Commission Minutes Unofficial

MARCH 12, 2007 THE 23RD DAY OF
THE JANUARY ADJOURN TERM

The County Commission met in the Associate Circuit Courtroom II at 9:02 a.m.
pursuant to adjourn with Chuck Pennel, Presiding, and Danny Strahan, Eastern District
present. Ron Herschend, Western District, was absent. The following proceedings were
had and made a matter of record.

Chuck Pennel led in prayer, followed by the pledge.

PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS
OLD MEADOW LANE

Presiding Commissioner Pennel presented the road petition for Old Meadow Lane
and stated that the signatures have been verified by the County Clerk’s Office.
Commissioner Pennel explained that the road review identifies this road as not a through
road, having a cul­de­sac and a gravel base in fair condition, being twenty­one feet wide
and three hundred­sixty feet long, with one good twenty­four inch culvert, with no ditch
on the eastside and the ditch on the westside needing to be excavated and shaped for
drainage, with serving six dwellings, ADT of twenty­five to thirty, good sight distance,
needing base rock aggregate for proper crown of the road surface. Commissioner Pennel
added that the report also states there is a possible encroachment on the cul­de­sac of a
brick retaining wall. Road and Bridge recommends that this road be taken in as a Class 5
Road.

Commissioner Strahan stated that he has seen the road and made a motion to take
Old Meadow Lane into the county road system, as a Class 5 Road, as recommended,
dependent upon the issue of the retaining wall being resolved. Presiding Commissioner
Pennel seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of two: Pennel (yea),
Herschend (absent), Strahan (yea).

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS
MORNING GLORY
CHUCK PENNEL

Some residents of Venice of the Lake have a house that was built on a platted cul­
de­sac, on Morning Glory. Commissioner Strahan said that if the house is not on a
through road, the street could be vacated, stating that this home is not the only one in
Taney County in this particular situation. Presiding Commissioner Pennel expressed that
he will share the Commission’s discussion with the people involved.

ROUTINE BUSINESS
APROVAL OF MINUTES

Presiding Commissioner Pennel made a motion to approve the following minutes:
January 8, January 12, January 23, January 30, February 5, February 6, February 13, and
February 21. Commissioner Strahan seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote
of two: Pennel (yea), Herschend (absent), Strahan (yea).

ACCOUNTS ALLOWED

Commissioner Strahan made a motion to approve Accounts Payable checks
#99701­99841 and warrants #4636­4637. Presiding Commissioner Pennel seconded the
motion. The motion carried by a vote of two: Pennel (yea), Herschend (absent), Strahan
(yea).

PUBLIC COMMENT
ANIMAL SHELTER
BOB SCHANZ
ART BECK

Mr. Bob Schanz stated that he read the Springfield New­Leader article and
received seven telephone calls about the animal shelter. Mr. Schanz added that he has
several books about dogs and said that more needs to be done about the parvo situation.
Mr. Schanz explained that the books say parvo takes months to a year to get rid of, that
there should be another facility for receiving animals, and that there are parvo injections
that should be given. Mr. Schanz admitted not knowing what the budget is, or what the
county is doing about parvo, but feels that the county needs to be doing more.

Presiding Commissioner Pennel responded that the Springfield News­Leader had
a good article about the situation, quoting experts in the field, and illustrating the
commonality of outbreaks. Presiding Commissioner Pennel further shared that two or
three years ago, there was a parvo outbreak, and that citizens called the state and the state
had the county euthanize all of the animals. Presiding Commissioner Pennel informed
that the dogs are vaccinated, that the parvo vaccine doesn’t take effect for about five
days, and dogs are held for about seven days. Presiding Commissioner Pennel clarified
that the purpose of the shelter is mostly for stray dogs, which have been neglected and
that the dogs usually go to the Humane Society in either Springfield or Carthage.
Presiding Commissioner Pennel stated that he didn’t want to put down all of the dogs.

Mr. Bob Schanz further questioned Presiding Commissioner Pennel. Presiding
Commissioner Pennel explained that he has spoken with veterinarians and the Missouri
Department of Agriculture, has been instructed on how to bleach, and has bleached and
power washed. Presiding Commissioner Pennel further explained that the staff wears
rubber boots, and others bleach their shoes before leaving the facility. Mr. Schanz stated
that he thinks the county needs to have another location for the dogs. Presiding
Commissioner Pennel asked Mr. Schanz if he was asking the county to close down the
facility and how much of the county’s revenue should be spent on a facility. Mr. Schanz
said that a building would be $250,000.
 Bob Paulson, County Counselor, added that operating costs would raise that to
over $400,000. Presiding Commissioner Pennel told Mr. Schanz that the county operates
on a limited budget, and that the county is not sitting on its hands.

