Cultural Preservation Society, Inc.
January 2, 2003
Board of Directors Meeting
Key West Library
Board Members Present:
Isaac Valdes, Chairman
Dave Van Hulst, Treasurer
Antonio Rodriguez
Will Soto (arrival 10:15 a.m.)
Ann Summers (arrival 10:30 a.m.)
Others present:
Joyce Straiton (alternate BD. MBR)
Wendel Winko (PC Chairman)
Debbie Peterson (PC Secretary)
Pete (Pier Manager)
Eddie Woolford
Sparrow
Steve Kurstin
Steve Kernan
Patrick Maher
Susanne Buxton
Michele Delgado
Schmedly
Jeep
Barbara Winko
Joel O.
The meeting was called to order at 10:15 a.m. by the Chairman. Isaac asked Barb Winko to take the minutes since the Secretary was not present and then called for the minutes of the General Membership Meeting in December to be read. Wink had been asked to take those minutes so he read the minutes to the Board. A motion was made to accept the minutes by Dave Van Hulst, Will seconded the motion. Passed unanimously.
Wink then advised the Board that he had in his possession, all of the ballots, the roster and count of the elections and asked what the Board wanted done with them. Isaac advised that they be put in a sealed envelope and put in with the 2002 records of CPS.
The Chairman called for the treasurers report. Since Dave has been ill since being elected, Eddie has continued to handle the treasurers duties. Eddie read the report, stating that we have a cash available balance of approximately $20,000.00 after all expenses have been paid to date. Eddie also advised that as of January 1, 2003 the new credit card service provider is on board. As yet we cannot accept Discover Card but this will be instituted as soon as possible. The pier manager will run the old and new company for a short time since the new company cannot provide “pre-approval” access yet. Only pre-approvals on the old system will be accepted until further notice. Eddie advised that the ATM was presently empty and he needed a check for $2,000.00 to fill the machine. A motion was made by Antonio for a check to be cut for the ATM. Will seconded. Passed, all in favor. Eddie presented all of the paperwork for our Income Tax to Isaac.
The Chairman called for a PC report. Wink advised that since the PC had not done any jurying for over a month there was nothing to report. Debbie said she had been receiving mail with applications and fees for the PC. She advised that she had been returning checks and applications except in the categories which already have established waiting lists. Isaac asks if there is a motion to keep PC closed? Will asks if we have turned anyone away so far and Pete advised we had not. Antonio made a motion to keep PC closed for now and the motion was seconded by Dave. Passed, all in favor.
The Chairman called for the Pier Managers report. Pete discussed the new charge system and how he was handling the old system. He will advise everyone when the new system is fully operational for accepting Discover card and handling pre-approvals. Pete asked the question “Do we stop setting up vendors when we reach the 50 mark?” Wink advises that he cannot locate in writing where the twilight members are NOT counted in the cap of 50. Susanne advises that it was done and needs to be located. Pete advises that Dave (OJ) told him this is how it has always been done. Isaac says he wants to talk to the City and ask if we can increase our spaces at Mallory. Until then we should continue operating as we have been. Steve Kurstin states that twilight take up a craft persons space so how does that affect space assignment? Wink reads the guidelines regarding twilight space assignment. A motion was made by Will to ask the City for more spaces. Antonio seconded. Passed, all in favor. It is agreed that we will wait until we receive word from the City before sending anyone home. Eddie explains how we began using the space in front of the flags. Steve asks where we are going to place new spaces. Discussion was made and decided to ask for the space and then work with the City on where to put them.
Pete continues with his report. He advises that he has a petition regarding the sandal people, the petition is asking the Board to override PC’s decision. Isaac advises that since the sandal people were not present we would not address the petition. Isaac advised that he would notify the sandal people to appear at the next Board meeting and it would be discussed then.
Pete brings up the fact that the new “keys” are starting to disappear. The good news is that they have not “shown up later”. He asks that Wink assist him in replacing the missing keys and he will try to devise a method to make them easier to read.
Pete goes on to say that he has received numerous complaints against Mark (unicycle) from Greg G. One regarding Mark using his lighter fluid to light his torches while on the unicycle creating a hazard. Pete says he discussed this with Mark and it is taken care of. Pete advises that he is having a problem with the Performers and the in-fighting. Pete says he has discussed this with Will and they will try to work together to resolve the situation. Pete also states that he is getting many complaints from the vendors regarding the performers set up spots. He describes the seniority based system and how difficult it is to get everyone set up. Will asks that the performers be given the authority to place the performers in spots since they know which acts require more space than others. Isaac states that Pete is responsible for the placement and will continue to handle that. Pete states that these problems have been here for a long time and will probably continue for a long time. Isaac asks if the Plaza area is for overflow? Wink shows Isaac the space layout diagram from the City. We have 4 spaces in front of the pizza restaurant that are designated as performer spots and one in the plaza and one in front of the arches. Those are the only spaces designated off of the dock itself. Pete discusses performers that come to lottery and hang their key and then disappear. Will asks the Board to please listen to the performers input regarding the problems and space assignments. Isaac states that Mallory has changed a lot and we all need to work together to keep it operating smoothly. Isaac asks Will to go back to using the guidelines and limit shows to 30 minutes so all performers can get a show in. Discussion continues. Will makes a motion to take these issues up at the next Performers meeting which will include the Pier Manager and Board members. They will discuss the performers set-up space and bucket system. Dave seconds the motion. Passed, all in favor.
