Alaska State Fair BoardAlaska State Fair Board of Directors Boardroom on the Fairgrounds April 12, 2007
President John Harkey called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Present: directors Mari Jo Parks, Peter Probasco, Debby Retherford, Bonnie Quill, Bruce Bush, and Charlie Willis; member Larry Longenecker; non-members Bill Longbrake, Bill Johansen, Marc Marlow, Eric Unrein, Debra Bacho, and Randy Kaer; Presenters Randy Hobbs, and Robert Fowler; outgoing general manager Joe Lawton, incoming general manager Ray Ritari, and recorder Donna Tate.
Parks/Probasco/MCU: To accept the minutes as amended and the consent agenda. The minutes were amended under board comments to read that Quill plans to travel to Juneau to seek funding for the ‘Alaska Travel Industry Association’ rather than the ‘Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau’.
Randy Hobbs, President of Hobbs Industries and Vice-President of Tiqun Energy, Inc. presented a plan to locate a gas-fired co-generation plant in the SE corner of the Fair property. Their projection is to pay the Fair $700,000 to $750,000, plus the Fair would realize waste-heat use benefits. A response from the directors was requested in sixty days.
Bob Fowler, CEO Fowler Oil & Gas Corporation, presented a plan for drilling a CBM gas well on the Fair property with royalties for the Fair of 7½ % surface output and 12½ % subsurface output. No time schedule was set for a response from the Fair directors.
The meeting recessed at 7:57 pm. The meeting returned to session at 8:05 pm.
Treasurer Bush gave the financial report, which showed total assets of $725,387.55, total current liabilities of $26,188.31, long-term liabilities of $615,780.65, and total equity of $4,001,608.20, as of March 31, 2007. Included in the assets was $626,944.01 in the general checking account and $10,075.79 in cds. Bush noted nothing unusual and expenses were near the same as this time last year. He wishes to see the appraised value reflected on the financial statement and Lawton reported that the bookkeeper is working on that.
Probasco/Bush/MCU: To approve the financial report for March 31, 2007.
Outgoing General Manager’s Update
Lawton said an application for a $10,000 Alaska Humanities Forum grant to assist with the Statehood celebration during the 2009 Fair was submitted to the State by the April 1 deadline. Our hope is to use Alaska’s Statehood celebration as a catalyst to enclose the Farm Exhibits building. Lawton gave a brief history of the Conditional Use Permit. He said Attorney Andy Robinson provided our first counsel concerning the permit; however, he was unavailable when the preparation of the brief was required. The current brief was prepared by Attorneys Peter J. Maassen and William H. Ingaldson and delivered to the City on August 11. The City’s response to the brief is due April 26.
Incoming General Manager’s Update
Ritari reported that his first two weeks have been spent getting acquainted with the staff, policies, budget, and procedures. He and Lawton have also been busy meeting with many of the major sponsors and supporters of the Fair. He was pleased to see the positive response to Lawton and to what the Fair is doing. Tomorrow he and Longenecker will tour the buildings with projected improvements in mind. He expressed concern about the timeline set for the Farm Exhibits improvements. He feels we have a hard task ahead to get sponsors and to get the work done by deadline set by the Fire Marshal, as it usually takes two years to secure major funding, then the construction takes place.
Action Items
Governor’s Visit Discussion: Lawton will inform the Attorney General’s office that our first choice for the Fair-time visit of the Governor is the Directors’ Reception Day, August 23; second choice is August 31, the cabbage weigh-off day.
Schedule Rules Committee Meeting/Announce Members(s) at Large: Harkey announced he has asked Carol Kenley and John Erickson to serve on the Rules Committee as members at large. Date for the Rules Committee meeting will be determined at a later time.
Juneau Lobbying Effort: Lawton and Ritari will contact Lyda Green’s office to communicate our status on the Farm Exhibit Building improvements and request her input concerning future strategies for successful state funding efforts. Quill reminded us that the legislative session is to close May 16, and time is of essence.
Location for Directors’ Retreat: The date for the Directors’ retreat is April 27 and will be at the Fair. An off-site, over-night retreat will be planned for after fair time.
Member Comments
There were no member comments.
Board Comments
Each director presented Ritari with a personal humorous welcome gift. Parks felt the guest speakers gave a very enlightening presentation. Probasco hopes that the Fair can possibly work with either or both of the companies presenting proposals. Quill acknowledged this being Lawton last board meeting and welcomed Ritari to the position. Bush is impressed that the plant discussed is gas-fired rather than coal-fired. Retherford feels that the options presented should be looked at from public relations standpoint and not only economic. Harkey wished Lawton a long fulfilling retirement. He thinks that both proposals presented tonight look interesting. All directors agreed that much research must be done before making any decision on the two proposals presented.
Parks/Willis/MCU: To adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm |