Lewis and Clark Humane Society
Minutes of Board Meeting
April 16, 2002
Call to Order: After gathering delicious cook-out
food, president Denise Tarr called the board meeting of the Lewis and Clark
Humane Society to order at 6:42 pm at the Stray Pet Center. Present were executive board members Jean
Ketchel, Tia Nelson, Jane Benson, Denise Tarr, Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson, Terey
Artz, Gerry Daumiller, Jennifer Green, Gary Spaeth, shelter executive director
Gina Wiest, and shelter bookkeeper Robyn McNellis. Auxiliary board members present at the
meeting included Angie McDunn and Sara Stanton.
Absent was Lynda Benson, Vicki Thacker, Tiffany David, Renee Kowalski,
and Bev Rankin (auxiliary board). Also
present was Joanne Kaucher.
Gerry
gave a run-down on the LCHS budget. A
motion was made by Gerry, seconded by Jean, to submit the budget and pay plan
as presented, less $3,000 in health insurance, to the City of Helena and Lewis
& Clark County on May 2. Then we
will wait to see what these entities offer before the budget is finalized at
the June LCHS Board meeting. Letters to
other counties will be sent in May as well.
A decision must be made with regard to excess animals. In the past, the shelter had taken in more
animals than budgeted for, contributing to a budget deficit. There is a strong feeling within the board
that the budget must be balanced. In a
related matter, it was suggested that the board initiate a second letter writing
campaign for funds. Gerry will look into
the possibility of distributing the letter with the city water bill. Mountain West Bank may also allow us to put a
letter in with their mailed bank statements.
Terey will check with American Federal on putting a similar letter in
their statements, and Angie will check on the same via Valley Bank.
Secretary’s Report: It was moved by Gerry, seconded by
Angie, to approve the March 19, 2002 board meeting minutes. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report: See budget discussion above.
Shelter Executive Director’s
Report: Gina
reported the adopt-a-thon will be held at the shelter on May 3-5, 11-7 on
Friday and Saturday and 11-5 on Sunday.
Adoption fees will be half price.
She also stated that $28,000 of the $33,000 bill for the shelter
addition has been paid. Pouring the
concrete for the sidewalks and some deck work is all that needs to be completed
on the addition.
Gina announced that the new city animal control
officer is Mike Maynard. She said that
the police department won’t pick up animals if the animal control officer is
not on duty. If a private citizen
catches an animal, the police will meet them at the shelter, but will not put
the animal in their cars. A motion was
made by Gary, seconded by Tia, that Gina reinforce the current LCHS policy that
the shelter does not pick up animals. It
is the responsibility of the city, not the humane society, to enforce the laws
of the city.
Gina reported that a 4-H group will be taking care
of the pet cemetery this summer. In
preparation for their arrival, Bud Wirtz will get a permit to do a “burning” of
the cemetery which gets rid of weeds.
All the plots in the pet cemetery are full. Gina will review files to see if she can
determine who owns each plot in order to notify them regarding removal of
materials on gravesites and the placement of flat headstones (that can be mowed
over). If necessary, she will place an
ad in the paper regarding the cleaning up of the pet cemetery.
President’s Report:
Denise discussed this year’s Strutt Your Mutt event taking place on June
15 on the Capitol grounds. There will be
no silent auction this year—the pet fair will be emphasized instead. Denise has found a live band for the event
and radio, TV, and print advertising is being worked on. Neighborhood Office has agreed to print the
posters for free. There will be a Strutt
Your Mutt Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 at McKenzie River
Pizza.
Standing
Committee Reports:
The
Nominating Committee has met with Kaye Davis and Sherry Rust and recommended
that they be nominated for LCHS Auxiliary Board membership in October. Gerry made the motion, Tia seconded it. Motion approved.
The
Shelter Committee recommends limiting keys to the shelter staff. Those with keys will be Gina, Christine,
Robyn, and Jessie. Also, the issue of
pay advances for shelter staff needs to be discussed. LCHS has written checks for such advances in
the past and this policy needs to be revisited.
Gina will bring it to the committee for discussion.
Miscellaneous: Robyn has been
attending the monthly MT Shares meetings.
Denise donated a necklace to the MT Shares raffle for points. Raffles tickets (in sheet form) will be
inserted in the next humane society newsletter.
A report dated April 9, 2002 stated that LCHS had earned $19,440 from MT
Shares this past cycle; $15,000 of which has already been included in the
budget.
Adjournment:
The board meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 pm. The next regular LCHS Board meeting will be
Tuesday, May 21 at 6:30 pm at the Stray Pet Center.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Lisa
Mecklenberg Jackson