HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-09-27 KCVB MinutesKenai Convention and Visitors Bureau
Board Meeting Minutes
September 27, 2004
Board Members Present: Fred Braun, Marion Nelson, Sharon Brower, Jacquie Steckel, Robert
Fulton, Robin West, Ron Malston, Sasha Lindgren
Board Members Excused: Pat Porter
Staff Members Present: Michelle Glass, Mya Renken, Diana McKenney
A. Call to Order Roll Call: The meeting was called to order at 5:12 p.m.
B. Approval of Agenda: Ms. Steckel moved and Ms. Nelson seconded approval of the agenda.
It was approved unanimously.
C. Approval of Minutes: Mr Malston moved and Ms. Brower seconded approval of the
minutes of August 9, 2004. They were approved unanimously.
I). Persons scheduled to be introduced: Mya Renken New Executive Director Ms.
Renken is happy to be here and ready to start moving forward.
E. Persons scheduled to be heard: Megan Gorman 501(c)3 by -law signatures and update of
organizational meeting was re- scheduled for October's meeting
F. Correspondence:
1. Debbie Corbett letter Kenai NWR cabin move: Mr. West said they have received some
money to address the cabins on the refuge. They had a little money to manage a few cabins
mostly on Tustamena Lake. This year, they were able to hire a crew to fix up historical
cabins making them available for public use and build about 7 new ones. They will be put on
a reservation system, which was controversial. It was proposed that the cabin referred to in
the letter be moved by floating it down the Kenai. It is currently on the bluff near Bing's
Landing. It has been subject to vandalism because of accessibility. There was discussion
about moving it to Frying Pan Island and there has been resistance from family members,
people on Caribou Island, and others. The proposed meeting is to dete, mine if, how, and
where to move it. If there is strong opposition to moving it, they won't, but won't encourage
it as a public use cabin. Ms. Lindgren says this is the last populated native site. The cabin
was constructed in 1938 by her uncles, Herman and Van, under the guidance of their uncle as
was traditional. The cabin was used extensively by the family in the winters. As the Refuge
took title, it was renamed and is in the parcel of land that is to be nominated into the
historical register. The family believes it should be maintained. Although the Refuge claims
it is a critical brown bear habitat, it would still be unfortunate to move it, and her uncle does
not want it to be moved. It is an opportunity for the Refuge, the tribe, and the family to work
together. As for the vandalism, it is her experience that if the public is informed and there is
something nice there, it is reduced. Perhaps a stewardship program would work. At the
Interpretive Site, there is no vandalism on the trail. It is a strong issue with her family, and
they will do what Uncle Herman wishes. Ms. Lindgren will represent the tribe at the
meeting. Mr. Braun asked Ms. Renken to send a letter to Debbie Corbett to ask to be on the
mailing list.
G. Financials:
1. Cash Flow Diana: Mr. Braun said that at Chamber last week for the mayoral forum, the
candidates were asked about this facility and positive remarks were made. The report has
been simplified. Ms. Nelson asked about equipment replacement. Ms. Renken talked about
an equipment replacement plan. Ms. Lindgren talked about a computer in the museum
dedicated to information retrieval. Ms. Nelson would like us to consider that activity tickets
be on a different computer to alleviate any corruption from the net.
H. New Business:
1. Election of new BOD Vice President: Ms. Steckel nominated Ms. Nelson and Mr.
Malston seconded. The nomination was approved unanimously. Mr. Malston moved
that nominations be closed and Ms. Brower seconded. Ms. Nelson's approval for Vice
President was approved unanimously. Ms. Glass asked about the new director sending a
note to the board members who have not attended and ask about their interest. Those that
have missed are Ms. Vozar, Mr. Edwards Smith, and Mr. Dunn. The Board directed Ms.
Renken to do so.
2. Selection of new Old Town Bingo Representative: Two people from this organization
need to be check signers and members of the Old Town Bingo organization. Ms.
Lindgren moved and Mr. Fulton seconded that Ms. Steckel he the representative. It was
approved unanimously.
3. Personnel: An Executive session was called to discuss personnel matters.
4. Selection of new check signers: Ms. Nelson moved and Ms. Brower seconded that Ms.
Steckel be added as a check signer. It was approved unanimously.
