Alaska State Fair Board

Minutes
Alaska State Fair Board of Directors
Board Room on the Fairgrounds
May 7, 2009

President John Harkey called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.  Present: Directors Pete Probasco, John Erickson, Carol Kenley, and Bruce Bush, General Manager Ray Ritari, Recorder Donna Tate, members Larry Longenecker, Ben VanderWeele, and Steve Gallagher.  Director Charlie Willis was present via telephone and Director Bonnie Quill was absent.

Probasco/Kenley/MCU: To accept April 9, 2009 regular meeting minutes and April 14, 2009 Farm Committee meeting minutes. Consent agenda amended by adding to Action Items, #4, “Authorization for General Manager to Sign Farmland Trust Documents”, #5, “Authorization for Manager to proceed with EVOC project with the City of Palmer” and adding to Reports and Information Items, # 4, “Distribution of Tax Form #990”.
Treasurer Erickson reported total assets of $4,958,281.94, total current liabilities of $37,405.97, long-term liabilities of $428,704.80, and total equity of $4,492,171.17 as of April 30, 2009.  Included in the assets was $1,070,337.12 in general checking account.  Bush/Probasco/MCU: Approve April 30, 2009 financial report.

General Manager’s Update
Ritari report included information on employee developments, progression with Hamilton Farm, NIT, EVOC project, sprinkler system in Farm Exhibits Building, increased reserved seating in Borealis Theater, new parking area, and the Demonstration Farm. Ritari reported entertainment is climbing to higher levels and reaching more music preferences.

Action Items
Pete/Erickson/MCU: Approve 2009 Resolution #3 changing May 2009 regular meeting date of Board of Directors.

Erickson/Probasco/MCU: Approve 2009 Resolution #4 authorizing General Manager to sign Farmland Trust documents. Steve Gallagher, ARRC representative, explained Farmland Trust process and that despite information to the contrary, he was confident parking during Fair would be allowed.  Based on this information, it was agreed to proceed with placing the Hamilton farm in Farmland Trust.

Updating Board Policy Manual committee structure was approved.

Kenley/Probasco/MCU: To authorize Ritari to proceed with leasing agreement for Emergency Vehicle Obstacle Course with City of Palmer.

Member Comments
VanderWeele inquired and was told that Fair did not have additional information on Bob Fowler gas well progress other than what was in newspaper.

Board Comments
Willis expressed appreciation for privilege of teleconferencing meeting. Kenley was grateful for generous item donation Fair made to FAA. Bush spoke of farm activities. Erickson affirmed location for NIT school.  Probasco appreciates Fair’s good financial status and volume of concert tickets already sold. Harkey congratulated Kenley family for MTA scholarship, said farm issues were going well and felt concert ticket marketing was good.

Probasco/Erickson/MCU:  To adjourn meeting at 8:22 pm.