MEETING MINUETS 2006         Dec,11

six thirty PM in the Parasol Room of the Tan-Tar-A Resort, located in Osage

Beach, Missouri. The minutes of the November 20, 2006 were then summarized by

Executive Director Swall. The reading of the minutes by Donna Swall occurred

due to the absence of Caroline Toole, LOWA Recording Secretary. Ms. Barbara

A. Maholick was appointed by Donna Swall to record the December 2006

meeting's minutes. Seventeen members were then counted and recorded in

attendance by Ms. Maholick. No Treasurer's Report was announced. Hereafter a

motion to accept the minutes was made by Pat Arnold and was then seconded by Phil More

 

    Donna Swall announced that LOWA received two donations to cover the

cost of the Christmas party.  The first donation was given by the Schultz Engineering

Services in the amount of two hundred and fifty dollars and the second from Mid-Missouri

Landfill LLC for the Amount of of two hundred dollars.   We are very

Grateful to Schultz Engineering Services and Mid-Missouri Landfill LLC for

their most generous our first donations that also permitted us to open our bank account.

 

    Johnathan Blodgett brought up a idea of the need for a brochure and a map

for pump-out stations. Larry Schafer also suggested that it would be

beneficial to add a list of RV pump-out locations to the specified brochure.

This led to the discussion where LOWA members should take it upon ones self

to research organizations who provided a pumping service for members of the

general public. Greg Stoner informed LOWA that he might have a list already

available and he would look into the possibility of the existence of that list.

 

     Donna Swall then announced that Carol Lorraine the presiding

commissioner of Camden County board of Alderman mailed a National

Association Of Counties grant application.   We are very thankful to have Alderman

Lorraine work with us and look forward to working with her in the future.

 

    The topic of the conversation then turned to LOWA's resolutions for the

approaching year. Executive Director Swall would like to receive feedback

from anyone who has a creative methods to recruit more members. She requested

that the members focus on their committees goals that they would like to see

LOWA

accomplish in the new year. Presently LOWA has two hundred and sixty-nine

members on roll. LOWA would like to see more small business owners and

families become involved with LOWA and it's events as well as to see more

people attend meetings on a regular basis.

 

    While promoting boat safety is presently our focus we are also

brainstorming ways in which to obtain funds to preserve the watershed well as

to prevent pollution in general. The members brainstormed many ideas.

One suggestion brought to the groups attention was for LOWA to work with a

nationally known brewing company to create boat designated driving

campaign while another suggestion brought forward was to obtain a grant to

reforest the shorelines. Greg Stoner suggested that LOWA could run a pump-out

campaign this summer and apply for grants to cover the cost of the brochure.

He also suggested that boat manufactures to participate with the campaign.

It was next decided that Larry Schafer, the LOWA web site coordinator, will

assist in creating a map and brochure of the pump-out locations.

 

     Low impact development is still a concern for LOWA. It was discussed

that construction companies need land disturbance permits because storm water

run-off contains sediment which must be controlled and kept out of streams.

At present LOWA members are not only interested in working with home owners

but would like to assist developers and landscapers who would be interested

in saving money by utilizing cost effective means to prevent soil and foliage

run-off and water contamination while offering the consumer a quality service.  It was

further discussed that DNR has no manpower to police problems with soil disturbance.

 

    There was also a public educational issue which concerned LOWA members.

Members are concerned with citizens who either avoid reporting lake

violations or unaware where to report incidents and that violations.  Larry Schafer

Will ad a list government organizations on the web site for the public to report their

Concerns. Many of government organizations accept anonymous reports.

Citizens will also be encouraged to contact LOWA thru the website www.soslowa.org

for forwarding to the proper agency.

 

Christy Fera reported, the following information obtained from Mr Jim

Divencen, Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor's Bureau in November 2006.

 

The Division of Tourism measures 17 SIC (Standard Industry Codes) directly

relating to tourism (expenditures).

 

For the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2005 (our latest research info) Camden

County recorded $145,802,119, Miller County had $31,281,594 and Morgan County

had $16,830,379 totaling $193,914,092.

 

One out of every14 employees in the state of Missouri 284,916 total tourism

related employees) are employed in a tourism related business. Camden County

has 3,869 Miller County has 890 tourism related employees and Morgan County

has 469 employees.

 

Total tourism in the state of Missouri is a $13.4 Billion. About $8.5 billion

is from is from direct expenditures meaning tickets to Six Flags, Worlds of

Fun, Silver Dollar City, hotels, restaurants etc, and about $4.9 billion is

from indirect expenditures meaning payroll, vender and supplies etc.

 

This year the Division of Tourism's budget is real close to the $18million

range to advertise and to promote our state, Of that, about $9 million is

used for direct advertising expenses. We should be on target to receive $20

million dollars next fiscal year.

 

If anyone has any information regarding the Lake of the Ozarks as an asset

please contact Christy Fera.

 

    Madeline Hutton Harrell ,Chair of Recycling voiced her belief that LOWA

remove itself from lake safety and concentrate its efforts on yet to be

established departments of ecology and endangered species and introduced

aquatic nuisance species such as the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha).

Greg Stoner, MDC then provided an explantation as to why zebra muscles have

Become a nuisance. The Invasive Species Coordinator is Brian Canady (Brian.Canaday@mdc.mo.gov) and the Endagered Species Coordinator is Margaret Horner (Margaret.Horner@mdc.mo.gov). Is responsible for endangered species in the state of Missouri.  After a brief discussion it was decided that LOWA would continue to focus on lake safety. (Corrected)

 

     The final issue the evening concerned the member or members being

responsible for bringing refreshments to the meeting. As a result Mrs.

Kristina Blodgett, wife of Johnathan Blodgett, accepted the Chair of Hospitality.

 

     The meeting was adjourned at eight thirty PM. The members ate a

wonderful dinner and were greatly amused by the White Elephant Gift Exchange

 

 

    The next meeting will be held on the 15th January 2007 at Laurie Bank.

The bank is located at the light corner of Hwy 5 and "O" Road. The Exec

Committee meeting will begin at five o'clock PM the and the LOWA Meeting of

the general public will begin at six thirty PM.  Refreshments will be served