The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1998-03-18 KCVB MinutesKenai Visitors Convention Bureau, inc. March 18, 199 Regular Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. President Ron Malston Presiding MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5 :31 p.m. ROLL CALL Directors present: Will Jahrig; President Ron Malston; Diane Lofstedt; Jim Bookey; Fred Braun; Shirley Robert5;Sandra Vozar; Robert Fulton; Ron Rainey; Rebecca Godek; Marion Nelson Staff present: Kathy Tarr Guests present: Paul Dale (Snug Harbor Seafoods) Eric Huebsch (fisherman) C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA NUS (Godek, Nelson) to approve the agenda with one change (postpone reading of the correspondence) to after Persons Scheduled to be Heard). APPROVAL OE MINUTES NUS (Godek, Jahrig) to approve the minutes of January 14, 1998. E. CORRESPONDENCE Board members received copies of the following correspondence: *A postcard dated January 30 from Senator Mike Miller *A January 22 letter from Senator Ted Stevens *Two letters (February 12 and 26) from Senator Frank Murkowski °A March 8 letter from commercial fisherman, Mr. Eric Huebsch E. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD Mr. Paul Dale, owner, Snug Harbor Seafoods, Kenai *Note: The 130F was calling for proposals on Cook Inlet fisheries to be submitted by April 10, 1 for consideration at the BOF's February 1999 meeting.) Mr. Paul Dale thanked the KVCB Board for allowing him the opportunity to speak. Mr. Dale commented to the board about KVCB's January 9 letter to the Alaska Board of Fisheries. The letter outraged many commercial fisherman and commercial fishing organizations in the community, he said. Mr. Dale recommended that KVCB's Board not get involved in fisheries allocation issues. He then read a five -page letter which outlined his thoughts on the issue. A brief question and answer session followed. Director Lofstedt asked Mr. Dale who he represented? Only himself, he replied. Director Braun commented that over the past six years the Bureau has supported and promoted the commercial fishing industry. He also said there were lots of conflicting statistics coming from both the commercial and sports fishing groups. President Malston thanked Mr. Dale and Mr. Huebsch for coming. The board took a ten minute break. (NUS, Rainey, Fulton) that theKVCB Board of Directors NOT submit a formal proposal to the Alaska Board of Fisheries by the BOF's April 10 deadline.* Minutes KVCB Board of Directors Meeting March 18, 1998 Page 2 President Ron Malston then read a letter from Karl Kircher of the Kenai Peninsula Fishermen's Association, dated March 13 which was received by fax after the board had received their meeting packets. The board instructed Kathy Tarr to send KPFA a letter to inform them of the motion that was passed this evening to not proceed with any formal proposals to the BOF at this time. G. FLECTION OF OFFICERS (Diane Lofstedt Ron Rainey, Nominating Committee) Director Rainey presented the following slate of officers for consideration: Will Jahrig, President Rebecca Godek, Vice President; Diane Lofstedt; Sec/Treas (MJS, Fulton, Rainey to accept the Nominating Committee's slate of officers.) H. FINANCES 1. Budget Report: a budget report through February 28 was presented. Income was reported at $36,398.47 and Expenses were 825,196.16. Tarr noted postage expenses were tracking higher than anticipated due to a high volume of visitor inquiries. Over 700 mailings to potential visitors were sent in January and February due to some effective advertising. Fifty -one KVCB members signed up for the 1998 Leads Program. KVCB supplies these members with visitor contact names addresses twice monthly. This has also increased postage costs. Tarr reported that the two full -time Visitor Services staff perform many duties behind the scenes in the building. Staff resources and time were stretched because the front desk staff also input all visitor inquiries into the computer, print out all the sets of labels (34 sets twice each month), prepare all the Leads Program mailings, etc., meet and greet every visitor in the front door, answer all incoming telephone calls, and perform their normal duties in keeping the Visitor Services reference area maintained. 2. Gaming Report (February). The Games of Chance Skill Bicentennial Bingo Report was presented. Because a large pull tab and bingo paper order was made in February, gaming net revenue for the month of February was reported at $240.89. 3. An income statement for the small retail area was presented. Sales for the month January and February combined were reported at $644.93 total. The donations box netted $65 for the month of February. 4. Kathy Tarr reviewed KVCB's preliminary budget and contract discussions with the City of Copies of the budget work sheets and justification (FY99 Budget) which were given to the city in February were distributed and thoroughly discussed. Tarr said the City of Kenai was pleased with the management and services provided for the Kenai Visitors Cultural Center. She also re- stated the preliminary budget talks between the city administration and herself had been positive and cooperative. (M/S, Braun, Jahrig), to support the idea of preparing an annual "Report to the Community" every year, as requested by City Manager Rick Ross. 1. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT Tarr summarized her four -page written Executive Director's report (covering activities through March 12) which board members received in their board packets. She informed the board that a Minutes KVCB Board of Directors March 18, 1998 Page 3 eeting new Visitor Services Coordinator, Nancy Lathey, had been hired to replace Cecelia Richard. March 14 was the closing date for applications on the Manager of Exhibits Education position. Tarr also reported that Linda Dunn, the Bureau's bookkeeper would be leaving within the next few months. A report was given on the upcoming AVA "Legislative Fly-ln" to Juneau. Tarr presented her ideas for producing a "Report to the Community" (similar to an annual report) and showed a draft Table of Contents. The board then discussed the information which should be included in the "Report to the Community." She also reported on her meeting with the Kenai Townsite Historic District Board. Members of the Townsite Historic District Board have been working to produce a self guiding walking tour of Old Town Kenai, Tarr said the new self guided walking tour would be a great addition to Kenai for visitors and for residents. She then asked for the board's support in underwriting the printing costs of the brochure /map not yet designed. (M /S Nelson, Godek) for the Kenai Visitors Convention Bureau to underwrite the printing costs of the Old Town self guided walking tour brochure for the 1998 visitor season only, and at an expense not to exceed 5600. NEW BUSINESS None. K. BOARD COMMENTS Director Jahrig commented positively on the new firefighting training facility. Director Godek said she would assist with the arrangements for the upcoming visit of Tom Garrett, Director, State of Alaska Division of Tourism on April 29. Director Braun reported that Sue Carter, the founding Executive Director of KVCB, recently praised the staff and operation of the Kenai Visitors Cultural Center. Director Rainey thanked the staff and board for their patience and efforts during the recent months. Director Godek thanked outgoing president Ron Malston for his past year of hard work and service as KVCB Board President. SCHEDULE OF NEXT BOARD MEETING 'The next full board meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, May 6. M. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Executive Director