I. Old Business:
1. ED Transition Plan: October 1 is Ms. Glass' last day. Ms. Renken has been
introduced at the Kenai Chamber and will be going to the Soldotna Chamber tomorrow.
2. Possible consolidation with Kenai COC: Mr. Braun sent the letter to KCC. Ms. Carter
told him that her impression is that the board is pleased with it.
a. Draft MOU with KCOC: Ms. Nelson moved and Mr. Fulton sceonded
consideration of the MOU with KCC. Ms. Nelson recommends that we review
the MOU with the new Chamber director, Janie Odgers. Mr. Fulton liked the
document and said he talked to a lot of people about it and that the input he has
gotten is very much in favor of keeping the organizations separate and that they
agree with the MOU. Ms. Steckel recommended that there be an opportunity for
K. Board Comments:
them to formally agree such as a signature, or if you have further thoughts or
input, please let us know. Mr. Fulton recommended that it be presented as a
proposed MOU. Ms. Lindgren addressed the last paragraph recommending that
we add the Borough and the other Chambers. Ms. Nelson agreed. Ms. Glass'
idea for the final MOU is that there would be a place for each president to sign at
the end. And perhaps instead of trying to include other entities, recognize the
need to communicate and include as much as possible, for example, the Borough,
Borough -wide Chambers, and other government entities. Mr. West moved and
Mr. Malston seconded approval of the MOU. Mr. West indicated that both
mayoral candidates were in favor of this proposal. It was approved unanimously.
3. Meetings update:
a. Museums Alaska: Ms. Renken attended and found it to be helpful and believed that
we have a unique situation. She discovered that people were surprised to find that a
CVB could play an important role. Ms. Lindgren commented that she observed that
Ms. Verrengia was very participatory in the class she took with her and appeared to
be very involved. Ms. Renken found that Ms. Verrengia was much respected in that
arena.
b. Alaska Media Roadshow: Ms. Glass said that it went really well and that they were
really well received. People were very interested and felt they did a great job in
presenting story ideas. Ms. Renken is already following up with many of the contacts
and has received her first response from a freelance writer from Santa Cruz. Ms.
Renken said that one of the writers there was from Elite magazine and she ended her
presentation with, "If you don't receive our magazine, you aren't supposed to." Ms.
Nelson asked if one person was enough or do we need two people there. Ms. Glass
said it really helped to have someone take notes, but for the cost, one person could do
it adequately.
c. ATIA Oct. 5 -7: This meeting is in Fairbanks. Ms. Renken has been invited by
Premier Alaska Tours to ride their bus and a friend of hers from the state has invited
her to stay in her room. With the savings, she plans to take Alise to the Western
Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus conference, which is a good
education opportunity for membership and performance.
d. WACVB Oct. 21 -24: Ms. Renken will be entering the sportfishingkenai.com site
in the Idea Faire.
J. Executive Director's Report:
Arctic winter games discussion need pins.
Ron Senungetuk, our guest curator for the 2005 summer art show, is very well known and will
be a terrific marketing tool for sponsorship packets.
Ms. Nelson For ATIA if there is some way to work something in for the product segment.
Talk about our show, or throw Ron's name out there or activity tickets or something.
Ms. Brower thank you very much. Very glad to have Ms. Renken on board and very sorry to
lose Ms. Glass.
Mr. West welcome to Ms. Renken. October 22 at 7 p.m. here the National Wildlife
Refuge presentation by Karen Hollingsworth. Mr. Braun asked about advertising to get more
people in our facility asked Mr. West to get with Ms. Renken to spend $300 or so to attract
more people here.
Mr. Malston farewell to Mr. Glass it's nice she and Ms. Renken have had time to work
together.
Ms. Lindgren welcome Ms. Renken and sad that Ms. Glass is leaving. Will be talking with
Ms. Renken about some the programs they have had in the past and would like to do some of
those again that would bring many people in.
Mr. Braun welcome aboard and Michelle we will really miss you. The board wants to wish
you well and are willing to give you the best recommendation, so don't hesitate at any time to
ask.
Ms. Glass it will be with great praise that she will talk about her time here. And thanks to Ms.
McKenney because she will be instrumental in the transition.
L. Schedule of Next Board Meeting: October 25, 5 p.m.
M. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 7:21p.,m.