Minutes of the Board of Director's Meeting on January 12th were reviewed. Director Newman moved to approve the minutes as amended. Director Francis seconded the motion. Vote: 5 -0. The motion was adopted.

Public Comment and Correspondence

Chief Greg Dagnan addressed the Board stating that he appreciated the Mobile Command Bus being offered to his agency and that on behalf of the Carthage City Council he gratefully accepted the offer. He added that the Mobile Command Bus had already been used for its intended purpose during recovery efforts involving a young child. At 6:11pm, Duquesne Police Chief Tom Kitch joined the meeting. Chief Dagnan also stated that JasCo is welcome to use the Mobile Command Bus when it is needed. Director Merriman inquired if the City of Carthage had to invest any money in getting the vehicle to run properly. Chief Dagnan advised that nothing had to be done to get the vehicle running, but Carthage Fire Department had taken on the project of replacing hoses and other items.

Director Merriman motioned for payment of all bills. Director Newman seconded the motion. Vote: 5 - 0. The motion was adopted.

Commmittee Reports

Finance and Budget

There was not a meeting and nothing to report.

Technical Services

There was not a meeting and nothing to report.

Building and Grounds

There was not a meeting and nothing to report.

Personnel and Policy

On Tuesday, February 9th, 2010, the Personnel and Policy Committee met at the Jasper County 9-1-1 Center, 13870 Dispatch Lane, Carthage, MO, in public session at 5:30pm. Attending were: -Board Chairman Stephens, Director Merriman, Director Newman, Director Lyscio, and Director Carl Francis. Representing staff were Executive Director Nordell and Administrative Services Manager Chenault. There were no public attendees when the meeting was called to order. The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm. New Business Board members reviewed policy and procedure that had been updated by staff based on CALEA standards. At 5:35pm, Director Merriman briefly left the meeting; returning at 5:37pm. While members were reviewing the policies, Executive Director Nordell mentioned that Jasper County Auditor Richard Webster noted a 1.25% increase in sales tax revenue for December 2009 and January 2010. At 5:45pm, Susan Redden with the Joplin Globe joined the meeting. Director Francis questioned the location of the hard copy of the current policy and procedure manual being used. Executive Director Nordell advised that the policies are maintained in an online version that can be downloaded to a CD and that there is a binder containing the original policies and another containing the policies that have been updated; but there had not been a hard copy printed. Chairman Stephens inquired if the policies that had been updated were already posted on the online version of the manual. Executive Director Nordell stated that some policies were updated and posted online due to changes in Missouri statutes and system upgrades and/or replacements that required updates for immediate use. He added that policies that directly affected any customer agencies or the Board had been presented to members in earlier meetings before posted. At 5:51pm, Norman Rouse, the Boards legal counsel arrived. At 5:53pm, Carthage Police Chief Greg Dagnan entered the meeting.

Public Relations

There was not a meeting and nothing to report.

