January 13, 2003

Board of Directors Meeting

Key West Library Garden

Board Members Present:

Isaac Valdes, Chairman

Ann Summers, Vice Chairman (arrival 10:15 a.m.)

Sabrina Liguori, Secretary

Antonio Rodriguez, Treasurer

Jan Nelson (arrival 10:10 a.m.)

Will Soto (arrival 10:20 a.m.)

Dave Van Hulst

Others present:

W. Winko Barb Winko

Debbie Peterson JoAnn Hassman

Pete I. Will Dark

Magic Bill J. Margalli

Greg G. Eddie W.

Natalie John R.

Sloan

The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a. m. by Isaac. The first order of business was to vote on the following changes to the Board:

Antonio R. will replace Dave Van Hulst as Treasurer

Sabrina L. will replace Jan Nelson as Secretary. A motion was made by Sabrina to appoint Antonio to the Treasurer position and was seconded by Dave. Passed, all in favor.

Dave made a motion to appoint Sabrina as Secretary, and was seconded by Antonio. Passed, all in favor.

Eddie is the contact person for matters relating to the cruise ships. He advised that he, Will Soto and Don Sullivan had gotten together to work on drafting a resolution stating CPS’ stand on the cruise ship problem. The resolution was to be presented to the group that is hosting a round table forum on Thursday night. Three different resolutions were read by Eddie. Much discussion was held regarding all three resolutions. Since our attorney was in attendance he participated in these discussions. We asked for his directions and he told us that we had two ways in which to approach the City. We could be hard line and threaten them with a lawsuit or we could meet with City officials and try to work out a compromise. Since our lease is up in April 2004 he thought that if we take a very hard line with them we could end up hurting ourselves in the upcoming negotiations. He told the Board they had to decide which way to go. His suggestion would be a softer approach. If we sued we would have to come up with a monetary figure for damages. That would involve everyone who works at the Pier to state how much they earn and how much they lose by the ships being in port. He thought a better way to approach it would be to let the City know how many people are being hurt and the money they are not making is not being funneled back into the City through our buying power. It was decided that Isaac would be the contact for the attorney for the Board. Isaac will set up a meeting with another Board member attending to meet with the attorney to discuss what we want to discuss with the City. Isaac will also set up a meeting with City officials and let them know our attorney will be attending the meeting. Isaac thanks the attorney for attending our meeting and tells him we will be in contact with him in the near future. The discussion continues regarding how we want to present ourselves to the round table discussion on Thursday. Sabrina makes a motion that we will not present any resolution at the meeting. Seconded by Jan. Will opens discussions stating that the meeting is going to be for all concerned members of all organizations within the City to join together and work on the cruise ship problem. Will feels that we should have something to present at the meeting letting the other groups know where we stand on the issues. Wink suggest that Will and Eddie present verbally where we stand but not submit a written resolution. He feels we should know a little more before we commit ourselves in writing. Sabrina makes a motion to withdraw her motion. Seconded by Annie. Passed, unanimously. Jan makes a motion to let Will and Eddie state our position verbally but not in writing. (Eddie will write something up and submit it to the Secretary to pass around to the other Board members prior to the meeting). Annie seconds. Passed, unanimously.

Isaac brings up the subject of a budget for CPS for this year. He would like to have the budget reflect what our actual costs for the year would be for donations, salaries, rent, etc. It was decided to table this discussion until the next Board meeting. Antonio will come up with an outline to present to the Board at that time. Isaac would also like the Board to decide a salary range CPS would pay for a pier manager. This will also be discussed.

The next item on the agenda is the Lease Committee. This was discussed and it was agreed that a sign-up sheet will be placed in the kiosk for a few days only, all interested parties will be able to volunteer to work on the committee. The Board will then take the list and appoint the Committee and the person who will Chair the committee.

The next discussion is regarding the Historical Committee. Jan makes a motion for Wink to chair this committee. Antonio seconded. Passed, unanimously.

Isaac asks the Board to consider having business cards printed for the Board Members. When attending meetings with other groups, the City etc. he feels we should be able to offer a business card as this is standard practice in the business community. Jan makes a motion to have cards printed for all Board Members. Sabrina seconds, Passed, unanimously. Sabrina will take care of the detail in obtaining these cards.

The next item is “Hidden Agenda”. Isaac states that all Board members are here to work for the benefit of CPS and it’s members. No one should speak on behalf of CPS alone. There should always be at least two Board members present at all meeting with the City or other businesses. The Board would appoint who would attend the meetings.