Commissioner Strahan informed that he made a surprise visit to the Animal
Control Facility, and found the facility clean and in good shape. Commissioner Strahan
explained to Mr. Schanz that parvo is an uncontrollable disease that will reoccur and is
carried by birds and other things. Commissioner Strahan expressed that he believes
Presiding Commissioner Pennel has done an excellent job and has recommended building
on a separate part on the back of the building, allowing for an airspace at the facility.
This change is already in process, according to Commissioner Strahan.

Art Beck said that one of the biggest carriers of Parvo is a fly, and that not
everyone is aware of that. Mr. Beck stated that he has not been to the facility, but would
believe the facility has a good fly control system.

EQUIPMENT
RUSTY ROTERT

Rusty Rotert, with the Victor L. Phillips Company, addressed an issue that the
county has had with truck­cat equipment with a Tiger mower and explained there is a
manufacturer’s problem with the joystick. Mr. Rotert informed that Tiger has since
changed manufacturers and will have the county bring the truck­cats to Springfield, in the
next week or two, and Tiger will send personnel, to repair the problem with the
equipment, free of charge.

HOMES OF HOPE
CHUCK PENNEL

Presiding Commissioner Pennel told about the blitz house that is being built by
Homes for Hope through the assistance of eighteen Marines. Presiding Commissioner
Pennel expressed that he believes the group has overseen more than forty houses, adding
that this one is also special because it is for a Taney County employee and anyone
interested in more information may contact Susan Martin, Program Director.

WHITE RIVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
CHUCK PENNEL

Presiding Commissioner Pennel stated that he attended the White River Historical
Society meeting this weekend and that Leon Combs presented an architect’s rendering for
a possible building to be built on a site above the Old Jail, where the society currently
operates. Presiding Commissioner Pennel further stated that the proposed project is
estimated at $400,000 to $500,000, which will include requesting donations and working
on a new lease on the Old Jail building. Donna Clevenger is in charge of Oral History,
and would like to interview individuals with a history of the area.
 DIRECT DEPOSIT
RICK FINDLEY

Rick Findley, Auditor informed the Commission that he has requested all
employees be required to receive their payroll through direct deposit.

Presiding Commissioner Pennel suggested sending out a memo to the different
department heads, and also asked the Auditor to send out a memo with paychecks to
employees to explain how direct deposit works.

Donna Neeley, County Clerk asked if the employees could get a free account, as
direct deposit would require an employee to have an account.

Wiley Barnes, Branson Chamber of Commerce said that the Branson Chamber
requires direct deposit for employees.

Commissioner Strahan commented that some people like to have a paycheck
handed to them, but that with direct deposit, the staff would receive their funds faster.

Rick Findley explained he estimates that approximately twenty­five percent of the
employees don’t use direct deposit, and that there has been an issue with duplication of
accounts payable and payroll check numbers. The Auditor expressed that he would like a
decision in the next week, as checks need to be ordered.

PARK BOARD
DANNY STRAHAN

Commissioner Strahan said that the Park Board is coming up with a calendar that
has all of the local events, and reminded those present that the county clean up days
would be March 30th & 31st and Lincoln Day would be March 30th.

RECESS

At 9:45a.m. Presiding Commissioner Pennel called for a ten­minute recess.

Minutes were taken and typed by Lisa Owen.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
CONTRACTS 610.021(12)
BOB PAULSON

The County Commission met in the Associate Circuit Courtroom II at 10:00 a.m.
pursuant to adjourn with Chuck Pennel, Presiding, and Danny Strahan, Eastern District
present. Ron Herschend, Western District, was absent. The following proceedings were
had and made a matter of record.
 Presiding Commissioner Pennel made a motion to go into Executive Session.
Commissioner Strahan seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of two:
Pennel (yea), Herschend (absent), Strahan (yea).

The Commission discussed several contracts. Presiding Commissioner Pennel
made a motion to go out of Executive Session. Commissioner Strahan seconded the
motion. The motion carried by a vote of two: Pennel (yea), Herschend (absent), Strahan
(yea).

Minutes were taken by Donna Neeley and typed by Lisa Owen.