Gallagher addresses Sunshine law violations allegations

As reported in the Friday, April 24, Nevada Daily Mail, during the Tuesday, April 21, 2020 city council meeting, council member Brian Leonard had some points that he wanted to make in reference to conflicts of interest within the Animal Shelter Committee. The Animal Shelter Committee had been meeting to select a site to propose to the city council for the relocation of the animal shelter. Many issues and concerns were addressed about the committee's proposed Marmaduke Park site during the April 24 meeting.

During council discussion on the matter, Leonard discussed what he perceived as a conflict of interest within the Animal Shelter Committee. “I know I'm going to ruffle some feathers on this, but I'm looking at Sunshine Law violations,” stated Leonard. “I'm looking at several things that have occurred. Conflict of interest — you have a committee member pushing and promoting their own property. I think the city is in a lot of trouble if we are doing that. I mean, we have a good staff that can do their investigation. There's been a lot of talk about this, I know there has been. I've watched it... I've not commented one time. I think this has just kind of run its course. That's my opinion. I'm looking at all sides of it. The legality of it — Sunshine Laws, the conflict of interest, and all of the situations that have occurred. Some people may not agree with me, but those are my perceptions of what is going on with this. There's a lot of emotional things going on with the neighbors. I think every neighborhood would do the same thing — not wanting it in their neighborhood. So, that's what I would like to see done is have the staff look at it... let the staff take it. Whatever the staff needs to bring to us — they can bring us three options — and then whatever the council decides. That's how I feel about it.”

In response to these allegations, council member Carol Gallagher had a response which she read at the Tuesday, May 5, 2020 council meeting. "I would like to address the allegations at the last meeting regarding violations of the Sunshine Law and Conflict of Interests law," stated Gallagher. "At the beginning of the process, a question was asked regarding the appointment of a committee that's to consider possible locations for the animal shelter. At that time, the City Clerk was in communication with the Attorney General's office to clarify the requirements of the committee as it related to Missouri Sunshine Law. As soon as it was confirmed that the committee was considered a public body, all requirements of the Sunshine Law were followed regarding public notification of records. I spoke with the Missouri Ethics Commission last week and it was determined that the committee did not fall within the bounds of the Conflict of Interest law and since the councilman, nor myself, had any vested interest in any location there was no violation of the Conflict of Interest law. I was disappointed that a member of this council would wait to raise concerns until a group of citizens had completed work on the project. Situations such as this cause distrust and disappointment and suggest that city council does not operate with the good of the entire community at heart. While my goal of the community finding solutions was not achieved, I was heartened to see so much involvement and discussion on the topic. I hope that city council will work proactively in the future, raising concerns immediately rather than waiting for a public forum to do so. I shared my apologies and embarrassment with the citizens and staff who worked on the project as this body ultimately disregarded the work that was done collectively based on unfounded accusations. I really hope that we will do better in the future."