Commission Minutes

OFFICIAL
MARCH 15, 2012, 23td DAY OF
THE JANUARY ADJOURN TERM

The County Commission met in the Commission Hearing Room at 8:09 a.m. with Ron
Houseman, Danny Strahan and Jim Strafuss present. The following proceedings were had and
made a matter of record:

AUDIT ENTRANCE

Siobhann Williams went before the Commission as part of the team to conduct the State Audit.
Ms. Williams’ approach would be to review the minutes, the bond documents, then spend time
interviewing staff members and elected officials, to review processes and procedures. She would
look at what grant money the county had received. If any areas could use improvement, they
will be documented. Affected parties would have time to respond giving time for thorough
understanding.

Component units such as senior services, board of disabled, sewer district would be re-evaluated
and would be included in the finance study. She was currently in the preliminary study stage and
tomorrow would look at bond documents and contact information for elected officials and
department heads. A Mid April to early May completion date was expected. Discussion ensued.

Ms. Williams said there would be quite a bit of overlap of her audit and the state audit.
Commissioner Houseman said we didn’t want to double efforts and pay twice. Commissioner
Strahan said public needed to be aware of the procedures that she did as part of annual audit and
it’s very rare they have no recommendations which would be issued in the report. Commissioner
Strahan said it was best for the county not to double spend.

She would be willing to sit with the State to keep costs down with State Audit. Discussion
ensued. She would begin work tomorrow. The Commission thanked her for her help.

DRUG COURT SUPPORT LETTER

Support Letter to Honorable Judge Orr was read by Commissioner Houseman. Commissioner
Strahan moved to approve signing the Drug Court Support Letter. Commissioner Strafuss
seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Houseman (aye), Strahan (aye) and Strafuss
(aye).

ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY

Linda Sorenson went before the Commission to provide an update on the anti-harassment policy.
Each employer put out information on stand on topic and consequences. She had rewritten the
policy which would be in effect immediately. Commissioner Strahan stated it was comparable.
Linda Sorenson said it was more extensive and would be part of the newly developed policy
manual. Commissioner Strafuss moved to adopt the rewritten Anti-Harassment Policy dated
3/8/2012. Commissioner Strafuss seconded the motion. The motion passed by vote: Houseman
(aye), Strahan (aye) and Strafuss (aye).
 STAFF DEPARTMENTAL UPDATE – TREASURER

Treasurer Helen Soutee went before the Commission for a Treasurer update. The County had an
Investment Policy and had used it for all bids, bank accounts and investments. She wanted input
from the Commission regarding rates. Ms. Soutee wanted to move from a 3 year maturity to a 5
year maturity, as the state treasurer does as rates were better. Discussion ensued. The
Commission recommended the Treasurer talk to the auditor for her expertise. Discussion would
be reposted in four weeks.

AGENDA REQUEST REVIEW

The Commission met with Nikki Lawrence to review Agenda Requests.

RECESS
9:03 AM

RECONVENED
9:18 AM

STORM UPDATE

Chris Berndt went before the Commission to explain AmeriCorps process in filling the needs to
the residents of Taney County. They arrived Wednesday night to start operations Thursday
morning. Local assistance from the Chamber started the process, but AmeriCorps helped to
coordinate volunteers. AmeriCorps documented all phases of the event. The Branson
Presbyterian Church was now taking the lead with a focal point for volunteers to report and
where home owners can call for assistance.

Commissioner Strahan stated the work done by AmeriCorps was a tremendous help to the
citizens. Commissioner Strafuss echoed Commissioner Strahan’s comments and thanked them.
Commissioner Houseman stated he has only heard positive comments regarding AmeriCorps and
read the recognition certificate to AmeriCorps.

The Commission presented AmeriCorps representatives Warren Mercurio and Ali Morgan with a
letter of appreciation.

Randy Haes of Road and Bridge went before the Commission to update on the storm cleanup
progress. Additional locations had not been found for root ball and stumps to be disposed of.
Shoals Bend would still be active through March 31st. Availability of a stump grinder was not
yet available. Discussion ensued. The back part of the Mt. Branson facility was discussed as a
storage location. Commissioner Strahan stated Mr. Haes was still working on a resolution, but
some of the solutions were too costly to consider. Metal removal was discussed. Commissioner
Houseman asked if insurance would cover. Chris Berndt with Emergency Management stated
tree removal would only be covered by most insurance companies if a tree fell on a house.
Commissioner Strahan stated rural homes would be exempt from coverage as well. The
Commission thanked Chris Berndt and Randy Haes for their work.
 RECESS
9:43 AM

RECONVENED
10:03 AM

PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE
TANEY COUNTY GUIDANCE CODE

