Branson board awards demolition contract to Springfield company

Springfield-based Jerry Bumgarner Trucking submitted the lowest and winning bid to demolish four residential properties owned by the city of Branson.

The Branson Board of Aldermen approved the contract during its meeting last night. Jerry Bumgarner Trucking bid $43,000 to demolish the four properties along Lake Taneycomo - 403 Shore Lane, 412 Shore Lane, 806 Sunset Road and 1004 Hawthorn St. - that were significantly damaged by summer floods in 2011, according to the board agenda.

After the flooding events, the city utilized federal Community Development Block Grant funds to purchase the homes. The final step of the grants call for demolition of the homes damaged by natural disaster.

Bumgarner Trucking - whose owner Jerry Bumgarner also co-owns Harbell's Grill & Sports Bar in downtown Springfield - beat bids ranging up to $88,000 by Scott Construction, TK Global, Albert's Landscaping, Mike Youngblood Excavation and American Pride Hauling.

Smoke-free ordinance
The board heard roughly two hours of public comment on the proposed citywide smoke ban during its meeting last night.

The ordinance would ban smoking in most of the city's public places and is slated for a board of aldermen vote on Oct. 14.

Last week, the board held a study session Sept. 18 on the ordinance and requested changes be made to the proposed law.

Among them is a maximum fine for violating the ordinance of $25, which contrasts with the previously stated maximum fine of up to $500.

The ordinance also was changed to include less regulation for outdoor smoking areas such as patios, RV campgrounds and business entrances, and added new language permitting hotel and motel properties to have up to 20 percent of their rooms allow smoking, according to a news release.