Executive Director's Report

AT&T is waiting on the cost build for the new Administrative phone circuit to be installed. Once that has been completed, the installation will be scheduled within 60 days. The Equature recorder had previously had a hard drive failure and it was determined that there was not a second drive for the Windows operating system as originally requested in the Request for Proposal (RFP). Only the data was mirrored for redundancy. The old Racal Recorder was still in operation and recording at the time the hard drive failed in the Equature recorder preventing any loss of recordings. Both recorders are still running in parallel, but are separate from each other providing redundancy. DSS Corporation has since provided and installed a second drive for redundancy with the operating system. It was also noticed when the recorder chassis was opened that there were not two power supply's as initially requested in the RFP. A second power supply was shipped from the manufacturer but was not compatible with the server. DSS Corporation is sending a replacement. Executive Director Nordell also said that he had sent an email to Joe Regal at DSS Corporation stating that he had no confidence in the Super Micro server they had provided and requested that the machine be replaced with a Hewlett Packard server. He had yet to receive a response back. Executive Director Nordell told Board members that METS ambulance purchased the 2004 Chevy Truck for $15,500.00. The T-1 connection between Joplin and JasCo requires one more circuit card to be purchased to have it up and going. NeoTech is trying to locate the card for the network connection. The T-1 will allow extension-to-extension transfer between Joplin and Jasco to avoid long distance charges and that remaining channels left on the circuit can be utilized as data usage for CAD networking and other systems requiring an internet data connection. Director Francis verified there were no recordings lost during the hard drive failure with the operating system on the Equature recorder. Executive Director Nordell advised that the old recorder was still operating separate from the Equature recorder and that now both data and the operating system are being mirrored. Director Merriman asked how long there had been issues with the recorder and Executive Director Nordell explained there had been issues with low audio levels and some recordings not being picked up by the recorder or distorted, but the recorder had been working with no problems for awhile before the operating system hard drive failed. Director Merriman expressed that he had concerns about DSS Corporation and their company not supporting their product with the ongoing issues that have been occurring for months now. His concerns included the low-end Super Micro Server that was supplied and the second hard drive for the operating system and second power supply that were overlooked even though the items were requested in the proposal. Due to the importance of recordings in the emergency services industry, Director Merriman suggested that the Board start looking at what options they have to re-coup some maintenance costs or possibly replace the system noting that the cost savings with the Equature recorder may not have been as substantial as once considered over another system considering the ongoing issues with the new recorder. He also stated that there is no way to audit the types of problems occurring with the new recorder and it is only found once a recording is requested and an issue is noticed. Executive Director Nordell noted that with new installations, there could have been the same types of issues with another vendor and that the loss of recordings had been prevented by running the old recorder in parallel with the Equature recorder. Director Merriman agreed but stated there should still not be the numerous ongoing problems. Director Francis indicated that Webb City Police Department had had some issues with their recorder as well. Executive Director Nordell stated that DSS Corporation technical support had been very responsive to the issues and that he had also expressed his concern to them about the Super Micro server. He added that he would continue to run the old recorder in parallel with the new recorder and that even when the server is replaced with an HP server that he would at least run the old recorder for another six months for separate redundancy. Director Merriman and Director Francis agreed that Executive Director Nordell was doing what he could do to resolve the issues, but recommended that he closely monitor the recorder.

Unfinished Business

Director Francis moved to turn the Mobile Command Bus over to the City of Carthage. Director Merriman seconded the motion.

Vote: 5  0. The motion was adopted.

Chief Dagnan thanked the Board and did mention that a gift affidavit would be necessary to register the vehicle.

New Business

Board attorney, Norman Rouse, provided a letter to Board members with his response to questions posed by some members of the Board regarding the super majority vote adopted by a previous Board into the Rules of Conduct for Board meetings stating that to repeal or amend any previous action of the Board required a 2/3 vote of membership or five votes. He stated that since the Board is a statutorily created entity that they only had the powers provided to them by Missouri Statute 190.339 in regards to Emergency Services Boards. In the statute, he was not able to locate any information requiring a 2/3 vote and even pointed out that with certain statutory findings by the Board, a member can be voted out by a simple majority vote. He also said that although he was not an expert in Roberts Rule of Orders, the bylaws adopted by the Board, he had done online research on the 2/3 super majority vote and found that it appears to change conduct of business the action only required a majority vote. He did state that to alleviate members of the Board from not notifying other members, that it should be posted that a previously adopted action is being considered to rescind or modify at the next meeting and once posted, the action could be changed at that next meeting based upon a 2/3 vote of the members in attendance. He added that with the Board being an elected body no previous body could run the current elected body by hampering them with a requirement of a super majority vote to make necessary changes and that it appeared when the original motion was written that someone did not put the whole verbiage that was in Roberts Rule of Orders in the Rules for Conducting Board Business and Meetings. Director Newman verified with Mr. Rouse that the Board in place in 2001 had voted for a super majority vote to rescind or modify a previously adopted action of the Board. Mr. Rouse confirmed that a revised edition from October 17th, 2001, indicated that was the policy adopted for their Rules of Conducting Board Business and Meetings in paragraph B and that it also defined that a quorum consisted of four members. Director Merriman stated that it clearly conflicts with the state statute and binds the current Board from making changes. Director Francis inquired if it was Mr. Rouse's opinion that they should wait to change the previously adopted Board policy since two members of the Board were not in attendance. Mr. Rouse advised that as long as the vote did not conflict with the exceptions in the state statute that the Board assembly could vote to rescind any earlier adopted action with a 2/3 vote of those in attendance or a simple majority. Director Newman moved to strike the language requiring a super majority in the Rules for Conducting Board Business and Meetings, paragraph B to reflect statutory guidelines of a simple majority. Director Merriman seconded the vote. Vote: 5 - 0. The motion was adopted. Director Francis questioned Mr. Rouse if the Board should wait to change the Weapons Policy since two Board members were not notified that the policy was being considered to rescind or modify at this Board meeting. Mr. Rouse stated that he did not see an issue with changing the policy. Director Francis re-introduced the motion to strike the weapons prohibition policy for law enforcement inside all areas of the building. Director Merriman seconded the motion. Vote: 5 - 0. The motion was adopted. Director Francis stated that as long as there is a placard on the doors and the Center abides by the state statute that it should not require any other type of motion. At 6:50pm, Mr. Rouse exited the meeting. After New Business during the regular board meeting had been completed, Eastern District Board Member, Larry Newman moved to go into closed session to discuss personnel issues per Mo. Statute 610.021(3). Director Merriman seconded the motion. At 7:00 pm, a roll call vote to go into closed session was taken.

