Alaska State Fair BoardAlaska State Fair Board of Directors
President John Harkey called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Present: directors Mari Jo Parks, Debby Retherford, Bonnie Quill, Bruce Bush, and Charlie Willis; members Kirsten Mason, Randy Hobbs, and Larry Longenecker; non members Deborah Bacho, Eric Unrein, John Moses, and Marc Marlow; general manager Ray Ritari and Donna Tate, recorder. Pete Probasco was present via teleconference.
Parks/Quill/MCU: To accept the minutes and the consent agenda as amended. The agenda was amended to postpone the discussion of items number “1” (ASF Responsible Reporting Policy) and “2” (ASF Investigation Related Policy) until August meeting and to forgo the manager’s report. Items Ritari would cover in his manager’s report will be discussed under the remaining agenda items.
Accounting Manager Kirsten Mason gave the financial report, which showed total assets of $4,514,429.25, total current liabilities of $47,502.14, long-term liabilities of $615,780.65, and total equity of $3,851,146.46, as of June 30, 2007. Included in the assets was $434,780.85 in the general checking account. Bush/Retherford/MCU: To approve the financial report for June 30, 2007.
Action Items Letters of Intent Update: The services of an attorney and a consultant have been secured for the review of the letters of intent from Tiqun Energy, Inc. An attorney reviewed the Fowler proposal. The total process is progressing but much remains to be done. An ad hoc committee was formed, consisting of Retherford (chairperson), Parks, and Probasco, to review the response from the attorney and consultant and to bring a recommendation back to the board. Janet Kincaid met with Ritari about Mat-Maid relocating to the Rebarchek property.
Farm Exhibits Building: The State capital budget which included a $1,000,000 grant from the State for Farm Exhibits Building improvements was reduced to $250,000 by the Governor. It is a reimbursement grant and the Fair has until 2012 to use it. Ritari will draw up an acceptance letter to be sent to the State. The Fire Marshal has approved the floor system recommended by the Fair and says he will consider extending our required improvement schedule time beyond 2009, as previously mandated. Ritari plans to include the cost of the Farm Exhibits sprinkler system in the 2008 budget and the floor later. He suggests that Senator Lyda Green be contacted for additional sources for State funding ideas to help with future wall and infrastructure improvements. Ritari is also contacting other Valley organizations for a joint effort to try for some Rasmuson Foundation grant money.
Update on Fair Planning: Ritari was invited by Doug Warner’s office of the Department of Agriculture to discuss the Farm Family selection. Efforts are being made to have national cable TV do some filming at the coming Fair’s Garden and Art Festival. Long-term improvements include increased quantity and quality seating in the performance areas and possibly a portable stage for Fair use and rental to the public.
Membership Program: An ad hoc committee was formed, consisting of Quill, Bush, Willis, and Ritari to review membership opportunities and to bring a recommendation back to the board for increased revenue from membership dues.
Member Comments Hobbs expressed gratitude to the Fair for considering his letter of intent. He said Tiqun Energy Inc. is making progress in program discussions with Joe Austerman (Mat-Maid), Chugach Electric, MEA, and City of Palmer. P & M Nursery is in attendance tonight and continues to be interested in the Fair’s reaction to a working relationship with Tiqun. Longenecker reported that upgraded seating will be present in the corral and horse barn areas this year’s Fair.
Board Comments Probasco thanked the Fair for faxing him director information while he is in Idaho. He is favorable to Harkey’s rewrite of suggested policies. Quill expressed her gratitude for everyone’s support during the loss of her sister. Parks reported hearing positive comments concerning the August 21 Garden and Art Festival. Bush appreciates the job Ritari is doing as manager. Retherford thinks it is good advertising for the Fair for Jeff Lowenfels to be participating at the Garden & Art Festival. Harkey said festival attendance has been down this summer but concessionaire sales have been up. He thanked Randy Hobbs for his patience while the directors consider his letter of intent.
Parks/Quill/MCU: To adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:48 pm |