority of the Authority members that this project should be initiated. This project should be planned so as to complete photogrammetric work by early April.

     Mr. Myers presented a map outlining a suggested St. Louis Metro Control System area, including City of St. Louis, St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson and Franklin Counties, for first order survey work. Mr. Myers requested approval for investigation of 11 stations in the above outlined area. Mr. Anderson made a motion that Mr. Myers contract for investigation of these 11 stations with maximum expenditure for the project to be $1,000. Seconded by Mr. Eckhardt. Motion carried.

     It was agreed that the second Thursday of each month be designated for Authority meetings. Tentative date for the next meeting is January 11, 1973.

     Meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.


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Transcribed by Steven E. Weible

November 28, 1972 Missouri State Land Survey Authority Meeting Minutes

MISSOURI STATE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY

Minutes of Meeting

November 28, 1972

     The meeting of the State Land Survey Authority was called to order by Chairman Daniel Kennedy at 9:00 a.m., November 28th at the State Land Survey Building, Rolla. Present besides Mr. Kennedy were James Anderson, Richard Barr, Willard Eckhardt, Larry Fellows and Robert Myers.

     The minutes of the October 20th meeting were reviewed and approved as written.

     The following unfinished business from the October 20 meeting was reported on by Mr. Myers.

     1) The line item in the SLSA budget authorizing receipt of monies from Federal, State or other sources will not be deleted. The necessary forms were obtained from Mr. Yarrington and will be completed and returned to him as soon as possible.

     2) The additional measurements concerning T. 41 N., R. 16 W., Miller County, requested by the Authority, have not been completed at this time.

     Mr. Myers reported the following on the status of SLSA budgetary requests. On November 15th, Mr. Myers met with Mr. Robert James, Mr. Mark Edelman, and Mr. Jerry Yarrington at Jefferson City. The 1972-73 Supplemental Request and the 1973-74 Budget Request were reviewed. During the meeting an effort was made to acquaint Mr. James and Mr. Edelman with the duties and functions of the SLSA.

     A request for a listing of proposed Capital Improvements on a priority basis was received from Mr. Yarrington. Mr. Myers met with Mr. Yarrington at Jefferson City on November 27th and submitted the necessary information.

     All bids for the 1972-73 Capital Improvements exceeded the amount of money available. Therefore the project will be divided into segments and rebid. The sum of money available will determine the amount of work that can be completed.

     Mr. Myers presented the following items for discussion and action.

1. Funds for microfilming.

     Microfilming of records from Howell, Douglas, Texas, Phelps, Pulaski, McDonald and Warren Counties has been completed. At this time all the money previously allocated for microfilming has been used. Mr. Myers requested that a sum of $640 be transferred to this program to enable microfilming of records of eight additional counties. Mr. Barr made a motion that $640 be transferred to the microfilming program. Seconded by Mr. Eckhardt. Motion carried.

2. Contract with John M. Flowers.

     A contract for professional services with John M. Flowers was presented for approval. Dean Eckhardt suggested that sentences 2, 3 and 4 under the paragraph, Remuneration, be deleted and a sentence added stating that payment would be made from monthly invoices.

3. Iron County.

     Mr. Myers presented a contract for search and evaluation work to be done in T. 31 N., R. 4 E., Iron County. Mr. Myers recommended that this contract be approved with a maximum of $8,000 to be expended. Priorities used in selecting this project were explained. Authority members discussed the proposed project and contract in detail. Mr. Anderson made a motion to table a decision on approval of the contract until the next Authority meeting. At that time Mr. Myers will present additional information as to price estimates for the complete project, including search and evaluation and photogrammetry. Seconded by Mr. Barr. Motion carried.

4. County Surveyors.

     Mr. Myers reported that questionaire cards had been sent to all county clerks requesting the names of county surveyors, and also if the surveyor was registered. To date, 96 replies have been received. Names of counties with non-registered county surveyors will be forwarded to the Missouri Association of Registered Land Surveyors.

5. Legislation.

     Mr. Myers asked Authority members for their opinion on submitting H.B. #1367 to the Legislature again. Authority members agreed that the Bill should be submitted. Mr. Barr will contact Representative Cliff Jones and request him to introduce the Bill.

     Mr. Myers reported that revision of Chapter 60, sponsored by MARLS, has been returned by Legislative Research and is ready for introduction.

6. Standards.

     Mr. Myers reported that he had not received many comments on the survey standards recently published in the Survey Bulletin. A suggestion to delay adoption of these standards until after the MARLS workshop in the spring of 1973 was not approved. It was the consensus of the Authority members that these standards should become effective January 1, 1973 as previously stated.

     December 12th was tentatively set as the next Authority meeting date.

     Meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.


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Transcribed by Steven E. Weible