Eastern District Dan Stanley - absent Larry Newman - Yes

Bill Rowland - absent

Western District Carl Frances - Yes

Bill Lyscio - Yes

Jeff Merriman -Yes

Chairman Kelly Stephens - Yes

Once in closed session, Director Merriman moved that a five minute recess be taken. Director Newman seconded the motion. Vote: 5 - 0. The Board reconvened at 7:05 pm. Director Newman brought up a discussion reference to the leadership of Executive Director, Richard Nordell. After the discussion, Director Newman made a motion to terminate Executive Director Richard Nordell. Director Merriman seconded the motion. No further discussion was taken and a vote was held on the motion.

Eastern District Dan Stanley absent

Larry Newman - Yes

Bill Rowland - absent

Western District Carl Francis - Yes

Bill Lyscio - No

Jeff Merriman -Yes

Chairman Kelly Stephens - Yes

The motion carried with a 4 yes and 1 no vote. Richard Nordell was called back into the Board Room and terminated. At 8:08pm, Director Newman moved to come out of closed session. Director Lyscio seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion.

Eastern District Dan Stanley - absent Larry Newman - Yes

Bill Roland - absent

Western District Carl Francis - Yes

Bill Lyscio - Yes

Jeff Merriman - Yes

Chairman Kelly Stephens - Yes

The motion carried with a 5 yes vote and the meeting reconvened in open session. There was a brief discussion regarding who to appoint as Interim Executive Director. Director Merriman moved to nominate Mike Runnebaum, GIS Manager, as the Interim Executive Director. Director Newman seconded the motion. Vote: 5 -0. Director Francis stated that the Board needed to come up with a cultural outlook change of direction for the Center. A special Board meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, February 16th at 1:00pm. The next regularly scheduled Board meeting was set for Tuesday, March 9th at 6:00pm.

MINUTES

Board of Directors Special Meeting

Jasper County Emergency Services

February 16, 2010

Chairman Stephens called the special meeting to order at 1:00p.m., at the Board office, 13870 Dispatch Lane, Carthage, MO, as per public notice. Present in addition to the Chairman were members Bill Rowland, Larry Newman, Carl Francis, and Jeff Merriman, Interim Executive Director's Tiffany Chenault and Mike Runnebaum and Administrative Assistant Marlissa Diggs. Public attendees included: Marc Kaufman from Mets Ambulance, Casey Butcher from Carthage EMS, Susan Redding with the Joplin Globe, Jessica Daley with KODE, Jeff Fries with the Oronogo Police Department, LaDonna Allen with the Jasper County Citizen, Nelson Daniels and Tom Hill with Carterville Fire Department, Tim Gunter with Avilla Fire Department, John Hacker with the Carthage Press, former Executive Director Rich Nordell, and citizens Josh Pruitt, Sandy Nordell, Richard Strack, Jacob Good, and Ed Brooks.

