Alaska State Fair BoardMinutes
President John Harkey called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Present: directors Mari Jo Parks, Debby Retherford, Bruce Bush, and Bonnie Quill; members Kirsten Mason, Pam Meekin, and Larry Longenecker; general manager Ray Ritari and Donna Tate, recorder. Charlie Willis was absent. Pete Probasco arrived at 7:02pm. Parks/Quill/MCU: To accept the consent agenda as amended. The agenda was amended to include budget addendum review, set date/time of employee appreciation breakfast, and set date for 2008 Fair. Accounting Manager Kirsten Mason gave the financial report, which showed total assets of $5,871,536.37 total current liabilities of $80,339.13, long-term liabilities of $615,780.65, and total equity of $5,175,416.59, as of August 31, 2007. Included in the assets was $1,266,306.29 in the general checking account. Mason reported that it was not necessary to use the Line of Credit for this Fair. General Manager’s Update Ritari said numbers in excess of proposed budget are being reported for attendance, beverage sales, and the events within the Fair. The two issues to work on seem to be parking and traffic. A plan is already under consideration to help keep traffic moving, eliminating the stoppage of vehicles by not charging for parking and increasing admission fees to recapture the revenue. The plan would eliminate a cash control issue though not reducing needed personnel to maintain traffic movement. He recommends that admission cost be increased to perhaps $13 per adult ticket. He hopes to improve the situation of illegal or poorly parked vehicles within the gates through better communication and signage. He is meeting with employees individually in budget preparation. Establishing a Fair Foundation is being considered which would be the entity involved in working with the gas or power plant programs or other real estate transactions, in fund raising and in grant writing. The Foundation would protect the Fair from liability in many aspects. Ritari discussed additional possibilities for increasing revenue and ways to have more trouble-free events. Tiquan Project – Environmental Report: The draft environmental report was a positive report but very general and did not contain recommendations. Sound decibel readings are needed from similar operating co-generation power plants before a decision can be reached. Noise level and amount of steam plume is of utmost interest to the Fair. Board Travel: The trip to the IAFE convention was discussed. Those wishing to attend the convention need to get their intentions to the general manager by Oct. 4 for early bird registration. Action Items Probasco/Parks/MCU: Moved to adopt the ASF Investigation Related Policy as presented. The contract with the Fowler Oil & Gas Corporation was tabled until it was determined the percentage of mineral rights the Fair owns. It is hoped the title company will have the report finished within a few days. A special director’s meeting will be called if Fowler needs answer prior to the October board meeting. Retherford/Quill/MCU: Moved that dates for the 2008 Fair will be August 21 – September 1. The Gate cost will be determined at a later board meeting. The decision was made that dates for the Staff/Board retreat will be October 17-18. The time and location will be determined at the October board meeting. Retherford/Probasco/MCU: To increase budget line #701004 from $115,000 to $135,000, as requested by the general manager. The decision was made that dates for the staff appreciation breakfast will be October 9 at 8:30am. It was decided to wait until the retreat to discuss the date/time of the membership sub-committee meeting (Consent Agenda Item 3[c]). Member Comments Meekin requested the board of directors to join in eating with the staff at the appreciation breakfast. She will have the vendor comment file available at the retreat. Board Comments Quill has requested general manager Ritari to consider running for the board of directors of the Mat-Su Convention Visitors Bureau. She will be attending the ATIA Convention in Juneau next week. Retherford expressed appreciation for all ground improvements noticeable at the Fair. Through helping couple days in a vendor booth, she was able to hear more people comments than usual. She recommended that the $2 Tuesday not be discontinued. Bush wishes that there would be more recognition of the Fair volunteers and that the press would publish more “exhibit winners”. Probasco was able to walk around during Tair hours and in the mornings before opening and found a cheerful atmosphere among the vendors and crowds. He was impressed with the staff’s work, and was grateful for the good weather,. Parks missed the plaza center activities. She thinks the Orion eating tent area was a positive addition. Harkey noticed that Ritari spent much time observing people and activities during the Fair. He expressed appreciation to Longenecker for the appearance of the grounds and to the staff for a great Fair. Probasco/ Parks/MCU: To adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm |