Alaska State Fair BoardAlaska State Fair Board of Directors Boardroom on the Fairgrounds January 11, 2007
President Debby Retherford called the meeting to order at 7:08 pm. Present: directors Mari Jo Parks, George Lochner, Bonnie Quill, Bruce Bush, and John Harkey; members Larry Longenecker, Pam Meekin, and James Clements; general manager Joe Lawton and recorder Donna Tate. Charlie Willis was present via teleconference.
Lochner/Quill/MCU: To accept the minutes and the Consent Agenda, adding minutes for special sessions held November 21, 2006 and January 5, 2007.
Treasurer Lochner gave the financial report, which showed total assets of $4,832,917.93, total current liabilities of $94,225.82, long-term liabilities of $615,780.65, and total equity of $4,122,911.46, as of December 31, 2006. Included in the assets was $726,617.56 in the general checking account and $10,064.58 in cds. Lochner noted that this year looks better than last, and there were no negative surprises. An explanation of the fixed assets:land write-down will be prepared for the annual report.
Parks/Quill/MCU: To approve the financial report for December 31, 2006.
General Manager's Update
Lawton drew attention to the revised budget on the table. It contained updated year-end actual expenses. It also increased gate admissions by $10,000 to cover the new $10,000 building fund, as requested in the December meeting. Setting the annual employee pension percentage requires a motion from the board, which is on tonight's agenda. As of today the tickets for the Governor's Inaugural Ball were not yet on sale. The Fair highway sign is dedicated to getting information out to the public concerning the Ball. Longenecker is taking care of the Fire Marshal's requirements for the Ball. The Borough's transfer of ownership of the Sheldon Building is on the January 16 agenda. The documents the Board requested are on our website. Attorney Steve Mahoney confirmed that he will be present at our February annual meeting. Jeanette Bower confirms she will find a parliamentarian for the meeting. Fair staff is receiving a 3% cost of living raise and an effort was made to bring regular staff to 100% of the local market average. Marketing & Events Assistant Lacey Adcock has completed her introductory period and is now a regular staff member.
Discussion ensued concerning separate ballots at the annual meeting for election of directors and the passage of the bylaws. A dedicated timekeeper was recommended for the evening. Lawton seeks an explanation from the attorney about bylaw amendments from the floor, and will communicate with the Board via email. The board meets at 6 pm in Raven Hall prior to the annual meeting. The parliamentarian and the timekeeper are requested to be present. There was a brief discussion about the conditional use permit the Fair has before the City Planning and Zoning Commission.
Action Items
Lochner/Harkey/MC 5-1 (Bush opposed): To approve the FY2007 revised operating budget as presented.
Parks/Quill/MCU: To set the 2007 employer contribution to each regular employee's pension plan at the rate of 4% of the 2007 employee gross wages.
Quill/Harkey/MCU: To approve a $1000 donation to the Alaska Inaugural Committee to defray the cost of holding the Inaugural Ball in Raven Hall.
Member Comments
There were no member comments.
Bush/Harkey/MF (3 – 4; Quill, Parks, Lochner, and Retherford opposed): To postpone for one month the election of the new 2007 board officers.
Board Comments
Lochner commended Lawton for the content and organization of the letter which accompanied the draft bylaw revisions. He feels everyone deserves a compliment for the hard work put into the bylaw revision. Harkey appreciated especially Lochner and Parks for their work on the bylaws. Bush noted this was Lochner's last regular board meeting, and he enjoyed working with him. Bush wants to lease the Fair's hay fields to a farmer who will work the land to greater productivity. He suggested staff plant trees on the north end of the fairgrounds. He wants staff to draft a farm plan that would benefit the Fair financially. Being a farmer, he would be available for comment if desired. Retherford suggested this for the March board meeting agenda.
The meeting recessed at 8:35 pm. The meeting returned to session at 8:47 pm.
Parks/Harkey/MCU: To go into Executive Session for personnel reasons.
The board came out of Executive Session and returned to its regular meeting at 10:02 pm.
Lochner/Quill/MCU: To pay General Manager Joe Lawton a $7000 bonus for excellent performance for the past years of service.
A special board work session will be held 5:00 pm Wednesday, January 17.
Quill/Harkey/MCU: To adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 pm
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