Jan makes a motion requiring two Board members as a minimum to speak for CPS. Seconded by Antonio. Passed, unanimously. Isaac will be the contact person for the City. The secretary will write a letter to the City, Myra, the attorney and the accounts informing them of the change in the contact person for CPS.

Jan brings up the Chamber of Commerce dinner on January 31, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. This is a black tie affair. Jan feels that we should be represented since this is attended by most all of the business people in Key West. The fee is $55.00 per person and needs to be submitted right away. Jan makes a motion for CPS to purchase six (6) tickets (Dave V. not attending) for all of the Board members to attend. Will and Isaac would like to take their spouses and will pay for their tickets. Seconded by Will. Passed, unanimously.

The next item on the agenda is the requirement from the City regarding the Cuban American Festival. We must hire a clean up person to take care of the trash removal and clean up of the public restrooms. El Meson de Pepe will pay half and we will pay half. Jan makes a motion to hire “Mark”, the city employee that normally does this, for $22.00 per hour to do this work. Seconded by Sabrina. Passed, unanimously.

Isaac asks Wink if he and Annie could do a layout for Cuban American Festival spaces. We will be limited in number and using only a portion of the Mallory area. A motion is made by Sabrina for Wink and Annie to work this out. Seconded by Jan. Passed, unanimously. Wink and Annie agree to work on this together.

Sabrina brings up the brochure. It is finally done and being distributed. It looks like it is “sold out” for the next printing. The front page will be put up for “bid” on the next printing. Highest bidder to have their picture on the front page. It cost CPS $2,780.00 for the first printing. That included set up fees that we will not have to pay again. Will suggest that we sell enough advertising to surrounding businesses that the performers and artists will not have to pay to have their picture included in the next one. All agree that this will be looked into.

Pete (pier manager) has been with us for one year now. It is time for an annual salary review. Jan makes a motion to give Pete a $5.00 an hour raise. Annie seconds. A discussion takes place, Will suggest $2.50 per hour, Isaac suggest $1.00 per hour. Isaac calls for a vote, 4 against, 3 in favor. Failed.

Will makes a motion to try and work into the budget a raise of $2.50 an hour and make it retro active to today’s date. Jan seconds. A vote is taken, 4 against, 3 in favor. Failed.

It is decided that the budget will be worked on and a raise will be discussed at the next Board meeting. The raise will be retro active to today’s date.

Antonio makes a motion to table this discussion, Sabrina seconds. A vote is taken, 6 in favor, 1 against.

A discussion is held regarding the last Boards’ decision on the Sunset Celebration T-Shirt purchase and sale on the web site. Will makes a motion to have the T-Shirt factory supply the shirts and print them with the Sunset logo produced by Buchi. Jan seconds. Passed unanimously.

A discussion is held regarding this years special events. A motion is made by Jan, seconded by Sabrina for Annie to head up the special event planning for CPS. Passed unanimously.

Magic Bill, a performer at Sunset asked to be recognized. He would like the Sunset performers to work on getting a tour together to promote Sunset Celebration. He expressed his thoughts and it was decided that the Board would discuss this at the next meeting.

Wink asked to be recognized. He asked that the Board approve the changes that the PC had made to the “Introduction” letter that is posted on the CPS web site. He explained all the changes and the members read the printed copy he provided. Antonio made a motion to change the Intro letter, seconded by Annie. Passed unanimously.

Jan wants to discuss the recent problems concerning Joseph (Silverman). He seems to be having some very difficult problems and is creating a lot of problems for CPS. Discussion is that everyone is very fond of Joseph but something has to be done. Pete asks that he be suspended until he has received some help or counseling. Will thinks he is having a breakdown of some sort. He says Pete will have to make the final call regarding Joseph but that maybe some people from the pier will try and talk to him and get him the help he needs. It is decided that he will be put on 30 days probation and told he has to change his ways when he comes back. In the mean time Will, will try to get him to go to the clinic and receive some help. His horn was discussed. It was decided that it will not be taken away at this time but he must be very careful in the way he uses it in the future. If he continues to harass other performers with it, he will not be allowed to use it.

Isaac advises the Board that he overheard the Coconut Postcard vendor’s helper “hawking” the product again. Pete will watch him and if he is caught, he will be suspended.

Will makes a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Antonio. Passed, unanimously.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:50 p.m.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on January 29^th at the Library.