The next discussion was regarding amplification at Sunset. Wink reads the minutes from the 1994 General Membership meeting and a letter from the City Attorney regarding amps. Susanne states that amps should be only for musicians. Eddie asks if two bag pipers are allowed. Says it is just to much noise. A suggestion regarding amps and performers making to much noise should be left to the Pier Manager and his discretion. A motion is made by Will and seconded by Annie for the Pier manager to handle this until further direction from the Board. Passed, all in favor.
The Chairman calls for the Performers Report. Will reads the minutes from the December 16, and December 23, 2002 [performers meetings (copies attached). Will says that he has obtained a legal opinion stating that he can hold the office of “Chairman of the Performers Committee” as well as being an elected “Board” member. Isaac asks that the Vice President of the performers committee chair the meetings until we receive a legal opinion in writing from CPS’ attorney. Will agrees. A discussion is made regarding the Board of Directors (2002 Board) decision to change the bucket system for performers. It is stated that all performers want to return to the old system. Annie makes a motion to table this discussion to further investigate the bucket situation. Antonio seconds. Pete will announce the day and time of the next Performers meeting so all can attend. A vote is taken, 4 in favor and one opposed. Passed.
Meeting is recessed to move to the library garden as we have to vacate for another scheduled meeting in the library.
Meeting is called to order in the Garden and a vote is taken by ballot for the new PC members. A list of participants signing up as well as the ballots are included with these minutes. The votes are counted and the results are as follows:
Wink
Jimmy B.
Joel O.
Michele D.
Javier D.
Debbie P.
Jonathan C.
Alternates are: Steve Kurstin and Carol Lennan
The meeting is reconvened and Will brings up a handful of Grievance Forms and asks what to do with them as they are addressed to the board. Isaac advised to give them to Pete so we can follow correct procedure. A motion is made by Dave to accept the Performers Committee report. Seconded by Annie. Passed, all in favor.
New Business::
Annie speaks and states that at the General Membership meeting in December when to Board moved a number of snowbirds in waiting up to Regular status, two participants were overlooked. Joseph Deptula (Sparrow) and Steve Kernen (Artist). Annie makes a motion to move these two up to regular status. Antonio seconds. Passed, all in favor.
Isaac appointed Eddie to be in charge of our cruise ship problem. He has been given permission to contact local and state officials to try and find a solution to this problem. Eddie states that he has already contacted the State and that they advised him that it sounded like the City was in violation of the Bay bottom lease and they would look into it, but Eddie has not heard anything back from them as yet. Eddie asks that CPS make copies of the complaint forms and have them available at the Kiosk for tourist to fill out regarding their dislike of the cruise ships.
Will states that he was contacted by members of Last Stand and invited to sit on a panel to work on the Cruise Ship problem. They would like to have a resolution from CPS Board of Directors stating their position on the ships. The are having a meeting on January 16th and 6:30 p.m. at the Woodenhead Gallery and have invited all interested parties to attend and speak regarding this problem. Isaac would like to see Eddie, Don S. and the Board attend this meeting.
Isaac advises that there is a meeting at Pepe’s on January 7th at 9:00 a.m. regarding the Cuban Festival. He requested all Board members to participate in this meeting.
Debbie speaks about the list PC is keeping regarding applications. Just because an application is received and accepted does not mean that they will be approved to work at Mallory when jurying resumes. It only means that they will be advised when the next meeting is being held and that they will be allowed to jury. The PC will accept or deny all products as they normally do.
Michele D. asks that the Board of Directors back PC’s decisions and not override them.
Steve Kurstin asks about the Digital Art study that was done and never acted upon. Isaac states that the subject will be addressed at the next General Membership meeting.
Debbie asks the Board to consider creating a position of Librarian. She would like to have that position and take all records from storage to her home and get them in order. Anyone wishing to look, research or copy records would be given the information and checked out by the Librarian. The Board will “think” on this and bring it up at the next meeting.
Will makes a motion to “recess” the meeting until January 7th at which time it will reconvene in conjunction with the Performers meeting to address the problems of who should oversee the performers set up and the bucket system. Antonio seconds. Passed, all in favor. Meeting is in recess.