Minutes
Alaska State Fair Annual Membership Meeting
Raven Hall on the Fairgrounds
10 February 2011
-Call to Order: President Harkey called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
-Establish a Quorum: A quorum was established by President Harkey.
-Introduction of Board and Staff: President Harkey introduced Board and Staff of the Fair.
-Approval of 2010 Annual Meeting Minutes: Hearing no objections to dispensing with reading of the Alaska State Fair Annual Meeting Minutes of 2010, President Harkey declared the minutes approved.
-Election Committee Report: President Harkey called for the Ballot Box to be brought out. He thanked the Palmer Kiwanis for volunteering to be Election Officials at our Annual Meeting. Election Committee Chair, John Harkey, reported six candidates met requirements to serve as Directors; Carol Kenley, Bonnie Quill, John Erickson, Jr.; incumbents; Charlie Willis, Danny Consenstein, and Patricia Ward.
-Candidate Statements: Charlie Willis’ out-of town work schedule prevented his presence and Patricia Ward was not in attendance. The remainder of the candidates each spoke briefly to the membership.
-Election of Three Directors, Call for Ballots: President Harkey called for everyone to vote and put their ballots in the Ballot Box.
-Recess: President Harkey called for a recess at 7:24 pm.
-Final Call for Ballots: President Harkey called the meeting back to order at 7:51 pm and closed voting.
-Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Erickson reported total current assets for year ending 12/31/10 at $1,786,268.28, total fixed assets of $4,029,919.86 resulting in Total Assets of $5,816,188.14. He reported total current liabilities of $123,545.30, zero total long term liabilities, equity of $5,592,642.84 resulting in Total Liabilities and Equity of $5,816,188.14. Treasurer’s Report Approved: Kylie Clark/Talis Colberg/MC.
-President’s Comments: President Harkey reviewed the many community events held on the Fairgrounds, ongoing improvements and efforts to comply with ADA and OSHA laws, educational programs, entertainment improvement, and the Board’s diligent fiscal oversight in maintaining stable finances. He reported staff and board are actively planning better statewide outreach and actively seeking and encouraging more Native Historical involvement in the Fair. He announced starting on the 75th Anniversary of the Alaska State Fair, we will be smoke free and smoking would only be allowed in designated areas. He thanked everyone for attending and being involved.
-General Manager’s Preview for 2011: General Manager Ritari said the 2010 Fair showed fairgoers responded to weather and value, saying numbers showed large attendance on days weather was good and also on value days of 2Buck Thursday and Buddy Days. He said the 2011 Fair will bring 75th Birthday celebrations with cake, fireworks, games, over 3,000 entertainers on our stages and grounds -90% of them Alaskans. He reported Golden Wheel, our carnival partner who is great to work with, will be bringing two new rides and we will be coordinating with other fairs throughout the state to bring their winners to the finals of the Alaska’s Got Talent show. He reported the flower exhibits are expanding and moving to a brand new area in Farm Exhibits. This allows the Flowers Building to provide additional educational children’s activities along side the amazing Garden Maze. He announced some of the many new acts for 2011 including pirates straight out of movies and asked those in attendance to be “wary” of the two pirate scouts who appeared with swords and shenanigans just for the Annual Meeting-Mitch Tagami and Zan Alda . He said it is reported a contingent of pirates would be at the Fair to hornswaggle fairgoing landlubbers out of their laughter and glee. Ritari said the traditional events of rodeo, horse shows, motocross, antique tractors, Tuff Trux and demo derbies would be held. He thanked the Board of Directors, all staff, volunteers, vendors, entertainers, sponsors, State ofAlaska staff, City of Palmer staff, Access Alaska and all Alaskans and others who participated in producing and enjoying the Alaska State Fair.
-Old Business: None.
-New Business: None.
-Election Results: President Harkey announced the election results: Carole Kenley 78, John Erickson, 68, Danny Consenstein 68, Bonnie Quill 66, Charlie Willis 38, Patricia Wade 2. President Harkey certified the winners as Carol Kenley, John Erickson and Danny Consenstein. He then thanked Director Quill for her many years of services on the Board.
-Adjournment: President Harkey adjourned the meeting at 8:41 pm.