Public Comment and Correspondence

Chairman Stephens opened the floor for comment. Oronogo Fire Chief, Jason Smith, presented a prepared statement on behalf of the Jasper County Fire Chief's and department representatives. The statement expressed the disappointment of the Fire Chief's and their representatives with the board's decision to terminate former Executive Director Rich Nordell. The letter stated that the Jasper County Fire Chief's were advised that Mr. Nordell's termination was due in part to lack of communication with the agencies served by JASCO. The Chiefs stated that there was no communication problem between Rich Nordell and the Jasper County Fire Chief's. They cited several examples in support of the statement. The Chief's also expressed concern with what they feel are conflict of interest issues involving the Board of Directors of JASCO and the Jasper County Sheriff's Department. In closing, the Jasper County Fire Chief's and Fire Department representatives requested the reinstatement of Rich Nordell as the Executive Director of the Jasper County 911 Center. Chairman Stephens asked for further comments from attendees. There were none at that time however later in the meeting Avilla Fire Chief, Tim Gunter, asked for permission to speak. Chairman Stephens granted permission. Chief Gunter inquired why the letter read by Chief Jason Smith had not been addressed by the Board when it was presented earlier in the meeting. Chairman Stephens explained that personnel issues could not be discussed in open session

New Business

The process of hiring a new Executive Director was discussed. Director Newman reviewed the job description. Director Merriman felt the current description was sufficient and did not need to be changed. Director Rowland requested to be informed of the reason given for the termination of Rich Nordell. Chairman Stephens referred Director Rowland to a copy of Mr. Nordell's termination letter previously provided to members of the Board. After a brief discussion of where the position had been previously advertised, it was decided to publish the vacancy in local and regional newspapers as well as on the JASCO website. Director Merriman saw no reason to advertise in any trade magazines. Director Francis made a motion to advertise in the local and regional newspapers and on the website. Director Merriman seconded the motion. Vote: 4-1 the motion was adopted. At 1:11pm, Director Newman motioned to go into the closed portion of the meeting for personnel related issues, pursuant to Mo. Statute Section 610.021(3)(13). Director Merriman seconded the motion.

Vote: Stephens - in favor

Merriman - in favor Newman - in favor

Francis - in favor

Rowland - opposed

At 1:26 p.m., Director Newman motioned and was second by Director Merriman to move out of closed session

Vote:

Stephens in favor

Merriman in favor

Newman in favor

Francis in favor

Rowland in favor

Executive Director's Report

Interim Executive Director Chenault reported on proposed schedule changes due to personnel issues. The change would involve going back to a 36/48 hour schedule. Director Newman expressed budgetary concerns over the additional overtime. Director Francis pointed out that implementing the new schedule would allow all shifts to be covered with two less staff and increasing overtime would not result in more money being spent for wages. The board agreed the proposed schedule would work and needed to be implemented. Board members agreed that a radio project to that had been initiated by former Executive Director Nordell to install an additional Multi be completed. Administrative staff had a phone conference with DSS Corporation regarding the recorder issues and replacing the Super Micro Server with an HP Server. After speaking with DSS representative, Joe Regal, he stated that he believed that a new Super Micro server would correct most of the recorder issues and that they could have the new server ready for installation in one and a half to two weeks. They were not willing to provide the HP server without the additional cost of $14,000 being reimbursed by Jasco. DSS is also troubleshooting the ongoing issue of Administrative lines in the building not being recorded properly. Board members agreed to table the discussion until the next Board meeting. Interim Executive Director Chenault provided a printed policy and procedure manual currently in use by the Center to Board members due to a previous request by some members of the Board. A letter was received from Oronogo Police Chief, Jeff Fries, requesting that his department be notified of all fire and medical calls that occur within his jurisdiction. After a brief discussion, Director Newman suggested the issue be tabled until there was an opportunity to discuss the change with all law enforcement agencies at the next Police Chiefs meeting. At 1:40pm, William Cade, former Executive Director for Jasco, entered the meeting. Board members were briefly updated on the possibility of re-upholstering the Communications Center chairs rather than being replaced. Board members agreed to table the issue to the next meeting. Director Newman moved the meeting be adjourned. Director Merriman seconded the motion. Vote: 5 - 0. The meeting was adjourned at 1:46pm.

Director Merriman moved the meeting be adjourned. Director Newman seconded the motion. Vote: 5 - 0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:34pm.