Bob Atchley with Planning Commission was present to answer questions asked regarding the
Guidance Code proposed amendments per Chapter 64 of Missouri Revised Statute. The
amendments were publicized on the web site, and legal notices were put in the paper. Also
articles were written, which was above and beyond what was statutorily required. Commissioner
Houseman stated it was to hear from the public. Called from members of the public

Don Ehrhardt went before the Commission. He said 2006 a vote was taken regarding building
codes and it was voted against new building codes. A lot of proposed amendments were
placement of buildings. He read Page 9 appendix F (52 of 107) per state code (DNR). Make
sure we don’t include agriculture. Mr. Atchley said there was a provision in another area of the
code book which stated it didn’t affect agriculture per state law.

Below Table 1 (page 9) minimum lot size directly affected building.

Commissioner Houseman asked Mr. Atchley if he had received any written or verbal
communication regarding the proposed amendments. Bob Atchley said positive comments
regarding proposed duplex amendments and Page 1 would give planning Commission additional
flexibility to allow privacy fencing.

Vote on individual items would allow Commission to approve or deny specific amendments.
Mr. Ehrhardt stated the vote was for code pertained to everything built in the county.

Bob Atchley had not researched the vote, and he would like to do additional research.
Houseman asked other than appendix F, did he see anything he questioned. Mr. Ehrhardt said all
of it. All building changes were voted on in 2006 which said no new building codes. Mr.
Ehrhardt quoted the Hancock amendment. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Houseman stated
he felt legal counsel should review the issue.

Bob Atchley stated codes were built according per section 064.800 and felt that the vote referred
to a statute.

Commissioner Strahan stated there were items throughout the code book that needed removed
from the Code book. Discussion ensued. Mr. Atchley stated in talking with County Counsel he
felt the county had the authority to adopt changes to the codes. Commissioner Strafuss stated
this would make it safer for citizens to adopt the code.
Don Ehrhardt who was in Engineering construction most of his life commented on firewalls.
This shouldn’t be a county code, but the constructor should build according to a contractor code.
He wasn’t against codes, just how it was handled. Separation of ownership was discussed.

Commissioner Strafuss asked if page 6 was linked to page 5. Mr. Atchley said yes, as well as
page 1, 2 and 3. Commissioner Strafuss moved to adopt pages 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the proposed
Planning and Zoning recommended amendments. Page 2 was discussed. Commissioner Strahan
seconded the motion for discussion. Page 9 would remain for clarification. Assessor James
Strahan addressed the Commission stating many questions had to be answered such as building
federal housing. He was concerned with adoption of something when everything was covered by
state and federal laws. The motion passed by vote: Houseman (aye), Strahan (aye) and Strafuss
(aye).
 EXECUTIVE SESSION – PERSONNEL PER SECTION 610.021(3)

Commissioner Strafuss moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to RSMo 610.021(3).
Commissioner Strahan seconded the motion. The motion passed by roll call vote: Houseman
(aye), Strahan (aye), and Strafuss (aye).

EXECUTIVE SESSION
10:57 AM

See Executive Session Minutes for actions, if any.

Commissioner Strafuss moved to go out of Executive Session. Commissioner Strahan seconded
the motion. The motion passed by roll call vote: Houseman (aye), Strahan (aye) and Strafuss
(aye).

OUT OF EXECUTIVE
1:35 PM

EXECUTIVE SESSION – LEGAL UPDATE PER SECTION 610.021(1), (2), (3) & (12)

Commissioner Strafuss moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to RSMo 610.021(1), (2),
(3) and (12). Commissioner Strahan seconded the motion. The motion passed by roll call vote:
Houseman (aye), Strahan (aye), and Strafuss (aye).

EXECUTIVE SESSION
1:36 PM

See Executive Session Minutes for actions, if any.

Commissioner Strafuss moved to go out of Executive Session. Commissioner Strahan seconded
the motion. The motion passed by roll call vote: Houseman (aye), Strahan (aye) and Strafuss
(aye).
OUT OF EXECUTIVE
3:50 PM

RECONVENED
3:51 PM

LETTER PERMIT FOR K HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS

Commissioner Strafuss moved to sign the letter permit for K Highway Improvements.
Commissioner Strafuss seconded the motion. The motion passed by roll call vote: Houseman
(aye), Strahan (aye) and Strafuss (aye).

Commissioner Strafuss moved to adjourn. Commissioner Strahan seconded the motion. The
motion passed by roll call vote: Houseman (aye), Strahan (aye) and Strafuss (aye).
 ADJOURNED
3:53 PM

The minutes were taken and typed by Lyn Wieneke, Deputy Clerk.