Lewis and
Minutes of Board Meeting
Call to Order: President Jean Ketchel called the
monthly meeting of the Lewis and Clark Humane Society Board to order at
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Gerry Daumiller, treasurer,
resigned from the board on 4-16-03. A
new treasurer is needed, as is a new member of the shelter committee. Jean will send out an e-mail looking for
volunteers for these positions.
SECRETARY’S REPORT: Motion made by Jan, seconded by Angie, to approve the March 2003
minutes. Motion passed.
SHELTER MANAGER’S
REPORT: Gina discussed quotes for a ventilation
system at the shelter. This matter
was tabled until the May meeting in order for Gina to get more
information. Gina wants to add a line to
the humane society adoption contract stating that no cosmetic surgery be
allowed (cropping ears, docking tails) and the declawing of cats is strongly
discouraged. Gina stated that a local
motorcycle club will be doing a poker run fundraiser for the shelter in
June. Gina also reported that shelter
volunteer Debbe Pistoria undertook her own fundraising effort and raised $1,853
which purchased 39 dog beds. Gina also
discussed a Science Diet food program for shelters. Science Diet “donates” food for an entire
year for the full population of the shelter and gives samples to adoptees. The shelter pays 25 cents on the pound which
would amount to $10,800 a year. We now
hardly pay anything as most of our food is donated. Gina may have a painting party at the
shelter.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: None.
OLD BUSINESS:
Lease of shelter property: The shelter is within
city limits. We own the building, but
lease the land from the city. The city
is now thinking it may want to renegotiate that lease. Anne O’Leary had a meeting with the city
attorney to talk about the shelter’s land lease. She was not at this board meeting to discuss the results. Gina noted that part of the shelter fence was
down as of April 16 and the city is already digging up the area for their new
building, even though nothing has been negotiated on the lease yet. Ed Tinsley suggested that the board get on
the agenda for the next city commission meeting. City commission members include Tom Poulliot,
Marc Perriman, Sandy Oitzinger, Jim Smith (mayor) and Tim Burton (city
manager). Tia will contact Sandy
Oitzinger about getting on the city council agenda. Either Angie or Tia will attend the meeting.
Pauline Allen bequest: The amount of the bequest is $81,136.
A motion was made by Angie, seconded by Pam that Robyn put $50,000 of
the money into an investment account.
Motion passed. Robyn will check
with D.A. Davidson to see what they recommend and report back to the board at
our next meeting. Jane wondered about
the possibility of using some of the money to hire a full-time grant
writer.* Or a half-time education
person. Angie stated that the adoption
counselor (in the process of being hired) may be able to pick up some of
that. Gina presented a wish list of
items to be purchased with the Pauline Allen money. After some discussion it was decided not to
put any money into improvements of the building until the lease matter is
straightened out. An ad will be placed
in The Adit and the humane society
newsletter asking for people to donate their old chain link kennels as a tax
write-off. Jane will take care of
this. A motion was made by Angie,
seconded by Annie, to allow the purchase of a gravel driveway ($6,600), an ID
tag maker ($3,000) and a pressure sprayer ($3,600) for a total amount of
$13,200. Motion passed. * Bev
Rankin was the previous grants coordinator.
She has all the information on grants.
Items put on hold for May board meeting: spay and neuter room* (Tia); microchipping
(Robyn); Retz envelopes (Jan); letter to vet services in town (Gina); and cell
dogs (Angie). *Tia estimates that it will
cost between $8,000-$10,000 for new equipment to furnish a spay/neuter
room. Gina wondered if it was worth it
as the shelter already gets pretty cheap spays and neuters; she in concerned
“we might not be ready for it.” Item
tabled until next time.
NEW BUSINESS:
Strutt Your Mutt is planned for July 19, 2003.
Volunteers are needed, including someone to call for free food and
organize the pet fair. The proceeds from
Strutt will be reflected on next year’s budget as the event is taking place
after July 1.
Budget: The
board went over the proposed budget in detail.
The budget will be presented to the city and the county on May 1. Board members present tentatively approved
the budget (there was not a quorum).
Jean will send out the revisions to the budget to the board via
e-mail. This is not a final budget. It
can’t be finalized until each jurisdiction has committed to its funding. Speaking of which, the board again discussed
the Jefferson County situation. The
board agreed that if Jefferson County won’t pay the $5,000 requested, the
shelter will not take any more animals from Jefferson County law enforcement. If they say they will pay nothing, we won’t
take any animals from the county period.
Jean will be sending a letter to members of the humane society living in
Jefferson County ast roughly the same time we present the budget.
The resignation
of Gary Spaeth from the board was approved.
Motion by Tia, seconded by Jan.
Equine Expo:
This will be May 17 and 18 at the fairgrounds.
Annie will coordinate the event—Angie and Pam will help.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Jean thanked Jane for all her work in getting HB 553 passed this last session. There will be a ceremonial picture-taking with the Governor signing the bill. Jane will get a copy of the photo to Lisa for the newsletter. Jean will do a board poll on whether Wednesday nights might be a better board meeting night than Thursdays. Among the members present at this meeting, it appeared Wednesday nights might be better. Montana Shares: The representative of Montana Shares (Mike Monk) would like a photo taken handing over the check to the humane society for their percentage of profits. For the Montana Shares raffle, we contributed a family photo sitting session with Sandy Newton—a $150 value. We need to start selling raffle tickets. Jean stated that a board committee to work on fundraisers is needed.
ADJOURNMENT:
The board meeting adjourned at approx. 10 pm. The next LCHS Board meeting will be
Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 6:30 pm in the Ponderosa Room at St. Peter’s
Hospital.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson