Central Missouri Humane Society

Board of Directors Open Meeting

April 24, 2006

Minutes

1. Call to order by Tiffany at 6:03

2. Board members present: Laura Reiss, Chris Bouchard, Tiffany McBee, Darren Hellwege, Zim Schwartze, John Howe, and Denny O'Brien

3. Board members absent: John Lane, Connie Sullivan,

4. Staff Present: Dr. McCoy, Patty Forister, Teal Alt, Amy, Nick, Pam Perkins, Alicia Davis.

5. Guests: Bobb Swanson

6. Approval of 3/20/06 meeting minutes: moved Chris; second John Howe; approved

7. Approval of agenda: moved John Howe: second Connie; approved

8. Committee reports

a. Nominating - John Lane introduced Bobb Swanson. Connie has contacted Gary Stamper to see if he’s interested. There was discussion about other potential board members.

b. Membership & Financial Development - Laura contacted some Realtors about satellite locations. Costs $2-5000/month. Connie asked if someone would be interested in doing it as a tax right-off and had no interest so far. Laura had asked for 1 year lease, Connie thought we could do 6 months. Tiffany was looking into licensing arrangement and the question of insurance coverage for a satellite site. Whether we could leave animals overnight was discussed. The idea of a dog run was discussed.

c. Staff Liaison - Denny no report

d. Publicity & PR - Darren - there was publicity for dining out for animals, and Patty did a Easter spot. New commercials are being aired.

e. Budget - Zim

f. Building & equipment - Chris- Patty hasn’t had many contractors look yet. Has some estimates for concrete and others. Electrical hazards were identified and are being addressed as the highest priority. Evacuation and safety plan has been developed through animal control. Teal reported that we have a list of places that we can take animals to in an emergency. New roof on building and garage will be paid with insurance from hail. FEMA may be covering deductible.

g. Education & Programs - Denny no report

9. Questions on staff reports - financial reports are needing to be redone due to misreporting on a bequest. Chris asked if that is going to affect our tax reporting. That should be taken care of by the accountants. Each area will be generating a report (5 total) in the future. Re Lauren’s question from the cruelty report: Connie said she need a probable cause statement from a law enforcement entity to pursue legal enforcement. Gerry Worley may need to be involved. Connie said she can call the Columbia police or sheriff’s department. AC only covers urban service area while sheriff covers outside that area. Tiff suggested a discussion with the involved parties. Patty felt they should have the the training to initiate the process. Connie has the expertise to teach some of this. Chris asked if this is doing AC job and do we need to ensure that AC follows up. One of the questions is whether the fines are adequate. Connie explained how the system works to bring people into compliance rather than be punitive and how some of the cases are working through the system. Patty explained Lauren’s frustrations with the system. Patty, Zim, and Connie will meet with Gerry to discuss these issues. Then we can ask Lauren and AC to meet later. Connie is working to strengthen the state law to increase penalties. Local is a misdemeanor which does not permit the typical A because the law specifies that there is not jail time.

a. Patty asked if the Shelter staff can have input as an advocate. Connie responded that only victims or court appointed advocate can do that.

b. Patty asked if we can get 30 day disposition. Connie said that is civil rather than criminal. The court would be “taking” and that requires that we provide due process. Zim asked if we can use it as evidence. Connie explained that we are holding against their will so we have to take responsibility. MoHS does not accept case without 30 day disposition. We could do that but then we would not be accepting cases. Connie said most judges won’t require a bond since they may be found not guilty.

10. Earth Day: cost of booth covered. Balloon animals were popular. Numbers of kittens from one unspayed cat leads to 400,000 kittens; good publicity.

11. Server upgrade. Tech Soup does not respond. We’ve gotten over $1,000 from counselors asking for extra donations which is letting us pick up a new computer. Nick will look into alternative source.

12. Old business

a. Phone number needs to be updated on website

b. City budget - Zim has discussed the budget with Gerry and Zim has provided justification for the 8.4% increase. Connie suggested that we emphasize the safety issues that we are addressing and importance of the that for their staff. Chris asked if we should ask AC to come.

13. New business

a. Pam donated a new washer and hot water heater. Thanks to Pam.

14. Public comment: Tiffany introduced Bobb Swanson who gave his history with the community and service.

15. Move to adjourn Chris; second Zim; adjourned 7:08