Alaska State Fair BoardMinutes
President John Harkey called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Present: directors Mari Jo Parks, Debby Retherford, Bonnie Quill, and Charlie Willis; members Pamella Meekin and Larry Longenecker; non members Robert Fowler and Bill Johanson; general manager Ray Ritari and Kirsten Mason, who acted as recorder. Pete Probasco was present via teleconference. Bruce Bush was absent. Parks/Quill/MCU: To accept the minutes as amended and the consent agenda. The minutes were amended changing the term “advertise” to “submit” in Quill’s comments under board comments. In Mr. Bush’s absence, Accounting Manager Kirsten Mason gave the financial report, which showed total assets of $4,724,191.22, total current liabilities of $42,911.74, long-term liabilities of $615,780.65, and total equity of $4,065,498.83, as of May 31, 2007. Included in the assets was $661,524.39 in the general checking account and $10,083.39 in cds. Parks/Willis/MCU: To approve the financial report for May 31, 2007. General Manager’s Update Ritari reported positive progress with the City of Palmer on the Conditional Use Permit. The City has approved all pre-existing events with only non Fair-time motorized sporting events requiring a permit. The City will share the cost of monitoring the noise level of fair-time motorized events. It will be necessary to submit permit applications to the City if current facilities are enlarged. He also said the State capital budget includes a $1,000,000 grant from the State for Farm Exhibits Building improvements, largely due to the efforts of Senator Lyda Green. The capital budget must yet be approved by the Governor. Current bids for the cost of the floor and sprinkler system are $907,000 and will be covered by the grant dollars, if approved by the Governor. Ritari is searching for legal and operational consultants for the Hobbs and Fowler energy opportunities. Sponsorships are coming in well, one of which is a new sponsor, the University of Alaska, who bought a $20,000 sponsorship for University Day. Wells Fargo bought a $20,000 sponsorship for Military Appreciation Day. On first day of Fair, families with military ID will be admitted free from 3-7 pm. Ritari has asked marketing to look into on-site advertising which could benefit the Fair. Vendor spaces are filling up. Accounting reports a $1500 profit on the Colony Days Horse Show. Eagle River Parks & Recreation has agreed to rent rodeo chutes for Fair-time use. Action Items Conditional Use Permit: No additional discussion on this agenda item was necessary. The general manager answered questions from the directors during his update. Tiqun Energy, Inc. and Fowler Oil & Gas Corporation Letters of Intent: The Fair will wait to respond to these letters of intent until a consultant and attorney have examined them. Questions were asked of Fowler, who was present at the meeting. He reminded the directors that the Fair has the ultimate veto power in all proceedings. The directors hope to respond to both companies soon. Recommendation for Consultant: Ritari has received names of different attorneys with which to consult on energy issues. He will inform the directors when he is successful in securing one. The meeting recessed at 8:04. The meeting reconvened at 8:09 Whistleblower and Investigation Related Records Policies: The president found that these types of policies are common to non-profit organizations and wants the board to consider placing them in the Fair policy procedures. Discussion followed. The president will re-write the policies for consideration in July’s meeting. Employee Compensation Committee: This was discussed at the Director’s Retreat and will be re-visited at a later time. Contract Review Committee of Contracts Over $100K: The president will write a sample policy to be used for multi-year contracts and contracts over $100K for the board to consider. 2007 Fair Entertainment Update: A list was included in the packet sent to board. However, there are constant changes as more acts are scheduled. Ritari weekly receives an updated list. Most slots are filled. Member Comments Longenecker remarked that the construction contract for the Slippery Gulch was over $100,000. It was announced that the Mat-Su Miners will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 15 at 5 pm in recognition of their ball park improvements. Board Comments Parks thinks the Hispanic entertainment is a positive move for the Fair. Quill will showcase the Fair at the Mat-Su Convention Visitor’s Bureau’s membership meeting in August. Retherford reported the Colony Days went well and she had heard a positive report on the 4-H camp held on the Fairgrounds. She also reported an increase in donations for the American Cancer Relay within recent years. Probasco complimented Ritari on getting the Conditional Use Permit settled and his relationship with the city staff. Harkey expressed appreciation for Ritari’s devotion and effort toward the resolve of the Conditional Use Permit issue. Quill/Parks/MCU: To adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm |